WO2010132981A1

WO2010132981A1 - Emergency response system

Info

Publication number: WO2010132981A1
Application number: PCT/CA2010/000712
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard Anderson; Bruce Whyte
Original assignee: Anderson Howard; Whyte Bruce
Priority date: 2009-05-22
Filing date: 2010-05-14
Publication date: 2010-11-25

Abstract

A system for emergency response includes a door lock unit with a motor and receiver in the unit is arranged to receive a unique identifying code from a satellite transmission system for actuating the motor. In response to a request signal from the satellite transmission system the unit provides a GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door. A visual indication light is provided at the location of the door so that on transmission of a 911 call from a premises containing the door, a dispatcher can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to transmit the GPS location signal and to actuate the visual indication and so that, on arrival of the emergency response person at the door, a signal is sent to the control system of the door lock to open the lock.

Description

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a system for use in emergency response to assist in guidance of the responder to the required location and to assist in gain entry into the premises concerned. During an emergency someone calls 911 and warns the 911 operator that they have an emergency situation, the 911 operator elicits answers to a series of questions in an effort to determine what emergency response team is most suited, and best located to respond to the emergency.

Once responders have arrived on the scene they are faced with the problem of access, as most doors are locked. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for emergency response comprising: a door lock with a lock member for engaging into a receptacle to hold a door against opening; a motor for driving the lock member to an open position; a control system at the lock member; a satellite transmission system for communication with the control system of the door lock; the control system being arranged to receive a signal from the satellite transmission system for actuating the motor where the signal from the satellite transmission system includes a unique identifying code so that the control system actuates the motor only on receipt of the code; the control system being arranged, in response to a request signal from the satellite transmission system to transmit a signal to the satellite transmission system for providing a GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door; the control system being arranged to generate a visual indication at the location of the door; and a remote storage for a list of unique codes for a plurality of door locks by which an authorized person can authorize the transmission of the signal to the control system in response to a confirmation from the emergency response person that they are present at the door; whereby on transmission of a 911 call from a premises containing the door, a dispatcher at an authorized location having access to the list of unique codes can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to transmit the GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door and to actuate the visual indication; and whereby, on arrival of the emergency response person at the door, the dispatcher at the authorized location having access to the list of unique codes when instructed by the person can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to open the lock.

Preferably there is provided an indicator light at the door lock to show the location of the lock on the building so by utilizing the GPS signal it will be much easier for responders to locate which is the easiest access point for entry to the emergency.

Preferably there is provided an auxiliary relay for indicator light to additionally show the location of the lock on the building relay board for GPS locking device.

Preferably the door lock includes a GPS receiver for determining the location of the door.

Preferably the door lock includes a communication device arranged for receiving and storing door coordinates from a separate GPS receiver.

Preferably the door lock includes a user operated data entry port to receive data into the system such as data about the occupants or local navigation details to assist first responders in locating the premises.

Preferably there is provided a temperature sensor arranged such that if a threshold temperature is exceeded the door locks are programmed to open independent of a command signal.

By using the present invention, the time and effort, necessary of the emergency responders to cut or smash their way into a building to gain access to the emergency and the victims, could be saved by having the door lock system installed on everyone's homes, and businesses, providing emergency responders with instant, easy access, during any emergency, and thereby removing the need to waste valuable time just gaining access to the facility. It is believed that this product is used as another tool to save lives.

This lock system may save lives. It can lead to lower insurance costs, if the lock system is installed prior to the emergency.

Thus the GPS based lock system described herein provides emergency responders, with easy access to any facility by assigning PIN numbers to each lock. Thus through GPS technology the lock system can transmit a signal during an emergency, providing first responders with an exact location of the emergency, once they arrive the door would be unlocked for them by remote means, providing them with instant access to the facility where the emergency is occurring, and thereby improving the likelihood of saving lives, reducing property damage, and overall related insurance costs.

This product recognizes the need for a better method of responding to emergencies, providing first responders with easy access to any facility makes good common sense. Other prior related products are excellent products, but fail to provide the benefits we intend to offer with our product line. There are products that do similar things, but it appeared to us that no-one was actually developing a product, that would serve the same purpose, or create the same benefits we beiieve it to be considered novel, and unique in purpose. Example # 1

In the case of a medical alert bracelet being activated, or a person who may be having a heart attack, or someone living one like a senior citizen, the door would be unlocked for them utilizing GPS technology, providing paramedics and first responders improved response times by removing the difficulty of access. Example # 2

In then case of a 911 alarm requiring the police, the locking system would provide entry to the home in the event there was a domestic dispute, kidnapping, or hostage situation. It could also be used to gain entry during a burglary or other criminal activity. Example # 3

In the event of a fire alarm, this lock system would give firefighters easy access to the home or business which could have a smaii fire burning, and reduce the need to cut or smash their way into the facility, all in an effort to gain access, the savings in time and effort required, would be substantial to say the least. The increase in saved time will assist firefighters in saving life and property, thus limiting the overall damage, and also reduce fire damage costs to the insurance companies as well. Example # 4

The most important benefit of our product is that it utilizes GPS technology, it will provide emergency responders with an exact location of the emergency, and thereby removing the time normally wasted just trying to find that location. it is expected that the product will receive tremendous support from everyone including, police, fire fighters, paramedics, and ail other 911 responders, encouraging the public to purchase and install these lock systems for all the obvious reasons. It is an excellent product with tremendous benefits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the system of Figure 1 arranged for where local telephone service is available.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the system according to the present invention arranged for where local telephone service is not available.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the door unlocking device of Figure 1. In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system described herein has the following components: 1. GPS door lock system 2. A 9 - volt battery - power supply.

3. Mechanical locking device shown in Figure 4.

4. Main relay shown in Figure 4 to unlock door lock mechanism

5. Auxiliary relay to operate indication light to show low voltage of battery

6. Indicator light - to show low voltage of the battery.

7. Indicator light to show the location of the lock on the building (which could have more than one door) so by utilizing the GPS signal it will be much easier for responders to locate which is the easiest access point for entry to the emergency.

8. Auxiliary relay for indicator light to additionally show the location of the lock on the building relay board for GPS locking device.

10. A communications module of the door lock system which allows communication to and from the satellite transmission system of signals.

11. A memory of the communications module which contains the unique code of the door lock concerned.

12. An antenna.

13. A satellite communication system of a conventional nature. 14. A dispatcher system by which an authorized dispatcher can communicate with the person on the premises and the responder on their way to and at the premises.

15. A memory containing a list of the unique codes in association with the locations of the premises concerned. 16. A telephone at the premises.

17. A telephone carried by the responder.

The door lock system for home and business use, utilizes GPS technology to open the locked door. The door locking system shown in Figure 4 can be used in the traditional manner, using an outside key, key pad or the like to lock or unlock the door, or manually locking it from the inside using the handle 20. The difference between standard locking devices and the present product is that the present product will utilize GPS technology by the receiver 21 and have the ability to be opened via satellite using a receiver 22 in a remote manner.

GPS technology is required to determine the co-ordinates of each door in an equipped system. Once co-ordinates are determined for each door they need to be stored in on-board EEPROM 23 in the base station 24. During an emergency co-ordinate data can be electronically conveyed to the 911 dispatcher.

One method for determining and storing door coordinates wouid be to stand close to each IEERS equipped door while holding a standard consumer GPS receiver. Each location fix would be manually entered into the base station electronics. Alternative transmission technology including Bluetooth, IR, Ethernet, RS-232, etc could be used to convey co-ordinates to the base station. This method removes the cost of a permanent GPS receiver from the system price, but adds the cost of a data entry method on the base station.

Alternatively, a GPS receiver located in the base station would obviate the need for a consumer GPS receiver and a method for conveying co-ordinates to the IEERS system. Set up in this scenario would involve walking from door to door with the base station and pushing a button to record GPS co-ordinates for each equipped door. This method adds the cost of a GPS receiver, but increases convenience and removes the need for a data input method from an external GPS.

Independent of the need for door co-ordinate entry is the need to enter other data into the system, including medical data about the occupants, local navigation details to assist first responders in locating premises, telephone numbers to call (especially where 911 service may not be available), etc. For convenience there is need to include visual indicators for battery status 6 and system communication status, that is, the communication path to each door working is reliably and the equipment mounted at each door is reporting healthy operation. A user interface 25 is provided and options for this include a built in interface composed of a keypad and LCD, or a computer communication port and an accompanying computer application. Many, but not ail, homes have computers and wireless networks. An 802.11g wireless interface could be built into the base station, but users without computers will need a manual interface on the base station. Choice of user interface method will have ease of use and marketability impacts.

The RF communication 13 between the base and the door can be a Zigbee (802.15.4) communication technology system because of its range, data rate, auto routing and self healing capabilities. To reduce (or eliminate) regulatory approval steps the system uses, where practical, CSA/UL and FCC/iC approved modular components for the power supplies and communications components (Zigbee transceiver, telephone modem,

IRIDIUM transceiver).

In cases where a fire develops in an equipped premises there is the possibility that the base station, communications infrastructure or equipped doors will be damaged or destroyed before first responders arrive. This is more likely to occur when a fire develops in unoccupied premises. If this should occur the system will not be able to accomplish its intended function. As a remedy to this contingency a temperature sensor 26 is incorporated into the base station or the door electronics, if a threshold temperature is exceeded the door locks are programmed to open independent of a command signal from a 911 dispatcher.

The arrangement shown in Figure 2 is arranged for communications where a local telephone service is available.

In Figure 3 a second version of the base station assumes no land-line telephone service is available, so an IRIDIUM satellite transceiver system 30 (or a GSM cellular transceiver) is used to establish communication with first responder services. At issue are the following two points. First is the cost of using satellite communication, which preliminary research suggests wilt be significant. Second is the question of market size; how common are circumstances where no land-line communication exists. Detached out buildings on a property may be an example of premises that do not have land-line communication infrastructure, but likely have near-by access through a main residential building. In these cases the cost of connecting to an existing near-by land-line are probably lower than the cost of a satellite transponder and antenna. Because of its cost, satellite communication should be reserved for only those circumstances where no other publicly available electronic communication method is available.

The present product will improve people's chances of survival, during an emergency, by providing easy access to first responders, like police, fire fighters, and paramedics. Normally they would respond to an emergency situation, and find the doors are locked, they would then have to determine where would be the best access point, and gain access usually by breaking the door down, or by smashing a window. Quick response times save lives, and reduces property damage, providing easy access to first responders is a good thing, and should be supported by the Insurance Industry, and all Provincial and Federal Government Departments. Our product has a number of features and benefits, the most obvious is the fact that responders, will be able to have previously locked faciiities, unlocked using GPS technology, the present product will provide the same benefit, but more importantly provide a GPS signal that responders can use to locate the emergency faster.

On transmission of a 911 call from the telephone 16 at the premises containing the door, a dispatcher at an authorized location 14 having access to the list of unique codes in the memory 15 can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to transmit the GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door and to actuate the visual indication; On arrival of the emergency response person at the door, the dispatcher at the authorized location having access to the list of unique codes when instructed by the person can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to open the lock.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system for emergency response comprising: a door lock with a lock member for engaging into a receptacle to hold a door against opening; a motor for driving the lock member to an open position; a control system at the lock member; a satellite transmission system for communication with the control system of the door lock; the control system being arranged to receive a signal from the satellite transmission system for actuating the motor where the signal from the satellite transmission system includes a unique identifying code so that the control system actuates the motor only on receipt of the code; the control system being arranged, in response to a request signal from the satellite transmission system to transmit a signal to the satellite transmission system for providing a GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door; the control system being arranged to generate a visual indication at the location of the door; and a remote storage for a list of unique codes for a plurality of door locks by which an authorized person can authorize the transmission of the signal to the control system in response to a confirmation from the emergency response person that they are present at the door; whereby on transmission of a 911 call from a premises containing the door, a dispatcher at an authorized location having access to the list of unique codes can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to transmit the GPS location signal by which an emergency response person can be directed to the location of the door and to actuate the visual indication; and whereby, on arrival of the emergency response person at the door, the dispatcher at the authorized location having access to the list of unique codes when instructed by the person can authorize transmission of a signal to the control system of the door lock to open the lock.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein there is provided an indicator light at the door lock to show the location of the lock on the building so by utilizing the GPS signal it will be much easier for responders to locate which is the easiest access point for entry to the emergency.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein there is provided an auxiliary relay for indicator light to additionally show the location of the lock on the building relay board for GPS locking device.

4. The system according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the door lock includes a GPS receiver for determining the location of the door.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the door lock includes a communication device arranged for receiving and storing door coordinates from a separate GPS receiver.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the door lock includes a user operated data entry port to receive data into the system.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the data includes data about the occupants.

8. The system according to claim 6 wherein the data includes local navigation details to assist first responders in locating the premises.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein there is provided a temperature sensor arranged such that if a threshold temperature is exceeded the door locks are programmed to open independent of a command signal.