AU2002300449B2 - A system for receiving and transmitting data - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: MARCEL TURNER Invention Title: A SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING DATA The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known tc me: 2 A SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING AND TRANSMITTING DATA Field of the Invention The present invention relates particularly to security systems and devices used in security systems.

According to one application the invention relates to fire detection systems.

The present invention is particularly applicable to home security systems.

Background of the Invention In a typical home security system intruder detection equipment is located throughout a domestic environment and an alarm is activated whenever an intruder is detected.

Typically an alarm is in the form of an audible alarm which also generates an alarm signal which is transmitted to a receiver at a security surveillance centre.

More recently a home security system has been devised which is linked to a mobile phone.

If a home alarm is tripped or a smoke alarm activated, a message is sent to the home occupants mobile phone within one minute. The authorities are then notified and despatched to deal with the alarm activated.

This system incorporates motion detectors and reed switches as well as a smoke alarm and panic button.

The entire system of detectors is connected to an SMS gateway that can send one designated mobile phone message relating to the alarm which is activated.

The system incorporates a keypad so that members of a family can each be allocated a code so that when it is entered into the keypad a SMS message is sent announcing the safe arrival of that person.

One of the main problems with the above system is its cost of implementation and ongoing costs associated with monthly membership fees. Furthermore the above system utilises hard wiring which can be easily disabled.

The present invention provides an alternative 3 system which incorporates at least one novel device.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention the system is able to detect a monitored event such as an audible sound from a smoke detector and to automatically send a voice message to a preselected telephone or receiver station.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel device for sensing a parameter during an event and transmitting data to a receiver device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for receiving data transmitted by a device for sensing a parameter of an event and transmitting a voice message to a remote receiver.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for transmitting data comprising a detection means which is adapted to receive a sensed signal from a detector for detecting a parameter of an event, a processor which is adapted to receive a detection signal from the detection means and a transmitter which is adapted to receive data from the processor and transmit it to a remote receiver which is able to transmit a voice message over a communication network.

Preferably the detection means is configured to sense an audio signal transmitted by the detector.

Preferably the detector includes an alarm which is able to emit the audio signal.

Preferably the detection means includes a directional sound tube.

It is preferred that the direction sound tube be made from a plastic tube no longer than 30mm and no greater than 20mm in diameter.

The alarm may be a smoke detector, burglar detector or other security system as well as an alarm 4 associated with any other detection system.

The detection means may be configured so as to be located in close proximity to the alarm It is preferred that the detection means includes a microphone.

Preferably the microphone is located a predetermined distance from the alarm.

The detection means preferably includes a detection circuit connected to the microphone and configured to output the detection signal if the audio signal received by the microphone is above a predetermined sound pressure level such as Preferably the detection circuit is configured to output a detection signal if a received audio signal is within a predetermined frequency range, for example to 4khz.

It is preferred that the alarm is a smoke detector.

It is preferred that the device is not mounted to the housing of the smoke detector.

Preferably the device includes a power supply control circuit which is adapted to control power supplied to the processor.

The control circuit preferably includes a voltage regulator.

The detection circuit preferably has an output connected to the control circuit.

The control circuit may be connected to the processor.

The control circuit is preferably adapted to supply power of a second voltage level to the processor.

The regulator preferably steps voltage down from the first level to the second level.

The control circuit may be adapted to supply 325 power of the second voltage level to the processor when the detection means receives the sensed signal.

Preferably the device includes a low voltage 5 circuit which is adapted to detect if the power supply voltage level is low.

It is preferred that the processor is activated by the control circuit supplying power thereto.

The processor may be adapted to operate to check the cause of power supplied thereto by the control circuit.

The processor preferably includes processing means including steps for checking the cause of power supplied thereto.

The processor preferably includes checking means for checking the detection circuit to ensure the detection signal is being output therefrom.

It is preferred that the device includes a low voltage circuit which is adapted to send a signal to the control circuit to supply power to the processor if a low voltage is detected from the power supply.

The processor may be adapted to control the controller to switch off power supplied to the processor if a detection signal is not detected at the output of the detection circuit.

The controller preferably includes a suicide circuit for switching off power supplied to the processor.

It is preferred that the microprocessor is adapted to switch on the transmitter and transmit data relating to the state of the device if a detection signal is output from the detection circuit or a low voltage or test signal has been detected.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for receiving and transmitting data comprising a receiver for receiving an alarm signal from a transmitter, a message means which is adapted to store a voice message, a communication means which is adapted to connect the device to a remote receiver through a communication network and a processor which is adapted to activate the control means to connect the device to a remote receiver and activate the message 6 means to output the voice message whereby it is audible at the remote receiver.

Preferably the communication means includes an auto-dialling means which is able to dial a telephone number of a remote receiver.

The message means may be adapted to play out the introductory voice message when the remote receiver has picked up the telephone call from the communication means requesting the user to press the hash key to play back the pending alarm message. Preferably once the hash tone is received, indicating a person and not a machine has answered the call, the full alarm message will be played back.

The message means preferably includes a recording means which is adapted to record a voice message.

The message means preferably includes a play back means for playing back any voice message recorded thereby.

The communication means preferably includes a redial facility.

The communication means preferably includes a plurality of telephone numbers to ring in a particular order or priority.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for receiving and transmitting data, the system including the device for transmitting data according to any one of the previously defined embodiments in combination with a device for receiving and transmitting data in accordance with any one of the previously defined embodiments and wherein the device for transmitting data is adapted to be located at a predetermined distance from the detector to detect an audio signal emitted therefrom and to transmit an alarm signal to the device for receiving and transmitting data, whereby a remote receiver is dialled and a voice message is played to the remote receiver when the remote receiver picks up a transmitted dialled signal from the device for receiving and transmitting data.

7 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system comprising a device for receiving and transmitting data in combination with a plurality of devices for transmitting data according to any one of the previously defined embodiments.

The words "comprising, having, including" should be interpreted in an inclusive sense, meaning that additional features may also be added.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a circuit diagram of an audio detection transmitter device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method of operation of the transmitter device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an autodialling receiver device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention a system is described which is able to automatically detect smoke via smoke detectors and dial an emergency telephone number and/or the owner/occupant of the building and play a voice message indicating that smoke has been detected in the house.

The system incorporates a smoke detection transmitter device 10 shown in Figure 1 and an autodialling receiver device 60 shown in detail in Figure 3.

The transmitter device 10 consists of a detection circuit 11 comprising a microphone MK1, amplifiers UlA and UlB, filter circuit made up of C3, C4, R37, R44 and transistors Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 and Q9.

The output of one of the transistors Q3 is connected to a microprocessor U3 as well as to a power control circuit 12 consisting of transistors Q5, Q7, 8 Q11i and Q17.

Microprocessor U3 controls or monitors many of the operations of other circuit components of the device The microprocessor U3 is connected to the output of the power control circuit 12 as well as an input to activate transistor Q9 of the detection circuit 11.

Microprocessor U3 is also connected to a low voltage detection circuit 13 as well as transistors Q12 and Q13 to control an encoder and transmitter circuit 14.

The device 10 also includes an alarm 15 and a low voltage indicator 16 in the form of an LED.

A detailed explanation of the operation of the circuitry of the device 10 will now be described with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 2.

The device 10 attaches to the ceiling or wall within a 30cm radius of the smoke detector but does not attach directly to it. The microphone pick up of the transmitter must face the smoke detector. If the smoke detector detects smoke and subsequently alarms, then the resulting Sound Pressure Level (SPL) developed by the smoke alarms speaker (min 80db and 2.5kHz to 4kHz) will cause a base current and voltage to be applied to Transistor Q1 which is momentarily turned on, (20) in Figure 2. This occurs as a result of the amplification and filtering of the smoke alarm signal after it is received by the microphone MKl.

As the collector of transistor Q1 is connected to the base of Q2 this transistor then pulses on momentarily The output of transistor Q2 is connected to the input of transistor Q3 which is then switched on and subsequently transistor Q3 activates transistor Q4 which latches Q3 on therefore self-latching transistor Q4 (22).

Transistor Q3 then provides power to transistor Q7 of the power control circuit 12 via diode D1 Q7 then connects the six volt battery BTI to the five volt voltage regulator by switching on transistor Q5. The output of the five volt regulator, that is made up of 9 transistors Q10, 011 and 017 is connected to the microprocessor U3 which is then able to power up (24).

The microprocessor U3 then wakes up and analyses inputs to determine what caused the power flow As part of the checking exercise the microprocessor U3 checks its input RB0 to see if transistor Q3 is on If Q3 is on (27) the microprocessor U3 holds the main power on by supplying base current to transistor Q7 (28).

As part of the checking process by the microprocessor U3 transistor Q3 is reset by supplying a pulse to the base of transistor Q9 from terminal RBI (29).

The microprocessor then determines whether Q3 is switched back on automatically If the answer is yes (31) the microprocessor determines whether the on/off sequence of switching transistor Q3 on has occurred three times If the answer is no (33) procedures (29), and (47) are followed. If the answer from procedure (32) is yes (34) the microprocessor U3 determines that a valid alarm signal has occurred and powers up transmitter controller transistor Q12 via Q13 The microprocessor 25 continually re-checks for the alarm signal on Q3 (36) and holds the main power supply on while an alarm signal is monitored at Q3.

While there is a valid alarm signal transistor Q12 turns on and connects the transmitter TX1 or, where required, transmitter TX2's step-up voltage converter and encoder circuitry components 14 directly to the six volt battery for maximum power transmission The encoder powers up and sends an encoded bit stream to the transmitter TXl or TX2 (38).

The transmitter TXl then powers up and begins transmitting encoded alarm data (39).

The device 10 also includes a low voltage detection circuit 13. If the battery level reaches a low enough limit to cause transistor 016 of this circuit to switch off the answer is yes then transistor Q14 is turned on This then turns on transistor 015 10 Transistor Q15 then provides power to the regulator circuit created via the transistors Q10, Q11 and Q17 The procedures in block 24 of Figure 2 are then repeated.

If the answer to the question raised in step is no (45) then the power control circuit 13 maintains its monitoring function (46).

If during the testing procedure by microprocessor U3, Q3 did not switch back on automatically, so the answer to procedure 30 is no the microprocessor U3 determines that no valid alarm signals are present and therefore shuts down the system by suiciding power from the voltage regulator circuit in power control circuit 12 via its terminal RB6 (48).

The microprocessor U3 through its terminal RB7 is able to determine if the low battery detection circuit 13 was the cause of powering up of the microprocessor.

If the power up was caused by the low battery detection circuit (49) the answer being yes (50) the microprocessor U3 permanently turns on the power supply via output RB6.

The power supply is then held on until remaining power runs out (51).

As part of the output from the detection circuit 10 in the event of a low voltage being detected by the low battery detection circuit, the microprocessor U3 controls alarm 15 to emit a one second beep every five minutes In addition the microprocessor U3 activates LED 16 to emit light every five minutes (53).

Finally every 20 minutes the microprocessor pulses transistor Q13 on so that a signal can be transmitted from the transmitter TXl or TX2 (54).

Once a signal is transmitted from the device the signal must be received and processed for action by the auto-dialling receiver device.

Figure 3 shows a circuit block diagram of the key components of the auto-dialler receiver 11 The receiver 60 includes a receiver module 61 which may be a 70 metre, 200 metre or 1km receiver, depending upon the range of transmitter/receiver required.

The receiver module 61 receives the encoded signal from the transmitter device 10 and passes it to decoder 62 for processing.

The decoder 62 decodes the received RF signal and verifies the integrity of the signal.

If the signal is a valid one it is passed to microprocessor 64 after passing through an input/output expander 63.

The microprocessor 64 contains a program which runs the entire circuitry of the receiver 60. The microprocessor 64 interprets alarm signals, stores phone numbers, sends display information to the LCD, monitors circuits and power supply for faults and controls speech and telephone circuits.

The microprocessor is connected to a liquid crystal display 65 to a key pad 66 as well as power supply 90 which takes power from a nine volt AC power pack and converts it into a stable five volt DC power supply which powers up the rest of the circuits in the receiver. In the event of a power supply failure the six volt battery switches in to power the circuitry.

The device 60 includes a speech recorder 67 which stores a pre-recorded and user recorded voice message in a digital format and uses message concatenation to play out messages, based on pre-recorded message segments, at the instigation of the microprocessor 64. The speech recorder 67 is connected to the microprocessor through an input/output expander circuit 68 which expands the number of inputs/outputs available to the microprocessor 64.

The device 60 includes a dual tone multifrequency generator 69 which is connected to the microprocessor 64 and through an isolation transformer to a telephone circuit 71.

The telephone circuit 71 is connected through a 12 speaker isolation transformer 72 to an amplifier 73 which is connected to both a speaker 74 and to a signal processing circuit The signal processing circuit processes signals from a phone line to determine if the line is engaged or has been answered and is connected to the microprocessor to report the results thereto. A Dual Tone Multi- Frequency (DTMF) decoder forms part of the signal processing circuit and is used to detect the presence of the hash tone which is requested for use as a verification check to ensure the line has been answered by a person and not a machine.

The speech recorder 67 is also connected through an amplifier 76 to isolation transformer 77 which is connected to an input of the telephone circuit 71.

Furthermore the speech recorder 67 is connected through a separate amplifier 78 directly to the speaker 74.

The telephone circuit 71 has an output connected with a phone input plug and phone output plug 79.

A crystal 80 is connected to the microprocessor to provide timing for the device 60 and a timer 81 connected to the microprocessor controls the duty cycle for a buzzer 82.

In operation the device 60 is connected through phone input/output plug 79 to a telephone line, then when the power supply is connected to the circuit 60 a series of initialisation procedures must be completed to ensure the device 60 is ready for operation.

These procedures involve ensuring that the device 60 is correctly connected to a valid telephone line so that a dial tone is present, ensuring a valid phone number is stored in the microprocessor, ensuring that a message has been recorded by the user and that the battery is connected to the device 60. Various checking procedures must be followed which are controlled by the microprocessor 64 and use of the key pad 66.

At the prompting of the microprocessor a 13 telephone number must be stored by the microprocessor by operation of the key pad 66.

The microprocessor 64 then instigates internal checks of the battery 90 and the telephone line connected.

If an alarm signal is received from the transmitter device 10 the receiver 61 sends a signal through the expander circuit 63 to the microprocessor 64.

The microprocessor 64 then determines whether the alarm signal was a valid alarm transmission or a low battery transmission. If it is a low battery signal then a low battery warning, along with the corresponding transmitters' number is displayed on the LCD 65. If the pulse was a valid alarm signal then the unit will go into an alarm mode. The display 65 then shows "alarm detected". The alarm is then activated through the buzzer 82 and there is a waiting sequence for the alarm to see whether it will be manually cancelled. This may be a second wait.

The microprocessor 64 then displays a dialling number on the display 65 and dials a phone number stored in memory.

The microprocessor 64 then instructs the circuit 69 to provide the required tones for the telephone number to the telephone circuit 71.

The telephone circuit 71 then dials the telephone number and the signal processing circuit 75 processes signals from the phone line to determine if the phone is engage or has been answered.

If the phone number has been successfully dialled and answered then a signal is sent from the signal processing circuit 75 to the microprocessor 64 which then activates the speech recorder 67 to transmit an introductory message requesting the user on the other end of the line press the hash key. Once the hash tone is received the base station receiver knows that a human has answered the phone and will then play out the required alarm message through circuit 76 to the telephone circuit 14 71. If the tone is not detected within a pre-set timeframe the base station receiver will hang-up and then redial a second number if it has been programmed or try re-dialling the same number again.

The amplifiers 76, 73, 78 can be turned on and off by the microprocessor 64 when required.

Once the message has been played up to three times the telephone circuit 71 hangs up and then dials the next phone number in memory if one exists.

If the telephone number encounters an engaged signal the process is repeated with the same telephone number or another telephone number stored in another memory location in the device The dialled telephone number may be the number of a fixed or mobile telephone and may include an emergency telephone number such as OOO. It is also possible for the device 60 to dial more than one telephone number so that the alarm message is sent to more than one recipient.

The system described above can be limited with up to 8 transmitters, each with transmitter devices 10 as described above.

Each transmitter device may have an alarm signal which is transmitted with different codes so that the auto dial-up device 60 is able to ascertain which transmitter the alarm signal was transmitted from or which transmitters have a low battery.

The invention also contemplates replacing or incorporating other types of detectors such as intruder detectors and using a similar transmitter device 10 to transmit an alarm signal to device Both the transmitted and received signal incorporate coded signals so that the integrity of the system is maintained and false alarms are minimised.

If a publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country 15 The device may also incorporate another telephone number which is dialled if there is a mains power failure.

The number may be that of a neighbour or maintenance worker who is able to restore the power.

Claims (20)

1. 2. The device as claimed in claim i, wherein the detection means is configured so as to be located in close proximity to the detector.
2. 3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the detection means includes a detection circuit connected to the microphone and configured to output a detection signal if the audio signal received by the microphone is within a predetermined frequency range.
3. 4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a power supply control circuit which is configured to control power supply to the processor. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the control circuit includes a voltage regulator.
4. 6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the detection circuit has an output connected to the control circuit.
5. 7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the processor is activated by the control circuit supplying power thereto.
6. 8. The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the processor is configured to operate to check the cause of power supplied thereto by the control circuit. 11 \sueH\Keep\speci\P46641SPECdoc 2/05/07 17
7. 9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the processor includes processing means including steps for checking the cause of power supplied thereto. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the processor includes checking means to check the detection circuit to ensure the detection signal is being output therefrom.
8. 11. The device as claimed in claim 10 including a low voltage circuit which is to send a signal to the control circuit to supply power to the processor if a low voltage is detected from the power supply.
9. 12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the controller includes a suicide circuit to switch off power supplied to the processor.
10. 13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the processor is adapted to switch on the transmitter and transmit data relating to the state of the device if a detection signal is output from the detection circuit or a low voltage or test signal has been detected.
11. 14. A system for receiving and transmitting data including a device for transmitting data having a detection means which is adapted to receive a sensed signal from a detector comprising a microphone for detecting an audio signal, a processor which is adapted to receive a detection signal from the detection means and a transmitter which is adapted to receive data from the processor and transmit it to a remote receiver, and a device for receiving and transmitting data comprising a receiver for receiving an alarm signal from the transmitter, a message means which is adapted to store a voice message, a communication means which is adapted to connect the device to a remote receiver through a communication network and a processor which is adapted to activate the control means to connect the device to a remote receiver and activate the message means to output the voice message whereby it is audible to the remote receiver, and wherein the detection means includes a ;I-\SueR\heep\';pec, \P46641.SPEC doc 2/05/07 18 Q) detection circuit connected to the microphone and is configured to output the detection signal if the audio signal received by the microphone is above a predetermined sound pressure level.
12. 15. The system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the detection circuit is configured to output the detection signal if the audio signal is with a predetermined frequency range.
13. 16. The system as claimed in claim 14 or including a plurality of devices for transmitting data.
14. 17. The device as claimed in claim 1 including C1 a directional sound tube.
15. 18. A device for receiving and transmitting data comprising a receiver for receiving an alarm signal from a transmitter of a device as claimed in claim 1, a message means which is adapted to store a voice message, a communication means which is adapted to connect the device to a remote receiver through a communication network and a processor which is adapted to activate the control means to connect the device to a remote receiver and activate the message means to output the voice message whereby it is audible at the remote receiver.
16. 19. The device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the communication means includes an auto-dialling means which is able to dial a telephone number of a remote receiver. The device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the message means is configured to play out an introductory voice message when the remote receiver has picked up the telephone call from the communication means, requesting the user to press the key to play back the pending alarm message and once the tone is received, play the full alarm message.
17. 21. The device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the message means includes a recording means which is adapted to record a voice message.
18. 22. The device as claimed in claim 21 wherein H:\SueB\Keep'speci\P46641.SPEC dOc 2/OS/07 19 the message means includes a playback means for playing back any voice message recorded thereby.
19. 23. The device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the communication means includes a redial facility.
20. 24. The device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the communication means includes a plurality of telephone numbers to ring in a particular order of priority. A device for transmitting data substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 2nd day of June 2007 MARCEL TURNER By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia i.\SUwB\Keep\speci\P46641.SPECdoc 2/05/07