Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02296920 2003-06-02
COMMUN2TY EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
1. Field of Invention
This invention. relates to a notification device
method and syster~z, and morEe partic=ularly to such a
device, method and system capable of providing
emergency notif-icat:ion using a standard telephone
system.
2. Background of the Invention
Ln al.l but a few communities t=hroughout North
America, community off=icials rely on door-to-door
notification when they have to alm:t l.~eople of
emergency situ<ition:~ that demand their immediate
attention and mcti_on. Generally, however, door-to-door
notifi.~~ation i;_~ ineffect=ive .Eor a number of reasons.
First, it requ~:re~~ a large allocation of human
resources in oxc~er to reach the many hundreds of
thousa:zds of pF~o~>le that- may be :~ffe~~t.ed by an
emergE~:zcy situat.ron. Furthe:r, the time t.o recruit and
organize the hrnman :resou=rces, the danger it may put
those -:roman :re:sources in, ~~nd the crowing distrust of
people to stra~~ger~; that. approactu their homes,
especially at =oi.ght., a.11 combine t:o make door-to-door
notification ir~.c.l_fective. Numero~.z:; news stories of
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
people dying in their sleep from tornadoes, floods,
etc., unaware that a dangerous situation existed,
provide evidence of how ineffective prior emergency
notification systems are and point up the need for an
effective community emergency notification system.
In approximately three hundred North American
communities, officials presently use a service based on
a computerized phone system that calls and delivers a
pre-recorded message to all numbers identified to the
system provider for notification. The system provider,
having secured a contract with a community or private
company, has the community or private company provide
them with a list of published telephone numbers and a
geographic cross reference such as a postal code, or
zip-code, so that the list may be narrowed to a
specific geographic section of the community.
However, there are a.number of problems with such
a system. For example, the calls are placed from one
or two U.S. locations with all calls having to pass
2o through a local telephone switch. During an emergency,
the local switch can be expected to be overloaded
already, thereby limiting the probability of a
notification call getting through. Additionally, the
computerized phone system will send the emergency
z5 message as soon as the receiving telephone goes off-
hook. Where a peripheral device, such as a common
answering machine, is connected to the receiving
telephone, the message may be delivered and completed
in many instances prior to the answering machine
3o entering into a record mode. In other words, the
emergency message may be delivered while the answering
machine greeting is being played. Moreover, even if
the emergency message is fully recorded on an answering
machine, there is no immediate notification of the
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seriousness of the emergency situation to persons
returning to their homes or businesses.
Additionally, in such a system, since the database
used by the computerized phone system does not include
unlisted numbers, it is incomplete. Also, because of
the large number of listing changes that occur daily,
the database is typically out of date within a day of
being issued and will not include any new listings.
Therefore, not all people in an affected area will be
notified of an emergency.
Further in using such a computerized phone system,
when all the numbers provided have been called, a list
of numbers not reached is provided to the municipal
authorities for the purpose of door-to-door
~s notification. This list of numbers will include all
numbers deactivated since the database was issued,
thereby wasting valuable resources sent to reach the
people at the registered addresses, and possibly
putting these people at risk.
2o Moreover, in such a system, the capacity of the
system is limited by the number of telephone lines
available for emergency message notification and by the
duration of the emergency message. With a very large
geographic area to be notified, or in the event of more
25 than one emergency at a time, the service may not be
able to provide the timely delivery of messages needed
in response to the emergency situation, such as in the
case of a tornado, which offers little time for a
warning. Furthermore, in the event of such a rapidly
30 occurring emergency such as a gas leak which is
followed by a gas explosion and multi-building fire,
becoming an evacuation order, by the time the last
messages are being sent, the message may be obsolete
and may itself pose a danger.
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In such a computerized phone system, the costs
include long distance telephone calls made during the
emergency. Considering that an emergency may require a
number of calls, the annual costs of the system are
s unpredictable and may exceed budgetary constraints.
Further, the best prior system is only able to
provide a delivery rate of about 6,000 calls per hour.
In the case of Canada, the Canadian Government
abandoned an attempt to provide emergency notification
to all people within a designated area at all times of
the day or night in the 1980's because no economical or
thorough means to do so could be found. A 1993
provincial and municipal survey suggests that the
ability to reach people in the night is a top priority
15 for an emergency broadcast system. However, with no
practical means of doing so, the Canadian Government is
now implementing a national broadcast system that does
not include this ability. Additionally, the problem of
effective community, or geographically specific,
2o emergency notification appears to be a problem common
to all NATO countries.
Sirens, the preferred method of war-time warnings,
continue to be used in some communities. However,
because of the high cost of maintenance and the large
zs number of sirens required to reach growing urban
populations, sirens are being used less often.
Further, the public has become accustomed to sirens and
often ignores them.
3o SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides nations, states,
provinces, communities, and private companies wishing
to provide an emergency notification service, a
thorough, timely and cost effective means to notify
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people within a specific geographic region of potentially
dangerous and life threatening situations.
This invention also facilitates an emergency notification
system in which all telephone users in a specific, selected
geographic area can be quickly notified of an emergency
situation.
In another aspect, this invention allows governments and
other agencies wishing to provide a notification service, a
thorough, timely and cost effective means to notify people
within a specific geographic region of various situations.
This invention also allows a notification system in which
all telephone users in a specific, selected geographic area can
be quickly notified of a specific situation.
This invention also provides an alarm/notification device
connectable to a telephone line for receiving notification
signals from a notification system.
Conveniently an intermediate device, such as a telephone
answering machine, connected to a telephone line need not
interfere with delivery of an emergency notification to an
alarm/notification device.
The present invention relates to a community emergency
telephone notification system, device and a method for
providing emergency notification to a specific geographic area.
The present invention may provide governments and private
institutions with the means of alerting people in homes and/or
businesses within a specific geographic region of a dangerous,
or potentially dangerous situation. Such dangerous situations
may include, for example, a hurricane, a tornado, an escaped
convict, flood, fire, earthquake, and nuclear or chemical
release.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided
a device connectable to a telephone line for detecting and
responding to signals on the telephone line. The device
includes an alarm indicator, and means for activating the alarm
indicator at a user location upon detection of a notification
signal on the telephone line, the notification signal being
distinct from a signal shat activates a telephone connected to
a telephone line.
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In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided an emergency telephone
broadcast system for sending an emergency notification
signal over telephone lines in a designated geographic area
to warn of an emergency situation, the system comprising: a
telephone transceiver system at a central location that
receives an emergency notification for the designated
geographic area and that transmits over a plurality of the
telephone lines in the designated geographic area the
emergency notification signal; and an alarm device
associated with ones of the plurality of the telephone lines
that receives the emergency notification signal and that
issues an alarm signal in response thereto, wherein the
specific emergency notification signal is distinct from a
signal that activates a telephone coupled with the one of
the plurality of telephone lines.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a method of notifying some of a
plurality of subscribers of a situation, the method
comprising the steps of: selecting a category of subscribers
and a signal representing the situation; determining
telephone numbers of those of the plurality of subscribers
which are within the category; and sending the signal to the
determined telephone numbers.
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention there is provided a method for a subscriber to
test a notification system to which the subscriber has a
notification device connected, the method comprising the
steps of: the subscriber calling a specific telephone number
from a telephone connected to the same telephone line as the
notification device; the notification system sending a
specific test signal exclusively to the telephone line from
which the call was made.
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In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
a method of activating an alarm indicator on a device
connectable to a telephone line includes the steps of detecting
a notification signal on the telephone line, the notification
signal being distinct from a signal that activates a telephone
connected to the telephone line, and activating the alarm
indicator at a user location upon detection of the notification
signal and based on the notification signal.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an
emergency notification system alerts people within a specific
geographic region of an emergency situation that demands their
immediate attention and action. The system issues generic
broadcast signals along telephone lines in homes and businesses
in specific geographic areas. An alarm/notification device
receives the signals and is thereby activated to sound an alarm
and/or turn on a light, similar to a common household smoke
detector. The device may also display a textual message. The
emergency notification system is designed to complement
national, state, provincial, regional, and community emergency
broadcast systems that currently do not have the capability of
reaching persons not listening to a radio or watching
television at the time of the emergency. The system is
designed to be managed by municipal emergency personnel, and to
be supported by the local telephone company.
An object of this invention is to turn people's attention
to live media such as radio or TV better suited to following
charging conditions. Accordingly, in some aspects, this
invention includes advising subscribers of where to obtain more
information.
Preferably, this invention provides users of the emergency
broadcast system with a means to test the system by dialing a
predefined number which results in the service provider issuing
a test or "All Clear" signal specifically and exclusively to
the number from which the request was made. This service may
be used to ensure that a device, the telephone line it is
corrected to and the system are operational.
Conveniently this may allow personnel with a means to
issue a test signal for practice purposes. This test signal
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may be substantially different from a real alarm signal,
reducing the number of alarmed citizens (as is typical with
other systems).
Additional objectives, features, and advantages of the
invention will be set forth in the description which follows,
and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be
learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by
means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly
pointed out in the written description and appended claims
hereof, as well as the appended drawings.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred implementations of the invention and, together with
the general description and summary given above and the
detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The above and other objects and advantages of the
5 invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which the reference characters refer
to like parts throughout and in which:
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
FIGURE 1 depicts an emergency notification system
according to the present invention;
FIGURE 2 shows the positioning in a home of an
alarm/notification device according to the present
invention;
FIGURES 3 and 4 depict embodiments of
alarm/notification devices according to the present
invention;
FIGURE 5 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of
1o an alarm/notification device according to the present
invention; and
FIGURES 6-13 are flowcharts depicting various
operations and functions of embodiments of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram providing an
overview of an emergency telephone notification system
according to the present invention. As shown in FIGURE
1, a municipal or other government office A10 is
connected to a central office A12 of a telephone
company via a link A16. The central office A12 is
connected to local switches A14 via trunk lines A18.
Each local switch is in turn connected to a number of
customers or subscribers (homes and businesses A22 and
A24). The central office A12 houses the main computer
where the telephone company's customer database is
so kept .
When it is necessary to notify certain customers
of a particular situation, e.g., an emergency at or
near their locations, the municipal office A10
communicates the postal/zip codes of the geographic
regions to be notified (in this case "M5A XXX" and
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"M5B XXX") as well as the nature of the warning (here
"RED ALERT") along link A16 to the central office A12.
In many municipalities or regions, link A16 is the
private and secured direct link between the "911"
office located in the municipal building A10 and the
telephone company's central office A12. In some
systems, the link is insecure but traffic via the link
will be secured by encryption or some other means.
Further, the link A16, trunks A18 and local lines A20
can be any form of communication links between the
various offices, subscribers and local switches,
including but not limited to cables, wires, fiber optic
connections, radio connections, microwave connections
and the like.
~5 Having received the communication from the
municipality A10, the central office A12 then
determines what telephone numbers to send messages to.
For example, the central office determines which
telephone numbers are in the region specified in the
2o notification message. The central office A12 then
sends those numbers (and the associated warning) along
trunks A18 to the local switches A14 and on through
local telephone lines A20 to subscribers A22 and A24.
In this example, subscribers denoted A22 fall within
25 the specific postal/zip codes identified for an
emergency signals to be sent to (i.e., "M5A xxx" and
"M5B XXX"), and A24 denotes subscribers not falling
within this defining parameter.
Each subscriber A22-A24 has a alarm/notification
so device (described in detail below) connected to their
telephone line. FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram
indicating the preferred positioning of the
alarm/notification device at a subscriber's location
(home or business). As shown in FIGURE 2, the incoming
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telephone line C10 is connected to the subscriber C12
via a wall outlet jack C14. The alarm/notification
device C16 is preferably positioned between the wall
outlet C14 and a telephone C18 or other telephony
device. Note that no telephone or other telephony
device need be connected to the telephone line C10 in
order for the alarm/notification device C16 to operate.
As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, which are block
diagrams of alarm/notification devices according to the
present invention, the alarm/notification device C16
(reference numeral 10 in those figures) includes
standard in and out telephone jacks, B12 and B14
thereby allowing for a telephone or other telephony
device to be used at the same jack as the
~5 alarm/notification device C16. The alarm/notification
device C16 is preferably located before and not after
any peripheral telephony device that might interrupt or
interfere with the receipt of incoming signals. In the
case of a business where access to the telephone line
2o prior to switch equipment may be limited to a concealed
room where no one would hear an audible alarm, a remote
alarm, and the means to communicate with that alarm, is
preferably provided to operate on the
alarm/notification device C16.
25 As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 alarm/notification
device 10 includes a molded plastic case 810,
preferably with screw mounting slots or some other
means of connecting the device to a wall or other
surface. The alarm/notification device also includes
3o an input telephone jack B12 and an output telephone
j ack B14 .
A printed circuit board B16 preferably includes
three LEDs B18 (one red, one green and one yellow).
There is also preferably a test/buzzer-off button B20
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and an alarm buzzer B22. An external power adapter B30
is also preferably provided. The alarm/notification
device 10 also includes a molded plastic cover 828,
which preferably includes slots and holes for the LEDs
B18 to show through, and for the alarm buzzer B22 to
sound through.
The embodiment of the device shown in FIGURE 4
also has a display B32 such as a liquid crystal display
(LCD) or the like. The cover B28 of this LCD device
has hole or window therein to enable viewing the LCD.
As shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, in preferred
embodiments of the present invention, the
alarm/notification device 10 is a stand alone, AC/DC
powered, preprogrammed device located on or adjacent to
~s individual telephone lines in homes and businesses.
The device 10 monitors the telephone line, listening
for specific signals sent from the telephone company.
When the specific signals are received by the
alarm/notification device 10, the device responds with
2o a visual and/or audible notification using the LEDs
818, alarm buzzer B22 and LCD B32 (where applicable).
The notification is similar to that found in a common
smoke or carbon monoxide detector. When an "all clear"
signal is received, the alarm/notification device 10
2s preferably issues an audible beep from the buzzer B22
and flashes the green LED B18. When the code for a
"warning" signal is received, the alarm/notification
device 10 preferably sounds the buzzer B22
intermittently and flashes the yellow LED 818. When
so the code for an "emergency" signal is received, the
alarm/notification device 10 preferably sounds the
buzzer B22 continuously and flashes the red LED 818.
For the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4, in addition
to the above actions for the various signals, the LCD
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B32 displays appropriate text for the various warnings.
FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of an
alarm/notification device 10 (C16 in FIGURE 2)
according to the present invention. Alarm/notification
device 10 is connected to a telephone line (and thereby
to a central office A12) via a connector 101 (B12 in
FIGURES 3 and 4), which is preferably an RJ11
connector. A second connector 102 (B14 in FIGURES 3
and 4) is provided to allow a parallel connection to
any standard telephone, or any other customer premises
equipment commonly connected to a central office. The
TIP conductor 103 and the RING conductor 104 are the
pair of wires carrying the telephone signals from the
central office A12.
~s The signals on lines 103 and 104 are input to a
demodulator 111, such as an frequency shift keyed (FSK)
demodulator. Capacitors 105 and 106 and resistors 107
and 108 are used to filter the signals on lines 103 and
104 before they are input to the demodulator 111. The
2o demodulator I11 continuously senses the filtered
signals on lines 109 and 110 looking for a modulated
FSK signal. The demodulator 111 uses a crystal
oscillator 112 to obtain a stable frequency reference
for demodulating the FSK signal. When an FSK signal is
25 detected, the demodulator 111 outputs a logic low level
signal on the CARRIER output conductor 114 to
microprocessor 149 (B16 in FIGURES 3 and 4). After
detecting the FSK signal, the demodulator 111
demodulates the signal into a serial bit stream, which
3o is output to the microprocessor 149 on the DATA
conductor 113.
The TIP and RING signals on lines 103 and 104,
respectively, are passed through a diode bridge 116
that rectifies such signals into a single signal that
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has a positive polarity with respect to the circuit
ground 115. The diode bridge 116 output is attenuated
by resistors 117 and 118 and low-pass filtered by
capacitor 120 before it is sensed by difference
amplifier 121. The amplifier 121 compares the
attenuated and filtered diode bridge 116 output to a
ground reference input 122. If the diode bridge 116
output is at zero volts with respect to ground
reference input 122, then the output conductor 123 is
set to a logic low level. A logic low level on
conductor 123 indicates that the lines 103 and 104 are
inoperative and that the alarm/notification device 10
is either disconnected from the central office, or that
there is a malfunction in the telephone lines. When
~5 the alarm/notification device 10 is connected to the
telephone lines through connector 101 and the central
office is operating normally, output conductor 123 is
at a logic high level.
An AC adapter 127 (B26 in FIGURES 3 and 4) is
2o preferably used as the primary power source for the
alarm/notification device 10. The AC adapter 127
supplies a DC current on conductor 129. A battery 124
(B24 in FIGURES 3 and 4) is a secondary power source
which preferably can supply power when the AC adapter
25 127 is not functioning. The battery 124 supplies a DC
current through conductor 126. Diodes 130 and 131
ensure that current can flow from only one of the two
power sources 127 and 124 into the voltage regulator
132. Current flows from whichever power source 124 or
so 127 is at a higher DC voltage potential. Therefore,
for proper operation, the output voltage rating of the
AC adapter 127 will preferably be higher than that of
the battery 124 so that the AC adapter 127 supplies the
operating current for the alarm/notification device 10
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during normal operation. The voltage regulator 132
converts the voltage outputs from the AC adapter 127 or
the battery 124 to a fixed stable supply voltage across
line 134, which is used as the power supply voltage for
the rest of the alarm/notification device 10.
Resistors 135 and 136 attenuate the battery 124
voltage across line 126. Transistor 138 senses the
attenuated battery 124 voltage and outputs a logic low
level on conductor 126 when the voltage across battery
124 drops below a predetermined level. This level is
determined as the voltage at which the battery 124 has
become weak and requires replacement. Therefore, the
output signal on conductor 140 is used as a low battery
input to the microprocessor 149.
~5 Resistors 141 and 142 attenuate the AC adapter 127
voltage across line 129. Transistor 144 senses the
attenuated AC adapter 127 voltage and outputs a logic
low level on conductor 146 when the AC adapter 127
voltage drops below a predetermined level. This level
2o is determined as the output voltage at which the AC
adapter 127 is no longer operative. Therefore, the
output signal on conductor 146 is used by the
microprocessor 149 as an indication that the AC power
source has failed.
25 A push button 147 (820 in FIGURES 3 and 4) is
connected to the microprocessor 149 by conductor 148.
Push button 147 is preferably a normally-open switch
that outputs a logic level low signal on conductor 148
whenever the button is pressed. The microprocessor 149
so senses the push button input from conductor 148. The
push button 147, also known as the test/buzzer off
button, provides the person receiving a warning or
alarm signal with a means of turning the alarm buzzer
161 off and with a means of testing the
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alarms/notification device 10 to see if the alarm buzzer 161
and LEDs 152, 155, and 158 (B18 in FIGURES 3 and 4) (and LCD
when appropriate) are working properly. In the case of an
emergency signal having been sent, although the user can
preferably disable the alarm buzzer 161, the appropriate LED
continues to flash until a new signal code has been sent to it,
at which time the alarm/notification device 10 is reset and
responds as programmed to the new signal code.
Additionally, a user can preferably test the
alarm/notification device 10 by telephoning a specific number
whereby a test signal is sent to validate that the
alarm/notification device 10 is operational. When this test
signal is received, if the alarm/notification device 10 is
operating properly, the alarm buzzer 161 sounds and the LEDs
152, 155, and 158 flash appropriately. The telephone company
may wish to provide each user with a free check call per month
and then charge for all other calls in that month. This will
prevent abuse of such a system. The alarm/notification device
10 also preferably can self diagnose itself by sounding the
alarm buzzer 161 and flashing the green LED 152 should a
problem be found with its circuitry or power supply.
The microprocessor 149 can be any of many well known and
commercially available integrated circuits and is preferably
comprised of at least a central processing unit (CPU), and
program memory and data memory, which allow it to execute the
program instructions as described in greater detail below. The
microprocessor 149 preferably has at least six input ports that
allow it to sense signals from conductors 113, 114, 123, 140,
146, and 148. Microprocessor 149 also preferably has at least
four
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output ports that allow it to control the LEDs 152,
155, 158 and the alarm buzzer 161 (and, where
appropriate, LCD B32).
By outputting a logic level high on conductor 150,
s the microprocessor 149 turns on transistor 151 that
then supplies power to, for example, the green LED 152.
A logic high output on conductor 153 turns on
transistor 154 and then supplies power to the yellow
LED 155. A logic high output on conductor 156 turns on
transistor 157 which then supplies power to the red LED
158. A logic high output on conductor 159 turns on
transistor 160 which then supplies power to the alarm
buzzer 161.
Note that the signal input to connector 101 is
15 passed unaltered to the second connector 102 and
thereby unaltered to other devices connected to the
telephone line.
The operation of the alarm/notification device 10
of the present invention is now described with
2o reference to the flowcharts in FIGURES 6-11. The
microprocessor 149 is programmed to perform these
operations in an manner appropriate for the model and
type of microprocessor 149. The appropriate programs
can be stored in the program memory of the
25 microprocessor.
FIGURE 6 is a flowchart of the interrupt input
routines of the alarm/notification device 10, shown in
FIGURE 5. The microprocessor 149 is programmed to
monitor for and deal with various interrupts, including
so timer interrupts, carrier interrupts, line voltage
interrupts, low battery interrupts, AC power interrupts
and push button interrupts. The interrupt processor
continuously checks for each kind of interrupt while
the device 10 is in operation.
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The microprocessor 149 is programmed to perform a
self-diagnosis at some regular predetermined interval,
e.g., daily. Using a timer built into microprocessor
149, a timer interrupt (step 5602) signals the
microprocessor 149 to perform self diagnostics (step
5604) at the appropriate time since the previous self-
diagnosis. The microprocessor 149 performs this
diagnosis in an manner appropriate for the model and
type of microprocessor.
Microprocessor 149 is programmed to detect and
deal with carrier interrupts (which are potentially
alarm/notification signals). If a carrier interrupt
signal is detected (step S606), the carrier interrupt
routine is invoked (step S608). The carrier interrupt
~5 routine is described in more detail below with
reference to FIGURE 7).
Microprocessor 149 is programmed to detect and
deal with line voltage interrupts. If a carrier
interrupt signal is detected (step S610), the line
2o voltage interrupt routine is invoked (step S612). The
line voltage interrupt routine is described in more
detail below with reference to FIGURE 8).
Microprocessor 149 is programmed to detect and
deal with low battery interrupts. If a low battery
25 interrupt signal is detected (step S614), the low
battery interrupt routine is invoked (step 5616). The
low battery interrupt routine is described in more
detail below with reference to FIGURE 9).
Microprocessor 149 is programmed to detect and
so deal with AC power interrupts. If an AC power
interrupt signal is detected (step 5618), the AC power
interrupt routine is invoked (step S620). The AC power
interrupt routine is described in more detail below
with reference to FIGURE 10).
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Microprocessor 149 is programmed to detect and
deal with push button interrupts. If a push button
interrupt signal is detected (step S622), the push
button interrupt routine is invoked (step S624). The
push button interrupt routine is described in more
detail below with reference to FIGURE 11).
The carrier interrupt routine (step S608 in FIGURE
6) is described with reference to the flowchart of
FIGURE 7. This routine is invoked to process
notification signals sent on the telephone line. When
a carrier interrupt is detected (step 5606), the
carrier interrupt routine determines whether or not a
carrier is present (step S702). If a carrier is
detected by the microprocessor 149 (step 5702), the
routine obtains a data message (step S704). Note that
the carrier signal comes off line 114, and the data
message comes off line 113 (in FIGURE 5).
The data message is examined to determine what
kind of signal it represents. When a "green" or "all
2o clear" signal is received (step 5706), microprocessor
149 invokes a green alarm routine (step S708). In the
green alarm routine, the microprocessor 149 preferably
outputs a signal on line 150 to flash the green LED 152
at regular intervals (e. g., once every fifteen minutes)
and a signal on to line 159 to sound the alarm buzzer
161 for a short period, e.g., for half a second.
When a "yellow" or "warning" signal is received
(step 5710), microprocessor 149 invokes a yellow alarm
routing (step 5712). In the yellow alarm routine, the
so microprocessor 149 preferably outputs a signal on line
153 to flash the yellow LED 155 and a signal on line
159 to sound the alarm buzzer. In the yellow alarm
routine, alarm buzzer 161 may be sounded for one half
_ ~8 _
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
second once every five seconds, and the yellow LED 155
may be flashed once every second.
When a "red" or "emergency" signal is received
(step S714), microprocessor 149 invokes a red alarm
routine (step S716). In the red alarm routine, the
microprocessor 149 preferably outputs a signal on line
156 to flash or light the red LED 158 and a signal on
line 159 to sound the alarm buzzer 161. In the red
alarm routine, the alarm buzzer 161 may sound the
continuously and the red LED 158 may be flashed once
every second.
Note that there can be multiple "green", "yellow"
and "red" signals, representing different kinds of
warnings. The various alarm routines are programmed to
~5 deal with the different signals. For example, for
different "green" signals, the green LED 152 may be
flashed at different intervals or with different
patterns and the alarm buzzer 161 may or may not be
turned on.
2o The flowchart in FIGURE 8 depicts the processing
steps performed by the line voltage routine (step
S612). This routine is invoked by the interrupt
handling routine when no power is detected across lines
103 and 104. First, a line voltage timer is started
2s (step S802) and it is determined if the phone line
voltage is still zero (step S804) for the duration of
the timeout period (fifteen seconds in a preferred
embodiment). If the phone line voltage becomes non-
zero within the timeout period (step S804), the line
so voltage routine ends its processing. Otherwise, if the
line voltage remained zero for the timeout period (step
S806), the alarm/notification device 10 flashes the red
LED 158 and sounds the alarm buzzer 161 e.g., once
every 5 seconds to indicate the loss of line voltage
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
(step S808). After waiting a short time, for example,
five seconds (step 5810), the line voltage is again
monitored to determine if it is still zero (step 5812).
If the voltage is still zero, the red LED 158 and the
buzzer 161 will continue to operate (step S808). This
process (steps 5808, 5810, 5812) repeats until power is
restored to the telephone line. Once power is restored
to the telephone line, the alarm/notification device 10
returns to its previous mode.
~o The flowchart in FIGURE 9 depicts the processing
steps performed by the low battery routine (step S616).
This routine is invoked by the interrupt handling
routine when low power of battery 124 is detected.
First, a low battery timer is started (step 5902) and
it is determined if the battery power is still low
(step 5904) for the duration of the timeout period
(fifteen seconds in a preferred embodiment). If the
battery voltage becomes non-low within the timeout
period (step 5906), the line voltage routine ends its
2o processing. Otherwise, if the battery power remains
low for the timeout period (step 5906), the
alarm/notification device 10 flashes the green LED 152
and sounds the alarm buzzer 161 e.g., once every 5
seconds to indicate the low battery power (step 5908).
25 After waiting a short time, for example, five seconds
(step 5910), the battery power is again monitored to
determine if it is still low (step S912). If the
battery power is still low, the green LED 152 and the
buzzer 161 will continue to operate (step 5908). This
3o process (steps 5908, S910, S912) repeats until the
battery power is no longer low (e.g., the battery is
replaced). Once the battery power is restored, the
alarm/notification device 10 returns to its previous
mode.
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J
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
The flowchart in FIGURE 10 depicts the processing
steps performed by the AC power routine (step S620).
This routine is invoked by the interrupt handling
routine when an AC power interrupt is detected. First,
an AC power timer is started (step S102) and it is
determined if the AC power is out (step S104) for the
duration of the timeout period (fifteen minutes in a
preferred embodiment). If the AC power is restored
within the timeout period (step S106), the AC power
routine ends its processing. Otherwise, if the AC
power remains out for the timeout period (step S106),
the alarm/notification device 10 flashes the yellow LED
155 and sounds the alarm buzzer 161 e.g., once every 5
seconds to indicate the AC power being out (step S108).
~s After waiting a short time, for example, five seconds
(step 5110), the AC power is again monitored to
determine if it is still out (step S112). If the AC
power is still out, the yellow LED 155 and the buzzer
161 will continue to operate (step S108). This process
20 (steps 5108, S110, S112) repeats until the AC power is
restored. Once the AC power is restored, the
alarm/notification device 10 returns to its previous
mode.
The push button 147 is used for various subscriber
25 operations, some of which depend upon the current state
of the alarm/notification device 10. When the button
147 is pushed, the interrupt routine invokes the push
button routine (step 5624). The flowchart in FIGURE 11
depicts the processing steps performed by the push
3o button routine (step S624).
First, the button. is debounced (step 51102). This
prevents a single button signal from being interpreted
by the microprocessor 149 as multiple signals. Then it
is determined if the button is still being pressed
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
(step 51104). If the button is not still being pressed
(step S1104), the push button routine is ended,
otherwise processing continues. If the button is still
being pressed (step S1104), then the push button
s routine determines whether or not any alarm is on (step
S1106). If an alarm is on, the buzzer is turned off
(step 51108) and processing ends. On the other hand,
if no alarm is on (step S1106), the buzzer 161 and all
the LEDs 152, 155 and 158 are turned on for testing
(step S1110). The buzzer and LEDs are kept on while
the button remains pressed (steps S1110, 51112). When
the button is no longer pressed (step 51112), the
buzzer 161 and LEDs 152, 155 and 158 are turned off
(step 51114).
~5 The following table summarizes preferred actions
of the various interrupt handling routines with respect
to the alarm buzzer 161 and the three LEDs 152, 155,
and 158.
Signal LEDs Alarm Buzzer
2o Carrier depends on depends on
interrupt signal signal
Line voltage flash red every 5 secs
interrupt
Low battery flash green every 5 secs
25 interrupt
A/C power flash yellow every 5 secs
interrupt
Push button if alarm not if alarm on
interrupt on then test then stop,
all else test
so Green alarm flash green 1/2 sec.
signal once every 15
.
mins
Yellow alarm flash yellow 1/2 sec. every
signal once per sec. 5 secs.
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
Signal LEDs Alarm Buzzer
Red alarm flash red once continuous
signal per sec.
As noted above, in some preferred embodiments, as
shown in FIGURE 4, the device has a display (LCD)
capable of displaying textual information. This
display can be used instead of or in conjunction with
the LEDs 152, 155 and 158 and the alarm buzzer 161. In
these embodiments, the microprocessor 149 stores
therein textual information corresponding to each of a
number of warning signals and interrupts. This
information can be stored in a standard lookup table in
a manner well known in the art. An example of this is
shown in the following table. In addition to the above
~5 operations of the LEDs and the alarm buzzer,
microprocessor 149 is programmed to select the
appropriate text, depending on the signal received.
Signal Text to be displayed
2o Carrier interrupt Carrier interrupted
Line voltage Line voltage interrupted
interrupt
Low battery Battery LOW
interrupt
25 A/C power interrupt A/C power interrupted
Push button (depends on alarm status)
interrupt TEST or RESET
Green alarm signal ALL CLEAR
Yellow alarm #1 STORM WATCH
so Red alarm #1 STORM WARNING
Yellow alarm #2 TORNADO ALERT
Red alarm #2 TORNADO WARNING
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
Signal Text to be displayed
Red alarm #3 FLOOD WARNING
Reset signal ALARM RESET
The text of the messages can be modified for
different languages, different meanings of the warnings
and the like.
In some embodiments, the alarm/notification device
has a speaker and has prerecorded or synthesized
digital or analog sound messages stored therein
~o (similar to the manner in which the text is stored
above). When an alarm/notification is processed, the
microprocessor 149, in addition to operating the LEDs,
preferably plays back the sound messages instead of (or
alternating with) the alarm buzzer.
~5 In order to deal with different languages,
cultures, types of emergencies etc., the
alarm/notification device 10 can have a replaceable
information card from which it gets its textual and
sound information. For instance, in one part of the
2o country a red #2 warning might be a tornado warning,
whereas in another part of the country it might be a
flood warning. Rather than replace the entire device
when a subscriber relocates geographically, the
information card is replaced based on the region, the
25 subscriber's language and other local and personal
factors. Further, this card will list all radio and TV
stations that participate in the local emergency
broadcast system, as well as specific telephone numbers
to call to test the system or to reach prerecorded
so messages about the system. These messages can be
delivered in a variety of languages.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the
alarm/notification device 10 may also have the ability
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
to dial another telephone, e.g., an emergency telephone
number (such as "911"), to power on/off a radio or some
other device, to connect to a larger light for the
hearing impaired, and to record and convey messages
such as to paging devices. The ability to call other
numbers and devices enables a subscriber to notify
another party in the case of an emergency. This
feature is useful in the case of subscribers (e. g.,
handicapped or infirm or with young children) who may
~o need assistance in the case of an emergency. The
alarm/nctification device may also be able to
communicate back to the telephone company that it has
received and responded to an emergency code.
Alternative embodiments of the alarm/notification
~5 device 10 may have remote alarm capabilities to
accommodate business use and to accommodate the needs
of communicating with municipal emergency personnel.
The operation of an emergency notification system
according to the present invention (using
2o alarm/notification device 10) is now described with
reference to the flowcharts in FIGURES 12 and 13.
There are three main roles within this system.
First (with reference again to FIGURE 1), the office
A10 must provide information and instructions to the
25 telephone company's central office A12, then the
central office must provide information and
instructions to the local switches A14, and then the
local switches A14 must provide the notification
messages to the appropriate subscribers A22. There may
so be a way of returning a signal received from the device
to the switch and from the switch back to the "911"
office.
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CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
The process of the office A10 providing
information and instructions to the telephone company's
central office A12 is described with reference to
FIGURE 12. Having determined the nature and location
of an emergency (or a potential emergency), an
authorized party (e. g., a town manager, a fire
marshall, a town mayor, a regional municipality 911
manager etc.) at office A10 inputs the postal (ZIP) or
address codes corresponding to the geographic location
~o and a signal type corresponding to the nature of the
emergency (step S120). For example, as shown in FIGURE
1, the postal codes "M5B XXX" and "M5B XXX" both have
signal types "RED ALERT". Additionally, the regions
identified by the system manager (in step 5120) are
~5 preferably identified by postal/zip code. However,
preprogrammed region identification codes that include
a number of postal codes may also be used. For
example, all the zip codes surrounding a nuclear power
plant can be preprogrammed into a region identification
2o code. When used for the purpose of notifying specific
individuals, such as all medical and emergency
personnel in the area, the present invention may
provide a preprogrammed list of telephone numbers
collected and maintained by a system management group.
25 Thus, the first piece of information requested for
input is the post/zip codes, or a defined region code,
for a message to be sent, with the corresponding signal
sent to each of the postal/zip codes, regions, or
designated individuals.
3o In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there are three types of signals that can be
sent, namely "all clear," "warning," and "emergency".
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
- 26 -
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
codes for the three signal types will be standard to a
large region such as all of North America, thereby
providing a manufacturer of the alarm/notification
device 10 with the ability to mass produce a standard
s product and for the owner of such a device to be able
to transfer it from one region to another. If a number
of codes are required throughout North America or
Europe, the alarm/notification device 10 can be
configured to adapt easily to the various regional
codes that will be used.
The authorized party must also input some form of
authorization (step S122) in order for processing to
continue. The method of authorization depends on the
system's intended scope and use, and may include
passwords, electronic or mechanical keys, magnetic
cards or tokens or any other form of identification
verification.
According to preferred embodiments of the present
invention, the authorized party communicates to the
2o telephone company's switch equipment, those regions to
be sent a coded signal, and the specific signal type to
be sent to each region. Accordingly, if the
authorization is determined to be valid (step S124),
then the postal codes and signal type are sent to the
25 telephone switches (step S126).
In the embodiment described in FIGURE 12, an
invalid authorization can be entered once. Therefore,
if the authorization is determined to be invalid (step
S124), another opportunity is provided to give a valid
3o authorization (steps S128, S130), otherwise the process
terminates.
In addition to being able to deliver signal type
and region information, the system manager can also
- 27 -
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
preferably receive data from the telephone company.
Such communications would preferably include
notification that the instructions have been received
and been completed. This information is preferably
communicated to the telephone company switch equipment
along secure and private telecommunications links
already in place where 911 emergency systems currently
exist.
FIGURE 13 is a flowchart of the telephone company
routine of the emergency notification system of the
present invention. The telephone company equipment
constantly listens and monitors for instructions from
the municipality A10 and is therefore ready to act
quickly. Upon receipt of instructions from the
~5 municipality A10 (step 5130), the system security codes
are verified. The central office computer then
preferably scans the telephone company client database,
and identifies all telephone numbers registered to
various geographic regional identifiers (postal/zip
2o codes) matching those provided by the municipality, and
builds a list of such telephone numbers for the
identified regions (step 5132). It then matches the
signal type with the regional codes (postal/zip codes)
and sends the signals to each telephone number
z5 identified, region by region in the sequence instructed
by the municipality (step 5134).
As described above with respect to FIGURE 5, in
preferred embodiments the signal is an FSK signal. The
signal is sent in accordance with Bellcore and Stentor
so industry standards for Visual Message Waiting
Indication, On-Hook Transmission Not Associated with
Ringing (aspects of these standards are described
below). As an alternative, signals consistent with
- 28 -
CA 02296920 2003-06-02
standards relating to Off-Hock. Data Transmission,
Analog Display Services Interface, and Data
Transrri:ission A~~sociated with Ringing Transmission might
also be used.
TIZe time rvequired t:o send the coded signal is less
than one second. per number,, and more than one number
may be reached at= a. time . V~lith signals sent to all
numbers of. a s~:ecific region, then a notice of
completion, by .region, is sent to the system manager
(step ~s136) .
Tze present. invention should achieve an order of
120, OOJ calls .~ an hour (compared to the 6, 000 in
prior systems). This estimate is based on a Bell
Canada calculat:i.on using a DMS 20 switch (a very small
switcru) . Osin~~ Bel lcor~' s CLASS switche~> should
achieve a 20 tc;~ i00 times improvement over prior
systems .
A,s noted above, in preferred embodiments, the
signal. is sent irz a~ccordanc~e with various telephone
comparuy (Bellc~:~re and Stentor) and industry standards.
These tandard: allow users to set and u~~e messages in
Voicei>and Data 'Transmission Interface (GR-30-CORE,
Issue l, Decem~~~~r 1.994, Bel.lccrej. Some information
about this interfacE=_ is reproduced herein.
T=he Voicer>and Data 'Transmission l.nterface supports
two types of message formats, namely ~>ingle Data
Messacle Fc.rmat (SDMF) an~~ MultiplF~ Data Message Format
(MDMF). Servi::~~s can be delivered to subscribers in
either foi:mat. Various values for message types are
presently avai:..able within the Bel.lcox-a standard. In
particular, thE:~ fol.:lowing values (binary) are presently
_ pg _
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
available for use "0000 1011" and "1000 1000". This
provides two available message types.
For potential global interoperability, the
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) modulation used to
transmit the data may be based on either the Bell 202
or V.23 standard, as successful half-duplex ADSI or
simplex MDMF data communications should be possible
between equipment supporting either of these modulation
standards.
If the receiving equipment does not recognize a
parameter in the Custom Applications/message, it must
ignore it.
A Multiple Data Message body contains one or more
parameter messages. Each parameter message is
~5 identified by its header, which contains a parameter
type value and the length of the parameter body to
follow Parameter Types are only used in the MDMF. The
following parameters are presently not in use and can
be used by the system of this invention "0001 1101" to
20 "0001 1111" (digital 29-31). These three values would
provide at least the three levels of warning signal
required. Combining them with the other, variable
length parameters gives far more signals.
Note that standard states that the sum total of
25 all parameters carried in the MDMF frame must not
exceed 255 bytes.
It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the telephone switch receives
and transmits information to and from the system
3o manager. There is a security provision to validate
that the sender has the authority to issue such
signals. Once validated and in the absence of
telephone numbers being provided by the municipality as
- 30 -
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
sometimes may happen, the telephone company performs a
search of its customer database to identify all
telephone numbers registered to addresses within the
geographic territory identified by the system manager
s for notification. The postal/zip code can be expected
to be the database search parameter. It is important
to note that this database of numbers would be current
and accurate to the day. Having identified the numbers
to be contacted, the specific signal identified by the
system provider to be transmitted is sent to all
telephone numbers identified by the telephone company
as being registered to addresses in the corresponding
regions.
While the terms "alarm", "warning" and "emergency"
~s are used herein to described particular applications of
the present invention, other, non-alarm, non-warning
and non-emergency notification uses of this invention
are also considered to be a part of this invention.
For example, this invention could be used by school
2o systems to let parents and children know when school is
to be closed for weather related reasons.
While the device is described herein as a stand-
alone device, it could also be incorporated into other
devices including a standard telephone, a telephone
25 answering machine, a caller identifying device and the
like.
While the device and system have been described
with reference to analog telephone lines, the device
could be modified to receive and process digital
3o messages and signals.
It is envisioned that the present invention will
operate with all forms of telephone carriers,
- 31 -
CA 02296920 2000-O1-19
including, but not limited to POTS, ISDN, coaxial cable
systems, fiber optic cable systems and the like.
In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular element, technique or implementation
to the teachings of the present invention without
departing from the central scope of the invention.
Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be
limited to the particular embodiments and methods
disclosed herein, but that the invention involve all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
- 32 -
