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Description  |
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This invention relates to a cellular telephone monitoring system and, more
particularly, to a system including an automatic dialer by means of which
data is transmitted between a and a remote monitoring location through a
cellular phone network.
PRIOR ART
Components are readily available commercially today by means of which data
can be transmitted over a cellular phone network to a cellular site
computer and from the cellular site computer to a phone company for
subsequent transmission to the ultimate destination. A common example in
widespread use today is the mobile cellular car phone using a handset in
an automobile connected to a transceiver having an antenna by means of
which voice communication is established within the cellular network.
Systems for interfacing stationary telephone sets with a cellular network
have also been developed, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,096 assigned to
Metrofone, Inc. of Skokie, Illinois shows one example of such a system. In
the Metrofone patent, a cellular interface is provided to which a standard
telephone set is connected and the interface converts dial tones and dial
pulses from the telephone into a serial data stream which is transmitted
by a cellular transceiver over the cellular network.
It has also been proposed to use a cellular network in an alarm monitoring
system and U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,182 assigned to Peter Miller of Chicago,
Ill. is an example of such a system. In the Miller patent, alarm sensors
which may be for fire, intrusion and the like are connected to a modified
Acron DD-3 communicator connected in turn to a cellular transceiver. The
cellular transceiver includes a keyboard programmed at installation with
the telephone number of an alarm monitoring station so that when an alarm
signal is produced, the digital communicator signals the transceiver via
the keyboard to dial the preprogrammed telephone number of the alarm
monitoring station, and only that telephone number. When the connection is
made, data such as the location, emergency code, etc. is sent from the
digital communicator to the cellular transceiver, which transmits this
data over the air to a cellular network site and from there to the alarm
monitoring station.
The lack of versatility of the system of the Miller patent is readily
apparent. The Miller patent specifically states that it requires a
cellular transceiver, a "modified Acron DD-3 digital communicator" and a
keyboard which is programmed at the time of installation with the
telephone number of the alarm monitoring station so that the system is
limited to calling only one telephone number. Another shortcoming of the
Miller system is that two-way communication between the digital
communicator and the alarm monitoring station can only be established at
the initiative of the alarm system of the subscriber's premises. No
provision is made for the alarm monitoring station (or any other remote
calling party) to initiate a two-way communication link with the
subscriber's premises.
Furthermore, there is no provision for the alarm company to access the
subscriber's equipment in a manner that permits the alarm company to make
changes in the operation of the system. For example, if one of the zones
in Miller system is being monitored by a sensor that, for some reason, has
become faulty and is sending out false alarms, the Miller system has no
provision for accessing the subscriber's alarm system from the alarm
monitoring station for determining which zone is faulty and to deactivate
such zone. Still further, there is no provision in the Miller system for
the subscriber himself to access his system from a remote location to
determine if all is well, or to activate or deactivate part or all of such
system. Neither the subscriber nor the alarm company can access the Miller
system to change codes if such is desired. In the Miller system, any
changes to the system must be effected by an individual physically at the
subscriber's premises manually changing codes. Still further, due to such
lack of accesssing ability, the Miller system is not amenable for use with
other systems in applications other than the monitoring of specific
physical premises that are at a fixed location with fixed codes.
For these reasons, there is a need for an alarm communication system that
is versatile and is amenable to a wide variety of uses and applications
and can be efficiently used to alter a subscriber's alarm system as
required by either the alarm monitoring station or the subscriber himself.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the invention is to provide a new and novel location
monitoring system using a cellular telephone network.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel alarm system
for a location using a cellular telephone network which does not require
the use of telephone lines between a protected location and an alarm
monitoring station.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel
location monitoring system using a cellular network in which data may be
sent not only from the location to an amarm monitoring station but the
location may be interrogated from the alarm monitoring station for
information pertaining to the location.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel
location monitoring system which may be simply and easily moved to a new
location at virtually no expense and in a simple and easy manner.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel
monitoring system using a cellular network which is readily portable for
use in movable structures such as aircraft, railroad cars, etc. so as to
be completely operable at each location to which the structure is moved.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel
monitoring system using a cellular network which permits the transmission
of still video images of the monitored location to an alarm monitoring
station.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and novel
monitoring system using a cellular network which is versatile and which
can be efficiently altered either by the subscriber himself or by the
alarm monitoring station (or alarm company) as the need arises.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel
monitoring system using a cellular network which is amenable for use with
other monitoring networks and systems.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel
method of monitoring premises using a cellular network.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel
method of monitoring premises using a cellular network in a manner such
that the monitored areas can be moving from place to place.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel
alarm monitoring system using a cellular network in which the cellular
components of the alarm system located at the subscriber's premises do not
depend on a keyboard (pre-programmed or otherwise) and/or a modified Acron
DD-3 digital communicator.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel
alarm monitoring system in which the cellular components of the alarm
system located at the subscriber's premises utilize a cellular data
interface without a keyboard, that can be interfaced to practically any
digital communicator without any modifications.
The objects of the invention and other related objects are accomplished by
the provision at a monitored location of means for generating an
electrical signal and for conducting the electrical signal to a digital
communicator having a digital dialer and programmable means, the digital
communicator being connected to a cellular interface connected in turn to
a cellular transceiver having an antenna. The digital dialer is activated
upon receipt of the electrical signal, and the number of an alarm
monitoring station is sent from the digital dialer by the cellular
interface to the transceiver so as to call the alarm monitoring station
over a cellular network including an antenna wherein data concerning the
monitored site is provided by the programmable means to the alarm
monitoring station.
The programmable means of the alarm system at the subscriber's premises can
be accessed from the outside by the alarm monitoring station (or alarm
company) via the cellular interface so as either to query that alarm
system or to change some feature thereof as necessary. In such manner, the
monitored system can be changed as necessary to meet the exact needs of
the system, even if such needs are changed during a particular monitoring
operation. Such accessing capability adds versatility to the present
system and makes it amenable for use in a wide variety of applications not
heretofore envisioned for such systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating the system and its components for the
cellular network embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of another embodiment of the cellular system of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic of another embodiment of the cellular network of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are
merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are
not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure.
Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, there is shown
one embodiment of the cellular network data transmission system of the
invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an alarm monitoring system is
shown wherein one or more sensors of conventional construction are
installed at various locations in a location such as a residence which, by
way of example, include a burglar alarm 11 and a fire detector 12. As is
well known, a plurality of such sensors can be used and such sensors 11,
12 are of the type for generating an electrical signal in response to the
detected event, and these signals are conducted, for example, by means of
conductors 13, 14 respectively to a digital communicator 16 of a well
known construction. One such digital communicator is Model DD-1486
available from Napco Security Systems, Inc. of 6 DiTomas Court, Copiague,
N.Y. 11726.
The digital communicator 16 includes a digital dialer 17 and programmable
memory means such as a PROM 18. The PROM 18 is programmed with specific
data such as the identification number of the location, account number,
the emergency code (for fire, burglary, etc.) and the telephone number of
the alarm monitoring station to be called as will be explained
hereinafter. It should be understood that the PROM 18 may be readily
replaced with another PROM if the location is changed. The digital
communicator 16 is connected to a suitable source of electric power such
as power supply 21 connected to the digital communicator 16 by means of
conductors such as conductors 22.
The output of the digital communicator 16 and digital dialer 17 is
connected by means of conductors 23 to a cellular interface 24 of any well
known construction. This connection may be accomplished with the use of an
RJ11 cord and plug available from Radio Shack or any establishment selling
telephone accessories. For example, such a cellular interface is readily
available from Motorola under the trademark "CELLULAR CONNECTION".
Such a cellular interface 24 provides a telephone line tone and voltage to
the digital communicator 16 and digital dialer 17 and, upon receiving the
electronic signal (that comprises the telephone number to be dialed) from
the digital dialer 17, that signal and an electronic "send" signal are
then electronically entered into the transceiver 26 by means of conductors
27. The cellular interface provides a path of communication between the
digital communicator 16 and digital dialer 17, and the cellular
transceiver 26.
The cellular transceiver 26 may be of any well known construction such as a
cellular transceiver manufactured by Motorola under the model designated
MODAR-1. It should be noted that the cellular interface 24 can also be
provided with a port by means of which a conventional telephone or
cellular handset 28 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1) may be connected to
the interface 24 (to make and receive two-way telephone calls) if so
desired. Allowing two-way communication, the transceiver 26 also includes
an antenna 31 by means of which data may be transmitted over-the-air to
the cellular network designated generally in FIG. 1 by the reference
numeral 32.
The cellular network antenna site 32 includes a cellular site computer 33
and an antenna 34 by means of which transmissions emanating from the
transceiver antenna 31 are received. The cellular site computer 33 is
connected by conventional telephone land lines 36 to the commercial
telephone company 37 which is connected by conventional telephone land
lines 38 to the alarm monitoring station 39. The alarm monitoring station
39 is also provided with a computer and/or microprocessor.
In the operation of the system of FIG. 1, the system is is activated by an
electrical signal generated by one of the sensors 11, 12 which signal is
transmitted to the digital communicator 16. A telephone line tone signal
is sent to the digital dialer 17 from the cellular interface 24. The
digital dialer 17 then transmits the telephone number of the alarm
monitoring station 39 to the transceiver 26, via the interface 24 which
sends this number over the cellular network 32 from antenna 31 to antenna
34.
The telephone connection is made from the cellular site computer 33 to the
telephone company 37 connected by conventional telephone land lines 36, to
the alarm monitoring station 39, also connected by conventional telephone
lines 38. A "handshake" tone is sent back to the digital communicator 16
from the alarm monitoring station 39 computer following which data
appropriately stored in PROM 18 is sent to the alarm monitoring station to
complete the transmission of the emergency regarding the alarm condition.
Communication is terminated by a "kiss-off" tone transmitted from the
alarm monitoring station 39 to the transceiver 26, and proper notification
of the police, fire department, etc. is accomplished by the alarm
monitoring station.
Some currently available digital communicators can be programmed with
several different telephone numbers so that in case no "hand-shake" signal
is received from a central monitoring station computer after several
transmission attempts, the digital communicator will "call" the other
telephone numbers programmed within its PROM until the digital
communicator gets a "hand-shake" signal from an alarm monitoring station
computer so that its emergency codes can be sent and received. Those
telephone numbers may be to different telephone lines at the same alarm
monitoring station or to a different alarm monitoring station.
The cellular network 32 may, via its antenna 34 re-transmit the signal it
receives from the subscriber's cellular transceiver 26 via its antenna 31
(without going through a conventional telephone land line network) to
another cellular network 32A having a cellular site computer 33A which
includes antennas 34A and 34A' connected thereto, and via antennas 34A'
and 31A, to a cellular transceiver located at the alarm monitoring station
26A in FIG. 1, and then to a cellular interface 24A, also at the alarm
monitoring station 39A in FIG. 1, wired to an alarm monitoring station's
data processing computer.
The system in FIG. 1 provides two-way communication as the microprocessor
at the alarm monitoring station 39 can "call-up" the alarm system at the
subscriber's location and obtain data as to the operation of the alarm
system, such as defects, operating conditions, past alarm history, etc.
Thus, the system of FIG. 1 can be said to be capable of both "uploading"
and "downloading".
The alarm monitoring station 39 can call the monitored alarm system on the
subscriber's premises via the network as above described, and the PROM can
be programmed to "open-up" its memory to the alarm monitoring station, or
to "hang-up" the line and call back either a special telephone number or
to call back the alarm monitoring station computer. This is accomplished
after a predetermined number of rings is allowed at the subscriber's
premises by the initiating caller, i.e. the alarm monitoring station.
After a "connection" is made between the alarm monitoring station computer
and the monitored alarm system on the subscriber's premises, a special
"code" is sent by the alarm monitoring station computer to the monitored
alarm system which then "opens up" its memory to the alarm monitoring
station computer for interrogation and/or re-programming. This is
accomplished on receipt of a special code from the alarm monitoring
station computer. The PROM will be placed in a code-amending mode whereby
various codes within the alarm system on the subscriber's premises can be
altered, amended, disconnected or the like. Of course, if the proper code
signal is not received from the alarm monitoring station (or other
location) and in the proper manner, the alarm system at the subscriber's
premises will not permit access to its memory.
If so desired, the alarm system at the subscriber's premises can be
programmed to alert proper authorities that an unauthorized entry has been
attempted if the proper code is not received. After the codes have been
appropriately amended, another signal from the alarm monitoring station or
the caller can be sent which causes the PROM to "close up" the
subscriber's alarm system with the amended code therein.
In this manner, the alarm features can be altered by simply accessing the
monitored premises from any convenient location and changing the codes as
needed. For example, if the alarm monitoring station 39 notes a continued
alarm signal, which it notes as being false, it can disarm the faulty
alarm signal. Also, the codes can be altered if either subscriber or the
alarm monitoring station sees the need.
Still further, the alarm system can be used in conjunction with other
systems so that the premises can be monitored by other means as well. For
example, the alarm system can be used in conjunction with microphones or
the like so the subscriber or the alarm monitoring station can listen to
the premises if necessary by simply accessing the system as above
discussed and sending an appropriate signal to the system.
Still further, this system can be adapted to be used in conjunction with
other systems that include the hard-wired telephone lines. The system can
be accessed via the telephone land lines, and if such lines are out of
operation for some reason, the system can be controlled to operate
exclusively via the cellular network. In such a case, the alarm system
will have an automatic backup in the event of a problem.
Referring now to FIG. 2 wherein like numerals identify like parts, the data
transmission system of the invention may by used to monitor structures
that are mobile rather than stationary. By way of example, the sensors 11,
12, etc., the digital communicator 16, cellular interface 24 and cellular
transceiver 26 may be installed on an aircraft 41 or a railroad car 42 or
a boat 43 or the like. To accomplish this, the installed PROM
corresponding to an original location is removed after arrival of the
aircraft, etc. at the new location, and a PROM having data corresponding
to the new location is inserted in the digital communicator 16. The
telephone number of the alarm monitoring station 39 can remain the same as
the data transmitted from the new location would be transmitted over the
telephone land lines from the cellular site computer 33 to the original
alarm monitoring station 39. Interrogation of the aircraft at the new
location would verify its arrival and its condition. Any changes in codes,
etc. could be made via the uploading and downloading features of the
system of the invention. The same procedure would be followed with the
system installed aboard the railroad car 42 to confirm its arrival,
location and condition.
Referring now to FIG. 3 wherein like numerals are used to identify like
parts, a third embodiment of the system of invention is shown. In FIG. 3,
one or more TV cameras 51-53 may be installed at the subscriber's
premises, these cameras being directed at those areas of the premises
which are to be monitored. These cameras 51-53 are connected to a
commercially available video transmitter 56 which digitizes BW video
images and stores them in memory. One type of such video transmitter is
Model RVS3000TX Phoneline Video Transmitter manufactured by Robot Research
Inc. of San Diego, Calif.
The video transmitter 56 includes an auto-dialer and a switcher to sequence
the various TV cameras associated therewith. The video transmitter 56 is
connected to the cellular interface 24 as in the manner of the digital
communicator 16 and may be associated with alarm sensors 57-59 such as
sensors 11, 12 in FIG. 1. The video transmitter 56 is adapted to send
freeze-frame black and white video images as determined by the TV cameras
51-53 and preferably each of the alarm sensors 57-59 is associated with
one of the TV cameras 51-53 respectively.
When one of the sensors 57-59 responds to an alarm condition, a video
camera image from the corresponding camera 51-53 is stored in the video
transmitter memory. The cellular interface 24 provides a dial tone signal
and voltage as in the previous embodiments, and the auto-dialer in the
video transmitter dials the phone number of the alarm monitoring station
39. When a "handshake" signal from the alarm monitoring station 39 is
received by the video transmitter 56, a video picture of the area of the
site corresponding to the associated TV camera together with such data as
the location identification, time and date, camera identification, etc. is
transmitted by the transceiver 26 to the cellular site computer 33 and on
to the alarm monitoring station 39.
It is necessary to provide a video receiver 61 at the alarm monitoring
station 39 for the video images and other data, and such a receiver is
also commercially available from the aforementioned Robot Research Inc. as
Model RVS3000RX. The image and data can then be recorded from this
receiver and stored on a VCR. Two-way communication is also available in
the system of FIG. 3. The video transmitter 56 is adapted to auto-answer
when dialed directly from a remote location such as the alarm monitoring
station 39. With the correct access code, the transmitter will transmit
any selected video image and arm or disarm the alarm sensors 57-59
associated with CCTV cameras 51-53 to upload and/or download.
The versatility of the present system due to its ability to be uploaded and
downloaded, permits it to be used as a personnel monitoring system. In
such an application, the person being monitored will wear an alarm
activator that can be interrogated as necessary and which is coupled into
the main network via the digital communicator either remotely or via
direct wiring. The person being monitored can send a code to the alarm
monitoring station which lets that station know where that person is at
the time of the signal. If there is an emergency, the person can signal,
and help can be dispatched accordingly. Such a system is particularly
useful for night watchmen, or for the protection of people that must visit
remote locations with strangers. This is an especially useful system for
real estate agents who must often accompany strangers to empty houses in
remote locations.
In such applications, an individual is provided with a unit including a
digital communicator 16, cellular interface 24, cellular transceiver 26,
wireless radio frequency receiver 63 connected by conductors 15 to a
digital communicator 16, and a hand-held wireless radio frequency
transmitter 65. This equipment could be installed in a vehicle or the
like. The individual carries the hand-held wireless radio frequency
transmitter 65, by means of which the individual is provided with a link
to the digital communicator 16 and transceiver 26 via the wireless radio
frequency receiver 63. The individual, using the transmitter 65, can file
an itinerary prior to to leaving a location so that in an emergency, the
digital communicator 16 and digital dialer 17 can be activated by the
wireless radio frequency transmitter 65 and the wireless radio frequency
receiver 63, causing the transceiver 26 to transmit a signal signifying
such a condition to the alarm monitoring station.
The above-described personnel monitoring system can also be used in
conjunction with the above-discussed television monitors if necessary.
Still another application of the just-described system is the so-called
house arrest situation. In this situation, someone is required to remain
in a prescribed area at all times. The person could be required to wear a
mobile unit, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,273, and such a unit
would signal a central location via the cellular network in the event the
person moved out of the prescribed area. In the event the person is
permitted to move to other areas, such as to an office or the like, the
system could also be used in conjunction with substance abuse programs in
which the monitored person is required to call in at specified times or be
called. At such times, the person's condition is assessed by means known
to those skilled in su art, as by voice analysis or the like. If the
person is deemed fit, the codes in the monitoring system can be set to
permit that person to move to other locations or to be required to return
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