 |
Claims  |
|
|
I claim:
1. A personal response system with emergency audio mode, comprising:
a response center for monitoring a plurality of help consoles for emergency
status conditions, the response center further having means to transmit
microphone sensitivity commands; at least one help console for use in a
user's premises, further comprising:
a microphone sensitivity control;
a communications control to communicate with the response center, the
communications control capable of receiving microphone sensitivity
commands from the response center which define gradual changes in
microphone sensitivity and further having means to control the microphone
sensitivity control;
the microphone sensitivity control is controlled by the communications
control and has an output for adjusting microphone sensitivity levels;
a microphone means to input and transmit audio signals from the help
console to the response center, the sensitivity of the microphone means
controlled by the microphone sensitivity control such that a single
microphone in the microphone means can have its sensitivity adjusted to
extend from the immediate area of the microphone to several rooms within
the user's premises; and
a speaker to output audio signals received from the response center;
whereby the response center can gradually adjust the microphone sensitivity
of the help console such that the physical listening range of a single
microphone in the help console can be gradually increased from the
immediate area of the help console to several rooms within the user's
premises.
2. A personal response system with emergency audio mode, comprising: a
response center for monitoring a plurality of help consoles for emergency
status conditions, the response center further having means to transmit
microphone sensitivity commands;
at least one help console for use in a user's premises, further comprising:
a microphone sensitivity control;
a communications control to communicate with the response center, the
communications control capable of receiving microphone sensitivity
commands from the response center which define gradual changes in
microphone sensitivity and further having means to control the microphone
sensitivity control;
the microphone sensitivity control is controlled by the communications
control and has an output for adjusting microphone sensitivity levels;
a microphone means to input and transmit audio signals from the help
console to the response center, the sensitivity of the microphone means
controlled by the microphone sensitivity control; and
a speaker to output audio signals received from the response center; and
a volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the speaker under
control of the microphone sensitivity commands to enable output of
stronger audio signals;
whereby the response center can gradually adjust the microphone sensitivity
of the help console such that the physical listening range of the help
console can be gradually increased.
3. A system, as in claim 2, further comprising:
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to remotely initiate communication from the help console to the
response center either inside or outside of the user's premises; and
a personal transmitter microphone to input audio signals to the help
console; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the portable
personal transmitter and transmit the received audio signals to the
response center.
4. A system, as in claim 3, wherein the portable personal transmitter
further comprises a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals
from the portable personal transmitter.
5. A system, as in claim 2, further comprising:
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to receive audio signals transmitted from the help console; and
a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals received from the
help console; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the response center
and transmit the received audio signals to the portable personal
transmitter.
6. A personal response system with emergency audio mode, comprising:
a response center for monitoring a plurality of help consoles for emergency
status conditions, the response center further having means to transmit
microphone sensitivity commands;
at least one help console for use in a user's premises, further comprising:
a microphone sensitivity control;
a communications control to communicate with the response center, the
communications control capable of receiving microphone sensitivity
commands from the response center which define gradual changes in
microphone sensitivity and further having means to control the microphone
sensitivity control;
the microphone sensitivity control is controlled by the communications
control and has an output for adjusting microphone sensitivity levels;
a microphone means to input and transmit audio signals from the help
console to the response center, the sensitivity of the microphone
controlled by the microphone sensitivity control; and
a speaker to output audio signals received from the response center, the
speaker's volume is controlled by the microphone sensitivity control such
that as the microphone sensitivity increases, the speaker's volume
increases; and
whereby the response center can simultaneously control the sensitivity of
the microphone and the speaker volume such that the physical area around
the help console can be gradually extended by the response center.
7. A system, as in claim 6, further comprising:
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to remotely initiate communication from the help console to the
response center either inside or outside of the user's premises; and
a personal transmitter microphone to input audio signals to the help
console; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the portable
personal transmitter and transmit the received audio signals to the
response center.
8. A system, as in claim 7, wherein the portable personal transmitter
further comprises a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals
from the portable personal transmitter.
9. A system, as in claim 6, further comprising:
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to receive audio signals transmitted from the help console either
inside or outside of the user's premises; and
a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals received from the
help console; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the response center
and transmit the received audio signals to the portable personal
transmitter.
10. A personal response system with emergency audio mode, comprising:
a response center for monitoring a plurality of help consoles for emergency
status conditions, the response center further having means to transmit
microphone sensitivity commands;
at least one help console for use in a user's premises, further comprising:
a microphone sensitivity control;
a communications control to communicate with the response center, the
communications control capable of receiving microphone sensitivity
commands from the response center which define gradual changes in personal
transmitter microphone sensitivity and further having means to control the
personal transmitter microphone sensitivity control;
the personal transmitter microphone sensitivity control is controlled by
the communications control and has an output for adjusting personal
transmitter microphone sensitivity levels such that a single microphone in
the personal transmitter microphone can have its sensitivity adjusted to
extend from the immediate area of the personal transmitter microphone to
several rooms within the user's premises;
means to communicate with the portable personal transmitter,
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to remotely initiate communication from the help console to the
response center; and
a personal transmitter microphone to input audio signals to the help
console, the sensitivity of the microphone controlled by the microphone
sensitivity control; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the portable
personal transmitter and transmit the received audio signals to the
response center;
whereby the response center can gradually adjust the personal transmitter
microphone sensitivity of the portable personal transmitter from the
immediate area of the help console to several rooms within the user's
premises.
11. A personal response system with emergency audio mode, comprising:
a response center for monitoring a plurality of help consoles for emergency
status conditions, the response center further having means to transmit
microphone sensitivity commands;
at least one help console for use in a user's premises, further comprising:
a help console microphone means to input and transmit audio signals from
the help console to the response center;
a microphone sensitivity control;
a communications control to communicate with the response center, the
communications control capable of receiving microphone sensitivity
commands from the response center which define gradual changes in personal
transmitter microphone sensitivity and further having means to control the
personal transmitter microphone sensitivity control;
the personal transmitter microphone sensitivity control is controlled by
the communications control and has an output for adjusting personal
transmitter microphone sensitivity levels;
a portable personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to remotely initiate communication from the help console to the
response center; and
a personal transmitter microphone to input audio signals to the help
console, the sensitivity of the microphone controlled by the microphone
sensitivity control; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the portable
personal transmitter and transmit the received audio signals to the
response center;
whereby the response center can gradually adjust the microphone sensitivity
of the portable personal transmitter.
12. A personal response system help console with emergency audio mode,
comprising:
a help console;
means to communicate with a response center;
means to initiate communications with the response center by the help
console;
a microphone means to input and transmit audio signals from the help
console to the response center;
a speaker to output audio signals received from the response center; and
means to automatically select a sensitivity level for the microphone means
to enable input of weaker audio signals from locations remote from the
microphone means; and
means to receive microphone sensitivity commands from the response center
to override the sensitivity level of the microphone selected by the help
console;
whereby audio input from an extended physical area at the help console can
be monitored by controlling the microphone sensitivity of the help console
microphone.
13. A system, as in claim 12, further comprising:
means to receive microphone sensitivity commands from the response center;
and
a volume adjusting means for adjusting the volume of the help console
speaker under control of the response center microphone sensitivity
commands;
whereby the speaker volume is gradually increased as microphone sensitivity
is gradually increased.
14. A system, as in claim 13, further comprising:
a personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to remotely initiate communication from the help console to the
response center; and
a personal transmitter microphone to input audio signals to the help
console either inside or outside of the user's premises, the sensitivity
of the personal transmitter microphone controlled by the microphone
sensitivity control; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the personal
transmitter and transmit the received audio signals to the response
center.
15. A system, as in claim 14, wherein the personal transmitter further
comprises a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals from the
personal transmitter, the microphone sensitivity control simultaneously
controls the sensitivity of the microphone and the speaker volume such
that the effective range of the personal transmitter can be gradually
varied under control of the response center.
16. A system, as in claim 13, further comprising:
a personal transmitter, further comprising:
means to receive audio signals transmitted from the help console; and
a personal transmitter speaker to output audio signals received from the
help console; and
means in the help console to receive audio signals from the response center
and transmit the received audio signals to the personal transmitter. |
|
 |
|
 |
Claims |
|
|
|
Description |
|
|
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to the commonly owned copending applications
entitled "Programmable Personal Response System", filed Aug. 27, 1993,
bearing U.S. Ser. No. 08/113,423, and "Self Testing Personal Response
System", filed Aug. 27, 1993, bearing U.S. Ser. No. 08/113,614, and naming
Andrew Queen, the named inventor herein, as sole inventor, the contents of
which is specifically incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to personal response systems. In particular,
it relates to personal response systems providing audio communication
between a user and a response center.
2. Background Art
Personal response systems (PRS) have been used for a variety of
applications. A basic PRS consists of a response center, help consoles,
and optional personal transmitters. Typically, the response center is a
hub facility with communication lines available to communicate with one or
more help consoles. The help consoles are placed at locations where the
user can activate the help console in an emergency. Personnel at the
response center can take appropriate action when the help signal is
activated by the help console. A personal transmitter can be carried by
the user to trigger the help console alarm in the event the user is unable
to physically reach the help console.
A PRS can be put to use in a variety of situations. For example, a variety
of industrial operations can employ a PRS to alert centrally located
safety personnel of potential problems in various locations of a plant
facility. A PRS can utilize sensor devices to automatically trigger fire
alarms and notify the appropriate response center.
In addition to the foregoing, PRS's have found extensive use as support
systems for older and/or disabled individuals. A serious concern among
many such individuals is the possibility that they may be injured or
otherwise need help and be unable to contact anyone. By having a help
console at their home, an individual can contact a response center by
pressing a button or equivalent on the help console. This provides quick
assistance which may be vital to the individual depending on the nature of
the emergency. In addition, it also provides a measure of reassurance and
peace of mind to these individuals because they know they can obtain help
in an emergency by activating the help console.
In addition to the button located on the help console, a PRS may also have
a personal transmitter which can be carried on the individual's person.
This typically is a small battery operated transmitter which enables the
individual to activate the help console remotely. This is of advantage
when the individual is immobilized and cannot reach the help console.
The three basic components of the PRS are the response center, the help
console, and the personal transmitter. When a response center receives a
request for help from a help console, personnel at the response center
contact the party requesting help or take other action as required. The
help console typically uses telephone lines for economic efficiency.
However, a variety of technologies may be implemented to accomplish
communication between the help console and the response station, such as
cellular telephone transmission, radio, microwave links, etc. In addition,
multiple redundant links may be used to protect against a failure in the
communication lines. Likewise, the personal transmitter may use a variety
of technologies to communicate with the help console such as infrared,
ultrasonic, radio, etc.
The request for help may be activated from the help console or the personal
transmitter. In addition, the response center may periodically query some
or all of the help consoles to ensure that the help console is
operational. In the event the response center could not reach the help
console, the appropriate notice would be issued to response center
personnel.
In addition to the communication of a help request, as discussed above,
some systems have help console speakerphone arrangements. The integration
of a speakerphone into the help console allows the personnel at the
response center to speak directly to the individual at the help console.
In turn, the exact nature of the problem can be determined quickly and in
more detail. Unfortunately, help console speakerphones tend to operate
best over a short distance, typically no farther than the room the help
console is in. In the event an individual is in another room or other part
of a dwelling, the help console speakerphone loses it's effectiveness.
This is a serious disadvantage when the individual is incapacitated and
cannot come to the help console to speak. Of course, the help console
speakerphone is of no use at all when the individual is outside of the
dwelling and unable to reenter. In this case, the individual may be able
to turn on the help console with the personal transmitter, but response
center personnel would be unable to determine what the problem is without
dispatching someone to the individual's residence.
While existing PRS systems have provided significant benefit to
individuals, they have not addressed the problem of using the help console
speakerphone when an individual is in another part of a dwelling and
unable to get close enough to the speakerphone for two way communication
to take place. Likewise, the prior art has failed to provide two voice
communication when the individual is incapacitated outside of a dwelling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing adjustable
help console microphone sensitivity which can be controlled by the
response center and/or by the help console itself. Increasing the
microphone sensitivity allows low level voices to be heard several rooms
away. Additionally, an increase in speaker volume allows response center
personnel to converse with a disabled individual who cannot come to the
help console. A second microphone and speaker in the personal transmitter
permits two-way voice communication even when the individual is disabled
outside of the dwelling and the help console speakerphone is no longer
effective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art PRS system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the help console used in the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of the personal transmitter.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the microphone sensitivity control system used in
one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the personal
transmitter.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of the personal response system with voice
communication between the help console and the personal transmitter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 is illustrative of a typical prior art PRS system 100. A response
center 102 has numerous communications lines 104 which allow help consoles
106 at remote locations to alert the response center to an emergency
condition. Response centers are well known in the art and typically
include numerous items of telephone and computer equipment. In addition to
the help console, a personal transmitter 110 may be used to allow
activation of the help console 106 from the remote location. Jagged line
108 represents a radio, infrared, or other suitable communication signal
from personal transmitter 108 which triggers an emergency request by help
console 106 over communication line 104. Numerous communication
technologies, such a telephone, cellular, personal communication devices,
radio, microwave, etc., can perform this function. However, telephone
communication is usually chosen as the most practical method.
FIG. 2 shows the help console 106 used in the preferred embodiment. Help
bar 202 activates a signal to the response center 102 indicating an
emergency. Reset button 206 allows the emergency signal to be turned off
by the individual user. Grill 208 conceals help the console speaker (not
shown) which is included in the speakerphone function of the help console.
Microphone 204 is located on the front panel. Speakerphones are well known
in the art.
FIG. 3 shows the personal transmitter 300 used both in the prior art and in
one embodiment of the instant invention. It includes an outer shell 302
and a help button 304. It contains a battery powered transmitter (not
shown) which transmits a signal to the help console 106 when help button
304 is pressed. The signal from personal transmitter 300 activates help
console 106 which then sends an emergency signal to the response center
102. This type of transmitter is well known in the art.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the microphone sensitivity control system used in
one embodiment of the present invention. When an emergency signal is sent
to the response center 102 by help console 106, response center 102
personnel attempt to establish audio communication with the individual at
help console 106. If the individual is mobile, normal speakerphone mode is
established. The individual is in close proximity to the help console and
two-way audio communication is established.
If the individual is injured, or otherwise unable to approach the help
console 106, then voice communication will be impaired due to the distance
of the individual from the microphone 204 in the help console 106. The
individual may even be in another room, out of range of microphone 204.
Likewise, the nature of the individual's incapacity may be such that the
individual can only speak in a low level.
In the preferred embodiment, personnel at the response center, upon
receiving weak audio or even no audio response can issue a command to the
help console 106 via communication control 402 to command help console 106
to enter emergency audio mode. In emergency audio mode, microphone
sensitivity control 404 to alters the sensitivity of microphone 204. The
communication control 402 requires only the circuitry necessary to
recognize a microphone sensitivity command and pass it to microphone
sensitivity control 404. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
communication control 402 and microphone sensitivity control 404 can be
implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware or
software.
In the preferred embodiment, sensitivity is increased under control of the
response center 102 from a low level to a high level. It has been found
that by greatly increasing normal sensitivity, low voices can be heard
throughout most dwellings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
sensitivity increases are a design choice related to the characteristics
of the particular microphone selected and are a matter of design choice.
However, in an alternate embodiment, sensitivity can be increased
gradually by the response center 102 depending on the quality of the
received audio. The quality of the received audio will vary based on the
distance from the individual to the help console 106 as well as the
loudness of the individual's voice. As a result of providing a control
mechanism for microphone sensitivity, response center personnel can obtain
information from the user of the help console 106 which was heretofore
unavailable. By providing this information, proper response can be
provided in a more timely fashion and with more information.
In the preferred embodiment, the volume of the speaker (not shown) in help
console 106 is increased as microphone 204 sensitivity is increased. In
this fashion, an individual in another room of the dwelling not only can
be heard by the response center 102, but can also hear the personnel at
the response center 102. Of course, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the speaker and microphone functions of help console 106
are independent and the microphone 204 sensitivity can just as easily be
controlled without altering speaker volume. Likewise, microphone 204 is
inactive while the speaker is activated to avoid feedback.
In an alternative embodiment, microphone sensitivity control 404 can
operate automatically and independent of response center 102. In this
mode, help console 102 monitors received voice levels output from
microphone 204 and adjusts sensitivity to a predetermined range, typically
in the range found when an individual is speaking in the same room as the
help console 106. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the range
values will vary based on the type of components selected for the help
console 106 and the response center 102.
Control of microphone 204 sensitivity, whether it be local to help console
106 or directed remotely from the response center 102, solves one problem
associated with prior art systems by improving two-way voice communication
when the individual in the dwelling cannot come to the help console 106.
However, there remains a second problem associated with individuals who
are immobilized outside of the dwelling or somewhere in the dwelling where
acoustics would prevent audio reception (for example, near noisy
appliances or locked in a bathroom).
FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of personal transmitter 300 which
addresses this problem. In this embodiment, personal transmitter 300
includes a personal microphone 504 and a personal speaker 502. Personal
transmitter 300 also contains a small two-way transmitter/receiver to
allow voice transmission between personal transmitter 300 and help console
106. Voice signals are relayed from help console 106 to response center
102. In this manner, even if an individual was disabled outside of the
dwelling, voice communications with the response center 102 could be
maintained with the resulting improvement in obtaining the proper type of
emergency service on a more timely basis. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that many modifications can be made to the personal transmitter
300. It can be hardened for everyday use through the selection of
water-resistant or waterproof microphones and speakers. Switches for
volume control of the personal transmitter speaker 502 can be installed,
etc.
FIG. 6 shows a fully configured system in which voice communication is
improved by controlling the sensitivity of microphone 404 sensitivity as
well as extending voice communication to the personal transmitter 300. In
this configuration, response center 102 personnel can communicate with an
individual in a variety of locations which was heretofore impossible.
As can be seen, help console 106 operates as discussed above in relation to
FIG. 4. Likewise, help button 304 generates a signal 108 triggering help
console 106 to notify response center 102. In addition, audio input 604
from personal transmitter 300 and audio output to personal transmitter 300
are now available. Those skilled in the art will recognize that while a
fully configured system, having both sensitivity control at the help
console 106 and audio communications to the personal transmitter 300,
provides the most complete protection for an individual user, each feature
can be implemented separately. In addition, sensitivity control can easily
be extended to personal transmitter microphone 504.
While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred
embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in detail my be made therein without departing from the
spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. For example, several other
transmission technologies can be substituted for the telephone links in
the preferred embodiment. Likewise, combinations of the features disclosed
can be implemented to provide specific solutions to a given situation.
Accordingly, the invention herein disclosed is to be limited only as
specified in the following claims.
* * * * *
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description |
|
