Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Emergency or alarm communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-15
2003-09-09
Maung, Nay (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Emergency or alarm communication
C455S521000, C455S166200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06618582
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems whereby users can make calls for assistance and, more particularly, to a system for transmitting and registering calls for assistance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many situations in every day life where a user may wish to make a call for assistance. For example, in retail businesses which include a relatively large store area, the customers of the store may need assistance in a particular department. As another example, in a parking house facility, customers who park their cars may occasionally need to make calls for assistance, such as when their vehicle needs assistance. In airports, passengers may wish to make calls for assistance to get help with their luggage, etc. Furthermore, in a variety of situations, calls for assistance may be made for security reasons, such as fire or intruding persons.
Existing systems for transmitting calls for assistance generally suffer from one or more disadvantages. One disadvantage may be that the transmission of the calls for assistance is not sufficiently reliable. On the other hand, systems which may provide sufficient reliability of transmission, perhaps through hard wiring of various components in the system, may be relatively troublesome to install, particularly into an already operating facility, such as a retail business. Furthermore, some systems are disadvantageous in that they do not provide sufficient feedback to the user who makes the call for assistance. When a person makes a call for assistance, he or she is typically in need of attention because of one or more concerns. Since it may take a certain time to provide the desired attention to the person, it is important that the person is promptly and accurately informed about for example the actions taken, and given instructions about what to do next.
It is important that the system has high performance reliability, for example by continuous low battery alert functions and/or continuous monitoring of call stations. It is important that the system can operate in vast localities, for example by using repeaters which are easy to install. It is important that the system may provide for forwarding the calls for assistance, for example, to a pager.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for transmitting and registering calls for assistance. A system for transmitting and registering calls for assistance includes a plurality of call boxes, a central processor for receiving calls for assistance from the call boxes, and a plurality of portable radios capable of receiving paging messages from the central processor. At least one of the call boxes includes a frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitter for transmitting the calls for assistance, an actuator whereby a user can make a call for assistance, a voice message response device for providing a voice message, and a reset switch for resetting the call box. The central processor includes a transceiver for transmitting the paging messages, a receiver for receiving the calls for assistance, a memory and a controller. The plurality of portable radios may be carried by associates, whereby an associate may be notified of the call for assistance and report to the location.
In a preferred embodiment of the system, the voice message response device in the call box verifies to the user that the call for assistance has been transmitted, and further instructs the user to remain at the call box until assistance arrives.
A method of registering and transmitting calls for assistance includes providing a call box at a location, transmitting the call for assistance, receiving the call for assistance at a central processor, communicating a first voice message from the call box, and broadcasting a second voice message to at least one of the plurality of portable radios.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the object obtained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which form a part hereof, and in which is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
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Coons Benton Sill
Coons Kenneth James
Maung Nay
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Sobutka Philip J.
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