GB2362980A

GB2362980A - An alert system using the mobile phone network

Info

Publication number: GB2362980A
Application number: GB0003684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Elliott Malpass; Jan Witold Biegus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-18
Filing date: 2000-02-18
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-18
Also published as: GB0003684D0; GB2362980B

Abstract

An alert system comprises an alarm unit 1, a sensor or sensors 2 connected to the unit 1, visual and/or audible warning devices 3, an alert transmitter unit 4 and a battery 5. Unit 4 comprises a microprocessor 9, a keyboard and screen 10, a mobile phone transmitter 11, and an aerial 12. A number can be stored in the unit using the keyboard and screen and the alarm set. On setting the alarm, a timer prevents operation of the alert system for a preset period after the alarm has been set. If the alarm is activated thereafter the alert system operates to call the stored number over the mobile phone system. The system may be used in any suitable situation such as with vehicles, products or buildings.

Description

1 2362980 -1AN ALERT SYSTEM The present invention relates to an alert

system and particularly, but not exclusively, to an alert system for a vehicle such as an automobile.

In current automobile alarm systems, sensors such as motion sensors and/or microphones in the alarm system sense an alarm situation, a break into the automobile for example, and automatically activate visual and/or audible alarm devices such as lights, sirens and horns (which may be the normal horn of the vehicle). The person most interested in whether the alarm has been activated, namely the owner of the automobile, will generally be away from the automobile and will therefore not be aware that the alarm has been activated. It is also an unfortunate fact that activated car alarms are ignored by disinterested third parties. To combat this disinterest in alarms in buildings alarm systems are arranged to automatically dial up a remote security point, such as a police station. This system may be bypassed simply by cutting the telephone line.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an alert system comprising means for sensing an alarm signal, means for storing a telephone number, and means for transmitting a signal to the stored telephone number over the mobile phone network when an alarm signal is sensed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an alert in a remote location of an alarm condition including the steps of sensing the alarm condition, retrieving a telephone number from store and telephoning that number automatically over the mobile phone network.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a keyboard and screen are provided to enable the chosen telephone number to be stored in a memory. A processor is provided to retrieve the number from store and dial the number to transmit the signal to that number. A timer is provided to prevent retrieval of the number for a preset period to prevent activation of the alert system when setting the alarm system. The alarm system comprises sensors to sense an alarm situation and to produce an alarm signal to be sensed by the means for sensing. Alarm devices such as fights, sirens or horns are connected to the sensors. The alarm system may form part of a vehicle or may be disposed on or in any other piece of property. Examples of vehicle are cars, motorbikes, vans, trucks, diggers, caravans, trailers, boats, jetskis, planes and examples of other property, buildings such as houses, sheds, greenhouses and computers. The system could be used for the elderly the simple push of a button dialling a designated phone number over the mobile phone network. The system can be applied to existing alarm installations or a complete alarm installation including the alert system can be provided.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows a block circuit diagram of an alarm circuit, and Figure 2 is a flow diagram for the system of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, the alarm syslem comprises an alarm unit 1, a sensor or sensors 2 connected with the alarm unit 1, visual andlor audible warning devices 3 also connected to alarm unit 1, an alert transmitter unit 4 connected to the aforementioned devices and a battery 5 for supplying power to the system. The alert transmitter unit 4 comprises a transformer 6, a manual override switch 7, a timer 8, a microprocessor 9, a keyboard and screen 10, a mobile phone transmitter 11 and an aerial 12.

To install the system the alert transmitter unit 4 is programmed following the steps set out in the flow diagram shown in Figure 2. The manual switch 7 is switched from the alarm circuit position (shown in Figure 1) to the positive terminal. In this position the keyboard and screen 10 are activated through the transformer 6 through which the correct voltage may be set. Pressing a menu button on the keyboard brings up three options, view existing number (option 1), change existing number (option 2) or exit (option 3). Option 1 enables an existing number stored in the unit at location 11 to be checked. If correct, the O.K. button on the keyboard may then be pressed. If a number is to be changed or a new number stored, option 2 is chosen, the new number typed in and O.K. button on the keyboard pressed. The switch 7 may then be switched back to the alarm circuit position.

With the switch in the alarm circuit position the alarm of the automobile may then be set. On settingthe alarm, usually by locking the automobile, the sirenllights are temporarily activated together with the alert transmitter unit 4 by an alarm signal. The unit 4 does not operate for a period set by timer 8. This period may be, for example, seven seconds. This delay prevents accidental operation of the unit every time the alarm is set. If the alarm signal is still present after the set period has elapsed, the microprocessor 9 calls up the stored number from memory and calls that number via the transmitter 11 and aerial 12 using the mobile phone network. Usually the number stored will be that of the owner of the automobile although other numbers may be stored and called if desired. Once the number has been called, the unit will automatically turn off. The receiving phone rings on being called and the calling number, in this case from the alarm system or a message such as "Alarm" displayed, through the caller ID provision. In this way the owner of the automobile will know his alarm system has been activated and can then take appropriate action.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described -5by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the system described above is for a vehicle, it can also be used in static situations.

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Claims

1. An alert system comprising means f or sensing an alarm sig nal, means f or storing a telephone number, and means for transmitting a signal to the stored telephone number over the mobile phone network when an alarm signal is sensed.

2. An alert system as claimed in claim 1, in which a keyboard and screen are provided to enable a chosen telephone number to be stored in a memory.

3. An alert system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which a processor is provided to retrieve a stored number from store and dial the number to transmit the signal to that number.

4. An alert system as claimed in claim 3, in which a timer is provided to prevent retrieval of the number for a preset period to prevent activation of the alert system when setting the alarm.

5. An alert system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an alarm system.

6. An alert system as claimed in claim 5, in which the alarm system comprises sensors operative to sense an alarm situation and to produce an alarm signal to be sensed by the means for sensing.

7. An alert system substantially as hereinbef ore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of providing an alert in a remote location of an alarm condition including the steps of sensing the alarm condition, retrieving a telephone number from store and telephoning that number automatically over the mobile phone network.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which retrieval of the number is prevented for a period when the alarm is being set.

10. A method of providing an alert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A vehicle incorporating an alert system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.

12. A product incorporating an alert system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.

13. A building incorporating an alert system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6.