SPECIFICATIONEmergency call systemThe present invention relates to emergency call systems which are particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for use by the elderly and/or infirm.
It is frequently the case that elderly and/or infirm people live alone in private flats or houses.
If an emergency situation arises they are frequently left without any outside assistance and are often only discovered by chance. This is particularly the case if the person involved in lying helpless on the floor as the result of breaking a bone, for example, and is therefore not in a position to get up and call help unassisted.
The invention includes an emergency call system comprising a portable signal generator having or adapted to receive its own power supply, and an alarm operable by means of a relay when the signal generator is actuated.
In order that the invention may be well understood some embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an emergency call system;Figure 2 shows part of an alternative system wherein the relay is connected to the alarm by means of the public telephone system; andFigure 3 shows a signal generator for use in an emergency call system.
The emergency call system comprises a signal generator 1 which is portable and has an integral power supply 2 which is received by the generator and preferably comprises any of the available miniature batteries to reduce the size and weight of the generator so that it is conveniently carried by an elderly and/or infirm person. The generator 1 is provided with a button 3 by which it may be actuated to send a signal to operate an alarm 7 by means of a relay 6. In the system illustrated inFigure 1 the signal generator 1 transmits light, other electromagnetic radiation or sound waves generally indicated by the reference numeral 4.
The signal 4 is received by means of a receiver 5 attached to the relay 6 which is formed as one unit with the alarm 7. The alarm 7 may emit an optical and/or acoustic signal to alert an observer to the emergency. Accordingly, the alarm 7 many be provided with a lamp 8 and/or a loudpseaker 9 for a buzzer or beli.
The alarm may be located in the vicinity of the distressed person as for instance over the front door of his or her home so that passers-by are alerted to the emergency. Alternatively the alarms associated with a number of signal generators may be grouped together in a monitoring station located, say, in a police station or as part of a charitable or welfare organisation.
Figure 2 illustrates an alternative system in which the relay 11 and its receiver 12 are locatedremote from the alarm. The relay and receiver are mounted to a telephone 1 3 and are adapted to operate an automatic dialling system to make a call to a predetermined number which may be that of a police station or charitable organisation and thus operate the alarm 7 bymeans of the public telephone line 14.
The alarm 7 may be operated from the mains power supply but it is also preferably provided with an auxiliary battery 15 in case of failure of the mains supply.
Figure 3 shows one way in which the signal generator may be formed as a piece of jewellery 1 6 which may be conveniently worn about the person. The item of jewellery could be a brooch, pendant or ring as desired. A button 1 7 is provided on the piece of jewellery 16 for actuating the signal generator to make an alarm call.
The signal generator may be adapted by the provision of a settable timing element to be actuated after a predetermined time. In order to stop this automatic alarm call switch means 10 as illustrated in Figure 1 or 18 as shown in Figure 3 are provided for inhibiting the actuation of the signal generator after the predetermined time.
It is possible in the described emergency call system to provide several relays 6 connected to alarms 7 which are all operable by one signal generator 1 to provide a better chance of attracting attention to the distressed person.
It is quite clear that the above described system makes it possible for elderly or infirm people to get help when emergency situations arise or at least to call other people's attention to the situation.
The design of the signal generator in particular makes it possible for a person always to carry the signal generator. The person may therefore trigger the emergency call even if they are otherwise no longer in a position to call the attention of those in the vicinity.
1. An emergency call system comprising a portable signal generator having or adapted to receive its own power supply, and an alarm operable by means of a relay when the signal generator is actuated.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are no wires between the signal generator and the relay, said generator, when actuated, transmitting light, other electromagnetic radiation or sound waves for operating the relay.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the relay and the alarm are provided in one unit.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the relay is connected by means of the public telephone system to the alarm.
5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal generator is adapted to be actuated after a predetermined time.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the signal generator comprises switch means for inhibiting the actuation of the generator after the predetermined time.
7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal generator is formed in or as a piece of jewellery adapted to be worn about the person.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.