Patent ID: 6366648
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An alarm system for reporting to an authorized user an occurrence of an alarm condition in a predetermined space comprising:a self-contained monitor defining a sensor being armed for sensing said alarm condition and a monitor transmitter coupled to said sensor transmitting a monitor signal in response thereto; an interface module communicating with a telephone line and a telephone answering machine associated with said predetermined space; said interface module including an interface receiver circuit receiving and processing said monitor signal, a message generator providing an alarm message, an off-hook telephone circuit having a message input and a message output, a line simulator having a simulator input and a simulator output providing a telephonic connection therethrough and applying a ringing voltage to said simulator output, and a transfer switch having a normal position and an activated position; said message generator being coupled to said message input, said message output being coupled to said simulator input, said transfer switch being coupled to said simulator output and said interface receiver circuit; said telephone answering machine being coupled to said telephone line in said normal position, being disconnected therefrom and being coupled to said simulator output in said activated position, also, said message generator, said off-hook telephone circuit and said line simulator being activated therein; and responding to said monitor signal, said interface receiver circuit operating said transfer switch to said activated position wherein said off-hook telephone circuit prompts said line simulator to apply said ringing voltage causing said telephone answering machine to pick up thereby completing said telephonic connection through which said alarm message is transmitted from said message generator to said telephone answering machine.