Abstract:
An emergency location identification system is provided. The system includes a monitoring unit and an emergency light unit. The monitoring unit is connected to a telephone system of a facility, and responds to some predetermined dialing of the telephone generating signals, which is going to control the behavior of the emergency light unit. The emergency light unit includes a plurality of colors and shapes adapted to display a emergency location identification to an emergency crew or visitors. The emergency light unit may include blue, green, and red lights and may flash for some instances. Also, the emergency light may have a predetermined shape such as arrow, triangle, and others to alert people properly for the emergency situations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an emergency alert device and, more particularly, to an improved emergency alert system enabling emergency location identification in a quick, convenient and efficient manner. 
         [0002]    An emergency takes place without regard to precautions. Everyone living on the earth is exposed to emergency situations like thefts, fires, injury accidents, natural disasters etc. Urgent medical attention is critical on the scene of emergency to cope with such incidents so that a number of precautionary measures have been introduced. Alarm systems for earthquake, hurricane and flood have been around for years. Fire alarm system is one of the old skills we developed and still use. Still, residential crimes increase to an extent that a substantial number of households end up renting a household emergency alert system. 
         [0003]    The most known emergency system includes a 911 service. An emergency is reported through a centralized communication network, and then team of crews for fighting emergency is dispatched to the scene of the emergency. In many cases, however, it is challenging, especially in a metropolitan area, for the emergency crew to locate the scene where the victims of the emergency need desperate help. The street clogs down by cars in the first place. Even though the emergency crews got close to the scene, now it is hard to find the exact location of the emergency site. The great feat of the modern macro-engineering, the city, is entwined with streets and roads, speckled with houses and buildings everywhere. With all these myriads of obstacles, pinpointing the right location of emergency is not easy no matter how imminent the situations are. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there has been a need for an emergency location identification system for a long time considering the importance of the emergency service and the time-sensitiveness of the emergency service. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention contrives to solve the needs and problems in the emergency service. 
         [0006]    An objective of the invention is to provide an emergency location identification system that guides the emergency crews visually in the myriad of houses and buildings. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the invention is to provide a location identification system that marks a location for visitors. 
         [0008]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a location identification system that displays predetermined visual information for visitors. 
         [0009]    Still another objective of the invention is to provide a visual marker for emergency crews entering the home, which lights at the bedroom doors adding to increased safety for responding crews. 
         [0010]    To achieve these and other objectives, an emergency location identification system with a monitoring unit and an emergency light unit is provided. The emergency location identification system associated with a telephone system comprises the monitoring unit and the emergency light unit. The monitoring unit is configured to be connected to the telephone system for generating signals by monitoring phone calls made at the telephone system. The emergency light unit is controlled by the signals from the monitoring unit. The emergency light unit comprises one or more first light panels and a plurality of second light panels, and the light panels are disposed at a plurality of locations around a facility in which the telephone system is located. 
         [0011]    The emergency light unit is activated when an emergency call is made at the telephone system, and the emergency light unit displays a visual identification and direction of the location associated with the telephone system. The emergency call may comprise a 911 call. The telephone system comprises a plurality of phone jacks, and the monitoring unit is adapted to be plugged into one of the phone jack. The telephone system may comprise a main phone junction box, and the monitoring unit is adapted to be connected to the main phone junction box. 
         [0012]    The monitoring unit is configured to be plugged into an external power supply. The external power supply comprises a wall outlet. The monitoring unit may comprise a power backup. The power backup comprises one or more batteries. The monitoring unit is configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter/computer plug in a vehicle. The first light panel may be lit steadily upon receiving a first signal from the monitoring unit, and the second light panel flashes with a predetermined interval upon receiving a second signal from the monitoring unit. The second signal may be issued by the emergency call. 
         [0013]    The first light panel may comprise a plurality of green lights. The second light panel may comprise a plurality of flashing blue lights. The system may further comprise a manual controller for controlling the emergency location identification system manually. The system may further comprise a timer for controlling the time of operation of the light panels, and the timer sets the time of operation of the light panels. 
         [0014]    The system may further comprise a flash sequencer for controlling light flashing patterns of the second light panels. At least part of the first and second light panels are disposed around the facility. The first and second light panels are disposed to indicate a direction to the facility. The facility may comprise a house, an apartment complex comprising a plurality of subdivisions that look alike, and a building comprising a plurality of rooms that look alike. At least part of the first and second light panels may be disposed at driveways or corners of neighboring buildings. The first and second light panels may be disposed next to an address panel of the facility. 
         [0015]    The emergency light unit may further comprise one or more light casing. The light casing contains at least part of the lights. At least part of the light panels may have arrow shapes. The light panels having the arrow shape flash in a coordinated pattern simulating a flying arrow upon receiving a signal from the monitoring unit, and the signal is issued by the emergency call. 
         [0016]    In other embodiment of the invention, the emergency location identification device is equipped with an external blue and green LED light panel. The notification light is mounted on an exterior wall above the house address numbers, that is activated whenever 911 is dialed. The purpose of the Blue Light is to reduce 911 emergency response times by allowing quick and accurate visual location identification by emergency response teams whether within a subdivision or out in the countryside. 
         [0017]    The monitoring device is designed to be mounted close to the main phone junction box and plugged into the main electrical supply. The monitoring unit has a battery backup in case of power outages. The light casing is designed as a snub-nosed triangle with two blue panels facing outward at 45 degree angles to the street with a green panel that faces the street located between the blue light panels. The blue light panels allow the “flashing blue” to be seen as emergency crews approach the home. The flashing blue lights can be seen in almost all adverse weather conditions. Emergency response teams will be able to quickly find the location of the emergency even in a subdivision where all the homes look alike. 
         [0018]    For homes out in the countryside where mailbox numbers and addresses are very difficult to find, the Blue Light provides easy-to-find location lighting in an emergency situation when time really counts. For extended driveways, there will be a Blue Light at the driveway/street intersection with extra lights running along the driveway to direct response teams to the home experiencing the emergency. 
         [0019]    As an added feature, the “green light panel” can be activated separately by the homeowner for use as a “welcome light” to let invited visitors know they have found the right house. The Blue Light is also equipped with a timer, so no matter which application, emergency or friendly, it will automatically go off at a preset amount of time, for example, 2 hours. 
         [0020]    Apartment applications are very similar to the home installation with the monitoring device mounted at the main phone control panel for each building and Blue Lights mounted above each apartment door. 
         [0021]    Industrial applications are numerous and as varied as the size of the complex. Lights can be mounted along driveways, on building corners, and over doorways. The monitoring device is mounted in the main phone panel control room and will be able to monitor one or multiple phone lines to light the appropriate door for emergency response personnel. 
         [0022]    All lights may be white. Colors may be provided by a clip on lens cover. The lens cover is clear on top for easier location from the air. 
         [0023]    Blue light flashes when 911 is dialed. Blue lights are on right and left sides, which may contain two rows of four lights each, total of 16 lights. 
         [0024]    Green light may flash when the user dials preset code for light to activate enabling location to be found easier. Green lights is located on front of light, two rows of three lights each, total 6 lights 
         [0025]    The system may further comprise a controller. The controller&#39;s functions includes:
       1. Connects to existing alarm monitoring equipment       2. Monitors phone line(s) for any 911 calls. If any number(s) preceding or after 911 other than repeat 911 light does not go on.
       3. Able to power multiple lights ex: light on house, lights at bedroom doors and end of driveway.   4. Flash sequencer for light pattern flashing.   5. Light goes out after predetermined amount of time. (suggested 2-3 hours)   6. Plugs into existing phone jack allowing for do-it-yourself installation.   7. Wall-wart for power   8. Battery backup in case of power outage.   
       
 
         [0034]    The emergency location identification has advantages: (1) an emergency location identification system activates in a quick, convenient and efficient manner; (2) the system is easy to install; (3) the device saves time for the emergency crew to find the emergency sites; (4) the device can be plugged into the cigarette lighter/computer outlet in the car for signaling help for roadside emergencies; (5) the device can be used as a lighting post for visitors; (6) the device is operated easily by the users even at a non-emergency situations; (7) the device can displays predetermined visual information for communication between the user (host) and the guests. 
         [0035]    Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the full understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0037]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an emergency location identification system connected to a telephone system according to the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring unit of the emergency location identification system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a connection part of the system to a telephone system in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a monitoring part in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a setting part in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a control part in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a power supplying part in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an emergency light unit of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 9  is an embodiment of the emergency light unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an emergency location identification system  100  connected to a telephone system  90  according to the present invention. The emergency location identification system  100  associated with a telephone system  90  comprises the monitoring unit  10  and the emergency light unit  80 . 
         [0047]    The monitoring unit  10  is configured to be connected to the telephone system  90  for generating signals by monitoring phone calls made at the telephone system  90 . The emergency light unit  80  is controlled by the signals from the monitoring unit  10 . The emergency light unit  80  comprises one or more first light panels  81  and a plurality of second light panels  82  as shown in  FIG. 8 , and the light panels  81 ,  82  are disposed at a plurality of locations around a facility  92  in which the telephone system  90  is located as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0048]    The emergency light unit  80  is activated when an emergency call is made at the telephone system  90 , and the emergency light unit  80  displays a visual identification and direction of the location  92  associated with the telephone system  90  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 . The emergency call may comprise a 911 call. The telephone system  90  may comprise a plurality of phone jacks  91 , and the monitoring unit  10  is adapted to be plugged into one of the phone jack  91  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0049]    The telephone system  90  may comprise a main phone junction box (not shown), and the monitoring unit  10  is adapted to be connected to the main phone junction box. The monitoring unit  10  may comprise a power supplying module  70  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or may be configured to be plugged into an external power supply  79 . The external power supply  79  comprises a wall outlet. The monitoring unit  10  may comprise a power backup (not shown). The power backup comprises one or more batteries. The monitoring unit  10  may be configured to be plugged into a cigarette lighter/computer plug in a vehicle such that the system  100  may be used when the user, the motorist, becomes lost/run off road/emergency on the road. They may be able to plug in the system  100  to signal an emergency just like at home. 
         [0050]    The first light panel  81  may be lit steadily upon receiving a first signal from the monitoring unit  10 , and the second light panel  82  flashes with a predetermined interval upon receiving a second signal from the monitoring unit  10 . The second signal may be issued by the emergency call. The first light panel  81  may comprise a plurality of green lights. The second light panel  82  may comprise a plurality of flashing blue lights. 
         [0051]    The system  100  may further comprise a manual controller  60  for controlling the emergency location identification system  100  manually as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 . The system  100  may further comprise a timer module  36  for controlling the time of operation of the light panels  81 ,  82 , and the timer module  36  sets the time of operation of the light panels  81 ,  82  as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . 
         [0052]    The system  100  may further comprise a flash sequencer  52  ( FIG. 5 ) for controlling light flashing patterns of the second light panels  82 . At least part of the first and second light panels  81 ,  82  are disposed around the facility  92  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The first and second light panels  81 ,  82  are disposed to indicate a direction to the facility  92 . 
         [0053]    The facility  92  may comprise a house, an apartment complex comprising a plurality of subdivisions that look alike, and a building comprising a plurality of rooms that look alike. At least part of the first and second light panels  81 ,  82  may be disposed at driveways or corners of neighboring buildings/streets. The first and second light panels  81 ,  82  may be disposed next to an address panel of the facility  92 . 
         [0054]    The emergency light unit  80  may further comprise one or more light casing  84 . The light casing  84  contains at least part of the light panels  81 ,  82  as shown in  FIG. 8 . At least part of the light panels  81 ,  82  may have arrow shapes. The light panels  81 ,  82  having the arrow shape flash in a coordinated pattern simulating a flying arrow upon receiving a signal from the monitoring unit  10 , and the signal is issued by the emergency call. 
         [0055]    The monitoring unit  10  may be connected to the emergency light unit  80  by a plurality of wires. Alternatively, the monitoring unit  10  and the emergency light unit  80  may be connected wirelessly. As shown in  FIG. 9 , some of the emergency light unit  80  are installed well away from the facility  92 , in which it is not convenient to connect the emergency light unit  80  to the monitoring unit  10  at the facility  92  by one or more wires. In such embodiments, the monitoring unit  10  may have a plurality of batteries (not shown) as a power supply. Then, the communication between the monitoring unit  10  and the emergency light unit  80  will be just control signals from the monitoring unit  10  to the emergency light unit  80 . The RF signal transmitter module  54  in  FIG. 5  sends the control signals to the emergency light unit  80 . The emergency light unit  80  may comprise a receiver (not shown) for receiving the control signals from the monitoring unit  10 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram illustrating a connection part  30  of the system  100  to a telephone system  90  in  FIG. 2 . The connection part  30  may comprise a phone line selector  32 , a phone pulse decoder  34 , and the timer module  36 . The phone line selector  32  is for selecting a phone line to monitor out of many phone lines from the main phone junction box. The phone pulse decoder  34  decodes the phone pulse generated by the telephone system  90  to obtain a signal that a comparator  42  can use to determine if the phone call is, for example, a 911 call. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram illustrating a monitoring part  40  in  FIG. 2 . The monitoring part  40  may comprise the comparator  42 , an alert device  44 , and a test module  46 . The comparator  42  is for comparing the phone call with a plurality of predetermined phone calls, which comprises a 911 call. The alert device  44  issues the control signals for controlling the emergency light unit  80 . The test module  46  is for testing the operation of the system  100 . The test module  46  may comprise a reset switch  47  and a test switch  48  as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  shows a block diagram illustrating a setting part  50  in  FIG. 2 . The setting part  50  may comprise an on-board flash frequency and pattern module  52  and an RF signal transmitter module  54 . The on-board flash frequency and pattern module  52  sets the frequency and pattern of the flashing light out of the second light panels  82 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  shows a block diagram illustrating a control part  60  in  FIG. 2 . The control part  60  may comprise an auxiliary input port  62  and an auxiliary output port  64 . The control signals from the alert device  44  are sent out to the emergency light unit  80  through the auxiliary output port  64 . The auxiliary input port  64  is used to control the behavior of the system  100  manually. 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a power supplying part  70  in  FIG. 2 . The power supplying part  70  may comprise a power distribution module  72  and an AC/DC module  74 . The AC/DC module  74  rectifies the AC power from the wall outlet  79  into a DC power with a predetermined voltage. The power distribution module  72  distributes electric power to the parts of the system  100 . When the emergency light unit  80  is connected to the monitoring unit  10  by wires, the emergency light unit  80  is powered by the power distribution module  72 . When the emergency light unit  80  is connected to the monitoring unit  10  wirelessly, the emergency light unit  80  is powered by self-power source such as batteries. The monitoring unit  10  and the emergency light unit  80  may have back-up power such as batteries for the cases of power outages. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of an emergency light unit of  FIG. 1 . The emergency light unit may comprise first light panels  81 , second light panels  82 , and a light casing  84 . The first light panel  81  may have a wedge shape so that the tilted side  87  is more visible from front and side. The light casing  84  may have a plurality of first and second light panels  81 ,  82 . The light casing  84  is clear on top for visibility from the air. 
         [0062]      FIG. 9  shows a plurality of the emergency light units  80  installed around the facility  92 . The emergency light units  80  are disposed to lead the emergency crews to the facility  92 . Some of the emergency light units  80  may contain arrow pattern on them to facilitate the visual directions. 
         [0063]    The system  100  may portable. The monitoring unit  10  and the emergency light unit  80  are separable and each unit  10 ,  80  is portable. The units  10 ,  80  may communicate with each other wirelessly when separated. Each unit  10 ,  80  may include a self power backup such as batteries or solar cells. Therefore, the system  100  is easy to move around and install. The user may find good instances to use the system  100  in a vehicle. 
         [0064]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skills in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.