PERSONAL ATTACK ALARMS

Abstract: Personal attack sensing apparatus includes a microphone, a voice recogniser programmable for recognising a predetermined word uttered by a predetermined individual, such as a cry for "help", and means for generating an alarm signal in response thereto. The apparatus may be installed in a building. Alternatively, the apparatus may be installed in a mobile or other telephone.

Description: PERSONAL ATTACK ALARMS This invention relates to personal attack alarms. Alarm systems are known which are installed in buildings and which, in addition to various forms of sensor, such as magnetic switch sensors for sensing doors being opened, vibration sensors for sensing vibration of windows and motion detectors for sensing the presence of an intruder in a room, include so-called personal attack buttons. These are conventionally positioned in locations where an individual in the building might be most likely to suffer a personal attack, such as just inside a main door to the building or in a bedroom. It is conventional for such systems to be connected to a central monitoring station to which alarm signals are transmitted in response to detection of an alarm condition so that the personnel at the central station may inform the police who may then investigate the source of the alarm condition. Where a personal attack button is pressed, the signal generated is indicative of this so that the personnel at the central monitoring station can inform the police of the urgency of the situation. The problem with personal attack buttons is that they are only useful where the individual under attack is able to reach the button and press it. The invention solves this problem. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a personal attack sensor comprises means for generating an alarm signal in response to a predetermined sound indicative of a person being under attack. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a personal attack sensor comprises a voice and/or speech recognition device operable to generate an alarm signal in response to a predetermined spoken or shouted indication of a personal attack, such as a cry for "help" . The device may be set up so as to recognise a particular word of a particular individual spoken or shouted at a particular sound level. One or more personal attack sensors in accordance with the invention may be provided in a building, for example a residence. Alternatively or in addition, such a sensor may be incorporated in a telephone programmed to dial automatically the telephone number of a central monitor station in response to a predetermined voiced or shouted indication of a personal attack, such as a cry for help. The telephone may be a mobile telephone or a telephone of the type designed to be used at a particular location, in which case it may be of the cordless or non-cordless type. Upon connection to the central station, the individual under attack can, where the telephone is a mobile telephone, attempt to inform the personnel at the central monitoring station of his or her location so that the appropriate police may be alerted. Where the telephone is at a fixed location, for example in a house, the system can be arranged so that the monitor station is automatically informed of the location of the telephone generating the alarm. The invention is described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an alarm system embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a personal attack sensor included in the system of Fig. 1 and for installation in a building; and Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a personal attack sensor in accordance with the invention as incorporated in a telephone and included in the system of Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 1, the alarm system shown comprises a central monitor station 2 for receiving and monitoring alarm signals supplied thereto through the public switched telephone network 4. As is conventional, the central station 2 may be arranged to monitor alarm signals generated by a large number of different alarm apparatus each installed in a different building so that alarm conditions in the different buildings can be detected. One such alarm apparatus is represented by reference number 6 in Fig. 1 and, as shown, this is connected to the PSTN 4. Additionally, the monitor station 2 is arranged for detecting alarm signals generated by a mobile telephone 8 and supplied to the PSTN 4 through a cellular telephone network 10, and for detecting alarm signals generated by a telephone 11 of the non-mobile type, for example located in a house or apartment. The telephone 11 may be of the cordless or non-cordless type. The apparatus 6 comprises one or more magnetic switch sensors 12, for example each for sensing a door being opened, one or more vibration sensors 14, for example each for sensing vibration of a window as would arise if a burglar were attempting to break in through a window, and one or more motion detectors 16 each operable to detect movement in a designated area or areas, such as different rooms, in the building. Each of the sensors 12, 14 and 16 may be of conventional design. In addition, the apparatus 6 includes one or more personal attack sensors 18 in accordance with the invention. The sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 are all connected to a control unit 20 which is arranged, in response to receipt of an alarm signal from any of the sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18, to activate both a local alarm unit 22 mounted on or adjacent the building for giving a visible and/or audible alarm, and an auto-dialler unit 24 which is connected to the PSTN 4 for dialling the telephone number of the monitor station 2 and sending thereto an alarm signal which, as is conventional, may indicate which of the sensors 12, 14, 16 and 18 has detected an alarm condition. In response to the alarm signal, the personnel at the central monitoring station 2 may, as is conventional, inform the appropriate police department. As shown in Fig. 2, the personal attack sensor 18 comprises a microphone 26 whose output is supplied via a variable gain amplifier 28 to a voice recognition unit 30. The voice recognition unit is programmable to recognise a predetermined word uttered by a predetermined individual and is arranged, in response to detection of such word by such individual, to actuate a switch 32 through which the alarm signal is supplied to the control unit 20. Accordingly, when the apparatus 6 is set up, the voice recogniser 30 will be arranged to recognise predetermined words by predetermined voices. Adjustment of the variable gain amplifier 28 enables the amplitude of the signal supplied to the voice recogniser 30 to be adjusted so that the sensitivity of the system may be adjusted and/or the system made responsive only to the predetermined word being spoken or shouted at a predetermined volume. As a preferred example, the sensor illustrated in Fig. 2 will be arranged to recognise the word "help" shouted by the relevant individual or individuals . Preferably, the apparatus 6 includes a number of personal attack sensors 18 positioned around the building so that an individual under attack anywhere in the building will be able to activate the alarm system by shouting for help. Preferably, the voice recogniser 30 is a digital device utilising conventional voice and/or speech recognition techniques. Thus the recogniser 30 is provided with means for digitising and storing the signals generated by the microphone in response to one or more individuals uttering a cry for "help" or other word and for thereafter recognising such cry or other word. With reference to Fig. 3, the telephones 8 and 11 each include a voice recognition module 34 which receives signals from microphone 36, which is preferably the conventional microphone of the telephone, an auto-dial module 38 and an enable/disable module 40 for selectively enabling and disabling the voice recognition module 34. Modules 34, 38 and 40 may be software implemented. Voice recognition module 34 is programmable to recognise one or more words uttered by one or more individuals to indicate that the individual is under personal attack. Thus, the voice recognition module 34 preferably includes means for enabling the owner or users of the telephone 8 or 11 to cause the pre-selected, such as a shout for "help" to be stored so that this can be recognised. In response to such shout for help or other indication of a personal attack, voice recognition module 34 activates an auto-dial module 38 so that mobile telephone 8 or 11 dials the telephone number of monitor station 2. In the case of the mobile telephone 8, the person under attack can then call out his location so that personnel at the central monitoring station 2 can inform the police of where the attack is taking place. In the case of the domestic telephone 11 the system may be arranged to indicate to the central station to the location of the telephone 11 generating the alarm signal or alternatively the person under attack can call out his location. Preferably the mobile telephone 8 also incorporates a global positioning system (GPS), which is not shown in the accompanying drawings, and which is arranged to provide an indication of the location of the telephone utilising existing satellites. Preferably the telephone 8 is arranged to transmit to the monitor station 2 an indication of the precise position of the telephone when an alarm signal is generated. In this way, help can be sent directly to the person under attack or otherwise needing assistance. Module 40 is arranged to enable voice recognition module 34 when the telephone 8 or 11 is in its standby mode and to disable module 34 when the mobile telephone 8 or 11 is in use, thus ensuring that the auto-dial module 38 is not inadvertently actuated by use during a telephone conversation of the word which the module 34 is programmed to recognise. Thus, with the invention, the constraints suffered by the personal attack button of conventional alarm systems are avoided. By incorporating the invention in telephones, personal attack sensors may be easily provided in different rooms in a building without the need for special wiring for the alarm system. By incorporating the invention in a mobile telephone, users can readily summons help if attacked in any location. Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, although the personal attack sensor 18 has been shown in Fig. 2 as comprising a microphone, amplifier, voice recogniser and switch, the sensor 18 may consist only of the microphone and the voice recognition operation may be performed in the control unit 20.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A telephone incorporating voice recognition means programmable to recognise a predetermined sound uttered by a person, means for generating an alarm signal in response to recognition of said predetermined sound, and automatic dialling means for dialling a predetermined telephone number in response to generation of said alarm signal. 2. A telephone according to claim 2, which is a mobile telephone. 3. A telephone according to claim 1 or 2, incorporating a global positioning system and means for sending a signal indicative of the position of the telephone to the automatically dialled number. 4. A personal attack sensing apparatus comprising a microphone, voice recognition means coupled to the microphone and programmable to recognise a predetermined sound uttered by a predetermined individual, and means coupled to said voice recognition means for generating an alarm signal in response to recognition of said predetermined sound. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus is installed in a building for sensing said predetermined sound uttered by an individual in said building . 6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus is installed in a telephone and includes an automatic dialling means for dialling a predetermined telephone number in response to generation of said alarm signal upon recognition of said predetermined sound. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said telephone is a mobile telephone. 8. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said telephone is a non-mobile telephone. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said non- mobile telephone is of the cordless type. 10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said non- mobile telephone is of the non-cordless type.

Inventors: MAXTON CANAN, MAXTON, CANAN
Applicants: MAXTON CANAN, MAXTON, CANAN
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04M11
IPC codes: H04M11