PERSONAL SAFETY SYSTEM

Abstract: The system is based on a central computer (10) which holds details, for each of a number of users, of visits to be made and a termination time for each. These details may be logged by the user calling on a mobile phone (16) and providing the details as a mixture of voice, held in a voice recording system (12), and keyed data held in the computer (10). In the event that the user does not confirm termination of the visit before the stated time, the computer (10) initiates a call to the user's mobile phone (16) and in the absence of a satisfactory response sends an automatic call to the telephone (18) of a designated person such as the user's employer.

Description: "Personal Safety System" This invention relates to a system for monitoring personal safety and computer hardware and software therefor. The system is particularly useful for monitoring the safety of persons employed in positions where they must travel and visit premises ^ remote from their organisation, such as health professionals, service engineers, and estate agency staff. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a personal safety system comprising a central computer system being connectable to a public communications network and being provided with means for recording and reproducing messages; the computer having means to store data containing details of individual users, to receive requests from such users defining the 1 location and end time of an event, and, where an 2 update message is not received from the user before 3 the stated end time, to take action in accordance 4 with a prearranged plan. 5 6 Preferably, the public communications network is a 7 mobile telephone network. 8 9 Optionally, the public communications network is a 10 fixed line telephone network or an e-mail system or 11 the internet. 12 13 Preferably, an unique identification number is 14 associated with each user to allow identification of 15 the user to the central computer. 16 17 Optionally each user is automatically identified by 18 caller line identification of his personal mobile 19 phone, or using a digital signature. 20 21 Optionally wherein each user is automatically 22 identified by a digital signature. 23 24 Preferably, the information defining a visit is 25 transmitted and recorded as a combination of voice or 26 text and keystroke tone dial data. " 27 28 Preferably, the action is to transmit a message to a 29 designated recipient. 30 31 Optionally, the transmission to the designated recipient is monitored by a third party. Preferably, the message is transmitted by telephone and includes relaying voice information recorded by the user. Preferably, the step of notifying a designated recipient will be preceded by a step of contacting the user and requesting a message confirming safety. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer being connectable to a public communications network and being provided with means for recording and reproducing messages; the computer being arranged to store data containing details of individual users, to receive requests from such users defining the location and end time of an event, and, in any case where an update message is not received from the user before the stated end time, to take action in accordance with a prearranged plan. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a user interface connectable to a public communications network, having means for communicating with a central computer, said user interface being adapted to send data to the central computer defining the location and end time of an event. In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program comprising program instructions for operating a personal safety system by performing the steps of : storing information on each of at least one user of the personal safety system; communicating between a computer and a public communications network; recording messages on the computer, said messages indicating the location and end time of an event; logging updates of the messages indicating the location and end time of an event to be updated; and taking action in accordance with a pre-arranged plan where an update message is not received. Preferably, communication between the computer and the public communications network comprises: detecting a signal from the public communications network; interrogating said signal to identify that it is from a registered user; and verification of user ID. Said action in accordance with a pre-arranged plan preferably consists of contacting the user via the public communications network, and if a response confirming the safety of the user is not received, contacting a designated recipient. The computer program may further comprise allowing the contact between the designated recipient and the user to be monitored by a third party; and allowing remote access to said data storage means by an authorised user. The present invention further resides in said computer program embodied on a record medium, stored on a computer memory, embodied in a read-only memory, or embodied on a electrical carrier signal. In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for monitoring the safety of dispersed personnel, the method comprising storing details of individual users at a central location; each individual transmitting when necessary information defining the location and end time of. a visit to said central location via a public communications network; monitoring at said central location receipt of update messages from each individual having an outstanding visit; and, in the event that no such update is received before the relevant end time, taking action in accordance with a prearranged plan. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic overview of one system in accordance with the invention; and Fig- 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the system of Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 1, one example of a system incorporating the present invention is based upon a central computer 10 which is provided with a recording means 12 for recording and reproducing messages, and with a message interface 14. Each person using the system does so by means of a communication device such. as a mobile phone 16 communicating with the interface 14 via the public telephone network. The basic scheme of the system is that a user makes use of his mobile phone 16 to provide the central computer with details of premises to be visited and the expected time of visit expiry. The user subsequently by means of a separate call cancels the record as the visit ends or changes the visit expiry time . In the event that this does not happen and the visit expiry time is passed, the central computer 10 contacts a series of nominated recipients relaying the visit details, and the fact that the visit has expired. The nominated recipient typically include the employer of the person. In addition, third parties such as the police or a Global Positioning System service (GPS) can be nominated. Where a GPS is nominated, the invention messages the GPS to obtain information on the location of the user which can be transmitted to the emergency services. The GPS can be messaged automatically via e-mail or fax. The police or other emergency services can also be informed automatically by e-mail or fax. The present invention allows the police to be ' "patched" into a telephone call or other communications between the user and the personal safety system. Alternatively, the communications between the user and the system can be broadcast over multiple telephone lines or other communications channels in cases where more than one emergency service is involved or where multiple police response teams require access to the communication. In the embodiment shown, the contact between the central computer 10 and the nominated recipients is made by fixed line telephone or the internet. Where the user has recorded details partly in voice form, the contact may be by telephone with the voice recording being replayed. The central computer is provided with voice recognition software for this purpose. A short range or a long range pager could be used to communicate with the interface 14 in place of the mobile phone 16. The operation will now be described in more detail with reference also to Fig. 2. To subscribe to the service, a client organisation establishes a client account with the operator which defines the number of users, recipient contact details, and logic to handle expired visits. Thereafter, each individual user becomes registered with the service by using their personal telephone and dialling into the service. The central computer 10 by using caller line identity or digital signature or by detecting the unique user identification number supplied to each user, establishes whether or not this is an already registered user. New users will be given the opportunity to enter a registration routine. The user will then use a combination of key presses and voice to enter data requested by the system. This could include: a) Verification of the client account, achieved by the user entering a unique client account number. b) The individual user's name, given verbally or as text. c) The individual user's telephone number or identification, captured automatically by caller line identity or digital signature. d) A security PIN number entered by key press. e) Detection of the unique user identification number supplied to each user. When the registration has been completed, the central computer 10 registers the user with the user data stored in a database. The next time the user connects, the central computer will recognise them as a registered user. In normal operation the individual user calls the system to record visit details. A user can use the system as little or as often as wished. When a registered user dials in, again using the personal phone, the system will recognise them as a registered user from caller line identity and their script is executed to collect data. The data in a currently preferred form comprises (1) verification of user by PIN number and calling line identity or digital signature, the PIN number being input by key stroke (2) details of the visit location given verbally and recorded as voice, and (3) a visit expiry time, entered by key press. These details are recorded in the database. Subsequently, the user has the options of calling in to cancel the visit as it comes to an end or to change the visit expiry time. To achieve either of these, the user dials into the service, the computer 10 recognises that the user is currently at a visit and runs an appropriate script. The system will request that the user either cancels, extends or records new visit details. Cancellation and extension may be entered by key press, and new visit details by a combination of key press and voice. The system searches at defined intervals (for example, each minute) for current visit records where the time has expired. If an expiry time passes, the system proceeds in accordance with details detailed within a script for the particular client. Typically, the central computer 10 contacts the user and verifies their safety through a series of prompts and responses. The PIN number can be used to verify the user identity. There is an option to incorporate an emergency-use PIN number which will activate an emergency response, to be used for example if the user is being held against their will or feels unable to speak clearly. Once verified, the user can amend or cancel the details of the visit. If for any reason an inadequate response is received (for example an incorrect PIN or no answer) , the computer will proceed as described in the user script. As one example, the computer will contact a designated person and relay details of the user and of the visit location, and request an acknowledgement. If no acknowledgement is received, the computer will repeat the process with a second designated person. In addition, in each case a fax will be sent to the user's employer. Where user information has been recorded by telephone as a mixture of voice and keypad data, the message to the designated person (s) can be by telephone and incorporate recorded user voice and synthesised voice for data entered by key press. The system will continue to issue an alert until there is a satisfactory acknowledgement by the recipient. Alerts can also be issued by fax, email and other electronic means . Should the user be unable to use their normal communication device, they can use a third party device such as a telephone to communicate with the service. The system will recognise that this is an unregistered device, but can accept a combination of account code and PIN number to allow communication from any unregistered device, such as the fixed line phone indicated at 20 in Fig. 1. It will be readily understood that the central computer 10 may be any suitable general purpose computer system and, given the foregoing description of the operation and requirements of the system, suitable programmes can readily be generated by those skilled in the art, by way of example the system may use a number of Pentium 111 servers running Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 as the operating system. The servers are fitted with conventional communication interfaces capable of effecting communication with remote devices. The database can be operated in any conventional database program, such as Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL 7.0. The software specific to the system may be for example in Visual Basic 6.0 and Visual VoicePro 5. The present invention can be deployed on third party telephone software/hardware platforms such as Periphonics or Aculab and is therefore platform independent . The present invention is also provided with an internet based administration module which allows user account managers to log on remotely, access their account information and carry out changes to their account such as changing user information or request account reports . Modifications may be made to the foregoing example within the scope of the present invention. For example, the inputting of data by users by key stroke may be reduced or eliminated by use of voice recognition techniques. Communication may be by means other than voice telephone, such as short text message via mobile phone, or by e-mail.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A personal safety system comprising a central computer system being connectable to a public communications network and being provided with means for recording and reproducing messages; the computer having means to store data containing details of individual users, to receive requests from such users defining the location and end time of an event, and, where an update message is not received from the user before the stated end time, to take action in accordance with a prearranged plan. 2. A personal safety system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the public communications network is a mobile telephone network. 3. A personal safety system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the public communications network is a fixed line telephone network or an e-mail system or the internet. 4. A personal safety system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein an unique identification number is associated with each user to allow identification of the user to the central computer. 5. A personal safety system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein each user is automatically identified by caller line identification of his personal mobile phone. 6. A personal safety system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 , wherein each user is automatically identified by a digital signature. 7. A personal safety system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the information defining a visit is transmitted and recorded as a combination of voice or text and keystroke tone dial data. 8. A personal safety system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said action is to transmit a message to a designated recipient. 9. A personal safety system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said transmission to the designated recipient is monitored by a third party. 10. A personal safety system as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the message is transmitted by telephone and includes relaying voice information recorded by the user. 11. A personal safety system as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the step of notifying a designated recipient will preferably be preceded by a step of contacting the user and requesting a message confirming safety. 12. A computer being connectable to a public communications network and being provided with means for recording and reproducing messages; the computer being arranged to store data containing details of individual users, to receive requests from such users defining the location and end time of an event, and, in any case where an update message is not received from the user before the stated end time, to take action in accordance with a prearranged plan. 13. A user interface connectable to a public communications network, having means for communicating with a central computer, said user interface being adapted to send data to the central computer defining the location and end time of an event. 14.. A computer program comprising program instructions for operating a personal safety system by performing the steps of: storing information, on each of at least one user of the personal safety system; communicating between a computer and a public communications network; recording messages on the computer, said messages indicating the location and end time of an event; logging updates of the messages indicating the location and end time of an event to be updated; and taking action in accordance with a pre-arranged plan where an update message is not received. 15. A computer program as claimed in Claim 14, wherein communication between the computer and the public communications network comprises : detecting a signal from the public communications network; interrogating said signal to identify that it is from a registered user; and verification of user ID. 16. A computer program as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein said action in accordance with a pre-arranged plan consists of contacting the user via the public communications network, and if a response confirming the safety of the user is not received, contacting a designated recipient. 17. A computer program as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16, further comprising allowing the contact between the designated recipient and the user to be monitored by a third party. 18. A computer program as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 17, further comprising allowing remote access to said data storage means by an authorised user. 19. A computer program as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 17 embodied on a record medium. 20. A computer program according to Claims 14 to 17 stored on a computer memory. 21. A computer program according to any of Claims 14 to 17 embodied in a read-only memory 22. A computer program according to any of Claims 14 to 17 embodied on a electrical carrier signal. 23. A method for monitoring the safety of dispersed personnel, the method comprising storing details of individual users at a central location; each individual transmitting when necessary information defining the location and end time of a visit to said central location via a public communications network; monitoring at said central location receipt of update messages from each individual having an outstanding visit; and, in the event that no such update is received before the relevant end time, taking action in accordance with a prearranged plan. 24. A method according to claim 23, the method being implemented by one or more computers.

Inventors: DONNELLY PAUL, WHITFIELD STEPHEN, DONNELLY, PAUL, WHITFIELD, STEPHEN
Applicants: BLUECHIP TECHNOLOGIES LTD, DONNELLY PAUL, WHITFIELD STEPHEN, BLUECHIP TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED, DONNELLY, PAUL, WHITFIELD, STEPHEN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04M11
IPC codes: H04L29, H04M3, H04M11