Abstract:
An interface between a telephone-type communications system and a regional ambient condition monitoring system receives incoming verbal status information relative to the region. That information can be transferred to the monitoring system. Verbal messages can be fed back to the communications systems to provide information as to responding to conditions in the region being monitored.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention pertains to ambient condition monitoring systems. More particularly, the invention pertains to such systems which incorporate a telephone input port for receipt of alarm related information. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Various configurations of monitoring systems are known. One type, fire alarm systems, incorporates a variety of sensors, or detectors to monitor a region for fire indicators such as smoke, heat or flame. Preferably, the sooner a determination of an emergency can be made the better, subject to minimizing false alarms. 
         [0003]    The sooner information as to location and nature of an emergency can be entered into or provided to such systems the more likely first responders, such as firefighters will be dispatched to the most appropriate location. 
         [0004]    There is thus a continuing need to provide as much information from as many different sources as possible to such systems. Preferably input from regional communications systems could be obtained in addition to information from traditional sources such as fire detectors, or pull stations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system which embodies the invention; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the invention meet the need by providing a communications interface between a telephone system and a fire panel, or ambient condition monitoring system which could include an HVAC system, a security system, or an illumination control system. Preferably, such embodiments would be able to recognize the phone number and/or extension being used. This provides a capability for various features, some of which are described below. 
         [0009]    An ability to report a fire, medical, or other emergency from a telephone, rather than at a pull station or other specialized device can shorten the time between alarm condition detection and reporting. The system could then carry out a database lookup against the phone being used to direct the proper response to the exact location of the emergency. 
         [0010]    A capability can be provided to request system status information by phone, such as troubles and alarms, and their locations in the installation or region being monitored. 
         [0011]    In one aspect of the invention, the alarm system can be used for general or emergency audio paging without a special input. In addition, a regular phone can be used as an input to the firefighters&#39; telephone system. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, access can be allowed, denied, or modified based on the telephone number calling into the alarm system. For example, the fire department may be granted access to all functions, with other outside phones denied access of any kind. Phones inside a facility may be limited to emergency reporting, except for facilities management which could be able to also have access to system status information. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, a language can be selected in which to receive instructions. Optionally, a language can be assigned to an extension or phone number. 
         [0014]    Emergency information, such as evacuation routes, can be provided to a caller based on his or her extension number. Embodiments of the invention can be implemented as an optional module or as an integral part of a telephone and alarm system. 
         [0015]    The system can monitor itself and the phone system for integrity and report status periodically to the host. When an incoming call is detected, the telephone interface could identify the calling source and compare it to allowed sources. If not an allowed source, the call would not be answered, or terminated, or routed to a dummy extension to prevent nuisance calls from interfering with the system. If the call is from an allowed source, the call would be answered and an option list could be reported to the caller based on authorization granted to the incoming phone number. Embodiments of the invention could then transfer information to and from the alarm system based on the allowed option selected. 
         [0016]    For example, if an emergency were to be reported, an automated source could verbally request input from the reporting party as to the nature of the emergency. Information as to the emergency, that had been verbally obtained, could then be transferred to the host alarm system to be reported as an alarm of the type specified. An optional lookup table of phone numbers could provide more specific location information of the emergency. This information could be contained in either the host or the interface. If the monitoring or fire detection system is connected to an audio system, such as a public address or announcement system, that audio system could then output emergency information directing first responders or safety officials to the site of the emergency. Embodiments of the invention could also dial out on the same phone line to a building&#39;s paging system, using prerecorded messages to announce the emergency. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system  10  which embodies the invention. System  10  includes an ambient condition monitoring system  12 , which could be implemented as a fire warning/alarm system, a regional security system, or a regional environmental control system all without limitation. System  12  can monitor one or more selected conditions in real-time, in a region R. 
         [0018]    System  12  includes a control unit  12   a  which could be implemented at least in part with one or more programmable processors  12   b  and associated, executable control software  12   c  pre-stored on a computer readable medium. System  12  is coupled to a plurality of ambient condition detectors  14 , smoke detectors gas detectors thermal or fire detectors, via one or more wired or wireless mediums  14 . System  12  is also coupled to a plurality of output devices  18 , strobes horns speakers or the like, via one or more mediums  18 . 
         [0019]    System  12  can also be coupled to a local paging system  24 . System  12  can broadcast various types of verbal messages into the region R via the paging system  24 . 
         [0020]    A bidirectional communications interface  30  couples communications between a telephone-type system  32 , wired or wireless, and monitoring system  12 . Interface  30  makes it possible for an individual in region R who detects an emergency condition to bidirectionally communicate verbally, via telephone system  32  with the monitoring system  12 . Interface  30  can be implemented as a module added to system  12  or integrated into system  12 . 
         [0021]    Interface  30  includes processing circuitry  40  which includes voice coder/decoder (CODEC) circuitry. Processing circuitry  40  is coupled to a telephone system input/output port  42  via telephone system interface  44 . 
         [0022]    Processing circuitry  40  is also coupled to a monitoring system interface  46 . Interface  46  communicates with system  12  via port  48 . 
         [0023]    Interface  30  can also include one or more storage units  50  as well as status indicators  52 . Storage units  50  can store data and or instructions for use by circuitry  40 . Status indicators  52  can be implemented as audible or visible output elements. 
         [0024]    Interface  30  can implement a variety of communications protocols as discussed above.  FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process  100 . 
         [0025]    Status of the interface  30  can be reported to the monitoring system  12 , as at  102 . System  32  can be monitored for operational integrity as at  104 . 
         [0026]    If the phone system  32  does not appear to be functioning properly, as at  106 , an appropriate message or indicium can be coupled to system  12  as at  108 . Otherwise system  32  is monitored for incoming calls, as at  110 . 
         [0027]    Where a call has been received as at  112 , and it is from an unauthorized source, or phone number, as at  114 , that call can be re-directed or terminated as at  116 . Where an authorized call has been received, as at  118 , processing circuitry  40  can generate a verbal response requesting that the caller provide verbal information as to location and types of emergencies being experienced. 
         [0028]    Received information can be forwarded to system  12 , as at  120 . Additional feedback can be provided from monitoring system  12  and interface  30 , via system  32  as to actions to be taken such as escape routes to use and the like. Alternately system  12 , in response to information received via interface  30 , can use paging system  24  to broadcast verbal messages into the region R alerting individuals in the region as to the emergency and how to proceed. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that processing  100  is exemplary only. Other communications processes come within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0030]    From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.