Abstract:
A hybrid communication terminal-alarm system is described, for individual use or for use in public facilities. A communication terminal, such as cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), fixed or mobile phone, etc, has one or more built-in alarm sensors. The sensors are capable of identifying various hazards and/or potentially dangerous events and appropriately warning the person(s) that may be affected, by the respective event. The alarm may be acoustic (e.g. a sound or a voice message) or optic (flashing light). The system also transmits automatically a distress message to a third party for help, as/if needed. The distress message may be transmitted over the public wireless or wireline network, or over a private network.

Description:
PRIORITY PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority from the Canadian Patent Application SN 2,418,612 entitled “Hybrid Communication Terminal-Alarm System” (Gavrila et al.), filed Mar.  5 ,  2003 , which in turn claims priority from Canadian patent Application 2,411,365, entitled “Cellular Telephone, Fixed Telephone or Personal Digital Assistant with Multiple Built-in Sensors” (Gavrila et al.) filed Dec. 6, 2002. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is directed to security systems and in particular to a hybrid communication terminal-alarm system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Currently, there are many types of acoustic alarm systems activated upon detection of one or more predetermined events. These alarms are intended to protect the security of homes, automobiles, businesses, etc. and often alert police or specialized security companies of an unlawful entrance of the premises. 
         [0004]    Also, it is known to use sensors for identifying potentially dangerous events, such as in smoke alarms, that sound whenever the smoke level in a building increases over a certain threshold. Fires cause approximately two-thirds of known fatalities, with automobile exhaust and faulty heating equipment causing the remaining one-third. 
         [0005]    Presence of chemicals dangerous to humans is also alarmed based on chemical reactions. Thus, volatile compounds detectors detect various types of hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, volatile amines, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide “G-type” nerve agents (sarin, soman and GF). These sensors are used in various types of alarms. It is for example known that CO (Carbon monoxide) is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S; annually 3,500 to 4,000 die of CO poisoning, and an estimated 10,000 people lose a day&#39;s work or seek medical attention. 
         [0006]    Carbon monoxide CO is rapidly absorbed by the lungs and quickly passes to the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin with the blood red cells (hemoglobin). The affinity of CO to hemoglobin is 20-270 times greater than the affinity of oxygen to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carrying CO is incapable of releasing oxygen to the tissues. Even small amounts of carbon monoxide in the air will quickly increase the percentage of carboxyhemoglobin, reducing significantly the quantity of oxygen carried to the cells. For instance, breathing air with 0.01% (100 ppm) CO for two hours has been shown to increase blood carboxyhemoglobin concentrations to 16.0%, a concentration that will cause CO poisoning symptoms. 
         [0007]    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the majority of households in Canada and the U.S. are potentially at risk from CO poisoning from at least one hazardous source, e.g. the fireplace. 
         [0008]    Recent advances in such areas as nano-technology, micro-electromechanical systems, micro-fluidics, micro-separations and opto-electronics present new technological possibilities for producing fast, extremely sensitive and inexpensive “smart” sensing systems. Advancements in micro-fabrication methods of silicon chips make it possible to produce sensor and biosensor arrays coated with specific sensing components with a high degree of reliability and at a low cost. 
         [0009]    Current sensors are able to accurately detect chemical and biological agents at threshold concentrations in a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes. Reviews of the status of commercially available chemical and biological analytical instruments show that the chemical detectors are much more developed than the biological detectors. The chemical detectors are able to provide near real-time information about chemical agents (within seconds or minutes). They generally use transducer technologies including electrochemical, piezoelectric, colorimetric and optical systems. 
         [0010]    The biosensors are devices that use biological molecules to detect other biological molecules of chemical substances. Biosensors with the specificity to distinguish target microorganisms in complex samples are also available today. For example, one FSU technology development project uses an instrument for trapping, separation, concentration and assay of bio-agents on the micrometer scale and is based on an AC electrokinetics technique. The operating principle is based on the polarizability of microorganisms, which depends strongly on their composition, morphology, and phenotype. Depending on the frequency of an applied electrical field, separation and detection of different bacteria, including viable and non-viable microorganisms is possible. Some potential benefits of this sensor are high sensitivity, automation, and compactness. Manufacture of pocketsize analyzers is also possible. 
         [0011]    Unlike chemical agents, many living biological agents can reproduce, multiply inside the host and be passed from one host to another. The treat of biological weapons has been magnified in recent years due to the advances in the molecular biology, genetic engineering and related technologies as well as in the development of highly efficient delivery and dispersion systems. Both civilian and military sources predict that in the next 10 years, the treat from proliferation of biological weapons will increase dramatically. Early detection and warning methods for biological agents are paramount. 
         [0012]    Nano-sensors are extremely small devices capable of detecting and responding to physical stimuli such as movement, light, force, acoustic, thermal, electromagnetic, etc. The stimuli may have dimensions in the order of one billionth of a meter. 
         [0013]    There is a need to develop new technologies and systems for ensuring an adequate personal protection against various perils and to provide a prompt response to environmental haphazard, chemical or biological attacks/disasters. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS 
       [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a hybrid telecommunication terminal-alarm system (hereinafter called “Hybrid system”), which overcomes the shortcomings of the existing alarm systems. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hybrid system that identifies a hazardous event/situation and alarms the individuals exposed to such hazardous situation, and also alarms a third party for help. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, the invention provides a hybrid communication terminal-alarm system, comprising: a communication terminal for connection to a communication network; means for monitoring the environment and providing a sensor reading signal indicative of the level of an environmental agent; an alarm mode controller for operating the communication terminal in an alarm mode according to the sensor reading sign. 
         [0017]    A method for alarming presence of a hazardous agent is also provided according to this invention. The method comprises the steps of: equipping a communication terminal with means for monitoring the environment for generating a sensor reading signal indicative of the level of an hazardous agent; and further equipping the communication terminal with an alarm mode controller for continuously comparing the sensor reading with a threshold, detecting a threshold violation and initiating an alarm mode protocol. 
         [0018]    The invention also provides a method for alarming presence of a hazardous agent, comprising: equipping a communication terminal with means for detecting an dangerous level of an hazardous agent; and further equipping the communication terminal with an alarm mode controller for initiating an alarm mode protocol in response to a dangerous level of an hazardous agent. 
         [0019]    Advantageously, the present invention is focused on the human being protection against various potential hazards, while using the existing communication facilities, which are largely deployed worldwide. As a result, the solution provided by the present invention is not expensive, and can be easily used at most locations and by most people. Evolution and miniaturization of the sensors enable the device of the present invention to alarm a large variety of perils. A hybrid communication terminal equipped with biosensors may for example detect presence of biological warfare agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other living microorganisms that can kill or incapacitate). A hybrid communication terminal equipped with nano-sensors may for example detect radiological/nuclear particles and explosive powder. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the system may be utilized as an alarm system and also as a regular fixed, mobile, cellular, cordless and/or personal digital assistant (PDA) terminal. The device is especially useful for self protection or/and group protection in schools, kinder-gardens, public transportation, stadiums, bus and train stations, airports, subways, malls, etc. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, where: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the hybrid communication terminal-alarm system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the operation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic of an embodiment with digital sensors operating in a polling based environment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a flowchart of the pooling operation shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of an embodiment with analog sensors operating in a polling based environment; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of the cellular phone including a partial view of the circuit board and the built-in alarm sensors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The term “event” is used in this specification to designate a particular change from a normal environmental state to a dangerous state, such as a fire, high levels of CO or other hazardous gases, etc. The term “environmental agent” is used to define collectively dangerous biological and chemical agents as well as event such as fires, etc. 
         [0029]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a communication terminal such as a fixed, cordless or cellular telephone, or a PDA is equipped with one or more of build-in detectors, each for sensing a particular event. The sensors readings are performed continuously, irrespective if the terminal is turned “on” or “off”. If an event occurs when the terminal is turned “off”, the terminal automatically turns “on”, and once a hazardous event is detected, the hybrid terminal according to the invention switches from a normal mode of operation to an alarm mode of operation. 
         [0030]    During the “normal mode” the hybrid terminal performs the functions provided for by its design, such as wireline or wireless communication, calculations, time/date information, memory, data organizer, etc, as well known. 
         [0031]    While in the “alarm mode” of operation, the terminal issues an alarm, which warns the persons in the respective location of a respective event. The alarm may take a plurality of forms; it could be a vibration if the terminal is of the type carried in close proximity to the body (e.g. a pager), or can be an acoustic alarm (sound or message) or a visual alarm (blinking red light, etc). 
         [0032]    In addition, in the alarm mode, the terminal establishes automatically a network connection with a preset telephone number, and transmits distress data that identifies at least the caller, the location of the caller and the type of alarm. In this way, help can be dispatched fast if necessary, or the person/s in the location of the event may be instructed how to proceed for minimizing the risks and/or the damages. A second preset telephone number may also be dialed automatically for at least some types of alarms, if communication with the first called number cannot be established. 
         [0033]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the hybrid communication terminal-alarm system according to an embodiment of the invention. This figure illustrates a cellular phone-alarm system. It is to be noted that, while the present invention is described as pertaining to the operation of a cellular telephone, the present invention may easily be applied to other types of mobile or fixed devices including, but not limited to, a PDA, pager, fixed telephone or fax machine, even laptop or desktop computers. 
         [0034]    As shown, terminal  10  is comprised of a communication functions control unit  12 , a display and keyboard module  14 , a transmitting circuit  16  with its associated microphone  17  and a receiving circuit  18  with its associated speaker  19 . As well known, a duplexer circuit  21  allows simultaneous connection of the transmitter and the receiver to the same antenna  22  that connects to the network base station (NBS)  24 . Control unit  12  provides the means for carrying out the standard telephone functions of the cellular telephone or PDA  10 , utilizing the respective permanently stored operation program. It is to be noted that CU  12  also carries other functions that may be available on cellular  10 , but that are not related to the event alarming according to the invention. Such functions may for example provide storage for a number of telephone numbers and addresses, voice mail, messaging, e-mail, etc. 
         [0035]    The input keys located on module  14  provide the means for entering numbers and related information. The transmitting circuit  16  transmits and the receiving circuit  18  receives RF signals via the antenna  22  to and from a cellular telephone NBS  24 . The screed on module  14  also displays the number dialed, the calling number, e-mails and other information stored or received over the network, as well known. Since the particular construction and operation of module  14 , transmitter  16 , receiver  18 , duplexer  21  and antenna  22  are well-known in the art, further description thereof is omitted herein, except where it is necessary for understanding the present invention. 
         [0036]    According to the invention, the cellular  10  (or any other type of fixed and/or mobile communication device) is equipped with a multi-sensor block  20 , comprising sensors  28 - 1  to  28 -N, where N≧1. Each sensor will alarm a particular event. Thus, the sensor  28 - 1  may designate a fire alarm sensor,  28 - 2  a CO sensor,  28 - 3  may designate a nano-sensor or a biological sensor, radiation sensor, etc. The present invention provides for a great degree of flexibility. Other sensors may be incorporated in block  20 , as desired/necessary and as they become available. The sensors may provide either a digital or an analog reading. In the case of an analog reading, analog-to-digital converters need to be provided as explained later. 
         [0037]    The terminal  10  is also provided with an alarm mode controller  100 , a power turn-on unit  29  and alarm/s unit  23 , described next. 
         [0038]    Alarm mode controller  100  is equipped with a memory  27 , which maintains a plurality N of thresholds for the respective maximum/minimum admissible value of the respective sensor readings. Preferably, these thresholds are not accessible to the user, but may be changed by the manufacturer as the knowledge of the acceptable limits evolves. 
         [0039]    Alarm mode controller  100  also comprises a comparing unit  25  that receives the sensor readings from sensors  28  and the thresholds from memory  27  and provides an alarm signal whenever the comparison shows a dangerous level for the respective reading. Alternatively, sensors  28  may generate the alarm signal directly, if they are provided with the respective thresholds internally. The sensor that issues the alarm signal is declared “activated”. 
         [0040]    The alarm signal is applied to an alarm driver  15 , which advantageously switches the operation of the terminal  10  into the “alarm mode”. Also, driver  15  activates alarms  23 , which can be, as discussed above audio, video, mechanical alarms. Speaker  19  may be used for the audio alarm; alternatively a dedicated speaker may be used by block  23 . 
         [0041]    In the alarm mode, unit  15  also drives control unit  12  to call a certain number pre-stored in memory  27 . This can be the telephone number of an alarm company, or 911. For security reasons, a second distress number may also be provided if the first number is busy. To note that memory  27  is illustrated generically as a separate block; a person skilled in the art will understand that the thresholds and the distress numbers may be stored together with other functions provided for terminal  10 . 
         [0042]    The alarm signal also activates the power to the communication device, as shown by power turn-on unit  29 . The sensors of unit  20 , the comparison unit  25 , and memory  27  are permanently powered to enable the readings and the comparisons, while unit  100  operates in a “sleep power mode”, with a low power consumption. 
         [0043]    Upon receiving a signal change on any of the alarm sensor&#39;s inputs, namely the alarm signal, alarm driver  15  wakes up, and checks whether the terminal is turned ‘on’ or ‘off’. If it is turned ‘off’, then the terminal is turned ‘on’ and the alarm mode of operation sequence is performed, to allow automatic dialing of the distress number(s). 
         [0044]    If the terminal is turned “on” and performs a normal communication routine or a certain function requested by the user, the current program routine is interrupted and the distress call takes priority over any other activity of control unit  12 . Alarm driver  15  may also instruct control unit  12  to inform the calling party and/or the called party in a telephone conversation of the existence of an event, using messages pre-stored in memory  27 . 
         [0045]    Most cellular telephones use a microcontroller or microprocessor for implementing the communication functions. The additional functionality related to alarming events according to the invention may be incorporated in the respective microcontroller. Alternatively, separate units as shown in  FIG. 1  may be used. In this case, the units  100 ,  20 ,  23  and  29  may be provided on a separate board. As well, alarm mode controller  100  may be provided by an ASIC. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of the operation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0047]    At step  31 , the sensors take the respective environmental measurements (smoke, level of chemical and biological agents in the atmosphere, etc). Once an alarm signal issues as shown in step  32 , alarm driver  15  wakes-up and checks if terminal  10  is turned “on” or “off”, step  33 . If the terminal is turned “off”, unit  29  turns all the units of the terminal “on”, step  34 , and alarm driver  15  initiates the alarm mode protocol. If the terminal is “on” and performs a certain routine, that routine is interrupted as shown in step  35 , and again, alarm driver  15  initiates the alarm mode protocol, shown in step  36 . 
         [0048]    As indicated above, the alarm specific procedure includes: generating an acoustic alarm (sound or message), mechanical (vibrations), or/and visual (printing the type of alarm on display  14 ) alarm, attempting to call an emergency pre-stored phone number over the network, or even an Internet address, and transmitting the associated alarm sensor code and the cellular telephone number or IP address (if available) to the emergency dispatcher. 
         [0049]    In the case that the distress call came from a cellular phone, the operator will attempt to contact the cell phone owner in order to identify the location and to eventually assess the situation and advise. 
         [0050]    After the alarm mode protocol has been performed, the terminal  10  returns to its normal mode of operation, as shown in step  37 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic of an embodiment with digital sensors operating in a polling based environment, and  FIG. 3B  is a flowchart of the pooling operation shown in  FIG. 3A . As seen in  FIG. 3A , the alarm sensors  28  include the thresholds and are connected to the alarm mode controller  15  of terminal  10  by means of a digital multiplexer  13  to extend the input/output capabilities while using a single input port of controller  100 . The controller  100  has the capability to address the multiplexer  13  in order to select the reading of the appropriate alarm sensor. Depending on the actual controller configuration and external input/output port pins availability, the multiplexer could be omitted. In this case, the controller, under software control, reads each sensor&#39;s output individually through its own input/output pins. The multiplexer  13  may or may not be an external circuit to controller  100 , or the controller may be provided with the capability of reading multiple alarm sensors  28  simultaneously. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 3B  which details step  31  of  FIG. 2 , controller  100  periodically receives an alarm sensor related interrupt request. Following the interrupt request received in step  41 , controller  100  initializes the index variable “i” which gives the number of the sensor being pooled, step  42 . While executing the alarm sensor interrupt routine, the index variable “i” is also being sent to the multiplexer  13  addressing bus. After addressing the multiplexer  13 , the controller  100  reads the data output from the multiplexer, which is the value provided by the respective pooled sensor S i , step  43 . As before, the alarm procedure is initiated in step  45 , if the sensor is activated, as shown by branch YES of decision block  44 . If the sensor is not activated, as shown by branch NO of decision block  44 , the index variable is incremented (i=i+1), step  46 , tested against the number of sensors N, step  47 . If all sensors were pooled, branch YES of block  47 , the control continues with step  33  of  FIG. 2 . If not, the controller continues to check the alarm sensor status as shown by branch NO of decision block  47 . 
         [0053]    If multiplexer  13  is not needed in a particular application, the alarm sensor reading is expected to be done through the controller&#39;s own input/output pins, in a similar manner like the multiplexed case. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of an embodiment with analog sensors operating in a polling based environment. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , an analog multiplexer  13 ′ extends the input/output capabilities of the controller  100 . As previously mentioned in the description of  FIG. 3A , the controller has the ability to individually read each sensor through multiplexer addressing, with the difference that both the sensors and the multiplexer are analog in this embodiment. In this embodiment, an analog to digital converter  9  is used at the output of the multiplexer  13 ′. 
         [0055]    If controller  12  is provided with enough inputs, then the analog multiplexer might not be needed. In this case, each input has to be converted from analog to digital. It is also to be noted that the A/D conversion may also be made by the controller  100  itself. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of the cellular phone including a partial view of the circuit board and the built-in alarm sensors, which shows a possible placement of alarm sensors  28  on the printed circuit board  20  of a cellular phone. 
         [0057]    Various other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.