Abstract: Electronic circuitry is provided that is operative to detect telephone usage or doorbell activation, whereupon the circuitry causes a command signal, such as a muting signal recognizable by an audio or sound producing device, to be emitted and deactivate or mute the device. With respect to muting in response to a phone call, a manual operator input or detection of a telephone on-hook condition causes the device to be restored. Following doorbell activation induced muting, timing features of the circuitry cause a restoration signal to be sent to the device automatically after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The muting circuitry is particularly suited as an enhancement to a personal emergency response system, as well as for a remotely monitored alarm system that incorporates a listening device.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry is provided that is operative to detect telephone usage or doorbell activation, whereupon the circuitry causes a command signal, such as a muting signal recognizable by an audio or sound producing device, to be emitted and deactivate or mute the device. With respect to muting in response to a phone call, a manual operator input or detection of a telephone on-hook condition causes the device to be restored. Following doorbell activation induced muting, timing features of the circuitry cause a restoration signal to be sent to the device automatically after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The muting circuitry is particularly suited as an enhancement to a personal emergency response system, as well as for a remotely monitored alarm system that incorporates a listening device. The system including the muting circuitry can function as a stand-alone system or be tied into an automated building data bus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in combination with a personal emergency response system. Typical systems establish a telephone communication link between a subscriber station and a central monitoring station in order to monitor the needs of elderly and/or infirm persons confined to their residences. In the normal operation of a system, a user located at a subscriber station activates a subscriber unit which transmits an alert signal via a telephone communication link to a central monitoring station which dispatches aid to the subscriber station. The system of the present invention incorporates an ancillary radio frequency receiver or transceiver subsystem as an alternate communication link in the event that telephone service becomes disabled. The ancillary radio receiver provides the user with the ability to receive radio frequency transmissions which inform the user that telephone lines have become disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reporting verification testing of a portable activator is provided for a personal emergency response system. In normal operation of the system, a signal transmitted by the portable activator activates a subscriber unit in a remote subscriber station to transmit an alarm message to a central station, or in some configurations to provide a local test or to cause other local or remote commands and/or control. The subscriber unit according to the present invention includes a latch assembly which is "set" upon receipt of any activating signal transmitted by the portable activator. The system also includes timing/logic circuitry, in the subscriber unit or alternately as part of the equipment of the central station, which automatically activates the subscriber unit upon expiration of a predetermined period of time to transmit a system test message to the central station.

Abstract: A multi-state selection switch for a personal emergency response system which permits selective operation of the system in HOME or AWAY modes. In the HOME mode, a subscriber unit located in a remote subscriber station is activated by a subscriber using either a portable or wired-in activator to transmit an alarm message to a central station via an interconnecting communications link. In the AWAY mode, the subscriber unit is inhibited from activation as a personal emergency response system by the protable activator and may be interfaced with one or more funtional subsystems of the remote subscriber station and operative to perform one or more predetermined regulating and/or monitoring functions in combination with the corresponding interfaced subsystems. The subscriber unit in the AWAY mode may be operative to transmit status messages to the cnetral station. Also, while the system is in the AWAY mode, the portable activator can be used for command or control purposes without causing an alarm to be transmitted.

Abstract: A personal alarm system is disclosed which incorporates a speakerphone so as to permit substantially handsfree operation and remote activation. The system includes a speakerphone which interfaces to a subscriber station. The subscriber station in turn interfaces over a communications link to a central monitoring station which is operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted to the central monitoring station by the subscriber station. Following transmission of a message from the subscriber station to the central monitoring station, the central monitoring station may transmit a control signal to the subscriber station which causes the subscriber station to activate the speakerphone to permit verbal communication with a subscriber who may be immobilized and/or physically unable to initiate a telephone call or answer a telephone.

Abstract: A telephone care system has a line-checking arrangement connected to the line-seizing arrangement and an off-hook detector so as to activate the line-seizing arrangement and send a bad-line signal in the event that the off-hook detector does not provide an off-hook signal when the line has been seized. A preferred embodiment also uses a pilot light as a combined power-on and telephone line status indicator by causing the pilot light to blink in the presence of a bad-line signal. A preferred embodiment also utilizes the off-hook detector for the additional purpose of resetting an inactivity timer, which, on expiration of a predetermined interval of time, triggers an alarm call over the telephone wires.

Abstract: A personal alarm system operative to provide a warning at a central monitoring station indicative of subscriber inactivity. The system comprises a subscriber station which interfaces to a communications link and a remote central monitoring station also interfaced to the link and operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted to the monitoring station by the subscriber station. The subscriber station transmits an alert message to the monitoring station over the communication link if the subscriber fails to reset clock logic via a reset switch or activity sensor within a predetermined time interval. An annunciator may be activated at the subscriber station coincident with transmission of the alert message. If the subscriber fails to activate a reset switch or a selected activity sensor within a predetermined period, the monitoring station provides an inactivity alarm indication to an operator who will take appropriate action.

Abstract: A multi-mode intrusion alarm system having three different operating modes for providing different indications of present and past occurrence of alarm signals from a plurality of sensors. The different modes allow determination of which sensor produced the alarm signal, investigation of the protected area after occurrence of an alarm signal without disturbing such determination and resetting of the system. The system can include circuitry for automatic mode selection and for providing a warning when the system has not been properly reset.

Abstract: An intrusion alarm system for use with a plurality of protected zones and providing an output indication of a particular zone or zones in which intrusion has occurred. A lesser number of signal processors are employed than the number of zones being protected. Signals received from each protected zone are selectively combined to provide different summed signals which are applied to respective processors that are shared by the zones and the output signals of which are processed by logic circuitry to provide an output indication of the presence of an intruder and an indication of the zone in which intrusion has occurred.

Abstract: For use in an intrusion alarm system, an on-line test circuit operative for the continuous supervision of system operation without affecting normal operation thereof. The transmitted signal is frequently modulated at a low rate to produce a detectable change in reflected energy sensed by sub-Doppler processing circuitry and operative to produce a failure indication in the absence of such sub-Doppler signal.