[0001] The object of this invention is an emergency call unit, particularly suited for installations
in public areas. A problem of considerable social interest is to guarantee an adequate
level of security to all those frequenting parks, gardens, and more generally areas
open to the public.
[0002] In order to overcome this problem, some emergengy call units have been proposed based
on posts or similar supports incorporating a number of elements capable of putting
the person requesting help in contact with a remote operating station or with the
public security services, all this for the purpose of ensuring a prompt assistance.
[0003] For example, DE 29604613 discloses an emergency call unit having the technical features
of the preamble of the present claim 1.
[0004] However, the experience gained with such former devices has shown that the situations
requiring action are very numerous and varied. There may be, for instance, calls for
help by elder persons overcome by illness, or by particularly vulnerable persons,
such as women and children, at the moment they are subjected to threats and violent
action by ill-intentioned persons.
[0005] Moreover, the costs and technical problems involved in the installation of such units
are quite high, with a particular reference to electrical and telephone connections,
which limits the diffusion of such units in a socially detrimental manner.
[0006] It should further be noted that, while said units are set permanently in place, they
are subject to be attacked and voluntarily damaged by ill-intentioned persons wishing
to put them out of order.
[0007] The purpose of this invention is therefore to create an emergency call unit capable
of providing a high versatility of use, while offering a considerably facilitated
and economical installation.
[0008] Another purpose of the invention is to create an emergency call unit capable of offering
a considerable ease of maintenance.
[0009] A further purpose of this invention is to create an emergency call unit of as robust
type, capable of withstanding any attempts at vandalistic damage.
[0010] These and other purposes are achieved by an emergency call unit, suitable for mounting
in public areas, according to claim 1, which is being referred to for brevity.
[0011] In an advantageous manner, the unit according to the invention contributes to ensuring
the security of citizens frequenting parks, gardens, and more generally areas open
to the public, day or night.
[0012] This result is achieved by means of the following properties of the unit of this
invention, in particular by the fact that the unit may be called up at any moment
from the operating center, which can thus use the telecamera to view the environment
framed in the latter, and the events occurring in the same.
[0013] The presence of one or more telecameras capable of photographing an eventual aggressor
and his potential accomplices has a deterrent effect against acts of vandalism or
other violent actions.
[0014] It should further be noted that the entire installation is protected against vandalistic
attacks by means of its structure made of steel, its anti-vibration and proximity
sensors by which the unit can automatically alert the operating center or the public
security services.
[0015] Moreover, the installation of the unit may occur without needing any electric or
telephone connections, and its servicing for replacing the batteries can, upon a signal
sent out by the unit itself, be carried out in an operation requiring only a few minutes.
[0016] Further purposes and advantages of this invention will become clear from the following
description and its attached drawings, supplied for purely exemplifying and non-limiting
purposes, in which:
- Figure 1 represents a front view of an emergency call unit, according to this invention,
- Figure 2 represents a lateral elevation view of an emergency call unit, according
to this invention, and
- Figure 3 represents a block diagram of the main elements constituting this invention,
and their functional relationships.
[0017] With reference to the mentioned figures, the emergency call unit is globally indicated
by the reference number 10.
[0018] With particular reference to Figure 3, it is worth noting that the arrows connecting
the various blocks of the diagram represent electrical communication lines or digital
bus lines passing data, information, commands and instructions in the form of electric
signals, in only a single or in both directions, depending on the case.
[0019] The emergency call unit 10 comprises a base 32 housing the operating organs of the
unit 10, which allow a live voice communication and transmission of images to the
remote help operating station 14.
[0020] This base 32 carries a pushbutton 31 designed to send a request for action to the
remote help operating station 14.
[0021] The communication with said remote help operating station 14 may occur both over
a live voice microphone 11 equipped with a loudspeaker 16 and by sending out images
taken by a pair of cameras 12 and 13.
[0022] This communication occurs by using the cellular phone network over one or more GSM
28 modems.
[0023] The first telecamera 12 is incorporated in the base 32 of the mentioned unit, and
serves to frame the person calling for help, and the scene on the front side of the
base 32.
[0024] The second telecamera 13 is on the other hand installed on top of a pole 27 associated
with the base 32, so as to frame the scene from above and allow an overall view of
the events occurring around the unit 10.
[0025] Each of these cameras 12 and 13 can eventually be provided with a remotely controlled
maneuvering system. The images framed by the telecameras 12 and 13 are preferably
transmitted at predetermined time intervals, for example one every 15 seconds, although
different time intervals may be chosen depending on the requirements.
[0026] The unit 10 is also equipped with an infrared flashing device 30, capable of taking
pictures even under highly adverse environmental conditions.
[0027] The unit 10 also provides for a vibration sensor 20, an inclination sensor 21 and
a door opening sensor 22, which are connected to an alarm siren 23.
[0028] The system is also fitted with a line communicating an alarm to the remote help operating
station 14.
[0029] In addition to the siren 23, the system provides a flashing light 24, for the prompt
identification, on the part of the helpers, of the unit 10 from which the alarm was
sent.
[0030] Three different alternatives are provided for communicating between the unit 10 and
the operating center 14.
[0031] A first solution provides for the use of a pair of GSM modems for the simultaneous
transmission to the operating center 14 of the voice, using a first GSM modem in a
voice mode, and the second GSM modem for the coded images, acting in a data or fax
mode.
[0032] A second solution, represented in a simplified manner in Figure 3, provides for the
use of a single GSM 28 modem capable of simultaneously transmitting the voice, in
real time by a low bit-rate encoder, and the encoded images, all on a single, low
velocity data connection line.
[0033] Moreover, Figure 3 shows a simplified view of a first block 26 referring to audio
signals, and a second block 25 referring to video signals, as well as a central processing
unit 33.
[0034] A third solution provides for the use of a single GSM modem capable of alternately
transmitting voice and images at different time periods, by consecutively connecting
itself in a voice and data transmission mode, the latter for transmitting encoded
images.
[0035] The electrical feed 15 for the unit 10 may be carried out in various ways.
[0036] A first solution provides for the use of a non-rechargeable long-duration battery,
so as to ensure an independence from the electrical network.
[0037] A second solution provides for the use of a battery rechargeable during daytime by
a solar panel (not shown here).
[0038] Both of these solutions present the advantage that the installation of the unit 10
can be effected without requiring electrical or telephone connections.
[0039] A third solution for feeding the unit 10 provides for hooking-up the latter to the
public lighting network. The energy available during night time when the lights of
the public lighting network are operating is used to recharge a battery.
[0040] This battery feeds the circuits during the daylight hours, even in the absence of
a feed from the public lighting network.
[0041] The operation of the emergency call unit 10 occurs in the following fashion.
[0042] The unit 10 is equipped with an automatic help calling system, actuated by a pushbutton
31.
[0043] If the pushbutton 31 is pressed, the device sends out a request for help by telephone
to a central operating station 14, where an operator can immediately communicate by
live voice with the person requesting help, by means of the live voice microphone
11 and the loudspeaker 16, and eventually perform a visual identification based on
the images taken by the telecamera 12 incorporated in a hidden way in the unit 10.
[0044] This operation occurs by means of electronic video and audio circuits and telephone-based
communication systems exploiting the cellular (or dial-up) telephone network managed
by the central processing station 33. The use of the two telecameras 12 and 13 set
at different heights allows recording both close-up and distant images, thus allowing
a more complete reconstruction of the events taking place in the neighborhood of the
unit 10, with particular reference to the possibility of identifying the authors of
the offence and their eventual accomplices, as well as to constitute, by means of
the same presence of the telecameras 12 and 13, an effective deterrent instrument
against said ill-intentioned persons.
[0045] The vibration sensor 20, the inclinations sensor 21 and the door opening sensor 22
work together to determine whether an act of vandalism is taking place, so as to generate
an eventual alarm signal emitted to the outside by the siren 23.
[0046] The alarm is also transmitted to the remote help operating station 14, by a dedicate
communications line.
[0047] The siren 23 is also associated with another alerting device, that is the previously
described flashing light 24.
[0048] The unit 10 may also be associated with an additional system to prevent or discourage
vandalistic acts and to identify the persons eventually responsible for them.
[0049] Whenever the pushbutton 31 is pressed, it is in fact possible to arrange for the
emission, by an appropriate software and for example over the loudspeaker 16, of a
message of the type: "Keep the pushbutton pressed up to the operator's answer." or
any other similar message, for example: "Keep the pushbutton pressed for five seconds.",
all for the purpose of creating a delay of 3-5 seconds capable of allowing the telecameras
12 and 13 to automatically record the scene.
[0050] If the pushbutton 31 is not pressed for this amount of time, the operator may consider
this event to be a false alarm.
[0051] The above description clearly outlines the characteristics and the advantages of
the emergency call unit, suitable for mounting in public areas and the object of this
invention.
[0052] In particular, these are herewith summarized as follows:
- Possibility of setting up a communication with the unit 10 at any moment, by calling
it up from the central operating station, which may thus view the environment covered
by the telecameras 12 and 13.
- Deterrent action of the telecameras, capable of photographing an eventual aggressor
or vandalistic person.
- Reliability of the unit 10, protected against vandalistic attacks by its steel structure,
anti-vibration and proximity sensors and the possibility that in case of an attack
the unit automatically alerts the central operating station or the public security
services.
- Simple and economical installation of the unit 10, which does not require electrical
or telephone connections.
- Ease of maintenance of the unit 10, whose replacement of batteries can be effected
upon receipt a signal provided by the unit 10 itself, by an operation demanding no
more than a few minutes.
[0053] Finally, it is evident that numerous variants of the emergency call unit may be adopted,
without thereby abandoning the innovative principles inherent in the inventive idea,
and it is likewise clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the
materials, the shapes and the dimensions of the illustrated details may be of any
kind depending on the requirements, and that the same may be substituted by others
of a technically equivalent kind.
1. An emergency call unit (10), suitable for mounting in public areas, comprising a base
(32) for supporting emergency devices, which can be manually activated to allow a
live-voice conversation and a transmission of images to a remote central help operating
station (14), by means of a cellular or dial-up telephone line, characterised in that said call unit (10) includes a rechargeable battery, powered, during the night hours,
by a public lighting network, connected to said battery, so that said battery is able
to power the call unit (10) even during the day hours, when the public lighting network
is not able to feed the battery.
2. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said viva voce conversation and said images transmission are provided by means of
a single GSM modem (28), used for a simultaneous transmission of the voice, in real
time by a low bit-rate encoder, and of the coded images, in a single low-velocity
data transmitting connection.
3. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said viva voce conversation and said images transmission are provided by means of
a single GSM modem (28), used for transmitting voice and images alternatively and
at different time periods, by connecting said GSM modem (28) consecutively in a voice
mode and in a data transmission mode for transmitting encoded images.
4. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said call unit (10) includes a vibration sensor (20), an inclination sensor (21)
and a door opening sensor (22), wherein said sensors (20, 21, 22) being connected
to an alarm siren (23), and means for sending an alarm signal to said remote central
help operating station (14).
5. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said call unit (10) includes a flashing light (24) for a prompt identification of
the call unit (10) sending the alarm signal.
6. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said call unit (10) incorporates two cameras (12, 13) to take the images, wherein
a first camera (12), placed on the base (32) of the unit (10), is used to frame the
person requesting help and the scene on the front side of the base (32), while a second
camera (13), installed on top of a pole (27), is used to frame the scene from above,
so as to see everything occurring around the call unit (10).
7. An emergency call unit (10) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said call unit (10) also includes an infrared light flash (30), so that said cameras
(12, 13) are able to take images even under very poor environmental lighting conditions.
1. Notrufeinheit (10) zur Montage in öffentlichen Bereichen, umfassend einen Grundkörper
(32) zur Aufnahme von Noteinrichtungen, die manuell aktivierbar sind, um über eine
mobile oder Wähl-Telefonleitung eine Live-Sprachkonversation und eine Bildübertragung
an eine entfernte zentrale Hilfe-Betriebsstation (14) zu ermöglichen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Rufeinheit (10) eine wiederaufladbare Batterie beinhaltet, die während
der Nachtstunden durch ein öffentliches Beleuchtungsnetzwerk, das mit der besagten
Batterie verbunden ist, mit Leistung versorgt wird, so dass die besagte Batterie die
Rufeinheit (10) sogar tagsüber, wenn das öffentliche Beleuchtungsnetzwerk nicht in
der Lage ist, die Batterie zu speisen, mit Leistung versorgen kann.
2. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Live-Sprachkonversation und die besagte Bildübertragung mittels eines
einzigen GSM-Modems (28) bereitgestellt werden, welches für eine gleichzeitige Übertragung
der Sprache, in Echtzeit mittels eines Kodierers geringer Bitrate, und der kodierten
Bilder, in einer einzigen Datenübertragungsverbindung geringer Geschwindigkeit, verwendet
wird.
3. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Live-Sprachkonversation und die besagte Bildübertragung mittels eines
einzigen GSM-Modems (28) bereitgestellt werden, welches zur alternativen Übertragung
von Sprache und Bildern und zu verschiedenen Zeitspannen verwendet wird, indem das
besagte GSM-Modem (28) aufeinanderfolgend in einen Sprachmodus und einen Datenübertragungsmodus
zur Übertragung kodierter Bilder geschaltet wird.
4. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rufeinheit (10) einen Vibrationssensor (20), einen Neigungssensor (21) und einen
Türöffnungssensor (22), wobei die besagten Sensoren (20, 21, 22) mit einer Alarmsirene
(23) verbunden sind, und Mittel zum Senden eines Alarmsignals an die entfernte zentrale
Hilfe-Betriebsstation (14) beinhaltet.
5. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Rufeinheit (10) ein Blitzlicht (24) für eine schnelle Identifizierung
der das Alarmsignal sendenden Rufeinheit (10) beinhaltet.
6. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Rufeinheit (10) zwei Kameras (12, 13) zum Aufnehmen der Bilder besitzt,
wobei eine erste Kamera (12), die auf dem Grundkörper (32) der Einheit (10) angeordnet
ist, zum Aufnehmen der um Hilfe nachsuchenden Person und der Szene auf der Vorderseite
des Grundkörpers (32) verwendet wird, während eine zweite Kamera (13), die auf der
Spitze eines Mast (27) installiert ist, verwendet wird, um die Szene von oben aufzunehmen,
um alles, das um die Rufeinheit (10) herum passiert, zu sehen.
7. Notrufeinheit (10) gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die besagte Rufeinheit (10) auch einen Infrarot-Lichtblitz (30) beinhaltet, so dass
die besagten Kameras (12, 13) in der Lage sind, Bilder auch unter sehr schlechten
Umgebungslichtbedingungen aufzunehmen.
1. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10), adaptée pour être installée dans des zones publiques,
comprenant une base (32) pour supporter des dispositifs d'urgence, qui peuvent être
activés manuellement pour permettre une conversation vocale en ligne et une transmission
d'images à un poste central de commande d'assistance à distance (14), au moyen d'une
ligne téléphonique cellulaire ou commutée, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité d'appel (10) comprend une batterie rechargeable, alimentée, pendant
les heures de nuit, par un réseau d'éclairage public, connecté à ladite batterie,
de sorte que ladite batterie soit capable d'alimenter l'unité d'appel (10) même pendant
les heures du jour, lorsque le réseau d'éclairage public n'est pas capable d'alimenter
la batterie.
2. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite conversion vocale en ligne et ladite transmission d'images sont réalisées
au moyen d'un seul modem GSM (28), utilisé pour une transmission simultanée de la
voix, en temps réel par un codeur à faible débit binaire, et des images codées, sur
une seule connexion de transmission de données à faible vitesse.
3. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite conversation vocale en ligne et ladite transmission d'images sont réalisées
au moyen d'un seul modem GSM (28), utilisé pour la transmission de la voix et d'images,
alternativement et à différentes périodes de temps, en connectant ledit modem GSM
(28), consécutivement, dans un mode vocal et dans un mode de transmission de données
pour la transmission d'images codées.
4. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité d'appel (10) comprend un capteur de vibration (20), un capteur d'inclinaison
(21) et un capteur d'ouverture de porte (22), dans laquelle lesdits capteurs (20,
21, 22) sont connectés à une sirène d'alarme (23), et des moyens pour envoyer un signal
d'alarme audit poste central de commande d'assistance à distance (14).
5. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité d'appel (10) comprend un voyant clignotant (24) pour une identification
instantanée de l'unité d'appel (10) qui envoie le signal d'alarme.
6. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité d'appel (10) incorpore deux caméras (12, 13) pour prendre des images,
dans laquelle une première caméra (12), placée sur la base (32) de l'unité (10), est
utilisée pour cadrer la personne demandant de l'aide et la scène devant la base (32),
tandis qu'une deuxième caméra (13), installée sur un mât (27), est utilisée pour cadrer
la scène vue à partir du haut, de manière à voir tout ce qui se passe autour de l'unité
d'appel (10).
7. Unité d'appel d'urgence (10) selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité d'appel (10) comprend également un flash infrarouge (30), de sorte que
lesdites caméras (12, 13) soient capables de prendre des images même dans des conditions
d'éclairage ambiantes médiocres.