Monitoring personal safety

Abstract

 A system for monitoring personal safety in which polling calls are periodically generated (2) and transmitted (6) to individuals being monitored. The individual makes a polling response that should at least once include a voice message. This voice message should give an indication of the location of the individual concerned. If a polling response is not received following a predetermined number of polling calls which have been sent, then an alarm call is triggered. An alarm call is transmitted to a person who may render assistance to the person being monitored, the alarm call including at least the latest voice message (4) stored within the system from the person being monitored.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to the monitoring of personal safety. More particularly, this invention relates to the monitoring of personal safety in situations where the persons concerned are widely dispersed.

[0002] There is a need to monitor the safety of persons, particularly those working alone, because of increasing threats from hazardous working environments and possibly other people. There are two important requirements in a system that is to provide such protection: (i) a worker must be able to indicate that they are in need of attention or help; (ii) those needs and the location of the worker must swiftly and efficiently be communicated to the helpers.

[0003] There are several existing systems that address these problems. One straightforward technique is for a supervisor to periodically contact each of the persons concerned to verify their safety. However, commercial pressures for efficiency increasingly preclude the use of personnel in such non-productive roles.

[0004] Short range infra-red or radio detection and location beacons may be provided within a working site with associated transceivers carried by each person. This can provide an alarm signal from individuals and accurate and quick location of the personnel within the working site. However, the installation of such infra-red or radio detection and location beacons requires many such beacons to be provided, particularly on large sites, and this can be prohibitively expensive.

[0005] Further techniques may be based upon radio triangulation of the GPS, Decca, Loran etc. types that provide position location over large and very large areas. However, these radio triangulation techniques tend to be expensive per individual due to the cost and complexity of the receivers involved and the commercially achievable positional accuracy of the location is often insufficient for the needs concerned. Radio triangulation using direction finding techniques and multiple base stations (e.g. multistation VDF) tends to be expensive, requires significant installation effort and frequently needs "tuning" to the individual installation.

[0006] A personal safety monitoring system based upon radio pager technology is described in European Published Patent Application EP-A-0 372 640 (Ericsson Paging Systems B.V.). In this system, each person being protected carries a portable paging receiver. A central base station periodically transmits to the paging receivers prompting the user to transmit a report signal indicative of the well being of the user. If no proper report signal is received, then the system generates an alarm signal. Whilst this system has the advantage of the use of relatively low cost radio paging receivers for each person, it does not provide positional information as to where the person whose safety is being monitored is located. This is a significant disadvantage. Consider the situation of a night watchman of a large commercial site. As part of their patrol duties, such a night watchman will move over the entire site. Should a threat to the night watchman's safety occur, an alarm signal may be raised with the radio pager, but the person receiving the alarm signal will not be able to determine to which part of the large site they should go to render assistance.

[0007] The present invention addresses the problem of providing a personal safety monitoring system of relatively low cost that is able to provide both alarm signals and an indication of the location of the person to whom the alarm relates.

[0008] Viewed from one aspect, this invention provides apparatus for monitoring personal safety comprising:
   a polling call generator for generating polling calls;
   a polling call transmitter for transmitting said polling calls to at least one person monitored;
   a polling response receiver for receiving at least voice message responses as polling responses from said at least one person;
   a voice message store for storing said voice message responses;
   an alarm call generator triggered when a polling response is not received from a given person to generate an alarm call including at least a latest voice message response from said given person stored within said voice message store; and
   an alarm call transmitter for transmitting said alarm call to a predetermined recipient.

[0009] The provision of the voice message store and the inclusion within the alarm call of at least a latest voice message from the person to whom the alarm relates affords the facility of positional location by allowing the person being monitored to record a message indicating their position.

[0010] More particularly, there is a considerable range of existing technology available for the transmission and receipt of voice messages that can relatively inexpensively be incorporated within the system. The system can automatically generate polling calls and monitor for the occurrence or non-occurrence of polling call responses. Should a polling call not be received, then an alarm message is generated that includes the latest recorded message from the person concerned. The automatic system need not itself have any ability to decode or understand the stored message. The requirement, in use, is that the person being monitored should include within their polling call response a voice message that will allow rescuers to find them should the need arise, e.g. their current location and their proposed next location at the time the next polling call will be due.

[0011] In this way, the stored voice message may be automatically replayed to the rescuer should an appropriate polling call response not be received and it is the task of the rescuer to understand and interpret the message. This technique allows an automated personal safety monitoring system to be provided using well proven, reliable and inexpensive technology, such as two-way speech paging systems, and yet provides both alarm indication and positional information to the rescuers.

[0012] The polling call generator may generate polling calls in a number of forms, e.g. a characteristic sequence of tones. The base requirement for the polling call is that it should be clearly and unambiguously recognised by the person being monitored and cause them to initiate the polling call response. However, in preferred embodiments the polling call generator generates voice message calls.

[0013] The use of voice message calls allows the polling call to be directly understood by the person being monitored without them having to interpret tone signals or have received any training. The voice message call can include instructions as to how the person being monitored is to respond.

[0014] The manner in which the polling calls, polling responses and alarm calls are transmitted may vary between systems or within a system. Particularly suitable methods of transmission are via a radio paging system, a two-way radio system, an intercom and an installed telephone network (either through a private switchboard or over the public telephone system).

[0015] It is advantageous that the polling call generator should generate polling calls at regular intervals. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments the polling call generator generates the polling calls at user definable periodic intervals.

[0016] The provision of periodic polling calls that have a user definable period considerably increases the flexibility of the system. The period may be varied by a system administrator who can set appropriate periods depending upon the person concerned and the nature of their duties/risks to which they are exposed. In addition, the person being monitored may themselves define the period by using non-voice responses, e.g. a programming set of response tones.

[0017] In order to avoid the undue occurrence of false alarms the polling call generator, the polling call transmitter and the polling call receiver act to transmit the polling call for a predetermined number of attempts prior to triggering the alarm call generator if a polling response is not received.

[0018] Once an alarm call has been triggered, the alarm call generator and alarm call transmitter need to contact a rescuer as soon as possible. There will often be a compromise to be made between the proximity of the rescuer and the likelihood of being able to contact them e.g. a site manager or safety officer may usually be close to hand to give assistance to a person initiating an alarm call, but one could not guarantee their 100% availability; in contrast an alarm call made to one of the emergency services, such as the fire brigade, might be made over a longer distance but would have a much higher likelihood of being answered. In order to try and seek the best possible assistance the alarm call generator and the alarm call transmitter act to attempt to transmit the alarm call to a predetermined hierarchy of alarm call recipients until an alarm call acknowledgement is received.

[0019] In this way, the alarm call can first attempt to be made to a person close to hand, with the default being that another person, such as the emergency services, are called if no response is received from the first person.

[0020] It may be that a user of the system is aware that they will not be available to respond to their next scheduled polling call. In order to provide flexibility to the user and reduce false alarms, in preferred embodiments upon receipt of an unsolicited polling response a next scheduled polling call to that person initiating the unsolicited polling response is deferred. It will be appreciated that an unsolicited polling response is not made in response to a polling call as such, but rather replaces a polling call response that should have been made.

[0021] It may be the case that a person being monitored does not change position or status between differing polling calls. In such a circumstance, the need to update the stored message may not exist. In order to cater for this and so as to improve the ease of use of the system, it is preferred that a polling call includes a last received voice message response for that person, a non-voice message polling response to the polling call indicating the voice message response is to be maintained as current.

[0022] In this way, the person being monitored can review their last stored voice message and if they are happy that it still applies merely confirm with a non-voice message calling response that it should be maintained as current.

[0023] In an analogous manner to that suggested above for deferring polling calls, a user may be able to change the frequency at which they are called in preferred systems in which the polling call generator is responsive to a predetermined non-voice message response from a person monitored to alter polling call frequency for that person.

[0024] Viewed from another aspect this invention provides a method of monitoring personal safety comprising the steps of:
   generating polling calls;
   transmitting said polling calls to at least one person monitored;
   receiving at least voice message responses as polling responses from said at least one person;
   storing said voice message responses;
   when a polling response is not received from a given person, generating an alarm call including at least a latest stored voice message response from said given person; and
   transmitting said alarm call to a predetermined recipient.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a personal safety monitoring system;

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of the system of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the flow of messages between different nodes within two possible configurations of a personal safety monitoring system.

[0026] Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of a personal safety monitoring system. At the heart of the system is a personal computer 2 having a digital voice processing capability using extension level access speech cards. The personal computer system includes a voice store 4. The voice store 4 may comprise the hard disc of the personal computer 2 or a separate device. Control software running in the personal computer 2 serves to generate polling calls and alarm calls which are then transmitted by one of the devices attached to the personal computer.

[0027] The devices by which the polling calls may be transmitted include a two-way speech paging system (such as a Multitone Access 1000/3000 system) comprising a base station 6 and a plurality of pagers 8. Other possibilities include the use of an intercom system comprising an amplifier 10 and a remote speaker 12 for the polling calls with a telephone 14 and private exchange 16 being used for the polling responses. The private exchange 16 may also be used to make polling calls and receive polling responses from a worker's fixed position via the worker's telephone 18 and to make alarm calls to alert a remotely located rescue service 20. A two-way radio system may be used in the same way as the radio paging system illustrated if this is more appropriate.

[0028] In operation, the personal computer 2 initiates a polling call when the required point within the call period for a particular user is reached. This polling call constitutes a voice message stored or which is able to be assembled from within the voice store 4. This polling call voice message is transmitted to the user via one of the transmission mechanisms illustrated, e.g. the radio paging transmitter 6, the amplifier 10 and loudspeaker 12 comprising the intercom or the private exchange 16 and telephone 18. Having received the polling call, the person being monitored must then pass a polling response back to the personal computer 2 via the appropriate complementary channel. If no polling response is received after a given number of attempts, then the personal computer 2 initiates an alarm call via the private exchange 16 to the rescue services 20, the alarm call including at least the latest voice message response from the person concerned.

[0029] Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the system of Figure 1. At step 22 the system checks to determine whether an emergency signal has been received from any of the persons being monitored. The emergency signal effectively forms a panic button system for the person being monitored, whereby if they instigate an emergency signal, then an alarm call will immediately be made. If an emergency signal has been received, then the system moves to step 25 at which the alarm call procedure is initiated.

[0030] If an emergency signal has not been received, then the system passes to step 24 where it is determined whether an unprompted response call has been made. If an unprompted response call has been made, then the system resets the time for which the next response call for that particular person being monitored is due and passes to step 26 at which the voice message is stored within the voice store 4.

[0031] If an unprompted call has not been made, then the system passes to step 28 at which it is determined whether a polling call is due for any of the persons being monitored. If no polling call is due, then the system returns to step 22. If a polling call is due, then the polling call is made at step 30. Steps 32 and 34 serve to repeat the polling call for a predetermined maximum number of attempts. If an answer is not received, then the system progresses to step 25 at which the alarm call is made.

[0032] The personal computer 2 stores a hierarchical list of persons to be contacted if an alarm occurs for each particular person being monitored. The system first attempts to contact the person highest in the list and then progresses via steps 25 and 27 down the list until contact with someone is eventually made. When contact is made, the system replays the latest voice message stored from the person concerned within the voice store 4 as part of a longer message including items such as an identification of the system, the time, an indication that this is the latest stored message from the person concerned and confirmation that they have not responded to the polling calls that have been made to them. This all occurs at step 29.

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates the flow of calls and responses in a system such as that illustrated in Figure 1. In Figure 3, voice messages from within the voice store 4 are routed to individuals 30 via either the private telephone exchange 16 or paging system 6. Alarm calls and alarm responses are also routed via these paths. Once contact has been made with an individual 30 via one of these paths (whether they are a person being monitored or a person to whom an alarm call is made), then a two-way dialogue may proceed via which voice messages and non-voice messages (such as keytones for resetting the period at which polling calls are made or instigating an emergency call) are passed.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates a similar system to that in Figure 3 except that in this case all of the messages from the voice store 4 are routed through the private exchange 16 or public telephone network (not illustrated). In this case the radio paging transmitter 6 can be remote from the site being protected and may be part of the public radio paging network.

[0035] The behaviour of the system is controlled by the software running on the personal computer 2 and several data files containing information about both the system as a whole and about each individual being monitored. The software program has the ability to transmit and receive messages via a variety of different communication devices and other ancillaries that are connected to the system.

[0036] The system control data includes:

a) data indicating where and how to report a failure to complete an alarm procedure;

b) data indicating where and how to report system problems; and

c) other system control data such as a journal of transactions.

[0037] The individual persons' control data includes:

a) the type of device to use when making contact;

b) dialling and control data for use when making contact;

c) the times or periods at which contact should be made;

d) the number of attempts and acceptable response time to polling calls;

e) the system options available to the individual;

f) the alarm call procedures to follow for that individual; and

g) other control data, such as a call and response log for the individual.

[0038] Alarm control data for the system includes:

a) the type of device to use when indicating an alarm;

b) dialling and control data for use when indicating an alarm;

c) options available to the recipient of the alarm;

d) the acknowledgement rules on delivery of the alarm;

e) the alarm procedure to follow if the initial procedure fails; and

f) other control data, such as an alarm call log.

[0039] As mentioned previously, at times or intervals defined for each person being monitored, a polling call to the person is made via a communication path such as the telephone or a paging system. This polling call includes a message requesting that the individual update their recorded status or location. This message may be either spoken, displayed on a message pager or of a predefined meaning on a non-message and non-speech paging system.

[0040] When using an immediate two-way speech connection, the individual can hear a message of the form "polling call, please acknowledge" and the individual should then respond. The system may demand an update to the status or location of the individual, or a spoken menu may offer various optional actions.

[0041] When there is no immediate two-way speech connection, the individual should call the voice storage system via a private telephone network, the public telephone network, a paging system or the like and should then begin a dialogue with the voice storage system. Additionally, a connection with the system may be initiated either via a call-in procedure, or an emergency procedure instigated by either the individual person or using one of the established man-down sensors known in the public domain.

[0042] When the system has established a two-way speech path, it requests an acknowledgement as mentioned above. Depending on the particular user and options defined in the control data for that user, the system can detect an acknowledgement of a polling call by one or more methods including:

a) detection of a transmit key-up and release on a handheld transceiver by detection of a tone or noise squelch burst;

b) detection of voice either by noise envelope detection or by detailed analysis of the signal content to more reliably identify voice;

c) detection of a dialled password; and

d) automatic identification of the transceiver by a data signature.

[0043] Once the dialogue has been established, the system may have various defined options available depending upon the particular individual with whom the dialogue is taking place. These options may be combined and offered to the individual sequentially, or via a spoken menu and dialled select a code. The options include:

a) the individual mandatorily must speak an update to their present status or location that is stored as a voice message response;

b) the individual may choose to update their stored message response or may allow the current message to remain current;

c) the individual may initiate other actions, for example an alarm may be triggered; and

d) the individual may modify the behaviour of the system, for example the user may defer the next contact time for an extended period or alter the periodicity at which polling calls are made.

[0044] If an individual fails to report, the system will try to contact the individual again and this process will continue for a predetermined number of attempts defined within the control data for that individual. The final attempt will include an imperative statement to indicate that an alarm will be initiated on failure to acknowledge.

[0045] After this final failed attempt, the alarm procedure is initiated. External equipment, for example an alarm bell may be activated. The system will also attempt to contact a first response location via one of the communication channels such as a radio paging call or telephone procedure. The alarm call will include a message such as "alarm call, no response from user xxxx, last message reads <play-back message> dial 1 to acknowledge, 2 to repeat or 3 to hear the previous message". Normally the system will require an acknowledgement of this message, dialled by the recipient. Failure to get an acknowledgement as a result of that alarm attempt will trigger a further alarm call to be made to a second response location within a hierarchy of such response locations. This second alarm call repeats the above message. This process continues through a sequence of locations until an acknowledgement is finally obtained or all options are exhausted.

[0046] The recipient of an alarm call may request a repeat of the message, may request playback of earlier messages, or playback of other types of message, e.g. status messages where the prime message is location or vice versa.

[0047] A similar sequence to the above can be followed for user initiated (panic button type) alarms and "man down" (tilt switch) detectors etc..

[0048] A journal of transactions is maintained by the personal computer 2 giving the times of start-up, polling calls, polling call responses, alarm calls and alarm call acknowledgements.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring personal safety comprising:
   a polling call generator (2) for generating polling calls;
   a polling call transmitter (6) for transmitting said polling calls to at least one person monitored;
   a polling response receiver (6;14) for receiving at least voice message responses as polling responses from said at least one person;
   a voice message store (4) for storing said voice message responses;
   an alarm call generator (2) triggered when a polling response is not received from a given person to generate an alarm call including at least a latest voice message response from said given person stored within said voice message store (4); and
   an alarm call transmitter (16) for transmitting said alarm call to a predetermined recipient (20).

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polling call generator (2) generates voice message calls.

3. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said polling call transmitter comprises one or more of:

i) a radio paging transmitter (6);

ii) a two-way radio transmitter;

iii) an intercom station (12); and

iv) means (16) for generating a telephone call.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said polling response receiver comprises one or more of:

i) a radio paging receiver (8);

ii) a two-way radio receiver; and

iii) a telephone receiver (14).

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said alarm call transmitter comprises one or more of:

i) a radio paging transmitter (6);

ii) a two-way radio transmitter;

iii) an intercom station (12); and

iv) means (16) for generating a telephone call.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said polling call generator (2) generates said polling calls at user determined periodic intervals.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said polling call generator (2), said polling call transmitter (6) and said polling call receiver (6;14) act to transmit said polling call for a predetermined number of attempts prior to triggering said alarm call generator (16) if a polling response is not received.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said alarm call generator (2) and said alarm call transmitter (16) act to attempt to transmit said alarm call to a predetermined hierarchy of alarm call recipients (20) until an alarm call acknowledgement is received.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein upon receipt of an unsolicited polling response a next scheduled polling call to that person initiating said unsolicited polling response is deferred.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a polling call includes a last received voice message response for that person, a non-voice message polling response to said polling call indicating said voice message response is to be maintained as current.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said polling call generator (2) is responsive to a predetermined non-voice message response from a person monitored to alter polling call frequency for that person.

12. A method of monitoring personal safety comprising the steps of:
   generating polling calls;
   transmitting said polling calls to at least one person monitored;
   receiving at least voice message responses as polling responses from said at least one person;
   storing said voice message responses;
   when a polling response is not received from a given person, generating an alarm call including at least a latest stored voice message response from said given person; and
   transmitting said alarm call to a predetermined recipient.

Drawing