ALERTING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

 An alerting device (1) comprises a first telecommunication section for connecting to a control center, a second telecommunication section for scanning its near environment for telecommunication devices (3, 7) carried by persons, and a manually operatable presence detector (13) like a push button. If the push button is pressed at least data received by the second telecommunication section identifying the personal telecommunication device are transmitted to the control center (15). Based on the data received, the center determines if they belong to a registered user and in the affirmative, produces an alarm. Preferably, the data transmitted comprise data identifying the alerting device or a time stamp. The alerting device may further comprise an optical (11) and an acoustical alarm (9) means which is activated independently of if it is a registered user who has operated the presence detector.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an alerting device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Alerting means which may be activated even if a person is panicking, so-called panic buttons, are known as personal devices (e.g. US-A-2016/0284189), be it specific panic buttons as a personal accessory, e.g. like a wrist-watch, or as an app for a smart phone which may be used even if the smart phone is locked (e.g. US-A-2017/086038), or a combination thereof (e.g. US-A-2017/085718).

[0003] Considering recent terror attacks, there is an increased need to provide additional means to protect citizens and to alert. Depending on situation, time might not allow the use of mobile phone for alerting. Strategically located panic buttons could present a nice complement to increase safety. Unfortunately, perfectly anonymous alerting means, like a fire alerting button, infer the risk of misuse. In the extreme, it may even rendered inoperative thereby.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to propose a device which allows sending alarms in a simple manner, yet reduces the probability of misuse.

[0005] Such a device is defined in claim 1. The further claims define preferred embodiments, systems and other related means including or collaborating with the device, and uses of the device.

[0006] To assure correct operation and prevent misuse of such Smart Panic Buttons (SPB), they should be provided with a system to prevent misuse and may additionally have one or more of the following features, preferably, all of them:

1. Battery powered with years autonomy

2. Easy installation and low operating / maintenance costs

3. Acoustic and optical alarm

4. Wireless link (mobile or IoT network) to alarm central

5. Heavy duty enclosure protecting against vandalism and weather

6. Easy to identify and access for all

[0007] In order to transmit an alarm to the central, the SPB must be connected to a wireless network. The use of latest generation loT networks such as LoRaWAN is a very good option especially considering its low power requirements (https://www.lora-alliance.org/What-Is-LoRa/Technology). Also, the use of 3G/4G network could be an option.

[0008] Most of the above listed features of the SPB are straight forward. The challenge is to come up with a system to prevent misuse.

[0009] In invention will be explained more in detail by way of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the Figures:

[0010] Fig. 1 Schema of an alerting system comprising a panic alerting device.

[0011] The solution for this is based on linking the panic alerting device or SPB 1 (smart panic button) to a smartphone app running on a smart phone 3 via Bluetooth 5 when the smartphone 5 is in proximity of the SBP 1. Such an app may be free of charge and easily downloadable from the various app markets / stores. Once installed, the app runs in the background without any required interaction. For those without smartphone, a dedicated BLE tag 7 (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy) could be provided.

[0012] Within the scope of the present invention, and in particular regarding the communication between the SBP 1 and a device (smartphone 3, BLE tag 7) which is carried by a person, Bluetooth low energy 5 is preferred as using this technology, the energy consumption of the SBP is significantly reduced. Low energy consumption is prerequisite for long autonomous operation of years of the SBP 1 with a battery as the energy source.

[0013] The SPB 1 may have any configuration or design, possibly adapted to the environment and is provided with a push button. In order to be easily found and activated, a quite large button 13 of conspicuous colour, e.g. red or orange, is an important feature. Its shape may be circular or may have another shape like rectangular, square or even irregular. Its size given as the maximal distance of any two points of its circumference, i.e. the maximal width, may be chosen to be at least 5 cm. The button 13 is designed to be pressed even by a person running along, i.e. by a blow. Usable are for example push buttons known for emergency stops of machines. Preferably, the device in its entirety or at least the push button is vandalism proof.

[0014] Subject to configuration, the acoustic 9 and the optical 11 alarm will be triggered by the control unit 12 of the SPB 1 once the SPB 1 is activated by pressing the push button 13. However, in order that a related alarm is actually transmitted to the central 15, a smartphone 3 with the specific app installed and activated, or a BLE Tag 7 need to be within proximity. Briefly, these devices connect to the SPB 1 via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and transmit the ID of the holder (the person bearing the device). The SPB 1 then sends such ID together with button number and address to the central 15 via the wireless network 17. Using the data registered with the central 15, the ID is matched with a registered user, and in case of a positive match, the alarm is activated. In case of multiple devices 3, 7 in proximity when the alarm was triggered, the strongest BLE signal 5 will be selected.

[0015] As the SPB 1 may be used by a person running along in a hurry, the approaching of a registered smart phone is to be detected in a short time, taking into account the short detection range of about 20 m. It is supposed the SPB 1 should emit a BLE broadcast at least 3 times per second in order to scan its environment for registered smart phones. More than 10 broadcasts per second are deemed not to produce significant advantages in reaction time yet unavoidably increase power consumption. Less than 1 broadcast per second is deemed to significantly increase the risk that the SPB 1 does not receive the ID in time to react on the push button (13) being pushed. 20 m range for BLE is obtained with a broadcast power of 0 dBm, which is not the actual limit of broadcast energy for BLE, yet smart phones are usually configured to use this emission power for several reasons (power consumption, thermal issues).

[0016] By determining the power of the signal received from the smart phone, it is possible to determine the distance of a person, by which speed she is approaching, and in case of more than one received signal, who is actually heading toward the SPB. So a person approaching fast may be selected as the one activating the SPB, even if there is another person close by, who is merely stationary, i.e. her distance does not or only significantly slower change in comparison with the running person.

[0017] A known technique is RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator): It is an indication of the power level being received by the antenna. RSSI (dBm) = -10*n*log10(d)+A, n = a real number in the range 2 to 4 depending on the environmental conditions, d=distance in meters, A=received signal strength in dBm at 1 meter. The doubling of distance corresponds to a decrease of RSSI by 6 dB. The distance may be determined from the formula given above: d = 10^{(A-RSSI)/(10 n)}.

[0018] The alerting is made over the wireless network 17 to which the SPB 1 is connected, i.e. the involved smartphone doesn't need to be connected to the internet 19. However, if such connection is available then feedback in form of push notifications, SMS and/or email is possible. For example, the backend or central 15 could send notification confirming receipt of alarm and that police are on their way to the specific location. Subject to the setup of the alarm central 15, also a call to the alarming smartphone 3 could be initiated.

[0019] On receipt of a feedback, the smart phone 3 may display a menu where the user may indicate the reason of the alarm. The menu may be a list of item which may be chosen by clicking thereon, crossing a box, or in the future possibly simply saying it in the microphone, f. example:

□ Terror Attack

□ Fire

□ Flood

□ Traffic Accident

[0020] Of course, the user may also indicate that the alarm has been triggered by accident.

[0021] A further benefit of the SPB is the automatic logging of all persons in proximity of the SPB 1. In principle, the SPB 1 will detect all persons with the smartphone 3 app / BLE tag 7 passing within approximately 20 meters. Such data, i.e. user ID and time stamp, may temporarily be stored in the SPB 1 and then periodically or on request of the central 15 be transmitted to the backend 15. In case of an important alarm event, these data may provide information on who was there before and after as well as support in contacting witnesses. The proximity logging data could potentially also be used for general notification in case of alarm.

[0022] Considering that the app is opt-in and solely to increase safety, integrity should not be an issue. Upon first installation, the user registers with, for example:

• User name and password
• Age
• Gender
• Name
• Address
• Mobile phone number
• Email address

Installation

[0023] Thanks to battery power and operation with wireless link, the SPB can be installed without the need of costly civil works. F. i. a lithium thionyl chloride cell of type D provides 19 Ah at 3.6 V nowadays. This cell may power the SPB 1 for more than 1 year.

[0024] The exact recording / allocation of the SPB's 1 position is essential for correct and efficient management. For this a dedicated configuration app is foreseen which is matching its GPS position with the MAC address (MAC: Media Access Control) of the SPB. Alternatively, the SPB can also be pre-configured with the exact locations (determined by the backend) prior to installation.

[0025] On the basis of the preceding description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the one skilled in the art is capable to perceive numerous alternation and modification without leaving the scope of protection which is solely defined by the claims. Perceivable is e.g.:

• Other energy sources are used, e.g. solar panel or energy taken from the environment ("Energy Harvesting"), in order to extend battery life or even as a replacement of the battery.
• The status of the battery or accumulator used as the power source of the alerting device is watched by the control unit 12. For this purpose, an ADC (analog-digital converter) is connected with the power source, measures the voltage, and furnishes a digitized voltage value to the control unit. The voltage value is transmitted to the center 15. The transmission may occur on the occasion of an alert and/or, more preferably, in an autonomous manner. The latter may be effected if one or more of the following conditions apply:

  o the voltage is below a lower threshold (or more generally outside an allowed voltage range);

  o a given time since last transmission of a voltage value has passed.

  The voltage values may be used for servicing the device and in particular for replacing the power source.
• Another telecommunication device than a smart phone 3 or a BLE tag 7 is used, e.g. a pager; the telecommunication has to be able to respond to the requests for identifying data by the SPB 1.
• The maximal width of the push button, i.e. the maximal width value of a given push button, is at least 7 cm or at least 10 cm. For a circular push button, the maximal width is its diameter; for a rectangular, its diagonal, f. i.

Claims

1. An alerting device (1) comprising a mechanically operable presence detector (13) for detecting the presence of a person in that the person operates the presence detector, characterized in that
the alerting device further comprises a first wireless communication section providing a communication link to a remote control center (15), and
a second wireless communication section providing a communication link to a telecommunication device (3, 7) portable by a person,
wherein the second wireless communication section is configured to scan its environment for the presence of a telecommunication device in a range and to receive data identifying the telecommunication device, and the presence detector is configured that when operated, it commands the first wireless communication section to forward the identifying data to the remote control center, so that the control center (15) is enabled to detect an alert by a registered user in order to avoid accidental use and abuse.

2. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one device identification datum selected from the position of the alerting device and a unique identification code is stored in the alerting device and the alerting device is configured to transmit the at least one device identification datum to the remote control center when the presence detector (3, 7) is operated so that the alarm can be assigned to an individual alerting device.

3. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second wireless communication section is configured to emit a signal questioning a response by a telecommunication device (3, 7) at a rate of at least 1 and at most 10 emissions per second.

4. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is configured to forward the identifying data of the closest telecommunication device if the presence detector is operated, when more than one telecommunication device are providing their identifying data.

5. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the presence detector (13) is substantially a push button, preferably of a maximal width of its surface of at least 5 cm, preferably of at least 7 cm and more preferably of at least 10 cm (centimeters).

6. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second wireless telecommunication section uses a low power communication technology consuming in the average at most 0.01 W, preferably 0.001, more preferably 0.0001, still more preferably 0.0001 W, and even more preferably 0.00001 W (Watt) at most.

7. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second wireless telecommunication section scans for telecommunication devices (3, 7) in a range of at most 50 m, preferably at most 30 m and more preferably at most 20 m.

8. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a battery for operation without external power source and that the overall power consumption of the alerting device is as low that continuous operation between two battery changes is at least 6 months, preferably at least 9 months, more preferably at least 1 year, 2 years, or even 3 years by increasing preference.

9. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one of an acoustic (7) and an optic (11) alerting means which is activated to produce a local alarm if the presence detector (13) is operated by a person.

10. The alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to store identifying data of telecommunication devices (3, 7) detected by the second wireless telecommunication section for a predetermined period before and after the operation of the presence detector, preferably for at least 1 minute and more preferably at least 5 minutes, the two periods being identical or different, together with a time stamp identifying the time and date when the identifying data of each telecommunication device are received, and to forward the data to the remote control center (15) in order to determine persons present when the alarm was activated.

11. An alerting system comprising an alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the remote control center (15) which maintains a database of registered users, the remote control center being configured to receive identifying data received by the alerting device from a telecommunication device (3, 7) carried by a person to the center, to compare the identifying data with the entries in the database, and to produce an alarm if the identifying signal matches with an entry in the database.

12. The alerting system according to claim 11, characterized in that the alarm may consist of one or more of the following:

- Sending a message to a rescue service;

- sending a message to a security service or the police;

- inciting a call to the person, preferably her mobile phone (3);

- displaying a menu or other questionnaire on the telecommunication device, so that the user may furnish additional information.

13. An alerting system comprising an alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the telecommunication device which is a smart phone (3) or other wireless telecommunication device (7) provided with a software configured when running to accept a scan signal emitted by the alerting device and to respond with an identifying signal.

14. A method of operating an alerting system comprising an alerting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first wireless communication section continuously scans an environment by emitting a question signal, receives signals of telecommunication devices (3, 7) comprising identifying data in response to the question signal, the identifying data are transmitted to the control center (15) when the presence detector (13) is operated, and the control center produces an alarm if the identifying data correspond to data of a registered user.

Drawing