WO2008117253A1 - Alarm device and method for location and communication of a distress signal to security personnel - Google Patents

Alarm device and method for location and communication of a distress signal to security personnel Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008117253A1
WO2008117253A1 PCT/IB2008/051142 IB2008051142W WO2008117253A1 WO 2008117253 A1 WO2008117253 A1 WO 2008117253A1 IB 2008051142 W IB2008051142 W IB 2008051142W WO 2008117253 A1 WO2008117253 A1 WO 2008117253A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
alarm device
signal
alarm
activating
radio
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2008/051142
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Saulle Mattei
Marco Venturi
Original Assignee
Saulle Mattei
Marco Venturi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Saulle Mattei, Marco Venturi filed Critical Saulle Mattei
Publication of WO2008117253A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008117253A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/01—Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium
    • G08B25/016—Personal emergency signalling and security systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B15/00—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
    • G08B15/004—Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives using portable personal devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0269—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B21/00—Alarms responsive to a single specified undesired or abnormal condition and not otherwise provided for
    • G08B21/02—Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
    • G08B21/0202—Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child
    • G08B21/0272—System arrangements wherein the object is to detect exact location of child or item using triangulation other than GPS

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an alarm device to be employed by a user to transmit a distress signal to security personnel or other relevant personnel in case of assaults or other dangers.
  • This invention also relates to a method for communicating this distress signal by the above alarm device.
  • Distress conditions are known in which a person may need help when in danger, e.g. due to an attempted assault and robbery or attack.
  • passers-by are unfortunately often inhibited from taking direct action, by fear or else.
  • One more drawback is that the cellular phone call requires time and attention from the person in distress, which are not always available, due to the inherent stress in the situation or the physical impediment generated, for instance, by an attack.
  • a further drawback is that the person to be rescued is not always able to provide precise indications about his/her position.
  • the object of this invention is to overcome the above prior art drawbacks.
  • the object of this invention is to provide an alarm device that allows the user to transmit a distress signal to the relevant bodies as quickly as possible.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device that can give the rescue personnel precise indications about the user position.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for communicating a distress signal to the relevant bodies that affords quick communication of the distress signal and indicates the position in which the user is located with as much precision as possible.
  • the alarm device is of the type that comprises activating means for activating an alarm signal and is characterized in that it includes a detecting element for position tracking of said alarm device.
  • a method for communication of a distress signal to relevant personnel by the alarm device as mentioned above which is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
  • the detecting element of the alarm device comprises at least one electronic circuit for radio-frequency signal transmission, such as those used for mobile telephony or wireless communication networks.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the alarm device as the alarm device is activated, it allows automatic generation of an alarm signal which is transmitted through the telecommunications network to the rescue personnel.
  • the features of the telecommunications network allow to track a limited area within which the user is located.
  • the electronic radio-frequency signal transmitting circuit operates in one of the mobile telephony frequency bands
  • the signal can be advantageously triangulated for precise position tracking.
  • the tracked area obviously has a large size.
  • the circuit for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based tracking system and the height tracking means advantageously allow the alarm signal to be complemented by data related to the precise geographic position of the user.
  • the short-range radio- frequency signal transmission means advantageously allow detection of the user position through a specially conceived receiving unit available to the rescue personnel.
  • the detecting element that is part of the alarm device of the invention allows position tracking of the device in three different manners, possibly in combination:
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the alarm device of this invention.
  • - Figs. 2 to 5 show certain operating conditions of the alarm device of the invention.
  • the alarm device of the invention is shown in Fig. 1 , in which it is generally designated by numeral 1 and is shown as comprising activating means 2 for activating an alarm signal.
  • the alarm device 1 comprises at least one detecting element 3 which allows position tracking of the alarm device 1.
  • the detecting element 3 mainly incorporates at least one electronic radio-frequency signal transmission circuit 5 of the type that is commonly used for mobile telephony.
  • the electronic transmission circuit may be, for example, of the GSM or UMTS type or both.
  • the radio-frequency signals transmitted by the inventive device are of the type used for various telecommunications networks, such as PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN networks.
  • the detecting element 3 further comprises a circuit for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based positioning system 6, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), to advantageously allow the alarm device 1 to provide the precise geographic position in which the user is located.
  • a satellite-based positioning system 6 such as the Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the alarm device of the invention may include means for tracking the height at which it is and for transmitting it within the alarm signal.
  • the detecting element 3 of the alarm device 1 further comprises means 7 for transmitting a short-range radio-frequency signal.
  • the transmission means 7 consist preferably, but without limitation, an electronic circuit for transmitting radio-frequency signals on an emergency band which, in Italy, may be around 457 KHz.
  • the electronic circuit for transmitting short-range radio-frequency signals may be calibrated on bands other than the emergency bands, such as the Italian CB band, which is around 2.4 GHz.
  • this electronic circuit may be of the receiving type to allow each user to not only send distress signals, but also to come to the rescue of other users within the same range of the circuit.
  • the above embodiments shall not be intended to restrict the invention with respect to other different embodiments in which, for example, the alarm device is equipped with a detecting element that only comprises the electronic radio-frequency signal transmitting circuit of the type used for mobile telephony or, in addition to this circuit, the GPS signal receiving and processing circuit only or the short-range radio-frequency signal transmitting means only.
  • the alarm signal includes at least the unique identification code of the alarm device 1 of the invention. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated herein, it also includes a code that corresponds, as mentioned above, to the GPS-detected position of the alarm device 1 and may also include a code that reflects the measured height, if the device has height tracking means.
  • the device of the invention may be operably connected to visual and/or auditory indicators through activating means.
  • These indicators may be located inside or outside the alarm device and advantageously provide a further means for attracting the attention of people that might come to the rescue of the user.
  • the activating means 2 include at least one pushbutton 10 that may be located within the container of the alarm device or, advantageously, in a different container, communicating with the device through radio-frequency signals, such as Bluetooth signals.
  • Such device further comprises power supply means 1 1 , i.e. preferably, but without limitation, one or more batteries, generally of the rechargeable type.
  • power supply means 1 1 i.e. preferably, but without limitation, one or more batteries, generally of the rechargeable type.
  • the alarm device of the invention may be coupled to a second identical device that is designed to come into operation in case of failure of the former.
  • the second alarm device comes into operation and keeps on transmitting the distress signal.
  • the alarm device 1 may be a stand-alone device available to the user, of a size comparable to that of any remote control used for opening and closing gates or the like, although it can also be integrated in a mobile telephony apparatus.
  • the invention also relates to a method for communicating a distress signal to security personnel by the alarm device 1 of this invention.
  • this method is characterized, according to the invention, by comprising the steps of:
  • the radio-frequency signal transmission circuit 6 which generates a signal that, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, has at least one carrier frequency within one of the frequency bands used for mobile telephony;
  • the activating means 2 when the user activates the alarm signal, by the activating means 2, such signal is transmitted through a special transmission circuit, to the mobile telephony network or, more generally, to the wireless communication network with which the device is designed to communicate.
  • the alarm device 1 and hence the user U are located in an area 15 that is covered by at least three antennas A1 , A2, A3 of the network, the position of the user U can be precisely tracked by triangulation.
  • the area 17 is particularly large, although restricted.
  • the sizes of the areas 16, 17 concerned by reception by one antenna A3 or two antennas A2, A3 obviously also depend on the type of network that receives the alarm signal.
  • the alarm signal contains indications about the exact position of the alarm device 1 provided by the GPS and the height tracking means.
  • decoding of the received signal allows precise tracking of the user U.
  • the activated alarm signal also activates the short-range signal transmission means 6.
  • the range of such signal is restricted to a few hundreds or meters or a few kilometers, due to legal requirements, to the need of preserving the power supply means 1 1 and to the possible presence of obstacles to the propagation of radio-frequency signals.
  • the rescue personnel P in charge of tracking the user U will be equipped with a device 20 for detecting such short-range signal for user tracking.
  • an alarm device 1 of the invention always allows the rescue personnel P to track the user U in any situation, provided that he/she is within the coverage of the mobile telephony network.
  • the alarm device 1 may be added to the alarm signal, for the rescue personnel to be able to readily determine the identity of the user U. Due to the above, the alarm device and the method for communicating distress signals of the invention fulfill all the intended objects.
  • the inventive object of providing an alarm device that allows the user to transmit a distress signal to the relevant bodies as quickly as possible is fulfilled by the provision that the alarm signal is activated by simply pressing a pushbutton.
  • the object of providg an alarm device that can give the rescue personnel precise indications about the user position is also fulfilled.

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable alarm device (1) of the type comprising activating means (2) for activating an alarm signal and detecting elements (3) for position tracking of the alarm device (1). The invention further relates to a method for location and communication of a distress signal to relevant personnel (P) by the alarm device (1), comprising the steps of : activating the transmission of an alarm signal through a radio-frequency signal transmission circuit (5) which is part of the alarm device (1); receiving the alarm signal through antennas (A1, A2, A3) which are part of a telecommunications network; tracking the area (15, 16, 17) in which the alarm device (1) is located through such antennas (A1, A2, A3); communicating reception of the alarm signal and the area (15, 16, 17) in which the alarm device (1) is located to relevant personnel (1).

Description

ALARM DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCATION AND COMMUNICATION OF A DISTRESS SIGNAL TO SECURITY PERSONNEL
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an alarm device to be employed by a user to transmit a distress signal to security personnel or other relevant personnel in case of assaults or other dangers.
This invention also relates to a method for communicating this distress signal by the above alarm device.
State of the Art
Distress conditions are known in which a person may need help when in danger, e.g. due to an attempted assault and robbery or attack.
In these situations, it is critical for such person to warn the rescue personnel as quickly as possible and provide exact position details to allow quick intervention.
In prior art, people in these conditions ask for the help of passers-by or make emergency calls from a cellular phone, if they have one.
As is apparent, while this response to the problem fulfils the intended purpose, it still suffers from certain well-known drawbacks.
One of these drawbacks is that danger situations often do not occur when there are people passing by near the person to be rescued.
Also, passers-by are unfortunately often inhibited from taking direct action, by fear or else. One more drawback is that the cellular phone call requires time and attention from the person in distress, which are not always available, due to the inherent stress in the situation or the physical impediment generated, for instance, by an attack. Also, a further drawback is that the person to be rescued is not always able to provide precise indications about his/her position.
Summary of the invention
Therefore, the object of this invention is to overcome the above prior art drawbacks.
Particularly, the object of this invention is to provide an alarm device that allows the user to transmit a distress signal to the relevant bodies as quickly as possible.
A further object of this invention is to provide an alarm device that can give the rescue personnel precise indications about the user position.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for communicating a distress signal to the relevant bodies that affords quick communication of the distress signal and indicates the position in which the user is located with as much precision as possible. These objects are fulfilled by an alarm device as defined in the main claim.
Particularly, the alarm device is of the type that comprises activating means for activating an alarm signal and is characterized in that it includes a detecting element for position tracking of said alarm device.
The above objects are further fulfilled by a method for communication of a distress signal to relevant personnel by the alarm device as mentioned above, which is characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
- activating the transmission of an alarm signal through a radio-frequency signal transmission circuit which is part of said device; - receiving said alarm signal through at least one antenna, which is part of a telecommunications network;
- tracking the area in which said alarm device is located through said at least one antenna;
- communicating reception of said alarm signal and said area in which said alarm device is located to said relevant personnel.
The remaining claims contain details about the alarm device and the method of the invention.
Particularly, the detecting element of the alarm device comprises at least one electronic circuit for radio-frequency signal transmission, such as those used for mobile telephony or wireless communication networks.
It may further comprise:
- electronic circuits for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based positioning system, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS);
- height tracking means;
- means for transmitting and receiving short-range radio-frequency signals, such as those covered by emergency frequency bands.
Advantageously, as the alarm device is activated, it allows automatic generation of an alarm signal which is transmitted through the telecommunications network to the rescue personnel.
Thus, communication of the alarm signal occurs in almost no time and requires no user effort in danger situations.
Furthermore, the features of the telecommunications network allow to track a limited area within which the user is located.
Particularly, for example, when the electronic radio-frequency signal transmitting circuit operates in one of the mobile telephony frequency bands, if the user is located in an area in which the alarm signal is detected by at least three antennas of the network, the signal can be advantageously triangulated for precise position tracking.
However, if less than three antennas receive the alarm signal, the tracked area obviously has a large size.
In this case, the circuit for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based tracking system and the height tracking means advantageously allow the alarm signal to be complemented by data related to the precise geographic position of the user.
If the latter circuit is not sufficient to track the user position, the short-range radio- frequency signal transmission means advantageously allow detection of the user position through a specially conceived receiving unit available to the rescue personnel.
Also, it may occur that if other users are equipped with the alarm device of the invention and have enabled the short-range radio-frequency signal receiving means, they may come to the rescue of the user.
Therefore, in short, the detecting element that is part of the alarm device of the invention allows position tracking of the device in three different manners, possibly in combination:
- triangulation of the received alarm signal by antennas of telecommunications networks;
- reading of the coordinates in the alarm signal, as provided by the circuit for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based positioning system;
- detecting and tracking of the short-range radio-frequency signal. Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other objects and advantages, as better explained hereafter, will be more apparent from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of illustration and without limitation with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the alarm device of this invention;
- Figs. 2 to 5 show certain operating conditions of the alarm device of the invention.
Detailed description of a preferred embodiment
The alarm device of the invention is shown in Fig. 1 , in which it is generally designated by numeral 1 and is shown as comprising activating means 2 for activating an alarm signal.
According to the invention, the alarm device 1 comprises at least one detecting element 3 which allows position tracking of the alarm device 1.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the detecting element 3 mainly incorporates at least one electronic radio-frequency signal transmission circuit 5 of the type that is commonly used for mobile telephony.
In this sense, the electronic transmission circuit may be, for example, of the GSM or UMTS type or both.
Nevertheless, this does not intend to restrict the various embodiments of the invention, in which the radio-frequency signals transmitted by the inventive device are of the type used for various telecommunications networks, such as PAN, LAN, MAN, WAN networks.
The detecting element 3 further comprises a circuit for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based positioning system 6, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), to advantageously allow the alarm device 1 to provide the precise geographic position in which the user is located.
Considering that the user may be in such conditions as to need help from within a multistory building, according to a further variant embodiment, the alarm device of the invention may include means for tracking the height at which it is and for transmitting it within the alarm signal.
The detecting element 3 of the alarm device 1 further comprises means 7 for transmitting a short-range radio-frequency signal.
Particularly, the transmission means 7 consist preferably, but without limitation, an electronic circuit for transmitting radio-frequency signals on an emergency band which, in Italy, may be around 457 KHz.
Apparently, the electronic circuit for transmitting short-range radio-frequency signals may be calibrated on bands other than the emergency bands, such as the Italian CB band, which is around 2.4 GHz.
Furthermore, this electronic circuit may be of the receiving type to allow each user to not only send distress signals, but also to come to the rescue of other users within the same range of the circuit.
Apparently, the above embodiments shall not be intended to restrict the invention with respect to other different embodiments in which, for example, the alarm device is equipped with a detecting element that only comprises the electronic radio-frequency signal transmitting circuit of the type used for mobile telephony or, in addition to this circuit, the GPS signal receiving and processing circuit only or the short-range radio-frequency signal transmitting means only.
Concerning the alarm signal, it includes at least the unique identification code of the alarm device 1 of the invention. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated herein, it also includes a code that corresponds, as mentioned above, to the GPS-detected position of the alarm device 1 and may also include a code that reflects the measured height, if the device has height tracking means.
According to a further variant embodiment, the device of the invention may be operably connected to visual and/or auditory indicators through activating means.
These indicators may be located inside or outside the alarm device and advantageously provide a further means for attracting the attention of people that might come to the rescue of the user.
Concerning the activating means 2, they include at least one pushbutton 10 that may be located within the container of the alarm device or, advantageously, in a different container, communicating with the device through radio-frequency signals, such as Bluetooth signals.
This affords a more convenient use of the alarm device of the invention.
Such device further comprises power supply means 1 1 , i.e. preferably, but without limitation, one or more batteries, generally of the rechargeable type. Also, the alarm device of the invention may be coupled to a second identical device that is designed to come into operation in case of failure of the former.
This is particularly advantageous in case of assaults, when the alarm device can be damaged by the assaulter.
In this case, the second alarm device comes into operation and keeps on transmitting the distress signal.
It will be appreciated from the above that the alarm device 1 may be a stand-alone device available to the user, of a size comparable to that of any remote control used for opening and closing gates or the like, although it can also be integrated in a mobile telephony apparatus.
As mentioned above, the invention also relates to a method for communicating a distress signal to security personnel by the alarm device 1 of this invention.
In operation, this method is characterized, according to the invention, by comprising the steps of:
- activating the transmission of an alarm signal through the radio-frequency signal transmission circuit 6 which generates a signal that, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, has at least one carrier frequency within one of the frequency bands used for mobile telephony;
- receiving said alarm signal through at least one antenna, which is part of the mobile telephony network;
- tracking the area in which said alarm device 1 is located through the above mentioned antenna;
- communicating reception of the alarm signal and the area in which the user is located to the rescue personnel.
Essentially, when the user activates the alarm signal, by the activating means 2, such signal is transmitted through a special transmission circuit, to the mobile telephony network or, more generally, to the wireless communication network with which the device is designed to communicate.
If, as shown in Fig. 2, the alarm device 1 , and hence the user U are located in an area 15 that is covered by at least three antennas A1 , A2, A3 of the network, the position of the user U can be precisely tracked by triangulation.
However if, as shown in Fig. 3, only two antennas A1 and A2 can receive the alarm signal, a larger area 16 is tracked by the mobile telephony network.
Obviously if, as shown in Fig. 4, the alarm signal is received by one antenna A3 only, the area 17 is particularly large, although restricted.
The sizes of the areas 16, 17 concerned by reception by one antenna A3 or two antennas A2, A3 obviously also depend on the type of network that receives the alarm signal.
Nevertheless, as mentioned above, the alarm signal contains indications about the exact position of the alarm device 1 provided by the GPS and the height tracking means.
Thus, in this case, decoding of the received signal allows precise tracking of the user U.
Should the user of a satellite-based positioning system fail to detect the position of the alarm device 1 , the activated alarm signal also activates the short-range signal transmission means 6.
Particularly, the range of such signal is restricted to a few hundreds or meters or a few kilometers, due to legal requirements, to the need of preserving the power supply means 1 1 and to the possible presence of obstacles to the propagation of radio-frequency signals.
Thus, the rescue personnel P in charge of tracking the user U will be equipped with a device 20 for detecting such short-range signal for user tracking.
It is thus apparent that an alarm device 1 of the invention always allows the rescue personnel P to track the user U in any situation, provided that he/she is within the coverage of the mobile telephony network.
It will be further appreciated that a unique identification code for the alarm device 1 may be added to the alarm signal, for the rescue personnel to be able to readily determine the identity of the user U. Due to the above, the alarm device and the method for communicating distress signals of the invention fulfill all the intended objects.
Particularly, the inventive object of providing an alarm device that allows the user to transmit a distress signal to the relevant bodies as quickly as possible is fulfilled by the provision that the alarm signal is activated by simply pressing a pushbutton.
The object of providg an alarm device that can give the rescue personnel precise indications about the user position is also fulfilled.
During implementation of the alarm device and method of the invention, a number of changes may be made thereto that shall be intended under the protection of this patent, although not shown and described herein, provided they are within the scope as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable alarm device (1 ) of the type that comprises activating means (2) for activating an alarm signal, characterized in that it includes a detecting element (3) for the position tracking of said alarm device (1 ).
2. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said detecting element (3) comprises at least one electronic circuit (5) for transmitting radio- frequency signals.
3. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said radio- frequency signals are of the type as used for wireless communication networks.
4. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said radio- frequency signals are of the type as used for mobile telephony.
5. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detecting element (3) comprises a circuit (6) for receiving and processing signals of a satellite-based positioning system.
6. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detecting element comprises means for tracking the altitude of said alarm device.
7. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detecting element (3) comprises means (7) for transmitting a short-range radio-frequency signal.
8. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that it comprises means for receiving said short-range radio-frequency signal.
9. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said short- range radio-frequency signal is of the type contained in the distress frequency band.
10. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said alarm signal comprises at least one unique identification code for said alarm signal.
1 1 . An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said alarm signal comprises a code corresponding to the position of said alarm device as detected by said detecting element (3).
12. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 6 or 1 1 , characterized in that said alarm signal comprises a code corresponding to the height position of said alarm device as detected by said detecting element.
13. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for activating visual and/or auditory indicators.
14. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said activating means include at least one pushbutton (10).
15. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises power supply means (1 1 ) for said alarm device (1 )-
16. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 15, characterized in said power supply means (1 1 ) include one or more batteries.
17. An alarm device (1 ) as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that batteries are of the rechargeable type.
18. A mobile telephone apparatus of the type comprising:
- at least one keypad;
- one or more circuits for receiving/transmitting radio-frequency signals in at least one of the frequency bands dedicated to mobile telephony; characterized in that it comprises an alarm device (1 ) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.
19. A method for communicating a distress signal to relevant personnel (P) by an alarm device (1 ), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- activating the transmission of an alarm signal through a radio-frequency signal transmission circuit (5) which is part of said alarm device;
- receiving said alarm signal through at least one antenna (A1 , A2, A3), which is part of a telecommunications network;
- tracking the area (15, 16, 17) in which said alarm device is located through said at least one antenna (A1 , A2, A3);
- communicating reception of said alarm signal and said area (15, 16, 17) in which said alarm device is located to said relevant personnel (P).
20. A method for communicating a distress signal as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that said alarm signal comprises at least one unique identification code for said alarm signal.
21 . A method for locating and communicating a distress signal as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that said step of activating the transmission of said alarm signal includes the following operations:
- determining the geographic coordinates of the position of said alarm device by a circuit (6) for receiving and processing signals of a positioning system;
- adding said coordinates to said alarm signal.
22. A method for communicating a distress signal as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21 , characterized in that said step of activating the transmission of said alarm signal is also followed by the steps of: - activating the transmission of a tracking signal by means (7) for transmitting short-range radio-frequency signals;
- receiving said tracking signal by a detecting device (20) available to said relevant personnel (P);
- determining the position of said alarm device by means of said detecting device (20).
PCT/IB2008/051142 2007-03-27 2008-03-27 Alarm device and method for location and communication of a distress signal to security personnel WO2008117253A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITVI2007A000085 2007-03-27
ITVI20070085 ITVI20070085A1 (en) 2007-03-27 2007-03-27 ALARM DEVICE AND METHOD OF LOCALIZATION AND COMMUNICATION OF A RESCUE REQUEST TO PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF

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Cited By (6)

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ITPD20080302A1 (en) * 2008-10-21 2010-04-22 Saulle Mattei PORTABLE RESCUE DEVICE.
GB2474094A (en) * 2009-07-31 2011-04-06 Camwatch Ltd Lone worker alarm system
CN102314752A (en) * 2011-03-09 2012-01-11 深圳市中大信通科技有限公司 Wireless alarm network available for zone location
EP2717237A1 (en) * 2012-10-03 2014-04-09 Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives System for transmitting an alert
WO2017154030A1 (en) * 2016-03-10 2017-09-14 Skygates S.R.L. Portable electronic device comprising means for emitting an alarm signal
RU223322U1 (en) * 2023-12-06 2024-02-13 Михаил Леонидович Струпинский PORTABLE ALARM DEVICE

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ITVI20070085A1 (en) 2008-09-28
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