US 6,307,920 B1 · Microprocessor controlled dispatcher activated response identification system with telephone and radio frequency interface

Abstract

A signaling system (10) in the form of a dispatcher activated response identification system is provided for responding exclusively to a predefined signal transmitted from a first location through a telephone service line interconnected thereby with a telephone at a second location to assist responding personnel in identifying the second location when the predefined signal is transmitted from the first location. The signaling system includes first and second electronic circuits (40, 60) at the second location. The first electronic circuit is adapted to generate a first signal (58) at the second location in response to receiving the predefined signal transmitted through the telephone service line. The second electronic circuit is physically separated from the first electronic circuit and is preferably placed where it is easily visible from the street such as in a window. The second electronic circuit generates a visual indicia at the second location in response to the first signal being transmitted from the first circuit. Preferably, the visual indicia is generated by a stroboscopic light emitting diode. The first electronic circuit is responsive to dual tone (DTMF) signals, a sequence of tone signals, or modem signals transmitted on the telephone service line. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the first electronic circuit is responsive to radio frequency signals transmitted from the dispatcher to the caller's location.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A signaling system that is responsive exclusively to a predefined signal transmitted from a dispatcher at a first location through a telephone service line interconnected thereby with a telephone at a second location to assist responding personnel in identifying the second location when the predefined signal is transmitted from the first location, the signaling system comprising:

a first electronic circuit interconnected with said telephone service line, the first electronic circuit being adapted to generate a first signal at said second location in response exclusively to said predefined signal transmitted from the dispatcher at the first location through said telephone service line;
and,
a second electronic circuit associated with the first electronic circuit at said second location and disconnected from said telephone service line, the second electronic circuit being adapted to generate a visual locating indicia at said second location in response to said first signal transmitted from said first circuit, the visual locating indicia being directly intelligible by the responding personnel.

A signaling system that is responsive to a predefined radio frequency signal transmitted from a dispatcher at a first location through the air to a second location to assist responding personnel associated with said dispatcher in identifying the second location from among other locations not the second location when the predefined radio frequency signal is transmitted from the first location to the second location, the signaling system comprising:

a radio frequency receiving circuit adapted to receive said first radio frequency signal from the first location and generate a first electronic signal in response to receiving the first radio frequency signal;
a decoder circuit adapted to decode said first electronic signal and generate a decoded signal;
a programmable microprocessor circuit adapted to receive the decoded signal and generate a locating indicia enable signal when the decoded signal matches a predetermined identification code stored in programmable microprocessor circuit;
and,
a visual locating indicia device operatively connected to the programmable microprocessor circuit and responsive to the locating indicia enable signal to generate a visual indicia at said second location in response to said first radio frequency signal transmitted from said first circuit, the visual indicia being directly intelligible by the responding personnel to assist said responding personnel in identifying the second location.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microprocessor controlled dispatcher activated response identification system with telephone and radio frequency interface

Life of this patent

Microprocessor controlled dispatcher activated response identification system with telephone and radio frequency interface

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20