Gte Laboratories Incorporated

Gte Products Corporation

Robert A Norbedo

Robert J Fahey

Martin L Resnick

J Edward Schlener

Apparatus for a signalling system. The apparatus includes a plurality of remote control units each of which is arranged to store self-check timing data therein. This data has a value representing a predetermined period of time the expiration of which corresponds to a predetermined time of day differing from the times of day associated with at least some of the other remote control units. At or following this particular time of day, a self-check operation is initiated for communicating a self-check message, including identification number data identifying the remote control unit, to a centralized communications center. A computer at the communications center receives and processes self-check messages produced by the remote control units and operates in response to each message from a remote control unit to note the identification number data therein and, using this data, to derive self-check timing data for use by the remote control unit in the next self-check operation. The self-check timing data has a value representing a period of time the expiration of which corresponds to the same time of day at or following which the last self-check operation was initiated by the remote control unit. The new self-check timing data is communicated back to the remote control unit for use thereby in initiating the next self-check operation.

Apparatus for signalling system

Apparatus for a signalling system. The signalling system includes a remote control unit arranged to communicate with a centralized communications center. The remote control unit operates at or following a specified time of day to initiate a self-check call and to communicate data to the communications center. The communications center includes a disc unit which stores therein self-check timing data specifying the time of day at which the remote control unit is scheduled to initiate a self-check call. A computer at the communications center receives data from the remote control unit and operates in response thereto to update the self-check timing data in the disc unit to specify the time of day at which the next self-check call is to be initiated by the remote control unit. In the absence of data from the remote control unit, there is no updating of the self-check timing data. On a regular basis, the self-check timing data in the disc unit is compared with time-of-day data produced by a clock and representing the present time of day. In the event the self-check timing data in the disc unit specifies a time of day earlier by more than a predetermined amount than the present time of day, the computer operates to produce an output condition indicating a missing or late self-check call. The output conditions may be used in the preparation of a hard-copy printout for maintenance purposes.

A variable timing system including a remote control unit employed in the residence of an individual and interconnected with a centralized communication system by a telephone network. The remote control unit includes a plurality of storage devices arranged to store count data for use by the remote control unit in the performance of its operations and representing particular periods of time. The centralized communications center includes a disc storage unit which is also arranged to store count data therein representing particular periods of time. An operator-controlled unit at the communications center may be used in conjunction with a computer to selectively vary the value of any one or more of the count data stored in the disc unit thereby to correspond to increased or decreased periods of time. Under prescribed conditions the remote control unit operates to establish communication with the communications center for the purpose of transmitting specified data to the communications center. Upon establishing this communication, the computer operates to extract from the disc storage unit the various count data stored therein and to communicate the count data back to the remote control unit. The count data is then stored in the appropriate storage devices of the remote control unit for use by the remote control unit.

Variable timing system

Apparatus for a signalling system, includes a microprocessor operative to process data words and command words within first and second message intervals. During the first message interval, the microprocessor operates to generate and apply data words in succession to an output terminal and to receive and test command words received in succession at an input terminal. During the second message interval, the microprocessor operates to receive and test data words received in succession at the input terminal and to generate and apply command words in succession to the output terminal. Each command word includes flag data specifying the word as a command word and command data representing either a 'send' command or a 'retransmit' command. Each data word includes flag data specifying the word as a data word. The proper receipt and acceptance of a 'send' command word in the first message interval results in a data word being applied to the output terminal, and the proper receipt and acceptance of a 'retransmit' command word in the first message interval results in the previous data word being reapplied to the output terminal. The proper receipt and acceptance of a data word in the second message interval results in a 'send' command word being applied to the output terminal; otherwise, a 'retransmit' command word is applied to the output terminal.

Signalling system including apparatus for generating and testing data

Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health care system. The system includes a remote control unit in the residence of an individual and interconnected with a centralized communications center by a telephone network. A plurality of sensors located within the residence of the individual operate to monitor the occurrence of particular activities performed by the individual and to produce signals in response to monitoring the occurrence of the activities. A microprocessor in the remote control unit receives and processes signals produced by the sensors and accumulates sensor activity data representing a running tally of the number of times each sensor has monitored its associated activities. On a daily basis, the sensor activity data is transmitted to the centralized communications center. A disc storage unit at the communications center stores sensor presence data therein specifying the presence of each of the sensors within the system. A computer at the communications center examines the sensor activity data readout from the remote control unit and the sensor presence data for each of the sensors stored in the disc unit and operates if the sensor activity data corresponding to any of the sensors specified to be present in the system by the data in the disc unit indicates that the sensor has not monitored its associated activity since the last readout of data from the remote control unit to produce an output condition. This output condition may be used to derive a hard-copy printout for maintenance purposes.

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North Andover, MA, United States of America

Robert A Norbedo