Emergency alert and security apparatus and method

Abstract

A telecommunications system which includes a 911 and voice message service platform for providing such services as telephone answering, voice mail and call completion. An emergency/safety notification system is incorporated and includes a monitor/router device passively connected to the 911 trunk to detect number identification signals. A first storage is provided with the monitor/router and has stored therein data identifying telephone stations subscribing to the emergency alert service. The monitor/router is connectable to the VMS platform and transmits thereto the identification of subscriber stations whose identity is detected from the 911 trunk. The VMS platform is provided with second storage for storing voice data signals generated by the subscriber stations in addition to data including the identity of destination telephone stations to whom the voice data is to be provided. A switch connects the VMS platform to the destination telephone stations to deliver the voice message data at the command of the subscriber telephone stations. The network is structured to provide both the 911 call and the voice message delivery simultaneously or separately. The delivery may be initiated by manual dialing or auto-dialing under the control of a remote unit containing a radio transmitter and actuating buttons. The system includes apparatus to monitor the delivery of said voice data and upon detecting failure to establish connection to effect such delivery to initiate a call to the subscriber station and/or 911.