Emergency and hazard alarm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for manually and / or at least semi-automatically triggering a notification of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and / or by means of data communication between the trigger and the emergency response center, wherein in a at least one operating element (3, 4, 5), preferably designed as a push-button switch (3, 4, 5), for manually triggering a message, a microphone (6), a loudspeaker (7), and optionally an antenna (8) or optionally an antenna connection for an antenna (8) exhibiting Housing (2), on a single-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB) or a multi-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB) with at least one microphone input (6), at least one output for the loudspeaker (7), and optionally at least one connection for the optional antenna (8) or the optional antenna connection for one antenna (8) a power supply device (10) with at least one rechargeable storage device (10) for electrical energy for preferably uninterruptible power supply of a device arranged on the single-piece or multi-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB) Microcontrollers (11, QTPY) and Radio modems (12) for voice communication and / or data communication over a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, in particular a mobile communications standard of the second to sixth generation (2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), 5G, and / or 6G).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for manually and / or at least semi-automatically triggering a notification of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and / or by means of data communication between the triggerer and the emergency response center, hereinafter also referred to as an alarm triggering device.

[0002] In the prior art, so-called emergency and hazard systems or emergency and hazard response systems are known, the purpose of which is to enable the simplest possible transmission of an emergency or hazard message and the rapid provision of assistance in the event of an emergency or hazard. Such systems are used for various types of applications, for example, for emergencies, alarms, or calls for help, and are generally intended for use in public buildings, such as kindergartens, schools, government offices, or similar institutions. However, they can also be used in non-public buildings or, for example, on factory premises, particularly to protect the life and limb of individuals and to comply with relevant legal requirements, such as those concerning occupational safety. These systems involve emergency and hazard reporting.Hazard alerts are received by means of an emergency and hazard response system and forwarded to appropriate recipients providing assistance, for example authorities or organizations with security tasks - also known as BOS - so that assistance can be provided in a suitable manner.

[0003] The preliminary standard DIN VDE V 0827 "Emergency and Hazard Systems" outlines and describes, for example, the requirements, tasks, and / or functions of such systems. Emergency and hazard detectors according to DIN VDE V 0827-1 are used, in particular, to manually trigger a notification of an acute emergency or hazard – hereinafter also referred to as an alarm notification. Depending on the application, these detectors may, or in some cases must, enable data or voice communication between the trigger and the emergency response team, especially for the direct verification of an alarm notification.

[0004] Corresponding emergency and hazard systems or emergency and hazard response systems are usually complex and costly in terms of both setup and operation.

[0005] Furthermore, problems arise particularly with regard to the supply of electrical power, especially for alarm triggering devices that are not connected to an electrical power supply network, for example, due to a failure of the power supply network or electrical supply lines, or the inability to connect the alarm triggering device to a power supply network. Due to the limited storage capacity of electrical energy, problems also arise with alarm triggering devices equipped with accumulators or batteries, some of which are capable of operating independently, particularly regarding operating time without battery replacement or the time intervals for recharging accumulators.

[0006] While alarm solutions are known in the prior art that utilize a radio modem operable in a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, powered by a rechargeable battery, a disadvantage of these known solutions is their limited energy consumption, restricting their operation to a short period of a few days to a few weeks. Consequently, they require frequent recharging, resulting in significant and disproportionate maintenance costs. Therefore, they are unsuitable or impermissible for reliable operation in conjunction with, or as, emergency and hazard systems or emergency and hazard response systems.

[0007] A further problem with existing alarm solutions that utilize a radio modem operating within a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard is that the microphones and speakers used in these systems are only equivalent to those used in mobile phones, which are less powerful. This is particularly problematic because they must be operated with power levels, voltages, and currents comparable to those provided by mobile phones. Especially in noisy or disruptive environments, such as industrial plants or factories, or during malfunctions, ambient noise levels are such that these microphones and speakers are unsuitable for reliably and intelligibly exchanging messages of an acute emergency or danger via voice communication between the triggering party and the responding agency.Microphones or loudspeakers that could do this often have higher requirements in terms of power, voltage or current, which mobile phones cannot provide or which significantly reduce their operating time without recharging.

[0008] Against this background, the present invention aims to eliminate the disadvantages of the solutions known in the prior art, in particular without limiting the reliability with regard to their functionality as alarm detectors or alarm triggers, especially with regard to their operating time without recharging.

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a device, particularly characterized in the claims, for the manual and / or at least semi-automatic triggering of a notification of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and / or by means of data communication between the trigger and the helping authority.

[0010] Such a device according to the invention for manually and / or at least semi-automatically triggering a message of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and / or by means of data communication between the trigger and the emergency response center, hereinafter also referred to as an alarm triggering device, advantageously provides that in a at least one operating element, preferably designed as a push-button switch, for manually triggering a message, a microphone a loudspeaker and optionally an antenna or optionally an antenna connection for an antenna exhibiting Housing, preferably made of metal, on a single-piece or multi-piece printed circuit board - hereinafter also referred to as PCB (PCB: Printed Circuit Board) - with at least one microphone input, at least one output for the speaker, and optionally at least one connection for the optional antenna or the optional antenna connection for one antenna a power supply unit with at least one rechargeable storage device for electrical energy for a preferably uninterruptible power supply of a device arranged on a single-piece or multi-piece circuit board Microcontrollers and Radio modems for voice and / or data communication over a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, in particular a mobile communications standard of the second to sixth generation Generation (2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), 5G, and / or 6G).

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a voice connection, preferably a two-way voice connection, is triggered or established exclusively manually by actuating the respective push button.

[0012] Advantageously, data communication can be used to transmit the exact location of the device.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the single-piece or multi-piece circuit board includes at least one voltage converter connected or connectable to the power supply unit for an amplifier supplying electrical energy to the loudspeaker and / or the microphone, and at least one voltage converter connected or connectable to the power supply unit for the microcontroller. Advantageously, the single-piece or multi-piece circuit board also includes at least one voltage converter connected or connectable to the power supply unit for the radio modem. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a voltage converter for the microcontroller also provides a voltage converter for the radio modem.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the voltage converter for the amplifier supplying electrical energy to the loudspeaker and / or the microphone and the voltage converter for the microcontroller can also be provided by only one voltage converter or voltage conversion device, which provides different voltage values ​​for the connected components, i.e., on the one hand the loudspeaker and microphone and on the other hand the microcontroller.

[0015] Advantageously, the voltage converter provides an output voltage of 5.0 volts (5.0 V) and a current in a range of up to 2.0 amperes (2.0 A) for the amplifier supplying electrical energy to the loudspeaker and / or the microphone.

[0016] Advantageously, the voltage converter provides the microcontroller with an output voltage of 5.0 volts (5.0 V) and a current in a range of up to 0.0455 amperes (0.0455 A).

[0017] Advantageously, the voltage converter for the radio modem provides an output voltage in a range of 1.5 volts (1.5 V) to 5.0 volts (5.0 V), preferably from 1.8 volts (1.8 V) to 3.3 volts (3.3 V), and a current in a range of up to 3.0 amperes (3.0 A).

[0018] An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the speech communication is two-way speech communication.

[0019] Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the reporting of an acute emergency or danger or voice communication with an assistance center is carried out or can be carried out by means of Push-to-talk over Cellular (PTToC, PoC or PTT).

[0020] A further particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides a device according to the invention, wherein the at least one control element, preferably designed as a push-button switch, for manually triggering a message via a data storage device is assigned or assignable a unique telephone number that can be dialed via the mobile network, which is used or can be used by the radio modem for a communication connection when the control element is actuated, wherein, in the case of more than one control element, preferably designed as a push-button switch, for manually triggering a message, each control element in the data storage device is assigned or assignable its own unique telephone number that can be dialed via the mobile network.

[0021] Advantageously, the unique telephone number that can be dialed by the radio modem via the mobile network can be individually set or predefined in the data storage, preferably via the mobile network.

[0022] Advantageously, the data storage is provided by the microcontroller and / or by the single- or multi-part circuit board. The microcontroller can then advantageously use the data storage and provide the radio modem with the respective phone number for the communication connection, in particular to contact or call the emergency services.

[0023] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the housing of the device is designed to be vandal-proof.

[0024] Advantageously, the housing has an IK impact resistance rating in accordance with international standard IEC 62262 or EN 62262.

[0025] Advantageously, the housing of the device can be installed by screwing, preferably a screw connection that is not accessible from the outside or outside the housing, or a vandal-proof screw connection, or by gluing, for example on a wall in an interior area such as a building or an exterior area such as an open space or the like.

[0026] Advantageously, at least one control element is designed as a vandal-proof button.

[0027] Advantageously, at least one control element has a light source, preferably an LED. The light source makes the control element more visible. Advantageously, the light source is automatically activated or can be activated in darkness or at a predefined ambient light intensity.

[0028] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one rechargeable storage device for electrical energy [accumulator] of the power supply unit enables the operation of the device for a duration of at least three to five years with only one charge or recharge.

[0029] Advantageously, at least one rechargeable electrical energy storage device for the power supply unit is a so-called industrial battery or an IoT battery. A preferred embodiment provides for the use of the following rechargeable storage device: Protected 3500 mAh, 10 A, 18650 Button Top Battery with UL2054 and CB cert from Liion Wholesale Batteries (USA).

[0030] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the at least one rechargeable storage device for electrical energy of the power supply unit can be monitored or controlled via the mobile network, preferably with regard to the remaining battery capacity.

[0031] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention provides at least one solar cell or solar panel for charging the rechargeable storage device. Advantageously, the solar cell or solar panel is an integral part of the housing or can be attached or fastened to it. A further embodiment provides a connection on the housing for connecting to the solar cell or solar panel.

[0032] Advantageously, the microcontroller is operated, or can be operated, in a standby mode. Therefore, the microcontroller is preferably consistently operated, or can be operated, in a power-saving mode.

[0033] A further embodiment of the invention provides that at least one smoke detector, connected or connectable to the power supply unit, or a connection for a smoke detector, is provided on the one-piece or multi-piece circuit board. Advantageously, this enables an expansion of the functionality(s) of the alarm triggering device according to the invention.

[0034] Further details, features and / or advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures of the drawings.

[0035] This shows: Fig. 1 in a top view an embodiment of an alarm triggering device according to the invention; and Fig. 2 in a schematic representation a basic embodiment of a printed circuit board of an alarm triggering device according to the invention with the components arranged on it and their interconnections.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of an alarm triggering device 1 according to the invention. The alarm triggering device 1 has a circular housing 2, preferably made of metal, which, in this top view, has three pushbuttons 3, 4 and 5 arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other in the circular area, a microphone 6 or recesses for a microphone 6 arranged below it (i.e., in the housing 2), and above the three pushbuttons 3, 4 and 5 a loudspeaker 7 or recesses for a loudspeaker 7 arranged below it (i.e., in the housing 2), and an antenna 8 provided on one or the side wall of the housing 2, in this case a pivotable and / or rotatable rod antenna 8. Other shapes of the housing 2 are possible according to the invention, for example rectangular or square housings 2.

[0037] The housing 2 is vandal-resistant and has an IK impact resistance rating according to international standard IEC 62262 or EN 62262. The housing 2 can be installed by screwing, preferably by screwing inaccessible from the outside or by using vandal-resistant screwing, or by bonding, for example to a wall in an interior area such as a building or an exterior area such as an open space or the like. Advantageously, it is also provided that the operating elements or pushbuttons 3, 4 and 5 are designed as so-called vandal-resistant pushbuttons. In addition, it is possible that the operating elements or pushbuttons 3, 4 and 5 each have a light source or a common light source, preferably an LED, which is preferably automatically activated or activatable in darkness or at a predefinable ambient light intensity, in particular to improve the visibility of the operating elements.Increase the pressure on pushbuttons 3, 4 and 5.

[0038] The housing 2 contains a single-piece printed circuit board 9, in this case a so-called PCB (PCB: Printed Circuit Board). The PCB 9 includes an input for the microphone 6, an output for the loudspeaker 7, a connection for the antenna 8 located outside the housing 2 on the housing 2, a power supply unit 10 with at least one rechargeable storage device for electrical energy, in this case an accumulator 10, a microcontroller (QTPY) 11, and a radio modem 12 for voice and / or data communication via a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, in particular a mobile communication standard of the second to sixth generation (2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), 5G, and / or 6G). The radio modem 12 located on the PCB 9 is preferably the Quectel EC21 modem. The EC21 is an LTE Cat 1 modem, which is the most energy-efficient modem category for LTE.Furthermore, the EC21 is also GSM-capable. However, according to the invention, other similarly energy-efficient radio modems can also be used instead of the EC21.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows the components on the circuit board 9 arranged in the housing 2 and their interconnections. The power supply unit 10 or the accumulator 10 thereof is designed or configured to provide a preferably uninterruptible power supply to the microcontroller (QTPY) 11 and the radio modem 12 arranged on the circuit board (PCB) 9.

[0040] In order to meet the different energy supply requirements, particularly with regard to the respective power, voltage, and current, of the microcontroller (QTPY) 11, radio modem 12, microphone 6, and loudspeaker 7, and at the same time to efficiently utilize the capacity of the battery 10 with a long operating time without recharging, a voltage converter 13, connected or connectable to the power supply unit 10, for an amplifier (Amp) 14 that supplies electrical energy to the loudspeaker 7 and the microphone 6, and a voltage converter 15, connected or connectable to the power supply unit 10, for the microcontroller (QTPY) 11 are also provided on the circuit board (PCB) 9.A connectable voltage converter is provided for the radio modem, which provides an output voltage of 1.8 volts (1.8 V) and 3.3 volts (3.3 V) for the radio modem 12.

[0041] To further increase the operating time of the alarm triggering device 1 without requiring recharging of the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10, the battery is designed and / or configured to enable operation for at least three to five years on a single charge. Advantageously, the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10 is a so-called industrial battery or an IoT battery. To improve the reliability of the alarm triggering device 1, the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10 can be monitored via the mobile network, preferably with regard to its operating status and available storage capacity or battery capacity. Advantageously, a so-called dashboard is provided according to the invention for this purpose, which can be used, in particular, to monitor when the remaining battery capacity falls below a certain threshold.Advantageously, it can be provided that a notification is sent via the mobile network to a monitoring device when a certain remaining battery capacity is undershot. Advantageously, it is configurable or predefined via the dashboard, for example, by enabling corresponding buttons on the dashboard, that such a notification can be sent via the mobile network. To further improve or increase the operating time of the alarm triggering device 1 without requiring recharging of the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10, the microcontroller (QTPY) 11 is operated in a standby mode, i.e., in a so-called power-saving mode. Advantageously, it is provided that the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10 sends its battery status once a day via the mobile network to a dedicated monitoring device.This is advantageously achieved by means of a timer, which is provided or implemented on circuit board 9.

[0042] The alarm triggering device 1 is advantageously configured to transmit a message indicating an acute emergency or danger, or to initiate voice communication with an emergency response center via Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC, PoC, or PTT). For this purpose, each of the operating elements or pushbuttons 3, 4, and 5 for manually triggering a message via a data storage device 16 is assigned a unique telephone number that can be dialed via the mobile network. The data storage device 16 is advantageously provided by the microcontroller 11, or its memory is used for this purpose. When an operating element or pushbutton 3, 4, or 5 is activated, the respective telephone number is read from the data storage device 16 and used by the radio modem 12 for a communication connection. The telephone number stored or that can be stored in the data storage device 16 is advantageously individually configurable.predefined, preferably via the mobile network, for example by means of a graphical user interface via a platform set up for this purpose or the like.

[0043] Based on Fig. 2. An advantageous functioning of the alarm triggering device 1 is given in particular as follows: The microcontroller 11 is consistently operated in a standby or power-saving mode. An exception to this is when it sends its battery status once a day. For this, a timer is used, preferably a 24-hour timer, which runs during the power-saving mode and takes the microcontroller out of this mode when the timer expires, thus ending the power-saving mode. The power-saving mode is also ended when one of the three pushbuttons 3, 4, or 5 is pressed.

[0044] Before the status or status data of the battery 10 of the power supply unit 10 is sent to a monitoring unit via the mobile network, the microcontroller 11 switches the MO pin from 0 volts (0 V) to 3.3 volts (3.3 V) to enable the power supply to the radio modem 12 by means of a transistor 17. Fig. 2 The radio modem is located on the circuit board (PCB) 9. Subsequently, a communication connection is established via the mobile network using the radio modem 12, for example via GSM or LTE, and the status data is sent via the mobile network.

[0045] Activating one of the pushbuttons 3, 4, 5 results in a rising edge at one of the pins (in Fig.2 A1, A2, A3) on microcontroller 11, which triggers an interrupt to wake it from power-saving mode. Next, microcontroller 11, by setting pins MO and SCL and using transistors, establishes the power supply to the radio modem 12 and the amplifier 14. Based on the correspondingly pressed push-button switch 3, 4, or 5, the respective phone number is then called via the mobile network.

[0046] The embodiments shown in the figures of the drawing and the embodiments explained in connection with them serve only to illustrate the invention and are not limiting. Reference symbol list: 1 Device / Alarm trigger device 2 cases 3 Control element / push button 4 Control element / push button 5 Control element / push button 6 microphones 7 speakers 8 Antenna / rod antenna 9 Circuit board / PCB (PCB: Printed Circuit Board) 10 Power supply unit / accumulator 11 Microcontrollers (QTPY) 12 Radio modem 13 Voltage converters (amplifiers (14)) 14 Amplifiers / Amps (Microphone (6), Speaker (7)) 15 voltage converters (microcontroller (11)) 16 Data storage 17 transistors QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] DIN VDE V 0827 “Emergency and hazard systems

[0003]

Claims

[1] Device (1) for manually and / or at least semi-automatically triggering a notification of an acute emergency or danger by means of voice communication and / or by means of data communication between the trigger and the emergency response center, where in a at least one operating element (3, 4, 5), preferably designed as a push-button switch (3, 4, 5), for manually triggering a message, a microphone (6), a loudspeaker (7), and optionally an antenna (8) or optionally an antenna connection for an antenna (8) exhibiting Housing (2), preferably made of metal, on a single-piece printed circuit board (PCB) or a multi-piece printed circuit board (PCB) with at least one microphone input (6), at least one output for the loudspeaker (7), and optionally at least one connection for the optional antenna (8) or the optional antenna connection for an antenna (8) a power supply unit (10) with at least one rechargeable storage device for electrical energy (10) for preferably uninterruptible power supply of a device arranged on the single-piece or multi-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB) Microcontrollers (11, QTPY) and Radio modems (12) for voice communication and / or data communication over a mobile network according to a mobile communication standard, in particular a mobile communications standard of the second to sixth generation (2G (GSM), 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), 5G, and / or 6G). [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the one-piece or multi-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB) at least one voltage converter (13) connected or connectable to the power supply unit (10) for an amplifier (14, Amp) supplying electrical energy to the loudspeaker (7) and / or the microphone (6), at least one voltage converter (15) connected or connectable to the power supply unit (10) for the microcontroller (11, QTPY), and at least one voltage converter connected or connectable to the power supply unit is provided for the radio modem (12). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein the voltage converter (13) provides an output voltage of 5.0 volts and a current in a range of up to 2.0 amperes for the amplifier (14, Amp) supplying electrical energy to the loudspeaker (7) and / or the microphone (6). [4] Device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the voltage converter (15) provides an output voltage of 5.0 volts and a current in a range of up to 0.0455 amperes for the microcontroller (11, QTPY). [5] Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the voltage converter for the radio modem provides an output voltage in a range of 1.5 volts to 5.0 volts, preferably from 1.8 volts to 3.3 volts, and a current in a range of up to 3.0 amperes. [6] Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a voltage converter for the microcontroller (11 OTPY) also provides a voltage converter for the radio modem (12). [7] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein speech communication is two-way speech communication. [8] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the notification of an acute emergency or danger or voice communication with an assistance center is or can be carried out by means of Push-to-talk over Cellular (PTToC, PoC or PTT). [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one control element (3, 4, 5), preferably designed as a push button (3, 4, 5), for manually triggering a message via a data storage device (16), is assigned or assignable a unique telephone number that can be dialed via the mobile network, which is used or usable by the radio modem (12) for a communication connection when the control element (button 1, button 2, button 3) is actuated, wherein, in the case of more than one control element (3, 4, 5), preferably designed as a push button (3, 4, 5), for manually triggering a message, each control element (3, 4, 5) in the data storage device (16) has its own unique telephone number that can be dialed via the mobile network. [10] Device according to claim 9, wherein the unique telephone number selectable by the radio modem via the mobile network is individually adjustable or predefined in the data storage (16), preferably via the mobile network. [11] Device according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the data storage (16) is provided on the side of the microcontroller (11, QTPY) and / or on the side of the single or multi-part printed circuit board (9, PCB). [12] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing (2) is designed to be vandal-proof. [13] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the housing (2) has an IK impact resistance rating in accordance with international standard IEC 62262 or EN 62262. [14] Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing (2) can be installed by screwing, preferably a screw connection that is not accessible from the outside or outside the housing (2), or a vandal-proof screw connection, or by gluing. [15] Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the at least one operating element (3, 4, 5) is designed as a vandalism button (3, 4, 5). [16] Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one control element (3, 4, 5) has a light source, preferably LED, which is preferably automatically activated or activatable in darkness or predefinable ambient light intensity. [17] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the at least one rechargeable storage device (10) for electrical energy of the power supply unit (10) enables the operation of the device for a duration of at least three to five years with only one charge or recharge. [18] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the at least one rechargeable storage device (10) for electrical energy of the power supply device (10) is a so-called industrial accumulator or an IoT accumulator. [19] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the at least one rechargeable storage device (10) for electrical energy of the power supply device (10) is monitorable via the mobile network, preferably with regard to operating status, particularly preferably with regard to the available storage capacity. [20] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the microcontroller (11, QTPY) is operated or can be operated in a standby mode. [21] Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, wherein at least one smoke detector connected or connectable to the power supply device (10) or a connection for a smoke detector is provided on the one-piece or multi-piece printed circuit board (9, PCB).

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