BRAV ALAN D (US)
HANSON JOSHUA A (US)
PRENOVITZ WILLIAM S (US)
PHILIPS CORP (US)
| WO2005001665A2 | 2005-01-06 |
| US20050048945A1 | 2005-03-03 | |||
| US5305370A | 1994-04-19 |
HONEYWELL: "ADEMCO LYNXR-EN - Security System", USER GUIDE, May 2004 (2004-05-01), XP002449343, Retrieved from the Internet
CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A method of histalling a personal emergency response system that includes a communicator 'ϊ operative in response to activation of a wireless lϊim≤rmtter to initiate a telephone call no a call center, said method comprising the steps of; detectings ) first power switch having on and of? positions being switched to the on. position; in response to the detectioa of said first switch being switched to said on position, in a first dfci β mύnmg stop, detennmmg whether said cornimuήcatorhas previously successfully completed I \) au installation sequence; in the event said first determining step indicates that said communicator has not previously successfully completed said installation stquence, performing said installation sequence prior to entering a monitoring mode in which said comαuirueatgr is operative in response to detection of a transmission from said wiretess transmitter to initiate a call to said call center; and I 1 ; vn the event said first detaining step indicates thai said communicator has previously successfully completed said installation sequence, bypassing said installation sequence and entering said monitoring mode.
2. n.e method of claim 1 wherein said performing step includes the step of prompting a user Ii i) to perform u plurality of actions aud detecting when as least some of said plurality of actions have been suettas-rfully performed.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said prompting step includes the step of generating a plurality of audible prompts widi a speech synthesizer under the control of » processor.
4. The method of claim 2 wheiehi said prompting step includes the step of generating a plurality of visual prompts Ou a visual display device,
5. 1 he method of claim 4 wherein said prompting step includes the step of generating a 3 U plurality of text based visual prompts on said visual display device.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein said prompting Step includes the stop of prompting said user to plug an AC powβi cord into an AC wall outlet and detecting when said AC power cord has been plugged into said AC wall outlet.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said prompting step includes the step of prompting said user to plug a phone cord into a phone wall jack and detecting wh$n said phone COλ- has bøen plugged into said phone wall jack.
8. The n'lediod of ciaim 2 wherein said prompting step includes τhe steps of: prompung said u.ser to plug an AC power cord into an AC wall outlet and detecting when said AC power cord has been plugged into said AC wall outlet; prompting said user to plug a phone cord into a phone wall jack and detecting when said phone cord has been plugged into said phone wall jack, and generating an audible prompt employing a speech synthesiser that advises said user ώat said installation has twen completed.
9 The method of claim 8 further including lhe step of starting a π«ιge test timer in response to detecting that both said AC power cord and said phone cord have been connected and initialing a call to said call center from said communicator in the event said rang<s last timer times out
10. The method of claim 2 wherein said prforrαϊng step includes the step of prompting said user to perform iangd testing of said wireless transmitter,
11. The method of claim 2 further including performing range testing of $aid wireless transmitter during a range test sequence during said installation sequence, said range test sequence including the sicpri of; commencing a range test timer, prompting the user to aciivaie said wireless transmitter to generate a wireless signal; detecting whether said wireless signal has been received at said communicator; in the event said wireless signal has teen received: decermiαmg whether said range test timer has decremented such that the time remaining is less than a predetermined value; in lbs event said range test timer has decremented btich that the tjme remaining in said range test timer is less than a predetermined value, setting said range test timer to said piedewnninerj value; and in the event Raid range lest rimer expires, prompting said user to activate said wireless '. transmitter to initiate a call from said corπmuπjcatw to said call center.
12 The method of claim 2 wherein said prompting step includes the step ofaciivatrng a visual iπdiclύr disposed within a second switch at a time when said user is prompted to press the second, switch to continue with the installation sequence. 1 0
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said activating step includes the step of turning said visual indicator on and off at a predetermined rate,
14 The method of claim 1 further including the step of storing an Indicator iπ a non-volatile l '.f memory, said indicator having a first fctate in the event said installation sequence has not been piβviously successfully completed and having a second state in the event said installation sequence has been successfully completed, wherein said step of determining whether said coxrarnmicatorhas previously successfully completed said installation sequence includes the step of testing the state of said indicatoi.
15. The method of claim 1 further including the step of setting said indicator to sard first state prior io said detecting step,
16. The method of claim 14 further including the susp of setting suid indicator to said second J ' Vi state upon successful completion of said installation sequence.
17. THc method of claim 14 further including the step of determining Whether a first bmiøn is activated at the iirne said first switch is switched to said on position; and in the event said first button is activated at the lime said first switch is switched to said on 30 position and said indicator is in said first state, bypassing said installation sequence and entering said monitoring mode. 18, 'the mαhod of claim 14 further including the step of determining whether a first button inactivated at the time said first switch is switched to said on position; and in the event said first button is activated at the time said first switch is switched to said on position and said indicator is in said second state, solving said indicator to said tir&t state and performing said installation sequence.
19, A communicator for use in a personal emergency response system, said coπrouoioator operative m response to receipt of a wireless signal from a wireless transmitter to initiate a telephone call to a call center, said communicator comprising: a first switch for switching on at least some power to said communicator, said first switch having an off position and an on position; a processor operative to execute a softwarώ program, said software program operative! to: a, determine whether a predetermined installation sequence has been previously successfully completed in response to switching said first svvirch from said off position to said on position; b. bypass said predetermined insiiillatio n sequence in the event said processor fmds as a result of said determination ihat said in.sαallalion sequence has been successfully completed; c. perform said predetermined installation sequence in the event said processor determines thai said installation sequence has not been successfully completed; d. provide an indication that said installation sequence has been successfully completed in response to the successful completion of said sequence; and said software program being further operative to repeat steps a through U at least some of the times when said first switch is switched lo said on position from said off position,
20. The cunimuαicatoi of claim 19 furlkjj' including apparatus for prompting a usuriυ purfoππ at least one specified action during said installation sequence in response to at least one control signal issued by said processor and circuitry in communication with _aid processor for detecting when said at bast one specified action has been performed by said user,
21. The communicator of claim 20 wherein said apparatus for prompting said user lo perform said at least one specified action comprises a speech synthesizer operative to produce at least one predeLorrmriud audio prompl in response to at least one command issued by said processor. 22, The communicator of claim 20 vvhwein said prompting apparatus includes a visual display device operative to produce at least one visual prompt to said user,
23, The communicator of v\wn 22 wherein said visual display device is operative in response 5 to said at least ono control signal TO display ai least one text message to said user.
24, The conumvnicaϊϋr of claim 20 wherein said prompting apparatus includes apparatus for prompting said user to plug an AC power cord into an AC wall outlet and said detecting circuitry includes circuitry in communication with said processor tor detecting when said AC power cord 0 has been plugged into said λC wall outlet
25, The communicator of claim 20 wherein said prompting apparatus includes apparatus for prompting said user io plus a phone cord into a phone wall jack and said detecting circuitry includes circuitry tor detecting when said phone cord has been plugged into said phone wall jack.
1.5
2f>. The communicator of claim 20 wherein said prompting apparatus includes apparatus for prompting said user to plug an AC power cord into an AC wall outlet and For prompting said user to plug a phone cord into a phone wail jack and circuitry for detecting when said AC power com! has been plugged into sajd λC wall outlet and for delecting when said phone cord has been plugged
20 into said phone wall jack, and said prompting apparatus further includes apparatus for generating an audible prompt employing a speech synthesiaϊr that advises said user that said installation has been completed in response Lo delecting that both said AC power cord and said phone cord have been plugged into the outlet and jack respectively,
25 27. The communicator of claim 20 wherein said processor i$ operative To start a range test timer in response to detecting that both said AC power cord and said phone cord have been plugged into the outlet and jack, respectively.
28, The communicator of claim 20 wherein said processor is operative to control said
30 prompting apparatus to prompt said user to perform range testing of said wireless ttsiismilter during said predetermined installation sequence. 29, The communicator of claim 20 wherein said processor is operative during said predetermined range test sequence to: start a range tesuimer; prompt said iiaoϊ to acti-røe said wireless transmitter to generate a wireless signal; detect whether said wireless signal has been received at said communicator; in the event said wireless signal has been detected: determine whether ^iid range test timer lias decremented to a value less than a predetermined value corresponding to a time less than a predetermined time; in lhe event said range lest timer lias decremented to said value less than said predetermined value, setting said range test timer to said predetermined value; and i n the event said range test timer expires, controlling sajd prompting apparatus to prompt said user io activate said wireless iratismittsrt to initiate a call from said communicator to said call center,
30. The communicator of claim 20 further including an actuator for a second switch and a visual annunciator mounted within said actuator, said processor being operative to activate said visual annunciator mounted within said actuator at a time when said processor is contrplling said prompting appaiatub io indicate the actuator should be pressed to continue the installation sequence,
31 , The communicator of claim 20 wherein said processor is operative to causes said visual annunciator io blink at a predetermined rate,
32. The communicator of claim 19 further including a non-volatile memory containing a state indicator, said stare indicator being of a first state when $aid predetermined fπstaHaiion sequence has αol been prev iously successfully completed and being of a second stale when said predetermined installation sequence has been successfully completed, said processor being operative to determine whether said predetermined installation sequence has been previously successfully completed by testing lhe stale of said SUM indicator.
33. The corjraunicator of claim 32 wherein said processor is operative to set said indictor to said second state upon the successlltl completion of at least a first portion of said predetermined installation sequence.
34. The communicator of claim 19 further including a first button having an activated state and a non-activated state, said processor being operative to determine whether said first button is in said activated state at a time when snid first switch is switched from said off position to said on position, said processor being further operative in ieaponse Io determining that said fιτst button is in said 5 activated stale at a time wheα said first switch Is switched from said off position to said on position when said state Indicator is in said first state, to bypass said predetermined installation sequence and enter a monitoring mode in which said processor is operative to initiate a call to said call cem&r in response to detection of an alarm condition.
'10 35. The communicator of claim 19 further including a first button having an activated state and a non-activated suite, said processor being operative to determine whether said ftrst button is in said activated state at a Time when said first switch is switched from said off position to said on position, said processor being further operative in response to determining that said first button is in said activated state at a lime wlwn said first switch is switched from said opposition to said on position i,5 at a ύrae wh-αi said state indicator JS in said second sate, to reset said state indicator to said first stale and to perform said predetermined installation sequence.
.20 |
INSTALLATION OF A PERSONAL EMERGENCY RBSPONSE SYSTEM
CROSS REfERENCH TO Ul 1 LATED APPLICATIONS Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDlNCf FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF It-IE INVENTION
The present invention relates to Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and moτe specifically to a method and apparatus fox automatically prompting a user to perform a series of setup operations during an initial setup procedure and denoting a change of mode upon, satisfactory completion of the setup procedure.
Personal lϊπiergcπ-vy Response Systems are widely used by The elderly or infirm to allow an individual to summon assistance if such as needed. Typically, a PHRS includes a Personal help button (PHB) and a communicator. The PI-IB includes an RF transmitter or an rafra-red transputer lhat transmits a signal to the communicator in response to the activation of the personal help button by the user that requires assistance. The communicator receives the signal transmitted by Lhe PHB and initiates a telephone call to a call-center. Upon connection of the call from the conimυnicalor to the call-eenier, the communicator enables a spcakcrphone in the communicator so that an operator ai the call-center can speak with the user requiring assistance assuming the user is able to communicate. The communicator also conveys data identifying the subscriber to the call-center. If the ussr indicates lhat assistance is required or if a call to the call-center is initiated and the user is unable to speak, or unable to be beard, assistance may be summoned by the operator at the call- center.
Such systems can be of great aid to the elderly or infirm and can avoid unfortunate situations in which an individual is iα need of assistance and is unable to summon help However, as is readily apparent, in order for a PERS to function, it must be properly installed, While Hie installation of such units is straightforward, many PERS units are installed by volunteers, personnel with limited training or personnel with limited technical knowledge. For this reason, if would be desirable to have a simple and reliable method for installing the TERS system and verifying that the
unit is properly installed after the unit is delivered to the user. Moreover, it would be desirable for the installation, of the PERS corrøvunjcator to be properly installed by an elderly individual with limited technical expertise since such individuals represent the great majority of PERS uβeis,
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Tn accordance with the present invention an improved PER.S system and method of installation of such a. system is disclosed. The PERS system includes a communicator and a personal help button (PMB), In response to activation of the PUB, the communicator initiates a call J Q to a call center in norma! operation
λ method and apparatus aie presently disclosed to assist the user in the installation oi'the PERS communicator upon delivery of the unit Mote specifically, this PERS communicator includes 4 NON-INSTALLED siaie and an INSTALLED state. The cornxmirricator may bo in only one of the two states at any given time. An indicator that reflects the present state of the . 5 communicator is stored in a non-volatile memory which may comprise a volatile memory with a battery-backup to assure that the indicator is retained or, alternatively, the memory may be nonvolatile -memory so that it retains data even iτι the absence of applied power. For purposes of the present discussion both embαdimeats are considered non-volatile memory.
When a user receives fys communicator, the communicator is SSt to the NON-INSTALLhD
:', 0 støve. When the power switch is sot to ON, the communicator automatically prompts the subscriber to perform a scries of predetermined actions via a voice synthesizer or a visual display. Once thu subscriber performs the specified actions and the communicator is capable of establishing a telephone connection with the call-center, the communicator is set to Hie INSTALLED state,
If the communicator is powered off once il lias assumed the INSTALLED state, it will
A S ictaiπ chat state when it is once again powered up and will not repeat the installation sequence. If the communicator does not complete the setup sequence, it will remain in the NOW -INSTALLED state. If the communicator is powered down before it has assumed the INSTALLED t-iate, when the communicator is powered up, it will repeat the setup sequence. The coramαnieatot will continue to prompt the user through fhβ setup sequence each time the unit, is powered on until the setup i 0 sequence is properly completed. Thereafter, when the communicator is powered up, it will bypass the setup sequence. In the foregoing manner, persons with minimal technical familiarity oτ expertise are prompted through the setup of the communicator to assure that the device ran communicate with the call-center.
As one element of the installation sequence, the subscriber is prompted to perform range testing to verify that the signal transmitted by the PHB can fee received by the communicator from various locations where the user is likely to be located. The subscriber is afforded the opportunity to perform range tests from such locations to verify that the transmitted signal will be received by
S the communicator.
A reset bat or illuraiπable switch is located on, the corrununicator and the subscriber is prompted to press the reset bar when he/she i$ ready to continue with the installation during the setup process. To direct the attention of the subscriber to the ϊeset bar, a visual indicator is disposed physically to the reset bar. The visual indicator may comprise a light emitting diode (LUD), a bulb, 10 ά light pipe illuminated by any suitable light source or any other suitable visual indicator. In one embodiment, fhe visual indicator blinks to further direct the attention of the nsor to the reset bar that he/she is being requested to press.
Other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the Detailed Description of the Invention that 5 follows,
BRIEF PESCRIPTION OP THE SEVERAL VUi WS OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the invention- that follows m conjunction with the drawings of which:
20 Fig. t a is a block diagram of a PERS system having a communicator and a personal help button that is operative in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. Ib is a more detailed block diagram of the communicator of Fig. Ia; Fig. 2 is a flow diagram depicting the use of the non-installed and installed modes in the installation of lhe communicator of Fig, Ia; and j 5 Mgs. 3a - 3j are a detailed flow diagram depicting the nwthαd of installation and range testing employed in the communicator of Fig, Ia,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, an improved PCRS is disclosed that prompts a i o α&er to perform a set of predetermiuied actions. Tte communicator has first and second states that stre designated as a NQN-INSTALLIiD statu and an INS TALLGD state. The communicator stores in a πon-volaήk memory an indicator of the state of the device.
The communicator is delivered to the user or subscriber in the NON-INST ALLED state. When the subscriber turns on the power switch, a software program executing on a processor deteirnines whether the communicator is in 1he NON-INSTALLED stam or the INSTALLED state. If the communicator is in the NON-INSTALLKD stare, the processor executes a s t srios of 5 instructions that prompt the subscriber to perform certain actions to setup the communicator. After the subscribe! has performed the actions necessary to achieve the proper installation of the communicator, the communicator assumes the INSTALLED stale and the indicator in die nonvolatile memory is updated to reflect the INSTALLED stare of the communicator.
If Q iffi subscriber dpes not complete the sequence of steps that are necessary tυ install the
1, 0 commumcalor, thu Communicator does not enter the INSTALLED state and the nexr time power is turned off ami turned on, the communicator will again test the current state, determine that the state indicator to memory is in the NON-INSTALLED state, and prompt the subscriber to perform the installation of the communicator.
If the subscriber does complete the sequence of steps that are necessary io install the
! 5 communicator, the communicator assumes the INSTALLED state and the next time power is turned off and aimed on, the communicator will again test the current state, determine that the btϋto indicator in memory is in the INSTAI. I JJD state, and støp tire installation sequence.
During the* installation sequence, lbc communicator prompts the subscriber to perform range testing to verily the operation of flit: PHB over a range of locations.
:iθ Fig. Ia is high level block diagram of a PERS system operative in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. Ia, tho PBRS includes a communicator IO and a personal help button (PHB) Transmitter 30. The PHB transmitter includes a button 32 that, when activated causes a signal to be transmitted. Based upon the design of the particular PER3, the signal Transmitted may bo an RF signal or an infrared signal. The communicator 10 includes a rcϋet bur 12. The reset
:\ S bar 12 actuates a switch that is coupled Io a processor within the communicator. The subscriber is prompted to press the røset bar 12 to provide certain indications to the processor as will be subsequently discussed in greater detail. A visual indicator or light 14 is integrated into the reset bar and at specified times the light is turned on or caused to blink to signal to the subscriber that the resut bar should be pressed,
10 The communicator 10 includes an AC power cord 1$ for connection to an λC wall outlet
(not shown) and a phone cord 20 for connection to a phone jack (not shown). The communicator 10 also includes interface circuits that allow the conππimig-itor 10 to initiate a call to a call center upon receipt of a signal transmitted by Gift PHB transmitter 30. The communicator 10 further
ύaclvides a speakerphone (sec Fig, 2) that is enabled to permit voice communication between an operator at the call center and the subscriber upon connection of a telephone call between the communicator 10 and the call center, The communicator 10 includes an antenna 16 Sax receiving RF signals from ttis PIIB transmitter 30 when the mode of wirobss communication between the '; PHB and the communicator involves RF transmission.
Fig. Ib is a block diagram of the communicator 10 of Fig. Ia, Referring to Fig, Ib, ibe communicator 10 includes a microcontroller 40 that includes memory 42, The microcontroller 40 is operative to execute a software program out of the memory 42 to perform the functions subsequently described in greater detail While the presently described system employs a a o microcQTrtroUet with onboard memory, such as the MC68HC908LK24 microcontroller produced by freescalβ sdmiconduutor of Austin, Texas, it should be appreciated that any suitable microcontroller or a microprocessor and read only memory (ROM) or non-volatile random access memory muy be employed to store code executed by the microconirolli-r or microprocessor, a<? applicable, and the state indicator,
3 S The microcontroller 40 i« coupled to a speech ayαlhesizer 44 which is operative to produce predefined audio prompts under the control of the microcontroller 40, The output of the speech synthesizer 44 is coupled κ> a speaker driver or amplifier 46 which in turn is coupled to a speaker 48.
Phone jacks GO are coupled to telephone interface circuits 62 and ring and vollago detect
2 o circuits 66, The ring and voltage detect circuit circuits 66 are coupled tq the microcontroller 40 and allow the microcontroller 40 to determine when the communicator 10 is coupled to the wall phone jack and to detect an incoming call to the subscriber.
The communicator. 10 further includes Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMl") and Frequency Shift Keying (HSK.) circuits 68 that generate DTMF tones and FSK data streams that are coupled io
2 S the telephone interface circuits 62. The DTMF circuits generate DTMF tones under the control of the microconLroUer 40 to permit the dialing of the call center in response to receipt of a signal from the PHB transmitter 30 (Fig. U). The FSK circuits convert data ftom the microcontroller into FSK format for ϊrammission (n the call cemer. More specifically, the FSK data may comain an alarm type, subscriber number foτ identification of the source of the call at toe call center or any other
3 O suitable information.
The telephone interface 62 is further coupled to 2300 Hz and 350 Hz detection circuits that in turn w& coupled to the microcontroller 40. The 2300 Ife and 350 Mz detection circuits provide
indications of the receipt of such tones to the πήcroϋontroller 40 which ara employed by chc rmciocotitroller in handshaking and lάss off operations as is known in the art.
The telephone interface circuit 62 is further cotipled to speakcφhone circuits 50 which in xurπ are coupled to the speaker driver 46 to permit voice communication from a call center operator to be heard by a subscriber within hearing range of the communicator 10. Additionally, a microphone 52 is coupled to the speakerphone circuits 50 which in turn are coupled lo ilw telephone interface circuits 62. Thus, whoπ a call is connected between the communicator IO and lho call ceπusr, the operator at the call center can hear a subscriber within a reasonable range of the cornmimicalor even if the subscriber is immobile or unable to approach the communicator 10. The commutricalor further includes a help switch 70, an optional home/away switch 72, and a reset bar/us&t switch 74. Activation of the help switch 70 on the eoimnunicator 10 initiates a call to
The call center. The home/away switch 72, when present, allows the subscriber lo sei the communicator in a first mode for operation when the subscriber is at home and in a second mode of operation that is applicable when tine subscriber is away from home. The reset bar/test switch 74 is activated by the subscriber in response to prompts by the communicator 10 to provide a signal to ϋie microcontroller 40 that the subscriber hai> responded. The function of the reset barftest switch
74- with respect to the installation of lhe communicator 10 is subsequently discussed in greater detail.
The microcontroller 40 also is coupled io light emitting diode (LED) drivers 82 so as to permit the microcontroller 40 to turn on the Help LED 76, the Power LIϊD 78 and lhe Reset LED SO, The Reset LED 80 forms the visual indicator 14 that is imegmrøϊ into the reset bar 12 as shown in fig. Ia,
The antenna 16 is coupled to an RF receiver 72 chat receives RF signals transmitted by the PHB transmitter 30 (Fig, Ia) when the button 32 (FJg, Ia) is pushed by a subscriber. In the event the transmitter comprises an IR transmitter, the receiver 72 comprises an infrared receiver.
λ power system designated as switching down converters and voltage regulators 90 receive AC power jfrom a pcwer cord coupled to a wall outlet, Additionally, a batcery 92 is coupled to the power system to permit the communicator ro operate without AC power during the installation process and for limited periods, such as in the event of a power failure. The power system 90 provides power outputs Vl+, V2+, Yj-CfI aτid Vrcl2 and provides appropriate power voltages and references for the microcontroller 40 and circuits within the communicator 10, Aji on/off switch 94 allows the communicator 10 io be powered on and off. The VI i- rail supplies power loads such as the speaker driver and relays that do not require signif cant regulation. The V2+ rail is a regulated
supply that is employed to power the microcontroller 40 and other logic circuitry within the communicator. The Vrefl and Vre-2 are voltage references that are used by analog circuitry within lite communicator 10.
The battery 92 powers the communicator 10 when AC power is not availably. More specifically, when the power switch 94 is switched to the on position, the battety 92 supplies power to the fnicmcontroller 40 and the Jogio circuits when lhe unit is not coupled to λC power. When lhe communicator 10 is coupled ro AC power, when the power switch is switched on, the switching down convenor and voltage regulator 90 generates the voltage that are coupled to the microcontroller 40 and the logic circuits within ihe communicator 10. The memory 42 maintains an indication of whether the communicator 10 is in the first
NON-INSTALLED srare or the second INSTALLED state, Typically, the memory 42 is a nonvolatile flash memory but may comprise a memory that is maintained by a battery such as battery 92. In practice, whan the communicator 10 is delivered io a subscriber the memory 42 is configured yuch that the communicator 10 is in tlie NON-INSTALLED state. Fig. 2 dopicts a flow diagram of the insvallation sequence of the communicator in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, referring to Fig.2, the communicator 10 is initially set to the NON-INSTALLED state as indicated in step 200. This corresponds to the configuration of the communicator 10 in which a subscriber would receive a communicator 10 prior to installation. As indicated in step 202, the subscriber turns the power switch from off to on to apply power to lite unit. If the communicator 10 lias not been plugged into λC power, at this stage the communicator is powoied by the battery 92 (See ing. 2). A determination is made by the microcontroller 40 whether lhe communicator 10 is in ώic NON-INSTALLED state or the INSTALLED state by testing the state of an indicator stored in the memory 42 as depicted in step 204. The first time thai a subscriber wins on the communicator LO, the communicator 10 will be configured in the NON-INSTALLED state. Ii " the microcontroller 40 determines m step 204 that (lie communicator 10 is in the NON-INST ALLHD state control passes to step 206. As ilhislraied in step 206, the microcontroller 40 proceeds to perform a setup procedure to prompt the subscriber through an installation sequence for the communicator 10. Exemplary steps that make \φ the setup procedure are subsequently discussed in greater detail with respect to Figs, 3a-3j, The setup procedure involves a number of steps and actions by the subscriber to complete the installation successfully. If the setup procedure Is completed successfully, as> indicated by step 208, the indicator in lhe memory 42 that is set to the NON-INSTALLED state is modified and the
indicator is set to tho INSTALLEP state. The communicator IO then commences operation *s illustrated in step 212.
If for any reason, the setup procedure is not completed successfully, the indicator that is in thu NON-INSTALLED state is πov modified and control passas to step 214. When the S communicator IO is powered off, the indicator srored in the memory 42 retains its state. Thus, if yetup procedure was not completed successfully, the srøte indicator remains in ihe NON- DSfST AXXED state as indicated in step 214. TIw next time the communicator 10 is powαxsd on, as reflected in step 202, the microcontroller 40 will determine that the communicator 10 i$ still in the NON-INSTALLED stale in step 204 and the communicator iθ -will proceed to repeat the setup
:,o procedure as indicated in step 206.
Accordingly, the microcontroller 40 will continue to prompt the subscriber through the setup process muft the setup sequence has been successfully completed. Thereafter, tlic communicator JO will not attempt to prompt the subscriber through the sciup sequence each lime the unit is powered on after being powered off. is Figs. 3a - 3j inusuaie Hie operation of the presently disclosed system and method in greater detail. As previously discussed, the communicator 10 has first and second states (NON- INSTAILKD and INSTAJ-LED states, respectively) that are ieflected by a state indicator stored in. a non-volatile memory. The communicator 10 is typically delivered to a subscriber with the communicator configured in the NON-INSTALLED state. When a subscriber is prepared to
2 o install the communicator 10, the subscriber powers on thft unit by turning on the power switch 94 a_. is indicated in step 250 (See Fig. 3a). The microcontroller 40 next determines whether the Help button 70 was on the time the power switch 94 was switched on. ϊf the Help button 70 is held on the time the power switch 94 is switched on, the installation sequence is bypassed or the state indicator is modified as is subsequently described.
2 R If, as indicated in decisions that 252, the microcontroller 40 determines that the Help button
70 was not on when the power switch 94 was switched on, control passes to decision step 254 r The microcontroller 40 then determines whether the communicator has been previously successfully installed by testing the state indicator. More specifically, if it is determined thai the state indicator equals INSTALLED, the installation sequence is bypassed as indicated in step 256 and the
30 communicator 10 enters a monitoring mode in which the communicator awaits the detection of an alann condition (See Fig. 3j), The alarm condition may constitute lhc detection of a wireless signal from the FHB transmitter 30 (Jl-'ig. Ia) or the detection of any other alarm condition in flie event other sensors, such as ffoe, smoke, or intrusion seniors are coupled to the communicator 10. If the
microcontrollw 40 determines that the communicator 10 has not previously successfully completed the insi-dlation sequence by testing the suite indicator, as indicated in decision step 254, the microprocessor 40 proceeds Io step 302 to initiate the installation sequence (Sea Fig, 3b).
OλCC the microcontroller 40 determines that the system needs to proceed through the '5 installation sequence, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 io prompt the subscriber with an audible prompt rhat states "Welcome Wo will now help you set up your communicator step by stftp." as indicated in step 302. In Figs. 3a - 3j, the speaker symbol on the right side of the respective step indicates an audible prompt that is generated by the speech synλebtøer. 44 tinder the control of the microcontroller 40.
I 0 Following the audible prompt in step 302, there is a pause for a brief period, such as one second, as depicted in seep 304. λs reflected in step 306, the subscriber is ntatt provided within other audible prompt by the speech synthesizer 44 which states "If you miss a step, wait and the instruction will repeat," Following step 306, there is another pause as indicated in step 308. After the brief pause, as reflected in step 308, the microcontwller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 u>
LS issue another audible prompt to the subscriber thai states "Please find your Quick Setup Guide located in the box. and follow along." as illustrated in step 310. The Setup Guide is an instruction manual that provides written and pictorial setup instructions and is typically delivered to a subscriber with the communicator. Following step 310, there is another brisf pause as indicated in step 312. Thereafter, microoontiolter 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a further
?, 0 prompt that states "When you have the Quick Setup Guide m front of you, press the blinking reset bar " as depicted in step 314, The microcontroller 40 controls the 1,.ED drivers 82 to blink the Reset LED 80 that is physically disposed in the Reset bar 12 so as to draw the attention of the subscriber to the Reset bar 12 that the subscriber has been instructed to press. When the subscriber is prepared to continue, he/she presses the Reset bar 12 to trigger the reset swiich 74, The microcontroller 40
?5 awaits the signal indicating that the Reset bar 12 has been pressed. When the microcontroller 40 determines that the Reset bar 12 has been pressed, control passes to step 320 (Seu Fig. 3c), If (50 seconds passes without the Reset baτ 12 being pressed, such is detected as indicated in step 3 IS and control passes to step 314, at which point The announcement in step 314 is -replayed.
While not illustrated in Figs. 3a - 3j for simplicity, if a particular prompt is played three or
30 more times without the Reset bar 12 being pressed, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to play an additional announcement before proceeding to play the announcement immediately preceding the decision or other step, such as decision step 316. Typically, this additional announcement states "If you need assistance, please contact the subscriber services
number located in your Quick Setup Guide." ThUS 1 in ihe mstεmt case, this additional arcπouncemeni would be played and control would then pass to siep 314 for replaying of the announcement there indicated.
Once the Reset bat 12 has been pressed by the subscriber, control passes to SEp 320 and a further prompt is issued by the speech, synthesizer 44 under the control the microcontroller 40, As indicated in step 320 (sec J*ig, 3c), the prompt states "Thank you. First, we will place you* 1 communicator in die correct spot, near boih a phone jack and a power outlet, Sec step one in the Setup Guide." Thereafter, as indicated in step 322, the speech synthesizer 44, under the control the microcontroller 40, prompts the subscriber to "Press the blinking Reset bar when you are ready to continue." The microcontroller 40 awaits The Reset bar 12 press a& depicted in decision sfep 324. If the Reset bar 12 is not pressed within 60 seconds, as indicated in decision siep 326, control passes to step 32B and the speech synthesizer 44 issues a prompt similar to that issued in step 320 before repeating die prompt depicted in step 322.
When ihe microcontroller 40 detects that the Reset bar 12 has been pressed, control passes to step 330 and the speech Synthesizer issues a further prompt under the control the microcontroller 40 that states "Your communicator should now be located near both a phone jack and a power outlet. " This step is followed fay a brief pause as indicated by step 332 followed by a further prompt That states "Now let's plug the power cord into a wail outlet. See step two in the Setup Guide," as illustrated in step 334, The microcontroller 40 is powered by the battery 92 (See Fig. Ib) prior to Ihe connection of the λC power cord 18 to λC power. The microcontroller 40 awaits the detection of power resulting from the connection of the AC power cord JS to an λC wall outlet as depicted at steps 340 and 342 (see Fig, 3d), If ihe microcontroller 40 determines that 60 seconds have passed without the connection of the communicator 10 tp AC power, as illustrated in step 342, the microcontroller 40 causes the speech symliiosuer 44 to issue a prompt thai states "Power lias not S been detected." as depicted at step 344, The microcontroller 40 then continuos to await the connection of to communicator 10 to AC power. Once the microcontroller 40 diamines flial rhe AC power cord 1 S has been plugged in to AC wall outlet such that the switching down-convener and voltage regulators 90 are powered by AC power, the microcontroller 40 causes the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a prompt that slates. "Good, We detect power," as shown in step 346. 0 Following the announcement depicted in step 34(3, a brief pause i$ provided under the control the microcontroller 40 as illustrated in step 34S. Next, tils microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to state "Please press the blinking Reset bar to continue," aa depicted in step 350- As illustrated in decision steps 352 and 354, the microcontroller 40 waits for the subscribe]' io press
the Reset bar 12. If the Reset bar 12 is noi pressed within 60 seconds, as illustrated at step 354, The announcement of step 350 is repeated.
When the microcontroller 40 detects that the Reset bar 12 has been pressed, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue ths prompt depicted in step 356, λt this point, the system prompts the subscriber to plug the phone coτd 20 into an appropriate phone jack. As indicated in step 35<5, the speech synthesizer 44 plays the message "Next, we will plug the gray phone cord into a phone jack in the wall. You may need to unpiug your phone from the wall temporarily. See the picture in step 3."
Ais illustrated in decision steps 360 and 362 (see Fig, 3e), the microcontroller 40 then awaits detection of a signal from the phone voltage detect circuit 66 that indicates that ihe phone cord 20 has been plugged into a phone jack. If 60 seconds pass and the microcontroller has not received a phone voltage dotect sigruil from llw phone voltage detect circuit 66, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech oynthesizor 44 to play a message that states "The communicator has not been correctly plugged into the phone Hnc See step three." as shown in step 3<54. After causing this me&sage to be played, the microcontroller 40 continues to await detection of the phone voltage detect signal from the detect circuit 66. When the microcontroller 40 detects the phone voltage detect signal indicating that the phone cord 20 has been plugged into a phone* jack, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a prompt to the subscriber that states "Good. Your comrmmicaior is now plugged in." as illustrated in srep 366. Once the microcontroller 40 has determined that the phone cord 20 and the AC power cord
18 have been plugged in, the communicator 10 should be capable of initiating a call to the call center.
Following the connection of the AC power cord 1 S and the phone cord 20, the subscriber is provided with the opportunity to perform range testing to assure that the PHB rransmϊttei 30 will function properly in all areas of the premises where the subscriber might find him or herself when assistance mighfbe needed.
At the commencement of the range testing process, the microcontroller initializes a range test timer to 20 minutes and begins the countdown of the range test timer as illustrated in step 368, if tins range test timer times, out, the subscriber is prompted to activate the PHB transmitter 30 lo initiate a call lo the call center as is subsequently discussed, After initiating the countdown of the range test timer, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to prompt the subscriber to press the Resist bar 12 to continue with the range test as illustrated in step 370.
λa depicted in decision steps 372 and 374, the microcontroller 40 continues to monitor the reset switch 74 (see Pig. Ib) to determine Jf the Reset bar 12 to which the ruϋet switch 74 is coupled, has been prώssed. In the eveni 60 seconds passes without detection of the reset bar 12 being pressed, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthe&teer 44 to replay the prompt of sicp 370 to suggest again that the subscriber press the blinking Reset bar 12 to continue,
λs depicted in step 380 (sec Fig, 3f) the microcontroller 40 next controls the speech synthesizer 44 to prompt the* subscriber to plug the subscriber's phone into the back of the communicator 10 if such is necessary. This prompt is followed by a brief pause as depicted in step
382 and the subscriber is thuα prompted to press the blinking Reset bar to continue as depicted in Q step 3S4,
As illustrated in atcps 3i56 and 385?, the microcontroller 40 monitors the Reset switch 74 to determine whether the Reset bar 12 has been pressed. If the Reset bar 12 has not been prebsed within 60 seconds of the prompt of step 384, the subscriber is again prompted to plug the subscriber's phone mto the back of the communicator 10, if necessary, as illustrated in step 390 and S control passes to step 384- When the microcontroller 40 determines that the subscriber ha& pressed the Reset bar 12, the microcontroller 40 controls flats speech synthesizer 44 to issue a prompt that states "Now we will test the range of your help button in various rooms of your home. Please refer to step five in your Setup Guide," as depicted in step 392. following $ pause as depicted in step 394, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a further prompt to the 0 subscriber to press the Reset bar 12 when the subscriber is ready TO begin the range Test λS shown in step 400 (Sec Fig, 3g),
During the range test, the subscriber proceeds io various locations where he or she might need to summon assistance and presses the PHB transmitter button 32 to verify that the transmitted signal from the PHB transmitter 30 is properly received by the receiver 72 of the communicator 10, S During the process of range testing, ihe communitatoτ does not initiate a call to the call center each time the button 32 is pushed. Each time the PHB traτjS-πitøj button 32 is pressed, if the transmitted signal is received by the communicator, a beep tone is sounded to alert the subscriber thai the transmitted signal was received, if ao beep untie is heard, the subscriber knows that the PHB tran-tfiitter. is nor functional from the location at which flifc transmitter was actuated, 0 More specifically, as depicted at steps 402 and 404, the microcontroller 40 diMCrmiuss when the subscriber lias pressed ihe Reset bar 12 and ib ready io proceed with the range rest. If 60 seconds have passed and the Reset bar 12 has not been pressed, as depicted in decision step 404, the microcontroller 40 causes the prompt of step 400 to be replayed. When tbe rπicioeontroller 40
determines that the subscriber has pressad the Resot bar 12 as depicted al step 402, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a prompt to the subscriber to begin the range tost as shown in step 406,
At the beginning of the range test) the txύcrowntroller sets a prompt timer jo 60 seconds and
:. it starts the countdown of the prompt ώner as depicted in step 408. Once the prompt timer expires before a signal from the YHB twtjstnitter 30 is detected, an audible prompt is provided TO the user that indicates flmt the signal from the PHB transmitter was not detected as is .subsequently described.
After starting the prompt timer, the microcontroller 40 sets an indicator PHBJX'tected ^
3 o False as shown in step 410. The PHB_Detected indicator is False prior to the tfmo when a signal transmitted by the PHB transmitter 30 has been detected during range testing. Once a single transmitted signal has been detected daring range touting, the PHBJDetected indicator ia set u> True.
As illustrated in step 412, the speech synthesizer 44 is next controlled by the l B microcontroller 40 to produce an audible prompt to the subscriber that states "Please press the blinking Reset bar after you have completed your range test," The microcoπvioller 40 nexl determines if a signal was received from (he PHB transmitter 30 as shown in decision .step 420 (See fig. 3h). Ifa signal transmitted by the PHB traiismitoer 30 is received by the communicator 10, the microcontroller 40 produces a beep cone via the speech synthesiror 44 (or via any other suitable
20 tone source) to indicate to the subscriber that the signal from the PHE transmitter 30 was detected by the communicator 10, Thus, feedback is provided to the subscriber to indicate thai ihe signal transmitted by the PHB transmitter 30 was received from the test location at which xtie PHB transmitter button 32 was pressed. After the communicator 10 produce. , an audible beep tone as illiistraied at Mep 422, the microcontroller 40 sets the indicator PHB_Detected « * Tτu« to indicate
25 that at least one range te$ι was successfully perfbimed. 'fhe prompt timer is nexi reset to 60 seconds and the countdown of ihe prompt timer is started as shown in step 424, 'Hie prompt timer is reset io 60 seconds to allow additional time in which to perform a range test before once again being prompted .
The micTOcoraroller 40 next dtiermiπtss if xhe range test timer that w$s initially set to 20
30 minutes has decremented to a time of less than.40 seconds as depicted in step 42(5 , If the range test timer has noi decremented to less than 40 seconds, control passes io decision swp 420 and ihe microcontroller 40 again determines if a signal has been received from the PHB transmitter 30. If fhe microcontroller 40 determines that the range test timer has decremented TO less than 40 seconds
at decision step 426, the microcornxoller 40 vosets the paπge test iimcr to equal 40 seconds and inmates the countdown of the Iimcr as illustrated in step 428. Following step 428 comrol passes to decision siqs 420. By resetting the range test timer in response TO receipt of a signal from (he PHB transmitter 30 during the installation sequence, the range wet period wilt not time out as long a* the
! , subscriber continues to press the PHB trøi;>miuer button 32.
If ihcs microcontroller 40 docs not detect a signal from the PHB transmitter at step 420, the microcontroller 40 next determines whethαi the Reset bar 12 has been pressed to determine whether the subscriber desires to end the ϊange test sequence, as illustrated at step 440. If the Reset bar 12 haft been pressed, the microcontroller 40 then determines whether the PIIBjOetøcted indicator = O trite as shown in decision step 442, If PHB_Detectfcd = True, such indicates that at least one range lest has been successfully performed, Ti' at least one rangu test has been successfully performed, control passes to step 462 (see Fig, 3i) and the microcontroller 40 controls the .speech synthesizer 44 to produce ati audible prompt that states "Thank you. Ws have now finished setting up your communicator," As illusrated in step 463 » the state indicator in flic non-volatile memory is set to
] 5 flic INSTALLED siate, As shown in step 464, the microcontroller 40 next controls the speech synthesiser 44 to produce an auϋiblc prompt that steles "Please -press Ui* personal help button that you wear lo send your first call to the central call station. An associate will welcome you and answer any of your questions." Additionally, if at any time the 20 minute range tβ$t timer expires, control passes to step 464 and the subscriber is prompted to press die PIiB to send an initial call to 0 the central call station, The microcontroller 40 next determines whether the PHB has been pressed as depicted in step 466.
If, &t decision step 442 (See Fig 3h), the microcontroller 40 determines that PHBJDctected is False, indicating that a signal lmb not been received from the PHB transmitter 30 during the range test, a prompt is provided to the subscriber that states "We did not detect your button Pltasa sec
25 step 5 m the Setup Guide." as shown at step 444. Control then, passes to decision, step 420 and the microcontroller 40 determines whether a signal has been received from the PHB transmitter 30
If (he microcontroller 40 determines at decision step 440 thai the Reset bar 12 has not been ptessud (indicating that the subscriber does not desire to terminate the range lesi), comrol passes to decision step 446. The microcontroller 40 then determines whether the prompt limer that wns
30 initially set to 60 seconds has expired as illustrated al decision ≤iep 446. if the prompt timer has expired, the prompt timer is reset to 60 seconds and the countdown of the prompt timer is restarted as slκ)wn at step 448. NeXt 4 the microcontroller 40 determines whether a signal has been received from the PHB πansmiuer 30 during the range test. This is accomplished by testing the indicator
PHBJDetecied indicator as illustrated in decision step 450. If the PHB_Detected indicator is set to True, such indicates chat a signal has been received from The PHB transmitter 30 during the raπg« test, In the event the PHB_Deteeted indicator is set to True, control passes to step 412 ( See Fjg, 3g) and a subscriber is prompted to prβ&s the blinking Reset bar 12 after the range lust has been < > completed. Following this prompt, control passes again to decision step 420 (Sec Fig. 3h).
If at decision step 450 the microcontroller 40 determines that a signal has not been received from the PIIB transmitter 30 during the range test, the microcontroller 40 controls the ψeech synthesizer 44 to prompt the subscriber to indicate that a signal from the PHB transmitter 30 has no; been detected, as depicted in stop 444. Thereafter, control passes to decision step 420 and the
L i) microcontroller 40 ascertains whether a signal has been received from the PHB transmitter 30.
If, at decision step 446 it is determined by the microcontroller 40 that tine 60 second prompt timer has not expired, the microcontroller 40 then ascertains whether the 20 minute range test timer has expired, as illustrated and stup 452. If the range test timer has noi expired, control passes to decision step 420 and the microcontroller 40 again determines whether a signal has been leceived
15 from the PHB transmitter 30
Tf 1 in decision step 452, it is deteππinud that the range test timer has expired, the microcomrαJler 40 determines whether a signal has been received from the PHB transmitter 30 during the range test period by tasting the X'lfBjJetected indicator as depicted at stop 460 (See Fig. 31). If a signal from the PHB transmitter 30 has been detected during the range test periodj τho
2 Q microoontiolkr 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to prompt the subscriber that the installation of the communicator 10 has been completed as illustrated at step 462, The microcontroller then executes steps 4ό3 s 464 and 466 as previously discussed.
If, ω decision step 460, the microcontroller 40 determines that no signal was, receivc-d from the PHB tniiibttiittea 1 30 during the range test period, upon testing of the PliBJDelwctacl indicator
25 (PllB ^ Detccicd "h ' dlse), the state indicator in the iron-volatile memory remains in ttw NON- INSTALLED state and control passes directly from decision step 460 to step 464. The microcontroller 40 then prompts the subscriber to press the PHB transmitter button 32 to send an initial Call to the call center. In this circumstance, the installation sequence has not been successfully completed and the coromimicatar ϊ0 will again proceed through the installation iO sequence the next lime the corπmunicator is powered on after being powered off unless the communicator is controlled to bypass The initialization sequence. Following the audible prompt of step 464, the microcontroller 40 determines whether the PHB transmitter button 32 has been pressed as depicted in decision step 466.
After the subscriber has been prompted to press the PMB transmitter button 32 to initiate the first call to the call CCTIBSγ. Un microcontrolter 40 determines whether Uv≥ PHB transmitter button
32 lms been pressed, as illustrated in decision step 466, In the event the microcontroller 40 determines that the PHB transmitter button 32 has not been pressed for 60 seconds, as illustrated by
S decision step 467, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to replay the audible
- prompt as indicated at step 464. In the event thu microcontroller 40 determines that the PHB transmitter button 32 has been pressed, the microcontroller 30 initiates a call to the call center by controlling the DTMF circuits 68 to generate the appropriate DTMF tones as depicted at step 468.
After initiating iho call Io the call center, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 l 0 to generate a further prompt that $τates "Your Welcome call is now being dialed. Please wait," as illustrated at step 470. The communicator completes handshaking with the call center as depicted in Step 472. The microcontroller 10 next determines whether the 20 minute range test timer has expired as illustrated at decision step 474, In the event the range test timer has expired, the microcontroller 40 controls the speech synthesizer 44 to issue a further prompt that states "Your
15 help pall in in progress, please wait" as shown at step 476, followed by the further prompt that states "Your call has been connected. Someone: will be right with you," as depicted in step 478.
In the event the microcontroller 40 determines in step 474 that the range test timer has not expired, the microcontroller 40 skips the prompt depicted in step 476 and proceeds to control the speech synthesizer 44 to issue the prompt illustrated in step 478. The initial Welcome call is
? o completed as illustrated in step 478 and the communicator 10 enters a monitoring mode as depicted in step 490, in which the microcontroller monitors for alarm conditions.
Once the communicator has commenced monitoring for alarm conditions, in response tf> detection of a PTTB transmitter 30 signal, the communicator initiate* a call to ths call center, If the microcontroller 40 determines thai it has initiated and completed a call as illustrated in decision λ 5 steps 492, 494, it sets the state indicator to the INSTALLED state as depicted in step 494, Thus, when the communicator is powered up alter being powered down it will not proceed through the installation sequence, λt some point alter the stale indicator is set to the INSTALLED stew, the communicator 10 will be powered down and the state indicator will remain in the state it was in as of the time the communicator 10 was powered down.
30 If the microcontroller 40 determines that a call was not initiated in step 492 while in the monitoring mode, when the communicator 10 is powensd down, the state indicator will remain in the ataic as oftfiB lime power was switched off as indicated at step 498, Moreover, if a call to the call center is initiated following the commencement: of the monitoring mode, but the call is not
completed, as indicated av decision step 494, th« ϋtate indicator will remain unchanged from th* time the communicator 10 entered the monitoring mode, Thus, if the communicator 10 was in the INSTAUIiD state when it entered the monitoring mode, it would remain ifl the INSTALLED state when the power was switched off if a call had been initiated but mot completed. Additionally, if the S communicator 10 was in fhe NON-INSTALLED state at the time it entered the monitoring mode and a call was initinied but not completed, the communicator 10 v/ould remain in the NON- 1 NSTALLKI > state when the power was switched off.
Referring again to Fig. 3a, if in decision step 252 the microcontroller 40 carmines thai the Help button 70 was pressed at flrø time power was switched on, control passes to decision step 26O 1
1 0 The jinitTOco-nlTftllEr 40 next ascertains whether the slate of the communicator 10 is INSTALLED or NON-TNST AT J, ED. If the state indicator is NON-ϊNSTALLED, Che πucrocontioller 40 bypasses the Installation sequence and control passes to the monitoring mode at step 490 (See Fig, 3j). Thus, an installer or subscriber Ib provided with a mechanism by which to bypass the installation sequence even if the communicator TO has not successfully completed the installation l 5 sequence, Jf the microcontroller 40 determines fhat the state indicator is INSTALLED in decision step 260, the microcontroller 40 reset? fhe state indicator to NON-INSTALLED as indicated in step 262 and commences the installation sequence at step 302 (See Fig. 3b), Thus, the ability is provided to reset a communicator 10 from the INSTALLED state to the NON-INSTALLED slate to direct thu process through the installation sequence even Lf the communicator 10 had previously
Z-O ' assumed the INSTALLED state.
It should be recognised that the specific times set forth for Oie various timers, and the text lor the Various audible prOinpLs are intended merely as exemplary times and prompts, and such may be varied without departing from tlte inventive concepts disclosed herein.
Moreover, while the prompts described tiereϊn sire described as audible prompts, it should
7 1 S be appreciated that the prompts may be visual prompts, and may comprise messages displayed on a visual display such as an liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other suitable display for visually displaying text messages. Additionally, the prompts may be provided both as visual and audible prompts. Finally, some prompts may be provided as visual prompts while other prompts are provided as audibte prompts,
30 ϊt will further be appreciated thai the signal transmitted by the PJ JB may be an RP signal or an infrared (IR) signal without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein recognizing that the receiver 72 most be adapted to receive the signals transmitted by the Pl LB transmitter 30,
It will further be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in lh« art that other variations of and modifications to the above described methods and apparatus may be niude without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein, Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except by the scope and spirit of the appended claims,