Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health care system. The monitoring and signalling system includes apparatus operative to monitor routine activities performed by an individual in his or her residence and to monitor operation of a user-actuated signalling device in an accident, disability or emergency situation. In the event the monitored activities of the individual are not performed over a prolonged period of time, or the individual actuates the signalling device, an alarm sequence is initiated. This alarm sequence, in a typical implementation, commences with a pre-alarm period (e.g., 1 minute) during which simultaneous steady audible and visual alarm indications are produced and during which the entire alarm sequence can be aborted by the individual. At the expiration of the first period, and in the absence of an aborting of the alarm sequence, an alarm communication is initiated with a centralized communications center during which the steady audible and visual alarm indications are changed to intermittent audible and visual alarm indications for informing the individual that communication with the center is in process. At the completion of the communication, the intermittent alarm indications are terminated thereby to provide a period of silence indicating that the communication was received by the center. An additional audible indication of the receipt of the communication may be provided to the individual by means of a telephone call from the center to the residence causing a telephone in the residence to ring.

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First Claim