MyCall Communicator™ Tags

A MyCall Communicator tag is carried by every individual requiring protection. It can be worn around the neck or attached to a badge clip.

Each tag has a unique ID number. Under normal conditions, when there is no alarm, the tag transmits a regular message containing this ID number and its current location. This information is logged to the database on the Controller PC.

When the user pushes the panic button, however, the tag emits a rapid burst of messages containing its ID information and the latest location. This information is immediately displayed in the Alarm window of the software.

Beacon™ Location Markers

Beacon location markers identify areas within the facility by emitting unique infrared location codes. The number of Beacon location markers depends on the size of the area requiring protection. Typically, a Beacon location marker is installed in every room and at regular intervals in hallways and open spaces to provide a high degree of location resolution.

Beacon location markers are entirely wireless, and receive power from nine volt batteries.

Local Area Receivers

Local Area Receivers (LARs), radio frequency reception devices, are installed at regular intervals in the covered area of the facility. LARs receive the Communicator tag transmissions, time stamp them, and relay them to the Controller PC for the system. LARs are installed in ceilings, usually out of view. The Controller PC monitors the operation of each LAR to ensure a high level of operational confidence. If the LAR fails to operate for any reason, an alarm occurs.

The Network

LARs are connected to the Controller PC through a hard-wired LonWorks® network. Optional Input/Output Modules, which provide programmable relay outputs, also reside on the network.

Each network device is continually monitored, and a warning message will automatically appear at the Controller PC if a problem is detected. Devices receive power from a central 12/24 V power supply.

Controller PC

The Windows®-based Controller PC contains the MyCall® system software that controls the operation of the entire system. The software displays facility floor plans and relevant system data, including an Alarm window. Typically located at a nursing station or at a facility’s security station, the computer monitors and controls all system operations. The Controller PC is equipped with a watchdog timer card to output an alarm signal and reset the computer in the unlikely event of a problem with the system software or the operating system, providing an extra level of security.

Additional computers can be connected at other locations throughout the facility over a local area network (LAN). Medical staff, security personnel and administrators can all access the system simultaneously.

The software offers advanced control through an intuitive user interface. Designed for ease-of-use, the software presents only task-critical information to the operator. Different levels of ­password access ensure security while allowing staff members to perform their jobs efficiently. User accounts can be created and authority assigned according to each facility’s requirements.

The software records all activity, including alarms, in a database. A variety of reports of system activity can be viewed on-screen and printed. Custom reports can be created, and the database can be exported for use with third-party software programs.