Wireless handset emergency location provisioning system (wireless HELPS)

• US 20040152441A1
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wai-See Candy Wong
• Original Assignee: Wai-See Candy Wong
• Inventors: Wong, Wai-See Candy
• Application Number:
  US10/218,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20040152441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/205 Broadcasting broadcasting in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

A personal safety system is proposed which facilitates the automatic identification and location of a wireless subscriber who may otherwise be in distress in tandem with, an additional means for messaging a list of pre-designated emergency contacts. In light of the Sep. 11, 2001 tragedy this invention becomes particularly salient.

Claims

1. A comprehensive system, fully integrated with existing wireless/mobile handset technologies and infrastructure, for messaging a designated list of parties (including, by default, law enforcement agencies and related emergency response groups) and for providing the location of the said wireless user/subscriber in distress.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system and architecture comprise:

a. an interface (either web-based or telephonic) for the subscription and input of user data and other such provisioning information into the Wireless Handset Emergency Location Provisioning System;

b. a general purpose subscriber profile database;

c. a service for implementing the message parsing, filtering and relaying aspect of the system comprising a computer program on a computer readable memory medium;

d. an application for implementing the message management aspect of the system comprising a computer program on a computer readable memory medium;

e. a series of general purpose filters, parsers, databases and location enabling/determining services;

3. The system of claim 1, whereby wireless users/subscribers provisions his/her mobile phone as a new subscriber to the emergency contact application, with the requisite choice as to message content, delivery method and contact party list.

4. The system of claim 3, whereby the network operator provisions default contact information for the purpose contacting law enforcement agencies and related emergency response groups for a basic level of service to both subscribed and unsubscribed wireless users;

5. The system of claim 1, whereby said user'"'"'s mobile handset communicates with the emergency contact service through the specified means providing the subscriber identifier and related information.

6. The system of claim 5, where the contact service further queries emergency contact application upon receipt of said distress signal to determine if user is party to the service/system.

7. The system of claim 6, whereby upon confirmation that wireless user in distress is party to said service/system, emergency contact application then further queries the general purpose subscriber profile database for information as contact party list, message content and method of delivery.

8. The system of claim 1, whereby wireless user'"'"'s location is determined through a general purpose location enabling and/or determining service.

9. The system of claim 6, whereby the wireless subscriber'"'"'s location is appended to the emergency contact application.

10. The system of claim 6, whereby the emergency message is built and includes the subscriber'"'"'s location (where available) and relevant, specified