Multi-site personal emergency telephone system method and device

• US 20070082651A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Veridex LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Veridex LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Loizeaux, Marion
• Granted Patent: US 7,864,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A method and continually wearable device for one-button emergency calling, direct to the local emergency responder, from anywhere worldwide where the user is within cordless phone range of their extensive, personally-tailored network of secure, pre-authorizing landline base units. In the U.S., the local emergency responder instantly receives the users'"'"' callback number and instant street address with on-site directions through Enhanced 911. The wearable device provides 2-way audio communication with the local emergency responder in either speakerphone, phone or monitor-only modes. The method of adding an emergency calling authorization to a users'"'"' network is for the user to place their call pod on the base unit to grant authorization, the base owner then enters his password and the call pod owners name and presses the ‘authorize’ button. An adjustable strap holds the device to the users'"'"' body, or the device may be incorporated into other items which are worn or carried.

Claims

1. A wearable device for making emergency telephone calls, comprising:

(a) a case;

b) detecting means enclosed within said case for detecting authorization by a base;

c) cordless communication means enclosed within said case for connecting to and communicating with an authorizing base;

d) single button means attached to said case to initiate an emergency call to a preprogrammed emergency telephone number;

e) microphone means within said case for audio transmission to the emergency responder;

f) speaker means within said case for audio transmission from the emergency responder;

g) a base;

h) cordless communication means enclosed within said base for connecting to and communicating with an authorized case;

i) authorization means enclosed within said base for authorizing a case;

j) detecting means enclosed within said base for detecting an authorized case;

k) landline telephony communication means enclosed within said base for connecting to and communicating with emergency responders.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said case button means is protected by a moveable cover.

3. A device as in claim 2, wherein said case button means comprises a plurality of button means for selecting and calling alternate emergency telephone numbers.

4. A devise as in claim 1, further comprising a data entry means on said base for entering a password and case owners'"'"'identities.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein said base'"'"'s authorizing means comprises an authorizing means capable of authorizing a plurality of cases.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said case'"'"'s detecting means comprises a detecting means capable of detecting a plurality of authorizing bases.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein said base'"'"'s detecting means comprises a detecting means capable of detecting a plurality of authorized cases.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein said base also has a display means for displaying the identities of authorized cases.

9. A device as in claim 8, wherein said base display means also displays the identities of cases placing emergency calls via that base.

10. A device as in claim 1, wherein said case speaker means is adjustable by switch means to put the speaker in speakerphone, phone or mute/monitor-only mode.

11. A device as in claim 1, wherein checking means is enclosed within case means comprising system checks, battery level checks and checks if an authorizing base is within range, each of which checks are initiated upon opening of cover means and the positive outcome of all the checks results in an audible telephone dial tone communicated by the case.

12. A devise as in claim 1, wherein extension interrupt means comprises circuitry enclosed within said extension interrupt means which will seize the landline telephone line from an extension phone when an emergency call is made by an authorized case via the corresponding base which also authorized said extension interrupt means.

13. A device as in claim 1, further comprising 2 non-rechargeable battery means to provide a primary dedicated battery for emergency calling and a secondary battery for the secondary functions of initial authorization, and for checking if an authorizing base is within range.

14. A method for a single case means to make an emergency telephone call to an emergency responder via any of a plurality of base means which are connected to a plurality of landline telephone lines in different locations, using the above claimed cases and bases and extension interrupt, and comprising:

a) setting a security password on a base;

b) placing a case on that base;

c) inputting the base'"'"'s security password on that base;

d) inputting the case owner'"'"'s identity on that base;

e) pressing an ‘

authorize case’

button;

f) repeating the above steps of a) through e) for a plurality of bases;

g) bringing the duly authorized case within cordless telephone range of an authorizing base;

h) pressing the emergency call button on said case, which transmits a wake-up signal to the continually listening base which is within range, and initiating a cordless telephone call in accordance with the long established protocols of cordless telephony.