System and method for providing emergency notification services via enhanced directory assistance

• US 20070087726A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Faith Mcgary, Paresh Patel
• Original Assignee: Faith Mcgary, Paresh Patel
• Inventors: McGary, Faith, Patel, Paresh
• Granted Patent: US 8,208,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

An enhanced directory assistance system includes a database for storing at least one subscriber emergency profile. The subscriber emergency profile has one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of an emergency and also has an identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber. An operator terminal receives an incoming communication from one or more callers from the mobile device of the subscriber, such that when the communication is received, the operator terminal recalls the subscriber emergency profile and carries out the one or more instructions.

Claims

1. An enhanced directory assistance system, said system comprising:

a database for storing at least one subscriber emergency profile, said subscriber emergency profile having one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of an emergency and also having an identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

an operator terminal for receiving an incoming communication from one or more callers from the mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber emergency profile and carries out said one or more instructions.

2. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber is the mobile device telephone number.

3. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said caller is someone other than said subscriber.

4. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operator terminal is either one of an automated platform or attended by a live customer service agent.

5. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said call from said caller to said system is placed by dialing a contact in said mobile phone designated as ICE (In Case of Emergency).

6. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said call to said system is placed by said caller pressing a panic/help button on said mobile device.

7. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said call from said caller to said system is placed automatically after said caller dials an emergency telephone number (9-1-1).

8. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile device further includes a location unit, wherein when said caller calls said system, a location of said mobile device is transmitted to said operator terminal.

9. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said instructions to be carried out in the case of an emergency includes said operator terminal generating communications to one or more third parties.

10. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said communication to said one or more third parties includes pre-defined messages to said third parties as pre-defined by said subscriber.

11. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said subscriber can adjust said instructions to be carried out in the case of an emergency stored in said database either by direct communication with said operator terminal or via the internet.

12. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said subscriber emergency profile maintains a plurality of sets of instructions to be carried out in the case of emergency, wherein each of said sets relates to a different type of emergency event, such that when said caller contacts said system and relates the nature of the emergency, said operator terminal selects the appropriate set of instructions to be carried out.

13. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said subscriber emergency profile maintains a default set among said sets of instructions to be carried out in the case of emergency.

14. An enhanced directory assistance system, said system comprising:

a database for storing at least one subscriber sensor instructions profile, said subscriber sensor instructions profile having;

an identifier for identifying a corresponding mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

a stored triggering event information;

one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of a sensor alert supplying said triggering event information; and

an operator terminal for receiving an incoming communication from one or more sensors coupled to said mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber sensor instructions profile and carries out said one or more instructions.

15. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber is the mobile device telephone number.

16. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor is either embedded within said mobile device or is remotely located from said mobile device.

17. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor is any one of the group selected from smoke detectors, CO sensors, motion sensors, air bag deployment sensors, heart rate monitors and accelerometers.

18. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor is configured to be actively monitored by said system or said sensor can be set to periodically send data to said system.

19. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mobile device includes a location unit, wherein when said communication to said system is sent regarding said sensor, said location is transmitted to said operator terminal.

20. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said instructions to be carried out in the case of a sensor alert emergency includes said operator terminal generating communications to one or more third parties.

21. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said calls to one or more third parties includes pre-defined messages to said third parties as set by said subscriber.

22. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said calls to one or more third parties includes a call to a local emergency services provider regarding the nature of the sensor event and the location of the event.

23. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said subscriber can adjust said instructions to be carried out in the case of a sensor event stored in said database either by direct communication with said operator terminal or via the internet.

24. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said operator terminal is either one of an automated platform or attended by a live customer service agent.

25. An enhanced directory assistance system, said system comprising:

a database for storing at least one subscriber location instructions profile, said subscriber location instructions profile having;

an identifier for identifying a corresponding mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

a stored location triggering event information;

one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of said mobile device traveling beyond said location triggering event; and

an operator terminal for receiving an incoming communication from one a location unit of said mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber location instructions profile and carries out said one or more instructions.

26. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said system is configured to actively monitor the location of said mobile device or said mobile device can be set to periodically send the location of said mobile device to said system.

27. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber is the mobile device telephone number.

28. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 25, wherein said instructions to be carried out in the case of a location trigger event includes said operator terminal generating communications to one or more third parties.

29. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said communication to one or more third parties includes pre-defined messages to said third parties as set by said subscriber.

30. The enhanced directory assistance system as claimed in claim 25, where said subscriber can adjust said instructions to be carried out in the case of a location triggering event stored in said database either by direct communication with said operator terminal or via the internet.

31. A method for providing enhanced emergency procedures via an enhanced directory assistance system, said method comprising the steps of:

generating at least one subscriber emergency profile, said subscriber emergency profile having one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of an emergency and also having an identifier for identifying a mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

receiving incoming communication at an operator terminal from one or more callers from the mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber emergency profile and carries out said one or more instructions.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said operator terminal carries out said one or more instructions either in an automated manner or via a live customer service representative.

33. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said mobile device includes a location unit, such that when said caller calls said system, said location unit transmits a location of said mobile device to said system.

34. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein said subscriber emergency profile further maintains the step of generating a plurality of sets of instructions to be carried out in the case of emergency, wherein each of said sets relates to a different type of emergency event, such that when said caller contacts said system and relates the nature of the emergency, said operator terminal selects the appropriate set of instructions to be carried out.

35. A method for providing enhanced emergency procedures via an enhanced directory assistance system, said method comprising the steps of:

generating at least one subscriber sensor instructions profile, said subscriber sensor instructions profile having;

an identifier for identifying a corresponding mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

a stored triggering event information;

one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of a sensor alert supplying said triggering event information; and

receiving an incoming communication at an operator terminal from one or more sensors coupled to said mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber sensor instructions profile and carrier out said one or more instructions.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said operator terminal carries out said one or more instructions either in an automated manner or via a live customer service representative.

37. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said mobile device includes a location unit, such that when said communication from one or more sensors is received at said system, said location unit transmits a location of said mobile device to said system.

38. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said instructions includes calling a local emergency services provider regarding the nature of the sensor event and the location of the event.

39. A method for providing enhanced emergency procedures via an enhanced directory assistance system, said method comprising the steps of:

generating at least one subscriber location instructions profile, said subscriber location instructions profile having;

an identifier for identifying a corresponding mobile device of a corresponding subscriber;

a stored location triggering event information;

one or more instructions to be carried out in the case of said mobile device traveling beyond said location triggering event; and

receiving an incoming communication at an operator terminal from one a location unit of said mobile device of said subscriber;

wherein when said communication is received, said operator terminal recalls said subscriber location instructions profile and carries out said one or more instructions.

40. The method as claimed in claim 39, wherein said operator terminal carries out said one or more instructions either in an automated manner or via a live customer service representative.