System and Method for Emergency Notification

• US 20070275743A1
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: Sybase 365 Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Lovell, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US11/746,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20070275743A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• 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 service that leverages established wireless messaging paradigms such as, possibly inter alia, Short Message Service, Multimedia Message Service, and IP Multimedia Subsystem to yield an infrastructure that synergistically provides, possibly inter alia, (1) a full-featured alternative (e.g., non-voice telephone call) emergency notification, reporting, etc. channel that (2) works across (i.e., provides ubiquitous access to) the full universe of Wireless Devices that are carried by Mobile Subscribers. The service may optionally leverage the capabilities of a Value-Added Service Provider.

Claims

1. A method for emergency notification, comprising:

receiving from a Wireless Device of a Mobile Subscriber a notification message indicative of an emergency condition;

determining a location from which the notification message was sent;

based, at least in part, on the location from which the notification message was sent, identifying an appropriate authority to receive the notification message; and

sending the notification message to the appropriate authority.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is a SMS message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is a MMS message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is an IMS message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is addressed by the Mobile Subscriber to a Short Code.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is addressed by the Mobile Subscriber to a Telephone Number.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is directed to a SIP URI.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message contains one or more textual elements.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message contains one or more graphic elements.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphic element is a photograph.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the graphic element is a video clip.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the location from a wireless carrier of the Mobile Subscriber.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the appropriate authority is a law enforcement authority.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the notification message with at least one other previously-received notification message.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether a pattern exists among the notification message and the at least one other previously-received notification message.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising registering the Mobile Subscriber prior to the step of receiving.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising replying to the Mobile Subscriber with a reply message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the reply message comprises advertising and/or promotional material.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the reply message is a SMS message.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the reply message is a MMS message.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding a reward to the Mobile Subscriber for submitting the notification message.

22. A method for emergency notification, comprising:

receiving from a Wireless Device of a Mobile Subscriber a notification message indicative of an emergency;

determining a nature of the emergency based on the notification message;

comparing the notification message to at least one other previously-received notification message to confirm the nature of the emergency; and

sending an alert message to an appropriate authority that addresses emergencies of a same type as the nature of the emergency.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the notification message includes an image.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the emergency comprises a fire.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the emergency comprises an identification of a vehicle.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the appropriate authority is a law enforcement authority.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising awarding a reward to the Mobile Subscriber for submitting the notification message.

28. A method for alerting appropriate local authorities, comprising:

receiving from a Wireless Device of a Mobile Subscriber a notification message indicative of a situation about which appropriate authorities are interested;

determining a nature of the situation based on the notification message;

determining a location from which the notification message was sent; and

sending an alert message to the appropriate local authorities having an interest in the situation.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message comprises an image.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the appropriate authorities include law enforcement authorities.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the appropriate authorities include fire department personnel.

32. The method of claim 38, further comprising awarding a reward to the Mobile Subscriber for submitting the notification message.