Systems and Methods for a Personal Safety Device

• US 20070293186A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cellular Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: CTL Analyzers LLC
• Inventors: Lehmann, Paul
• Application Number:
  US10/589,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20070293186A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19621 Portable camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0269 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect the exact location of child or item using a navigation satellite system, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

Embodiments include systems and methods for summoning help and locating a person, comprising transmitting information over a wireless network in response to a user action; wherein the information includes the geographic location of the user.

Claims

1. A method for summoning help, comprising:

biometrically identifying a user; and

transmitting information over a wireless network in response to a first user action, wherein the information includes the geographic location of the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein;

the information includes at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the information is transmitted by a device that is securely attached to the user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information; and

wherein the portable device is integrated with at least one of

a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically summoning help in response to receipt of the transmitted information.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information,

wherein the portable device can receive a message, and

wherein the message can include at least one of

texts

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the information can be transmitted over at least one of

a wireless local area network;

a wireless wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the information; and

rendering the information tamper-proof.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein:

at least one of the following devices is activated in response to a second user action;

a sound recorder,

an image recorder; and

a video/movie recorder.

72. The method of claim 4, wherein the portable devise further comprises a display capable of displaying status information and messages.

73. The method of claim 4, wherein the portable devise further comprises ergonomic controls capable of communicating status information about the receiver.

74. The method of claim 72 or 73, wherein the status information can indicate that the wireless transmitter is within range of a receiver and has been activated.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the status information can indicate that the wireless transmitter has transmitted the information summoning emergency services.

76. The method of claim 9, wherein the second user can activate and deactivate the wireless transmitter sound or image recording.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the second user can periodically activate and deactivate the transmission of the sound or image recording.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the second user can record the transmitted sound or image.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising storing the recorded sound or image wherein one or both of the device and the second user can store the recorded sound or image.

80. The method of claim 9, wherein the second user can periodically monitor the geographic location.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the second user can time stamp the stored transmissions.

82. The method of claim 9, wherein the second user can control actions of the device by sending codes back to the device.

10. A method for summoning help, comprising:

transmitting information over a wireless network in response to a first user action;

wherein the information includes the geographic location of a user; and

wherein the information can include at least one of

text information;

sound information;

image information, and

video/movie information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising biometrically identifying the user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said information is transmitted by a device that is securely attached to the user.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein

a portable device is used to transmit the information;

and

wherein the portable device can be integrated with at least one of a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising automatically summoning help in response to receipt of the transmitted information.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information;

wherein the portable device can receive a message; and

wherein the message can include at least one of text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the information can be transmitted over at least one of:

a wireless local area network,

a wireless wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the information; and

rendering the information tamper-proof.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein:

at least one of the following devices is activated in response to a second user action;

a sound recorder;

an image recorder; and

a video/movie recorder.

19. A method for locating a person, comprising:

accepting information from a portable device on the person wherein the information includes a current location of the person;

providing the information to a user interface wherein the user interface can depict the geographic location of the person,

wherein the user interface can depict a predicted travel path of the person based on the information.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein:

the information includes at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein:

the portable device can be integrated with at least one of

a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising automatically summoning help in response to receipt of the transmitted information.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

sending a message to the person via the portable device in response to user interaction with the user interface

wherein the message can include at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein:

the information can be transmitted over at least one of

a wireless local area network;

a wireless wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising rendering the information tamper-proof.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising automatically summoning assistance for the person in response to user interaction with the user interface.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising remotely configuring the device from the user interface.

28. The method of claim 19, further comprising biometrically authenticating the person'"'"'s identity.

29. A portable personal safety device (PSD), comprising:

a location tracker capable of determining a current location of the PSD;

a communication manager capable of transmitting information including the current location and at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image;

a video;

a movie; and

a monitor capable of causing the transmission in response to a user action.

30. The device of claim 29, further comprising a biometric authenticator capable of authenticating the identity of a PSD user.

31. The device of claim 29 wherein the PSD will not operate unless the identity of a PSD user is authenticated.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein the communication manager is capable of transmitting and receiving information over at least one of the following networks

a wireless local area network;

a wireless wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

33. The device of claim 29, further comprising means for securing the PSD to a person.

34. The device of claim 29 wherein the PSD can be integrated with at least one of;

a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

35. The device of claim 29 wherein the transmitted information is automatically relayed to a party that can provide assistance to a user of the PSD.

36. The device of claim 29, further comprising a system capable of receiving the transmitted information, wherein the system is capable of rendering the information tamper-proof.

37. A personal safety system, comprising:

a portable personal safety device (PSD) capable of transmitting a request for help in response to a user action wherein the request includes a current location of the PSD and at least one of;

text;

sound information;

image information; and

video/movie information, and

a relay capable of accepting the request.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the PSD is capable of biometrically authenticating the identity of a PSD user.

39. The system of claim 37, further comprising a second system capable of receiving the request and rendering information in the request tamper-proof.

40. The system of claim 37 wherein the relay is capable of automatically summoning help based on the request.

41. The system of claim 40 wherein the relay is capable of using multiple communication paths to summon help.

42. The system of claim 37 wherein the relay is capable of rendering information in the request tamper-proof.

43. The system of claim 37, further comprising a user interface (UI).

44. The system of claim 43 wherein the UI graphically renders a current location and projected location of a PSD user.

45. The system of claim 43 wherein the UI is capable of sending a message to a PSD user via the PSD.

46. The system of claim 43 wherein the UI is capable of summoning help on behalf of a PSD user.

47. The system of claim 43 wherein the UI is capable of remotely configuring the PSD.

48. A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed by a processor causes a system to:

transmit information over a wireless network in response to a first user action,

wherein the information includes the geographic location of the user; and

wherein the information can include at least one of

text;

sound information;

image information; and

movie/video information.

49. The machine readable medium of claim 48 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information; and

wherein the portable device can be integrated with at least one of

a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

50. The machine readable medium of claim 48, further comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the system to:

automatically summon help in response to receipt of the transmitted information.

51. The machine readable medium of claim 48 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information;

wherein the portable device can receive a message; and

wherein the message can include at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

52. The machine readable medium of claim 48 wherein:

the information can be transmitted over at least one of

a wireless local area network;

a wireless wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

53. The machine readable medium of claim 48, further comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the system to:

receive the information; and

render the information tamper-proof.

54. The machine readable medium of claim 48 wherein:

at least one of the following devices is activated in response to a second user action;

a sound recorder;

an image recorder; and

a video/movie recorder.

55. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, comprising;

a code segment including instructions to transmit information over a wireless network in response to a first user action;

wherein the information includes the geographic location of the user; and

wherein the information can include at least one of

text;

sound information;

image information; and

video/movie information.

56. The computer data signal of claim 55 wherein:

the information is transmitted by a device that is securely attached to the user.

57. The computer data signal of claim 55 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information; and

wherein the portable device can be integrated with at least one of;

a mobile telephone;

a digital camera;

a computer game;

a digital music player;

a personal digital assistant; and

a GPS receiver.

58. The computer data signal of claim 55, further comprising:

a code segment including instructions to automatically summon help in response to receipt of the transmitted information.

59. The computer data signal of claim 55 wherein:

a portable device is used to transmit the information;

wherein the portable device can receive a message; and

wherein the message can include at least one of

text;

a sound;

an image; and

a video/movie.

60. The computer data signal of claim 55 wherein:

the information can be transmitted over at least one of;

a wireless local area network;

a wireless Wide area network;

a cellular network;

a satellite network;

a Wi-Fi network; and

a pager network.

61. The computer data signal of claim 55, further comprising:

a code segment including instructions to receive the information; and

a code segment including instructions to render the information tamper-proof.

62. The computer data signal of claim 55 wherein:

at least one of the following devices is activated in response to a second user action;

a sound recorder;

an image recorder; and

a video/movie recorder.

63. A personal safety device, comprising:

means for identifying a user;

means for initiating a signal, wherein said signal comprises position of said device and one or more of;

     1) a personal identifying characteristic;

     2) a sound signal;

     3) an image signal; and

     4) a video/movie signal; and

means for transmitting said signal.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein said signal includes means for preventing tampering with said signal.

65. The device of claim 63, wherein said signal further comprises a time stamp.

66. The device of claim 63, further comprising means for warning.

67. A method for summoning help, comprising:

means for biometrically identifying a user;

means for transmitting information over a wireless network in response to a first user action,

wherein the information includes means for locating the user.

68. A system for summoning help, comprising:

a device comprising;

an actuating component

a signal for biometrically identifying a user;

a signal for identifying the geographic position of said device; and

a memory device for storing said signal for biometrically identifying

and identifying the position of said device;

a transmitter for transmitting information over a wireless network; and

a receiver of said information.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein said information further comprises a time stamp.

70. The system of claim 68, wherein said device further comprises at least one of a sound receiver and a camera.

71. The system of claim 68, wherein said information is tamper-proof.