Panic Button for Data Collection Device

• US 20090093229A1
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: van Etten, David, Grunow, Jonathan T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A data collection device comprising: a data collection subsystem; a wireless communication device; a dedicated panic button; and a processor that, responsive to a user activating the dedicated panic button, uses the wireless communication device to cause a message to be sent to a designated emergency contact.

Claims

1. A data collection device comprising:

a data collection subsystem;

a wireless communication device;

a dedicated panic button; and

a processor that, responsive to a user activating the dedicated panic button, uses the wireless communication device to cause a message to be sent to a designated emergency contact.

2. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a server that receives an indication that the dedicated panic button has been activated and upon the receipt of the indication, contacts the designated emergency contact; and

wherein the processor, in response to a user activating the dedicated panic button, causes a message to be sent via the wireless data communication device to the server indicating that the dedicated panic button has been pressed.

3. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor, in response to a user activating the dedicated panic button, causes a message to be sent via the wireless data communication device to the designated emergency contact.

4. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a global navigation satellite system receiver that outputs location data; and

wherein the message includes location data from the global navigation satellite system receiver.

5. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a touch screen and wherein the dedicated panic button is located above the touch screen when the data collection device is held vertically with the touch screen facing the user in a normal orientation.

6. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a housing supporting the data collection subsystem, the wireless communication device, and the dedicated panic button;

and wherein the dedicated panic button is located in a recess of the housing.

7. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a label covering the dedicated panic button.

8. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the dedicated panic button is activated by pressing and holding the dedicated panic button for a predetermined period of time.

9. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a keypad with a plurality of keys and wherein the dedicated panic button is a two stage button that provides a different operational feel than any of the plurality of keys.

10. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor further erases data in response to the user activating the dedicated panic button.

11. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the processor further encrypts data in response to the user activating the dedicated panic button.

12. A data collection device comprising:

a data collection subsystem;

a wireless communication device;

a keyboard;

a processor that, responsive to a user pressing a predetermined combination of two or more keys, uses the wireless communication device to cause a message to be sent to a designated emergency contact.

13. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

a server that receives an indication that the predetermined combination has been pressed and upon the receipt of the indication, contacts the designated emergency contact; and

wherein the processor, upon recognition of the pressing of the predetermined combination, causes a message to be sent via the wireless data communication device to the server indicating that the dedicated button has been pressed.

14. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the processor, upon recognition of the pressing of the predetermined combination, causes a message to be sent via the wireless data communication device to the designated emergency contact.

15. A data collection device, as set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

a global navigation satellite system receiver that outputs location data; and

wherein the message includes location data from the global navigation satellite system receiver.