VERSATILE PERSONAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• US 20090227223A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nevin Jenkins
• Original Assignee: Nevin Jenkins
• Inventors: JENKINS, Nevin C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/045 using recorded signals, e.g. speech

Abstract

A versatile personal emergency, especially medical emergency, communication system includes a user-carried portable communication unit having a single button, which when depressed by the user, wirelessly sends a call request signal to a base unit. The base unit initiates a telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency response center and places an operator at the emergency center in wireless voice communication with the portable unit when the call is connected. The telephone number of the emergency responder to be called is stored in the system. A program is used to set up the system to a selected one of a central monitoring station and a 911 operator. Voice messages are stored in the system and are used to advise the user of the status of the call, and to provide the user with verbal confirmation that functional systems of the base unit are operating properly. The units are programmable selectively by phone, voice or computer.

Claims

1. A versatile emergency services automatic dialing device, comprising:

a wireless receiver for receiving, from a portable transceiver, a signal indicating that a panic button has been pushed;

a memory for storing an emergency services number for a central monitoring station and an emergency services number for a 911 operator;

programming means for setting the device for calling a preselected one of the emergency services numbers; and

a detector for detecting a status of the call to the selected one of the emergency services numbers; and

voice messages played through a speaker in the portable transceiver indicating (a) the status of the call and (b) when the call is terminated.

2. The versatile emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising memory for storing preprogrammed prioritized telephone numbers of a plurality of third parties for calling prior to calling the preselected one of the emergency services numbers, and second programming means for calling the stored preprogrammed prioritized telephone numbers.

3. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable transceiver has a button for initiating a call and a button for terminating a call to the receiver.

4. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second programming means terminates a call to a third party for failure to make a predetermined response within a predetermined time.

5. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second programming means successively calls said preprogrammed prioritized telephone numbers in prioritized order until a third party makes a correct predetermined response within the predetermined time.

6. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 5, further including programmed means responsive to failure of all third parties to respond correctly to initiate a call to the selected one the emergency services numbers.

7. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 1, further including third programming means to program the wireless receiver by one of phone and computer.

8. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third programming means includes the ability to program by voice.

9. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 1, further including fourth programming means to sense if the phone line is out, and responsive thereto continuously monitoring to determine phone line restored.

10. The emergency services automatic dialing device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless receiver is provided with a visual indication and audible indication of the phone line being out.

11. A versatile personal emergency response communications system, comprising:

(a) a portable communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention, including (1) a wireless transmitter-receiver for respectively transmitting and receiving communication signals, (2) a call button actuatable by a user to initiate a call request signal that will result in placing the user in voice communication with an emergency response provider, and (3) a speaker;

(b) a base communications unit coupled with a dial-up telephone system for establishing voice communication between the user and the emergency response provider, the base unit including (1) a wireless transmitter-receiver for respectively transmitting and receiving communication signals, and (2) a dialer for dialing the emergency response provider telephone number (3) a controller responsive to the call request signal for controlling the dialer to dial the emergency response provider telephone number;

first storage for storing settings for 911 and a central monitoring station as the emergency responder;

first means for programming the system for pre-selection of one of 911 and a central monitoring station and for setting up said system for the selected one of 911 and a central monitoring station;

second storage for storing a plurality of voice signals convertible into preselected voice messages;

a second means for selecting one of the voice messages indicative of the status of the call request;

a controller operative to deliver the selected one of voice messages to be played through the speaker of the portable unit, and

wherein the preselected voice messages include a first voice message indicating that the emergency response provider number is being dialed, and a second voice message indicating that the call to the provider is being terminated.

12. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein said system contains programming means to enable being programmed selectively by phone, voice and computer.

13. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test button actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller being responsive to the actuation of the test button to transmit a test request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to the test request signal to perform a test of preselected functions of the base unit and initiate a voice message via the speaker in the portable unit announcing the results of the test.

14. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source, and initiate a voice message via the speaker in the portable unit announcing the results of the test.

15. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the portable unit includes a lamp for indicating the operational status of the portable unit.

16. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the first programming means includes a requirement to enter a secret code in order to be able to program a central monitoring station.

17. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the portable unit includes a housing having an opening within which the call button is mounted, and a raised ring circumscribing the call button and extending outwardly from the surface of the housing to provide the user with a tactile guide for locating the call button.

18. The versatile communications system of claim 17, wherein the speaker of the portable unit is waterproof and is located behind a grill with slanted slats for water drain, and the portable unit includes a microphone mounted in a waterproof manner in the housing, and a drain hole in the housing for drainage of water.

19. The versatile communications system of claim 11, wherein the first programming means periodically checks with a central monitoring station when a central monitoring station has been preselected.

20. The versatile communications system of claim 11 wherein the portable communications unit further includes a shock detector for sensing the portable communications unit being subjected to a shock of a predetermined value, and when so sensed, responsive thereto initiating a signal to the base communications unit to directly dial 911 or the central monitoring station as preselectedly programmed by said first programming means.

21. The versatile communications system of claim 11 wherein the preselected voice messages include

(1) Battery is ok

(2) Replace battery soon

(3) Replace battery now

(4) Help is on the way your pendant is turning off

(5) No phone line present, please standby

(6) System check all function are ok

(7) System check please stand by

(8) System test failed

(9) This is a medical alarm emergency phone call, please enter your pass code

(10) Your emergency phone call is now being dialed please standby.

22. The versatile communications system of claim 11 further including the base communications unit being coupled to a computer containing an email program supported by a provider, said email program being preprogrammed with at least one addressee for sending an email message that the user has activated his/her medical alert system, and being further programmed so that responsive to a signal from the base communications unit, the said mail message is transmitted to said addressee.

23. The versatile communications system of claim 11 further including the base communications unit having third storage for storing a telephone number of at least one person known to user, and wherein after notifying 911 or the central monitoring station, as programmed, the base communications unit will dial the stored telephone number and when the telephone number answers play a voice tag continuously for a preselected period of time advising that the user has activated his/her medical alert system.

24. The versatile communications system of claim 23 wherein a plurality of telephone numbers are stored and wherein after notifying 911 or the central monitoring station, as programmed, the base communications unit will dial the stored telephone numbers in a preselected order and when each telephone number answers, play a voice tag continuously for a preselected period of time advising that the user has activated his/her medical alert system.

25. A versatile personal emergency response communications system, comprising:

a portable, wireless communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention, the portable unit including a call button actuatable by the user to transmit a call request signal and a speaker; and

, a base communications unit for wirelessly communicating with the portable unit, the base unit being coupled with a dial-up telephone system and responsive to the call request signal for establishing voice communications between the user and an emergency response provider, first programming means for selectively programming the system for one of a central monitoring station and a 911 operator as the emergency responder;

a memory including at least two stored voice message indicating the status of the communications with the emergency response provider, and a controller for controlling a voice message to be played through the speaker in the portable unit in order to advise the user of the communications status, the two stored voice messages respectively indicating the status of the communications with the emergency response provider (1) when the base unit begins dialing a telephone number of the provider, and (2) when the base unit terminates communications with the emergency response provider.

26. The communications system of claim 25, wherein the voice messages are stored by the system electronically.

27. The communications system of claim 25, wherein the stored voice messages include one indicating the status of an operational test performed on the base unit.

28. The communications system claim 25, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test button actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller being responsive to the actuation of the test button to transmit a test request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to the test request signal to perform a test of certain functions of the base unit and transmit a synthesized voice message to the portable unit announcing the results of the test.

29. The communications system of claim 25, wherein the portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source.

30. The communications system of claim 25, wherein the system includes second programming means to enable programming by telephone, voice and computer.

31. A versatile personal emergency response communications system, comprising:

a portable, wireless communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention, the portable unit including a call button actuatable by the user to transmit a call request signal and a speaker; and

, a base communications unit for wirelessly communicating with the portable unit, the base unit having unlocked cell phone capability, but without any service, and responsive to the call request signal will dial 911, and establishing voice communications between the user and a 911 operator via its cell phone capability, programming means for selectively programming the system for calling 911 as the emergency responder.

32. The versatile personal emergency response communications system of claim 31 further including a memory including at least two stored voice message indicating the status of the communications with the emergency response provider, and a controller for controlling at least two voice message to be played through the speaker in the portable unit in order to advise the user of the communications status, the two stored voice messages respectively indicating the status of the communications with the emergency response provider (1) when the base unit begins dialing a telephone number of the provider, and (2) when the base unit terminates communications with the emergency response provider.

33. The versatile personal emergency response communications system of claim 31 further including the base unit being hardwired connected to a phone line and further including programmable means for preferentially using the hardwire connection to a phone line and responsive to loss of the phone service on the phone line to automatically switch to the unlocked cell phone capability to call 911

34. A method of calling an emergency response provider from a user-carried, portable communication unit, comprising the steps of:

(A) transmitting a call request signal from the portable unit to a base unit;

(B) receiving the call request signal at the base unit;

(C) storing a telephone number of an emergency response provider;

(D) programming the base unit to selectively call one of a central monitoring station and a 911 operator as the emergency response provider, (E) using the base unit to place a call to the stored telephone number of the selected emergency response provider in response the call request signal;

(F) storing at least a first voice message indicating the status of the call placed in step (E); and

(G) using the first voice message to advise the user of the call status, wherein the first voice message notifies the user that the call is being placed.

35. The method of claim 34 including the further step of (H) the units being capable of being programmed by phone, voice and computer, and programming the units by selecting one of phone, voice and computer.

36. The method of claim 34, including the step of placing the portable unit in voice communication with the emergency response provider when the provider answers the call dialed in step (E).

37. The method of claim 36, wherein step (F) includes storing a second voice message, the second message notifying the user that the call to the emergency response provider is being terminated.

38. The method of claim 37, including the further steps of:

(I) performing a functional test of the operation of the system;

(J) storing a second voice message in the system advising the user that the test performed in step (I) was successful; and

, (K) transmitting the second voice message to the speaker in the portable unit to alert the user that the functional test was successful.

39. A method of calling an emergency response provider from a user-carried, portable communication unit to a base unit having unlocked cell phone capability, without any service, comprising the steps of:

(A) transmitting a call request signal from the portable unit to a base unit;

(B) receiving the call request signal at the base unit;

(C) storing 911 as the telephone number of an emergency response provider;

(D) programming the base unit to call 911 as the emergency response provider, (E) placing a call to 911 by the base unit in response the call request signal; and

placing user in voice communication with a 911 operator.

40. The method of claim 39 including the further steps of (F) storing at least a first voice message indicating the status of the call placed in step (E);

and (G) using the first voice message to advise the user of the call status, wherein the first voice message notifies the user that the call is being placed.

41. The method of claim 39 including the further step of (H) the units being capable of being programmed by phone, voice and computer, and programming the units by selecting one of phone, voice and computer.

42. The method of claim 40, wherein step (F) includes storing a second voice message, the second message notifying the user that the call to the emergency response provider is being terminated.

43. The method of claim 42, including the further steps of:

(I) performing a functional test of the operation of the system;

(J) storing a second voice message in the system advising the user that the test performed in step (I) was successful; and

, (K) transmitting further voice message to alert the user that the functional test was successful.