Methods and Systems for One-To-Multiple Emergency Call Communication

• US 20100048160A1
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lekutai, Gaviphat
• Granted Patent: US 8,107,935 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 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• 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

Systems and methods for contacting associated parties in the event of an emergency communication is described. When an emergency request is made, such as a “911” call, the system determines if other contacts are associated with the requestor or the requesting device. The system then sends a communication to the associated contacts. The system may bridge the contacts onto an emergency call, provide them with information regarding the emergency, or provide them with the means to obtain more information, such as a link or a telephone number. The system may detect an incoming call and determine if the caller is associated with an ongoing emergency situation, connecting the caller with the relevant authorities if necessary.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting a communication indicative of an emergency, the method comprising:

detecting an activation of an emergency control;

responsive to detecting the activation, transmitting a first communication indicative of the emergency to an emergency services provider; and

responsive to detecting the activation, transmitting a second communication to other than the emergency services provider.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency control is integrated into a wireless communications device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication comprises a text message.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the text message comprises a link to a webpage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication comprises a voice message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication is transmitted to a first wireless communications device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication is a first voice call.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second communication is a second voice call, the method further comprising connecting the first voice call and the second voice call.

9. A wireless communications device comprising:

a wireless communication module that communicates with a communication network; and

an emergency notification input, wherein, responsive to an activation of an emergency notification input, the wireless communication module transmits a first communication indicative of an emergency to an emergency services provider and a second communication indicative of the emergency to other than the emergency services provider.

10. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the second communication comprises a link to a webpage.

11. The wireless communications device of claim 10, wherein the webpage comprises an indication of a geographical location of the wireless communications device.

12. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the second communication comprises a telephone number for the emergency services provider.

13. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the second communication comprises a link to a telephone number that, when activated on a recipient device, directs the recipient device to dial the telephone number.

14. The wireless communications device of claim 13, wherein the telephone number is associated with the emergency services provider.

15. The wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the wireless communications device comprises the emergency notification input and no other user input.

16. A system for providing emergency communications, the system comprising:

a first receiver for receiving a request from a first device to transmit an emergency communication;

a processor for determining, responsive to the request, a second device to which a first communication should be transmitted; and

a transmitter for transmitting, based on the determination, the first communication to the second device and for transmitting a second communication to an emergency services provider.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a second receiver for receiving a second communication from the second device, wherein the processor determines whether the second device is associated with the first device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor communicatively connects the second device to the emergency services provider.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor communicatively connects the second device to the first device.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first communication comprises the geographical location of the first device.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the first communication comprises a link to a webpage.