Localized Personal Emergency Response System

• US 20100184400A1
• Filed: 01/21/2009
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Lillegard, Gregory A., Brackett, Cameron
• Granted Patent: US 8,682,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.200
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A personal emergency response system oriented to mobile individuals uses cell phones or other wireless devices as sources of an emergency indicating signal. A personal profile associated with that signal can be evaluated, along with location information to determine which emergency device(s) should be activated and which local messages should be produced to alert other individuals in the area as to the existence of an emergency.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing a plurality of profiles with each profile associated with a person;

sensing an emergency indicating signal initiated by a person, and responsive thereto, retrieving that person'"'"'s profile; and

responsive to the retrieved profile, transmitting an emergency indicating signal.

2. A method as claim 1 which includes receiving the emergency indicating signal, and, responsive thereto, emitting at least a visual alarm in the vicinity of the person.

3. A method as in claim 1 which includes, establishing at least one of a plurality of treatment devices, or, a plurality of communications devices and upon one of the devices receiving the emergency indicating signal, responsive thereto, emitting at least a visual alarm in the vicinity of the person.

4. A method as in claim 3 which includes emitting an audible alarm.

5. A method as in claim 4 where emitting an audible alarm includes emitting verbal instructions.

6. A method as in claim 3 which includes establishing a plurality of automatic emergency defibrillators as the treatment device and a telephone as the communications device.

7. A method as in claim 1 which includes establishing an originating location of the sensed signal.

8. A method as in claim 7 which includes establishing at least one emergency assistive device proximate to the location and transmitting an emergency signal to activate the device.

9. A method as in claim 8 where activating the device includes emitting at least one of a visual, or an audible emergency indicator.

10. A system comprising:

a plurality of emergency response devices where each member of the plurality has a communications port;

a locating system that identifies the location of members of the plurality of emergency response devices;

a port emergency signal generator that can emit an emergency indicating signal and where in response thereto at least one of the emergency response devices is activated.

11. A system as in claim 10 where at least one device is activated which is within a predetermined distance from the location of the signal generator.

12. A system as in claim 11 where the generator includes a pre-stored person specific profile.

13. A system as in claim 12 wherein the emergency response device includes a receiver to respond to a received emergency indicating signal and to determine that the device is consistent with the person specific profile.

14. A system as in claim 13 where the emergency response devices are selected from a class which includes at least, automatic emergency defibrillators, or, telephone-like communications devices.

15. A method comprising:

establishing at least one person specific profile;

associating the profile with a wireless communications device, and in response to an emergency indicating signal, locating at least one responsive device consistent with the profile and activating that device to emit locating indicia.

16. A method as in claim 15 which includes emitting at least one of audible or visual locating indicia.

17. A method as in claim 16 which includes transmitting the emergency indicating signal from the communications device.

18. A method as in claim 17 which includes storing the profile at the communications device.

19. A method as in claim 18 which includes using the communications device to establish the profile.

20. A method as in claim 19 where the responsive device is selected from a class which includes at least automatic emergency defibrillators, and telephone-type communications devices.