Communications method

• US 20100194631A1
• Filed: 02/03/2009
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MobileHelp, LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrity Tracking LLC
• Inventors: Pasenen, Ernest F., Flippo, Robert, Janetis, Elias M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,086,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption

Abstract

A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the portable device is in proximity of the base station; powering down the GPS, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station; and activating and fully powering the cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when the portable device is not in proximity of said base station. When not in proximity, the method also includes collecting an initial GPS location data from the GPS module and storing the location data into a memory location; placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and fully powering the GPS module, acquiring and storing additional GPS location data only at specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring the cellular transceiver module for inquiries and monitoring the emergency call button for an emergency signal. Various other steps occur when the emergency button is depressed.

Claims

1. A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button comprising the steps of:

a) determining whether said portable device is in proximity of said base station;

b) powering down said GPS, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station;

c) activating and fully powering said cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when said portable device is not in proximity of said base station and further comprising the steps of;

i) collecting initial GPS location data from said GPS module and storing said location data into a memory location; and

ii) placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and fully powering said GPS module, acquiring and storing additional GPS location data only at specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring said cellular transceiver module for inquiries and monitoring said emergency call button for an emergency signal.

2. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps, when the portable device is not in proximity to the base station, of:

iii) initiating an auto dial sequence causing said cellular transceiver module to place a call to an emergency response center when said emergency call button is depressed whereby allowing voice communication between a user of the portable device and the emergency response center to determine the issue and appropriate response; and

iv) transferring said GPS location data and said additional GPS location data to said emergency response center and displaying said location data on a web based mapping system.

3. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps, when the portable device is in proximity to the base station, of transmitting a code to the emergency response center indicating that the portable device is in range and logging said code into a system database.

4. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps, when the portable device is in proximity to the base station and when said emergency button is depressed, of sending an RF signal from said portable device to said base station to initiate an emergency call to an emergency response center from said base station and also initiating an auto dial sequence causing said cellular transceiver module to place a redundant call to an emergency response center.

5. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a wearable RF pendant and, when the portable device is in proximity to the base station and when an RF pendant emergency button is depressed;

sending a RF signal from said RF pendant to said base station; and

initiating an auto dial sequence on said base station to make a call to said emergency response center.

6. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

initiating a location request by a remote caregiver via the Internet;

initiating a database lookup based upon a user ID and password entered by said caregiver;

providing the caregiver an “

at home”

indication if the portable device is in proximity to the base station;

providing the caregiver the current GPS location of the user if available, cell tower triangulation data if a current GPS location is not available; and

providing the caregiver the last known location from said memory location if a current location is not available.

7. A method of 2-way data and voice communication according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

initiating a voice request by a remote caregiver via the internet;

initiating a database lookup based upon a user ID and password entered by said caregiver;

providing the caregiver an “

at home”

indication if the portable device is in proximity to the base station and providing a conventional voice communications link with the user; and

sending a signal to said portable device which causes said portable device to autodial the caregiver'"'"'s number and auto connects a voice link via a speakerphone provided in said portable device.