METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS FOR EMERGENCY CELLULAR PHONE COMMUNICATION

• US 20100210237A1
• Filed: 01/12/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amber Tomer, Clint Tomer
• Original Assignee: Amber Tomer, Clint Tomer
• Inventors: Tomer, Rex Franklin
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A method for automatically initiating a cellular phone emergency function in response to an airbag deployment within a vehicle is described. The method includes receiving, from a vehicle sensor, an airbag deployment signal at an emergency signal assembly. The emergency signal assembly includes an emergency communication apparatus configured to communicatively couple a cellular phone to the vehicle sensor. The method also includes transmitting the airbag deployment signal from the emergency signal assembly to the cellular phone and initiating at least one preprogrammed cellular phone emergency function in response to the airbag deployment signal.

Claims

1. A method for automatically initiating a cellular phone emergency function in response to an airbag deployment within a vehicle, said method comprising:

receiving, from a vehicle sensor, an airbag deployment signal at an emergency signal assembly, the emergency signal assembly including a communication apparatus configured to communicatively couple a cellular phone to the vehicle sensor;

transmitting the airbag deployment signal from the emergency signal assembly to the cellular phone; and

initiating at least one preprogrammed cellular phone emergency function in response to the airbag deployment signal.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising monitoring vehicle operation and generating the airbag deployment signal upon a measured indication of at least one of a predefined impact to the vehicle, an environmental change, and an airbag deployment within the vehicle.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein initiating at least one preprogrammed cellular phone emergency function comprises at least one of initiating a cellular phone call to an emergency service provider by accessing a stored phone number associated with the emergency service provider, initiating a cellular phone call to an emergency contact by accessing a stored phone number associated with the emergency contact, recording audio using the cellular phone, recording video using the cellular phone, and capturing still images using the cellular phone.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising providing a location of the cellular phone to at least one of the emergency service provider and the emergency contact.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein transmitting the airbag deployment signal from the emergency signal assembly to the cellular phone comprises at least one of transmitting the airbag deployment signal through a conductor to a power/data port of the cellular phone and transmitting the airbag deployment signal from a wireless communication device of the emergency signal assembly to a wireless communication device of the cellular phone.

6. A device for communicating between a vehicle and a cellular phone, said device comprising:

a body configured to mate with a vehicle accessory receptacle, said body comprising at least one signal receiving post configured to receive an airbag deployment signal from the vehicle accessory receptacle; and

a conductor coupled to the at least one signal receiving post for transmitting the airbag deployment signal from said body to the cellular phone.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said body further comprises a wireless communication device configured to transmit the airbag deployment signal to the cellular phone.

8. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said body comprises a raised tab configured to interact with a vehicle accessory receptacle slot within said vehicle accessory receptacle to ensure proper alignment of said body within said vehicle accessory receptacle.

9. A device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said body further comprises at least one power post, said at least one power post positioned a distance from said at least one signal post to facilitate proper alignment of said at least one signal post and a signal feed conductor of said vehicle accessory receptacle.

10. A device in accordance with claim 6 further comprising a connector plug coupled to said conductor, said connector plug configured to electrically couple said conductor to the cellular phone.

11. An emergency notification system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

an airbag deployment system configured to generate an airbag deployment signal;

an emergency communication apparatus removably coupled to said airbag deployment system and removably coupled to a cellular phone, said emergency communication apparatus configured to transmit the airbag deployment signal from said airbag deployment system to the cellular phone, the cellular phone configured to initiate at least one emergency function upon receipt of the airbag deployment signal.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said airbag deployment system further comprises a wireless communication device configured to transmit the airbag deployment signal to the cellular phone.

13. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said emergency communication apparatus comprises an automobile cellular phone charger.

14. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said emergency communication apparatus comprises:

a body configured to mate with a vehicle accessory receptacle, said vehicle accessory receptacle coupled to said airbag deployment system, said body comprising at least one signal receiving post configured to receive the airbag deployment signal from said vehicle accessory receptacle; and

a conductor coupled to said at least one signal receiving post for transmitting the airbag deployment signal from said body to the cellular phone.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said body comprises a raised tab configured to interact with a vehicle accessory receptacle slot within said vehicle accessory receptacle to ensure proper alignment of said body within said vehicle accessory receptacle.

16. A system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said vehicle accessory receptacle comprises an automotive cigarette lighter/accessory power source.

17. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said emergency communication apparatus comprises a wireless communication device configured to transmit the airbag deployment signal to the cellular phone.

18. A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said airbag deployment system includes at least one sensor configured to:

detect at least one of an airbag deployment and at least one condition leading to the airbag deployment; and

generate at least one of an emergency indication signal and the airbag deployment signal upon detection of the at least one of an airbag deployment and at least one condition leading to the airbag deployment.

19. A system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said airbag deployment system includes an electrical duplication device configured to duplicate the emergency indication signal for delivery to an airbag and to said emergency communication apparatus.

20. A system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said electrical duplication device is configured to receive the emergency indication signal and deliver the airbag deployment signal to said emergency communication apparatus.