EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications terminal facilitates signaling emergency alerts and monitoring. The terminal is operative in response to user input to generate emergency messages which are transmitted to one or more predetermined recipients via one or more mediums of communication. This user input to generate an emergency is designed such that it takes advantage of the facilities of available common user terminals (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants) and may be augmented by short-range wireless “panic button” devices carried or worn by the user to allow triggering an alarm more effectively and/or conveniently. In response to either direct input from a user or remote input from another, the terminal also transmits audio, video, still image, and other available data that facilitates situation monitoring. The user may also indicate the nature and severity of the situation. Further, the terminal may suppress indications of the established communications such that the terminal appears to be in a dormant state. Further, the terminal may suppress normal handset controls allowing anyone to terminate communication, requiring specific, unique user input to terminate the emergency communication medium(s). Incorrect entry of this unique user input may be used as an indication that the user is in a situation of duress.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1-36. -36. (canceled)
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37. A method of operation of a personal communications device, the method comprising:
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receiving a prompt indicating the existence of an exigent circumstance; identifying one or more communications mediums available for communication; establishing, for each of the identified communications mediums, a communications link; and transmitting, via each of the established communication links, an urgency message, the urgency message including one or both of the signal strength and battery life of the personal communications device. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A personal communications device operable in response to a prompt to:
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identify one or more communications mediums available for communication; and transmit, via each of the identified communications mediums, an urgency message, the urgency message including one or both of the signal strength and battery life of the personal communications device. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A system which facilitates provision of emergency communication services via a network, the system comprising:
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at least one network device capable of alerting a responder, and a personal communications device operable in response to a prompt to establish communications with the at least one network device and to send an urgency message to the at least one network device, the urgency message including one or both of the signal strength and battery life of the personal communications device. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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Specification