EMERGENCY INFORMATION ACCESS ON PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20160202877A1
• Filed: 02/11/2016
• Published: 07/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: MICHALSKE, Steven Charles
• Granted Patent: US 9,841,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for displaying emergency medical information at a password-locked device, the method comprising:

by a computing device;

receiving medical information associated with a medical condition of an owner of the computing device;

displaying a password-lock screen that includes a keypad for initiating an emergency phone call and a medical information icon for accessing the medical information when the computing device is password-locked;

receiving a selection of the medical information icon; and

displaying the medical information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical information includes a medical record and an emergency contact.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting to a secondary computing device associated with an authorized healthcare provider; and

unlocking the computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a healthcare provider password from the secondary computing device, the healthcare provider password configured to unlock the computing device for medical emergencies.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

transferring the medical information to the secondary computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the medical information includes displaying a first category of medical allergies and displaying a second category for medical conditions.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing owner data that includes emergency contacts and medical alerts; and

bypassing a password lock of the computing device to access the owner data in response to receiving the selection of the medical information icon.

8. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor in a computing device cause the computing device to perform steps that include:

storing medical information in different subcategories of owner data;

displaying a password-lock screen that includes (i) a first keypad for inputting a user password and (ii) an emergency icon for accessing an emergency lock screen, the emergency lock screen comprising a second keypad for initiating an emergency phone call and a medical information icon for accessing the medical information when the computing device is password-locked;

receiving a selection of the emergency icon to display the emergency lock screen; and

displaying the medical information in response to receiving a selection of the medical information icon.

9. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 8, wherein the steps further include:

connecting to a secondary computing device associated with an authorized healthcare provider; and

unlocking the computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.

10. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 9, wherein the steps further include:

receiving a healthcare provider password from the secondary computing device, the healthcare provider password configured to unlock the computing device for medical emergencies.

11. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 9, wherein the steps further include:

transferring the medical information to the secondary computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.

12. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 8, wherein displaying the medical information includes displaying a first category of medical allergies and displaying a second category for medical conditions.

13. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 8, wherein the steps further include:

storing owner data that includes emergency contacts and medical alerts; and

bypassing a password lock of the computing device to access the owner data in response to receiving the selection of the medical information icon.

14. A computing device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that is configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to perform steps that include;

storing lock-accessible medical information that includes a medical condition of an owner of the computing device and a lock-accessible contact;

displaying a password-lock screen that includes a keypad for initiating an emergency phone call and a medical information icon for accessing the medical information when the computing device is password-locked;

receiving a selection of the medical information icon; and

displaying the medical condition and the lock-accessible contact.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the steps further include:

receiving a healthcare provider password from the secondary computing device, the healthcare provider password configured to unlock the computing device for medical emergencies.

16. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the steps further include:

connecting to a secondary computing device associated with an authorized healthcare provider; and

unlocking the computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.

18. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the medical information includes a first category of medical allergies and a second category for medical conditions.

19. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the steps further include:

storing medical alerts; and

bypassing a password lock of the computing device to access the medical alerts in response to receiving the selection of the medical information icon.

20. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the keypad and the medical information icon are displayed concurrently.

17. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the steps further include:

transferring the medical information to the secondary computing device in response to connecting to the secondary computing device.