Panic button phone

• US 6,044,257 A
• Filed: 03/19/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activecare Incorporated (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: American Secure Care, LLC
• Inventors: Boling, Brian M., Bernstein, Michael C., Natale, Nicolas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woldetatios, Yemane
• Application Number:
  US09/044,497
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/414, 455/422, 455/100, 455/91, 455/415, 455/456, 340/426, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/539, 340/425.5, 379/37, 379/38, 342/357, 342/457
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/064 indicating houses needing emergency help, e.g. with a flashing light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

An emergency use only panic button phone provides a low cost comprehensive personal security device. The panic button phone has a large button located on a rigid housing that contains a cellular receiver and transmitter. Pressing the large button allows the user of the panic button phone to establish full duplex cellular voice communications with an emergency response center and summon emergency response personnel. Preferably, a flip top cover that is connected by hinges to the rigid housing folds over the large button and minimizes the likelihood the large button will be accidentally pressed. A global positioning device in the panic button phone provides the location of the operator to the emergency response center. A small button on the rigid housing activates a noise alarm that alerts individuals in the immediate area that an emergency situation exists. In addition, a second small button activates a radio transmitter that signals the home alarm system of the operator if the operator is near the home when the button is pressed. In response to being signaled, the home alarm system initiates appropriate security measures such as turning on the house'"'"'s lights and producing an audible alarm.

Claims

1. A portable emergency communication apparatus for contacting a public emergency response center, and establishing full duplex voice communication between an operator of the apparatus and emergency personnel at the public emergency response center, the emergency communication apparatus comprising:

a rigid housing for containing the emergency communication apparatus;

a single button mounted on the rigid housing that, when pressed, causes activation of the emergency communication apparatus to establish full duplex cellular voice communication with the public emergency response center;

a cellular transmitter contained within the rigid housing for transmitting cellular phone signals the transmitter operable to establish communication with only the public emergency response center when the single button is pressed, thereby reducing or eliminating costs associated with nonemergency cellular phone service;

a cellular receiver for receiving voice message signals from the emergency response center and for conditioning the voice message signals to produce conditioned signals;

a speaker for receiving the conditioned signals and producing audible sound based on the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

a microphone for producing electrical signals based on audible speech of the operator whereby the operator may respond to the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

the cellular transmitter further for receiving the electrical signals and generating cellular phone signals based on the electrical signals for broadcast to the public emergency response center substantially simultaneously with the production of the electrical signals by the microphone;

the cellular transmitter being operable to transmit cellular phone signals as the receiver simultaneously receives voice message signals from the emergency response center, and the receiver being operable to receive voice message signals as the transmitter simultaneously transmits cellular phone signals, whereby the operator of the emergency communication apparatus and personnel at the public emergency response center may engage in verbal communications, and

an audible alarm disposed within the housing for producing noise to alert individuals in the area surrounding the emergency communication apparatus that an emergency situation exists.

2. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for establishing radio communications with a home security system of a user of the emergency communication apparatus if the emergency communication apparatus is within radio communication range of the home security system when an emergency situation arises.

3. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for activating a car alarm system of a user of the emergency communication apparatus, and for causing the car alarm system to sound an audible alarm if the emergency communication apparatus is within radio communications range of the car alarm system when an emergency situation arises.

4. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flip top cover mounted on the rigid housing that covers the single button and reduces the possibility of accidentally activating the emergency communication apparatus.

5. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the emergency communication apparatus uses only analog modulation communications.

6. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the emergency communication apparatus is designed to use digital modulation if a digital cellular service provider is within digital cellular communications range and analog modulation if a digital cellular service provider is not within communications range.

7. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a set of indicator lights for indicating that the emergency communication apparatus is in cellular communications range with a cellular network, that the emergency communication apparatus has been activated or that the emergency communication apparatus needs new batteries.

10. The emergency communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flashing light source for alerting individuals in the area surrounding the emergency communication apparatus that an emergency situation exists.

8. A portable emergency communication apparatus for contacting a public emergency response center and establishing full duplex voice communication between an operator of the apparatus and emergency personnel at the public emergency response center, comprising:

a rigid protective housing;

a single button mounted on the housing that, when pressed, causes activation of the emergency communication apparatus to establish full duplex cellular voice communication with the public emergency response center;

a cellular transmitter contained within the rigid housing for transmitting cellular phone signals, the transmitter operable to establish communication with only the public emergency response center when the single button is pressed, thereby reducing or eliminating costs associated with nonemergency cellular phone service;

a cellular receiver for receiving voice message signals from the emergency response center and for conditioning the voice message signals to produce conditioned signals;

a speaker for receiving the conditioned signals and producing audible sound based on the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

a microphone for producing electrical signals based on audible speech of the operator whereby the operator may respond to the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

the cellular transmitter further for receiving the electrical signals and generating cellular phone signals based on the electrical signals for broadcast to the public emergency response center substantially simultaneously with the production of the electrical signals by the microphone;

the cellular transmitter being operable to transmit cellular phone signals as the receiver simultaneously receives voice message signals from the public emergency response center, and the receiver being operable to receive voice message signals as the transmitter simultaneously transmits cellular phone signals, whereby the operator of the emergency communication apparatus and personnel at the public emergency response center may engage in verbal communications; and

locator means disposed within the housing for providing the location of the emergency communication apparatus to the emergency response center when the single button is pressed and the emergency response center is contacted.

9. The emergency communications apparatus of claim 8 wherein the locator means use the global positioning satellite system to determine the location of the emergency communications apparatus when the single button is pressed.

11. A security system for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the security system comprising;

a home security system for producing alarms in response to a variety of emergency situations; and

a portable personal security device comprising;

a rigid protective housing;

a radio frequency transmitter disposed within the housing for activating the home security system if the portable personal security device is within communications range of the home security system when the radio frequency transceiver is activated;

a home security alarm button mounted on the housing that activates the radio frequency transmitter and causes the portable personal security device to activate the home security system;

an emergency response button mounted on the housing that, when pressed, activates the portable device to establish full duplex cellular voice communications with a public emergency response center;

a cellular transmitter disposed within the housing for transmitting cellular phone signals, the transmitter operable to establish communication with only the public emergency response center when the single button is pressed, thereby reducing or eliminating costs associated with nonemergency cellular phone service;

a cellular receiver for receiving voice message signals from the emergency response center and for conditioning the voice message signals to produce conditioned signals;

a speaker for receiving the conditioned signals and producing audible sound based on the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

a microphone for producing electrical signals based on audible speech of the operator whereby the operator may respond to the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;

the cellular transmitter further for receiving the electrical signals and generating cellular phone signals based on the electrical signals for broadcast to the public emergency response center substantially simultaneously with the production of the electrical signals by the microphone;

the cellular transmitter being operable to transmit cellular phone signals as the receiver simultaneously receives voice message signals from the public emergency response center, and the receiver being operable to receive voice message signals as the transmitter simultaneously transmits cellular phone signals, whereby the operator of the emergency communication apparatus and personnel at the public emergency response center may engage in verbal communications; and

an audible alarm disposed within the housing for causing a noise to emanate from the portable personal security device for alerting individuals within audible range of the audible alarm that an emergency situation exists; and

an audible alarm button mounted on the housing that activates the audible alarm and causes the noise to emanate from the portable personal security device.

12. The security system of claim 11 wherein the radio frequency transmitter is further operable to activate a car alarm system, and to cause the car alarm system to sound an audible alarm in response to the home security alarm button being pressed if the portable personal security device is within radio communications range of the car alarm system at the time the home security alarm button is pressed.

13. The security system of claim 11 wherein the cellular transceiver is designed to use analog modulation only.

14. The security system of claim 11 wherein the portable personal security device further comprises locator means disposed within the housing for providing the location of the portable personal security device to the emergency response center when the emergency response button is pressed and the emergency response center is contacted.

15. The security system of claim 11 further comprising a set of indicator lights for indicating that the cellular device is in cellular communications range with a cellular network or the home security system.

16. The security system of claim 11 wherein the rigid housing further comprises a flip top cover that covers the emergency response, home security alarm and audible alarm buttons and minimizes the likelihood that the buttons will be inadvertently activated.

17. The security system of claim 11 wherein the portable personal security device further comprises a flashing light source mounted on the housing that is activated when the audible alarm button is pressed, the flashing light source for alerting individuals in the area surrounding the emergency communication apparatus that an emergency situation exists.

18. A portable cellular device for contacting a public emergency response center, the device comprising:

a rigid housing for containing the portable cellular device;

a single large button mounted on the rigid housing that causes the portable cellular device to establish full duplex voice communication with the public emergency response center when pressed;

a flip top cover mounted on the rigid housing that covers the single large button and reduces the possibility of accidentally activating the portable cellular device;

a radio transmitter disposed within the housing for contacting a home security system of a user of the portable cellular device if the portable cellular device is near the home security system when it is activated;

an audible alarm disposed within the housing for producing noise to alert individuals in the immediate area surrounding the cellular device that an emergency situation exists;

a first and a second small button located on the flip top cover wherein the first small button activates the audible alarm and the second small button activates the user'"'"'s home security system;

a retractable antenna mounted on the housing for receiving and transmitting electronic signals to and from the emergency response center;

a cellular receiver disposed within the housing for receiving electronic voice message signals from the retractable antenna and for conditioning the voice message signals to produce conditioned signals;

a cellular transmitter disposed within the housing for sending electronic cellular phone signals to the retractable antenna, the transmitter operable to establish communication with only the public emergency response center when the single large button is pressed, thereby reducing or eliminating costs associated with nonemergency cellular phone service;

a microprocessor control circuit disposed within the housing for controlling the functioning of the portable cellular device;

a memory device for providing storage space for storing information;

an automatic dialer operable to dial only a phone number of the public emergency response center;

a set of indicator lights mounted on the housing for indicating that the portable cellular device is in cellular communications range with a cellular network, that the portable cellular device has been activated or that the power supply in the portable cellular device needs replacing;

a clip mounted on the housing that allows the portable cellular device to be removably attached to an object such as a belt or purse strap;

a power supply disposed within the housing for providing power to the portable cellular device;

a speaker disposed within the housing for receiving the conditioned signals and for producing audible sound based on the voice message signals received from the public emergency response center; and

a microphone disposed within the housing for receiving verbal inputs from the user of the portable cellular device and converting the verbal inputs into electrical signals;

the cellular transmitter further for receiving the electrical signals from the microphone and generating cellular phone signals based on the electrical signals for broadcast to the public emergency response center substantially simultaneously with the production of the electrical signals by the microphone; and

the cellular transmitter being operable to transmit cellular phone signals as the receiver simultaneously receives voice message signals from the emergency response center, and the receiver being operable to receive voice message signals as the transmitter simultaneously transmits cellular phone signals, whereby the operator of the emergency communication apparatus and personnel at the public emergency response center may engage in verbal communications.