Miniature message module

• US 6,614,357 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Support Systems Product Development Corporation
• Original Assignee: Support Systems Product Development Corporation
• Inventors: Gibson, Mark R., Gibson, Donald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US09/543,493
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 340/692, 340/457, 340/384.1, 340/384.5, 434/185
• US Class Current: 340/692
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

An annunciator device operable to record and store a message can be disposed in close proximity to a user for playback of the message if the user becomes incapacitated or otherwise unable to respond. The annunciator device includes an actuator or button to initiate recording or playback of the message. A mode selector switch determines whether recording or playback will occur. Once recorded, the message is stored in a memory and can be broadcast to others by triggering the actuator to initiate playback. The stored message can contain information such as name, address, medical conditions, persons to contact, and other information which may assist emergency personnel, bystanders, and others in providing appropriate care and attention should the user become incapacitated or unable to respond.

Claims

1. An annunciator device for providing information about a user carrying the device, comprising:

a memory operable to store annunciator signals indicative of an emergency response message pertaining to a subject user carrying the device;

a power supply adapted to resiliently maintain said annunciator signals in said memory;

an output element operable to audibly produce the emergency response message in response to said annunciator signals;

a processor in communication with said memory and said output element and operable to retrieve said annunciator signals from said memory in response to an actuator signal and further operable to send said annunciator signals to said output element for rendering the emergency response message to assisting personnel seeking to assist the subject user, the annunciator device adapted to be disposed in a personal device housing of the subject user;

a unitary actuator in communication with said processor and operable by the assisting personnel to provide the actuator signal to said processor in a manner such that the emergency response message is rendered through the output element and enables the assisting personnel to assist the subject user, the subject user being distinct from the assisting personnel operating the unitary actuator; and

means remote from the unitary actuator for identifying the location of the unitary actuator to assisting personnel.

2. The annunciator device of claim 1 further comprising an input element in communication with said processor, wherein said input element is operable at least by the subject user to provide said annunciator signals to said processor and said processor is further operable to store said annunciator signals in said memory.

3. The annunciator device of claim 2 wherein said input element is operable to provide said annunciator signals in response to a captured signal.

4. The annunciator device of claim 3 wherein said captured signal is an audible signal.

5. The annunciator device of claim 1 wherein said processor is further operable to retrieve and send said annunciator signals in response to said actuator signal.

6. The annunciator device of claim 5 further comprising a mode selector having a plurality of positions wherein said actuator is further operable to selectively provide said actuator signal to said processor when said mode selector is in a first position.

7. The annunciator device of claim 6 wherein said actuator is further operable to provide a record signal to said processor and said processor is further operable to store said annunciator signals in response to said record signal.

8. The annunciator device of claim 7 wherein said actuator is further operable to selectively provide said record signal when said mode selector is in a second position.

9. The annunciator device of claim 1 wherein said broadcast message is an audible signal.

10. The annunciator device of claim 9 wherein said output element is a speaker.

11. The annunciator device of claim 1 wherein said memory is an analog EEPROM.

12. The annunciator device of claim 1 further comprising a protective sheet shrinkably disposed on at least a portion of said annunciator device and adapted to prevent penetration of fluids to said annunciator device.

13. The annunciator device of claim 2 wherein said input element is a microphone.

14. The annunciator device of claim 3 further comprising an indicator LED operable to be energized when said input element is providing said annunciator signals to said processor.

15. The annunciator device of claim 1 wherein said annunciator device is disposed in a housing adapted to be worn in close proximity to a user.

16. The annunciator device of claim 15 wherein said housing is selected from the group consisting of an identification badge, an identification card, a resilient clip pocket, a pin-on pocket, a wristwatch, an armband, a credit card, a hook and loop mounted pocket, a chain mounted housing, and an elastic mounted pocket.

17. A method of selectively broadcasting an emergency response message about a user comprising:

storing, in a memory, annunciator signals indicative of an emergency response message pertaining to a subject user;

maintaining, via a power supply, said annunciator signals resiliently in said memory;

receiving, at a unitary actuator in communication with said memory, an external signal, the unitary actuator being identifiable by and operable by assisting personnel seeking to assist the subject user to provide the actuator signal;

providing, in response to said external signal, said actuator signal;

sending, in response to said actuator signal, said annunciator signals to an output element in communication with said memory; and

audibly producing, via said output element, the emergency response message in response to said annunciator signals for rendering the emergency response message to the personnel seeking to assist the subject user such that the emergency response message enables the assisting personnel to assist the subject user, the memory, power supply, actuator, and output element adapted to be disposed in a personal device housing carried by the subject user;

wherein the housing includes means remote from the unitary actuator for identifying the location of the unitary actuator.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said storing further comprises:

receiving, at an input element, a record signal from an actuator;

receiving, via said input element, a captured signal in response to said record signal;

transforming, via said input element, annunciator signals in response to said captured signal; and

sending, to said memory, said annunciator signals.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said broadcasting comprises audible signals.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said broadcasting comprises visible signals.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said power supply is discontinuous and said memory maintains said annunciator signals during said discontinuity.

22. An annunciator device for record and playback of an emergency response message of a user carrying the device, the annunciator device comprising:

a memory operable to resiliently store annunciator signals indicative of the emergency response message, the emergency response message pertaining to a subject user having the device;

an output element operable to receive said annunciator signals and audibly produce the emergency response message in response to said annunciator signals;

a processor in communication with said memory and said output element and operable to retrieve and store said annunciator signals and further operable to send said annunciator signals to said output element in response to an actuator signal for rendering the emergency response message to assisting personnel seeking to assist the subject user;

an input element operable to receive said emergency response message and further operable to generate said annunciator signals and send said annunciator signals to said processor;

a unitary actuator operable to selectively send the actuator signal and a record signal to said processor, the actuator signal for rendering the emergency response message to the personnel seeking to assist the subject user such that the emergency response message enables the assisting personnel to assist the subject user; and

a mode selector having a plurality of positions and operable to indicate which of said actuator signal and said record signal to send to said processor in response to said position;

wherein said input element sends said annunciator signals to said memory via said processor in response to said record signal when said mode selector is in a first position, and said output element receives said annunciator signals from said memory via said processor when said mode selector is in a second position;

the annunciator device adapted to be disposed in a personal device housing of the subject user and the housing having means remote from the unitary actuator for identifying the location of the unitary actuator to assisting personnel.

23. The annunciator device of claim 22 wherein said message is an audible message.

24. A computer program product having computer program code operable to selectively broadcast an emergency response message comprising:

computer program code for storing, in a memory, annunciator signals indicative of the emergency response message the emergency response message pertaining to a subject user;

computer program code for maintaining, via a power supply, said annunciator signals resiliently in said memory;

computer program code for receiving, at a unitary actuator operable by assisting personnel seeking to assist the subject user in communication with said memory, an actuator signal;

computer program code for sending, in response to said actuator signal, said annunciator signals to an output element in communication with said memory for rendering the emergency response message to the assisting personnel; and

computer program code for broadcasting, via said output element, said emergency response message in response to said annunciator signals in a manner such that the emergency response message is rendered through the output element and enables the assisting personnel to assist the subject user;

the memory, power supply, actuator, and output element adapted to be disposed in a personal device housing of the subject user and the housing having means remote from the unitary actuator for identifying the location of the unitary actuator to assisting personnel.

25. The computer program product of claim 24 wherein said computer program code for storing further comprises:

computer program code for receiving, at an input element, a record signal from an actuator;

computer program code for receiving, via said input element, a captured signal in response to said record signal;

computer program code for transforming, via said input element, annunciator signals in response to said captured signal; and

computer program code for sending, to said memory, said annunciator signals.