Cellular transmitter for automatically providing position location and emergency data

• US 6,647,267 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1997
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Etchells, John Edward, Britt, Beverly Rimmer
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US08/910,315
• Time in Patent Office: 2,281 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/13.2, 455/12.1, 455/507, 455/917, 455/521, 455/95, 455/33.1, 455/456, 455/406, 455/457, 455/550, 342/357.1
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/006 for emergency situations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile

Abstract

A transmitter is provided for communicating over a cellular system. The transmitter includes a data storage device electronically storing predefined information to be communicated to a receiving station over the cellular system. The predefined information may include one or more telephone numbers to be contacted in an emergency, medical information, or any other type of information. A position finding receiver such as a global position system, for example, is provided for determining the current geographic location of the transmitter. The transmitter also includes a signal processing element for providing a signal that includes the predefined information and the current location. A transmission element receives the signal from the signal processing element and, in response thereto, transmits a cellular signal that includes both the predefined information and the current location. A manually operable actuator is included to establish communication with a receiving party over the cellular system and to initiate transmission of the cellular signal thereto.

Claims

1. A transmitter for communication over a cellular system, comprising:

a data storage device electronically storing predefined personal identity information unique to the person using said transmitter for communication to a receiving station over the cellular system, the predefined personal identity information being exclusive of any transmitter identifying number and exclusive of the transmitter'"'"'s location, wherein the data storage device is located in the transmitter;

a position-finding receiver for determining a current geographic location of the transmitter;

a signal processing element for providing a signal that includes said predefined personal identity information unique to the person using said transmitter and said current location;

a transmission element receiving said signal from said signal processing element and, in response thereto, transmitting a cellular signal that includes said predefined identity information unique to the person using said transmitter and said current location, wherein the transmission element is unattached to a person corresponding to the personal identity information; and

a manually operable actuator for establishing communication with a receiving party over the cellular system and initiating transmission of said cellular signal thereto, wherein the transmitter is capable of being handheld.

2. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said data storage device is a nonvolatile electrically alterable read-only memory.

3. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said data storage device is a detachable mass memory card.

4. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said position finding receiver receives position information from a global position system (GPS) satellite.

5. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said manually operable actuator includes a telephone keypad.

6. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said manually operable actuator is configured to initiate communication with a single predefined receiving party.

7. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein said predefined information includes a home telephone number of a user.

8. A method for communicating information over a cellular system via a transmitter capable of being handheld, comprising:

storing predefined personal identity information unique to a person using said transmitter for communication to a receiving station over the cellular system, the predefined personal identity information being stored locally at the transmitter, being exclusive of any transmitter identifying number, and exclusive of the transmitter'"'"'s location;

determining a current geographic location of the transmitter;

providing a signal that includes said predefined personal identity information unique to the person using said transmitter and said current location; and

establishing communication with a receiving party over the cellular system and initiating transmission of said signal thereto that includes said predefined personal identity information and said current location.