Event notification system

• US 7,814,197 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2007
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mission Communications, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mission Communications, LLC
• Inventors: Collings, John K. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu; Jinsong
• Application Number:
  US11/619,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20070106766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,379 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/204, 709/205, 709/206, 709/214, 709/224, 455/404.1
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

In a method of transmitting an event notification, a first data packet that includes a first event code is transmitted to a first individual via a not-automatically receipt confirmed communication. Upon receiving a response communication from the first individual, the first individual is requested to respond with the first event code. If the first individual responds by transmitting the first event code, then the first event is identified from the first event code. Instructions relating to the first event are transmitted to the first individual. The status of notifications is displayed on a map which is displayed on a computer screen.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting an event notification, comprising the steps of:

a. automatically transmitting, from a central event notification center, a first notification of an event to a first individual, the first notification including a first event code that uniquely identifies the event and the first individual, and automatically transmitting from the central event notification center a second notification of the event to a second individual, the second notification including a second event code, different from the first event code, that uniquely identifies the event and the second individual;

b. receiving from the first individual, at the central event notification center, the first event code and an indication of acceptance of responsibility for the event by the first individual; and

c. upon completion of the receiving step, updating a central database to indicate that the first individual has accepted responsibility for the event and transmitting to the second individual an indication that the second individual is not to respond to the event.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically identifying the first individual with a personal identification apparatus disposed at a location where the event occurred.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the identifying step comprises the step of receiving a unique personal identifying code that identifies the first individual.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the personal identifying code is transmitted to the central event notification center by the individual activating the personal identification apparatus.