Emergency conference calling system

• US 7,937,066 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2004
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 911Tracker, Inc.
• Original Assignee: 911Tracker, Inc.
• Inventors: Kaltsukis, Calvin Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEDRICK, CHARLES TERRELL
• Application Number:
  US11/013,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20050136885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,331 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/416, 455/404.2, 379/45
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5054 Meet-me conference, i.e. participants dial-in
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

An apparatus for the location of an object of value, such as a vehicle, includes a cell phone disposed in the vehicle and under microprocessor control. The cell phone is adapted to call an owner on detection of an alarm condition as well as to place a call to 911. The cell phone, according to a preferred embodiment, places the call to 911 under command by the owner and then establishes a three-way conference call between the owner and a 911 dispatcher who answers the 911 call. Other methods of creating the conference call and of using the apparatus are disclosed including call transfer and call relay modes of operation. Other features, including GPS coordinate acquisition and transmission, are described.

Claims

1. A method providing a means whereby a person can initiate establishment of a 3-party conference call connection with 911 through a remotely commanded wireless communications device, comprising:

a. the person dialing the telephone number of the wireless communications device programmed to auto-answer incoming calls;

b. the wireless communications device auto-answering the incoming call to establish a call connect;

c. the person transmitting a command instruction via the established call connection ordering the wireless communications device to execute a predefined dialing sequence predetermined to result in a 3-party conference call being established via conference call services provided by a service provider, said 3-party conference call including the person, the wireless communications device and a 911 call taker, and

d. said conference call connection allowing the person to tell the 911 call taker the reason for the call and to request emergency services.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the command transmitted by the person to the wireless communications device ordering the wireless communications device to establish the 3-party conference call connection is a DTMF command.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein image information captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device is transmitted from the wireless communications device to 911 during the established call connection via image transmission services provided by a service provider.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the image information transmitted to 911 is formatted in a format selected from the group consisting of a still picture, a sequence of still pictures, JPEG and streaming video.

5. A method providing a means whereby a person can initiate establishment of a 3-party conference call connection with 911 through a remotely commanded wireless communications device, comprising:

a. the person dialing the telephone number of the wireless communications device programmed to place a return call to the telephone number of the incoming call at termination of the incoming call attempt;

b. the wireless communications device calling the telephone number of the unanswered incoming call;

c. the person answering the incoming call from the wireless communications device to establish a call connection and transmitting a command instruction via the established call connection ordering the wireless communications device to execute a predefined dialing sequence predetermined to result in a 3-party conference call being established via conference call services provided by a service provider, said 3-party conference call including the person, the wireless communications device and a 911 call taker, and

d. the established 3-party conference call connection allowing the person to tell the 911 call taker the reason for the call and to request emergency services.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the command transmitted by the person to the wireless communications device ordering the wireless communications device to establish the 3-party conference call connection is a DTMF command.

7. The methods of claim 5 wherein image information captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device is transmitted from the wireless communications device to 911 during the established call connection via image transmission services provided by a service provider.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the image information transmitted to 911 is formatted in a format selected from the group consisting of a still picture, a sequence of still pictures, JPEG and streaming video.

9. A method providing a means whereby a person can initiate establishment of a 3-party conference call connection with 911 through a remotely commanded wireless communications device, comprising:

a. reception by the wireless communications device of an incoming command transmission from a remote person, said transmission ordering the wireless communications device to call the telephone number of said person;

b. the person answering the incoming call from the wireless communications device to establish a call connection;

c. the person sending a command to the wireless communications device via the established call connection, said command ordering the device to execute a predefined dialing sequence predetermined to establish a 3-party conference call with 911 via conference calling services provided by a service provider, said 3-party call including the person, the wireless communications device, and a 911 call taker, and

d. the established 3-party conference call allowing the person to inform the 911 call taker of the reason for the call and to request emergency services.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the command transmission transmitted from the person to the wireless communications device is selected from the group consisting of text, data, IM, MMS, e-mail and SMS.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the command transmitted by the person to the wireless communications device ordering the wireless communications device to establish the 3-party conference call connection is a DTMF command.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein image information captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device is transmitted from the wireless communications device to 911 during the established call connection via image transmission services provided by a service provider.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the image information transmitted to 911 is formatted in a format selected from the group consisting of a still picture, a sequence of still pictures, JPEG and streaming video.

14. A method comprising:

a. establishment of a first telephone call connection between the telephone of a person and a wireless communications device, said call initiated by said person;

b. said call including image information captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device, said image information transmitted to the telephone of the person during the first call connection via image transmission services provided by a service provider;

c. the person transmitting a command instruction to the wireless communications device via the established call connection, said command instruction ordering the wireless communications device to execute a predefined dialing sequence predetermined to result in a 3-party conference call being established via conference call services provided by a service provider, said 3-party conference call including the person, the wireless communications device and a 911 call taker, and

d. said 3-party conference call connection allowing the person to tell the 911 call taker the reason for the call, said 3-party conference call connection including transmission of image information captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device to 911, said image information transmitted from the wireless communications device to 911 via image transmission services provided by a service provider.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the command transmitted by the person to the wireless communications device ordering establishment of the 3-party conference call is a DTMF command.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the image information transmitted to 911 is formatted in a format selected from the group consisting of a still picture, a sequence of still pictures, JPEG and streaming video.

17. A method comprising:

a. reception by a wireless communications device of a transmission from a remote person, said transmission including a command instruction;

b. said command instruction ordering the wireless communications device to establish a call connection with 911 and deliver a predefined message;

c. said call connection allowing 911 to determine the location of the calling wireless communications device using E-911 call location technologies;

d. said predefined message including a telephone number where the person can be reached,

e. said telephone number providing 911 with means to call the remote person;

verify the need for police assistance and obtain additional information relevant to the emergency services requested.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein image information, captured by a camera connected to the wireless communications device is transmitted to 911 during the call via image transmission services provided by a service provider.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the image information transmitted to 911 is formatted in a format selected from the group consisting of a still picture, a sequence of still pictures, JPEG and streaming video.