Method and system for emergency dialing of a wireless communication device

• US 8,041,396 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Firefly Communications Incorporated (Generationone Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Firefly Communications Incorporated (Generationone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Deubler, Donald L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edouard; Patrick N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee; Justin Y
• Application Number:
  US10/742,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20040137938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,861 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/564, 455/565, 455/566, 455/567, 455/90.3, 455/344, 455/404.2, 455/404.1, 455/56, 455/401, 379/433.07, 379/433.06, 379/216.01, 379/359
• US Class Current: 455/564
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• 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: 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/08 between user and terminal device

Abstract

A wireless communication device may have several contact buttons, including, for example, a Mom button, a Dad button and a Home button. The device may also have a Send button and an End button. A child may press one of the contact buttons, then dial Send, and a call will be placed to the specifically denoted contact. Accordingly, a child may easily and efficiently use the present invention to quickly wirelessly communicate with another person, without the confusion of extraneous buttons. The wireless communication device also includes a system and method for emergency dialing. Emergency dialing is effected by pressing an emergency call button and the Send button. In this manner, accidental dialing of an emergency number is avoided. The wireless device can be remotely programmed such that a parent or other person may remotely program the numbers called when the contact buttons are pressed. Accordingly, if a parent or other person plan to change locations, the device may be remotely reprogrammed with a different contact number for that parent. The wireless communication device may be reprogrammed via a telephone call from a remote location or from a computer via the Internet.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a memory device electrically connected to the microprocessor;

a button set arranged in a generally coplanar orientation;

said button set including a maximum of three discrete contact buttons connected to the microprocessor;

a plurality of discrete communications buttons connected to the microprocessor;

the plurality of communications buttons responding to pressing to affect communication operations of the wireless communication device; and

at least one indicator light connected with the microprocessor;

said at least one indicator light presenting information relating to an extant communication with a respective predetermined party during at least a portion of a time employed effecting the extant communication;

each respective contact button of said maximum of three contact buttons being configured for responding to pressing to cooperate with pressing at least one communication button of the plurality of communications buttons for effecting communication with a respective predetermined party;

contact information for each respective predetermined party being stored in the memory device;

one button of said plurality of communications buttons being an emergency contact button configured for effecting emergency dialing;

said emergency dialing being initiated only when at least one communications button of said plurality of communications buttons is held pressed while said emergency contact button is held pressed.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the contact information for each contact button of said plurality of contact buttons may be changed in the memory device from a location remote from the wireless communication device.

3. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a memory device electrically connected to the microprocessor;

a button set arranged in a generally coplanar orientation;

said button set including a predetermined plurality of discrete contact buttons comprising only a first discrete contact button, a second discrete contact button and a third discrete contact button;

a plurality of discrete communications buttons;

the plurality of discrete communications buttons including a discrete send button;

the plurality of discrete contact buttons and the plurality of discrete communications buttons being electrically connected to the microprocessor;

the plurality of discrete communications buttons responding to pressing to affect communication operations of the wireless communication device; and

at least one indicator light connected with the microprocessor;

said at least one indicator light presenting information relating to an extant communication with a respective predetermined party during at least a portion of a time employed effecting the extant communication;

each respective discrete contact button of the plurality of discrete contact buttons being configured for responding to pressing to cooperate with pressing at least one discrete communication button of the plurality of discrete communications buttons for effecting communication with a respective predetermined party;

contact information for each respective predetermined party being stored in the memory device;

the discrete send button responding to pressing to effect initiation of a call to a particular respective predetermined party identified by a particular respective contact button;

one button of said plurality of discrete communications buttons being a discrete emergency contact button configured for effecting emergency dialing;

said emergency dialing being initiated only when at least one discrete communications button of said plurality of discrete communications buttons is held pressed while said discrete emergency contact button is held pressed.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein the contact information for each contact button of said plurality of contact buttons may be changed in the memory device from a location remote from the wireless communication device.

5. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a microprocessor;

a memory device electrically connected to the microprocessor;

a button set arranged in a generally coplanar orientation;

said button set including a predetermined plurality of discrete contact buttons comprising only a first discrete contact button, a second discrete contact button and a third discrete contact button;

one indicator light coupled with at least one discrete contact button of said predetermined plurality of discrete contact buttons;

a plurality of discrete communications buttons;

the plurality of discrete communications buttons including a discrete send button;

the plurality of discrete contact buttons and the plurality of discrete communications buttons being electrically connected to the microprocessor;

the plurality of discrete communications buttons affecting communication operations of the wireless communication device; and

a display unit;

said display unit presenting information relating to an extant communication with a respective predetermined party during at least a portion of a time employed effecting the extant communication;

each respective discrete contact button of the plurality of discrete contact buttons being associated with a respective predetermined party and being configured for responding to pressing to cooperate with pressing the discrete send button for initiating communication with the respective predetermined party;

contact information for each respective predetermined party being stored in the memory device;

each respective discrete contact button being related with a respective color being displayed by said one indicator light during at least a portion of a call involving the respective predetermined party associated with the respective discrete contact button;

one button of said plurality of discrete communications buttons being a discrete emergency contact button configured for effecting emergency dialing;

said emergency dialing being initiated only when at least one discrete communications button of said plurality of discrete communications buttons is held pressed while said discrete emergency contact button is held pressed.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein the contact information for each discrete contact button of said plurality of discrete contact buttons may be changed in the memory device from a location remote from the wireless communication device.