Methods and systems for one-to-multiple emergency call communication

• US 8,107,935 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lekutai, Gaviphat
• Primary Examiner(s): TAYLOR, BARRY W
• Application Number:
  US12/195,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20100048160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.2
• US Class Current: 455/414.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• 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

Systems and methods for contacting associated parties in the event of an emergency communication is described. When an emergency request is made, such as a “911” call, the system determines if other contacts are associated with the requestor or the requesting device. The system then sends a communication to the associated contacts. The system may bridge the contacts onto an emergency call, provide them with information regarding the emergency, or provide them with the means to obtain more information, such as a link or a telephone number. The system may detect an incoming call and determine if the caller is associated with an ongoing emergency situation, connecting the caller with the relevant authorities if necessary.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting, at a mobile wireless communications device, an activation of an emergency control;

responsive to detecting the activation, transmitting, from the mobile wireless communications device, a first communication indicative of an emergency to an Emergency Service Message Entity in a wireless network,

wherein the first communication is not a 911 call,

wherein the first communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to transmit an emergency communication to an emergency services provider, and

wherein the first communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to determine whether any further communications are to be transmitted from the Emergency Service Message Entity regarding the first communication; and

responsive to detecting the activation, transmitting, from the mobile wireless communications device, a second communication to other than the emergency services provider, wherein the second communication comprises a link to a webpage provided by an Emergency Service Center, wherein the Emergency Service Center receives information regarding the emergency from the Emergency Service Message Entity, and wherein the webpage comprises an indication of a geographical location of the mobile wireless communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the emergency control is configured on the mobile wireless communications device by a user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication comprises a text message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the webpage further comprises at least one of contact information for the emergency services provider, a time of the first communication, and a date of the first communication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication comprises a text message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication is transmitted to a second mobile wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication comprises location information of the mobile wireless communications device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second communication is a second voice call, the method further comprising connecting the first voice call and the second voice call.

9. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:

a wireless communication module configured on the mobile wireless communications device that communicates with a communication network; and

an emergency notification input configured on the mobile wireless communications device, wherein, responsive to an activation of an emergency notification input, the wireless communication module;

transmits a first communication indicative of an emergency to an Emergency Service Message Entity in a wireless network,

wherein the first communication is not a 911 call,

wherein the first communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to transmit an emergency communication to an emergency services provider, and

wherein the first communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to determine whether any further communications are to be transmitted from the Emergency Service Message Entity regarding the first communication, and

transmits a second communication indicative of the emergency to other than the emergency services provider, wherein the second communication comprises a link to a webpage provided by an Emergency Service Center, wherein the Emergency Service Center receives information regarding the emergency from the Emergency Service Message Entity, and wherein the webpage comprises an indication of a geographical location of the mobile wireless communications device.

10. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the webpage further comprises at least one of contact information for the emergency services provider, a time of the first communication, and a date of the first communication.

11. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first communication and the second communication is a text message.

12. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the second communication comprises a telephone number for the emergency services provider.

13. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the second communication comprises a link to a telephone number that, when activated on a recipient device, directs the recipient device to dial the telephone number.

14. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 13, wherein the telephone number is associated with the emergency services provider.

15. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 9, wherein the mobile wireless communications device comprises the emergency notification input and no other user input.

16. A system comprising:

an emergency control configured on a mobile wireless communications device for initiating an emergency communication;

a processor configured on the mobile wireless communications device for determining, responsive to activation of the emergency control, a first device to which a first communication should be transmitted and an Emergency Service Message Entity in a wireless network to which the emergency communication should be transmitted; and

a transmitter configured on the mobile wireless communications device for transmitting, based on the determination, the first communication to the first device and for transmitting the emergency communication to the Emergency Service Message Entity,

wherein the emergency communication is not a 911 call,

wherein the emergency communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to transmit a request for assistance to an emergency services provider,

wherein the emergency communication comprises an indication for the Emergency Service Message Entity to determine whether any further communications are to be transmitted from the Emergency Service Message Entity regarding the first communication,

wherein the first communication comprises a link to a webpage provided by an Emergency Service Center,

wherein the Emergency Service Center receives information regarding the emergency communication from the Emergency Service Message Entity, and

wherein the webpage comprises an indication of a geographical location of the mobile wireless communications device.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

the processor configured on the mobile wireless communications device for determining, responsive to activation of the emergency control, a second device to which the first communication should be transmitted.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the first communication comprises a link to a telephone number that, when activated on the first device, directs the first device to dial the telephone number.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the telephone number is associated with the emergency services provider.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first communication comprises the geographical location of the mobile wireless communications device.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the webpage further comprises at least one of contact information for the emergency services provider, a time of the emergency communication, and a date of the emergency communication.