Multi-site personal emergency telephone system and method

• US 8,571,185 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marion Alice Loizeaux
• Original Assignee: Marion Alice Loizeaux
• Inventors: Loizeaux, Marion Alice
• Primary Examiner(s): El-Zoobi, Maria
• Application Number:
  US12/953,400
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 379 37- 52, 379/90.03, 379/104, 379/105, 379/106, 379/107, 379/110, 379/90.01, 379/90.02, 455/462, 455/411
• US Class Current: 379/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

A system and method of calling for emergency services within a defined operational area. The operational area contains multiple landline telephone connection jacks that connect to multiple landlines. A mobile unit is provided that transmits and receives wireless signals. Base units are provided that receive the wireless signal transmitted by the mobile unit. Each base unit is capable of being activated by an authorized signal which may be in the transmitted wireless signal. Each base unit automatically dials an emergency number when activated. The base units are connected to at least some of the telephone connection jacks. The predetermined range of each of the base units combine to define the operational area of the mobile unit. Authorization data is exchanged between the mobile unit and each of the base units. Accordingly, the base units can identify whether or not the wireless signals transmitted by mobile unit contain the proper authorized signal.

Claims

1. In a jurisdiction having an enhanced 911 emergency system that identifies an incoming telephone call from a local landline using automatic location identification data, a method of calling for emergency services within a defined operational area that contains multiple landline telephone jacks that are connected to multiple telephone landlines, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile unit capable of transmitting a wireless signal;

providing a plurality of base units, each of said base units being capable of receiving said wireless signal with a predetermined range, wherein each of said base units is capable of being activated by an authorized wireless signal and wherein each of said base units automatically dials said enhanced 911 emergency system and triggers a retrieval of said automatic location identification data when activated;

connecting said base units to at least some of said telephone jacks, wherein said predetermined range of each of said base units combine to create said defined operational area;

individually exchanging authorization data between said mobile unit and each of said base units, wherein each of said base units then identify said wireless signal transmitted by said mobile unit as said authorized wireless signal; and

activating said mobile unit and transmitting said authorized wireless signal, wherein one of said base units closest to said mobile unit in said operational area creates a landline call by dialing said enhanced 911 emergency system and triggering retrieval of said automatic location identification data associated with said landline call by said enhanced 911 emergency system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said mobile unit contains an activation button and said mobile unit transmits said wireless signal whenever said activation button is pressed.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said activation button is protected by a cover on said mobile unit and said mobile unit automatically initiates a readiness test when said cover is opened to provide access to said activation button.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said readiness test includes transmitting a test signal to said base units and determining if said mobile unit is within said operational area.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein each said base unit creates a wireless communication signal corresponding to said landline telephone call when activated.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said mobile unit contains a receiver for receiving said wireless communication signal and at least one speaker for making said wireless communication signal audible.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said wireless communication signal is a two-way communication signal and said mobile unit contains a microphone for sending audio from said mobile unit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of individually exchanging authorization data between said mobile unit and each of said base units includes generating a unique code for said mobile unit and each of said base units, wherein the unique code for each of said base units is stored in said mobile unit and wherein said unique code for said mobile unit is stored within each said base unit.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of individually exchanging authorization data between said mobile unit and each of said base units includes bringing said mobile unit into direct electrical contact with each of said base units.

10. A method of calling for emergency services within a defined operational area, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile unit capable of transmitting a wireless signal;

providing base units capable of receiving said wireless signal throughout a predetermined range, wherein each base unit is capable of being activated by an authorized wireless signal and wherein each base unit automatically dials an emergency number when activated;

connecting said base units to a plurality of telephone lines throughout said operational area, wherein each of said telephone landlines has its own unique automatic location identification data; and

individually authorizing each base unit to identify said wireless signal transmitted by said mobile unit as said authorized wireless signal, wherein said base units then identify said wireless signal transmitted by said mobile unit as said authorized wireless signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mobile unit contains an activation button and said mobile unit transmits said wireless signal whenever said activation button is pressed.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said activation button is protected by a cover on said mobile unit and said mobile unit automatically initiates a readiness test when said cover is opened to provide access to said activation button.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said readiness test includes transmitting a test signal to said base units and determining if said mobile unit is within said operational area.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein each said base unit creates a telephone call when said emergency number is dialed and wherein said base unit transmits a wireless communication signal corresponding to said telephone call when activated.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said mobile unit contains a receiver for receiving said wireless communication signal and at least one speaker for making said wireless communication signal audible.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said wireless communication signal is a two-way communication signal and said mobile unit contains a microphone.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of individually authorizing each base unit to identify said wireless signal transmitted by said mobile unit includes generating a unique code for said mobile unit and each of said base units, wherein the unique code for each of said base units is stored in said mobile unit and wherein said unique code for said mobile unit is stored within each said base unit.

18. The method according to claim 17, said step of individually authorizing each base unit to identify said wireless signal includes bringing said mobile unit into direct electrical contact with each of said base units.

19. A method of defining the operational area for a remote transceiver used to call for emergency services, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a portable transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting an activation signal and audible signals;

providing a plurality of base units, wherein each base unit is capable of being activated by said activation signal when said portable transceiver transmits said activation signal within a predetermined range, and wherein each said base unit automatically dials an emergency number when activated; and

connecting said base units to a plurality of separate telephone lines, wherein each of said telephone lines has its own automatic location identification data, and wherein said predetermined range of said base units combine to define said operational area for said transceiver.

20. The method according to claim 19, further including the step of instructing each of said base units to identify said activation code produced by said transceiver.