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System and method for emergency communications through a set-top box

  • US 8,584,189 B2
  • Filed: 06/11/2009
  • Issued: 11/12/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for sending an emergency communication from a set-top box, the method comprising:

  • associating a user and a location of the user with the set-top box;

    receiving an indicator of an emergency utilizing the set-top box, wherein the indicator is enabled to be generated utilizing (1) sensors integrated with the set-top box, and (2) user input received through a menu presented to the user by the set-top box, wherein the menu presents the user options to select between an emergency interface and a self-help menu, wherein the emergency interface is configured to receive the indicator, and wherein the self-help menu provides a nested menu to allow the user to indicate a nature of emergency and displays associated content to assist the user in dealing with the emergency;

    determining the user and the location associated with the set-top box in response to receiving the indicator;

    generating an emergency communication as a discrete message utilizing the set-top box in response to receiving the indicator, wherein the emergency communication indicates the user and the location associated with the set-top box if determinable; and

    sending the emergency communication from the set-top box as the discrete message, wherein the emergency communication is sent as the discrete message through a media network in communication with the set-top box in response to receiving the indicator.

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