First responder wireless emergency alerting with automatic callback and location triggering

• US 8,970,366 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2013
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Titus, Mark A., Pohutsky, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US13/887,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20130252572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.18, 340/539.2, 340/539.26, 340/539.32, 340/505, 340/506, 340/286.05, 340/286.06, 340/7.3, 340/7.52, 455/343.4, 455/404.2, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/414.1, 455/466, 370/356, 370/389, 370/392, 370/406, 370/408, 370/466, 726/22, 342/450, 342/457
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Using wireless features, a public service agency is enabled to provide alert information to first responders. An automatic call back from the first responder triggers a voice call launching a location fix on the current location of the first responder. Preferably delivery confirmation that the responder has received the message is received. Once the location fix has been completed, then driving directions with map images are sent to the first responder based on their current location and desired destination for response.

Claims

1. A method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder, comprising:

transmitting an emergency message to a wireless first responder device, said emergency message including a callback number;

receiving a callback from said first responder device, at said callback number;

triggering a current location fix of said first responder device, in response to said received callback; and

transmitting turn-by-turn travel directions between said current location of said wireless first responder device and a current location associated with an initiator of said emergency message, to said first responder device.

2. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said callback number comprises:

a 10-digit phone number.

3. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, further comprising:

directing said callback number to an interactive voice response specifically selected based on a content type of said emergency message.

4. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a delivery confirmation of said emergency message from said first responder device.

5. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein:

said travel directions include a map image relevant to said current location of said first responder device.

6. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein:

said travel directions include a map image relevant to said current location of said initiator of said emergency message.

7. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein:

said callback from said first responder device is automatically triggered by said first responder device.

8. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said emergency message comprises:

an SMTP protocol message.

9. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said emergency message comprises:

an SMPP protocol message.

10. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said emergency message comprises:

an XMI protocol message.

11. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said emergency message comprises:

an MM3 protocol message.

12. The method of providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 1, wherein said emergency message comprises:

an RMI protocol message.

13. Apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder, comprising:

means for transmitting an emergency message to a wireless first responder device, said emergency message including a callback number;

means for receiving a callback from said first responder device, at said callback number;

means for triggering a current location fix of said first responder device, in response to said received callback; and

means for transmitting travel directions between said current location of said wireless first responder device and a current location associated with an initiator of said emergency message, to said first responder device.

14. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, further comprising:

means for receiving a delivery confirmation of said emergency message from said first responder device.

15. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, wherein:

said travel directions include a map image relevant to said current location of said first responder device.

16. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, wherein:

said travel directions include a map image relevant to said current location of said initiator of said emergency message.

17. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, wherein:

said callback from said first responder device is automatically triggered by said first responder device.

18. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, wherein said emergency message comprises at least one of:

an SMTP protocol message;

an SMPP protocol message;

an XMI protocol message;

an MM3 protocol message; and

an RMI protocol message.

19. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, wherein said callback number comprises:

a 10-digit phone number.

20. The apparatus for providing emergency alert information to a first responder according to claim 13, further comprising:

means for directing said callback number to an interactive voice response specifically selected based on a content type of said RMI protocol emergency message.