Emergency handling system using informative alarm sound

• US 9,171,450 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2013
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Cho, Yongwoo, Kim, Taesu, Jin, Minho, Hwang, Kyu Woong, Cho, Hyun-Mook, Kim, Duck-Hoon, Park, Seong Ill
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US14/012,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20140253326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A method includes receiving an alarm sound including information related to an emergency event. The method also includes transmitting, to a server, identification information of the mobile device and the information. The method further includes receiving, from the server, an instruction for responding to the emergency event. The method further includes outputting the instruction.

Claims

1. A method, performed at a mobile device, for responding to an emergency event, the method comprising:

receiving an alarm signal including information related to the emergency event, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) of an alarm device or an emergency code of the emergency event;

transmitting, to a server, identification information of the mobile device and the information;

receiving, from the server, an instruction for responding to the emergency event; and

outputting the instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second signal includes an audio watermark, and wherein the audio watermark includes the information related to the emergency event.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the audio watermark is a near-ultrasound signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least one of the alarm device ID or the emergency code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the audible sound includes at least one of a siren or a bell.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a location, an identification number, or and a callback number of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information includes context data associated with the mobile device and the emergency event.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the instruction includes at least one of a map indicating locations of the alarm device and the mobile device or an evacuation route.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that at least one other mobile device is operable to communicate with the mobile device;

transmitting identification information of the at least one other mobile device to the server;

receiving a second instruction for responding to the emergency event for the at least one other mobile device from the server; and

transmitting, to the at least one other mobile device, the second instruction for the at least one other mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the instruction includes outputting the instruction via a display or a speaker of the mobile device.

11. A mobile device comprising:

a sensor configured to receive an alarm signal including information related to an emergency event, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) of an alarm device or an emergency code of the emergency event;

a communication unit configured to transmit, to a server, identification information of the mobile device and the information related to the emergency event;

a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction for responding to the emergency event from the server; and

an output unit configured to output the instruction.

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the second signal includes an audio watermark, and wherein the audio watermark includes the information related to the emergency event.

13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the audio watermark is a near-ultrasound signal.

14. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the identification related to the emergency event includes at least one of the alarm device ID or the emergency code.

15. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the audible sound includes one of a siren or a bell.

16. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a location, an identification number, or a callback number of the mobile device.

17. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the identification information includes context data associated with at least one of the mobile device or the emergency event.

18. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the instruction includes at least one of a map indicating locations of the alarm device and the mobile device or an evacuation route.

19. The mobile device of claim 11, further comprising a sensor configured to determine that at least one other mobile device is operable to communicate with the mobile device.

20. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the communication unit is further configured to transmit identification information of at least one other mobile device to the server and to transmit a second instruction for responding to the emergency event to the at least one other mobile device.

21. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the output unit is further configured to output the instruction via a display or a speaker of the mobile device.

22. A mobile device comprising:

means for receiving an alarm signal including information related to an emergency event, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) or an emergency code of the emergency event;

means for transmitting, to a server, identification information of the mobile device and the information related to the emergency event;

means for receiving, from the server, an instruction for responding to the emergency event; and

means for outputting the instruction.

23. The mobile device of claim 22, further comprising means for determining that at least one other mobile device is operable to communicate with the mobile device.

24. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the means for transmitting the identification information is further configured to transmit identification information of at least one other mobile device to the server, and a second instruction for responding to the emergency event to the at least one other mobile device.

25. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions for responding to an emergency event, the instructions causing a processor of a mobile device to perform operations comprising:

receiving an alarm signal including information related to the emergency event, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) or an emergency code of the emergency event;

initiating transmission of identification information of the mobile device and the information to a server;

receiving, from the server, an instruction for responding to the emergency event; and

outputting the instruction.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining that at least one other mobile device is operable to communicate with the mobile device;

initiating transmission of identification information of the at least one other mobile device to the server;

receiving a second instruction for responding to the emergency event for the at least one other mobile device from the server; and

initiating transmission of the second instruction for the at least one other mobile device to the at least one other mobile device.

27. A method performed at a server for providing assistance in an emergency event, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, information related to the emergency event and identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the information is included in an alarm signal at the first mobile device;

generating a first instruction for responding to the emergency event for the first mobile device based on the information and the identification information of the first mobile device;

receiving second identification information of a second mobile device located within a particular distance from a location of the emergency event;

generating a second instruction based on the second identification information of the second mobile device and the information; and

transmitting the first instruction to the first mobile device and transmitting the second instruction to the second mobile device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the information includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) or an emergency code of the emergency event.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the identification information of the first mobile device includes at least one of a location, an identification number, or a callback number of the first mobile device.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the identification information of the first mobile device includes context data associated with at least one of the first mobile device or the emergency event.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein generating the first instruction further includes comparing the received information and the identification information of the first mobile device with at least one of a map, an alarm device identification (ID), context data, or an emergency code.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the alarm signal includes one of a siren or a bell.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein receiving the second identification information of the second mobile device includes determining that the second mobile device and the first mobile device are located within a first coverage area of one of a base station, an access point, or a cell tower.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the first instruction includes at least one of a map indicating locations of an alarm device and the first mobile device or an evacuation route.

35. A server comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive, from a first mobile device, information related to an emergency event and identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the information is included in an alarm signal at the first mobile device;

a processor configured to generate a first instruction for responding to the emergency event based on the information and the identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the processor is configured to generate the first instruction by comparing the information and the identification information of the first mobile device with at least one of a map, an alarm device identification (ID), context data, or an emergency code; and

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first instruction to the first mobile device.

36. The server of claim 35, wherein the information includes at least one of the alarm device ID or the emergency code of the emergency event.

37. The server of claim 35, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a location, an identification number, or a callback number of the first mobile device.

38. The server of claim 35, wherein the identification information includes context data associated with at least one of the first mobile device or the emergency event.

39. The server of claim 35, wherein the alarm signal includes an audible sound and an audio watermark.

40. The server of claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a second instruction based on second identification information received from a second mobile device and the information, wherein the second mobile device is located within a particular distance from a location of the emergency event.

41. The server of claim 40, wherein the transmitting unit is further configured to transmit the second instruction to the second mobile device.

43. The server of claim 35, wherein the first instruction includes at least one of a map indicating locations of an alarm device and the first mobile device or an evacuation route.

42. A server comprising:

a receiving unit configured to receive, from a first mobile device, information related to an emergency event and identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the information is included in an alarm signal;

a processor configured to generate a first instruction for responding to the emergency event based on the information and the identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the processor is configured to generate a second instruction based on second identification information of a second mobile device received from the second mobile device and the information, wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the first mobile device and the second mobile device is are located within a first coverage area of one of a base station, an access point, or a cell tower; and

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first instruction to the first mobile device and to transmit the second instruction to the second mobile device.

44. A server comprising:

means for receiving, from a first mobile device, information related to an emergency event and identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the information is included in an alarm signal at the first mobile device, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) or an emergency code of the emergency event;

means for generating a first instruction for responding to the emergency event based on the information and the identification information of the first mobile device; and

means for transmitting the first instruction to the first mobile device.

45. The server of claim 44, wherein the means for generating the first instruction is further configured to generate the first instruction by comparing the received information and the identification information of the first mobile device with at least one of a map, the alarm device identification (ID), context data, or the emergency code.

46. The server of claim 44, wherein the means for generating the first instruction is further configured to generate a second instruction based on second identification information of a second mobile device received from the second mobile device and the information, wherein the second mobile device is located within a predetermined distance from a location of the emergency event.

47. The server of claim 46, wherein the means for transmitting the first instruction is further configured to transmit the second instruction to the second mobile device.

48. A computer-readable storage device comprising instructions for providing assistance in an emergency event, the instructions causing a processor of a server to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, information related to the emergency event and identification information of the first mobile device, wherein the information is included in an alarm signal at the first mobile device, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) or an emergency code of the emergency event;

generating a first instruction for responding to the emergency event based on the information and the identification information of the first mobile device; and

initiating transmission of the first instruction to the first mobile device.

49. The medium device of claim 48, wherein generating the first instruction further includes:

comparing the received information and the identification information of the first mobile device with at least one of a map, the alarm device identification (ID), context data, or the emergency code.

50. The device of claim 49, further comprising:

receiving second identification information of a second mobile device located within a predetermined distance from a location of the emergency event;

generating a second instruction based on the second identification information of the second mobile device and the information; and

initiating transmission of the second instruction to the second mobile device.

51. A system comprising:

an alarm device configured to output an alarm signal including information related to an emergency event;

a first mobile device configured to receive the alarm signal and to transmit the information and identification information of the first mobile device;

a second mobile device operable to communicate with the first mobile device and configured to transmit second identification information of the second mobile device to the first mobile device and to receive, from the first mobile device, an instruction for responding to the emergency event; and

a server configured to receive the information and the identification information of the first mobile device, and to generate a first instruction for responding to the emergency event, wherein the server is configured to transmit the first instruction to the first mobile device.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive second identification information of the second mobile device located within a predetermined distance from a location of the emergency event;

generate a second instruction based on the second identification information of the second mobile device and the information; and

transmit the second instruction to the second mobile device.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the information includes at least one of an alarm device ID of an alarm device or an emergency code of the emergency event.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein the first mobile device is configured to transmit the second identification information of the second mobile device to the server, and wherein the server is configured to generate a second instruction for the second mobile device and to transmit the second instruction to the first mobile device.

55. A system for providing an instruction for responding to an emergency event, the system comprising:

a first mobile device configured to receive an alarm signal including information related to the emergency event; and

a second mobile device operable to communicate with the first mobile device, and configured to receive, from the first mobile device, the instruction for responding to the emergency event for the second mobile device, wherein the first mobile device is configured to generate the instruction based on second identification information of the second mobile device and the information, and wherein the second mobile device is operable to communicate directly with the first mobile device.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the information includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) of an alarm device or an emergency code of the emergency event.

57. The system of claim 55, further comprising an alarm device configured to output the alarm signal indicating the emergency event.

58. A method comprising:

detecting an emergency event;

generating an alarm signal that includes information related to the emergency event, wherein the alarm signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal includes an audible sound and the second signal includes at least one of an alarm device identification (ID) of an alarm device or an emergency code of the emergency event; and

transmitting identification information via a network to a server to alert at least one mobile device within a particular distance from the alarm device of the emergency event.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the identification information includes at least one of the alarm device identification (ID) or the emergency code for the emergency event.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the at least on mobile device is operable to communicate with at least one network apparatus near to the alarm device.

61. A method, performed at a mobile device, for responding to an emergency event, the method comprising:

storing a predetermined emergency keyword in the mobile device based on a user input;

periodically receiving an input sound;

determining whether the input sound matches the predetermined emergency keyword indicating a request for assistance in the emergency event, wherein determining whether the input sound matches the predetermined emergency keyword includes;

determining a sound level of the input sound and, if the sound level of the input sound exceeds a threshold sound level, extracting a sound feature from the input sound; and

identifying the input sound as the predetermined emergency keyword based on the sound feature;

if the input sound is determined to match the predetermined emergency keyword, verifying the request for the assistance, wherein verifying the request for the assistance includes;

outputting a query on emergency contact information or on whether to seek the assistance; and

receiving a response to the query;

if the request for the assistance is verified, calling an emergency server and providing the emergency server with at least one of user information, location information, or context information of the mobile device;

receiving, from the emergency server, an instruction for responding to the emergency event; and

outputting the instruction,

wherein the user information includes at least one of a user name, a user social security number, a user phone number, a user photo, a user e-mail address, user health information, contact information, or mobile phone identification information, and includes communication information of a contact to be notified in the emergency event, and wherein the emergency server notifies the contact of the emergency event,

wherein the location information indicates a location of the mobile device provided by a location tracking application in the mobile device, and

wherein the context information includes information relating to environment or surroundings of the mobile device.