Initiating an emergency mode

• US 9,226,321 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2013
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Eddings, Justin, Fitch, Corinne June, Haney, Jeremy Jackson, Staples, Kevin Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lai, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/019,109
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.1, 455/404.2, 340/573.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Systems, methods, devices, and computer-readable media for initiating an emergency mode are provided. Emergency modes may be initiated from mobile devices in an accessible manner while still avoiding accidental actuation as a common occurrence. Some devices are simplified to the level of only having a single button so it may be quite difficult to dial a number (as there is no dial pad). In particular, it may be quite difficult to dial 9-1-1 in an emergency situation. Further, if only a single action is required in order to initiate an emergency mode on any user device, accidental actuation may become quite common. To combat this, a sequence of actions may be used such that accidental actuation is avoided and emergency modes are still accessible on user devices without dial pad functionality. In particular, a simultaneous push/pull action may initiate an emergency mode.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving a first indication indicating selection of a selection key of a user device;

while the selection key is selected, simultaneously receiving a second indication indicating extension of a pull cord of the user device; and

in response to receiving the first indication and the second indication, initiating an emergency phone call.

2. The media of claim 1, wherein the emergency phone call is a phone call to 9-1-1.

3. The media of claim 1, wherein the first indication and the second indication are received simultaneously.

4. The media of claim 3, further comprising displaying a cancel option such that selection thereof results in cancellation of the emergency phone call.

5. The media of claim 1, further comprising receiving an indication that the pull cord has been replaced into the user device such that it is no longer in an extended position.

6. The media of claim 1, further comprising displaying a confirmation option.

7. The media of claim 6, further comprising receiving a selection of the confirmation option such that the emergency phone call is communicated.

8. The media of claim 1, wherein extension of the pull cord results in an audible sound being emitted from the user device.

9. The media of claim 8, wherein the audible sound alerts a user that the user device is in an emergency mode.

10. A method for initiating an emergency phone call, the method comprising:

receiving a first indication indicating selection of a selection key of a user device;

receiving a second indication indicating extension of a pull cord of the user device while the selection key is simultaneously selected; and

automatically initiating the emergency phone call in response to receiving the first indication and receiving the second indication while the selection key was simultaneously selected.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the emergency phone call is a phone call to 9-1-1.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a cancel option such that selection thereof results in cancellation of the emergency phone call.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving an indication that the pull cord has been replaced into the user device such that it is no longer in an extended position.

14. A user device associated with one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer storage media, the user device comprising:

a pull cord configured to extend outward from the user device, wherein extension of the pull cord results in a first indication;

a selection key configured for selection, wherein selection thereof in combination with concurrent extension of the pull cord, results in a second indication; and

one or more processors configured to automatically initiate an emergency phone call in response to receiving the first indication and receiving the second indication.

15. The user device of claim 14, wherein the emergency phone call is a phone call to 9-1-1.

16. The user device of claim 14, wherein the user device further comprises an illustrative display configured to display a call message when the emergency phone call is initiated.

17. The user device of claim 16, wherein the illustrative display is further configured to display a cancel option.

18. The user device of claim 17, wherein selection of the cancel option results in cancellation of the emergency phone call.

19. The user device of claim 14, wherein the user device is further configured to display a confirmation message to confirm the emergency phone call.

20. The user device of claim 19, wherein the confirmation message is displayed when the pull cord is extended at a different time than selection of the selection key.