Systems and methods for managing an emergency situation

• US 9,704,377 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wearsafe Labs LLC (Wearsafe Labs Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wearsafe Labs LLC (Wearsafe Labs Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Benoit, David B, Giancarlo, Phillip A
• Primary Examiner(s): Fan, Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US14/671,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20150269835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing an emergency situation are provided herein. According to some embodiments, the present technology may related to a security system and method for monitoring, detecting, and providing notification and/or response measures in response to an emergency situation regarding a user.

Claims

1. A method for activating a response measure on an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a processor and a memory for storing logic, the processor executing the logic to perform the method comprising:

detecting actuation of an emergency alert activator by a user;

activating a predetermined response measure on the electronic device that is communicatively coupled with the emergency alert activator over a short range wireless network, wherein the predetermined response includes at least obtaining video, audio, image or location data by the electronic device;

transmitting a first unique identifier for the electronic device along with a security program communication identifier to an emergency responder, the security program communication identifier comprising a second unique identifier that identifies a security program executing on the electronic device; and

transmitting an alert message to a responding party that includes either the video, audio, image or location data or access to the video, audio, image or location data.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location and a time of day for the electronic device; and

selecting a mode of operation for the electronic device in response to the location and the time of day.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the mode of operation comprises a stealth mode where the predetermined response is activated without the electronic device producing visual or audible feedback that would alert a third party.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the electronic device automatically switches its mode of operation based on changes to the location and time of day.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising requesting activation of a third party alarm system in the proximity of the electronic device in response to the activation of the predetermined response measure.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating the first unique identifier upon actuation of the emergency alert device.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

receiving the first unique identifier from the responding party; and

provided access to the video, audio, image or location data obtained by the electronic device.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising further providing the responding party with information included in a user profile of a user associated with the electronic device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the responding party is a responding party that is in closest proximity to a location of the emergency alert device or the electronic device.

10. A method for activating a response measure on an electronic device, the electronic device comprising a processor and a memory for storing logic, the processor executing the logic to perform the method comprising:

capturing biometric data from one or more biometric sensors associated with a user;

detecting an emergency event based on an analysis of biometric data;

activating a predetermined response measure on an electronic device, wherein the predetermined response includes at least obtaining video, audio, image or location data by the electronic device;

transmitting a first unique identifier for the electronic device along with a security program communication identifier to an emergency responder, the security program communication identifier comprising a second unique identifier that identifies a security program executing on the electronic device; and

transmitting an alert request to a responding party the video, audio, image or location data obtained by the electronic device.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

generating the first unique identifier upon actuation of the emergency alert activator;

receiving the first unique identifier from the responding party; and

providing the responding party with the video, audio, image or location data obtained by the electronic device.

12. A system, comprising:

an emergency alert activator that is capable of actuation by a user, the emergency alert activator being communicatively coupled with an electronic device over a short range wireless network;

the electronic device being configured to activate a predetermined response upon actuation of the emergency alert activator, wherein the predetermined response includes at least obtaining video, audio, image or location data by the electronic device;

transmitting a first unique identifier for the electronic device along with a security program communication identifier to an emergency responder, the security program communication identifier comprising a second unique identifier that identifies a security program executing on the electronic device; and

a server for transmitting an alert request to a responding party that includes the video, audio, image or location data obtained by the electronic device.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the server is configured to:

determine a location and a time of day for the electronic device; and

select a mode of operation for the electronic device in response to the location and the time of day.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device is placed into a stealth operation mode upon activating the predetermined response measure.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined response measure comprises any of:

placing an emergency call to 911;

determining an initial location of the electronic device when the emergency is detected and optionally, at predetermined intervals thereafter, transmitting said location(s), or data indicative of said location, to one or more predetermined recipients;

activating a microphone and/or camera on the electronic device to capture, record, and transmit audio or video; and

automatically transmitting one or more emergency messages to predetermined recipient(s) via standard Short Messaging Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Instant Message (IM), email message, or combinations thereof, wherein the messages may include text, audio, video, and location data.

16. A method executed in a mobile device, comprising:

detecting actuation of an emergency alert activator by a user;

selecting a mode of operation based on time or location parameters, wherein the time or location parameters are matched to mode of operation parameters associated with each mode of operation; and

engaging the mode of operation, wherein the mode of operation includes a predetermined response measure that is activated, wherein the predetermined response includes at least one of obtaining content through I/O devices of the mobile device and causing output devices to broadcast an emergency alert, wherein the predetermined response measure comprises transmitting a first unique identifier for the electronic device along with a security program communication identifier to an emergency responder, the security program communication identifier comprising a second unique identifier that identifies a security program executing on the electronic device.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising transmitting an alert message to a responding party that includes either the obtained content or access to the obtained content.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein each mode of operation is associated with time or location parameters that determine when the mode of operation is appropriate.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined response measure of the mode of operation includes response behaviors for the mobile device that are appropriate for the time or location to maximize safety of the user.