Wireless communication device and method

• US 20040198441A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Cooper, Robert Cooper
• Original Assignee: George Cooper, Robert Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Robert, Cooper, George
• Application Number:
  US10/272,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20040198441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for providing a user-initiated, non-voice communication. The apparatus includes an antenna for communicating within a control channel of a telephone communication network, and a communication device connected to the cellular antenna. The communication device includes (1) a memory storage device for storing information, (2) a preprogrammed circuit having at least one stock message that incorporates some or all of the stored information, and (3) a user interface connected to the preprogrammed circuit.

Claims

1. A mobile apparatus for providing a user-initiated, non-voice communication, comprising:

(A) an antenna for communicating within a control channel of a telephone communication network;

(B) a communication device connected to the cellular antenna, the communication device comprising,

(1) a memory storage device for storing information;

(2) a preprogrammed circuit having at least one stock message that incorporates some or all of the stored information; and

(3) a user interface connected to the preprogrammed circuit, comprising an actuator that triggers the sending of a particular stock message by the communication device to a central location.

2. The mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is wirelessly connected to the communication device.

3. The mobile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the user interface further includes a signal initiator and the communication device further includes a signal receiver.

4. The mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stored information is selected from the group consisting of location data, vehicle operation data, user identification data, vehicle identification data, insurance data, and combinations thereof.

5. The mobile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the location data is provided by a position locating system.

7. The mobile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stock message is selected from the group consisting of a request for medical assistance, a request for roadside assistance, a request for police assistance, a request for insurance adjuster assistance, a request for fire department assistance and combinations thereof.

8. The mobile apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stock message includes a request for police assistance and a request for insurance adjuster assistance.

9. The mobile apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the stock message further includes a request for medical assistance.

6. The mobile apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the position locating system comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver antenna, and a GPS circuit connected to the GPS receiver antenna.

10. A user initiated, non-voice communication system, comprising:

(A) a mobile apparatus for sending a user-initiated, non-voice message comprising a service request, user identification information, and location information;

(B) a telephone communication network having a control band;

(C) a service provider for receiving the non-voice message; and

(D) a message processing system.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the mobile apparatus comprises

(A) an antenna for communicating within a control channel of a telephone communication network;

(B) a communication device connected to the cellular antenna, the communication device comprising,

(1) a memory storage device for storing information;

(2) a preprogrammed circuit having at least one stock message that incorporates some or all of the stored information; and

(3) a user interface connected to the preprogrammed circuit, comprising an actuator that triggers the sending of a particular stock message by the communication device to a central location.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the mobile apparatus further comprises a position locating system comprising a global positioning system (GPS) receiver antenna, and a GPS circuit connected to the GPS receiver antenna.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the message processing system comprises a user identification system for matching the received message with a user profile, and a service activation system for initiating the requested service in the received message.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the service activation system is capable of storing the user profile and the received message in a secure but accessible form and contacting one or more service centers according to the request in the message.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the user profile and received message is stored on a secure web page that is accessible by the service centers.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the received message includes location information.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the secure web page includes a graphical map providing the location of the user.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the service center is selected from the group consisting of a medical service center, a roadside assistance service center, a police service center, an insurance adjuster service center, a fire department service center and combinations thereof.

19. A method for sending a user-initiated, non-voice communication, the method comprising:

(A) sending a user-initiated, non-voice message for a service request via the control band of a telephone communication network; and

(B) processing the received message.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the message comprises a service request and relevant stored information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the service request is selected from the group consisting of a request for medical assistance, a request for roadside assistance, a request for police assistance, a request for insurance adjuster assistance, a request for fire department assistance and combinations thereof.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the stored information comprises user identification information and location information.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein processing the received message comprises,

(A) matching the received message with a user profile;

(B) storing the user profile and message in a secure but accessible form; and

(C) contacting one or more service centers according to the request in the message.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the service center is selected from the group consisting of a medical service center, a roadside assistance service center, a police service center, an insurance adjuster service center, a fire department service center and combinations thereof.