Emergency communication and monitoring system and method

• US 20040203563A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Royal Thoughts LLC
• Original Assignee: Royal Thoughts LLC
• Inventors: Menard, Raymond J.
• Application Number:
  US10/165,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20040203563A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method for pirating communication services of a nearby device for purposes of communicating an emergency request for assistance from a portable device. A user of the nearby device may or may not be aware of the surreptitious use of the communication services and such use is at reduced, or no cost, to the nearby device user. Location information corresponding to the portable device or a selected nearby device is provided to the monitor center. Database information, including contact data for an authorized guardian, is accessible to the monitor center or a public safety answering point (PSAP) facility.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sending a message having an identifier, a priority code and a destination from a first short range wireless transceiver;

receiving the message at a second short range wireless transceiver;

if the priority code is approved,

forwarding the message to a long range communication device coupled to the second short range wireless transceiver;

if the destination is approved, transmitting the message to the destination using a long range communication network accessible to the long range communication device and without incurring a fee to a service account associated with the long range communication device; and

if the destination is not approved, not transmitting the message to the destination.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, if the priority code is not approved, denying access to the long range communication device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining if the destination is approved includes accessing a look up table.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the message includes sending a cellular telephone transmission.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the message includes sending a pager message.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the message includes sending an e-mail message.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein sending the message includes sending location information.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the message includes transmitting location information.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising accessing stored data corresponding to the first short range wireless transceiver.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an acknowledgment signal at the first short range wireless transceiver.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgment signal from the second short range wireless transceiver.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgment signal from the destination.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

accessing stored data based on the identifier;

generating a request based on the stored data and the message; and

sending the request.

14. A method comprising:

sending a message having an identifier and a destination from a first short range wireless transceiver;

receiving the message at a second short range wireless transceiver;

if the destination is approved, transmitting the message to the destination using a long range communication device coupled to the second short range wireless transceiver and without incurring a fee to a service account associated with the long range communication device; and

if the destination is not approved, not transmitting the message to the destination.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising, if the destination is not approved, discarding the message.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein determining if the destination is approved includes accessing a look up table.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the message includes sending a cellular telephone transmission.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the message includes sending a pager message.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the message includes sending an e-mail message.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein sending the message includes sending location information.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein transmitting the message includes transmitting location information.

22. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving an acknowledgment signal at the first short range wireless transceiver.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgment signal from the second short range wireless transceiver.

24. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting an acknowledgment signal from the destination.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

accessing stored data based on the identifier;

generating a request based on the stored data and the message; and

sending the request.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein accessing stored data based on the identifier includes accessing data corresponding to the first short range wireless transceiver.