Emergency mobile telephone

• US 5,742,666 A
• Filed: 10/05/1994
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micrel Incorporated (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Tele Digital Development, Inc. (Teledigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alpert, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/317,663
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/40, 379/59, 340/426, 340/990
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2749 Automatic dialling or redialling systems, e.g. on off-hook or redial on busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• 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]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The cellular mobile telephone and system is provided wherein the cellular telephone automatically dials one or more prescribed emergency telephone numbers in the event of an emergency. Automatic dialing of an emergency telephone number is initiated by the user pressing a dedicated push button on the cellular telephone handset, or alternatively, upon the occurrence of an accident which is detected by the cellular telephone. After the cellular telephone dials the predetermined emergency number, the cellular telephone plays a recorded message which indicates that an emergency has occurred and that the telephone user is in distress. Alteratively, the cellular telephone user is allowed to participate in the emergency call upon receiving notification that the cellular telephone has successfully completed the automatic dialing and a connection has been established.

Claims

1. A cellular telephone, comprising:

a receiver for receiving cellular radio communications;

a transmitter for transmitting cellular radio communications;

a controller coupled to the receiver and to the transmitter;

an operator input device coupled to the controller, the operator input device receiving operator inputs and providing operator input signals to the controller indicative of the operator inputs;

an emergency input key coupled to the controller, the emergency input key receiving an operator emergency input and providing an emergency input signal to the controller indicative of the operator emergency input;

a crash detector, coupled to the controller, sensing parameters indicative of a crash and providing a crash signal to the controller indicative of the parameters sensed;

a first memory coupled to the controller and storing a pre-programmed telephone number corresponding to an emergency responder;

a second memory coupled to the controller and storing a pre-recorded emergency message including identification information associated with a user of the cellular telephone;

a microphone coupled to the controller and providing voice signals to the controller in response to the user speaking into the microphone;

wherein the controller is configured to detect a distress situation based on inputs from the emergency input key and the crash detector, and to access the first memory and initiate cellular communication using the pre-programmed telephone number and to access the second memory and play the pre-recorded message repeatedly once cellular communication has been initiated and established with the emergency responder, and wherein the controller is further configured to stop playing the pre-recorded message and transmit voice information based on inputs from the microphone and the operator input device.

2. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the crash detector comprises:

an impact detector coupled to the controller and configured to be coupled to at least one of the front and rear bumpers of a vehicle within which the cellular telephone is located and to provide an impact signal to the controller in response to sensing impact.

3. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the crash detector comprises:

a sonic detector coupled to the controller and configured to detect the sound of breaking glass and provide a crash signal to the controller in response to detecting the sound of breaking glass.

4. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the crash detector comprises:

an accelerometer, coupled to the controller, in providing the controller with a crash signal in response to the accelerometer measuring physical characteristics indicative of a crash.

5. The cellular telephone of claim 1 wherein the crash detector comprises:

a motion detector coupled to the controller and detecting motion indicative of a crash and providing a crash signal to the controller in response to detecting the motion indicative of a crash.

6. In combination, a cellular telephone and a base station the cellular telephone comprising:

a receiver for receiving cellular radio communications;

a transmitter for transmitting cellular radio communications;

a controller coupled to the receiver and to the transmitter;

an operator input device coupled to the controller, the operator input device receiving operator inputs and providing operator input signals to the controller indicative of the operator inputs;

an emergency input key coupled to the controller, the emergency input key receiving an operator emergency input and providing an emergency input signal to the controller indicative of the operator emergency input;

a crash detector, coupled to the controller, sensing parameters indicative of a crash and providing a crash signal to the controller indicative of the parameters sensed;

a first memory storing a pre-programmed telephone number corresponding to an emergency responder;

a second memory coupled to the controller and storing a pre-recorded emergency message including identification information associated with a user of the cellular telephone;

a microphone coupled to the controller and providing voice signals to the controller; and

wherein the controller is configured to detect a distress situation based on inputs from the emergency input key and the crash detector, and to access the first memory and initiate cellular communication using the pre-programmed telephone number and to access the second memory and play the pre-recorded message repeatedly once cellular communication has been initiated and established with the emergency responder, and wherein the controller is further configured to stop playing the pre-recorded message and transmit voice information based on inputs from the microphone and the operator input device; and

the base station comprising;

a location detector configured to locate the cellular telephone; and

a notifier configured to notify a nearest emergency responder located geographically nearest the location of the cellular telephone.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the controller of the cellular telephone is further configured to generate a distress signal in response to receiving the crash signal from the crash detector, the controller transmitting the distress signal;

and

wherein the location detector of the base station is configured to locate the cellular telephone in response to the distress signal being transmitted from the cellular telephone.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the distress signal is more powerful than a typical cellular radio communication signal transmitted by the transmitter.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein the notifier of the base station is configured to provide the emergency responder with geographic information indicative of the location of the cellular telephone.