Personal alarm system

• US 5,771,001 A
• Filed: 11/18/1996
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marlon J. Cobb
• Original Assignee: Marlon J. Cobb
• Inventors: Cobb, Marlon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/749,518
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/573, 340/407.1, 340/825.08, 340/691, 340/693, 128/687, 128/689, 128/690, 128/903, 342/42, 342/44, 342/350, 342/352, 342/357, 342/450, 342/451, 342/458, 455/404, 455/456, 455/457, 455/66, 455/556, 455/67.7, 455/575, 455/100
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A new Personal Alarm System for detecting whether a person is in an emergency situation by measuring blood pressure, pulse and temperature, and thereafter transmitting such information and location through cellular relay stations to a home receiver where the proper authorities may be alerted. The inventive device includes a portable transmitter which transmits an electronic signal through cellular relay stations, and a home receiver which receives the electronic signal and displays the information on an information screen for people at home.

Claims

1. A personal alarm system comprising:

a portable transmitter which sends a signal to a cellular relay station, where the signal includes latitude and longitudinal position, pulse, blood pressure, voice, and temperature of the user;

wherein the portable transmitter includes

a transmitter encasement,

a global positioning receiver positioned within the transmitter encasement which determines the position of the user from the signals from a plurality of global positioning satellites,

an electronic transmitter positioned within the transmitter encasement and electronically connected to the global positioning receiver, thereby transmitting the signal to the cellular relay station, and

a display screen secured to the cornice of the transmitter encasement and electronically connected to the global positioning receiver thereby displaying the latitude and longitudinal information; and

a receiver which receives the relayed signal from the cellular relay station, thereafter displaying the contents of the signal.

2. The personal alarm system of claim 1, wherein the portable transmitter includes a wrist band which removably secures to a user'"'"'s wrist;

an antenna is positioned within the wrist band and electronically connected to the electronic transmitter.

3. The personal alarm system of claim 2, wherein the portable transmitter includes an emergency button electronically connected to the electronic transmitter, whereby when the emergency button is pressed twice the electronic transmitter sends the signal to the cellular relay station.

4. The personal alarm system of claim 3, wherein the portable transmitter includes:

a voice sensor electronically connected to the electronic transmitter;

a signal light secured to the cornice of the transmitter encasement and electronically connected to the electronic transmitter to display when the signal is being transmitted;

a switch secured to the rear side of the transmitter encasement, where the switch is electronically connected to the electronic transmitter and activates the electronic transmitter when the transmitter encasement is juxtaposed to the user'"'"'s arm;

a pulse and blood pressure sensor secured to the rear side of the transmitter encasement and electronically connected to the electronic transmitter; and

a temperature sensor secured to the rear side of the transmitter encasement and electronically connected to the electronic transmitter.

5. The personal alarm system of claim 4, wherein the signal transmitted from the electronic transmitter includes longitudinal and latitude position, voice, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature information about the user.

6. The personal alarm system of claim 5, wherein the home receiver includes a receiver encasement and an information screen secured to the front of the receiver encasement.

7. The personal alarm system of claim 6, wherein the receiver includes an electronic receiver which detects and receives the relayed signal from the cellular relay station.

8. The personal alarm system of claim 7, wherein the electronic receiver is electronically connected to the information screen which displays the information carried by the signal and a speaker which emits an audible alarm when the signal is detected and received.

9. The personal alarm system of claim 8, wherein the information screen displays a map of where the wearer of the portable transmitter is located.

10. The personal alarm system of claim 9, wherein the portable transmitter includes a plurality of control buttons electronically connected to the electronic transmitter.

11. A method of monitoring and transmitting the physical state of a person, comprising the steps of:

(a) securing a portable transmitter to a user'"'"'s arm which detects the longitudinal and latitude position, voice, pulse, blood pressure, and temperature information of the user;

(b) transmitting a signal which carries said information to a cellular relay station;

(c) relaying said information to a home receiver which detects and receives the signal;

(d) producing an audible alarm through a speaker through the home receiver to warn individuals that the user is in an emergency situation; and

(e) displaying the information carried by the signal thereby allowing the individuals to determine the location of the user and the user'"'"'s physical condition.

12. A method of monitoring and transmitting the physical state of a person of claim 11, further comprising the step of electronically calling emergency personal and electronically transmitting the information from the home receiver.