Emergency phone for automatically summoning multiple emergency response services

• US 6,226,510 B1
• Filed: 10/16/1998
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activecare Incorporated
• Original Assignee: American Secure Care, LLC
• Inventors: Boling, Brian M., Bernstein, Michael C., Natale, Nicolas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Application Number:
  US09/173,645
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/564, 455/566, 455/575, 455/414, 455/521, 340/574, 340/507, 340/990
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• 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 7/064 indicating houses needing emergency help, e.g. with a flashing light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• 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 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A hand-held wireless communication apparatus transmits and receives cellular radio signals that are compatible with a cellular network, and summons assistance during an emergency situation from multiple emergency response services. The apparatus comprises a lightweight and rigid housing with a cellular transmitter disposed therein. When activated, the cellular transmitter generates first outgoing cellular radio signals, such as paging messages, that contain information for a private emergency response service, and second outgoing cellular radio signals to communicate with a public emergency response service. The apparatus includes an emergency response button which is the sole means of activating the transmitter. When pressed, the emergency response button alone activates the transmitter to cause the transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals. The apparatus also includes receiver means for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals. An audio output device receives the audio signals from the receiver means and generates audible messages based on the audio signals. An audible alarm audibly alerts, and a visual alarm visually alerts individuals in the area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists.

Claims

1. A hand-held wireless communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving cellular radio signals that are compatible with a cellular network, and for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the apparatus comprising:

a lightweight and rigid housing;

a cellular transmitter disposed within the housing that, when activated, generates first outgoing cellular radio signals that contain identification information for indicating to a private emergency response service an identity associated with the apparatus, and immediately after completion of communication with the private emergency response service, automatically generates second outgoing cellular radio signals to establish full-duplex communication with a public emergency response service;

one large emergency response button disposed in the housing, the emergency response button being the sole means of activating the transmitter, which, when pressed once, alone activates the transmitter to cause the transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals, there being no control buttons for activating the transmitter other than the one emergency response button;

receiver means disposed within the housing for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals;

an audio output device electrically connected to the receiver means for receiving the audio signals from the receiver means and for generating audible messages based on the audio signals; and

an electrical power source disposed within the housing for supplying electrical power to the apparatus.

2. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transmitter generates the first outgoing cellular radio signals to include a nonverbal paging signal containing information for identifying and indicating the location of the apparatus.

3. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transmitter transmits the first outgoing cellular radio signals, including the nonverbal paging signal, directly to the private emergency response service.

4. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 2 wherein the transmitter transmits the first outgoing cellular radio signals, including the nonverbal paging signal, to a central paging service that forwards the information for identifying and indicating the location of the apparatus to the private emergency response service.

5. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an audible alarm for audibly alerting individuals in the area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the audible alarm activated by at least one alarm button on the housing.

6. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a visual alarm for visually alerting individuals in the area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the visual alarm activated by at least one alarm button on the housing.

7. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a location determining device for determining the location of the apparatus.

8. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 7 wherein the location determining device uses a global positioning system to determine the location of the apparatus when the single emergency response button is pressed.

9. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for establishing radio communications with a home security system of a user of the apparatus if the apparatus is within radio communication range of the home security system when an emergency situation arises.

10. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a radio frequency transmitter for activating a car alarm system of a user of the apparatus if the apparatus is within radio communications range of the car alarm system when an emergency situation arises.

11. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a flip top cover mounted on the housing that covers the emergency response button and reduces the possibility of accidentally activating the cellular transmitter.

12. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cellular transmitter and the receiver means use analog modulation communications.

13. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cellular transmitter and the receiver means use digital modulation communications when a digital cellular service provider is within communications range and analog modulation when a digital cellular service provider is not within communications range.

14. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising indicator lights for indicating when the apparatus is within communications range of a cellular network, when the apparatus has been activated, and when the electrical power source is not supplying adequate electrical power to the apparatus.

15. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receiver means further comprise a pager receiver for receiving radio paging signals from a central paging service and for generating paging messages based upon the radio paging signals.

16. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pager for receiving radio paging signals from a central paging service and for generating paging messages based upon the radio paging signals.

17. The hand-held wireless communication apparatus of claim 16 wherein the pager further comprises:

a pager receiver for receiving the radio paging signals from the central paging service and for generating the paging messages based upon the radio paging signals;

a pager alert device for generating alert signals when the pager receiver receives the radio paging signals;

a pager memory for storing and providing access to the paging messages;

a pager display device for generating a visual display of alphanumeric characters based upon the paging messages; and

pager control means connected to the pager memory and the pager display device for retrieving paging messages from the pager memory and for sending the paging messages to the pager display device, the pager control means having user control buttons that, when pressed, cause the pager control means to designate particular paging messages to be saved in or erased from the pager memory, and that cause the pager control means to send particular paging messages to the pager display device.

18. A hand-held wireless communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving cellular radio signals that are compatible with a cellular network, and for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the apparatus comprising:

a lightweight and rigid housing;

a cellular transmitter disposed within the housing that, when activated, transmits first outgoing cellular radio signals to a central paging service, the first outgoing cellular radio signals including a paging signal containing information for identifying the apparatus and indicating the location of the apparatus, where the central paging service forwards the information to the private emergency response service, and immediately after completion of the transmission to the central paging service, automatically transmits second outgoing cellular radio signals to establish full-duplex communication with a public emergency response service;

one large emergency response button disposed in the housing, the emergency response button being the sole means of activating the transmitter, which, when pressed once, alone activates the transmitter to cause the transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals, there being no control buttons for activating the cellular transmitter other than the one emergency response button;

receiver means disposed within the housing for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals;

an audio output device electrically connected to the receiver means for receiving the audio signals from the receiver means and for generating audible messages based on the audio signals;

an audible alarm for audibly alerting individuals in an area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the audible alarm activated by at least one alarm button on the housing;

a visual alarm for visually alerting individuals in an area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the visual alarm activated by the at least one alarm button on the housing;

a flip top cover mounted on the housing that covers the emergency response button and reduces the possibility of accidentally activating the cellular transmitter;

an electrical power source disposed within the housing for supplying electrical power to the apparatus; and

indicator lights for indicating when the apparatus is within communications range of a cellular network, when the apparatus has been activated, and when the electrical power source is not supplying adequate electrical power to the apparatus.

19. A security system for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the security system comprising;

a home security system for producing alarms in response to a variety of emergency situations, the home security system capable of activation by wireless communications; and

a hand-held personal security device comprising;

a radio frequency transmitter for establishing wireless communications with the home security system if the hand-held personal security device is within communications range of the home security system when the radio frequency transmitter is activated;

a home security alarm button that activates the radio frequency transmitter and causes the hand-held personal security device to establish radio communications with the home security alarm system;

a cellular transmitter that, when activated, transmits first outgoing cellular radio signals that contain information for a private emergency response service, and immediately after completion of the transmission to the private emergency response service, automatically transmits second outgoing cellular radio signals to establish full-duplex communication with a public emergency response service;

an one large emergency response button which is the sole means of activating the transmitter, that, when pressed once, alone activates the cellular transmitter to cause the cellular transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals, there being no control buttons for activating the cellular transmitter other than the one emergency response button;

receiver means for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals;

an audio output device electrically connected to the receiver means for receiving the audio signals from the receiver means and for generating audible messages based on the audio signals; and

an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the device.

20. The security system of claim 19 wherein the radio frequency transmitter is further operable to activate a car alarm system when the hand-held personal security device is within radio communications range of the car alarm system.

21. The security system of claim 19 wherein the hand-held personal security device is contained in a rigid housing with a flip top cover that covers at least the emergency response button and the home security alarm button, and that minimizes the likelihood that the buttons will be inadvertently pressed.

22. The security system of claim 19 wherein the hand-held personal security device further comprises a visual alarm for visually alerting individuals in an area surrounding the hand-held personal security device that an emergency situation exists, the visual alarm activated by at least one alarm button on the housing.

23. The security system of claim 19 wherein the hand-held personal security device further comprises locator means for determining the location of the hand-held personal security device.