Communications method

• US 8,086,250 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MobileHelp, LLC
• Original Assignee: Integrity Tracking LLC
• Inventors: Janetis, Elias M., Flippo, Robert, Pasenen, Ernest F.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US12/322,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/66.1, 455/79, 455/90.1, 4553431-3435, 455/418, 4554041-4042, 455/415, 455/417, 455/421, 455/422.1, 455/434, 4554561-4566, 455/457, 455/460, 455/517, 455521-522, 455524-525, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 4555561-5562, 455557-559, 455560-561, 455/564, 455/574, 342/118, 342/126, 342/133, 342/139, 3423571-35724, 342/357.39, 342/450, 342/458, 701213-217, 340/426.19, 340/426.2, 340/426.22, 3405391-53913, 340 1252- 1253
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption

Abstract

A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button is disclosed. The method includes determining whether the portable device is in proximity of the base station; powering down the GPS, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station; and activating and fully powering the cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when the portable device is not in proximity of said base station. When not in proximity, the method also includes collecting an initial GPS location data from the GPS module and storing the location data into a memory location; placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and fully powering the GPS module, acquiring and storing additional GPS location data only at specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring the cellular transceiver module for inquiries and monitoring the emergency call button for an emergency signal. Various other steps occur when the emergency button is depressed.

Claims

1. A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button comprising the steps of:

a) determining whether said portable device is in proximity of said base station;

b) powering down said GPS module, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station;

c) activating and fully powering said cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when said portable device is not in proximity of said base station and further comprising the steps of;

i) collecting initial GPS location data from said GPS module and storing said location data into a memory location; and

ii) placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and, at specified intervals, fully powering said GPS module and acquiring and storing additional GPS location data, said fully powering said GPS module occurring only at said specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring said cellular transceiver module for inquiries from a back end system for location data and monitoring said emergency call button for an emergency signal further comprising the steps of;

initiating a location request by a remote caregiver via the internet;

initiating a database lookup based upon a user ID and password entered by said caregiver;

providing the caregiver an “

at home”

indication if the portable device is in proximity to the base station;

providing the caregiver the current GPS location of the user if available, cell tower triangulation data if a current GPS location is not available; and

providing the caregiver the last known location from said memory location if a current location is not available.

2. A method of 2-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button comprising the steps of:

a) determining whether said portable device is in proximity of said base station;

b) powering down said GPS module, placing the portable device into sleep mode and sending a signal to the base station indicating that said portable device is in proximity of the base station when the portable device is in proximity to the base station;

c) activating and fully powering said cellular transceiver module and activating and fully powering said GPS module when said portable device is not in proximity of said base station and further comprising the steps of;

i) collecting initial GPS location data from said GPS module and storing said location data into a memory location; and

ii) placing the GPS module into a lower power mode and, at specified intervals, fully powering said GPS module and acquiring and storing additional GPS location data, said fully powering said GPS module occurring only at said specified intervals to conserve battery life while monitoring said cellular transceiver module for inquiries from a back end system for said cellular transceiver to autodial a caregiver'"'"'s number and monitoring said emergency call button for an emergency signal further comprising the steps of;

initiating a voice request by a remote caregiver via the interne;

initiating a database lookup based upon a user ID and password entered by said caregiver;

providing the caregiver an “

at home”

indication if the portable device is in proximity to the base station and providing a conventional voice communications link with the user; and

sending a signal to said portable device which causes said portable device to autodial the caregiver'"'"'s number and auto connects a voice link via a speakerphone provided in said portable device.