First responder wireless emergency alerting with automatic callback and location triggering

• US 8,102,252 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2009
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Titus, Mark A., Pohutsky, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/453,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.18, 340/573.1, 340/505, 340/506, 340/286.05, 340/286.06, 340/286.07, 340/539.26, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/404.2, 701/1, 379/37, 379/40, 379/45
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/006 Alarm destination chosen according to type of event, e.g. in case of fire phone the fire service, in case of medical emergency phone the ambulance
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Using wireless features, a public service agency is enabled to provide alert information to first responders. An automatic call back from the first responder triggers a voice call launching a location fix on the current location of the first responder. Preferably delivery confirmation that the responder has received the message is received. Once the location fix has been completed, then driving directions with map images are sent to the first responder based on their current location and desired destination for response.

Claims

1. Apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation, comprising:

an alerts engine to trigger an association of a callback communication data message comprising a callback phone number, and an emergency responder device;

a communication module to transmit said associated callback communication data message and said callback phone number to said emergency responder device, and to receive a reply call from said emergency responder device in response to a call to said callback phone number; and

an emergency communication message module to communicate an emergency message in response to said reply call.

2. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, wherein said emergency responder device comprises:

a telephone device.

3. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, further comprising:

an emergency responder database to store information for use by said alerts engine relating to provisions of said emergency responder device.

4. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, wherein:

said emergency communication data message includes a current location of said emergency responder device.

5. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 4, wherein:

said current location of said emergency responder device is determined from a wireless location service.

6. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, wherein said emergency communication data message comprises:

a map.

7. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, wherein said emergency communication data message comprises:

driving instructions.

8. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, further comprising:

an acknowledgement module to receive an acknowledgement that said emergency responder device has received said emergency communication data message.

9. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 8, wherein:

said acknowledgement is initiated with a voice callback call from said emergency responder device.

10. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 9, wherein:

said voice callback call is routed at least in part using a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

11. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 8, wherein:

said acknowledgement is routed to a location service.

12. The apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 1, further comprising:

a content manager to provide content inserted into said emergency communication data message.

13. A method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation, comprising:

associating a callback communication data message, a callback phone number, and an emergency responder device;

transmitting said callback communication data message comprising and said callback phone number to said emergency responder device;

receiving a reply call from said emergency responder device in response to a call to said callback phone number; and

communicating an emergency message in response to said reply call.

14. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 13, wherein:

said emergency communication message is communicated based on a current location of said emergency responder device.

15. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 14, further comprising:

determining said current location of said emergency responder from a wireless location service.

16. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving an acknowledgement that said emergency responder device has received said emergency communication message.

17. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 13, further comprising:

initiating said acknowledgement with a voice callback call from said emergency responder device.

18. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 17, further comprising:

routing said voice callback call at least in part using a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

19. The method for providing alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation according to claim 18, further comprising:

routing said acknowledgement to a location service.

20. Apparatus to provide alert information to an emergency responder in an emergency situation, comprising:

means for associating a callback communication data message, a callback phone number, and an emergency responder device;

means for transmitting said callback communication data message comprising and said callback phone number to said emergency responder device;

means for receiving a reply call from said emergency responder device in response to a call to said callback phone number; and

means for communicating an emergency message in response to said reply call.