Method and arrangement for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device

• US 8,737,949 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATOS Public Safety LLC
• Original Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Ahrens, Werner, Bilke, Volkmar
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US13/119,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20110223879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 455572-574, 455/403, 4554041-4042, 455418-420, 455/343.5, 455/507, 455/517, 455/521, 455/550.1, 455560-561, 455/565, 455572-574, 340/500, 340/636.1, 340/636.19, 379 36- 37, 379 45- 46, 379 48- 49, 379/51
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• 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 29/12 Checking intermittently signalling or alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device, wherein a check of the charge of the battery feeding the personal emergency signal device is performed at least in the course of initiating the personal emergency signal device, wherein the operation of the personal emergency signal device is permitted by a central device depending on the result of the check. The invention further relates to an arrangement for performing the method.

Claims

1. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, a central device initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by the central device, the central device being communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device to operate by communicating a warning to the personal emergency signal device for emitting to a user of the personal emergency signal device and denies operation of the personal emergency signal device such that the personal emergency signal device is not operational.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the personal emergency signal device communicating at least one piece of information correlating to the charge status to provide the information relating to the charge status to the central device;

and

transmitting the warning to the user of the personal emergency signal device via the personal emergency signal device upon the personal emergency signal device receiving communications from the central device to prevent the personal emergency signal device from operating.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the personal emergency signal device communicating with the central device to register with the central device, wherein the check of the charge status of the battery is performed as part of the communicating with the central device to register with the central device, the communicating to register with the central device occurring during initiation of the personal emergency signal device.

5. The method of claim 4 comprising triggering registration of the personal emergency signal device with the central device by at least one member of the group consisting of switching the personal emergency signal device on and removing the personal emergency signal device from the battery charging device.

10. A system for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device, comprising a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signaling device including instructions to carry out the method according to claim 1 and a central device including instructions to carry out the method according to claim 1.

6. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

triggering registration of the personal emergency signal device with a central device when the personal emergency signal device is switched on;

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, initiating a check of the battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by the central device, the central device being communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating; and

wherein the personal emergency signal device communicating with the central device to register with the central device, wherein the check of the charge status of the battery is performed as part of the communicating with the central device to register with the central device, the communicating to register with the central device occurring during initiation of the personal emergency signal device; and

wherein the check of the charge status of the battery occurs upon switching of the personal emergency signal device on and does not occur after removal of the personal emergency signal device from a battery charging device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the threshold value is a value that corresponds to at least eight hours of operation of the personal emergency signal device.

8. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by a central device that is communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating; and

repeating the check of the charge status of the battery at periodic intervals.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the threshold value is a value that corresponds to at least eight hours of operation of the personal emergency signal device.

11. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by a central device that is communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating;

wherein the threshold value is a value that corresponds to at least eight hours of operation of the personal emergency signal device.

12. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by a central device that is communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device, the personal emergency signal device communicating at least one piece of information correlating to the charge status to provide the information relating to the charge status to the central device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating,

the central device preventing the personal emergency signal device from operating when the battery is below the threshold value by communicating a warning to the personal emergency signal device for emitting to a user of the personal emergency signal device and denies operation of the personal emergency signal device such that the personal emergency signal device is not operational;

transmitting a warning to a user of the personal emergency signal device via the personal emergency signal device upon the personal emergency signal device receiving communications from the central device to prevent the personal emergency signal device from operating; and

wherein the threshold value is a value that corresponds to at least eight hours of operation of the personal emergency signal device.

13. A method for operating a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device comprising:

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check being performed by a central device that is communicatively connected to the personal emergency signal device, the check of the battery comprising;

the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating;

wherein the personal emergency signal device communicating with the central device to register with the central device, wherein the check of the charge status of the battery is performed as part of the communicating with the central device to register with the central device, the communicating to register with the central device occurring during initiation of the personal emergency signal device; and

wherein the threshold value is a value that corresponds to at least eight hours of operation of the personal emergency signal device.

14. A communication system comprising

a central device;

and

a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device communicatively connectable to the central device;

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, the central device initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check of the charge status being performed by the central device by the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the central device is comprised of a personal emergency signal call center.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device to operate by communicating a warning to the personal emergency signal device for emitting to a user of the personal emergency signal device and denies operation of the personal emergency signal device such that the personal emergency signal device is not operational.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the personal emergency signal device communicating at least one piece of information correlating to the charge status to provide the information relating to the charge status to the central device;

and

transmitting the warning to the user of the personal emergency signal device via the personal emergency signal device upon the personal emergency signal device receiving communications from the central device to prevent the personal emergency signal device from operating.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the personal emergency signal device communicating with the central device to register with the central device, wherein the check of the charge status of the battery is performed as part of the communicating with the central device to register with the central device, the communicating to register with the central device occurring during initiation of the personal emergency signal device.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein registration of the personal emergency signal device with the central device is triggered by at least one member of the group consisting of switching the personal emergency signal device on and removing the personal emergency signal device from the battery charging device.

20. A communication system comprising

a central device communicatively connectable to a mobile battery-operated personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination that the personal emergency signal device is switched on or removed from a battery charging device, the central device initiating a check of a battery powering the personal emergency signal device to check a charge status of the battery, the check of the charge status being performed by the central device by the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to receive information relating to the charge status of the battery and comparing the charge status of the battery to a threshold value, the threshold value defining a minimum amount of required operating time for the personal emergency signal device;

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery exceeds the threshold value such that the battery is charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device to permit the personal emergency signal device to operate; and

upon a determination by the central device that the charge status of the battery is below the threshold value such that the battery is not charged sufficiently to power the personal emergency signal device for at least the minimum amount of required operating time, the central device communicating with the personal emergency signal device such that the central device prevents the personal emergency signal device from operating;

the personal emergency signal device communicating with the central device to register with the central device, wherein the check of the charge status of the battery is performed as part of the communicating with the central device to register with the central device, the communicating to register with the central device occurring during initiation of the personal emergency signal device;

wherein registration of the personal emergency signal device with the central device is triggered by at least one member of the group consisting of switching the personal emergency signal device on and removing the personal emergency signal device from the battery charging device; and

wherein when registration is triggered by switching the device on, the check of the charge status of the battery occurs upon switching of the device on and does not occur after removal from the battery charging device.