Service escrowed transportable wireless event reporting system

• US 8,855,716 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Wireless America Incorporated (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Numerex Corporation (Sierra Wireless Incorporated)
• Inventors: Marett, Michael, Comer, Edward I.
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, NATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/971,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20130337870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/539.1, 340/539.22, 455/558
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/003 Address allocation methods and details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/004 Alarm propagated along alternative communication path or using alternative communication medium according to a hierarchy of available ways to communicate, e.g. if Wi-Fi not available use GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/08 using communication transmission lines G08B13/19658, G08B21/0286, G08B25/016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/04 Monitoring of the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A portable service escrowed event reporting system that may be sold through mass-market sales channels. Communications between a consumer and the provider of the event reporting system are not required in advance of the system being purchased by the consumer. After purchase of the system by the consumer, the system may be initialized. The service may have a finite amount of service associated with it when it is purchased. The consumer may choose to have the system report the occurrence of reportable events directly to them over a wireless network.

Claims

1. A system comprising

a replacement SIM card that is configured for purchase by a consumer through a mass-market sales channel and for insertion by the consumer into an existing cell phone, the replacement SIM card operable to allow the existing cell phone to function as a controller within an operating environment of a portable event reporting system,

wherein the replacement SIM card provides the portable event reporting system with a pre-set number of prepaid alarm event communications.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises the cell phone with the replacement SIM card inserted, and wherein the cell phone with the replacement SIM card inserted is operable to receive signals from wireless event detectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cell phone with the replacement SIM card inserted is operable to send a wireless transmission through a designated alert mechanism upon detection of a reportable event.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cell phone functioning as the controller with the replacement SIM card inserted comprises embedded software for detection of reportable events transmitted by wireless event detectors.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the cell phone functioning as the controller with the replacement SIM inserted card has a finite service life period in accordance with services prepayment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises the cell phone, and

wherein the replacement SIM card is inserted in the cell phone.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the cell phone with the replacement SIM card inserted is configured to connect to a remote operating station over a wireless network based on an assigned identity for the controller.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is further configured to provide the consumer with event monitoring services via the existing cell phone while maintaining anonymity of the consumer to a provider of the event reporting services.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is further configured for the consumer to use the system for event reporting without communication between the consumer and a provider of event monitoring service.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is further operable to allow the system to provide event reporting without billing arrangements or contracts with a provider of event monitoring service.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is packaged with a code for entry by the consumer to identify the system to a remote monitoring station for event monitoring service.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is further operable to provide event reporting services through a service provider without establishing a billing identity for the consumer to the service provider.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the replacement SIM card is further operable to allow the consumer to move the system to different event monitoring locations.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable event reporting system comprises the controller, and

wherein the replacement SIM card is further configured so the consumer can purchase the SIM card and install the portable event reporting system prior to providing service and billing information for the portable event reporting system.

15. A system comprising:

a portable event reporting system comprising a controller;

a replacement SIM card that is configured for purchase by a consumer through a mass-market sales channel and for insertion by the consumer into an existing cell phone, the replacement SIM card operable to allow the existing cell phone to function as the controller within an operating environment of the portable event reporting system;

a software package that allows the existing cell phone to function as the controller when added to the existing cell phone; and

a number associated with the replacement SIM card for purchase by the consumer through the mass-market sales channel, the number associated with a specified amount of services to be deemed prepaid with the purchase by the consumer through the mass-market sales channel,

wherein the portable event reporting system is operable to transmit a wireless signal conveying the number to activate services for the portable event reporting system according to the specified amount of services.