Emergency information access on portable electronic devices

• US 8,910,299 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2008
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Michalske, Steven Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Korsak, Oleg
• Application Number:
  US12/028,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20090205041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,496 Days
• Field of Search: 726/16, 726/17, 726/27, 370/464
• US Class Current: 726/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Improved techniques for facilitating emergency access to one or more contacts stored on a portable electronic device are disclosed. One or more contacts on the portable electronic device are designated as emergency contacts. While the portable electronic device is password-locked, a request to display the one or more emergency contacts on the password-locked portable electronic device is received. Without requiring a password, the one or more emergency contacts are displayed on the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a portable computing device, cause the portable computing device to carry out steps that include:

storing lock-accessible information that includes an emergency contact;

receiving a user preference to designate certain personal information associated with the emergency contact to be accessible during an emergency, wherein the user preference includes a setting for displaying a relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and concealing a telephone number of the emergency contact; and

when the portable computing device is password-locked;

receiving a request to display the lock-accessible information, and

in response to determining that the request is to display the emergency contact;

concurrently displaying the relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and preventing access to the telephone number associated with the emergency contact, and

when the relationship identifier is selected;

placing a phone call or sending a text message.

2. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the relationship identifier is displayed without requiring entry of a password.

3. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein, when the portable computing device is password-locked, a contact stored on the portable computing device other than the emergency contact is not available for display.

4. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the steps further include prioritizing two or more emergency contacts into a user-specified order.

5. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium method of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile telephone.

6. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a portable computing device, cause the portable computing device to carry out steps that include:

when the portable computing device is unlocked;

storing a medical alert and an emergency contact,

designating a telephone number associated with the emergency contact to be inaccessible when the portable computing device is locked,

designating a relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact to be accessible when the portable computing device is locked; and

when the portable computing device is locked;

concurrently displaying a numeric keypad, an emergency contacts icon, and a medical alerts icon, wherein;

the numerical keypad is configured as an interface for a user to dial an emergency telephone number,

the emergency contacts icon is configured to, when selected, simultaneously display the relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and prevent the telephone number of the emergency contact from being displayed, and

the medical alerts icon is configured to, when selected, to display the medical alert.

7. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the medical alert includes medical conditions and allergies that are configured to be displayed concurrently.

8. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the steps further include dialing the telephone number associated with the displayed relationship identifier when the portable computing device is locked and the relationship identifier is selected.

9. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the medical alert includes an allergy to a medication.

10. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the medical alert includes a food allergy.

11. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the portable computing device is a mobile telephone.

12. The machine-readable non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein the portable computing device is a portable media player.

13. A portable computing device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable computing device to carry out the steps that include;

when the portable computing device is unlocked;

storing lock-accessible information that includes an emergency contact;

storing a user preference for designating certain personal information associated with the emergency contact to be accessible during an emergency, wherein the user preference includes a setting for displaying a relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and concealing a telephone number of the emergency contact; and

when the portable computing device is locked;

receiving a request to display the lock-accessible information, and

in response to determining that the request is to display the emergency contact;

simultaneously displaying the relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and preventing access to the telephone number associated with the emergency contact, and when the relationship identifier is selected;

 

placing a phone call or sending a text message.

14. The portable computing device of claim 13, wherein the steps further include dialing the telephone number associated with the displayed relationship identifier when the portable computing device is password-locked and the relationship identifier is selected.

15. A portable computing device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the portable computing device to carry out the steps that include;

when the portable computing device is unlocked;

storing a medical alert and an emergency contact;

designating a telephone number associated with the emergency contact to be inaccessible when the portable computing device is locked;

designating a relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact to be accessible when the portable computing device is locked; and

when the portable computing device is locked;

displaying a numeric keypad, an emergency contacts icon, and a medical alert icon, wherein;

the numerical keypad is configured as an interface for a user to dial an emergency telephone number,

the emergency contacts icon is configured, when selected, to concurrently display the relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and prevent the telephone number of the emergency contact from being displayed, and

the medical alert icon is configured, when selected, to display the medical alert.

16. The portable computing device of claim 15, further comprising a display configured to present an emergency information screen that includes information regarding one or more medical conditions of a user of the portable computing device.

17. The portable computing device of claim 16, wherein the emergency information screen is configured to display multiple emergency contacts associated with a user of the portable computing device.

18. The portable computing device of claim 15, wherein the emergency contacts icon is configured, when selected, to concurrently display multiple relationship identifiers associated with multiple emergency contacts.

19. The portable computing device of claim 15, wherein the portable computing device is a handheld device having telephone capabilities, wireless capabilities, and media playback capabilities.

20. The portable computing device of claim 15, wherein the medical alert icon is configured, when selected, to block access to the medical alert if a request to display the medical alert is not authorized.

21. A method, comprising:

storing, at a computing device, lock-accessible information that includes an emergency contact;

receiving a user preference to designate certain personal information associated with the emergency contact to be accessible during an emergency, wherein the user preference includes a setting for displaying a relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and concealing a telephone number of the emergency contact; and

when the computing device is password-locked;

receiving a request to display the lock-accessible information, and

in response to determining that the request is to display the emergency contact;

concurrently displaying the relationship identifier associated with the emergency contact and preventing access to the telephone number associated with the emergency contact, and

when the relationship identifier is selected;

placing a phone call or sending a text message.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the relationship identifier is displayed without requiring entry of a password.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein, when the computing device is password-locked, a contact stored on the computing device other than the emergency contact is not available for display.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising prioritizing two or more emergency contacts into a user-specified order.