Panic device with local alarm and distal signaling capability

• US 9,087,442 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2014
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Inventors: Eisenman, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US14/294,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20140285321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/825.31, 340/988, 367/198, 455/575.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/001 Switches therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/22 using mechanical identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/00 Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/22 Electrical actuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/028 Communication between parent and child units via remote transmission means, e.g. satellite network
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/014 Alarm signalling to a central station with two-way communication, e.g. with signalling back
• 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 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: H04L 1/00 Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received correcting synchronisation H04L7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

A panic device operable in conjunction with a local device is configured to unlock a locking mechanism. The panic device can take the form of an electronic key fob, a key shaft, or a key holder. A first trigger on the panic device triggers a local alarm that is on-board or off-board the panic device. A second trigger on the panic device can activate an alarm circuitry that utilizes a local device to provide position information to a distant dispatch station. The local device uses a GPS-aware circuitry or other non-GPS means such as triangulation to determine the position information. The position information can then be sent to the distant dispatch station with or without the aid of the local device.

Claims

1. A personal locator device that cooperates with a dispatcher, and has a hand held housing within which are electronics configured to:

engage in two-way (transmitting and receiving) communication;

continuously or intermittently derive location information with respect to the device via a GPS system;

continuously or intermittently provide at least a first set of the location information to a dispatcher;

provide at least a second set of the location information to the dispatcher upon activation of a first alarm button of the device, wherein the second set of the location information is different from the first set of the location information;

provide identification information to the dispatcher;

operate a speaker to produce a sound upon activation of a second alarm button of the device; and

facilitate access to a lockable space.

2. The personal locator device of claim 1, wherein the electronics is further configured to cooperate with a satellite to engage in the two-way communication.

3. The personal locator device of claim 1, wherein the lockable space comprises an interior of a motor vehicle, and the electronics sends a signal to at least one of the dispatcher and the motor vehicle.

4. The personal locator device of claim 3, further comprising an alarm button that triggers the electronics to send the signal to the motor vehicle.

5. The personal locator device of claim 3, further comprising a physical key configured to gain access to the motor vehicle.

6. The personal locator device of claim 1, further comprising a clothing coupler.

7. The personal locator device of claim 1, wherein the identification information is related to the device.

8. The personal locator device of claim 1, wherein the identification information is related to a user of the device.