Panic device with local alarm and distal signaling capability

• US 9,142,110 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Global Life-Line, Inc.
• Inventors: Fish, Robert D., Eisenman, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu, Shirley
• Application Number:
  US12/773,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20100216423A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,967 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/825.31, 340/988, 364/198
• 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 device configured to communicate with both (a) a local receiver associated with a motor vehicle, and (b) a distant receiver, comprising:

a portable, hand-carried housing that houses a first input and a second input, a transmitter, and a speaker;

wherein the first input is configured to trigger electronic, wireless transmission of a first alarm signal from outside the motor vehicle to the local receiver; and

wherein the second input is capable of triggering electronic, wireless transmission of a second alarm signal to the distant receiver to assist the distant receiver in identifying a geographical position, and wherein the second alarm signal is a cellular signal.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second inputs are buttons.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second inputs are disposed on a touch pad.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second inputs comprises a microphone.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a GPS receiver that provides information regarding the geographical position.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to produce an alarm sound through the speaker when the first input is activated.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to provide cell phone signals that can be used to determine the position of the device by triangulation.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cell phone facility that can be used to transmit the second alarm signal.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a WIFI phone facility that can be used to transmit the second alarm signal.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a physical key that extends from the housing, and that can be inserted into a lock of the motor vehicle.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a cell phone.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a different type of signal from the second signal.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a type of signal used for local transmission to an automobile, and the second signal is a type of signal used for distal transmission.