Patent ID: 6044257
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: G08B,H04B,H04M

Abstract:
A portable emergency communication apparatus for contacting a public emergency response center, and establishing full duplex voice communication between an operator of the apparatus and emergency personnel at the public emergency response center, the emergency communication apparatus comprising:a rigid housing for containing the emergency communication apparatus;a single button mounted on the rigid housing that, when pressed, causes activation of the emergency communication apparatus to establish full duplex cellular voice communication with the public emergency response center;a cellular transmitter contained within the rigid housing for transmitting cellular phone signals the transmitter operable to establish communication with only the public emergency response center when the single button is pressed, thereby reducing or eliminating costs associated with nonemergency cellular phone service;a cellular receiver for receiving voice message signals from the emergency response center and for conditioning the voice message signals to produce conditioned signals;a speaker for receiving the conditioned signals and producing audible sound based on the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;a microphone for producing electrical signals based on audible speech of the operator whereby the operator may respond to the voice message signals from the public emergency response center;the cellular transmitter further for receiving the electrical signals and generating cellular phone signals based on the electrical signals for broadcast to the public emergency response center substantially simultaneously with the production of the electrical signals by the microphone;the cellular transmitter being operable to transmit cellular phone signals as the receiver simultaneously receives voice message signals from the emergency response center, and the receiver being operable to receive voice message signals as the transmitter simultaneously transmits cellular phone signals, whereby the operator of the emergency communication apparatus and personnel at the public emergency response center may engage in verbal communications, andan audible alarm disposed within the housing for producing noise to alert individuals in the area surrounding the emergency communication apparatus that an emergency situation exists.