Panic button phone

An emergency use only panic button phone provides a low cost comprehensive personal security device. The panic button phone has a large button located on a rigid housing that contains a cellular receiver and transmitter. Pressing the large button allows the user of the panic button phone to establish full duplex cellular voice communications with an emergency response center and summon emergency response personnel. Preferably, a flip top cover that is connected by hinges to the rigid housing folds over the large button and minimizes the likelihood the large button will be accidentally pressed. A global positioning device in the panic button phone provides the location of the operator to the emergency response center. A small button on the rigid housing activates a noise alarm that alerts individuals in the immediate area that an emergency situation exists. In addition, a second small button activates a radio transmitter that signals the home alarm system of the operator if the operator is near the home when the button is pressed. In response to being signaled, the home alarm system initiates appropriate security measures such as turning on the house's lights and producing an audible alarm.

BACKGROUND 
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
In general, the present invention relates to a panic button phone that has 
a single button for establishing cellular telephone contact with an 
emergency response center. In particular, the present invention relates to 
a portable cellular device that produces a noise alarm, establishes radio 
communication with a home alarm base station, establishes full duplex 
voice communication with the emergency response center, and provides the 
emergency response center with the location of the portable cellular 
device. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Emergency response numbers such as 911 are utilized to provide individuals 
with a quick and easy way to contact an emergency response center when an 
emergency situation arises. By providing a standardized method of 
contacting emergency personnel, these emergency response numbers are 
effective in reducing the amount of time necessary to respond to an 
emergency. In an emergency, the amount of time required to respond can 
often mean the difference between life and death. Response time may be 
further minimized by employing caller identification technology that 
allows the operator of the emergency response center to automatically 
determine the phone number of the caller without requiring the caller to 
provide such information. If the call was placed from a stationary 
telephone, the operator at the emergency response center can also 
determine the location of the caller. Thus, even if the user is unable to 
verbally request assistance, the emergency response center can still send 
emergency response personnel to the location from which the call was 
placed. 
One of the primary shortcomings of the prior art devices for utilizing the 
911 emergency response system is that a phone terminal is needed to 
contact an emergency response center. If the emergency situation occurs in 
a remote area, it is often impossible to place a call to the emergency 
response system. However, with the advent of cellular telephone technology 
it is now possible to carry a cellular telephone that allows an emergency 
caller to contact an emergency response center from practically anywhere. 
The primary drawbacks of the cellular system are the high cost of cellular 
service and the inability of the emergency response center to 
automatically determine the location of the caller. 
Cellular devices and services have been offered that are limited to 
emergency use only. These devices have several buttons that allow a 
variety of emergency services such as fire, medical and police to be 
summoned. By restricting use of the cellular phone to emergency 
situations, the user can either avoid or defer some of the costs 
associated with a full service cellular phone. However, these devices have 
multiple buttons and functions which may cause confusion in an emergency 
situation. Because of the stress often associated with emergency 
situations, an operator of such a complex emergency communication device 
may fail to properly summon emergency personnel. In addition, these 
emergency communication devices fail to integrate the functioning of the 
cellular device with home alarm systems that the user of the device might 
have. Furthermore, the devices do not have the capability to summon 
individuals in the immediate area around the device that may be able to 
provide assistance. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention eliminates the oversights, difficulties, and 
disadvantages of the prior art by providing a simplified emergency 
communication apparatus for contacting an emergency response center that 
consists of a rigid housing containing a portable cellular device and a 
single large switch mounted on the rigid housing that causes the portable 
cellular device to establish full duplex communication with an emergency 
response center when pressed. 
By limiting use of the portable cellular device to emergency situations, a 
user should be able to subscribe to a cellular service for a greatly 
reduced fee. In fact, present FTC regulations prohibit charging for, or 
refusing to connect, a call made to a 911 emergency response center. Thus, 
the panic button phone 10 could presently be used without incurring any 
subscriber fees at all. More importantly, placing only a single large 
switch on the cellular device makes contacting an emergency response 
center exceedingly simple. Thus, even in an extremely stressful emergency 
situation, the portable cellular device is almost impossible to operate 
incorrectly. Furthermore, the simplicity of the device makes it especially 
adaptable for use by young children and physically and mentally impaired 
individuals. 
Another embodiment of the emergency communication apparatus provides a 
portable cellular device for contacting an emergency response center. The 
device is contained in a rigid housing and has a single large button 
mounted on the rigid housing that causes the portable cellular device to 
establish full duplex communication with an emergency response center when 
pressed. A radio transmitter is included that contacts the home security 
system of the user of the portable cellular device if the portable 
cellular device is near the home security system. In one embodiment, the 
home security system is only signaled when a small button on the panic 
button phone is pressed. In another embodiment, the home security system 
is automatically signaled when the single large button is pressed. The 
radio transmitter also attempts to contact the car alarm in the operator's 
car if the car is within radio communications range when the cellular 
device is activated. A retractable antenna transmits and receives signals 
to and from the emergency response center by way of a cellular network. 
The portable cellular device is powered by a power supply located in the 
rigid housing. 
Once the single large button has been pressed, the cellular device 
establishes contact with an emergency response center by dialing the 
number of the emergency response center with an automatic dialer. A 
microprocessor control circuit controls the functioning of the electronic 
components of the portable cellular device. Any information needed to 
contact the emergency response center, such as a phone number, is 
contained in a memory device. The microprocessor control circuit attempts 
to establish contact with the emergency response center using a cellular 
transceiver to send and receive electronic signals to and from the 
retractable antenna. Once contact is established, a microphone receives 
any verbal inputs from the user of the portable cellular device and 
converts the verbal inputs into electronic signals that are transmitted to 
the emergency response center through a cellular telephone network. A 
speaker converts the electrical signals received from the cellular 
transceiver into audible sounds. 
A flip top cover is mounted on the rigid housing to cover the single large 
button and reduce the possibility of accidentally activating the portable 
cellular device. A first and a second small button are located on the 
outside of the flip top cover. The first small button activates a noise 
maker and a flashing light source and the second small button signals the 
user's home security system. A set of indicator lights provide information 
to the user of the device by indicating that the portable cellular device 
is in cellular communications range with a cellular network, that the 
portable cellular device has been activated and that the portable cellular 
device's power supply is running low. A clip is provided on the outside of 
the flip top cover that allows the portable cellular device to be 
removably attached to an object such as a belt or purse strap. 
The embodiment discussed above provides a number of distinct advantages 
over the prior art. For example, the provision of a noise maker and a 
flashing light source in conjunction with the cellular device provide an 
extra degree of security by alerting any individuals in the immediate area 
that an emergency situation exists. Furthermore, the radio frequency 
transmitter that contacts the home security system when the single large 
button is pressed allows the home security system to implement additional 
measures to insure the safety of the operator of the cellular device. 
These measures may include actions such as turning on and off the lights 
of the residence in a timed sequence, sounding an audible alarm, locking 
or unlocking the doors of the residence and activating any other emergency 
measures incorporated in the home security system. As previously stated, 
the flip top cover helps reduce the the likelihood that the single large 
button will be accidentally pressed. This is very beneficial because false 
alarms tend to decrease the effectiveness of any alarm system by 
increasing skepticism among individuals receiving the alarm that an 
emergency situation actually exists.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the present invention for 
summoning help in an emergency is shown. The internal components of the 
emergency communication apparatus 10 or panic button phone 10 are 
contained within a rigid housing 12. The rigid housing 12 is constructed 
out of a durable material that will withstand being continuously carried 
in an individuals pocket or purse. Preferably, a flip top cover 14 is 
connected to the rigid housing 12 with a pair of hinges 16. The flip top 
cover 14 folds over the rigid housing 12. The flip top cover 14 is spring 
loaded in the closed position where it is held in place by a latch 15. 
When the latch 15 is pressed, the flip top cover 14 is released and 
springs open to reveal the top of the rigid housing 12. A clip 18 is 
provided on the outside of the flip top cover 14 that allows the panic 
button phone 10 to be carried on the waistband or belt of a user. 
The flip top cover 14 covers a single large switch or button 20 when it is 
in the closed position. The flip top cover 14 helps prevent the large 
button 20 from being accidentally pressed. The single large button 20 
activates the panic button phone 10 when it is pressed. To summon help in 
an emergency situation, a user simply presses the latch 15 to open the 
flip top cover 14. As soon as the flip top cover 14 is opened, the panic 
button phone 10 begins searching for a cellular provider. Once a 
communication channel is assigned to the panic button phone 10 by a 
cellular telephone provider, pressing the single large button 20 will 
cause the panic button phone 10 to automatically contact an emergency 
response center such as the familiar 911 service. A radio frequency 
antenna 21 mounted on the flip top cover 14 is used to transmit and 
receive the cellular communications. The antenna 21 is preferably 
retractable so that the panic button phone 10 is compact and can be easily 
stored in a pocket or purse without worrying about damaging the antenna 
21. A speaker 22 and a microphone 24 located on the rigid housing 12 of 
the panic button phone 10 enable the operator of the panic button phone 10 
to establish full duplex voice communications with the personnel at the 
emergency response center. In an alternate embodiment, the microphone 24 
is located on the outside of the flip top cover 14 and the speaker 22 is 
replaced with a tethered ear piece that is placed in the ear of the 
operator. The operator of the panic button phone 10 can disconnect the 
call to the emergency center simply by closing the flip top cover 14. 
In order to minimize the cost of the cellular service needed to support it, 
the panic button phone 10 is strictly limited to emergency use only. 
Because a cellular service provider can be sure that the panic button 
phone 10 will only be used in emergency situations, the service provider 
will typically be willing to provide the cellular service at a reduced 
rate. Furthermore, as previously discussed, governmental regulations 
prohibit cellular service providers from refusing calls to 911 emergency 
response centers even if the caller does not subscribe to a cellular 
service. Another one of the primary benefits of limiting use of the panic 
button phone 10 to contacting an emergency response center with a single 
large button 20 is the resulting simplicity of operation. The single large 
button 20 is preferably one quarter to one and one half inches in 
diameter. Even very young children and elderly consumers can be taught how 
to summon emergency personnel with the panic button phone 10. 
Additionally, the time required to summon the emergency personnel is held 
to an absolute minimum. Almost as soon as the panic button 20 is pressed, 
the emergency response center personnel have a verbal communications link 
to the scene of the emergency. Furthermore, as discussed in more detail 
below, the panic button phone 10 may include a locator function which uses 
global positioning systems (GPS) and cellular location systems to provide 
the location of the panic button phone 10 to the emergency response 
center. 
In addition to establishing cellular contact with an emergency response 
center, the panic button phone 10 may be configured to activate the home 
security system of the user. Because the radio communications range of the 
panic button phone 10 is limited, the panic button phone 10 can only 
contact the user's home security system when the panic button phone 10 is 
close to the home security system. Preferably, the radio communications 
range of panic button phone 10 extends to at least 500 feet from the home 
security system. The home security system can react to the panic button 
phone's signal in a number of ways. In the preferred embodiment, the home 
security system turns the lights of the residence on and off and activates 
any audible alarms that the home security system uses. Turning on and off 
the house's lights and sounding the home security system's audible alarms 
can be beneficial for a number of reasons. First, the home security system 
alarm will only be activated if the panic button phone 10 is pressed when 
it is near the home. Thus, if the emergency situation involves an intruder 
or attacker, turning on the lights and sounding the alarms may scare the 
individual away. Secondly, turning on the lights and sounding the alarms 
will alert any individuals in or around the house that an emergency 
situation exists in or near the house. In addition, any of the variety of 
other functions typically performed by a home security system can be 
triggered by the signal from the panic button phone 10. 
An embodiment of the panic button phone 10 is also provided that contacts 
the car alarm of the user. In a manner similar to that described for 
contacting the home security system of the user, the panic button phone 10 
transmits a signal that activates the car alarm. The panic button phone 10 
will only be able to signal the car alarm if the user is near the car when 
the panic button phone 10 is activated. Thus, the car alarm will help draw 
attention to the area in which the emergency situation exists. This could 
be especially beneficial if the emergency situation arose in a parking 
lot. Furthermore, if the car was just stolen, setting off the car alarm 
will draw attention to the thief and the stolen car. 
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the speaker 22 is also used as 
an audible alarm or noise maker that alerts individuals in the immediate 
area that an emergency exists. The noise maker is activated by pressing a 
button 26 on the flip top cover 14 of the panic button phone 10. Once 
button 26 is pressed the speaker 22 will begin emitting an alarm type 
noise. The number of different sounds that could be produced is limitless 
but the noise produced is preferably similar to that produced by a car 
alarm. In the preferred embodiment, the noise alarm stops producing noise 
when the flip top cover 14 is opened. Stopping the noise alarm when the 
flip top cover 14 is opened prevents the noise alarm from overwhelming the 
operator's voice when the emergency response center is contacted. In an 
alternate embodiment, the noise alarm is deactivated by pressing the noise 
alarm button 26 again. 
Also located on the flip top cover 14 is a visual alarm button 28 that 
activates a flashing light source 30 on the flip top cover 14. Both the 
flashing light source 30 and the noise alarm serve the same functions. On 
the one hand they serve to scare off attackers, on the other hand they 
serve to draw attention to the individual requesting emergency assistance. 
Because the panic button phone 10 can be activated from anywhere that 
cellular service is available, the exact location of the caller may be 
unknown to the emergency response personnel. Thus, by drawing attention to 
the panic button phone 10 and its operator, the flashing light source 30 
and the noise maker may be very helpful to emergency response personnel 
attempting to locate the individual who summoned them. 
A set of indicator lights 32, 34 and 36 are preferably located on the front 
of the rigid housing 12 that provide an operator of the panic button phone 
10 information concerning whether or not the panic button phone 10 is 
within communications range of a cellular station, whether or not the 
panic button phone 10 has been activated and whether or not the power 
supply of the panic button phone 10 is running low. In an especially 
preferred embodiment, the cellular range indicator light 32 is green when 
a channel is assigned to the panic button phone 10 by a wireless telephone 
carrier and red when no service is possible, the activation light 36 is 
off when the panic button phone 10 has not been activated and turns red 
when the phone 10 is activated and the power supply light 34 is off when 
the power supply is functioning properly and turns yellow to indicate a 
low power supply. 
As described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention 
includes a locator function. The locator function provides the location of 
the panic button phone 10 at the time it was activated to the emergency 
response center. The locator function is implemented in a variety of 
manners in different embodiments of the present invention. One embodiment 
involves the use of a GPS receiver. A GPS receiver utilizes signals from 
satellites orbiting the earth to determine the position of the receiver. 
When the single large button 20 is pressed, the GPS receiver determines 
the location of the panic button phone 10. The panic button phone 10 then 
automatically transmits this positional information to the emergency 
response center. Another embodiment of the present invention uses a 
cellular location system to determine the position of the panic button 
phone 10 by triangulation. This cellular location system uses the strength 
of the signal from a cellular device at different cellular stations to 
determine the location of the cellular device. Positional information is 
extremely beneficial in an emergency situation because it allows the 
emergency response center to determine the location of the caller without 
requiring any input from the caller. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of the electrical components of a 
preferred embodiment of the panic button phone 10 is shown. The electrical 
components of the panic button phone 10 are controlled by a microprocessor 
44. Power for the electrical components of the panic button phone 10 is 
supplied by a power supply 45. In an especially preferred embodiment, the 
power supply 45 is a DC power supply and includes replaceable batteries 
such as AA or AAA alkaline batteries. These types of batteries are 
preferred because they will allow a minimum talk time of at least 30 
minutes, are relatively inexpensive, and are easily replaceable. 
The embodiment shown has three user input buttons 26, 40 and 20. While the 
user inputs 26, 40 and 20 are shown and discussed as buttons, it is 
understood that the inputs 26, 40 and 20 may be a switch, touch sensor, or 
other similar device that functions like a button. 
A noise alarm button 26 is provided that activates a noise alarm 46. When 
the noise alarm button 26 is pressed, a noise alarm signal is sent to the 
microprocessor 44. The microprocessor 44 receives the noise alarm signal 
and produces a noise alarm activation signal that is sent to the noise 
alarm 46. In this embodiment, the noise alarm 46 preferably consists of a 
siren-type speaker that creates a high decibel noise. The noise alarm 46 
can be deactivated by simply pressing the noise alarm button 26 a second 
time or by opening the flip top cover 14. 
In an alternate embodiment, a flashing light source 30 is also provided. 
The flashing light source 30 is activated in response to the noise alarm 
button 26 or emergency response button 20 being pressed. The flashing 
light source 30 helps to alert individuals in the immediate area that an 
emergency situation exists. In addition, once emergency response personnel 
have been summoned, the flashing light source 30 can help the emergency 
personnel locate the panic button phone 10 and, thus, the individual who 
summoned the assistance. 
A home security alarm button 40 is also provided. When the home alarm 
button 40 is pressed, a home alarm signal is sent to the microprocessor 
44. In response to the home alarm signal, the microprocessor 44 produces 
an activation signal which is sent to a radio frequency transmitter 48. 
The radio frequency transmitter 48 conditions the activation signal and 
broadcasts it on an antenna 21. The preferred radio frequency transmitter 
48 operates at 310 MHZ. The home security system detects the broadcast 
activation signal and responds accordingly. As discussed in greater detail 
above, the response preferably at least includes turning on and off the 
exterior lights of the house and producing an audible alarm. 
The emergency alarm button 20 sends a signal to the microprocessor 44 when 
it is pressed that prompts the microprocessor 44 to activate an automatic 
dialer 52. The automatic dialer 52 dials the telephone number of the 
emergency response center. The telephone number is preferably stored in 
the automatic dialer 52 itself. However, in an alternate embodiment a 
memory 54 is provided for storing the telephone number. A cellular 
receiver 56 receives the message signals from the emergency response 
center and conditions the signals. The cellular receiver 56 may provide 
these conditioned signals to the speaker 22 directly or through the 
microprocessor 44 as shown in FIG. 2. The operator of the panic button 
phone 10 can respond to the messages from the emergency response center by 
speaking into the microphone 24. The microphone 24 converts the operator's 
speech into electric signals that are received by the microprocessor 44. 
The microprocessor 44 then sends the signals to a cellular transmitter 62 
which conditions the signals and broadcast them on the antenna 21. In an 
alternate embodiment, the signals are sent directly from the microphone 24 
to the cellular transmitter 62. 
The panic button phone 10 is designed to use the cellular communications 
technology that provides the most comprehensive coverage possible. Using 
the cellular technology that provides the largest possible coverage area 
is desirable because it minimizes the likelihood the operator of the panic 
button phone 10 will be out of cellular communications range when an 
emergency situations arises. While the coverage range of digital cellular 
service providers is constantly increasing, the largest amount of cellular 
coverage is still provided by service providers using analog modulation 
technology. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the cellular receiver 56 
and cellular transmitter 62 use analog modulation technology. Furthermore, 
because the amount of time actually spent communicating with the panic 
button phone 10 will likely be very low, the cellular receiver 56 and 
transmitter 62 components are designed for maximum range and minimal talk 
times. 
In another alternative embodiment, the panic button phone 10 is designed to 
scan for a digital cellular provider. If a digital cellular service 
provider is located, the panic button phone 10 will establish digital 
communications with the digital service provider. If no digital service 
provider is located, the panic button phone 10 then attempts to establish 
analog cellular communications with an analog service provider. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the microprocessor 44 prompts a GPS receiver 
64 to determine the location of the panic button phone 10 when the 
emergency response button 20 is pressed. Once the GPS receiver 64 has 
determined the coordinates of the panic button phone 10, the GPS receiver 
64 provides the coordinates to the microprocessor 44. The microprocessor 
44 then sends the coordinates to the cellular transmitter 62. The cellular 
transmitter 62 sends the location coordinates to the emergency response 
center by way of a cellular telephone network. The location coordinates 
allow the emergency response center to dispatch emergency personnel to the 
location from which the call was placed without even questioning the 
caller. 
The microprocessor 44 also controls a set of indicator lights 32, 34 and 
36. The set of indicator lights 32, 34 and 36 provide the operator of the 
panic button phone 10 status information concerning the functioning of the 
phone 10. As previously discussed, the indicator lights 32, 34 and 36 
preferably include a cellular range indicator light 32, a low power light 
34, and an activation light 36. However, it is understood that a variety 
of different indicator lights 32, 34 and 36 could be provided without 
departing from the spirit of the invention. 
While the invention has been described in detail, it is to be expressly 
understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art 
that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of 
the invention. Various changes of form, design or arrangement may be made 
to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the 
invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered 
exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is 
that defined in the following claims.