System and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection

Embodiments for a system and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection are provided. The system includes a computing environment, a network, a user computing device with a user interface, a rescue program, an emergency services server and database, an emergency service computing device, and a transponder. A process for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection is also provided that includes activating a rescue program, determining whether an alert state or rescue is requested, activating an alarm state, alerting emergency services, relaying relevant important information, determining if the rescue program is to be deactivated, alerting emergency services, and closing the rescue program.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to the field of emergency situation alert systems. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a system and method for alerting emergency services that the user is in an emergency situation, and also sending information related to the user's location and surroundings to emergency services.

BACKGROUND

The Amber Alert system was initially developed to help search for abducted persons by rapidly broadcasting information pertaining to abductions to a vast public audience to help investigators find the abductees. Prior to the Amber Alert system, information was typically broadcasted over conventional media outlets such as television. The Amber Alert system took this process a step further by also broadcasting information over a several different electronic media including large electronic billboards and emergency alerts via smart phone. This alert system further included details about the abduction, such as the make and model of the car of the abductor, the age and gender of the abductee, and the last known whereabouts of both the abductor and abductee. The system also provides a contact phone number or hotline so that anyone with information regarding the abduction can provide said information to proper authorities.

However, the current Amber Alert system has several shortcomings including a delay of relaying information, i.e., there is often a significant amount of time that passes between the time the abduction occurred to the time the alert is shown to the public. Additionally, the information provided by the Amber Alert system is often limited to alphanumerical information and a few photographs of the person who is missing.

There are several existing prior art that attempt to remedy this problem. For example, U.S. Patent Application 2016/0071399 A1 discloses a system that uses microphones on a computer to monitor audio to recognize user set keys such as words or phrases to generate an alert to third parties in emergency situations. This disclosure primarily focuses on embodiments that allow the system to continuously monitor audio even when not physically activated because users may be in emergency situations where they cannot physically activate the system. However, this disclosure appears to lack any teaching or suggestion of a live video feed once the system is activated. Rather, this disclosure collects or records audio upon activation and transmit said audio to emergency services rather than providing a live, interactive stream. Additionally, there is no teaching or suggestion of sending this information and live stream to the general public near or around the user's location, similar to an Amber Alert, to allow crowdsourcing of information to help locate the abductee and/or abductor faster.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,862,092 discloses an emergency notification system that sends photo/video captures or streams to emergency services or emergency contacts to upon activation. This disclosure includes an application for mobile devices that allows the user to send information including GPS information, photos, and/or videos to a secure server that can be accessed by emergency responders and emergency contacts through a wireless network. However, this disclosure appears to lack any teaching or suggestion of keeping the application running and visible to show an abductor or perpetrator that he/she is being recorded. Additionally, there is no teaching or suggestion of sending this information and live stream to the general public near or around the user's location, similar to an Amber Alert, to allow crowdsourcing of information to help locate the abductee and/or abductor faster.

Thus, there is a need for a system and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection that overcomes these and the many other shortcomings of conventionally available techniques.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a system and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection is presented herein according to one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, a method or process for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection is presented herein according to one or more embodiments. In one, non-limiting embodiment, this process may include activating a rescue program, determining whether an alert state is requested, activating an alert state, alerting emergency services, relaying relevant important information to emergency services, determining whether the rescue program is requested to be deactivated, alerting emergency services, and closing the program. The process may further include the step of alerting predetermining emergency contacts, electronic billboard services, or anyone within a predetermined radius of the GPS location of the user computing device transmitted.

In one or more embodiments, a system for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection is presented herein according to one or more embodiments. In one, non-limiting embodiment, this system may include a computing environment, a network, a user computing device, a user interface, a rescue program, an emergency services server and database, an emergency service computing device, and a transponder. This system may further include a user computing devices with computer executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed, causes the user computing device to perform the steps of activating a rescue program on a user computing device, wherein the rescue program is designed to alert a emergency services, determining, if an alarm state has been requested, activating the alarm state, alerting emergency services, transmitting a set of information, including photo, audio, video, acceleration, velocity, altitude, facial recognition, global positioning system (GPS) location information, and fingerprints, to emergency services, determining whether the rescue program is requested to be deactivated, alerting emergency services to indicate the user has deactivated the alarm state, and deactivating the alarm state.

In some embodiments, the preceding and following embodiments and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments in the present description are generally directed to a system and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection. Further details are provided below with reference to the Figures.

Turning toFIG. 1, a block diagram shows a general depiction of the system and method for emergency situation broadcasting and location detection in accordance with one or more embodiments.FIG. 1shows a computing environment100which includes a network102, a user computing device104, a user interface105, a rescue program106, a server108, a database110, and an emergency services computing device112. As depicted, the computing environment100provides an environment for rescue program106to access the user interface105, database110, and emergency services computing device112. The computing environment100may include additional servers, computers, or other devices not shown. In one or more embodiments, the network102may be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the internet, any combination thereof, or any combination of connections and protocols that can support communications between the user computing device104, the server108, and the emergency services computing device112. The network102may also include wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other types of connections may be used as well.

The user computing device104may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a mobile device such as a mobile phone, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating via a network102. In other embodiments, the user computing device104may be any electronic device or computing system capable of sending and receiving data and communicating with a server108and an emergency service device112via a network102.

The user interface105operates on a user computing device104to generate display signals corresponding to content, such as windows, menus, icons, 3D models, review and validation instructions, vital product data file information, and to receive various forms of user input. In one embodiment, the user interface105features an interface to rescue program106in which the user interface105may send input to the rescue program106and alert emergency services. The rescue program106may operate to analyze, categorize, determine, and then provide valuable information to the database110and the emergency services computing device112. In one or more embodiments, the rescue program106may be located on the user computing device104and utilize the network102to communicate with the database110and the emergency services computing device112. In another embodiment, the rescue program106resides on the user computing device104. In other embodiments, the rescue program106resides on another server or computing device provided the rescue program106has access to the database110and the emergency service computing device112.

The server108may be a management server, a web server, or any other electronic device or computing system capable of processing program instructions and receiving and sending data. In some embodiments, the server108may be a laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating with the user computing device104and the emergency services computing device112via the network102. In other embodiments, the server108may represent a server computing system utilizing multiple computers as a server system, such as in a cloud computing environment. In another embodiment, the server108may represent a computing system utilizing clustered computers and components to act as a single pool of seamless resources. In other embodiments, the server108may include the database110. In other embodiments, server108may include any combination of the user interface105, rescue program106and database110.

The database110may be a repository that may be written to and/or read by a program106. Information gathered from the program106may be stored to the database110. Such information may include a global positioning system (GPS) location, videos, pictures, text, audio, finger prints, or the like received from the user computing device104. In one embodiment, the database110is a database management system (DBMS) used to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of a database(s). The database106may reside on server108. In other embodiments, the database110resides on another server, or another computing device, provided that the database110is accessible to the user computing device104, rescue program106, and emergency services computing device112.

The emergency services computing device112may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, netbook computer, personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, mobile device, or any programmable electronic device capable of communicating via the network102. In other embodiments, the emergency services computing device112may be any electronic device or computing system capable of sending and receiving data, and communicating with user the computing device102and the server108via a network102.

FIG. 2depicts flowchart200of the rescue program106, executing within the computing environment100ofFIG. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments. The rescue program106gathers data once activated to provide the emergency services with as much information as possible, including the abductee and abductor's personal information or physical description to increase the chances of locating the abductor and/or the abductee.

In step202, the rescue program106, also known as the abduction program, is activated by a user. In one or more embodiments, the rescue program106is activated upon opening the program106on a user computing device104. In another embodiment, the rescue program106is activated by inputting a password after opening the program106. The password can be, for example, a series of alphanumerical characters, voice activation, retina, finger print, heart rate, oxygen levels, perspiration, shaking/convulsing, choking or muscle spasms, hives (allergic reaction), rashes, or other biometric indicia that the user device102is able to measure based on skin/body condition or action. In one or more embodiments, the rescue program106requires more than one activation method to activate. In other embodiments, once the rescue program106is activated it is running in the background of the user computing device104and does not require user interaction to remain active. For example, the rescue program106will keep or lock the user computing device104in an “on” mode so that the display of the user computing device104will remain on and the rescue program106visible.

In the alarm state determination step204, the rescue program106determines if the rescue program106has entered the alarm state. In one or more embodiments, the rescue program106enters the alarm state by the use of the user interface105such as by depressing a button or initiating a haptic sensor, or non-physical touch means including voice activation, video detection, picture detection, vibration detection and/or the like. For example, the user interface105may have a button the user has to hold on to and if they remove pressure from the button the alarm state is activated. Another example is if the user computing device104has an audio sensor, such as a microphone, which hears or detects a predetermined noise or sound pattern and activates the alarm state. Another example, is if the user computing device104has a camera which captures a predetermined video of that which would be common with someone being abducted or in danger. The rescue program106can use one or more of its features to determine if the alarm state is to be activated. If the rescue program106determines that the data gathered reaches a predetermined threshold, the alarm state is activated (YES direction, proceed to step208). If the rescue program106determines that the data fathered does not reach the predetermined threshold, the rescue program106determines if the user deactivated the program (NO direction, proceed to step206).

In step206, the rescue program106determines if the rescue program106has been deactivated. In one embodiment, the rescue program106determines the rescue program106has been deactivated by the user closing the rescue program106. In another embodiment, the user will remove their finger from the user interface105or press a deactivation button on the user interface105. In other embodiments, the user may need to say or input a password or reach a specific geographical location in a predetermined time, or call/contact an emergency contact. If the rescue program106determines that the predetermined sequence of actions has been completed, the rescue program106deactivates (YES direction, proceed to END). If the rescue program106determines that the predetermined sequence has not been completed, the rescue program106maintains the active mode (NO direction, proceed to step204).

In step208, the rescue program106activates the alarm state. In one or more embodiments, the activation of the alarm state sends a silent signal, an audible signal, or both a silent and audible signal to the emergency service computing device112and the database110. In other embodiments, the activation of the alarm state turns on all data capturing features of the user computing device104including a camera, microphone, GPS, user interface105, touch sensitive elements, and the like in order to capture, record, and live stream photos, videos, and audio and relay GPS information. The touch sensitive elements may be the buttons or screen that could possible capture the abductor or the abductee's finger prints.

In step210, the rescue program106alerts the emergency services. In one embodiment, the emergency services include the police, ambulance, firefighters, and the like. In other embodiments, the emergency services are contacts in the user computing device104which are programmed to receive notifications when the rescue program106is activated. The notifications can be, for example, a text message, and email, a phone call, a voice mail, or any of the information captured or recorded by the user computing device104including photos, videos, audio, and GPS information. In other embodiments, an alert may also be sent anyone with a user computing device104such as a mobile device or smart phone capable of receiving such alerts and located within close proximity or a particular radius of the GPS information relayed or transmitted by the abductee's user computing device104. In other embodiments, the emergency services are directly connected to billboard companies that regularly display emergency information on electronic billboards to quickly display the abductee's information to all people within a predetermined radius of the user computing device104. The radius can be predetermined by the user or be configured as a default setting within the rescue program106. In one embodiment, this radius is 10 miles. In other embodiments, this radius can be greater or less than the 10 miles depending on the settings or needs of the emergency services and the rescue program106.

In step212, the rescue program106relays relevant information to the emergency services. In one embodiment, the rescue program106continues to relay all relevant information to the emergency services computing device112and database110. The relevant information can be, for example, videos, pictures, audio, acceleration, velocity, altitude, facial recognition, global positioning system (GPS) location information, fingerprints, vibrations, and the like gathered by the user computing device104. The video and audio may be transmitted as a live stream or a live feed so that emergency services may see what is happening in real time. The information, according to other embodiments, may be edited in or processed by the user computing device104for clarity before sending or transmitting.

In step214, the rescue program106determines if the rescue program106has been deactivated. In one embodiment, the rescue program106determines the rescue program106has been deactivated by the user closing the rescue program106. In another embodiment, the user will remove their finger from the user interface105or press a deactivation button on the user interface105. In other embodiments, the user may need to say or input a password or reach a specific geographical location in a predetermined time, or call/contact an emergency contact. If the rescue program106determines that the predetermined sequence of actions has been completed, the rescue program106deactivates (YES direction, proceed to step218). If the rescue program106determines that the predetermined sequence has not been completed, the rescue program106maintains the active mode (NO direction, proceed to step210).

In step218, the rescue program106alerts the emergency services of deactivation. In one embodiment, the rescue program106sends a notification that the program has been deactivate and the emergency state has ended. In other embodiments, the user needs to personally contact each of the predetermined emergency services to fully deactivate the rescue program106. In additional embodiments, the user needs to send predetermined information to the emergency services to deactivate the rescue program106. In step222, the rescue program106is deactivated and closed. In one embodiment, rescue program106closes itself on the user computing device102. In other embodiments, rescue program106is closed but remains running in the background of the user computing device102.

FIG. 3depicts a diagram of the location system, in accordance with one or more embodiments. In this depicted embodiment, OnView security has a central location known as the live monitoring center that receives all the alerts and activations and forwards the necessary information to the appropriate parties. In the shown embodiment, the location of the victim is sent directly to the police while the video recording is sent to the monitoring location, which then sends the information to the police, and a database that is accessible by the police and other government agencies that would be able to help locate the victim.

While preferred and alternate embodiments have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments provided in the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the embodiments provided in the present disclosure, is not limited by the disclosure of these preferred and alternate embodiments. Instead, the scope of the invention title be determined entirely by reference to the claims. Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings (if any) disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and Applicant hereby reserves the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions.