Abstract:
Methods, systems, and apparatus for an emergency information system (EIS) are described that may be used to provide emergency information about a person, animal, or other entity when necessary to treat an emergency condition or situation. The EIS may include a packet including a sheath, a pocket configured on a surface of the sheath, an information sheet configured to fit substantially inside the pocket; a closing mechanisms configured to be secure packet around a member in a closed position.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims priority from patent applications U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/545,075 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EMERGENCY INFORMATION,” which was filed on Oct. 7, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates generally to apparatus, methods, and systems receivers for providing emergency information. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Emergencies cannot be predicted. At the time of an accident, a patient or victim is often unable to provide necessary information due to an accident, illness, or other impairment. In such situations, an identification card or picture ID may not be sufficient to understand or provide information about a person&#39;s condition, thereby limiting emergency personnel&#39;s ability to properly diagnose and aid a patient. Accordingly, this lack of information limits a patient&#39;s ability to completely recover or be given the necessary treatment at the time of the accident. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In an embodiment, there is described an emergency information system (“EIS”) for providing information about a person, animal, or entity that is capable being used to provide care. The EIS may include an article having information concerning medical condition, identification information, information about medications, and other relevant information about a person, animal, or other entity to enable a person to provide care in an emergency. 
         [0007]    The article may be made from paper, cloth, metal, or other similar material for receiving printed or written information. The EIS may also include a device for receiving the article. The device may be a carrier, a packet, or other configuration for receiving, attaching, and/or storing the article. The device may be configured to be coupled to a person, animal, or entity in a variety of ways including Velcro, a clasp, a drawstring, a collar, or any other suitable configuration. 
         [0008]    Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an exemplary emergency information packet. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate an exemplary packet folded around an elongated member. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an exemplary emergency information sheet. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an exemplary emergency information sheet. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an example of a packet secured onto a lap or shoulder belt of a vehicle seat. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a packet secured onto a strap of a backpack. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a packet secured onto a cane. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an example of a packet secured to an animal collar or leash. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed below can be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachings to provide a device, system, and/or method for providing emergency information. Representative examples of the present invention, which utilize many of these additional features and teachings both separately and in combination, will now be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person of skill in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detail description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe representative examples of the present teachings 
         [0018]    Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically and explicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodiments of the present teachings. In addition, it is expressly noted that all features disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently from each other for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter independent of the compositions of the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is also expressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups of entities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediate entity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose of restricting the claimed subject matter. 
         [0019]    An EIS includes an article having emergency information printed or written thereon; and a device adapted for receiving and storing the information sheet therein, and for being coupled with the information sheet on, near, or carried by a person or animal identified by the emergency information. The information sheet may be placed into the packet, which may then be coupled to the person, animal, or entity. For purposes of this disclosure, reference will be made to a “person.” However, a person may be an animal or other entity in the embodiments discussed and described below. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , EIS may include an emergency information packet  10  including a sheath  12  with a pocket  14  configured in or on one surface for receiving an information sheet  20 , and a closure mechanism  16   a / 16   b  on opposing edges of the sheath  12 . The sheath  12  may be wrapped or folded around a member  30  and the opposing edges of the sheath may be secured together by mechanism  16   a / 16   b , thereby coupling the emergency information packet  10  onto a member  30 . 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate schematically one example of how sheath  12  may be folded to or coupled to the member  30 . Any suitable fabric or material may be employed for forming the packet  10  and pocket  14 . Any suitable closure mechanism may be employed, including but not limited to at least one hook-and-loop closure (such as a Velcro® closure); at least one snap; at least one button, at least one clasp; or at least one buckle. The closure mechanism  16   a / 16   b  illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-1B  and  2 A- 2 D is a hook-and-loop enclosure (such as a Velcro® closure). Other suitable enclosures may be equivalently employed. 
         [0022]    The information sheet  20  may be folded prior to being placed in the pocket  14  of the packet  10 . A pull tab may also be coupled to the information sheet  20  to aid in removing the sheet  20  from the pocket  14 . The information sheet  20  may comprise paper; cardstock; cardboard; laminated paper, cardstock, or cardboard; plastic; or metal; or any other suitable medium for carrying printed or written information thereon that may be received within the pocket  14  of packet  10 . 
         [0023]    For use by a person, the printed or written emergency information may include the person&#39;s name, and may include a wide array of additional information (as in the examples of  FIGS. 3A-3B  and  4 A- 4 B). The information may be printed or written in any suitable language or languages. Both English and Spanish are shown in the example of  FIGS. 3A-3B  and  4 A- 4 B. 
         [0024]    Examples of information that may be printed or written on information sheet  20  may include, but are not limited to; the person&#39;s physical address; the person&#39;s phone number; the person&#39;s email address; a photograph of the person; the person&#39;s Social Security number; the person&#39;s driver&#39;s license number; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s spouse, parent, guardian, other relative, or other designated contact person; the person&#39;s height, weight, sex, or date of birth; the person&#39;s blood type; at least a partial listing of the person&#39;s medications, medical history, allergies, medical conditions, or medical treatments; the person&#39;s organ donor status; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s preferred physician; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s preferred dentist; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s preferred hospital, clinic, or other treatment facility; consent for medical or dental treatment of the person; the person&#39;s medical directives; the person&#39;s medical insurance information; the person&#39;s automobile insurance information; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s attorney; or the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of the person&#39;s clergyman. 
         [0025]    The emergency information packet  10  may be used in a wide variety of circumstances secured to any of a wide variety of members. For example, the emergency information packet  10  may be secured onto a shoulder strap  31  or lap belt  32  of a vehicle seat in which the person identified on information sheet  20  is sitting, as in  FIG. 5A  or  5 B. The vehicle may be an automobile, truck, passenger van, bus, train, aircraft, boat, ship, or any other vehicle with seats having lap belts or shoulder straps. The packet  10  maybe secured onto a strap of a child safety seat into which the identified person is secured. The packet  10  may be secured onto a belt or strap securing the identified person into a stroller or wheelchair. Alternatively, the packet  10  may be secured to a frame member of the stroller or wheelchair. The packet  10  may be secured onto a strap of a safety harness, purse or bag, backpack, fanny-pack strap, belt, suspenders, or life jacket worn by the identified person (such as strap  33  of backpack  34 , as in  FIG. 6 ). The packet  10  may be secured onto a cane, walker, crutch pole, or walking stick used by the identified person (such as cane  35 , as in  FIG. 7 ). The packet  10  may be secured onto a strap of a purse, bag, equipment bag or case, instrument bag or case, or luggage carried by the identified person. The packet  10  may be secured onto a tent pole or frame member of a tent occupied by the identified person. The packet may also be secured to any suitable device worn on the head of a person including a helmet. Moreover, the packet  10  may be integrated into a strap or belt worn around or on a person and secured using the mechanism  16   a / 16   b.    
         [0026]    The packet  10  secured to a vehicle lap belt, vehicle shoulder strap, or child safety seat strap may enable rapid identification of an unconscious, incapacitated, or unresponsive victim at an accident scene, as well as imparting additional important or useful to emergency response or medical personnel. 
         [0027]    Packet  10  secured to a stroller or wheelchair may similarly provide information in the event of an accident or emergency. Packet  10  secured to a strap worn by a person (typically as part of some other article, e.g., a backpack) may provide ready identification and other information even if the wearer is rendered unconscious, incapacitated, or unresponsive by an accident, injury, or medical condition. This may prove particularly useful in workplace, outdoor, or recreational settings, where injuries or accidents may be more likely, and where special equipment (often including straps, belts, or other elongated member) often may be worn or carried by participants. The packet may be secured to the person&#39;s belt or suspenders. The packet  10  enables ready identification of the person even if he or she wanders away from a supervised environment. 
         [0028]    The emergency information packet  10  is adapted for being readily located, identified, and accessed, particularly by emergency personnel or other responder or bystander. All or part of the packet may be brightly colored, for example, so that its presence may be readily discerned. Red, orange, or yellow may be preferred colors, since they may be traditionally associated with emergency, safety, or medical equipment, however, any bright color may be employed. Fluorescent, phosphorescent, or reflective coloring, on all or part of the packet, may enhance the visibility of the packet. The packet may have markings including text, symbols, or other indicia, indicating that emergency information may be found within (as in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). Any suitable text, symbols, or other indicia may be employed. 
         [0029]    The emergency information packet  10  may be employed for identifying an animal, such as livestock or a pet. In this case the printed or written emergency information may include the animal&#39;s name (or other identifier, such as a serial number), and the name of the animal&#39;s owner. The information may further include, but is not limited to, the phone number, physical address, or email address of the owner; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address of a veterinarian preferred by the owner; at least a partial listing of the animal&#39;s medications, medical history, medical conditions, or medical treatments; consent for treatment of the animal; or the owner&#39;s medical directives for the animal. The packet  10  may be secured onto the animal&#39;s collar  36 , leash  37 , harness, or yoke (as in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). 
         [0030]    The packet  10  may also be configured with a reflection device on a surface. In one embodiment, the packet  10  may be configured with an electronic device configured to play an audio and/or video message, data, or other content. The packet  10  may also be configured with voice-activated or Bluetooth® technology to activate the electronic device in the event of an emergency. 
         [0031]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Similarly, any process steps described might be interchangeable with other steps in order to achieve the same result. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its best mode practical application, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather means “one or more.” Moreover, no element, component, nor method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the following claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for . . . .” 
         [0032]    It should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments, which highlight the functionality and advantages of the present invention, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture of the present invention is sufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown in the accompanying figures. 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present invention in any way. It is also to be understood that the steps and processes recited in the claims need not be performed in the order presented. 
         [0034]    Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. 
         [0035]    Moreover, a storage medium may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and/or other machine-readable mediums, processor-readable mediums, and/or computer-readable mediums for storing information. The terms “machine-readable medium”, “computer-readable medium”, and/or “processor-readable medium” may include, but are not limited to non-transitory mediums such as portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. Thus, the various methods described herein may be fully or partially implemented by instructions and/or data that may be stored in a “machine-readable medium”, “computer-readable medium”, and/or “processor-readable medium” and executed by one or more processors, machines and/or devices. 
         [0036]    The various features of the invention described herein can be implemented in different systems without departing from the invention. It should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The description of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. As such, the present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.