Abstract:
A portable emergency device is disclosed. The device contains an internal antenna for allowing two-way communications, a speaker, an activation button to be pressed in case of an emergency, a microphone, a battery for powering the device and a GPS tracking device that allows emergency personnel to locate the person. The device performs in two operation modes, wherein in one mode a call is placed to a public emergency service provider, and in the second mode a call is placed to the public emergency service provider and a recorded message is transmitted along with the location of the device. The device is particularly useful for the elderly and the handicapped that they can use in case of an emergency.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/545,838 filed Aug. 23, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a portable emergency device (PED) and, more specifically, to a PED having a global positioning system (GPS) operable to detect the present location of the PED and is further operable to allow two-way conversation with emergency personnel. 
         [0003]    Elderly and handicapped people often have a difficult time seeing and using cell phones or other communication devices in an emergency. Currently, there are no easy-to-use portable devices that they can use in the home and take with them when they leave the home. Furthermore, there are no portable devices that may be easily used by people in a state of distress. Accordingly, there remains a need for a user-friendly device for the elderly and the handicapped that they can use in case of an emergency. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a portable emergency device including a housing and an inner section having an internal antenna disposed inside the inner section is provided. The antenna is operable to transmit and receive signals to and from a designated host. The device further includes a speaker and a microphone disposed on the housing; an actuator positioned on the housing; a recorder for recording messages, a battery for powering the device disposed inside the inner section; and a GPS disposed inside the inner section. The device is operable to call a designated public emergency service provider (PESP) with one actuation of the actuator. With a second actuation of the actuator, the device is operable to send a recorded message to the designated PESP followed by the location of the user. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method for contacting a designated PESP by a person in an emergency situation is provided. The method includes the step of actuating an actuator once so as to place the device in a first operation mode, or actuating the actuator twice so as to place the device in a second operation mode. Accordingly, the method provides for a simple way for a distressed person to reach PESP, regardless of whether the distressed person is able to speak. 
         [0006]    In the first operation mode, the method includes the step of actuating the GPS unit and obtaining the user&#39;s present location. The first mode of operation further includes the step of placing a call directly to a designated public emergency service provider (PESP) wherein the user may communicate to the designated public emergency provider the nature of the distress and the user&#39;s present location. 
         [0007]    In the second operation mode the method includes the step of placing a call directly to a designated PESP and playing a recorded message providing the PESP the user&#39;s information. The second operation mode further includes the step of providing the PESP with the user&#39;s current GPS location. 
         [0008]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a back view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a method for using the device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. 
         [0020]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally relates to a portable emergency device  10  with GPS  12  that allows two-way conversation with an operator of a public emergency service provider (PESP) when operating in a first operation mode, and provides a recorded message with the operator when operating in a second operation mode. 
         [0021]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , an illustration of an embodiment of the device  10  is provided. Preferably, the device  10  configured for hand held use. For instance, the device  10  may be approximately 2 inches wide, 3 inches long and a ¼ inch thick. The device  10  includes a housing  14  formed from a durable material that may be shock proof, water resistant rubberized plastic. The housing  14  is operable to protect the interior components of the device  10 . The device  10  may further include circuitry and components similar to a cellular telephone with two-way radio capability. Preferably, the device  10  is also light weight and easy to carry, and may be worn as a pendant, or clipped onto clothing, a purse, or a vehicle visor. 
         [0022]    The device  10  may further include a GPS  12 . Any GPS  12  currently known and used in the art is adaptable for use herein, illustratively including a GPS tracking device  18  which is operable to push data to the designated PESP. More specifically, the GPS tracking device  18  operable to transmit the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the device  10 . Accordingly, the designated PESP is provided with the user&#39;s location and may be able to find the user in the event the user does not know where he or she is located, or is unable to speak. Such a device  10  may be useful where public emergency providing services commonly known as “enhanced 911” is available. Enhanced 911 service providers are capable of extracting the GPS  12  location of the device  10  and may direct public agency to the location of the user and the nature of the user&#39;s distress. 
         [0023]    The device  10  may further include an antenna  20  operable to transmit and receive signals through a cellular service provided. The device  10  further includes a speaker  22 , an actuator  24 , a microphone  26 , a recorder  28 , a processor  30 , and a battery  32 . The microphone  26  is operable to receive communications from the user for transmission to the PESP operator. The processor  30  is operable to actuate the recorder  28  so as to record a message from the user for later transmission to a PESP operator in the event that the user is unable to speak. The processor  30  may store the recorded message in a database  34 . 
         [0024]    The battery  32  may be a rechargeable lithium ion battery  32 . The device  10  may further include a port  36  in communication with the battery  32 . The port  36  is operable to receive a line such as a vehicle charger or a table-top charger that allow the device  10  to be recharged. The port  36  may be configured to receive a micro universal serial bus (Micro USB) operable to not only charge the device  10 , but to download a recorded message onto the database  34 . The port  36  may be disposed on any location of the housing  14 . For instance,  FIGS. 1 and 2  shows the port  36  disposed on the side of the housing  14 , whereas  FIG. 3  shows the port  36  on the lower back side of the housing  14 , and  FIG. 8  shows the port  36  disposed on the bottom of the housing  14 . These components work together to enable the device  10  to perform in two different modes of operation so as to facilitate communication with a PESP during times of distress. 
         [0025]    These components may be adapted for use with elderly or disabled users. For instance, the speaker  22  may be voice-enhanced, meaning that the voice of the PESP operator is amplified so as to help the user&#39;s hear the PESP operator&#39;s instructions. Voice-enhancement allows the person to hear the emergency operator loud and clear. Further, the actuator  24  may be a button  24  which occupies a relatively large space of the outer surface of the housing  14 . Accordingly, actuation of the device  10  is facilitated for user&#39;s who may have nerve damage or their physical capacity diminished. 
         [0026]    The device  10  may include other features for facilitating use. For instance, the device  10  may be equipped with a light  16  that flashes when the battery  32  falls below a predetermined power. Preferably the light  16  is mounted on the outer surface of the housing  14 . The processor  30  is in communication with the battery  32  and is operable to actuate the light  16  when the battery  32  falls below the predetermined power. The processor  30  may be further operable to actuate an in-use light  38  when the device  10  is being used. The processor  30  may be further operable to generate an intermittent audible beep when the device&#39;s  10  battery  32  needs to be recharged. 
         [0027]    The device  10  may further include attachment features such as a clip  40  or a ring  42 . For instance, the clip  40  may be disposed on the back of the unit so as to allow the user to clip  40  the device  10  onto a an article of clothing such as a pocket, purse, belt, a structure having a planar member such as a vehicle visor, or any other handy location. The ring  42  may be mounted on the top of the housing  14  so as to allow the user to attach the device  10  to an attachment device  10  such as a chain or other item and wear as a pendant. 
         [0028]    In the event of an emergency, whether at home, or away from home, the user actuates the actuator  24 . Depending on the state of the user, the user may elect to actuate the button  24  once or twice so as to perform a first operation mode or a second operation mode. In either case, the device  10  connects to the nearest PESP operator using the attached antenna  20 . The indicator light  16  on the antenna  20  flashes red to show the device  10  is in use. In the first operation mode a call is placed directly to the PESP operator. The user speaks into the microphone  26  and hears emergency personnel through the voice-enhanced speaker  22 . Additionally, the GPS tracking device  18  may automatically activate and push the current location to the PESP so that emergency personnel can trace the call and determine the whereabouts of the user in the event the user cannot tell emergency personnel their location. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment of the first operation mode, the device  10  further includes a display  44 . The processor  30  is operable to process the current location of the device  10  and display the current location of the device  10  onto the display  44 . Accordingly, the user may read the display  44  and provide the current location to the PESP operator. 
         [0030]    In the event that the user is unable to speak, the user actuates the actuator  24  twice. In instances where the actuator  24  is a button  24 , the user simply presses the button  24  twice within a predetermined period of each other. For example, the processor  30  may be programmed to wait one second between the first instance of pressing the button  24  before calling the PESP to determine if there will be a second pressing of the button  24 . If the button  24  is pressed a second time, then the device  10  enters into the second mode of operation. 
         [0031]    The second mode of operation includes placing a call to a designated PESP, and transmitting to the PESP a recorded message followed by the present location of the device  10 . The message is customizable by the user so as to include information such as any allergies, or conditions which emergency response units may need to know. The device  10  may further include an input  46  operable to begin recording a communication. Though the input  46  is shown on the side of the housing  14 , it should be apparent that the input  46  may be disposed on other locations of the housing  14 . Upon actuation of the input  46 , the user may speak a message that will be played to the PESP in the event the user cannot speak. For instance, the message may include the user&#39;s name, telephone number, person to contact in case of an emergency, and any medical conditions and drug allergies. 
         [0032]    After the device  10  plays the recorded message to the PESP, the device  10  is further operable to transmit to the PESP the device&#39;s  10  current location. In one embodiment, the processor  30  actuates the GPS  12  so as to retrieve the current GPS  12  location. The processor  30  may be further operable to process the location so as to either transmit the location in an audible communication, or transmit a text message to the PESP containing the current location. Specifically, the processor  30  is operable to process the location so as to transmit to the PESP a spoken communication providing the current location of the device  10 . The spoken communication may be in the form of the location spelled out. Thus, for example if the device  10  is located at 450 Green Road, Birmingham Mich., 48009 the device  10  may provide the following processed recording which follows the previously recorded message: “I am going to spell out my location, which is as follows: “Four,” “Five, “Zero,” “G,” “R,” “E, “E,” “N,” “R,” “O,” “A,” “D,” “T,” “R,” “O,” “Y,” “Four,” “Eight,” “Zero,” “Zero,” and “Nine.” 
         [0033]    In another embodiment, the processor  30  places a call with PESP having GPS  12  receiving capabilities such as enhanced 911. The processor  30  further actuates the GPS tracking device  18  so as to obtain the current location, and provides the PESP with the current GPS  12  location of the device  10 . 
         [0034]    Accordingly, the device  10  is a one-button device  10  easily handled by a person. The device  10  is small enough to clip  40  onto a pocket or use as a pendant. The device  10  connects a person to a designated PESP upon actuation of the button  24 . The device  10  operates in two modes; one mode requires a single press of the button  24  wherein the device  10  works like a phone, connecting directly to the PESP; in another mode the device  10  requires two presses of the button  24  and sends a recorded message and location to the PESP. Accordingly, unlike present devices  10 , there is no need for a private third party service provider to handle distress calls. Further, the device  10  is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is easily used as there are only two things to remember: press the button  24  once or twice. 
         [0035]    The message may be recorded by someone other than the user, who may not be technically savvy enough to perform such an operation. However, the execution of a call in either the first or second mode is easily remembered which is very helpful in instances where the user is in distress, or the user&#39;s mental or physical capacity is diminished. 
         [0036]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method  48  for contacting a designated PESP by a person in distress is provided. The method  48  utilizes a device  10 , such as the device  10  described above. Preferably, the device  10  includes an actuator  24 , GPS  12 , an antenna  20 , a processor  30 , a microphone  26 , a speaker  22 , a recorder  28 , and a database  34 . The method  48  includes the step of actuating the actuator  24  once so as to place the device  10  in a first operation mode, or actuating the actuator  24  twice so as to place the device  10  in a second operation mode. Accordingly, the method  48  provides for a simple way for a distressed person to reach PESP, regardless of whether the distressed person is able to speak. 
         [0037]    In the first operation mode, the method  48  includes step of placing a call directly to a designated public emergency service provider (PESP) wherein the user may communicate to the designated public emergency provider the nature of the distress and the user&#39;s present location. The first operation mode may further include the step of actuating the GPS  12  unit and obtaining the user&#39;s present location. Preferably, the device  10  further includes a display  44  and the processor  30  is operable to process the current location of the device  10  and display the current location of the device  10  onto the display  44 . Accordingly, the user may read the display  44  and provide the current location to the PESP operator. 
         [0038]    In the second operation mode the method  48  includes the step of placing a call directly to a designated PESP and playing a recorded message providing the PESP the user&#39;s information. The second operation mode further includes the step of providing the PESP with the user&#39;s current GPS  12  location. The user&#39;s current location may be provided in a text message, or may be given by a pre-recorded verbal communication. 
         [0039]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.