Patent Publication Number: US-2015087256-A1

Title: Emergency Responder System For Portable Communication Device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation patent application of, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/705667, filed on Sep. 26, 2012 and entitled, “Smartphone Emergency Application,” by Annalee E. Carter and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to portable electronic communication systems, and more specifically, to portable communication devices used by first responders in a medical emergency. 
     BACKGROUND 
     First responders at an accident scene must quickly assess the health and safety conditions concerning a victim. The speed and accuracy at which they can grasp and relate this vital information speeds appropriate lifesaving responses and directly translates into saved lives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In a particular embodiment, an apparatus may include a processor and program code executable by the processor to read an identifier associated with emergency data corresponding to an individual. The processor may further transmit the identifier to a remote device. The identifier may be matched to the emergency data. The program code may be further executed to receive the emergency data transmitted from the remote device. According to one example, the emergency data may be communicated to an emergency responder via the apparatus. The identifier is generated at and read from a portable communications device. 
     The emergency data may be communicated to the portable communications device. According to an embodiment, the emergency data is communicated to the apparatus via the portable communications device. The program code may be executed to notify an emergency responder of the presence of the identifier. Examples of emergency data may include a blood type, an allergy listing, a name of a victim, medical condition information, living will information, a religious instruction, prescription information, and contact information, among others. 
     The program code may be executed to prompt a user to input the emergency data. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency data may be retrieved from a server database that is remote from the remote device. The identifier may include one or more of a printed image, an electronic image, or a transmitted signal. The program code may further be executed to override a passcode in response to the touch pattern. The apparatus may include a display, and at least one of the emergency data and the identifier may be displayed in response to touching the display to make a touch pattern. An amount (and type) of the emergency data transmitted from the remote device may be determined according to a determined level of security associated with the apparatus. 
     According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor and program code executable by the processor to receive an overriding input configured to override a security code associated with limiting access to the apparatus. In response to the overriding input, an identifier may be transmitted to a remote device. The identifier may be associated with emergency data corresponding to an individual. The identifier may be matched to the emergency data. The overriding input may include at least one of a user creating a touch patter across a display and a voice input. The program code may be executed to initiate a training session for a user to practice the touch pattern. 
     According to another particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a recording module, a processor, and program code executable by the processor to receive an input configured to automatically establish a video communication link with an emergency responder server. The processor may further initiate a video upload of data recorded by the recording module. A downlink of the recorded data may be transmitted from the emergency responder server to a portable communications device. The input may be received from at least one of the emergency responder server and a user at the apparatus. 
     Embodiments of an emergency communications system for portable communications devices may facilitate timely care injured persons by instantly providing vital emergency data to first responders. Emergency communications may utilize portable communications devices carried on the persons of the victim and/or the first responder. The emergency communications may be automated and include real time video to further streamline lifesaving information. 
     Features that characterize embodiments are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying descriptive matter, 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a communications system configured to transmit vital emergency data to a portable communications device of a first responder based on an identifier associated with a victim; and 
         FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a communications system configured to transmit vital emergency data to a portable communications device based on an identifier associated with a portable communications device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of an emergency communications system transmits vital emergency data to a portable communications device of a first responder based on an identifier associated with a victim. In one example, the identifier is read by a first portable communications device (e.g., of a first responder) from a second portable communications device (e.g., of an accident victim). In another example, the portable communications device of an injured person may be transmit the identifier to a remote device to initiate the download of previously stored emergency data. The emergency data may be matched to the identifier at the remote device. A touch sequence on a display of the portable communications device may override passcode protections to automatically initiate an emergency response operation. For instance, video data may be automatically recorded and uploaded by portable communications device. 
     Turning more particularly to the Drawings,  FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a communications system  100  configured to transmit vital emergency data to a portable communications device of a first responder based on an identifier associated with a victim. The portable communications device  102  may be used to determine an identifier  104  associated with an accident victim. The identifier  104  may be matched at a remote device  106  to determine emergency data  108  associated with the accident victim. 
     In a particular embodiment, the identifier  104  may include a printed image, such as a sticker having a bar code or a sequence of numbers. While shown in  FIG. 1  as being included in a portable communications device  110 , could also be a printed image on a driver&#39;s license, automobile bumper, bracelet, or key chain, for instance. As such, printed images may be mailed to persons, where the images can be scanned to immediately retrieve the emergency data  108 . 
     The identifier  104  may additionally or alternatively include an electronic image (e.g., of number sequence, a bar code, or other symbol). For instance, the portable communications device  110  of the accident victim may include or be used to produce an electronic image. The identifier may also include information transmitted in an electronic signal communicated between the portable communication devices  102 ,  110 . Such a signal may comprise a wireless, non-contact signal, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) signal, for instance. 
     The portable communications device  102  may include a processor  112  configured to execute program code  114 . As discussed herein, the processor  112  may be execute the program code  114  to read the identifier  104  associated with the emergency data  108  corresponding to the accident victim. For example, a cellular telephone carried by a police officer may have an application configured to read the identifier  104 . Thus, a police department would not require additional hardware to read identifiers. The program code  114  may be further executed to transmit the identifier  104  to the remote device  106 , wherein the identifier  104  is matched to the emergency data  108 . The portable communications device  102  may receive the emergency data  108  from the remote device  106 . The portable communications device  102  may additionally include a display  116  and a camera  118 . 
     Similarly, the portable communications device  110  may include a processor  120 , a display  122 , program code  124 , and a camera  126 . The portable communications device  110  may also include a wireless interface  128 , similar to a wireless interface  130  of the portable communications device  102 . In a particular embodiment, the processor  120  may execute the program code  124  to generate and/or produce the identifier  104  for the portable communications device  102 . For example, the portable communications device  110  may automatically initiate the wireless transfer of the identifier  104  to the portable communications device  102  when the devices are within a preset proximity of one another. For instance, a transponder of either device  102 ,  110  may send out a signal seeking the other, or may initiate communications with the remote device  106 . In one example, a user may initiate the seeking transponder signal. In another instance, the transponder signal may be initiated by another automated process, such as an alarm initiated by an onboard vehicular alert system that activates in response to a suspected crash. Alternatively or additionally, the portable communications device  110  may initiate an audible alarm and/or visual flashing when the devices  102 ,  110  are proximate one another. 
     The remote device  106  may comprise a server having databases or other memory storing emergency data  108  for multiple persons. The remote device  106  may include program code  134  executable by a processor  136 . The emergency data  108  may be stored in association with multiple identifiers that uniquely identify the persons. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the remote device  106  communicates with the portable communication device  102  via an Internet connection  132  using an interface  138 . The remote device of another embodiment may be relatively more locally situated and may communicate without use of the Internet and may, instead, use a local connection. 
     The emergency data  108  may include information most helpful to a first responder, as opposed to a complete listing of medical and non-medical data that may not be vital in the critical first seconds that a first responder arrives at an accident scene. Examples of such emergency data  108  may include: a blood type, an allergy listing, a name of a victim, medical condition information (e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart condition information), living will information, a religious instruction, prescription information, and contact information of a victim and their loved ones. The emergency data  108  may be downloaded and presented in such a manner as the information is likely to be needed and requested by a first responder or emergency dispatch. A user may be prompted at a portable communications device  110  (e.g., when activating an emergency communication service) to enter the emergency data  108 . The emergency data  108  may then be uploaded and stored at a memory accessible to the remote device  106 . Alternatively or additionally, the emergency data  108  may be farmed or parsed out from existing data stored in a database that includes previously entered information. In such a scenario, program code may identify and retrieve only the relevant emergency data  108 . 
     The amount and type of emergency data  108  downloaded from the remote device  106  may be determined according to a security parameter assigned to the portable communication device  102  and/or the portable communication device  110 . For example, a security certificate of the portable communication device  102  may be authenticated at the remote device  106  before the emergency data  108  is downloaded. The amount of the emergency data  108  may additionally be limited according to the security parameter assigned to the user of the portable communication device  102 . For instance, an emergency responder having a portable communication device in communication with a remote device may be authorized to receive a larger amount of emergency data then might a non-authorized, non-professional responder on arriving at the accident scene. 
     The system  100  may enable video (including accompanying audio data) to be uploaded to from one of the portable communication devices  102 ,  110  to the remote device  106 . For example, video data of an accident or criminal scene may be sent to the remote device  106  for use by a dispatcher to better assess an accident. The uploaded video may automatically initiate a video chat with a dispatcher, and/or may be logged and placed in a queue. For example, the video data may be accessible in an activity log on a display of a dispatcher that shows date/time data, in addition to global positioning satellite (GPS) data. The video upload may be initiated locally at a portable communications device  102 ,  110 , or may be initiated remotely by the remote device  106 , for instance. The uploaded video data may be stored for transmittal and evidentiary considerations. The video data may further be downloaded from the remote device  106  to a portable communications device of an approaching emergency responder. Such video data may have particular application in a scenario where a suspect is being filmed, or where a phone user is uncertain of their location and pans the locality to help the emergency responders determine their location. Such a scenario may assist in the recovery of a lost child, as well. While video may be preferred, another embodiment may use still data images. 
       FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a communications system configured to transmit vital emergency data to a portable communications device of a first responder based on an identifier associated with an accident victim. Turning more particularly to the Drawings, the communications system  200  may be similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , except the portable communications device  110  of an accident victim may be used to communicate directly with a remote device  206 . For example, an identifier  204  of the portable communications device  210  may be communicated to the remote device  206 , where is may be matched to determine emergency data  208  associated with the accident victim. The identifier  204  may be transmitted concurrently to both the remote device  206  and to the portable communication device  202 . 
     In a particular embodiment, a user may touch a display  222  of the portable communications device  210  to override a passcode that otherwise prevents access to the portable communications device  210 . For instance, a touch pattern comprising a finger drag and/or sequence of finger touches on the display  222  may initiate emergency communications with at least one of the remote device  206  and a second portable communications device  202 . This feature may allow a user familiar with the portable communications device  210  to quickly and easily call for emergency assistance without having to negotiate inputting a passcode or initiating additional applications. 
     Additionally, a person unfamiliar with the portable communications device  210 , such as a child or a good Samaritan attempting to assist an injured individual, may use the overriding touch pattern to initiate emergency communications without knowing the passcode and without accessing other features of the portable communications device  210 . Once the emergency response is underway, the normal security operations of the portable communications device  210  may resume, thus preventing further access to the portable communications device  210 . To this end, the touch pattern may be universally known, or at least known by those who might conceivably have contact with the portable communications device  210 . For example, a user may trace “911” across the display  210 . Program code may include a game or exercise meant to practice and reinforce the touch pattern in the mind of a child or elder, for instance. 
     The portable communications device  210  may include a processor  220 , a display  222 , program code  224 , and a camera  226 . The portable communications device  210  may also include a wireless interface  228 . In a particular embodiment, the processor  220  may execute the program code  224  to generate and/or transmit the identifier  204  to the remote device  206 . In one example, a transponder of either device  202 ,  210  may send out a signal seeking the other, or may initiate communications with the remote device  206 . A user may initiate the seeking transponder signal. In another instance, the transponder signal may be initiated by another automated process, such as an alarm initiated by an onboard vehicular alert system that activates in response to a suspected crash. The portable communications device  210  may initiate an audible alarm and/or visual flashing when the devices  202 ,  210  are proximate one another. Alternatively or additionally, the portable communications device  210  may initiate an audible alarm and/or visual flashing when the devices  202 ,  210  are proximate one another. 
     The remote device  206  may comprise a server having databases storing emergency data  208  for multiple persons. The emergency data  208  may be stored in association with multiple identifiers that uniquely identify the persons. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the remote device  206  communicates with the portable communication device  210  via an Internet connection  232 . The remote device of another embodiment may be relatively more locally situated and may communicate without use of the Internet. 
     The portable communications device  202  may include a processor  212  configured to execute program code  214 . The portable communications device  202  may additionally include a display  216  and a camera  218 . 
     The system  200  may enable video (including accompanying audio data) to be uploaded to from one of the portable communication devices  202 ,  210  to the remote device  206 . For example, video data of an accident or criminal scene may be sent to the remote device  206  for use by a dispatcher to better assess an accident. The uploaded video may automatically initiate a video chat with a dispatcher, and/or may be logged and placed in a queue. For example, the video data may be accessible in an activity log on a display of a dispatcher that shows date/time data, in addition to global positioning satellite (GPS) data. The video upload may be initiated locally at a portable communications device  102 ,  110 , or may be initiated remotely by the remote device  206 , for instance. As discussed above, the uploaded video data may be stored for transmittal and evidentiary considerations. The video data may further be downloaded from the remote device  106  to the portable communications device  202  of an approaching emergency responder. While video may be preferred, another embodiment may use still data images. 
     The emergency data  208  may include information tailored to a first responder, as opposed to a complete listing of medical and non-medical data that may not be vital in the critical first seconds that a first responder arrives at an accident scene. Examples of such emergency data  208  may include: a blood type, an allergy listing, a name of a victim, medical condition information, living will information, a religious instruction, prescription information, and contact information of a victim and their loved ones. A user may be prompted at a portable communications device  210  (e.g., when activating an emergency communication service) to enter the emergency data  208 . The emergency data  208  may then be uploaded and stored at a memory accessible to the remote device  206 . Alternatively or additionally, the emergency data  208  may be farmed or parsed out from existing data stored in a database that includes previously entered information. In such a scenario, program code may identify and retrieve only the relevant emergency data  208 . 
     The amount and type of emergency data  208  downloaded from the remote device  206  may be determined according to a security parameter assigned to the portable communication device  210 . For example, a security certificate of the portable communication device  210  may be authenticated at the remote device  106  before the emergency data  208  is downloaded. The amount of the emergency data  208  may additionally be limited according to the security parameter assigned to the user of the portable communication device  210 . In another example, an emergency responder having a portable communication device  202  in communication with a remote device  206  may be authorized to receive a larger amount of emergency data then might a non-authorized, non-professional responder on arriving at the accident scene. 
     While the present embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict, or any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The embodiments in their broader aspects are therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of Applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.