Patent Publication Number: US-2023162590-A1

Title: Personal safety system

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of safety systems and/or security systems and, in particular, to personal safety systems and/or personal security systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The market includes numerous personal safety applications (“apps”) and wearable safety devices such as watches, necklaces, and panic buttons. These apps and devices provide a sense of security when the user is in a dangerous place or a place perceived to be dangerous. For example, users, including both women and men, frequently use personal safety apps and safety devices when walking alone through parking lots and parking garages to increase the feeling of security in these dangerous places. 
     Known personal safety apps and devices typically provide users with an increased feeling of security; however, these apps and devices may be ineffective when the user encounters a sudden and unexpected confrontation, emergency, and/or otherwise stressful situation. For example, some personal safety apps and devices require the user to provide tactile inputs to a smartphone during the unexpected confrontation. If the user “freezes up” during the confrontation, then the user may be unable to operate the smartphone and, therefore, unable to activate the safety features of the app. 
     Based on the above, personal safety apps and safety devices can be improved to provide safety services to users even when the users are unable to access the personal safety app and/or the safety device. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a method of operating a personal safety system with a vehicle includes automatically detecting that a smartphone is within a communication range using a vehicle&#39;s wireless communication system and starting an approach time period with a controller of the vehicle or the smartphone when the smartphone is detected. The method further includes sending checkup data from the vehicle to the smartphone using the wireless communication system when the smartphone fails to arrive at the vehicle prior to the approach time period elapsing, and triggering an emergency response by the vehicle and/or the smartphone when the vehicle fails to receive a response to the checkup data from the smartphone within a response time period. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, a personal safety system includes a wireless communication system of a vehicle and a controller. The wireless communication system is configured to automatically detect that a smartphone is within a communication range of the wireless communication system. The controller is operably connected to the wireless communication system. The controller is configured to start an approach time period when the smartphone is detected by the wireless communication system, and to send checkup data from the vehicle to the smartphone using the wireless communication system when the smartphone fails to arrive at the vehicle prior to the approach time period elapsing. The controller is further configured to trigger an emergency response by the vehicle and/or the smartphone when the vehicle fails to receive a response to the checkup data from the smartphone within a response time period. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, should become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a personal safety system for use with a vehicle, a smartphone, and, optionally, a wearable device; 
         FIG.  2    is block diagram of the personal safety system of  FIG.  1   , shown as a top view of the vehicle and the smartphone in a parking garage; 
         FIG.  3    is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operating the personal safety system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of the personal safety system of  FIG.  1   , shown as a top view of the vehicle and the smartphone in a parking garage, two paths of the smartphone are identified each of which results in the detection of a safe condition by the personal safety system; and 
         FIG.  5    is a block diagram of the personal safety system of  FIG.  1   , shown as a top view of the vehicle and the smartphone in a parking garage, two paths of the smartphone are identified each of which results in the detection of an unsafe condition by the personal safety system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. It is further understood that this disclosure includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 
     Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying description. Alternate embodiments of the disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein. 
     For the purposes of the disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). 
     The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the disclosure, are synonymous. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , a personal safety system  100  is configured for use with a vehicle  104 , a smartphone  108 , and, optionally, a wearable device  112 . The personal safety system  100  is configured to provide an automatic emergency response when the personal safety system  100  detects that the user associated with the smartphone  108  is in an unsafe condition. To initiate the emergency response, the personal safety system  100  requires no inputs or actions from the user and, therefore, is fully automatic. As such, even when the user “freezes” due to extreme stress or otherwise becomes incapacitated, the personal safety system  100  is operable to automatically trigger the emergency response. Each element of the personal safety system  100  and a method  300  ( FIG.  3   ) of operation are described herein. 
     The vehicle  104  includes a phone system  120 , a satellite location system  124 , an imaging device  128 , an alarm system  132 , a Bluetooth Low Energy system  136 , an ultra-wideband system  140 , and a memory  144  each operably connected to a controller  148 . The vehicle  104  is a passenger car, light truck, or sport utility vehicle. In other embodiments, the vehicle  104  is any road-going vehicle including commercial vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks. Moreover, the vehicle  104  includes operator-controlled vehicles, partially-automated vehicles, fully-automated vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. The vehicle  104  also includes shared vehicles, rented vehicles, and personal vehicles. Accordingly, the safety benefits of the personal safety system  100  are provided to users of all types vehicles  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the phone system  120  of the vehicle  104 , in one embodiment, is a cellular phone system configured to place and to receive voice calls using an associated cellular network (not shown). The phone system  120  is an exemplary wireless communication system. The phone system  120  is a wireless and mobile phone system that is further configured to receive text messages, to send text messages, to receive voicemail messages, and/or to send voicemail messages. In one embodiment, the phone system  120  is operably connected to the Internet through the cellular network and is further configured to send and to receive email messages. The phone system  120  is configured for user control, such as by a user of the vehicle  104 . The phone system  120  is also configured for automatic operation in which a voice call, a text message, a smartphone notification, a voicemail, and/or an email is automatically generated and sent. In some embodiments, the phone system  120  operates as a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system in addition to or in alternative to utilizing the cellular network. The phone system  120  is operably connected to an infotainment system, display screen, a speaker system, and/or a microphone of the vehicle  104 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  1   , the satellite location system  124  of the vehicle  104  is configured to generate location data that is representative of the location of the vehicle  104  on the Earth. In one embodiment, the satellite location system  124  includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver configured to receive GPS signals from GPS satellites (not shown). The location system  124  is configured to process the received GPS signals and to generate the location data therefrom. The location data, in one embodiment, includes latitude and longitude information. Additionally or alternatively, the location data includes a street address, a nearby crossroad, and/or a nearby landmark such as a business name or other well-known feature. The location system  124 , in some embodiments, is further configured to generate altitude data. Additionally or alternatively, the location system  124  includes or is configured to operate with any other satellite navigation system including, but not limited to, the European Union&#39;s Galileo system and China&#39;s BeiDou navigation satellite system. In some embodiments, the vehicle  104  does not include the satellite location system  124 , and the personal safety system  100  uses a satellite location system  192  ( FIG.  1   ) of the smartphone  108 . 
     The imaging device  128  is positioned on the vehicle  104  and is configured to generate digital image data representative of an exterior area (i.e. outside a cabin of the vehicle  104 ). As shown in  FIG.  2   , the imaging device  128  defines a field of view  154  and is configured to generate the image data within the field of view  154 . The imaging device  128  or devices are mounted on the vehicle  104 , such that the image data is generated from the driver side, from the passenger side (as shown in  FIG.  2   ), from the front side, and/or from the back side of the vehicle  104 . Accordingly, the vehicle  104  may include a plurality of the imaging devices  128 . The imaging device  128  is configured as a thermal camera, an infrared camera, and/or a visible light camera. The vehicle  104  may include any one or more of the above-described types of imaging devices  128 . Additionally or alternatively, the imaging device  128  generates the image data of the cabin of vehicle  104 , such that the personal safety system  100  is further configured to determine if a potentially unauthorized person is in the vehicle  104 . In other embodiments, the vehicle  104  does not include the imaging device  128  and does not generate the image data. 
     With reference again to  FIG.  1   , the alarm system  132  of the vehicle  104  is configured to generate sound and/or light to draw the attention of other people to the vehicle  104 . The alarm system  132 , in one embodiment, activates a horn of the vehicle  104  to generate attention getting sounds. Additionally or alternatively, the alarm system  132  includes a siren or other noise making device that is activated to generate the attention getting sounds. Moreover, the alarm system  132  may be configured to flash the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and/or parking lights of the vehicle  104  to generate light, which tends to attract the attention of other people to the vehicle  104 . 
     The Bluetooth low energy (BLE) system  136  is another exemplary wireless communication system for electronic communication between the vehicle  104  and the smartphone  108 . Specifically, the BLE system  136  is a wireless personal area network configured to wirelessly send data to the smartphone  108  and to wirelessly receive data from the smartphone  108  within a communication range  162  ( FIG.  2   ) of the BLE system  136 . That is, the BLE system  136  and the smartphone  108  are configured for communication with each other. The communication range  162  is not shown to scale in  FIG.  2    and may be larger or smaller than shown as compared to the size of the vehicle  104 . The BLE system  136  is configured to periodically broadcast messages (referred to as advertising packets and/or message data) in an attempt to establish a wireless data connection with a nearby paired device, such as the smartphone  108 . The distance from the vehicle  104  that the broadcasted messages are receivable is the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136 . The communication range  162  is substantially circular as viewed from above. In a typical BLE system  136 , the communication range  162  is approximately one hundred meters (100 m) from the vehicle  104  in all directions. The smartphone  108 , for example, is configured to automatically form the wireless data connection with the BLE system  136  when the smartphone is 100 m or less from the vehicle  104  in response to receiving one or more of the advertising packets. In  FIG.  2   , the smartphone  108  is within the communication range  162  and is connected to the BLE system  136 . In other embodiments, the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136  is from five meters (5 m) to one hundred fifty meters (150 m). 
     In one embodiment, when the vehicle  104  is parked and in a non-driving mode (and typically unoccupied) as shown in  FIG.  2   , the BLE system  136  remains powered and periodically broadcasts the advertising packets according to an advertising interval. An exemplary advertising interval is selected from the range of 20 ms to ten seconds (10 s). In one embodiment, a preferred advertising interval is 500 ms. Thus, when the vehicle  104  is parked in a parking space  166 , or any other place, and is unoccupied, the BLE system  136  periodically broadcasts the advertising packets in an attempt to establish the wireless data connection to the smartphone  108  (or other suitable paired device) as soon as the smartphone  108  is in the communication range  162 . In some embodiments, the BLE system  136  periodically broadcasts the advertising packets when the vehicle  104  is parked and is locked. The vehicle  104  may be occupied or unoccupied during broadcasting of the advertising packets. 
     A shown in  FIG.  1   , the ultra-wideband system  140  is another exemplary wireless communication system for electronic communication between the vehicle  104  and the smartphone  108 . In one embodiment, the ultra-wideband system  140  includes a control unit  168  and a plurality of anchor units  172  operably connected to the control unit  168 . The anchor units  172 , also referred to herein as a plurality of modules of a second wireless communication system, are fixedly connected to the vehicle  104  and are each configured to communicate with a paired device, such as the smartphone  108 . In one embodiment, a controller area network (CAN) bus connects the anchor units  172  to the control unit  168 . In other embodiments, any other desired electrical connection system is used to connect the anchor units  172  to the control unit  168 . The ultra-wideband system  140  defines a communication range  176  ( FIG.  2   ) that is approximately the same size as the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136 . For example, the communication range  176  of the ultra-wideband system  140  is approximately one hundred meters (100 m). The communication range  176  is substantially circular, as viewed from above, and is the distance from the vehicle  104  that the ultra-wideband system  140  is configured to transmit data to the smartphone  108  (or other connected and paired device) and to receive data from the smartphone  108 . In other embodiments, the communication range  176  of the ultra-wideband system  140  is from twenty-five meters (25 m) to two hundred meters (200 m). 
     The ultra-wideband system  140  is configured to use time of flight (ToF) signal measurements between the anchor units  172  and the smartphone  108  to generate position data of the smartphone  108  for monitoring a position of the smartphone  108 . The position data identifies the precise location of the smartphone  108  relative to the vehicle  104 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  2   , in one embodiment, the position data includes a distance D and an angle θ. The distance D corresponds to the straight-line distance of the smartphone  108  from a reference point of the vehicle  104 , such as the driver&#39;s side door. The angle θ of the position data identifies from which direction the smartphone  108  is approaching the vehicle  104 . In one embodiment, the front of the vehicle  104  (according to a forward driving direction) is identified as zero degrees (0° and an opposite rear of the vehicle  104  is identified as one hundred eighty degrees (180°). Accordingly, for a left-hand drive vehicle  104 , if the position data is 20 m at two hundred seventy degrees)(270° (as shown in  FIG.  2   ), then the connected smartphone  108  is 20 m from the driver&#39;s side door on the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle  104 . In other embodiments, any other coordinate system is used to identify the position of the smartphone  108  relative to the vehicle  104 , such as a rectangular coordinate system. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the memory  144  of the vehicle  104  is an electronic storage device that is configured to store at least the location data, the image data, the position data, and program instruction data for operating the personal safety system  100 . The memory  144  is also configured to store contact data for use by the phone system  120 . Specifically, the memory  144  stores data corresponding to a predetermined emergency contact phone number. The user of the personal safety system  100  is able to configure the specific phone number or numbers stored in the memory  144  as the predetermined emergency contact phone number or numbers. The memory  144  may store a plurality of predetermined emergency contact phone numbers that are called by the phone system  120  in a prioritized order as set by the user of the personal safety system  100 . The predetermined emergency contact phone numbers may include the phone numbers of a family member, a friend, the police department, 911, the fire department, a hospital, a colleague, a university safety department, a parking garage attendant, a building security team, and/or any other phone number as desired by the user. The memory  144  is also referred to herein as a non-transitory computer readable medium. 
     The controller  148  of the vehicle  104  is configured to execute the program instruction data in order to operate the personal safety system  100 . The controller  148  is provided as at least one microcontroller and/or microprocessor. In one embodiment, the CAN bus of the vehicle  104  operably connects the controller  148  to the phone system  120 , the satellite location system  124 , the imaging device  128 , the alarm system  132 , the Bluetooth Low Energy system  136 , the ultra-wideband system  140 , and the memory  144 . 
     The controller  148  is configured to generate checkup data that is transmitted to the smartphone  108  using the BLE system  136 , for example. As explained in detail herein, the checkup data is sent to the smartphone  108  when the personal safety system  100  determines that the user of the smartphone  108  may be experiencing an emergency. 
     With reference again to  FIG.  1   , the smartphone  108  of the personal safety system  100  includes a phone system  188 , a satellite location system  192 , an alarm system  196 , a BLE system  200 , an ultra-wideband system  204 , a display  208 , an input device  212 , and a memory  216  each operably connected to a controller  220 . The phone system  188 , in one embodiment, is a cellular phone system configured to place and to receive voice calls using the cellular network. The phone system  188  is an exemplary wireless communication system. The phone system  188  is a wireless and mobile phone system that is further configured to receive text messages, to send text messages, to receive voicemail messages, to send voicemail messages, to receive email messages, and to send email messages. In one embodiment, the phone system  188  is operably connected to the Internet through the cellular network. The phone system  188  is configured for user control, such as by a user of the smartphone  108 . The phone system  188  is also configured for automatic operation in which a voice call, a text message, a smartphone notification, a voicemail, and/or an email is automatically generated and sent to another device. In some embodiments, the phone system  188  operates as a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system in addition to or in alternative to utilizing the cellular network. The phone system  188  is operably connected to the display screen  208 , a speaker system, and a microphone of the smartphone  108 . 
     The satellite location system  192  of the smartphone  108  is configured to generate location data that is representative of the location of the smartphone  108  on the Earth. In one embodiment, the satellite location system  192  is or includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver configured to receive GPS signals from a GPS satellite (not shown). Additionally or alternatively, the satellite location system  192  includes or is configured to operate with any other satellite navigation system including, but not limited to, the European Union&#39;s Galileo system and China&#39;s BeiDou navigation satellite system. The location data, in one embodiment, includes latitude and longitude information. The satellite location system  192 , in some embodiments, is further configured to generate altitude data. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the alarm system  196  of the smartphone  108  is configured generate sound and/or light to draw attention to the smartphone  108  and the user of the smartphone  108 . The alarm system  196 , in one embodiment, activates the speaker of the smartphone  108  to generate attention getting sounds and activates the display  208  of the smartphone  108  to generate attention getting light. 
     The BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108 , which is another exemplary wireless communication system, is configured to operate with the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104 . In one embodiment, the smartphone  108  is a client device and the vehicle  104  is a central device to which the client device establishes the wireless data connection. In another embodiment, the BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108  is the central device and the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  is the client device. The BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108 , when connected to the BLE system  136  of vehicle  104 , enables wireless electronic data transmission between the smartphone  108  and the vehicle  104 . In response to receiving one or more of the broadcasted periodic messages from the BLE system  136 , the BLE system  200  is configured to generate connection data for establishing the wireless data connection with the BLE system  136 . The connection data includes any data used to establish the wireless data connection between the BLE systems  136 ,  200 . The connection data are transmitted between the smartphone  108  and the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104 . The BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  is configured for communication with the BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108 . 
     The ultra-wideband system  204  of the smartphone  108 , which is another exemplary wireless communication system, is configured to operate with the ultra-wideband system  140  of the vehicle  104 . In particular, the ultra-wideband system  204  communicates with the anchor units  172  to enable the control unit  168  to determine the position data of the smartphone  108 . The ultra-wideband system  204  of the smartphone  108 , when connected to the ultra-wideband system  140  of vehicle  104 , enables wireless electronic data transmission between the smartphone  108  and the vehicle  104 , and enables the vehicle  104  to determine the position data. 
     The display  208  of the smartphone  108 , in one embodiment, is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel configured to render and to display text, images, and other user sensible outputs and visually comprehensible data. For example, the display  208  is configured to render data, such as a graphical user interface (GUI) for controlling the smartphone  108 . The display  208  is also configured to render the checkup data generated by the vehicle  104 . In a specific embodiment, the display  208  is configured to render a GUI associated with an app of the personal safety system  100 . Using the app, the user views and may respond to the checkup data, for example. 
     The input device  212  of the smartphone  108  is a touchscreen applied over the display  208  that is configured to respond to the touch of a finger or a stylus by generating user input data. In another embodiment, the input device  212  includes at least one button that is configured to generate input data when touched or moved by a user. In yet another embodiment, the input device  212  is any device configured to generate an input signal and/or input data, as desired by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The memory  216  of the smartphone  108  is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that is configured to store data for operating a smartphone  108 . The memory  216  is configured to store app data, the input data, the location data of the location system  192  and any other data for operating or controlling the smartphone  108 , such as response data generated in response to the checkup data. 
     The controller  220  of the smartphone  108  includes at least one microprocessor and/or microcontroller and is configured to generate data, as described herein, for controlling the smartphone  108 . The controller  220  is configured to run applications (i.e. “apps”) stored as app data including the app of the personal safety system  100 . The personal safety system  100  may include an app run on the controller  220  of the smartphone  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the wearable device  112  includes a transceiver  232  and at least one heartrate sensor  236 , a blood pressure sensor  240 , and a pedometer  244  operably connected to a controller  248 . As noted above, the wearable device  112 , is an optional element of the personal safety system  100 ; accordingly, certain embodiments of the personal safety system  100  do not include the wearable device  112 . The wearable device  112  is typically a wearable health monitor, watch, necklace, or health tracking device that is operably connected to the smartphone  108 . For example, in one embodiment the wearable device  112  is worn around the wrist of the user of the smartphone  108 . In some embodiments, the wearable device  112  is further operably connected to the vehicle  104 . 
     The transceiver  232  of the wearable device  112  is operably connected to a corresponding transceiver of the smartphone, such as one of the BLE system  200  and the ultra-wide band system  204 . The transceiver  232  is configured for the wireless exchange of electronic data with the smartphone  108  and/or the vehicle  104 . For example, the transceiver  232  wirelessly transmits vital sign data from the wearable device  112  to the smartphone  108 . In other embodiments, the transceiver  232  exchanges data with the smartphone  108  using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, near-field communication (NFC), and/or any other wireless network protocol. 
     The heartrate sensor  236  is configured to generate vital sign data corresponding to the heartrate, heartbeat, and/or pulse of the wearer of the wearable device  112 . For example, the heartrate sensor  236  may detect the wearer&#39;s heartrate as seventy beats per minute (70 bpm) and generate corresponding vital sign data. In an exemplary embodiment, the heartrate sensor  236  is an optical heartrate sensor configured to detect the wearer&#39;s heartrate at the wearer&#39;s wrist. In other embodiments, the heartrate sensor  236  is provided as any other wearable heartrate sensor. 
     The blood pressure sensor  240  is configured to generate vital sign data corresponding to the blood pressure of the wearer of the wearable device  112 . For example, the blood pressure sensor  240  may detect the wearer&#39;s blood pressure as 120/80 mmHg and generate corresponding vital sign data. In an exemplary embodiment, the blood pressure sensor  240  is an indirect blood pressure monitoring device that operates by measuring and detecting pulse transit time. In other embodiments, the blood pressure sensor  240  is provided as any other wearable blood pressure sensor. 
     The pedometer  244  is configured to generate vital sign data corresponding to motion of the wearer of the wearable device and, in particular, to the number of footsteps taken by the wearer and the speed of the wearer relative to the vehicle  104 . For example, the pedometer  244  may detect that the wearer is moving at a walking pace (i.e. five kilometers per hour (5 kph)) and is taking one hundred steps per minute. In an exemplary embodiment, the pedometer  244  is a piezoelectric-type pedometer. In other embodiments, the pedometer  244  is provided as any other wearable pedometer. 
     The controller  248  of the wearable device  112  includes at least one microprocessor and/or microcontroller and is configured to generate data, as described herein, for controlling the wearable device  112 . 
     In operation and with reference to  FIG.  3   , the flowchart illustrates an exemplary method  300  for operating the personal safety system  100 . The personal safety system  100 , in one embodiment, includes an app on the smartphone  108  and/or the vehicle  104 . The app of the personal safety system  100  is automatically run when booting the smartphone  108  so that the personal safety system  100  is available and ready when needed. The app of the personal safety system  100 , in one embodiment, is run continuously on the vehicle  104 . Additionally or alternatively, the app of the personal safety system  100  is manually stopped and started by the user of the smartphone  108 . The app of the personal safety system  100  implements the method  300  of  FIG.  3   , which starts at block  302 . 
     As shown at blocks  304  and  308 , the method  300  includes attempting to establish a wireless data connection with the smartphone  108  using the vehicle  104  to enable the vehicle  104  to automatically detect the presence of the smartphone  108  within the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136 . Accordingly, the personal safety system  100 , integrated directly into the vehicle  104 , in one embodiment. To this end, the controller  148  causes the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  to periodically broadcast the messages (i.e. the advertising packets). In one embodiment, the advertising packets are periodically broadcast from the vehicle  104  whenever the vehicle  104  is parked so that the smartphone  108  is automatically detected anytime the smartphone  108  enters the commination range  162  of the BLE system  136 . The app of the personal safety system  100  on the smartphone  108  instructs the smartphone  108  to wirelessly connect to the vehicle  104  when the broadcasted messages are received. 
     At block  308 , when the wireless data connection between the vehicle  104  and the smartphone  108  is not established, then the smartphone  108  is not detected and the vehicle  104  continues to broadcast the messages. Whereas, when the wireless data connection between the smartphone  108  and the vehicle  104  is established, then the smartphone  108  is within the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136  and the smartphone  108  is automatically detected by the vehicle  104 . The smartphone  108  is detected by sending and receiving electronic data between the BLE systems  136 ,  200 , for example. In one embodiment, the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  detects that the smartphone  108  is within the communication range  162  when the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  receives the connection data sent from the BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108 . The smartphone  108  generates the connection data in response to receiving one of the broadcasted periodic messages. The connection data are transmitted from the BLE system  200  of the smartphone  108  to the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104  over the wireless data connection. 
     Next, at blocks  312  and  316  of  FIG.  3   , the method  300  includes monitoring the position of the smartphone  108  using the vehicle  104  and determining if an unsafe condition is present. As described herein, some embodiments of the personal safety system  100  do not monitor the position of the smartphone  108  (block  312 ) and do not detect the unsafe condition (block  316 ). Instead, as shown by the branch  314 , in some embodiments, when the smartphone  108  is detected by the vehicle  104 , the method  300  proceeds directly to block  328 . Accordingly, blocks  312  and  316  of the method  300  are optional. 
     At block  312  of the method  300 , the personal safety system  100  monitors the position of the smartphone  108  within the communication range  176  of the ultra-wideband system  140  and generates the position data that correspond to the position of the smartphone  108 . In particular, the control unit  168  of the ultra-wideband system  140  processes the ToF signals from the anchor units  172  to determine the specific position of the smartphone  108  relative to the vehicle  104 . The position data, in one embodiment, are stored in the memory  144  of the vehicle  104 . 
     At block  316  of the method  300 , the personal safety system  100  detects if user of the smartphone  108  is experiencing an unsafe condition or a safe condition using the controller  148 ,  220  of the vehicle  104  or the smartphone  108 . The safe condition is detected as any condition that is not an “unsafe condition” and includes processing the position data to detect that the smartphone  108  is approaching the vehicle  104  without any delays and in a typical, normal, or expected manner. Two exemplary safe conditions are shown in  FIG.  4    as path  264  and path  268 . In  FIG.  4   , the vehicle  104  is parked in a parking space  166 , there are no occupants in the vehicle  104 , and the vehicle  104  is in a locked configuration. At position A of the path  264 , the smartphone  108  is outside of the communication range  162  and is not detected by the BLE system  136  of the vehicle  104 . At positions B and C of the path  264 , the smartphone  108  is within the communication range  162  and is detected by the BLE system  136  and the ultra-wideband system  140  of the vehicle  104  to generate the position data. At position C, the user opens the driver&#39;s side door of the vehicle  104  and enters the vehicle  104 , in this example. Since the path  264  taken by the smartphone (and the corresponding user) to the vehicle  108  proceeds without delay, in a smooth course, and in an expected manner, the safe condition is detected in connection with the path  264 . 
     When the safe condition is detected at block  316  (i.e. no unsafe condition is detected), the method  300  loops back to block  308  to determine if the wireless data connection between the vehicle  104  and the smartphone  108  still exists. The path  268  of  FIG.  4    shows that the smartphone  108  may enter and exit the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136  without triggering an emergency response from the personal safety system  100 . For example, at position D the smartphone  108  is outside of the communication range  162  and is not detected by the BLE system  136 . At position E, the smartphone  108  is within the communicant range  162  and is detected by the BLE system  136 . The position data at position E do not trigger an unsafe condition. At position F, the smartphone  108  is not detected by the BLE system  136  and has left the communication range  162 . Since, the safe condition was detected at position E, no emergency action is taken by the personal safety system  100 . The user on the path  268 , for example, walked by the parked vehicle  104  without needing or wanting to access or approach the vehicle  104 , as may occur for any number of reasons. 
     At block  316 , the unsafe condition is detected according to at least three approaches. A first approach for detecting the unsafe condition includes detecting that the smartphone  108  is within the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136 , but that the position of the smartphone  108  is stationary or substantially stationary. As used herein, the smartphone  108  is “substantially stationary” when the position data indicate that the smartphone  108  is staying within two meters (2 m) of a detected position. 
     For example, with reference to  FIG.  5   , the smartphone  108  moves on a path  276  toward the vehicle  104 . The smartphone  108  is not detected at position G, and the smartphone is detected by the BLE system  136  at position H. At position H, however, the smartphone  108  stops moving toward the vehicle  104 , is stationary, or is substantially stationary. When the controller  148  determines that the smartphone  108  is stationary or substantially stationary, a predetermined time period is started by the controller  148  of the vehicle  104  or the controller  220  of the smartphone  108 . If the smartphone  108  is stationary or substantially stationary for the duration of the predetermined time period, then the unsafe condition is detected. As an example, a user is approaching the vehicle  104  along the path  276  carrying shopping bags or other goods. It is expected that the user approaches the vehicle  104  without delay. At position H, however, another person has drawn the attention of the user and (i) wants to engage in friendly conversation with the user, (ii) wants to harm the user, (iii) wants to take the user&#39;s goods, or (iv) has otherwise distracted the user. One or more of these events causes the user to become stationary or substantially stationary at position H relative to the vehicle  104 , which is a deviation from the expected behavior of the user. Based on the above, the detected unsafe condition could be a friendly encounter, or the detected unsafe condition could be the beginning of a dangerous situation. 
     At block  316 , a second approach for detecting the unsafe condition includes detecting that the user&#39;s path to the vehicle  104  is erratic. Most users when approaching the vehicle  104  take a generally straight path to the driver&#39;s side door, the passenger side door, or to the trunk of the vehicle  104 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , however, the position data, as detected by the ultra-wideband system  140 , indicates that the user has taken an erratic path  280  to the vehicle  104  that includes moving to positions J, K, L, and M. The erratic path  280  is detected by the indirect, looping, and/or zig-zag movements of the smartphone  108  as determined from the position data of the ultra-wideband system  140 . When an erratic path  280  is identified, the unsafe condition is detected at block  316  of the method  300 . The erratic path  280  may be innocuous, however, the erratic path  280  is a deviation from the expected behavior and is identified as an unsafe condition by the controller  148  or the controller  220 . 
     At block  316 , a third approach for detecting the unsafe condition includes monitoring the vital sign data generated by the optional wearable device  112  that is operably connected to the smartphone  108 . Typically, when a user approaches the vehicle  104 , the user&#39;s vital signs are within a normal or expected range. However, during an unexpected confrontation, emergency, and/or otherwise stressful situation, the user&#39;s heartrate and blood pressure tend to be elevated above normal levels and/or outside of the normal or expected range. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the unsafe condition is detected by the controller  148 ,  220  at block  316  when the user&#39;s heartrate is compared to a predetermined heartrate and the user&#39;s heartrate exceeds the predetermined heartrate. The predetermined heartrate is set by the user and/or is automatically determined by the personal safety system  100  based on the user&#39;s age and/or average heartrate data. In another embodiment, the unsafe condition is detected by the controller  148 ,  220  at block  316  when the user&#39;s heartrate is outside of a predetermined heartrate range. Specifically, the unsafe condition is detected when the user&#39;s heartrate is above an upper limit of the predetermined heartrate range and when the user&#39;s heartrate is below a lower limit of the predetermined heartrate range. An exemplary predetermined heartrate range is from forty beats per minute (40 bpm) to one hundred forty beats per minute (140 bpm). The predetermined heartrate range is set by the user and/or is automatically determined by the personal safety system  100  based on the user&#39;s age and/or average heartrate data. In another embodiment, the unsafe condition is detected by the controller  148 ,  220  at block  316  when the user&#39;s blood pressure is compared to a predetermined blood pressure and the user&#39;s blood pressure exceeds the predetermined blood pressure. The predetermined blood pressure is set by the user and/or is automatically determined by the personal safety system  100  based on the user&#39;s age and/or average blood pressure data. In a further embodiment, the unsafe condition is detected by the controller  148 ,  220  at block  316  when the user&#39;s blood pressure is outside of a predetermined blood pressure range. Specifically, the unsafe condition is detected when the user&#39;s blood pressure is above an upper limit of the predetermined blood pressure range and when the user&#39;s blood pressure is below a lower limit of the predetermined blood pressure range. An exemplary predetermined blood pressure range is based on systolic blood pressure and is from 70 mmHg to 140 mmHg. The predetermined blood pressure range is set by the user and/or is automatically determined by the personal safety system  100  based on the user&#39;s age and/or average blood pressure data. 
     For example, with reference to the path  276  of  FIG.  5   , when the user&#39;s heartrate exceeds the predetermined heartrate any time that the smartphone  108  is detected by the vehicle  104 , then the unsafe condition is detected. That is, on the path  276  when the heartrate data exceeds the predetermined heartrate, then the unsafe condition is detected prior to the smartphone  108  arriving at position H and prior to the determination of the stationary or substantially stationary positioning. 
     In some embodiments at block  316 , the vital sign data and the position data are processed conditionally to detect the safe condition or the unsafe condition. For example, when the smartphone  108  is detected as being stationary or substantially stationary, then the controller  148 ,  220  processes the vital sign data to monitor the user&#39;s heartrate and/or blood pressure. If the controller  148 ,  220  determines that the heartrate and/or blood pressure are below the predetermine value(s) and/or within the predetermined range(s), then a safe condition is detected even though the smartphone  108  is stationary or substantially stationary. This is because the user has remained calm during the stationary or substantially stationary period and is likely taking a break or having a friendly conversation. If the user were engaged in an unexpected confrontation, emergency, and/or otherwise stressful situation, then the vital sign data would instead tend to indicate that the heartrate and/or the blood pressure exceed the predetermined value(s) and/or are outside of the predetermined range(s). For example, in a stressful situation a typical user will exhibit an elevated heartrate and blood pressure that exceed the upper limits of the corresponding predetermined ranges. As an additional example, if the user is experiencing significant medical trauma, then the user may exhibit a reduced heartrate and blood pressure that are below the lower limits of the corresponding predetermined ranges. Vital signs above and below the limits of the predetermined ranges are used to detect the unsafe condition. 
     At block  316 , the unsafe condition may also be detected based on the data generated by the pedometer  244  of the optional wearable deice  112 . A user typically approaches the vehicle  104  below a predetermined speed. If the personal safety system  100  determines that the user is moving within the communication range  176  above the predetermined speed, then the unsafe condition is detected at block  316 . The predetermined speed is set by the user and/or is automatically determined by the personal safety system  100  based on the user&#39;s age and/or average speed. For example, if the user is being chased by an attacker and/or is running away from a dangerous situation, then the user&#39;s speed tends to exceed the predetermined speed. As another example, if the user is simply finishing a running exercise then the user&#39;s speed may exceed the predetermined speed and the user&#39;s vital sign data tend to exceed the predetermined values. Thus, the unsafe condition detected based on the data from the pedometer  244  may correspond to an actual unsafe condition or an innocuous event that has caused the user to move faster than expected. 
     Next, at block  320  of  FIG.  3   , the personal safety system  100  starts an approach time period. As noted above, blocks  312  and  316  are optional. Thus, personal safety system  100  may arrive at block  320  from block  316  after detection of the unsafe condition, or the personal safety system  100  may arrive at block  320  immediately after detecting the smartphone  108  according to branch  314  of the flowchart of  FIG.  3   . The approach time period may be calculated and/or monitored by either the controller  148  of the vehicle  104  and/or the controller  220  of the smartphone  108 . 
     When the position detection of blocks  312  and  316  are included in the method  300 , the duration of the approach time period is calculated based on (i) the distance of the smartphone  108  from the vehicle  104  when the unsafe condition is detected, and (ii) the normal walking speed of the user. For example, if the unsafe condition is detected when the smartphone  108  is seventy-five meters (75 m) from the vehicle  104 , then with a typical walking pace of 5.0 kph, the approach time period is set to fifty-four seconds (54 s). 
     When the position detection block  312  and  316  are not included in the method  300 , the duration of the approach time period is based on the size of the communication range  162  and the time required for the user to walk to the vehicle  104  at a normal walking pace. For example, if the communication range  162 , under most conditions, extends one hundred meters (100 m) from the vehicle  104 , then with a typical walking pace of 5.0 kph, the approach time period is set to seventy-two seconds (72 s). 
     At block  328 , when personal safety system  100  determines that the smartphone  108  (and the user) has arrived at the vehicle  104  prior to the approach time period elapsing, then the method  300  ends and no emergency response is triggered by the personal safety system  100 . The personal safety system  100  determines that the smartphone  108  has arrived at the vehicle  104  according to any suitable approach including (i) detecting that a door of the vehicle  104  has been opened, (ii) detecting that a rear hatch or trunk of the vehicle  104  has been opened, (iii) detecting that the user has touched an electronically touch-sensitive portion of the vehicle  104 , such as a door handle that causes the vehicle  104  doors to unlock, and/or (iv) detecting that a key fob of the vehicle  104  and/or the smartphone  108  is located inside of the cabin of the vehicle  104  using the ultra-wideband system  140  or any other detection system. When none of the above-listed events occur, then the personal safety system  100  determines that the smartphone  108  has failed to arrive at the vehicle  104  at block  324 . 
     No emergency response is triggered when the controller  148 ,  220  determines that the smartphone  108  has arrived at the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period, because that is the expected action of the user and even if an emergency situation is occurring, then the user can take appropriate actions once located in the cabin of the vehicle  104  with the doors locked, if needed. For example, in connection with the path  280  of  FIG.  5   , if the smartphone  108  arrives to the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period, then the detected unsafe condition of the erratic path  280  was merely an unusual motion taken by the user and is no cause for concern. Similarly, in connection with the path  276  of  FIG.  5   , if the smartphone  108  arrives to the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period, then the stationary position of the smartphone  108  was innocuous and is no cause for concern. If the unsafe condition is detected based on the user vital signs, but the smartphone  108  arrives to the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period, then the user may have been exercising or is more excited than usual and there is no cause for concern. In embodiments without the position detection of blocks  312  and  316 , if the smartphone  108  arrives to the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period, then the user has safely arrived in the cabin of the vehicle  104  and there is no cause for concern. 
     At block  332  of the method  300  shown in  FIG.  3   , the smartphone  108  is located within the communication range  162  of the BLE system  136  and has failed to arrive at the vehicle  104  prior to elapsing of the approach time period. Accordingly, the user has been delayed and is taking longer to arrive at the vehicle  104  than expected by the personal safety system  100 . Reasons for the delay may be innocuous or may be an indication that the user is in a dangerous situation and/or is experiencing a medical emergency. 
     At block  332  the controller  148 ,  220  causes the phone system  120  of the vehicle  104  to send the checkup data to the smartphone  108 . The checkup data is a text, phone call, notification, and/or any other mechanism for causing the smartphone  108  to gain the attention of the user. The checkup data requests a response from the user. For example, the checkup data is a text message sent to the smartphone  108  that results in the smartphone  108  making an audible noise, a vibration, and/or causing the display  208  to illuminate. The text of the text message requests the user to confirm that they are safe and/or not in need of medical assistance. In other embodiments, the checkup data is a phone call from the phone system  120  of the vehicle  104  to the phone system  188  of the smartphone  108 . Upon receiving the phone call, the smartphone  108  makes an audible noise, vibrates, and/or illuminates the display  208 . In embodiments including the wearable device  112 , the checkup data may be displayed on a display of the wearable device  112  (if so equipped) and/or the wearable device  112  may emit an audible noise in response to the smartphone  108  receiving the checkup data. 
     Next at block  336 , the method  300  includes starting a response time period for the user to respond to the checkup data that is sent to the smartphone  108 . In one embodiment, the response time period is thirty seconds (30 s). In other embodiments, the response time period is from 10 seconds (10 s) to sixty seconds (60 s) or any other suitable time period. The duration of the response time period, in one embodiment, is configurable by the user. The controller  148  of the vehicle  104  and/or the controller  220  of the smartphone  108  may be configured to start and to count the duration of the response time period. 
     At block  340  the method  300  includes determining if the user has responded to the checkup data during the response time period. The personal safety system  100  monitors for a user response during the response time period to attempt to avoid an unnecessary triggering of an emergency response and to provide the user with an opportunity to confirm their safety. The user responds to the checkup data in any suitable manner including, sending a response text message from the smartphone  108  to the vehicle  104 , acknowledging the notification generated by the smartphone  108 , and/or answering the phone call from the vehicle  104 . 
     At block  352 , when the user responds to the checkup data during the response time period then the method  300  ends, because the user has confirmed their safety. For example, on the path  276  of  FIG.  5   , the smartphone  108  was detected as being stationary or substantially stationary at position H. Accordingly, at block  320  the approach time period is started and at block  324  it is determined that smartphone  108  and the user have not arrived to the vehicle  104 . At block  332 , the vehicle  104  sends the checkup data, which in this example is a text message, and at block  336  the response time period is started by either the controller  220  of the smartphone  108  or the controller  148  of the vehicle  104 . In this example, the user is merely talking to an acquaintance at position H and the user responds to the text message with a follow-up text message of any information or data to indicate that she is safe. Accordingly, the method  300  ends at block  352  even though the user has not arrived to the vehicle  104  because the user&#39;s safety has been confirmed by the personal safety system  100 . 
     At block  344  the personal safety system  100  has detected that the user has not responded to the checkup data, and the personal safety system  100  has also detected that the user has arrived at the vehicle  104  within the approach time period. Accordingly, even though the user did not respond to the checkup data, the user&#39;s safety is confirmed because the user and the smartphone  108  are located in the cabin of the vehicle  104 . Accordingly, the method  300  ends at block  352 . 
     If, however, at block  344  the user did not respond to the checkup data and the smartphone  108  and user did not arrive at the vehicle  104  during the approach time period, then the method  300  advances to block  348  in which the personal safety system  100  triggers an emergency response. In order to arrive at block  348  and trigger the emergency response, the user has not responded to the checkup data and has not arrived at the vehicle  104 . Accordingly, the personal safety system  100  has determined that the user is in peril and requires assistance. The peril may be the result of an attacker or a medical emergency experienced by the user. 
     The specific type of emergency response triggered by the personal safety system  100  at block  348  may be configurable by the user. An exemplary emergency response includes activating the alarm  132  of the vehicle  104  and/or activating the alarm  196  of the smartphone  108 . The emergency response may also include activing either the phone system  120  or the phone system  188  to automatically call or text an emergency services department, such as the police department (e.g.  911 ), the fire department, and/or a local hospital. Additionally or alternatively, the emergency response includes automatically calling the predetermined emergency contact phone number with either of the phone systems  120 ,  188 . Additionally or alternatively, the emergency response includes sending an email message to a predetermined email contact or to the email address of a medical provider or an emergency services provider. No action by the user is needed in order for the personal safety system  100  to trigger the emergency response. The emergency response is performed by the smartphone  108  and/or the vehicle  104 . 
     When the personal safety system  100  performs the emergency response, the personal safety system  100  may transmit the location data to the device and/or the person receiving the emergency response. For example, the automated call to the police department or the predetermined emergency contact phone number may automatically provide the device or person receiving the call with the name of the user and the location of the user based on the location data. The automated call also indicates that the user is in need of police, fire, and/or medical assistance and that a response should be sent immediately. The automated call is in the language most typically spoken in the country in which the user is located. 
     As an example, the smartphone  108  is stationary or substantially stationary at position H in  FIG.  5    because, in this example, the user has encountered a sudden and unexpected confrontation, emergency, and/or otherwise stressful situation. The user has not arrived at the vehicle  104  and has not responded to the checkup data. The user may have been attacked, may have “frozen” in fear, may have had a medical emergency (e.g., heart attack or stroke), and/or is otherwise incapacitated. Accordingly, at block  348  the personal safety system  100  initiates the emergency response and a call to 911 is automatically placed by the phone system  188  of the smartphone  108  or the phone system  120  of the vehicle  104 . The automatic call provides the emergency dispatcher with the name of the user, a request for assistance, and the location data (e.g., a street address or other location identifier). The user has taken no action and the emergency services have been automatically alerted. That is, the call to “911” has been made without any user inputs to the vehicle  104  or the smartphone  108 , and without requiring the user to access the smartphone  108  during the emergency. Thus, the personal safety system  100  has automatically assisted the user and emergency services have been alerted of the user&#39;s troubles without delay. 
     Additionally or alternately, the personal safety system  100  is configured to provide alerts to the user in advance of a potentially dangerous situation. For example, the personal safety system  100  is configured to process the image data generated by the imaging device  128  to detect movements of at least one person within the field of view  154 . When the movements are detected, the personal safety system  100  is configured to send a text message, a movement notification, and/or other electronic alert to the smartphone  108  indicating to the user that movement has been detected near the vehicle  104 . The movement notification is based on the detected movement and, in one embodiment, includes the time the movement occurred and an image of the detected movement. Upon receiving the alert, the user may stream live image data to the smartphone  108  to view the current surroundings of the vehicle  104 , in order to assist in determining if it is safe to approach the vehicle  104 . 
     In another embodiment, the personal safety system  100  processes the image data to identify objects near the vehicle  104  that could pose a safety threat to the user. For example, the personal safety system  100  detects that a package, box, a stationary person, or other element is near the vehicle  104 . The personal safety system  100  sends an object notification to the smartphone  108  based on the detected object. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the personal safety system  100  is configured to notify users when crimes have occurred and/or have been reported in the area of the smartphone  108  and/or the vehicle  104 . For example, the personal safety system  100  is configured to electronically connect to a database of reported crimes and/or safety events that are categorized by location. The personal safety system  100  compares the location data to the locations of the reported crimes and/or safety events to identify the crimes and/or safety events that are near (i.e. within one kilometer, five kilometers, or any other selected distance) the user. When a nearby crime and/or safety event that is near the user is located, then the personal safety system  100  causes a notification or other alert to be sent to the smartphone  108  and/or the vehicle  104  so that the user can decide how to best proceed having additional knowledge of the safety of the area. 
     The personal safety system  100 , in some embodiments, is user configurable to automatically activate and to automatically deactivate based on the location data. When the personal safety system  100  is activated, the personal safety system  100  is configured to automatically trigger the emergency response, including according to the method  300  of  FIG.  3   . When the personal safety system  100  is deactivated, the personal safety system  100  does not automatically trigger the emergency response and does not apply the method  300  of  FIG.  3   . The personal safety system  100  can be manually activated and manually deactivated by the user using the smartphone  108  and/or the infotainment system of the vehicle  104 , for example. 
     The automatic activation and deactivation of the personal safety system  100  prevents the personal safety system  100  from triggering the emergency response when the vehicle  104  and the user are in a safe location. Exemplary safe locations include a home garage, driveway, carport, or parking space of the user and/or of a trusted person. Accordingly, when the personal safety system  100  detects that the vehicle  104  is located in a safe location (as selected by the user), based on the location data, the personal safety system  100  is automatically deactivated. When the vehicle  104  leaves the safe location, as detected by processing the location data, the personal safety system  100  is automatically activated. For example, the personal safety system  100  is activated when the user walks to her vehicle in a parking garage at her workplace. When the user drives the vehicle  104  to her home and parks the vehicle  104  in a known location, such as her driveway, which has been previously identified to the personal safety system  100  as a safe location, then the personal safety system  100  detects that the vehicle  104  is in the safe location and the personal safety system  100  is deactivated. Accordingly, when the user walks by the vehicle  104  to check the mail or to perform other household duties, the deactivated personal safety system  100  does not start the approach timer, does not send the checkup data, does not start the response time period, and does not trigger the emergency response. In this way, the user can freely move around the vehicle  104  at home without having to respond to the checkup data. The personal safety system  100  is automatically activated when the vehicle  104  leaves the safe location and is parked in any location that is not a safe location as identified by the user. 
     The personal safety system  100  provides benefits to the user. For example, using the personal safety system  100 , the user is made to feel safer when approaching the vehicle  104  alone and/or when the vehicle  104  is in an unsecure area. The personal safety system  100  also provides security to the user by alerting the user when there is someone or something near the vehicle  104 . The personal safety system  100  enables the user to decide when it is safe to begin her approach to the vehicle  104  by providing the user (i.e. the smartphone  108 ) with reports of nearby crimes and/or other safety events. The personal safety system  100  is integrated with the vehicle  104  and is operable to trigger the emergency response completely automatically and without requiring the user to access the smartphone  108 . 
     While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.