Patent Publication Number: US-2009233573-A1

Title: Portable Emergency Position Location Data Logging Communications Terminal

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention is generally related to mobile electronic communications and is specifically directed to a comprehensive mobile data communications solution particularly well suited for people in a high risk environment. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Portable emergency position location transmission devices in the art, such as the devices presented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 786,411 and 974,337, have the ability to send Global Positioning System (GPS) location information to a map display and a central dispatch station when an emergency distress button is pressed. In addition, portable communication devices in the art, such as cellular phones, are able to transmit position location information to a map display. Existing devices in the art have multiple deficiencies in emergency situations. 
     A major deficiency of devices in the art presents itself when line of site to the GPS satellite network is obstructed. In such situations, a GPS device is unable to determine location. Line of site to the GPS system may be obstructed by natural obstructions, such as dense forest coverage, or manmade obstructions, such as buildings. 
     Another major deficiency occurs when GPS devices are turned on. It can take many minutes for the device to initialize and determine location after a GPS device is turned on or activated from a standby mode. 
     Existing devices in the art are vulnerable to the above GPS technology deficiencies. If an emergency location device is unable to immediately report the location of the user, then the device may be ineffective in emergency response efforts. For example, if the user of such a device activates the emergency distress button when they are inside a building, with no line of site to the GPS satellites, the central dispatch station will not be able to identify their location. Another example would be if the user of such a device activates the emergency distress device from a powered off or standby mode, it may take anywhere from several moments or many minutes for the GPS location to be determined. Such deficiencies and delays could mean the difference between life and death for the user of such devices in a life threatening emergency situation. 
     Existing devices in the art do not allow the user of the device to control the reporting of their location. Since the device is always reporting the location of the user or is remotely controlled by a third party, the user is unable to control the privacy of their whereabouts. In order to cease transmitting their location to control the privacy of their whereabouts, users of devices in the art must power off their device. In an emergency distress situation, the device may likely be ineffective in identifying the location of the user either due to delays associated with the device attempting to power up and initialize or worse, the device may not be able to determine location due to natural or manmade obstructions to the GPS satellite system. Failure of the device to effectively power up and immediately send location information to the emergency dispatch center could mean the difference between life or death. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject invention is directed to a portable personal alarm system. The user of the invention is able to carry the device anywhere and press the emergency distress button at any time. The invention can be operated by the user in two modes of operation. The first mode of operation allows the user of the invention to continually report their location to an emergency dispatch center where the location information is presented on a map display. The second mode of operation allows the user to only report their location information when the emergency distress button is pressed. This mode allows the user of the invention to prevent others from knowing their whereabouts until the emergency distress button is pressed. During this mode of operation, data logger circuitry in the invention stores the latest series of position locations. When the emergency distress button is pressed, the invention transmits the stored series of logged position locations to the emergency dispatch center. 
     In both modes of the operation, the emergency dispatch center is able to view the series of recent position locations on a map display. This allows the emergency center dispatcher the ability to identify and/or interpret the current location of the user. On screen prompts alert the emergency dispatcher to the emergency distress situation for the customer and their associated emergency contact information. In addition, text, email, and other message formats automatically transmit emergency notification messages to the user&#39;s preset emergency personal contacts. The user&#39;s personal contacts automatically receive the emergency distress messages indicating the user&#39;s name in distress and the user&#39;s current location. Once the emergency distress button is pressed, the invention continues to send automatic emergency distress position location updates to the emergency dispatch center and the user&#39;s preset emergency contacts until the emergency distress function is deactivated by the emergency dispatch center. 
     The device contains cellular and/or satellite phone circuitry that allows for two way communication between the user of the invention and the emergency dispatch center. When the emergency distress button is activated, the emergency center dispatcher can verbally communicate with the user of the invention either by speakerphone on the device or by holding the device to their ear and speaking into a microphone on the device. The emergency dispatch center may also forward or conference call the caller to or with other callers. This feature allows the emergency center dispatcher to ascertain the disposition of the user and identify if the emergency distress alert is indeed a valid alarm. 
     The components of the device are designed to fit in a casing the size of a pager or small cellular phone with a belt clip for attachment to the user&#39;s clothing or to the dashboard of the user&#39;s automobile. The device contains circuitry that receives GPS location information. In one embodiment of the invention, it may contain inertial navigation system (INS) circuitry that periodically synchronizes with the GPS systems and continues to calculate the location of the user when the line of site to the GPS satellite system is obstructed and prevents the receipt of GPS signals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a system design of the invention 
         FIG. 2  is an embodiment with a small screen above the speaker for representing alpha numeric characters for text messages. 
         FIG. 3  represents the invention operating in one mode of operation that constantly transmits position location information to the emergency dispatch center. 
         FIG. 4  Represents the invention sending the emergency distress notification to the emergency dispatch center and a preset group of emergency contacts. 
         FIG. 5  Represents the invention communicating with the emergency center dispatcher via voice communications. 
         FIG. 6  Represents the invention operating in the discrete mode whereby the internal circuitry data logger stores the most recent series of locations. 
         FIG. 7  Represents the emergency distress button being activated, while in discrete mode, and transmitting the stored series of recent locations and the current location to the emergency dispatch center. 
         FIG. 8  Represents the emergency distress button being activated, while in discrete mode, and transmitting only the stored series of recent locations to the emergency dispatch center. 
         FIG. 9  Represents an authorized individual with the ability to view the emergency dispatch center map display from the internet and see the current and recent locations of the user of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  Represents the ability of the user of the invention to exchange alpha numeric text messages with the emergency dispatch center and other individuals. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts the preferred embodiment of the invention. The circuitry is housed in a box the size of a pager and can be worn on an article of clothing or clipped to another article such as a visor in an automobile. The emergency distress button  1  of  FIG. 1  is of a size and positioning such that the user of the invention can easily press the button while in an emergency situation. When the emergency distress button  1  of  FIG. 1  is pressed, a flashing or steady light will emit from the surface of the button serving as a visual indication that the emergency distress button has been pushed. A microphone  2  of  FIG. 1  is used to allow the user of the invention to communicate with the emergency dispatch center when the emergency distress button is pushed. A speaker  3  of  FIG. 1  is used to allow the user of the invention to hear voice communications. A feature setting button  4  of  FIG. 1  allows the user of the invention to set the various modes of operation and adjust other features such as speaker volume. All physical items detailed above may be positioned at any location on the surface of the invention to accommodate for the best ease of use. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the invention with a screen  5  of  FIG. 2  allowing the representation of alpha numeric characters. This screen can be used to show text messages from the emergency dispatch center or from other parties. This screen can also be used to represent various system settings and performance parameters such as the current mode of operation or satellite signal strength. 
       FIG. 3  depicts the invention operating in the mode of operation that constantly transmits position location to the emergency dispatch center. GPS satellite  6  of  FIG. 3  transmits GPS data to the invention  7  of  FIG. 3 . The invention  7  of  FIG. 3  automatically transmits the GPS position location data via a communications network  8  of  FIG. 3 . The emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  receives the position location data and is presented on a map display. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the invention operating with the emergency distress button activated. The emergency distress button  1   FIG. 1  is pressed on the invention  7   FIG. 3 . The position location data from the GPS system  6   FIG. 3  is sent to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  via the communications network  8   FIG. 3 . One or many previously designated emergency points of contact  10   FIG. 4  receive an emergency distress notification message with the most recent location of the user of the invention. The invention  7   FIG. 3  continues to automatically report the latest position location of the user to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  and the emergency points of contact  10   FIG. 4 , at regular intervals, until the emergency center dispatcher remotely deactivates the emergency distress feature on the invention. 
       FIG. 5  depicts the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  verbally communicating with the user of the invention via a communication network  8   FIG. 3 . The emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  is also able to patch a caller through to the user of the invention for voice communications between the caller and the user of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  depicts the invention operating in the discrete mode of operation. During this mode of operation, the data logger built into the circuitry of the invention  7   FIG. 3  receives and stores a series of GPS locations transmitted from the GPS system  6   FIG. 3 . The INS system built into the circuitry of the invention  7   FIG. 3  synchronizes with the GPS location data received from the GPS system  6   FIG. 3 . This discrete mode of operation does not transmit the position location data to the emergency dispatch center thus allowing the user of the invention to protect the privacy of their whereabouts. 
       FIG. 7  depicts emergency distress button  1   FIG. 1  being pushed on the invention  7   FIG. 3  while the system is operating in discrete mode. When the emergency distress button is pressed  1   FIG. 1 , the series of position locations stored in the data logger built into the circuitry of the invention  1   FIG. 3 , is transmitted to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  and one or many emergency points of contact  10   FIG. 4  via the communications network  8   FIG. 3 . Once the emergency distress button  1   FIG. 1  is pushed, the GPS position location data is automatically transmitted to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3 , at regular intervals, until the emergency center dispatcher deactivates the emergency distress feature on the invention. 
       FIG. 8  depicts the invention  7   FIG. 3 , while operating in the discrete mode, unable to receive GPS location data from the GPS system due to a natural or manmade obstruction  12   FIG. 8 . When the emergency distress button  1   FIG. 1  is pressed on the invention  7   FIG. 3 , the GPS and/or INS position location stored in the data logger of the invention  7   FIG. 3  is transmitted to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  via the communications network  8   FIG. 3 . In the embodiment of the invention with INS built into the device, the invention  7   FIG. 3  continues to automatically transmit the position location data, at recurring intervals, to the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  and the emergency points of contact  10   FIG. 4 , via the communications network  8   FIG. 3 , until the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  deactivates the emergency distress feature on the invention. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an authorized individual  13   FIG. 9  viewing the position location data of the user of the invention on the emergency dispatch center map display via the internet. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an individual  14   FIG. 10  communicating directly with the user of the invention  7   FIG. 3  and/or the emergency dispatch center  9   FIG. 3  via voice or messaging on the communications network.