Patent Publication Number: US-2018040210-A1

Title: System for Emergency Alerts and Related Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/371,198, entitled “LIFE LITE—Emergency Medical Alert Beacon,” filed on Aug. 4, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of emergency alerts, and more particularly to systems for activating alert beacons. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Emergency responders can have difficulty finding the location of an emergency. Sometimes an address of the location can be difficult to find due to non-updated maps, similar addresses, or lack of signage. Emergency responders also can have difficulty relaying emergency information to residents or building occupiers. Thus there exists a need for an emergency alert system that can assist emergency responders in locating the emergency location and/or relaying emergency information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view of a computer system that is suitable for implementing at least part of a central computer system; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a representative block diagram of exemplary elements included on the circuit boards inside a chassis of the computer system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a representative block diagram of a system, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a representative block diagram of a portion of the system of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates is a flowchart for a method, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus. 
     The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. 
     The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant. “Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable. 
     As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they are comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or more elements are “non-integral” if each is comprised of a different piece of material. 
     As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Many embodiments include an alert system. In some embodiments, the alert system can comprise a communications device, a relay coupled to the communications device, and a controller coupled to the relay. In some embodiments, the system can comprise a light coupled to the controller and installed at a location and a comprising medical information. In various embodiments, the relay can receive a signal when the communications device sends an emergency communication, the controller can activate the light based at least in part on the signal, and the system sends the medical information from the memory to an emergency system based at least in part on the signal. 
     Various embodiments comprise an alert system. In many embodiments, the alert system can comprise one or more processing modules and one or more non-transitory storage modules storing computing instructions configured to run on the one or more processing modules and perform acts. In some embodiments, the acts can comprise receiving, by a relay, a signal when a communications device sends an emergency communication, sending medical information from a memory to an emergency system based at least in part on the signal, and activating, by a controller coupled to the relay, an alert light located at an emergency location, based at least in part on the signal. 
     A number of embodiments comprise a method for activating an alert light. In some embodiments, the method can comprise receiving, by a relay, a signal when a communications device sends an emergency communication. In some embodiments, the method can comprise sending medical information from a memory to an emergency system based at least in part on the signal. In many embodiments, the method can comprise activating, by a controller coupled to the relay, the alert light located at an emergency location, based at least in part on the signal. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a computer system  100 , all of which or a portion of which can be suitable for (i) implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii) implementing and/or operating part or all of one or more embodiments of the memory storage modules described herein. As an example, a different or separate one of a chassis  102  (and its internal components) can be suitable for implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein. Furthermore, one or more elements of computer system  100  (e.g., a monitor  106 , a keyboard  104 , and/or a mouse  110 , etc.) also can be appropriate for implementing part or all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein. Computer system  100  can comprise chassis  102  containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port  112 , a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive  116 , and a hard drive  114 . A representative block diagram of the elements included on the circuit boards inside chassis  102  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A central processing unit (CPU)  210  in  FIG. 2  is coupled to a system bus  214  in  FIG. 2 . In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU  210  can be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed architecture families. 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , system bus  214  also is coupled to a memory storage unit  208 , where memory storage unit  208  can comprise (i) volatile (e.g., transitory) memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM) and/or (ii) non-volatile (e.g., non-transitory) memory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM). The non-volatile memory can be removable and/or non-removable non-volatile memory. Meanwhile, RAM can include dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), etc. Further, ROM can include mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), one-time programmable ROM (OTP), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) (e.g., electrically alterable ROM (EAROM) and/or flash memory), etc. The memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise memory storage unit  208 , an external memory storage drive (not shown), such as, for example, a USB-equipped electronic memory storage drive coupled to universal serial bus (USB) port  112  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), hard drive  114  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), CD-ROM and/or DVD drive  116  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), a floppy disk drive (not shown), an optical disc (not shown), a magneto-optical disc (now shown), magnetic tape (not shown), etc. Further, non-volatile or non-transitory memory storage module(s) refer to the portions of the memory storage module(s) that are non-volatile (e.g., non-transitory) memory. 
     In various examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can be encoded with a boot code sequence suitable for restoring computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) to a functional state after a system reset. In addition, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise microcode such as a Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) operable with computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In the same or different examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise an operating system, which can be a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer network. The BIOS can initialize and test components of computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) and load the operating system. Meanwhile, the operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example, controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. Exemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i) Microsoft® Windows® operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, (ii) Mac® OS X by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (iii) UNIX® OS, and (iv) Linux® OS. Further exemplary operating systems can comprise one of the following: (i) the iOS® operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry® operating system by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the WebOS operating system by LG Electronics of Seoul, South Korea, (iv) the Android™ operating system developed by Google, of Mountain View, Calif., United States of America, (v) the Windows Mobile™ operating system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, or (vi) the Symbian™ operating system by Accenture PLC of Dublin, Ireland. 
     As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions. In some examples, the one or more processing modules of the various embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU  210 . 
     In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 2 , various I/O devices such as a disk controller  204 , a graphics adapter  224 , a video controller  202 , a keyboard adapter  226 , a mouse adapter  206 , a network adapter  220 , and other I/O devices  222  can be coupled to system bus  214 . Keyboard adapter  226  and mouse adapter  206  are coupled to keyboard  104  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) and mouse  110  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), respectively, of computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). While graphics adapter  224  and video controller  202  are indicated as distinct units in  FIG. 2 , video controller  202  can be integrated into graphics adapter  224 , or vice versa in other embodiments. Video controller  202  is suitable for monitor  106  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) to display images on a screen  108  ( FIG. 1 ) of computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Disk controller  204  can control hard drive  114  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), USB port  112  ( FIGS. 1-2 ), and CD-ROM drive  116  ( FIGS. 1-2 ). In other embodiments, distinct units can be used to control each of these devices separately. 
     Network adapter  220  can be suitable to connect computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) to a computer network by wired communication (e.g., a wired network adapter) and/or wireless communication (e.g., a wireless network adapter). In some embodiments, network adapter  220  can be plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, network adapter  220  can be built into computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, network adapter  220  can be built into computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) by being integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or implemented via one or more dedicated communication chips (not shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) or USB port  112  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Returning now to  FIG. 1 , although many other components of computer system  100  are not shown, such components and their interconnection are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, further details concerning the construction and composition of computer system  100  and the circuit boards inside chassis  102  are not discussed herein. 
     Meanwhile, when computer system  100  is running, program instructions (e.g., computer instructions) stored on one or more of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein can be executed by CPU  210  ( FIG. 2 ). At least a portion of the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable for carrying out at least part of the techniques and methods described herein. 
     Further, although computer system  100  is illustrated as a desktop computer in  FIG. 1 , there can be examples where computer system  100  may take a different form factor while still having functional elements similar to those described for computer system  100 . In some embodiments, computer system  100  may comprise a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers. Typically, a cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on computer system  100  exceeds the reasonable capability of a single server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system  100  may comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. In certain other embodiments, computer system  100  may comprise a mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. In certain additional embodiments, computer system  100  may comprise an embedded system. 
     Skipping ahead now in the drawings,  FIG. 3  illustrates a representative block diagram of a system  300 , according to an embodiment. In many embodiments, system  300  can comprise an emergency alert system. System  300  is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. System  300  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of system  300  can perform various methods and/or activities of those methods. In these or other embodiments, the methods and/or the activities of the methods can be performed by other suitable elements or modules of system  300 . 
     Generally, therefore, system  300  can be implemented with hardware and/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in these or other embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or software can be customized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part or all of the functionality of system  300  described herein. 
     In a number of embodiments, system  300  can comprise a monitoring system  315 , an alert system  320 , a relay, a controller, and an alert light system  370 . In some embodiments, monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and alert light system  370  can each be a computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ), as described above, and can each be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers or servers. In some embodiments, monitoring system  320  can be in communication, through a network  330 , with an emergency system  390  (e.g., 911, police department, or fire department) and can track when an emergency call has been placed to emergency system  390  through a communications device  305 . In some embodiments, an emergency call can comprise a voice call, a short message service (SMS) text, or similar notification. In some embodiments, the communications device  305  can be stored on the computer  100  ( FIG. 1 ), or a separate landline, cellular phone, alarm system, or similar communications device. 
     In many embodiments, monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  can each comprise one or more input devices (e.g., one or more keyboards, one or more keypads, one or more pointing devices such as a computer mouse or computer mice, one or more touchscreen displays, a microphone, etc.), and/or can each comprise one or more display devices (e.g., one or more monitors, one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In these or other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be similar or identical to keyboard  104  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or a mouse  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be similar or identical to monitor  106  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or screen  108  ( FIG. 1 ). The input device(s) and the display device(s) can be coupled to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s) of monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner, and the coupling can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locally and/or remotely. As an example of an indirect manner (which may or may not also be a remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can be used to couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). In some embodiments, the KVM switch also can be part of monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370 . In a similar manner, the processing module(s) and the memory storage module(s) can be local and/or remote to each other. 
     In many embodiments, alert system  320  can comprise a relay  325  and a controller  327  coupled to relay  325 . In some embodiments, relay  325  is coupled to the communications device  305  through network  330 . In some embodiments, relay  325  can receive a signal when communications device  305  sends an emergency communication to the emergency system  390 . In some embodiments, the signal is received by relay  325  after an emergency call is activated or placed by communications device  305 . In many embodiments, controller  327  can activate a light  375  based at least in part on the signal received by the relay. In some embodiments, controller  327  can activate light  375  in a pattern. In some embodiments, the pattern can indicate the type of emergency and/or change when emergency responders are in route or have arrived. In some embodiments, system  300  can receive an arrival notification indicating that the emergency responders have arrived at the location. In some embodiments, light  375  can be deactivated based at least in part on the arrival notification. In some embodiments, monitoring system  315  can receive alert information from emergency system  390 . In some embodiments, alert system  320  can activate light  375  based at least in part on the alert information received from the emergency system  390  (e.g., alert information such as a weather warning, a fire warning, a missing child warning, or the like can be received and light  375  can be activated to inform the residents or others in the surrounding area of the emergency based at least in part on the alert information received). In some embodiments, light  375  can be activated in a pattern based at least in part on the alert information received (e.g., red flashing light for a fire evacuation warning). 
     In many embodiments, alert light system  370  can comprise light  375 . In some embodiments, light  375  can be at least  20 , 000  lumens. In some embodiments, light  375  can comprise a strobe light and/or a siren. In some embodiments, light  375  can be coupled to a power source. In some embodiments, the power source can further comprise a battery backup. In various embodiments, alert light system  370  can further comprise a manual override switch. In some embodiments, the manual override switch can be located adjacent to or be coupled to light  375 . In the same or other embodiments, the manual override switch can be an electronic button or selection key located on system  300  or the user computer. 
     In many embodiments, monitoring system  315  and/or alert light system  370  can be configured to communicate with one or more user computers. In some embodiments, the one or more user computers can also can be referred to as the communications device  305 . In some embodiments, monitoring system  315  and/or alert light system  370  can communicate or interface (e.g. interact) with one or more customer computers (such as customer computers  340  and  341 ) through a network  330 . In some embodiments, network  330  can be an internet, an intranet that is not open to the public, an email system, and/or a texting system. In many embodiments, network  330  can comprise one or more electronic transmission channels. In many embodiments, the electronic transmission channels can comprise an email, a text message, and/or an electronic notice or message. Accordingly, in many embodiments, monitoring system  315  and/or alert light system  370  (and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to a back end of system  300  operated by an operator and/or administrator of system  300 , and customer computers  340  and  341  (and/or the software used by such systems) can refer to a front end of system  300  used by one or more customers  350  and  351 , respectively. In some embodiments, customers  350  and  351  also can be referred to as users, in which case, customer computers  340  and  341  can be referred to as user computers. In these or other embodiments, the operator and/or administrator of system  300  can manage system  300 , the processing module(s) of system  300 , and/or the memory storage module(s) of system  300  using the input device(s) and/or display device(s) of system  300 . 
     Meanwhile, in many embodiments, monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  also can be configured to communicate with memory. In some embodiments, the memory can comprise one or more databases. The one or more database can comprise a medical database that contains medical information about one or more users. The one or more databases can be stored on one or more memory storage modules (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)), which can be similar or identical to the one or more memory storage module(s) (e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)) described above with respect to computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the one or more databases can be stored on a remote server or cloud. Also, in some embodiments, for any particular database of the one or more databases, that particular database can be stored on a single memory storage module of the memory storage module(s), and/or the non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more databases or the contents of that particular database can be spread across multiple ones of the memory storage module(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more databases, depending on the size of the particular database and/or the storage capacity of the memory storage module(s) and/or non-transitory memory storage module(s). 
     The one or more databases can each comprise a structured (e.g., indexed) collection of data and can be managed by any suitable database management systems configured to define, create, query, organize, update, and manage database(s). Exemplary database management systems can include MySQL (Structured Query Language) Database, PostgreSQL Database, Microsoft SQL Server Database, Oracle Database, SAP (Systems, Applications, &amp; Products) Database, and IBM DB2 Database. 
     Meanwhile, communication between monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , alert light system  370 , and/or the one or more databases can be implemented using any suitable manner of wired and/or wireless communication. Accordingly, system  300  can comprise any software and/or hardware components configured to implement the wired and/or wireless communication. Further, the wired and/or wireless communication can be implemented using any one or any combination of wired and/or wireless communication network topologies (e.g., ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisy chain, hybrid, etc.) and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN) protocol(s), local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network (WAN) protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline network protocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can comprise Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave, etc.; exemplary LAN and/or WAN protocol(s) can comprise Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)  802 . 3  (also known as Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (also known as WiFi), etc.; and exemplary wireless cellular network protocol(s) can comprise Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communication software and/or hardware implemented can depend on the network topologies and/or protocols implemented, and vice versa. In many embodiments, exemplary communication hardware can comprise wired communication hardware including, for example, one or more data buses, such as, for example, universal serial bus(es), one or more networking cables, such as, for example, coaxial cable(s), optical fiber cable(s), and/or twisted pair cable(s), any other suitable data cable, etc. Further exemplary communication hardware can comprise wireless communication hardware including, for example, one or more radio transceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc. Additional exemplary communication hardware can comprise one or more networking components (e.g., modulator-demodulator components, gateway components, etc.) 
     In some embodiments, system  300  also comprises one or more input devices (e.g., one or more keyboards, one or more keypads, one or more pointing devices such as a computer mouse or computer mice, one or more touchscreen displays, microphone, etc.), and/or can comprise one or more display devices (e.g., one or more monitors, one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In these or other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be similar or identical to keyboard  104  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or a mouse  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be similar or identical to monitor  106  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or screen  108  ( FIG. 1 ). The input device(s) and the display device(s) can be coupled to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s) of system  300  in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner, and the coupling can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locally and/or remotely. As an example of an indirect manner (which may or may not also be a remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can be used to couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). In some embodiments, the KVM switch also can be part of system  300 . In a similar manner, the processing module(s) and the memory storage module(s) can be local and/or remote to each other. In some embodiments, the emergency call can be placed or communications device  305  can be accessed through the one or more display devices and/or the one or more input devices. 
     Turning ahead in the drawings,  FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart for a method  500 , according to an embodiment. Method  500  is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method  500  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities of method  500  can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the activities of method  500  can be performed in any suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method  500  can be combined or skipped. In many embodiments, system  300  ( FIG. 3 ) can be suitable to perform method  500  and/or one or more of the activities of method  500 . In these or other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method  500  can be implemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory storage modules  412 ,  414 ,  422 , and/or  472  ( FIG. 4 ). Such non-transitory memory storage modules can be part of a computer system such as system  300  ( FIG. 3 ), monitoring system  315  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), alert system  320  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), and/or alert light system  370  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ). The processing module(s) can be similar or identical to the processing module(s) described above with respect to computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Turning ahead in the drawings,  FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart for a method  500 , according to an embodiment. Method  500  is merely exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Method  500  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the activities of method  500  can be performed in the order presented. In other embodiments, the activities of method  500  can be performed in any suitable order. In still other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method  500  can be combined or skipped. In many embodiments, system  300  ( FIG. 3 ) can be suitable to perform method  500  and/or one or more of the activities of method  500 . In these or other embodiments, one or more of the activities of method  500  can be implemented as one or more computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory storage modules  412 ,  414 ,  422 , and/or  472  ( FIG. 4 ). Such non-transitory memory storage modules can be part of a computer system such as monitoring system  315  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), alert system  320  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), and/or alert light system  370  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ). The processing module(s) can be similar or identical to the processing module(s) described above with respect to computer system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In many embodiments, method  500  can comprise an activity  505  of receiving, by a relay, a signal when a communications device sends an emergency communication. In some embodiments, the signal can be received by the relay after the emergency communication is activated by the communications device. 
     In many embodiments, method  500  can further comprise an activity  510  of sending medical information from a memory to an emergency system  390  based at least in part on the signal. In some embodiments, the medical information can be stored within monitoring system  315  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), alert system  320  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ), and/or alert light system  370  ( FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 ). In some embodiments, the medical information can be stored in memory located within the communications device  305 . In some embodiments, the medical information can comprise a profile for each user or resident the location. In many embodiments, the medical information can comprise the medical history for each user. One or more advantages of activity  510  can comprise the medical information being received by the emergency system  390  and sent to the emergency responders and/or the emergency room or hospital. In some embodiments, the emergency system  390  can coordinate medical needs based at least in part on the medical information prior to the arrival of the user. 
     In some embodiments, method  500  can further comprise an activity  515  of activating, by a controller coupled to the relay, the alert light located at an emergency location, based at least in part on the signal. In some embodiments, the emergency location can be the location of the communications device at the time an emergency call is made. In various embodiments, the emergency location can be a location that is programmed in a user profile associated with the system (e.g., system  300  ( FIG. 3 )). 
     In some embodiments, method  500  further can comprise an activity of receiving alert information from an emergency system (e.g., emergency system  390  ( FIG. 3 )). In many embodiments, method  500  further can comprise activating the light based at least in part on the alert information received from the emergency system. As a non-limiting example, alert information such as a weather warning, a fire warning, a missing child warning, or the like can be received. The method can then activate the light to inform the residents or others in the surrounding area of the emergency based at least in part on the alert information received. In some embodiments, activating the light based at least in part on the alert information received can comprise activating the light in a pattern based at least in part on the alert information received (e.g., red flashing light for a fire evacuation warning). 
     In many embodiments, the alert light can be coupled to a power source. In some embodiments, the alert system further can comprise a battery backup or a secondary power source coupled to the alert light. In a number of embodiments, the alert light can comprise a strobe light or a siren. In various embodiments, activity  515  of activating the alert light further can comprise activating the alert light in a pattern. In some embodiments, the pattern can comprise a pattern of different colored lights and/or sounds. 
     In some embodiments, method  500  further can comprise deactivating the alert light by using a manual override switch. In some embodiments, method  500  further can comprise receiving, from the emergency system, an arrival notification that an emergency crew has arrived at the location. In many embodiments, method  500  further can comprise deactivating the alert light based at least in part on the arrival notification. In a number of embodiments, method  500  further can comprise receiving, from the communication device, a cancellation notification cancelling the emergency communication. In some embodiments, method  500  further can comprise deactivating the alert light based at least in part on the cancellation notification. 
     Returning to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a portion of system  300  comprising monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370 , according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  are merely exemplary and are not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Each of monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  can be employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements or modules of monitoring system  315 , alert system  320 , and/or alert light system  370  can perform various procedures, processes, and/or acts. In other embodiments, the procedures, processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements or modules. 
     In many embodiments, monitoring system  315  can comprise non-transitory memory storage modules  412  and  414 , alert system  320  can comprise non-transitory memory storage module  422 , and alert light system  370  can comprise a non-transitory memory storage module  472 . Memory storage module  412  can be referred to as an emergency call module  412  and memory storage module  414  can be referred to as an emergency responder module  414 . Memory storage module  422  can be referred to as an alert module  422 . Memory storage module  472  can be referred to as an alert light module  462 . 
     In many embodiments, emergency call module  412  can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of methods  500  ( FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity  505  ( FIG. 5 )). In some embodiments, emergency responder module  414  can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method  500  ( FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity  510  ( FIG. 5 )). 
     In many embodiments, alert module  422  can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of methods  500  ( FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity  515  ( FIG. 5 )). In many embodiments, alert light module  472  can store computing instructions configured to run on one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method  500  ( FIG. 5 ) (e.g., activity  515  ( FIG. 5 )). 
     While the disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims. 
     Additional examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the system for emergency alerts is intended to be illustrative of the scope of systems for emergency alerts and is not intended to be limiting. For example, in one embodiment,  FIGS. 3 and 4  are described with reference to medical alert systems, but  FIGS. 3 and 4  also can be relevant to other alert systems. Other permutations of the different embodiments having one or more of the features of the various figures are likewise contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the system shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. 
     The system for emergency alerts and related methods discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and the foregoing discussion of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment of a system for emergency alerts and related methods, and may disclose alternative embodiments of the same. 
     Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. 
     Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.