Patent ID: 12198534

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an emergency notification device for use to pinpoint the location of an emergency.

FIG.1illustrates an operational diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system100includes a housing101, at least one light source102, at least one button or switch104, and a power source106. The button or switch104is located electrically between the power source106and the light source102. In this embodiment, when the user activates the button or switch104, the light source102is supplied with power and illuminates to indicate an emergency.

FIG.2illustrates an operational diagram of a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the system200further includes a computing processor208, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a microprocessor configured in operate computer instruction code, connected to the power source206. The system200may also include a data storage device210. In this embodiment, when the user activates the button or switch204, the microprocessor208then controls operation of the light source202based either on a transistor network (in the instance where the computing processor is an ASIC) or based on computer code stored in the data storage device210(in the instance where the computing processor is a microprocessor). In this embodiment, the computing processor208may control the light source202using various patterns to create different light patterns and colors, such as flashing lights, lights with different colors, strobes, and the like. In one further optional embodiment, the system200may include a speaker212, whereby the computing processor208may control to play a sound or series of sounds as an audible alarm.

In one further alternative embodiment, the power source206may be a rechargeable power source, such as a battery. In this embodiment, the system200may further include a solar panel214configured to recharge the power source206, as needed.

It is understood that the systems described herein may include one or a series of buttons or switches. Each button or switch may be associated with a different type of emergency, such as fire, burglary, accident, and the like, such that by selecting the appropriate button, a particular type of emergency responder may be contacted. Further, depending on the button(s) selected, different light patterns and audible sounds may be output by the lights source and speaker to identify the particular emergency.

FIG.3illustrate another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the system may further comprise a transmitter316. In one embodiment, the transmitter316may operate as a tracking beacon, whereby the transmitter is configured to transmit and electronic signal that can be received by a user device, such as an emergency responder user device, as a tracking beacon that will lead the emergency responder to the location of the device. In some embodiments, the transmitter is configured to send out a tracking beacon that is recognized by a user device that has been preconfigured to receive the tracking signal. In other embodiments, the transmitter is a Bluetooth transmitter configured to transmit a beacon signal that can be detected by a user device via use of a tracking beacon application.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may be further configured to transmit data to a user device. For example, the computing processor308may retrieve location information indicating a current location of the system300, such as an address, and transmit the location information via the transmitter316for receipt by a remote user device. In this embodiment, the computer processor308may retrieve other information, such as the owner of the system's name and contact information, and possibly health information, and transmit this information to a remote user device, such an emergency responder device.

As shown inFIG.3, in some embodiments, the system300may include a global positioning system (GPS)318that determines a current location of the system300. In this embodiment, the computing processor308retrieves location information from the GPS318and transmits the location via the transmitter316.

In some examples, the transmitter is Wi-Fi compatible or Bluetooth compatible or otherwise wirelessly compatible to transmit the emergency wirelessly. In some embodiments, the transmitter could be configured for wired connection, such as via a wire or an ethernet connection.

In one embodiment, the system300may be enabled for cell phone communication. In this embodiment, the system300further includes a cellular subscriber identity module (SIM), which includes data and instructions for placement of a cellular call or short message service (SMS) text. In this embodiment, the system300may alert emergency responders by placing a call and/or sending a text message that identifies, at a minimum, the system300. The system (via operation of the computing processor) may send location and user information or, alternatively, the emergency responder may have this information prestored and associated with the system300for lookup in case of an emergency.

With reference toFIG.3, by way of example, a user may determine that an emergency has or is occurring. The user may depress the at least one button or switch304. The computing processor308receives a signal that the button or switch has been activated. The computing processor may activate the light source302and the optional speaker312. The computing processor may also gather location information and optional user contact information and transmit such information via the transmitter316. The computing processor308may optionally or also transmit a beacon/tracking signal via the transmitter316for use in locating the system300. If available in the system, the computing processor may optional place a cellular call or send a text message. As will be understood, the computing processor may control the light source to output various light patterns and colors. It may also control the speaker to output various sounds and alarms. Some of the light patterns/colors and optionally some of the sounds may indicate different types of emergencies, such as fire, burglary, accident, and the like.

FIG.4illustrates operational diagram for another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the system400further includes a receiver422. The receiver may as simple as an input connector for connecting the computer processor408to an external device. In other embodiments, the receiver may be a wireless receiver for receiving signals from a wireless device, such as a Bluetooth receiver, and in some embodiments the receiver may be a Wi-Fi receiver for connecting the system400to a network. In this embodiment, a user may communicate with the system400to download applications and information, perform system set up, and the like.

As an example, in one embodiment, the user may store a list of contacts in the system400via that data storage device410. In this embodiment, when the buttons/switches are activated by the user in an emergency, in addition to the computing processor408sending emergency alerts via the light source402, speaker412, and transmitter416to emergency responders, the system400may also send alerts, such as phone calls and/or text messages to contacts identified by the user alerting such contacts of the emergency and optionally, the type of emergency.

As another example, the user may communicate an emergency to the system400via the receiver422, such as from a cell phone, tablet, computer, or a home alarm system. When the user activates an emergency on one of these devices or one of the devices are triggered (such a home alarm system or a car alarm system), these devices will send the emergency alarm to the system400via the receiver422to thereby activate the system400to transmit the alarm, activate the lights and/or activate the speaker.

FIGS.5A and5Bprovide perspective illustrations of at least one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the housing500comprises internally, one or more of the power source, computing processor, data storage device, solar module, receiver, SIMs module, GPS, etc. disclosed in the previous embodiments. As shown externally, the housing500includes multiple light sources502positioned on the front and sides of the housing. The light sources are arranged in a selected pattern so as to create a light pattern or different light patters when illuminated. The housing500also includes a button or button(s)504, a speaker512, and a solar cell514.

FIG.6provides an example operational flow600for an example emergency event using the system400ofFIG.4. In this embodiment, when the user indicates an emergency, such as by depressing one or more of the buttons404or sends a signal from another device to the system400via the receiver422, the computing processor408receives the signal (see602), and, in some embodiments, may determine the type of emergency (see604). The computing processor next sends a signal to the light source402to generate a visual alert (see606). If available, the computing processor408may also send a signal to the speaker412to play an audible alert (see608).

The computing processor408may also send an alert wirelessly via the transmitter416. In some embodiments, the computing processor408may access the data storage device410and retrieve contact information for the emergency and transmit the information to emergency responders, such as by wired connection, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and the like (see610). In some embodiments, the computing processor may also transmit a beacon/tracking signal via the transmitter.

In some embodiments, the computing processor may also retrieve stored contact information from the data storage device and alert such contacts of the emergency, such as by wired connection, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, and the like (see612). The system may continue to light the light source and the speaker, and any tracking beacons until the system is reset by pushing the button again or by some other deactivation (see614).

As one skilled in the art will understand, the system of the current invention may be placed in any location where an emergency may occur. For example, it could be located on the side of a house, the front door of a house or apartment, at a business, on a vehicle, such as a car, truck, tractor, other farm equipment, construction equipment, and the like, at a location in a forest or woods or in an open field, at a sports facility or gym, and the like. In other words, the system may be placed at any location or on any item where emergency services may be needed.

Until now, the invention has been described in the context of a standalone device for placement at a location. The present invention may also be envisioned as an application or software on a general computing device, such as a mobile phone or tablet. In this embodiment, the application can control the various functions of the mobile device, such as the keypad, data storage, transmitter, receiver, battery, etc. to perform the functions described herein.

As an example, as shown inFIG.7, in the context of a mobile phone, there may be a designated button702on a mobile application interface700for an emergency or the user may be able to speak to the device via speech to a virtual assistant to indicate the existence of an emergency. Based on receipt of an input, the computing processor of the mobile device, using computer instruction codes stored in the data storage device, may transmit the emergency via a screen or flashlight on the mobile device, transmit an audible signal via the speaker, alert emergency personnel via the cell service, as well as possibly alerting other emergency contacts stored in the mobile device.

With reference again toFIG.7, the mobile phone may also communicate to the system of any of the embodiments ofFIGS.1-5and generate alerts using the lights and speakers on the system housing to alert of the emergency, such that the mobile phone is used to control the system of any of the embodiments ofFIGS.1-5. For example, if the user is located in a house or building and has an emergency, the user can access the application interface700on a mobile phone and press the button702.

The mobile phone may then communicate the alert to the system of any of embodiments ofFIGS.1-5to create light and/or sound alarms on the system. The user may also select the type of alert to flash on the system via selection buttons704. The user may choose to look at their current location by selecting a location button706, which may show a map900(seeFIG.9). As will be discussed later, the user may select a contact button708to have the system alert the user's stored emergency contacts.

Further, the mobile application may also send location and emergency information to first responders. It may also send emergency information to the list of contacts (seeFIG.8depicting a graphical interface800and list of contacts802) stored in the application and/or on the mobile phone that are listed as emergency contacts. This information may provide the type of emergency and the user's location, such as for example, a map900as shown inFIG.9.

Further, as shown inFIG.10, the user, via the interface1000, can deactivate the emergency, which may deactivate the system of any of embodiments ofFIGS.1-5, it may alert first responders that the emergency has passed, and it may also alert the emergency contacts also.

As will be understood, the mobile application may provide other functions, such as allowing the user to video chat, text, etc. with first responders and emergency contacts during the emergency.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the term “module” with respect to a system may refer to a hardware component of the system, a software component of the system, or a component of the system that includes both hardware and software. As used herein, a module may include one or more modules, where each module may reside in separate pieces of hardware or software.

Although many embodiments of the present invention have just been described above, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages, features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or “an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure, the present invention may include and/or be embodied as an apparatus (including, for example, a system, machine, device, computer program product, and/or the like), as a method (including, for example, a business method, computer-implemented process, and/or the like), or as any combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely business method embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, stored procedures in a database, or the like), an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining business method, software, and hardware aspects that may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product that includes a computer-readable storage medium having one or more computer-executable program code portions stored therein. As used herein, a processor, which may include one or more processors, may be “configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function by executing one or more computer-executable program code portions embodied in a computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.

It will be understood that any suitable computer-readable medium may be utilized. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a tangible electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and/or semiconductor system, device, and/or other apparatus. For example, in some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a tangible medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and/or some other tangible optical and/or magnetic storage device. In other embodiments of the present invention, however, the computer-readable medium may be transitory, such as, for example, a propagation signal including computer-executable program code portions embodied therein.

One or more computer-executable program code portions for carrying out operations of the present invention may include object-oriented, scripted, and/or unscripted programming languages, such as, for example, Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, SAS, SQL, Python, Objective C, JavaScript, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the one or more computer-executable program code portions for carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention are written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languages and/or similar programming languages. The computer program code may alternatively or additionally be written in one or more multi-paradigm programming languages, such as, for example, F #.

Some embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of apparatus and/or methods. It will be understood that each block included in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and/or combinations of blocks included in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by one or more computer-executable program code portions. These one or more computer-executable program code portions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or some other programmable data processing apparatus in order to produce a particular machine, such that the one or more computer-executable program code portions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the steps and/or functions represented by the flowchart(s) and/or block diagram block(s).

The one or more computer-executable program code portions may be stored in a transitory and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g. a memory) that can direct, instruct, and/or cause a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-executable program code portions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction mechanisms which implement the steps and/or functions specified in the flowchart(s) and/or block diagram block(s).

The one or more computer-executable program code portions may also be loaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus. In some embodiments, this produces a computer-implemented process such that the one or more computer-executable program code portions which execute on the computer and/or other programmable apparatus provide operational steps to implement the steps specified in the flowchart(s) and/or the functions specified in the block diagram block(s). Alternatively, computer-implemented steps may be combined with, and/or replaced with, operator- and/or human-implemented steps in order to carry out an embodiment of the present invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other changes, combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition to those set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, and combinations of the just described embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.