Emergency communications system

Abstract

A communications terminal facilitates signaling emergency alerts and monitoring. The terminal is operative in response to user input to generate emergency messages which are transmitted to one or more predetermined recipients via one or more mediums of communication. This user input to generate an emergency is designed such that it takes advantage of the facilities of available common user terminals (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants) and may be augmented by short-range wireless “panic button” devices carried or worn by the user to allow triggering an alarm more effectively and/or conveniently. In response to either direct input from a user or remote input from another, the terminal also transmits audio, video, still image, and other available data that facilitates situation monitoring. The user may also indicate the nature and severity of the situation. Further, the terminal may suppress indications of the established communications such that the terminal appears to be in a dormant state. Further, the terminal may suppress normal handset controls allowing anyone to terminate communication, requiring specific, unique user input to terminate the emergency communication medium(s). Incorrect entry of this unique user input may be used as an indication that the user is in a situation of duress.

1 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of operation of a personal communications device, the method comprising:
 receiving an indication of the existence of an exigent circumstance;   detecting whether a predetermined user input is received within a predetermined time interval; and   when the predetermined user input is not received within the predetermined time interval, automatically connecting via a wireless communication link with an emergency response center.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein connecting with the emergency response center comprises sending to the emergency response center an indication of the signal strength of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein connecting with the emergency response center comprises sending to the emergency response center an indication of the battery life of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the indication of the existence of the exigent circumstance is an urgency code entered by a user of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the indication of the existence of the exigent circumstance is an external activation. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the external activation is received from a panic button device in wireless communication with the personal communications device. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the personal communications device comprises a camera, and wherein connecting with the emergency response center includes sending to the emergency response center a visual image taken with the camera. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the personal communications device comprises a camera, and wherein connecting with the emergency response center includes sending to the emergency response center video taken with the camera. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the personal communications device comprises a camera, and wherein connecting with the emergency response center includes sending to the emergency response center streaming video taken with the camera. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the personal communications device includes a capability for ascertaining its geographic location, and wherein connecting with the emergency response center includes sending to the emergency response center an indication of the geographic location of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the capability for ascertaining the geographic location of the personal communications device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising mimicking an inactive mode while maintaining a connection to the emergency response center. 
     
     
         49 . A personal communications device operable to:
 receive an indication of the existence of an exigent circumstance;   detect whether a predetermined user input is received within a predetermined time interval, and when the predetermined user input is not received within the predetermined time interval;   identify one or more communications mediums available for communication; and   automatically connect, via one of the identified communications mediums, to an emergency response center.   
     
     
         50 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , further comprising one or more keys, wherein the indication of the existence of an exigent circumstance is a key sequence entered by a user of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         51 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , further comprising a panic button device in wireless communication with the personal communications device, wherein the indication of the existence of an exigent circumstance is an external activation received from the panic button device. 
     
     
         52 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , further comprising a camera, and wherein the personal communications device is further operable to send to the emergency response center a visual image or video taken with the camera. 
     
     
         53 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , further comprising a capability to ascertain the geographic location of the personal communications device, and wherein the personal communications device is further operable to send to the emergency response center an indication of the geographic location of the personal communications device. 
     
     
         54 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , wherein the personal communications device is further operable to establish, for each of the identified communications mediums, a communications link. 
     
     
         55 . The personal communications device of  claim 49 , wherein the personal communications device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         56 . A system which facilitates provision of emergency communication services via a network, the system comprising:
 at least one network device at an emergency response center capable of alerting a responder; and   a personal communications device operable to receive an indication of the existence of an exigent circumstance, detect whether a predetermined user input is received within a predetermined time interval, and when the predetermined user input is not received within the predetermined time interval, automatically connect with the at least one network device.   
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 56 , wherein the personal communications device is further operable to identify one or more communications mediums available for communication; and to connect with the emergency response center via at least one of the identified communications mediums.