RU2795794C2 - Emergency kit - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: contacting emergency services.

SUBSTANCE: to do this, call an emergency number on the network communication device, open the caller application on the specified network communication device, and control the emergency notification device using the specified caller application.

EFFECT: possibility of coordinating information and/or controlling a notification device between a caller reporting an emergency and/or other people, for example, an emergency responder and/or a dispatcher.

17 cl, 8 dwg

Description

RELATED APPLICATION/APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Israeli Patent Application No. 260161, filed June 19, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention in some embodiments of the invention relates to the field of emergency medical care and other emergency services.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an emergency where every second counts, it can sometimes be very difficult to determine the exact address, whether it be a building number or a specific entrance.

As a result, a lot of time is spent locating the correct building. Sometimes the parking gate or the entrance through the main door is blocked, in this regard, emergency crews often lose "golden minutes" (critical minutes to save lives).

There has long been a need to provide solutions to the above and other problems of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of some embodiments of the invention, an emergency kit (10A) is provided, including a first device (38A), including: a telecommunication device, including a unique identification module (30A) for receiving (24) the status of the first device (38A) from another devices (26B) long-distance communication; and a first element (16A) including at least one element selected from the group consisting of visual, voice and transmitter, to be turned on as soon as the status becomes active, thereby the first fixture (38A) indicates the first location of the emergency event by setting status to active.

In some embodiments, the emergency kit (10A) further includes a second device (34A) including: a first short range transceiver (32B1) for receiving status from the first device (38A); and a second element (16B1) including at least one element selected from the group consisting of visual, voice and transmitter, to be turned on as soon as the status becomes active, thereby the second fixture (34A) indicates the second location of the emergency event, specified relative to the first location.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the set (10A) for emergency situations further includes at least a third device (34B), including: a second short-range transceiver (32B2) for receiving status from any of the devices (38A, 34A) and a third element (16B2 ) comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of visual, voice and transmitter, to be activated as soon as the status becomes active, thereby at least the third device (34B) indicates at least the third location of the emergency event, specified in relation to any of the locations.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the first device (38A) further includes: a third short-range transceiver (32A) for receiving status from the unique identification module (30A) for transmitting the status to other devices (34A).

According to some embodiments of the invention, the transmitter is configured to open (18) the gate.

According to one aspect of some embodiments of the invention, an emergency notification system is provided, including: a network communication device, including a caller application, configured to be opened when an emergency number is called on the network communication device, automatically activating at least one notification device about an emergency, facilitating the access of an emergency responder to the location of an emergency event.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the caller application is configured to activate at least one emergency notification device facilitating the access of the first responder to the location of the network communication device.

In some embodiments, the caller application is further configured to display, on the caller's network communication device, a menu of control options for a plurality of emergency notification devices.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the system further includes: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with the caller application to display on the first responder communication device a status indicator of a plurality of emergency notification devices.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the first responder application is further configured to display, on the first responder communication device, a menu of control options for a plurality of emergency notification devices.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the caller application is further configured to present a menu to confirm the location of the emergency event.

In some embodiments, the system further includes: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with the caller application to display an acknowledgment status indicator on the first responder communication device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the caller application is further configured to present a menu to confirm the location of the emergency event.

In some embodiments, the system further includes: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with the caller application to display an acknowledgment status indicator on the first responder communication device.

According to one aspect of some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method for coordinating emergency information, including the steps of: making a call to an emergency number on a network communication device; opening a caller application on the network communication device; control the emergency notification device with the caller application.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes the steps of: the device for notification of an emergency performs at least one of indicating the entrance to the building and opening the gate.

According to some embodiments of the invention, control is carried out over a public network.

In some embodiments, the control includes sending a command from the caller application over the public network to the emergency notification device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes the steps of: opening the first responder application on the first responder's network communication device; coordinating the first responder application with the caller application over the network; and indicate the status of the emergency notification device on the device of the first responder.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes the step of: controlling the device for notification of an emergency using the application of the first responder.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes the step of the caller application presenting a menu for confirming the location of the emergency event, and the first responder application, consistent with the caller application, displays an confirmation status indicator on the first responder communication device.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further includes the caller application sending the sensor output from the network communication device to the device of the first responder, and the first responder application displays the sensor output to the first responder.

According to one aspect of some embodiments of the invention, an emergency kit is provided, including

- a long-distance communication device, including a unique identification module; And

- visual/voice/transmitter to turn on as soon as the status becomes active,

thereby, the device indicates the first location of the emergency event, setting the active status.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used hereinafter have the same meaning as generally understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. While methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described below may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In the event of a conflict, the description of the patent, including the definitions, will take precedence. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, some embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an all-hardware implementation, an all-software implementation (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an implementation that combines software and hardware aspects that may generally referred to hereinafter as "circuit", "module" or "system". In addition, some embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable program code embodied thereon. The implementation of the method and/or system of some embodiments of the invention may include performing and/or performing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination of both. Moreover, according to the actual tooling and equipment of some embodiments of the method and/or system of the invention, some selected tasks may be implemented using hardware, software, or firmware and/or a combination thereof, for example, using an operating system.

For example, the hardware for performing selected tasks according to some embodiments of the invention may be implemented in the form of a chip or circuit. With respect to software, selected tasks according to some embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a plurality of software instructions executable by a computer using any suitable operating system. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tasks according to some exemplary method and/or system embodiments, which are described below, are performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform, to execute a plurality of instructions. Optionally, the data processor includes volatile memory for storing instructions and/or data and/or non-volatile storage such as a magnetic hard disk and/or removable media for storing instructions and/or data. Optionally, a network connection is also provided. A display and/or user input device such as a keyboard or mouse is also optionally provided.

Any combination of one or more computer readable media can be used for some embodiments of the invention. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of computer readable storage media would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk drive, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, read-only memory on a portable compact disc (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. As used herein, a computer readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or with an instruction executing system, device, or device.

The computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms including, but not limited to, electromagnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signaling medium can be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and that can transmit, distribute, or transport a program for use by or with an instruction executing system, device, or device.

The program code embodied on a computer readable medium and/or the data used therein may be transmitted using any suitable medium including, but not limited to, wireless, wire line, fiber optic cable, radio, and so on. or any suitable combination of the above.

The computer program code for performing operations for some embodiments of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages. , such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may run entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user's computer, and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer over any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (for example, over the Internet using an Internet Service Provider) .

Some embodiments of the present invention may be described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention.

It will be understood that each block of flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to manufacture a machine such that the instructions that are executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device create a means for performing the functions /actions defined in the block or blocks of flowcharts and/or block diagrams.

These computer program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable medium that can cause a computer, other programmable processing device, or other devices to function in a particular way such that the instructions stored on the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions that perform a function/action. defined in the block or blocks of flowcharts and/or block diagrams.

Computer program instructions may also be downloaded to a computer, other programmable processing device, or other devices to cause a sequence of operating steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable device, or other devices to produce a computer-executed process such that the instructions that are executed on the computer or another programmable device, provide processes for performing the functions/actions defined in the flowchart block or blocks and/or block diagrams.

Some of the methods described below are generally designed for computer use only and may not be feasible or practical to be performed solely by hand by a human expert. A human expert who wants to manually perform similar tasks can be expected to use completely different methods, such as using the expert knowledge and/or pattern recognition capabilities of the human brain, which would be much more efficient than manually performing the steps of the methods, described below.

The data and/or program code can be accessed and/or shared over a network, such as the Internet. For example, data can be shared and/or accessed using a social network. The processor may include remote processing capabilities, such as those available over a network (eg, the Internet). For example, resources can be accessed using cloud computing. The term "cloud computing" refers to the use of computing resources that are available remotely over a public network, such as the Internet, and which can be provided, for example, at a low cost and/or on an hourly basis. Any virtual or physical computer that is in electronic communication with such a public network may potentially be available as a computing resource. To secure computing resources using the cloud network in a secure manner, computers that access the cloud network can use standard encryption and security protocols such as SSL and PGP that are well known in the industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are described below solely by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is further emphasized, with specific reference to the detailed drawings, that the features are shown by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description in conjunction with the drawings makes it obvious to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

On the drawings:

On FIG. 1 depicts the first steps in using an emergency device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

On FIG. 2 shows a typical installation of a main fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

On FIG. 3 depicts additional steps for using an emergency kit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustration of an emergency notification method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a screenshot of a user emergency notification application according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a screenshot of a first responder emergency notification application according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of an emergency sign according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be clear from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, which are intended to be description and not limitation. For brevity, some well-known features are not described in detail.

Reference numerals are used to designate elements in the embodiments described and illustrated below in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. They are intended for illustration only and not as a limitation. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

Review

One aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to an emergency notification system. For example, the system may include a notification fixture. For example, the notification device may include a main device having network communication capability for remote control. For example, the notification device may include an accessory device configured to control the main device. The main fixture and/or accessory may include an entry sign and/or a gate opener for the building.

One aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to an application for coordinating information and/or controlling a notification device between an emergency caller and/or other people, such as a first responder and/or a dispatcher. The application may present a menu to the user to confirm the data and/or control the notification fixture. Optionally, data and/or control is coordinated between the first responder, caller, dispatcher, building manager, caretaker, and/or security personnel.

Specific Implementations

Before a detailed explanation of at least one embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

On FIG. 1 depicts the first steps in using an emergency device according to one embodiment of the invention.

An emergency set 10A according to one embodiment of the invention includes a main fixture 38A including a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 30A and a telecommunications device for receiving an emergency message 24 from the main control 22.

In the first step, the mobile phone 26A of the person reporting the event and requesting the ambulance service reports the identification of the main device 38A. The identification of the host 38A may correspond to the unique dialing number of its SIM card 30A, which is "123" in the example.

In some embodiments, the identification of one or more main appliances 40 is stored in the memory of the caller's communication device reporting the event. For example, the user's home device (eg, home telephone and/or personal computer) may automatically send the identification of the apartment associated fixture 38A when an emergency call is made on the home device. Alternatively or additionally, the user's cell phone may include a stored device identification number 38A that is automatically sent when an emergency call is made. Alternatively or additionally, the cell phone may check its current location and/or send an emergency notification identification of, for example, one or the other device appropriate for the current location.

In some embodiments, based on a signal received from the device, such as an identification number and/or signal strength, a suitable device is selected or activated to indicate the entry, in a second step, the main control 22 communicates (24) with the SIM card 30A and changes the status of the main device 10A to active. For example, the main fixture 38A can be identified.

On FIG. 2 shows a typical installation of the main fixture of FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the main fixture (eg, 38A, 38B, etc.) is stationary, eg, in a fixed location. For example, each fixture 38A, 38B may be located near a different physical location. Indications to the main fixture 38A, 38B can be transmitted to a first responder (eg, a first responder, ie paramedic) by a traffic navigation application such as WAYZ or Google Earth navigation.

The main fixture 38A preferably includes visual/voice/transmitter devices 16A to present them to the arriving ambulance 20 as soon as it becomes active. Optional fixture 38A and/or 38B indicates the entrance to the building. In some embodiments, the appropriate entry indicating device (eg, 38A and/or 38B) is activated at the appropriate time. For example, a device may be activated automatically at a fixed time after an emergency call. Alternatively or additionally, the device (38A, 38B) may be activated by a timer that is set based on the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) of the first responder. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be activated automatically and/or on command from the first responder when the first responder approaches the scene.

On FIG. 3 shows additional steps for using the emergency kit of FIG. 1.

The main tool 38A further includes a short range transceiver 32A that transmits as soon as the status of the emergency tool 10A becomes active.

The emergency kit 10A may further include one or more accessories 34A, 34B, etc., each including a short range transceiver 32A and visual/voice/transmitter devices 16A.

Accessories 34A, 34B etc. are identical to each other and are not unique as they do not have SIM cards. It is understood that accessories 34A, 34B, etc. are mobile to be positioned one after the other depending on the current event to accompany the search for the patient 40.

According to the example in FIG. 3, the auxiliary tool 34A is currently located near the main tool 38A; and accessory 34B near and after accessory 34A and near patient 40.

Main fixture 38A activates accessory 34A and accessory 34A activates accessory 34B.

According to one example, the user setting the event may purchase ten accessories 34A, 34B, etc. from a store without any unique identification, and place them one after the other between the main device 38A and the patient. The main tool 38A can flash in this case and can open the gate allowing access to the patient. The crew locates the main fixture 38A using a traffic navigation app. The crew then finds accessory 34A through main tool 38A, then finds accessory 34B through accessory 34A, and so on.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention relates to an emergency kit (10A) comprising a first accessory (38A) comprising:

- a telecommunications device including a unique identification module (30A) for receiving (24) the status of the first device (38A) from another telecommunications device (26B);

- visual/voice/transmitter (16A) to switch on as soon as the status becomes active,

thereby the first fixture (38A) indicates the first location of the emergency event, setting the active status.

The emergency kit (10A) may optionally include a second accessory (34A) including:

- the first short-range transceiver (32B1) for receiving the status from the first device (38A); And

- visual/voice/transmitter (16B1) to switch on as soon as the status becomes active,

thus, the second device (34A) indicates the second location of the emergency event, updated with respect to the first location, since it is closer to the patient 40.

The emergency kit (10A) may additionally include accessories (34B) for stacking, each including:

- a second short-range transceiver (32B2) for receiving status from any of the devices (38A, 34A); And

- visual/voice/transmitter (16B2) to be switched on as soon as the status becomes active,

thereby, the accessory (34B) indicates additional emergency event locations refined with respect to each other.

The first fixture (38A) may further include:

- a third short-range transceiver (32A) for receiving the status from the unique identification module (30A) for transmitting the status to other devices (34A).

The transmitting device can be configured to open (18) the gate.

In the figures and/or in the description below, the following reference numerals have been mentioned (list of reference numerals):

reference numerals 10A and 10B denote emergency kits according to one embodiment of the invention, each located at a different location to send a crew to a different location;

- reference numeral 12 denotes a presented address, preferably accessible to a traffic navigation application;

reference numeral 14 denotes a light source;

- each of the reference positions 16A, 16B1 and 16B2 denotes visual/voice/transmitting devices;

- reference numeral 18 denotes a gate opening that can be applied by transmission;

- reference position 22 denotes the main office;

- reference position 26A denotes the telephone number of the person reporting the event;

- reference position 20 denotes an ambulance team;

- reference numeral 26B denotes a telecommunications device such as a central office telephone 22;

- reference numeral 30A denotes a unique identification module such as a SIM card;

- reference numerals 32A, 32B1 and 32B2 denote short range transceivers;

- reference positions 34A, 34B, etc. designate accessories of kits 10A, 10B for emergency situations, etc.;

- reference numbers 38A, 38B, etc. indicate the main accessories of kits 10A, 10B for emergency situations, etc. respectively;

- reference position 40 denotes a patient;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustration of an emergency notification method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the emergency notification application is automatically activated when the caller contacts 102 with the emergency services. For example, emergency contact 102 may include calling an emergency number, such as 911, on a smartphone. Optionally, the contact 102 may cause the application to open 104 on the smartphone. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency notification application may be opened 104 on the computing device of the emergency dispatcher, for example, when he receives a call. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency notification application may be opened 104 on the computing device of the first responder, for example, when he is responding to a call. Alternatively or additionally, the user may contact emergency services 102 by directly opening 104 the emergency notification application. For example, the application may be opened 104 along with a call to an emergency number and/or instead of a call to an emergency number. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency application may be opened in response to the alarm system. For example, when a fire alarm goes off in a building, an emergency application can be automatically activated 102 on the occupant's cell phone. Alternatively, or additionally, when a building fire alarm goes off, the emergency application can be automatically activated 102 on the manager's computing device. Optionally, the computing device and/or cell phone may check the current location 106 and/or open 104 the appropriate version of the application depending on the phone's current location (if the phone is a short distance from the building, an emergency evacuation application may be opened 104 and/or when the phone located at a great distance from the building, the remote response application can be opened).

In some embodiments, the emergency notification application may check 106 the current location of the communication device. For example, the device may include a stored home appliance identification number for notification. Prior to activating 108 the home appliance and/or sending the identification number of the home appliance to the emergency dispatcher, the application may check 106 the current location of the communication device. If the location is within the home (eg, within 10m and/or within 50m and/or within 100m), then the home appliance can be activated 108 and/or identified. If the current location is outside this range, then the home appliance may not be identified and/or activated 108. Alternatively or additionally, the user's smartphone may include multiple device numbers for notification (e.g., the number of the user's home appliance, his mother's home, his work, and etc.), the smartphone can automatically identify and/or activate 108 the appropriate notification attachment based on the current location of the calling device. For example, when a user makes an emergency call within their apartment, the smartphone may identify and/or activate 108 home appliances to notify the user. If the current location is within the mother's apartment, the smartphone may identify and/or activate 108 the mother's notification device. Alternatively or additionally, the application may prompt the user and/or allow the user to override the automatic identification and/or activation 108 of the device. Alternatively or additionally, the user may manually identify and/or activate 108 the emergency notification fixture for the application and/or the emergency dispatcher. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency dispatcher may identify and/or activate the notification device based on the caller's telephone number and/or other information. For example, the dispatcher may have access to a database that associates notification device identification numbers with a caller-specified address and/or current locations of his communication device and/or caller number. Alternatively or additionally, the emergency notification device may include a local transmitter that broadcasts a beacon signal that is received by the caller's communication device.

In some embodiments, the beacon signal includes an identification number. Optionally, the communication device includes an application (eg, which automatically opens when an emergency call is made). Optionally, the application searches for signals of a suitable notification device and/or identifies the nearest notification device and/or sends the device identification to the dispatcher and/or activates 108 the device. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a plurality of beacons that are received by the user's communication device, optionally the communication device will identify the correct device based on the available signals and/or their respective signal strengths.

In some embodiments, the emergency notification application may display 110 a user menu. For example, when a user makes a call to an emergency number, a menu may pop up (and/or be audio and/or otherwise transmitted). For example, the menu may display an automatic device activation pattern and/or allow the user to disable default actions and/or allow the user to activate the device to perform an action. For example, the application may allow the user to activate and/or deactivate various notification devices and/or open and/or close doors, etc. In some embodiments, menu options may be customized based on location, stored data, and/or time.

In some embodiments, an emergency notification application may be used to control various notification appliances. For example, a notification application may activate a notification indicator that signals the entrance to a building that will lead to an apartment where an emergency occurs. For example, a notification application can activate a device that opens doors, allowing access for first responders. Optionally, when an emergency call is made, the notification application may be opened 112 on a plurality of computing devices. Optionally, control over different notification fixtures will be shared. In some implementations, security guards, emergency personnel caring for a casualty, other significant people, and/or people with local responsibilities (e.g., a building manager) will be informed and/or given control over notification devices. For example, when an elderly building resident calls 911, the app will open on her smartphone, her daughter's smartphone, the emergency dispatcher's computing device, the caller's attending physician's device, the building's security agency's computing device, the building manager's computing device, the computing device of the caller's neighbor and/or at the network control center of the notification facility. Optionally, when the first responder responds to the call, the application may open on her computing device. For example, each of the above users of the system may be given personalized information and/or control 114 over various notification devices (eg, opening doors, indicating entrances, etc.). Optionally, the application will inform users which notification fixtures are relevant to the call and/or which were activated and/or which were not activated and/or what triggered the activation (e.g. whether the fixture was activated automatically and/or which user activated the fixture) . Optionally, some users may be given access to data from local sensors (eg, security cameras, smoke alarms) and/or may be presented with a map of the building where the event occurs. For example, each user may be provided with personalized information about significant objects such as sensors, the communication device that made the call, fire doors, sprinklers, fans and/or their location and/or control, which may be provided by the application. Other information may also be provided. For example, the first responder may be alerted that a guard dog is nearby and/or that the caller and/or neighbor have a serious illness. Other controls may also be offered, such as over lights, power supply, etc. around the emergency area.

Fig. 5 is a screenshot of a user emergency notification application according to an embodiment of the present invention. When an emergency is detected (eg, an emergency call is made and/or an alarm is triggered), the application may open on the computing device 500, providing information and/or control over the situation. For example, in FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary display of an application on a communications device 500 (eg, smartphone) that was used to make an emergency call. The application may coordinate the exchange of information and/or control of emergency notification devices and/or other equipment at the scene.

In some implementations, the application may activate various parts of the communications device 500 and/or place parts of the device 500 under local and/or remote control. For example, camera 520 of device 500 may be used to send images of the user and/or the environment to an emergency dispatcher. Optionally, device sensors can be used to confirm the identity of the caller. For example, a microphone may be used for voice recognition and/or a camera may be used for face recognition and/or a fingerprint reader may be used to confirm the identity of the caller (eg, to avoid false calls). Optionally, the indicator light 521 of the device 500 will be activated and/or flash to enable first responders to more easily locate the victim. Optionally, speaker 522 of device 500 will be placed under the control of a dispatcher and/or control center. Optionally, speaker 522 may be used to convey instructions to the victim and/or caller who is attempting to provide assistance. Alternatively or additionally, speaker 522 may be used as an alarm to assist emergency personnel in finding and/or identifying a casualty. Optionally, wireless port 524 (e.g., Bluetooth, IR, etc.) will be used by the application, for example, to communicate directly with an emergency notification device (e.g., to activate an entrance indication device and/or a door opener) . Alternatively or additionally, the local wireless port may be used to receive data and/or location information from the device for emergency notification (eg, device identification). Alternatively or additionally, a location sensor (eg, a GPS sensor and/or an accelerometer) may be used to determine the location of communication device 500 and/or its movements.

In some implementations, the emergency notification application will present information about the emergency to the user. For example, the application may receive updates from the Internet of first responders and/or their locations and/or present this information and/or expected time of arrival 526 (ETA) to the user. For example, an application may track the location of 528 first responders and/or a caller. Optionally, the application will provide a menu of locations 530 where the caller has frequently been and/or where people associated with the caller live. Thus, if an emergency occurs at one of these locations, the user can quickly provide the exact location to first responders. Alternatively or additionally, menu 532 may open a list of locations where the caller has control of emergency notification devices. For example, menu 532 may be used by a caller to activate and/or deactivate an emergency notification and/or other features.

In some embodiments, a list of people who may have been contacted and/or may have been informed of the emergency is provided. For example, the user can contact these people. Optionally, selecting a person in the list causes the emergency notification to open on the device of one of the contacts, providing him with information and/or control over devices near the emergency. Alternatively or additionally, a text (eg, SMS message, social network message and/or email) and/or audio message and/or image will be sent.

In some embodiments, the microphone 536 of the communication device 500 may be used to communicate with emergency personnel and/or medical personnel and/or monitoring personnel.

Fig. 6 is a screenshot of a first responder emergency notification application according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the application may also be opened on the computing device 600 of emergency personnel. The app can be coordinated with apps on other devices. For example, the first responder may be provided with information about the caller and/or the event and/or conditions near the event. Alternatively or additionally, the first responder may be given control over the conditions in the vicinity of the event. Alternatively or additionally, the application may serve to communicate between first responders, people at the event, other involved persons and/or dispatchers. In some embodiments, device 600 and/or an application on it may be used by an emergency caregiver and/or a building manager and/or an emergency dispatcher and/or a call center supervising the application. for an emergency situation, and/or the security organization responsible for security in a place where there are automatic door openers.

In some implementations, the device 600 displays the type of communication that initiated the emergency call. Optionally, the location 528 from which the call was made is displayed. In some implementations, the computed location 630 of the event is displayed. Optionally, along with the estimated location, some implementations display alternate locations 630 and/or an indicator 631 of how reliable the location identification is. For example, the application may display whether the caller has confirmed the location, for example, by selecting and/or checking the location in an application running on their device. In some implementations, a list 632 of emergency notification devices is displayed. Optionally, along with a list of fixtures, it can be displayed who activated which fixture.

In some implementations, additional information may be made available through device 600. For example, a map 636 may be displayed. For example, map 636 may include directions to a building with an emergency event and/or directions to the correct entrance to a building and/or directions inside a building to a location events. Alternatively or additionally, an image 638 and/or video from a security camera in the vicinity of the event and/or from another application user's phone camera (eg, camera 520 of a caller reporting an emergency) may be shown.

In some implementations, the device of the first responder may include a microphone 636, an indicator light 621, a speaker 622, a camera 620, and/or a wireless communication device 624. For example, wireless communication device 624 may be used to communicate with an emergency notification device (eg, to obtain information and/or to activate and/or deactivate). For example, camera 620 and/or microphone 636 may be used to keep the dispatcher aware of what is happening at the scene of an emergency.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the caller 754 who reports the emergency has an application on their computing device that coordinates information and control between various devices and/or participants. For example, the system can be controlled by an observer 751. Optionally, embedded applications are opened on the devices of one or more callers 754, another person (for example, a family member caring for the victim), an emergency responder 772 (for example, EMT), employees 757 of a building or area emergency and/or security personnel 748 (eg, police, security guard, private security officer). Optionally, the first responder and/or dispatcher will be notified of possible significant conditions at or near the location where the emergency occurs. For example, in the event of a fire, first responders may be alerted that a resident of a particular apartment in a building has a dangerous and/or explosive item (such as an oxygen tank) and/or that a resident of a particular apartment has a respiratory disease (such as asthma, emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer) and may be highly susceptible to suffocation due to smoke and/or disability requiring special assistance during evacuation. The message to first responders may provide a list of emergency equipment available in the vicinity and/or illnesses of people potentially involved in the emergency.

In some implementations, a common application may transfer control to a group of individuals over different devices. Optionally, the system may control one or more emergency notification devices. For example, there may be one or more master fixtures 758 that are configured to be controlled over a network 753 and/or from a long distance. For example, network 753 may include a public network such as the Internet. For example, there may be one or more auxiliary devices 755 that are controlled by the main device 758 and/or locally using a wireless connection (for example, the caller 754 can control one or more devices in the building of his home and/or security organization 759). For example, main fixture 758 may include an entry indicator and/or door opener and/or accessory 758 may include an entry indicator and/or door opener. Optionally, other appliances 756 may be controlled and/or coordinated. For example, other appliances may include building parts of the building's electrical system and/or sprinkler system and/or speaker system and/or valve, such as a gas valve and/or water valve. Optionally, the building alarm 770 may also be integrated into the system. In some implementations, the main fixture 758 can control the personal devices of a building occupant. For example, a resident with a heart condition may pair their electronic door lock with a 758 master fixture. For example, when a first responder responds to a call to a resident's address, they may be provided with a link to unlock the door to the apartment. Various "small" appliances may be available to emergency personnel, such as a stove and/or indoor lights and/or outdoor lights and/or climate control system.

In some embodiments, one main fixture 758 may include a large number of auxiliary fixtures 755 in the same building and/or in other buildings. Optionally, the user may have access to one or the other of the main fixtures and/or accessories individually or together.

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of an emergency sign 800 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the sign may include an emergency symbol, such as a flashing patch of light 816. Optionally, the lights will flash in a color and/or pattern that will inform emergency personnel what type of emergency is occurring (e.g., rapidly flashing red). for a medical emergency, flashing blue for a police call, slow flashing red for a fire, etc.). Optionally, the emergency sign 800 may include a large, clear address indicator 812. Optionally, the address indicator 812 will be obvious and easy to read day or night (for example, it may include an LED that is visible at night and/or shaded, and/or it may include an LCD that is obvious during the day, and/or the LED may be strong enough to be clearly visible during the day). Optionally, the character 800 may include a message area 882. For example, the message area can be used for local non-emergency information (eg announcements from local authorities). In some implementations, the message area may be used for emergency information (e.g., in the event of an earthquake, a sign may provide information on where to seek shelter, and/or in the event of an air raid, the message area may provide instructions during an air raid to reach a protected parts of the building). Message 882 may provide information to emergency personnel (eg, where a building emergency kit is located and/or what type of equipment is available). In some embodiments, the voice message may also be broadcast over a loudspeaker.

In some embodiments, the sign may be implemented entirely as a single unit (e.g., an LED electronic display includes a message and/or an image of a flashing light) and/or it may include separate parts (for example, such as an LED electronic display message area and/or separate flashing light signaling, etc.) ). Optionally, sign 800 may be angled to be visible when a vehicle approaches the house from a main street, and/or sign 800 may be shaped to be visible from multiple directions.

The foregoing description and illustrations of embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purpose of illustration and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any way.

Any term that has been defined above and is used in the claims is to be interpreted in accordance with that definition.

Reference positions in the claims are not part of the claims, but are instead used to facilitate reading them. These reference positions are not to be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

It is anticipated that many relevant technologies will be developed during the life of the patent based on this application, and the scope of the terms is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

In this application, the term "about" refers to ± 10%.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their related words mean "including, but not limited to".

The term "consisting of" means "including and limited thereto".

The term "consisting essentially of" means that the composition, method or structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, but only if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not significantly change the main and new characteristics of the claimed composition, method or structure .

In this application, the singular form includes references to the plural, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "compound" or "at least one compound" may include a group of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

In this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, a description of a range should be construed as specifically disclosing all possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, a description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered as specifically disclosing 5 subranges such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the width of the range.

Whenever a numeric range is specified here, it means that it includes any number mentioned (fractional or integer) within the specified range. The phrases "being/is in the range between" the first specified number and the second specified number and "being/is in the range from" the first specified number "to" the second specified number are used interchangeably herein and mean the inclusion of the first and second specified numbers and all fractional and integers in between.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are described in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which for brevity are described in the context of one embodiment, may also be provided individually or in any suitable subcombination or as appropriate in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various implementations should not be considered essential features of those implementations, unless the implementation does not work without those elements.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is obvious that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated by reference herein. In addition, the citation or identification of any reference in this application should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art for the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims (31)

1. An emergency notification system, comprising: a network communication device including a caller application configured to opening when an emergency number is called on the specified network communication device, automatically activating at least one emergency notification device facilitating the access of the first responder to the location of the emergency event. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said caller application is configured to activate said at least one emergency notification device facilitating said first responder access to the location of the network communications device. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said caller application is further configured to display, on said network communication device, a menu of control options for a plurality of said emergency notification devices. 4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with said caller application to display on said first responder communication device a status indicator of said plurality of said emergency notification devices. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said first responder application is further configured to display, on said first responder communications device, a menu of control options for a plurality of said emergency notification devices. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein said caller application is further configured to present a menu for confirming the location of the emergency event. 7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with said caller application to display, on said first responder communication device, a status indicator of said confirmation. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said caller application is further configured to present a menu for confirming the location of an emergency event. 9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising: a first responder communication device configured to open a first responder application coordinated with said caller application to display, on said first responder communication device, a status indicator of said confirmation. 10. A method for coordinating information about an emergency, including the steps at which: make a call to an emergency number on the network communication device; opening a caller application on said network communication device; control the device for notification of an emergency using the specified application of the caller. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of: said emergency notification device performs at least one of indicating the entrance to the building and opening the gate. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said control is carried out over a public network. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said control includes sending a command from said caller application over a public network to said emergency notification device. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: opening a first responder application on the first responder communication device; coordinating said first responder application with said caller application over the network, and indicate the status of said emergency notification device on said first responder communications device. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: operating the emergency notification device with said first responder application. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising said caller application presenting a menu for confirming the location of an emergency event, and said first responder application, coordinated with said caller application, displaying a status indicator on said first responder communications device the specified confirmation. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: said caller application sends sensor output from said network communication device to said first responder communication device, and said first responder application displays said sensor output to said first responder. emergency response.

Images