IP Library Granted Patent US 11,388,574
Granted Patent B2
US 11,388,574 · App. 16/269,388 · Granted Jul 12, 2022

Methods and apparatus for providing access to emergency service providers

Inventor: Hing-Tack Chen (Fresh Meadows, NY)
Assignee: TBD SAFETY, LLC
H04W4/90H04M1/675H04M1/72412H04M1/72418H04M1/72457H04M1/2745
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,388,574
App. No.
16/269,388
Granted
Jul 12, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus of communication via a hand held device that includes receiving an indication at the device to initiate an emergency call via a wireless network; determining whether the device is configured with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, wherein the SIM card includes a plurality of numbers; and sequentially calling the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the determination that the device is configured with the SIM card. Further, the method and apparatus include detecting an emergency indication; connecting to a wireless network; and establishing a communication with one or more emergency service providers based at least in part on detecting the emergency indication, wherein the communication is established via the wireless network.

Claims (62)

1. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving an indication at a wireless device to initiate an emergency call, wherein receiving includes determining whether a panic button on the wireless device is depressed for at least a threshold period of time;

executing an emergency services software component comprising software instructions stored on a non-removable memory on said wireless device to perform the substeps of,

determining that the wireless device has a removable memory installed, initiating a call by automatically dialing a number stored on the removable memory, and determining that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable, and

automatically dialing 911 based on said determination that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable, and completing a connection to an emergency service provider via said cellular network;

outputting a visual indicator confirming connection to said emergency service provider;

determining a current location of said wireless device from one or both of a global positioning system or triangulation from said cellular network.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of automatically dialing a number stored on the removable memory comprises dialing a predetermined plurality of numbers stored on a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

3. A method of communication, comprising:

receiving an indication at a device to initiate an emergency call via a wireless network, wherein receiving further includes determining whether a panic button is depressed for at least a threshold period of time;

executing an emergency services software component comprising software instructions stored on a non-removable memory on said wireless device to perform the substeps of,

determining that the wireless device has a removable memory installed, automatically dialing a number stored on the removable memory, determining that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable, outputting a visual indicator corresponding to a connection status to the number stored on the removable memory,

automatically dialing 911 based on said determination that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable and completing a connection to an emergency service provider via the wireless network based at least in part on receiving the emergency indication;

determining a current location of said wireless device from one or both of a global positioning system or triangulation from said wireless network.

4. The method of communication of claim 3 , wherein said step of determining that the wireless device has a removable memory installed further comprises:

determining whether the device is configured with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card;

determining if the SIM card includes a plurality of numbers

initiating sequential calling of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the determination that the device is configured with the SIM card.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said step of initiating sequential calling of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the determination that the device is configured with the SIM card further comprises:

calling a first number of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card;

determining whether the first number is unavailable;

calling a second number of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card based on the

determination that the first number is unavailable; and

determining whether the second number is unavailable, wherein the device is configured to sequentially call each of the remaining numbers of the plurality of numbers based on the determination that a previously called number is unavailable.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

determining that all of the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card are unavailable, and initiating said call to said emergency service provider.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

resetting an order of sequentially calling the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card.

8. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a removable memory;

a non-removable memory storing executable instructions; and

a processor in communication with the removable memory and the non-removable memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:

detect an emergency indication, wherein the processor configured to detect the emergency indication is further configured to determine whether a panic button is depressed for at least a threshold period of time, wherein depressing the panic button for at least the threshold period of time causes the processor to either power on or off the apparatus or detect the emergency indication;

determine that the removable memory is installed;

connect to a wireless network;

output a visual indicator corresponding to connection status to said wireless network;

automatically dial a number stored on the removable memory and determine that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable;

automatically dial 911 based on said determination that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable and establish a call to an emergency service provider via said wireless network.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein determining that the removable memory is installed further comprises:

determining whether the device is configured with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card; and

determining if the SIM card includes a plurality of numbers.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein automatically dialing said number stored on the removable memory comprises initiating sequential calling of a plurality of numbers stored on a SIM card.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to initiate a call of an emergency service provider after calling all the plurality of numbers stored on the SIM card.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein initiating a communication with a remote device includes:

initiating a communication with a third party, at a remote location, via the wireless network.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein initiating a communication with an emergency service provider comprises:

initiating a 911 call.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the remote device comprises a server.

15. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to:

determine if a preferred predetermined plurality of numbers, have been stored on the apparatus;

initiate a predetermined sequential calling of the plurality of numbers; and

reset an order of numbers to be sequentially called of the plurality of numbers stored on the apparatus when the apparatus is turned off, wherein resetting the order includes configuring the apparatus to dial a first number of the plurality of numbers first.

16. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

a memory storing executable instructions; and

a processor in communication with the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:

receive an indication to initiate an emergency call, wherein receiving includes determining whether a panic button on the apparatus is depressed for at least a threshold period of time, wherein depressing the panic button for at least the threshold period of time causes the apparatus to either power on or off or detect the emergency indication;

determining that a removable memory is installed in the apparatus;

automatically dial a predetermined plurality of numbers are stored on the removable memory;

determining that all of the plurality of predetermined plurality of numbers stored on the removable memory are unavailable;

automatically dialing 911 based on said determination that said number stored on the removable memory is unavailable; and

establishing a call with an emergency service provider.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the removable memory comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: CHEN, HAING-TACK
To: HTC MARKETING CORP.
Reel/Frame 049593/0856 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: HTC MARKETING CORP.
To: 911 HELP NOW, LLC
Reel/Frame 049597/0439 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: 911 HELP NOW LLC
To: TCBM HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 049600/0708 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: TCBM HOLDINGS, LLC
To: 911 HELP NOW, LLC
Reel/Frame 049600/0930 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2019
From: 911 HELP NOW, LLC
To: TBD SAFETY, LLC
Reel/Frame 049601/0227 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 16034081 · Jul 12, 2018
Continuation 15608252 · May 30, 2017
Continuation 15148779 · May 6, 2016
Division 14563366 · Dec 8, 2014
Provisional Application 61913107 · Dec 6, 2013
Related Publication 20190174291A1 · Jun 6, 2019