Automatic Dialing Patents (Class 379/40)
  • Patent number: 11447096
    Abstract: A vehicle door locking and unlocking vehicle-mounted device is provided to lock and unlock a vehicle door for car rental and carsharing. The vehicle-mounted device can lock and unlock a vehicle door without using an ECU on the vehicle or CAN. The vehicle door locking and unlocking vehicle-mounted device includes communication means for receiving a lock command or an unlock command from a user terminal directly or through a server and at least one internal relay connected to wiring between a door key switch and a door lock actuator of the vehicle. The internal relay controls at least one external relay to drive the door lock actuator to lock or unlock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBAL MOBILITY SERVICE INC.
    Inventors: Hiraku Toyooka, Keita Danjyo, Katsuyoshi Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 10901680
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wirelessly recording multi-track audio files. In some aspects, each performer is equipped with a local audio device capable of locally recording the respective performer's audio while also transmitting it to a master recorder. Functions of the local audio device may be adjusted remotely. The locally recorded audio may be used to repair or replace any audio lost or corrupted during transmission to the master recorder. Such repair or replacement may be performed electronically or via playback of the locally recorded audio. In other aspects, a master recorder is not required since all locally recorded audio may be combined or otherwise processed post-recording. Locally recorded audio may include identifiers to aid in post-recording identification of such audio. A multi-memory unit is provided to facilitate manipulation and processing of audio files. A method for automatically adjusting local audio device power mode based upon recorder status is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ZAXCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn Norman Sanders, Howard Glenn Stark
  • Patent number: 10860282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wirelessly recording multi-track audio files. In some aspects, each performer is equipped with a local audio device capable of locally recording the respective performer's audio while also transmitting it to a master recorder. Functions of the local audio device may be adjusted remotely. The locally recorded audio may be used to repair or replace any audio lost or corrupted during transmission to the master recorder. Such repair or replacement may be performed electronically or via playback of the locally recorded audio. In other aspects, a master recorder is not required since all locally recorded audio may be combined or otherwise processed post-recording. Locally recorded audio may include identifiers to aid in post-recording identification of such audio. A multi-memory unit is provided to facilitate manipulation and processing of audio files. A method for automatically adjusting local audio device power mode based upon recorder status is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ZAXCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn Norman Sanders, Howard Glenn Stark
  • Patent number: 10540873
    Abstract: Examples are directed towards providing a set of hub devices for providing per-room monitoring of an area associated with a structure. A set of hub devices monitors movements of a user through the monitored area to generate user traffic data. A dynamic map of the monitored area is generated based on the user traffic data. The set of hub devices detects sounds occurring within the monitored area. The detected sounds are identified. Some of the detected sounds are amplified and replayed on speaker(s) within the monitored area. Notifications of some detected sounds are provided to user device(s) to notify at least one user of the occurrence of the detected sounds. If a detected sound indicates a safety issue, a safe route leading from a current location of the user to a different potentially safer location is generated and provided to the user to facilitate an evacuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Benjamin Phillips
  • Patent number: 10257338
    Abstract: Provided is a telephone apparatus including a wireless communicator that performs wireless communication of data with a music reproducing device, a controller that remotely controls the music reproducing device through the wireless communicator, a speaker, a sound processor that reproduces sound data from the music reproducing device and outputs the sound data to the speaker, and a call controller that detects outgoing or incoming of a call through a telephone line and restricts output of sound data from the music reproducing device in a case where the incoming or outgoing of a call is detected while the sound data is output as a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Fukuda, Hideyuki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 10129390
    Abstract: The invention allows utilizing Caller Line Identification (CLI) feature in receiving test emergency calls from any kind of elevator emergency telephones. A call attempt including CLI information from an elevator emergency telephone is received at an elevator emergency call receiver unit. The CLI information is detected. Then, one of the following is performed: a) disconnecting the call attempt to complete the test call processing; b) in response to detecting the call attempt being released by the elevator emergency telephone within a predetermined time period, determining that the test call processing is completed; and c) in response to detecting the call attempt not being released by the elevator emergency telephone within the predetermined time period, answering the incoming call to enable the elevator emergency telephone to continue the test call processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Tommi Huotari
  • Patent number: 10122478
    Abstract: Methods and devices suitable for monitoring the frequency of microwave tunable filters in real time. The frequency readout relies on the natural response of such a filter when excited by a pulse. Methods of measuring an operating frequency of a pole in a tunable filter include measuring a number of cycles in a natural response in the filter when the filter is excited by an electric current pulse, and determining a resonance frequency based on the number of cycles measured in the natural response. Such a method can provide the operating frequency information in a binary digital format, making it relatively easy to read and process. A measuring resonator may be mounted to the filter resonator and connected by a common actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Mohammad Abu Khater, Dimitrios Peroulis
  • Patent number: 9860388
    Abstract: Techniques for a central monitoring station (CMS) of a monitoring system to establish communications with a remote alarm panel more quickly and efficiently are provided. A signal from a remote alarm panel can be received by the CMS. The CMS can identify the remote alarm panel based on information related to the received signal. The CMS can determine if the remote alarm panel is known or unknown based on any prior interaction with the remote alarm panel. The CMS can store information regarding known remote alarm panels from prior interactions. Handshake signals and data formatting information determined from prior interactions with the known remote alarm panel can be stored and used on subsequent calls. Additional operational information related to the remote alarm panel can also be updated after each call to further customize future interactions with the remote alarm panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TYCO SAFETY PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Derek C. Smith, Stephane Foisy
  • Patent number: 9704366
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that embodies a method including a panic alert mobile application of a security system that protects a secured geographic area executing on a portable electronic device of an authorized user, the panic alert mobile application retrieving a predetermined word sequence associated with the authorized user, the panic alert mobile application continuously monitoring spoken words of the authorized user, the panic alert mobile application detecting the predetermined word sequence in the spoken words of the authorized user and the panic alert mobile application reporting a panic alert to a central monitoring station of the security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ravikumar Vemagal Aswath, Vinay Hegde, Deepak Sundar Meganathan
  • Patent number: 9462125
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for generating a profile for public safety answering platforms. The profile identifies media formats supported by the PSAPs at various cell sector locations maintained by a network provider. A network server selects a cell sector and generates a test emergency services call. The test emergency services call is transmitted to a PSAP. The PSAP generates a response that indicates whether the PSAP supports a media format identified in the test emergency services call. The PSAP transmits the response to the network server for storage in the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Gregory Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9432495
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products describe hands-free operation of automotive features. A user defines a command prefix that is recognized as preceding one or more voice commands. When the user speaks the command prefix, a processor identifies the spoken command prefix and treats a next spoken word as one of the voice commands. The voice command may then be executed for control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventor: Darryl Cynthia Moore
  • Patent number: 9386281
    Abstract: Image surveillance and reporting technology, in which an event that is indicative of potential physical activity within an area corresponding to a location of a camera unit is detected. In response to detection of the event, the camera unit is controlled to capture one or more images of the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images captured by the camera unit are analyzed to determine whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit. The one or more images are handled based on the determination of whether the one or more images include image data that is indicative of relevant physical activity within the area corresponding to the location of the camera unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Alarm.com Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Scott Trundle, Robert J. McCarthy, Jr., Jean-Paul Martin, Alison Jane Slavin, David Hutz
  • Patent number: 9275539
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an emergency alert service in a portable terminal and for generating an alarm for the emergency alert service are provided. The method includes detecting, by a controller, an SOS execution signal while the portable terminal is being operated in a certain mode, identifying, by the controller, a current operating mode of the portable terminal in response to the SOS execution signal, outputting a control signal according to the identified operating mode to a source audio signal processor, and outputting, by the source audio signal processor, a source audio signal according to an input port receiving the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Gu Kim, Sang Hoon Kim, Dong Sub Kim, Yong Chul Yoon
  • Patent number: 9277388
    Abstract: A wireless communication device in a wireless communication network system that includes a plurality of wireless communication devices, the inside of the system being divided into zones each having a predetermined geographic area, includes a processing unit that, upon receiving a disaster warning message including predicted position information on an occurrence source of a disaster and disaster-influencing information indicating an area to be influenced by the disaster, calculates a disaster-stricken zone including the occurrence source based on the predicted position information, and an affected zone to be influenced by the disaster based on the disaster-influencing information, and performs any one of a process to transfer data that the own device has and a process to change a transfer route from the own device to a destination device, according to the relationship between a zone in which the own device is positioned, and the disaster-stricken zone and the affected zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Kiyomi Hasesaka
  • Patent number: 9241075
    Abstract: An alarm system that monitors and selectively handles incoming telephone calls at a premises in disclosed. The alarm system includes, a telephone network interface, for receiving a subscriber line from a telephone network that further includes a caller-ID decoder for decoding caller-ID information for telephone calls received on said subscriber line; and a switch for selectively interconnecting said subscriber line to a telephone feed at the premises. A processor is in communication with the caller-ID decoder and the switch to selectively interconnect calls from the subscriber line to the telephone feed at the premises, based on associated caller-ID information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO SAFETY PRODUCTS CANADA LTD.
    Inventor: Dwayne Arthur Bell
  • Patent number: 9212952
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits. More particularly, the present invention provides a circuit and method for sensing a voltage and/or temperature from an integrated circuit device such as a Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) integrated circuit device. But it will be recognized that the technique can be used for monitoring other system on chip devices, such as micro-controllers, digital signal processors, microprocessors, networking devices, application specific integrated circuits, and other integrated circuit devices that may desire on-chip temperature and/or voltage sensing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karthik S. Gopalakrishnan, Sadettin Cirit
  • Patent number: 9094636
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wirelessly recording multi-track audio files. In some aspects, each performer is equipped with a local audio device capable of locally recording the respective performer's audio while also transmitting it to a master recorder. Functions of the local audio device may be adjusted remotely. The locally recorded audio may be used to repair or replace any audio lost or corrupted during transmission to the master recorder. Such repair or replacement may be performed electronically or via playback of the locally recorded audio. In other aspects, a master recorder is not required since all locally recorded audio may be combined or otherwise processed post-recording. Locally recorded audio may include identifiers to aid in post-recording identification of such audio. A multi-memory unit is provided to facilitate manipulation and processing of audio files. A method for automatically adjusting local audio device power mode based upon recorder status is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Zaxcom, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Norman Sanders, Howard Glenn Stark
  • Patent number: 9061249
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction method includes feeding pressurized air into an air separation module containing a carbon membrane, the air feed exhibiting a normal pressure of no more than 55 psig and the carbon membrane containing at least 95 weight percent carbon. The method includes producing nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed. An aircraft fuel tank flammability reduction system includes a source for pressurized air, an air separation module configured to receive air feed from the pressurized air source, and a carbon membrane containing at least 95 weight percent carbon. The carbon membrane is configured to permeate oxygen from the air feed through the carbon membrane at a temperature of at least 120° C. (248° F.) and to produce nitrogen-enriched air from the air separation module as a result of removing oxygen from the air feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Barbara J. Evosevich, Ivana Jojic
  • Patent number: 8948348
    Abstract: A method is provided for testing an elevator emergency phone, which emergency phone is either VoIP compliant and connected to a WAN or is connected with a mobile connection module for operation in a mobile network. In the method, the phone is periodically initiated to be registered in the corresponding communication network. The registration attempt is monitored by a reporting device. The status data of the registration attempt is communicated by the reporting device to a monitoring center, which itself is connected to the communication network, which monitoring center takes necessary action when either a registration attempt is not being executed within a set time period or if the result of at least one registration attempt has been communicated as failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Hannu Rytilä, Juha-Pekka Hienonen, Tommi Huotari
  • Patent number: 8933803
    Abstract: An alarm system includes one or more audio stations, and an audio station network interface. The audio stations communicate wirelessly with the audio station network interface. The audio station network interface communicates with a monitoring center over a cellular network, to allow audio monitoring of the premises at the audio stations. The audio station network interface may be called by the monitoring center. Calls may optionally be placed by it in response to user interaction with one of the audio stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Safety Products Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Raman Kumar Sharma, Francisco Bogarin
  • Patent number: 8908842
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and associated method for communicating information. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a general purpose transceiver having a receiver for receiving an information signal and a transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing signal to a central station. A portion of the information signal can include an instruction code, which may be decoded and acted upon accordingly. Other embodiments and features are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: SIPCO, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Petite
  • Patent number: 8896436
    Abstract: A method for providing notification of an alarm event to a plurality of individuals and communication therebetween having steps that include: receiving an alarm event signal from an alarm system indicating an alarm event; determining a customer associated with the alarm event; determine a plurality of individuals that are to be contacted based upon the customer that has been determined as being associated with the alarm event; selecting a transmission vector having a corresponding transmission identifier; correspondingly associating the selected transmission identifier with the alarm event; sending an alarm event notification to each of the plurality of individuals utilizing the selected transmission vector; and receiving a response to the notification and automatically associating the same; directing each of the plurality of individuals into a virtual chat room corresponding to the alarm event; and facilitating communication between the individuals within the virtual chat room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Livewatch Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bradford Morehead
  • Patent number: 8878889
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (WCD) that is configured to originate and receive push-to-talk (PTT) calls may be identified by a standard identifier in standard PTT calls and may be identified by an emergency identifier in emergency PTT calls. The WCD may be configured to recognize an emergency trigger and, in response to the emergency trigger, originate an outgoing emergency PTT call, using the emergency identifier. If, while engaged in a standard PTT call, the WCD receives an incoming emergency PTT call that includes the WCD's emergency identifier, the emergency PTT call may preempt the standard PTT call. For example, the WCD may convey audio from the emergency PTT call to a speaker or other audio output interface, instead of audio from the standard PTT call. The WCD may also release the standard PTT call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Bradford R. Kaupp, Paul Reckell
  • Publication number: 20140321624
    Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to determining, with a computing device, that there may be an emergency situation. The computing device can determine that there may be an emergency situation based on a determination that a threshold time value has been exceeded. Responsive to the determination, the computing device can identify a phone number, and a voice connection using the identified phone number can be established. The computing device can also provide a message for output using the voice connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Zhi Dennis Weng, Lantian Zheng
  • Patent number: 8868616
    Abstract: A personal monitoring system of the present disclosure has a network and a sensing device. The sensing device has a network interface for coupling the sensing device to the network and is coupled to a user for sensing raw data at a discrete time related to the user. Additionally, the system has logic that associates a timestamp with the raw data at the discrete time and stores the raw data as raw history data indicative of a plurality of raw data from discrete times. Further, the logic determines, based upon the raw history data, whether an event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Integrity Tracking, LLC
    Inventors: Chris A. Otto, Chirag D. Patel, Hugh A. Hartwig, Corey L. Sanders, Xiao Fang Chen
  • Patent number: 8837683
    Abstract: A microprocessor-based emergency response communication system used to call and communicate with the 9-1-1 operator and also allows emergency responder's immediate access to a user's Critical Health Information Profile stored in the device at the point and location of crisis. The device is used to create individual Critical Health Information Profiles which is Health Level-7 compliant enabling it to seamlessly communicate with major hospital networks worldwide. This functional capability provides a system that can retrieve and transmit user-stored personal and health information by emergency responders at the point of care. The emergency responder can access the customer's Critical Health Information Profile database, review the data for pertinent information and then transmit that data to a designated receiving hospital or medical center. The device provides an electronic means of dialing and communicating directly with the 9-1-1 operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Medsign International Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Conroy
  • Patent number: 8818323
    Abstract: A method for supporting an emergency call in a mobile communication system is provided, which comprises the steps of: receiving, at a radio resource management entity, a message from a UE indicating that there is an emergency call; setup a RRC connection between the UE and the radio resource management entity; transmitting, by the radio resource management entity, a message to its upper-layer node, the message containing an emergency service indication; and establishing, by the upper-layer node of the radio resource management entity, the emergency call for the UE. With the method for supporting an emergency service in a mobile communication system provided in the present invention, the access failure of an emergency service can be reduced, and the access speed of the emergency service can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lixiang Xu, Chunying Sun, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8754763
    Abstract: An alarm system having one or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for providing notification of an alarm event to individual(s). The computer-executable instructions perform steps comprising: receiving an alarm event from an alarm system; determining a customer associated with the alarm event; determining at least one individual that is to be contacted based upon the customer that has been determined as being associated with the alarm event; selecting a transmission vector from a plurality of available transmission vectors; associating the selected transmission vector with the alarm event; sending an alarm event notification to the individual(s) utilizing the selected transmission vector; and awaiting a response to the alarm event notification. The response may provide a response vector which can be used to route the response to an appropriate agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Livewatch Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bradford Morehead
  • Patent number: 8731515
    Abstract: A method for establishing an emergency call between a user equipment within a radio coverage area and one of at least two points able to answer the call, the method comprising: receiving said emergency call request; determining a first estimate of the position of said user equipment within said coverage area; interrupting said call establishment by triggering a control point; and using the control point to select, based on said first position estimate, which one of said at least two answering points the call is established with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing, S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Janne Markus Muhonen
  • Patent number: 8718235
    Abstract: To carry out processing to be executed upon occurrence of an emergency, a mobile phone includes a power control portion for supplying driving power, a RAM capable of storing data in the state where the driving power is not supplied from the power control portion, a crime prevention switch for detecting occurrence of an emergency, and a control portion which is driven by the driving power supplied from the power control portion. The control portion stores an emergency flag in an ON state indicating an emergency mode in the RAM in response to detection of the emergency by the crime prevention switch, and carries out emergency processing. When the control portion is activated as the supply of the driving power from the power control portion is started, it carries out the emergency processing if the emergency flag in the ON state is stored in the RAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Miwa, Tomoaki Tsukiyama, Kazuaki Nakae
  • Patent number: 8699672
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for generating a profile for public safety answering platforms. The profile identifies media formats supported by the PSAPs at various cell sector locations maintained by a network provider. A network server selects a cell sector and generates a test emergency services call. The test emergency services call is transmitted to a PSAP. The PSAP generates a response that indicates whether the PSAP supports a media format identified in the test emergency services call. The PSAP transmits the response to the network server for storage in the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Gregory Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8660517
    Abstract: A personal assistance monitor for estimating whether a person needs assistance or not, and for requesting assistance, when appropriate. Some embodiments of the present invention can request help for a person even if the person is unconscious or paralyzed. The illustrative embodiment comprises two bracelets—one is worn on a person's right wrist and the other is worn on the left wrist. Each bracelet comprises an acceleration sensor that detects the acceleration of the wrist to which it is affixed. The measures of motion detected by both bracelets are analyzed for insight into the person's well-being. When the illustrative embodiment estimates that the person needs assistance, the illustrative embodiment prompts the person to decline assistance. When the person declines assistance, the illustrative embodiment continues monitoring the person. In contrast, when the person fails to decline the offer of assistance, the illustrative embodiment requests help.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jason Paul DeMont, David Michael Lazoff
  • Patent number: 8649294
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for initiating a command relating to one network that an electronic communication device may be in communication with, depending on triggering conditions relating to another network that the device may be in communication with. The communication device comprises: a network connection to initiate a command relating to the network after satisfaction of a predetermined condition relating to another network relating to the communication device; and a communication system to process communications between the device and the network and between the device and another network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Kevin Oerton
  • Patent number: 8610587
    Abstract: A smoke detector unit with built-in global system for mobile communications (GSM) to effect short message service (SMS) with an end user, and short message service (SMS), data transmission or email, with a central station monitoring (CSM) Events such as low battery condition and excessive smoke detection are reported to the CSM or end user via SMS or email. The unit may be reprogrammed via SMS remotely. The unit may be checked for connectivity between the unit and the CSM or end user via SMS remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Dovid Tropper
  • Patent number: 8600008
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an emergency contact party telephone line in response to an emergency. The system includes a user device (21) and a monitoring database (22), which communicate with one another over the Internet (23). A plurality of contacts and contact methods are stored on the monitoring database (22). The contact methods for each contact are arranged in a hierarchy according to priority. When the user device (21) establishes an emergency condition, it communicates the emergency condition to the monitoring database (22). The monitoring database (22) then establishes a support line, similar to a conference call line. Once the support line is set up, the monitoring database (22) sends a notification message of the emergency to the contacts through a first contact method. The monitoring database (22) then sends another notification message through a second contact method different to the first contact method to each of the contacts who did not respond to the first notification message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Kraus, Paul Toenjes
  • Patent number: 8594279
    Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises: a disaster information receiving section connected to a communication line for receiving disaster information therefrom; a microphone; a speech recognizing section for recognizing speeches input from the microphone; a communication section; and a control section. When the disaster information receiving section receives disaster information from the communication line, the speech recognizing section starts recognizing speeches from the microphone. When the speech recognizing section recognizes the presence of the speeches from the microphone, the control section controls the communication section to make a call to a predetermined destination of communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Takuno, Satoru Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8529635
    Abstract: A system and method for securing and tracking an electronic device. The system includes hardware, software and firmware components that cooperate to allow tracking, disabling, and other interaction with the stolen electronic device. The system includes an application component, non-viewable component and Basic Input/Output Subsystem (BIOS) component that are present on the electronic device. The BIOS component maintains the secured environment of the application and non-viewable components. If only the application component was provided, a simple low level format of the hard disk drive would remove the application and bypass the security features. The system implements an “application and BIOS” based solution to electronic device security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Softex Incorporated
    Inventors: Apurva Mahendrakumar Bhansali, Manoj Kumar Jain, Shradha Dube, Gayathri Rangarajan, Mehul Ramjibhai Patel, Rayesh Kashinath Raikar, Kamal Mansukhlal Dhanani, Ranjit Kapila, Elza Abraham Varghese, Thomas David Tucker
  • Patent number: 8506649
    Abstract: A system and method for securing and tracking an electronic device. The system includes hardware, software and firmware components that cooperate to allow tracking, disabling, and other interaction with the stolen electronic device. The system includes an application component, non-viewable component and Basic Input/Output Subsystem (BIOS) component that are present on the electronic device. The BIOS component maintains the secured environment of the application and non-viewable components. If only the application component was provided, a simple low level format of the hard disk drive would remove the application and bypass the security features. The system implements an “application and BIOS” based solution to electronic device security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Softex Incorporated
    Inventors: Apurva Mahendrakumar Bhansali, Manoj Kumar Jain, Shradha Dube, Gayathri Rangarajan, Mehul Ramjibhai Patel, Rayesh Kashinath Raikar, Kamal Mansukhlal Dhanani, Ranjit Kapila, Elza Abraham Varghese, Thomas David Tucker
  • Patent number: 8477911
    Abstract: A communication system comprises a transmitter, a console in operative communication with the transmitter, an audible communication device and a tone simulator. The transmitter is in operative communication with the console and operative to send a first signal to the console. The console is operatively connected to a communication network and is operative to send a second signal over the communication network to at least two response systems. The console comprises a receiver operative to receive the first signal from the transmitter, a controller operative to compare the first signal from the transmitter with a set of pre-determined values, access a communication network and dial one of the at least two pre-programmed voice line addresses, and a communication interface operative to connect the receiver to a communication network. The audible communication device is coupled to the controller and the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Instant Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Darling
  • Patent number: 8472613
    Abstract: Ways for facilitating an automated calling process are described. An embodiment includes receiving a start indication to start recording events associated with a call process, starting a timing reference, receiving data provided by a user, storing information suitable to reproduce the received data based on the timing reference, and repeating the receiving step and the storing step until a stop indication to stop recording events is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: James J. Pan, James D. Black, Minh Khuc
  • Patent number: 8467933
    Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of performing emergency notification in a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a controller configured to receive at least one driver status signal indicative of whether the driver is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver from a key ignition device positioned on at least one of a primary key and the secondary key. The controller is configured to determine whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary and the secondary driver based on the at least one driver status signal. The controller is configured to selectively control the operation of performing emergency notification based on whether the driver of the vehicle is one of the primary driver and the secondary driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lee Miller, John Shutko, Abraham Philip
  • Patent number: 8457283
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for initiating an automatic emergency call wherein an emergency signal is sent when an initiation threshold is reached which is ascertained on the basis of a sensor signal. To prevent the incorrect transmissions of emergency calls and nevertheless to take account of a multiplicity of hazard situations, when the initiation threshold is reached an emergency call is initiated and additionally the reliability of the sensor signals prompting the initiation are assessed. When the sensor signals cannot be interpreted explicitly the emergency call is transmitted only after a delay time. During the delay time, the transmission of the emergency call can still be terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Ulrich Stählin, Harald Feifel
  • Patent number: 8451986
    Abstract: A communications unit is provided that can be coupled to a building's telecommunication wiring to provide an automated mechanism for isolating the building's wiring from a PSTN, while also providing a telecommunications connection to an alternative communications network via, for example, broadband or cellular networks. The communications unit can further be configured to be coupled to an alarm controller unit of a security system, thereby permitting the security system to communicate with a remote server system without loss of alarm data. The communications unit can also be configured to permit the legacy security system to provide normal disconnect functionality of building telephones from an outgoing telecommunications line while an alarm condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: iControl Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Wade Cohn, Ronald E. Battles, David Proft, Scott William Shumate
  • Patent number: 8374574
    Abstract: A wireless device such as a cellular phone is disclosed. The cellular phone is adapted to store a voice message picked-up by a microphone and store voice data representing the voice message in a memory. The cellular phone is further adapted to initiate a call such as an emergency 911 call in response to a turbo-dial or speed-dial key stroke initiated by the user. The cellular phone transmits the stored voice message, along with position data obtained by an onboard geolocation receiver, when the call is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, Jr., Michael D. Kotzin, Rob Bero
  • Patent number: 8369487
    Abstract: The present invention allows an alarm monitoring service to ally with a PSAP provider to allow our customers to direct connect to the 911 center responsible for their home, but no matter where the customer calls from. When an alarm monitoring company or middleware provider's automatic notification function calls the customer to report an alarm, the customer can connect directly to the local 911 even when traveling, if needed. The alarm monitoring company contacts the customer if an alarm event occurs and offers the customer the opportunity to connect with the 911 call center for their home. If the customer indicates they want to call 911, the call is routed to the correct PSAP center, with the customers home Caller ID number emulated for the call. In this manner, the PSAP center can determine, from the emulated Caller ID data, the correct response agency that is local to the customer's home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Numerex Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey Alexander Elliot, Bryan Field-Elliot, Daniel J Elliot
  • Patent number: 8361166
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting electronic device security and tracking information. A method includes but is not limited to making accessible at least one first webpage capable of presenting a category for an electronic device registered with an electronic device security and tracking system and method (ESTSM) service; making accessible at least one second webpage capable of accepting a report that the electronic device has been stolen; and making accessible at least one third webpage capable of accepting at least one item of information pertaining to enablement of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Softex Incorporated
    Inventors: Apurva Mahendrakumar Bhansali, Manoj Kumar Jain, Shradha Dube, Gayathri Rangarajan, Mehul Ramjibhai Patel, Rayesh Kashinath Raikar, Kamal Mansukhlal Dhanani, Ranjit Kapila, Elza Abraham Varghese, Thomas David Tucker
  • Patent number: 8335304
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and associated method for communicating information. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a general purpose transceiver having a receiver for receiving an information signal and a transmitter configured to transmit an outgoing signal to a central station. A portion of the information signal can include an instruction code, which may be decoded and acted upon accordingly. Other embodiments and features are also claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SIPCO, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas D. Petite
  • Patent number: 8326258
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling calls in a vehicle during an emergency situation that includes identifying an emergency situation and placing a voice call or a data call to the vehicle in response to the emergency situation. If the placed call cannot be connected because the vehicle has another call in progress, then an SMS message is sent to the vehicle which contains a command used by the vehicle to interrupt the in-progress call. This enables a call center or public safety personnel to obtain remote access in emergency situations, such as when the vehicle location needs to be determined or an occupant of the vehicle is contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Laura R. Chmielewski, Daniel C. McGarry
  • Patent number: 8315591
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for a communications device to conditionally attempt an emergency call setup. The communications device maintains at least one condition for attempting emergency call setups. Upon receiving a message prompting an emergency call setup, the communications device attempts the emergency call setup only if any of the at least one conditions is satisfied. The at least one condition is defined such that the communications device does not erroneously attempt to establish an emergency call when there is no emergency. The at least one condition might for example include whether the message prompting the emergency call setup indicates a message source that is trusted by the user of the mobile device. A system and method are also provided for a communications network to block at least some of the messages from being delivered to their target communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Eniko Sokondar
  • Patent number: 8295445
    Abstract: Automatic notification is provided to pre-designated emergency contacts for a given wireless subscriber upon the occurrence of an emergency call from the subscriber. Triggering for the automatic notification may take place at an appropriate time in the emergency call, e.g., at a time the emergency call is received, at a time during the emergency call after a current location of the emergency caller is obtained by the emergency network, once the emergency call terminates, after a set amount of time after the emergency call is received, terminates, etc. The automatic notification is preferably made using voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but may instead be pre-designated by the subscriber to be in an alternative mode, e.g., by SMS, switched telephone, etc. An option is included for the emergency caller to cancel the automatic notification. The location of the emergency caller may be configurably provided to a notified emergency contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Nguyen, Elisabeth Townsdin