Announcement Or Alarm Received At Terminal Station (e.g., "butt-in", Alarm) Patents (Class 379/48)
  • Patent number: 11741826
    Abstract: User-configurable weather warning apparatuses, and methods for providing and configuring user-configurable weather warning apparatuses are presented. For example, according to one aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and memory may be provided. The processor may be configured to, responsive to a user preference to trigger an alert system only in the event of a particular type of warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 11443614
    Abstract: User-configurable weather warning apparatuses, and methods for providing and configuring user-configurable weather warning apparatuses are presented. For example, according to one aspect, an apparatus comprising a processor and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive a first Special Area Message Encoding (SAME) message may be provided. The processor may be configured to, responsive to a user preference to trigger an alert system only in the event of a tornado warning: determine whether the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning; and in response to determining that the first SAME message indicates a tornado warning, trigger the alert system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: La Crosse Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Allan McCormick
  • Patent number: 10674322
    Abstract: A point-to-multipoint messaging processing system and method having a message processing system communicatively coupled to a message origination system for receiving message requests from a plurality of message originating agents, each message request including a message agent identification identifying the message originating, a geographically defined transmission target area for the message, a message type identifier uniquely identifying a message type, and a message, the message processing system verifying each received message request to provide a verified message, the verifying being a function of the message originating agent identification, and the message type identifier and then for each verified message request determining a point-to-multipoint message transmission system serving at least a portion of the transmission target area of the message request for message type of the message type identifier, and transmitting the message, and the message type identifier, and the transmission target area to t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: ENVISIONIT LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Wood, Kevin Russell Preston, Douglas Weiser
  • Patent number: 9136954
    Abstract: A message broadcast system collecting broadcast messages from a plurality of broadcast message originators and providing a broadcast message to a plurality of broadcast message transmission systems for broadcasting to a plurality of user devices located within a geographically defined broadcast target area, the system communicatively coupled and receiving broadcast message requests from different coupled broadcast agent message origination systems, the broadcast requests including a broadcast agent identification, the geographical broadcast target area, and a broadcast message, the system receiving the broadcast message requests, verifying the broadcast request based on the broadcast agent identification, and an authority of the broadcast agent to send the broadcast message to the broadcast target area, and identifying a broadcast message transmission system serving at least a portion of the broadcast target area, and transmitting the broadcast message and the broadcast target area to the identified broadcast
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ENVISIONIT LLC
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Wood, Kevin Russell Preston, Douglas Weiser
  • Patent number: 8976937
    Abstract: A method for providing communications between a system control panel at a premises and a central monitoring center comprises transmitting an event code from the control panel to the monitoring center utilizing a first communications format and a network protocol, and causing the control panel to enter a call-back mode. The control panel is enabled to receive in-bound calls utilizing a second communications format. A two-way voice session is established utilizing the second communications format between the monitoring center and the control panel. The two-way voice session is initiated by the monitoring center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ADT US Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Shapiro, Bernard I. Worst, Michael E. Wilber
  • Patent number: 8976938
    Abstract: An emergency notification system is provided including a switching unit, a plurality of communications devices communicatively in communication with the switching unit, an emergency response unit in communication with the switching unit, a plurality of receiving units in communication with the switching unit. Each of the communications devices is configured to transmit an emergency notification to the switching unit which includes a message and at least one receiving unit address. Further, the switching unit is configured to receive the emergency notification from at least one of the plurality of communication devices and to rebroadcast the emergency notification contained in the message to the emergency response unit and to the receiving unit corresponding to the receiving unit address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Zerillo, Gregory K. Embry
  • Publication number: 20150049865
    Abstract: A system and method of seizing a landline is disclosed. In seizing the landline, a first device may identify that a switch has been toggled by a second device; receive an alarm signal from the second device via a landline based on identifying that the switch has been toggled; determine a particular processing instruction, of one or more processing instructions, based on information included in the alarm signal; and execute the particular processing instruction to provide the alarm signal to a third device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless
    Inventors: Peter C. BATES, Edward GRUSKIN, Nishit OZA
  • Patent number: 8942731
    Abstract: There is provided an information delivery apparatus including a receiving portion to receive location information of a mobile communication terminal at a given time and acquired date and time of the location information from the terminal, an event information storage portion to store event information including an event place, date and time, a delivery terminal selecting portion to select the mobile communication terminal to which the event information is to be delivered based on the location information and the acquired date and time of the location information and on the event place, date and time, and an event information delivery portion to deliver the event information to the selected mobile communication terminal. The delivery terminal selecting portion selects the mobile communication terminal whose location indicated by location information is within a predetermined range and whose acquired date and time of the location information are before the event date and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Takehara, Yoichiro Sako, Masamichi Asukai, Taiji Ito, Akinobu Sugino, Akane Sano, Yoshiteru Kamatani, Kazunori Hayashi, Takayasu Kon, Yasunori Kamada
  • Patent number: 8774368
    Abstract: System and method are disclosed to mitigate noise in an area monitored by a plurality of telecommunication terminals in communication with a controller, the method including: detecting an excessive noise originating in the area monitored by the plurality of telecommunication terminals, the detection performed by one or more terminals of the plurality of telecommunication terminals; identifying a location of a first terminal of the plurality of telecommunication terminals by use of the detected excessive noise, wherein the first terminal is closest to a source of the excessive noise; and providing a mitigation message to the identified first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Jon L. Bentley, Anjur S. Krishnakumar, Shalini Yajnik
  • Patent number: 8768300
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control method and system for a smart card. The remote control method for a smart card includes the following steps: a smart card management platform receives a request for destruction of a smart card from a user (S101); the smart card management platform carries out short message interactive processing with a terminal via a mobile network platform according to the request to make the terminal destruct the smart card (S103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Chuanxi Wu, Jingwang Ma
  • Patent number: 8744403
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for remote control of a smart card. The method comprises that: a smart card management platform receives a request of locking or unlocking a smart card from a subscriber; and the smart card management platform performs interactive processing with a terminal side according to the request via a mobile network platform, so as to enable the terminal side to perform the locking or unlocking of the smart card. The present disclosure enables the payment subscriber to avoid loss when the terminal is robbed, lost, stolen, or is illegally used seriously, and provide a higher flexibility to the payment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Chuanxi Wu, Jingwang Ma
  • Patent number: 8731145
    Abstract: A method of regulating data transmissions used with telematics-equipped vehicles. The steps include establishing a period of anticipated call center service outage, notifying a plurality of telematics units of the period of anticipated call center service outage, storing that outage information at the plurality of telematics units, and then when a call from the vehicle to the call center is desired during the service outage, the process implements a call handling procedure that delays most calls until the call center is available, but that provides alternative call solutions for urgent or occupant-placed calls. Once the call center is available, postponed calls can be staggered to avoid a large initial spike in calls received at the call center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventor: Christopher L. Oesterling
  • Patent number: 8718603
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method and system for remote control of a smart card. The method includes: a smart card management platform receives a request to destroy the smart card from a subscriber (S101); according to the request, the smart card management platform performs interactive processing with a terminal side via a mobile network platform to make the terminal side destroy the smart card (S103). The present application enables the subscriber to avoid loss when the terminal is robbed, lost, stolen, or is illegally used seriously, and provide a higher flexibility to the payment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Chuanxi Wu, Jingwang Ma
  • 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: 8718602
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method and a system for remote control of a smart card; the method comprises: receiving, by a smart card management platform, a request for performing a LOCKING/UNLOCKING operation for a smart card from a user (S101); and the smart card management platform performs a short message interaction with a terminal side through a mobile network platform based on the request, so as to make the terminal side perform the LOCKING/UNLOCKING operation for the smart card (S103). By means of the disclosure, the effects are achieved that the user can apply to a smart card supervision department for locking/unlocking the smart card and a terminal through a short message and disabling or enabling the smart card, when the smart card and the terminal in which the smart card is located are robbed, lost, stolen and has a serious illegal behavior, so as to protect the security of the user and the smart card relevant department to the greatest extent and provide a better flexibility for a payment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Chuanxi Wu, Jingwang Ma
  • Patent number: 8688346
    Abstract: An electric motor includes one or more separate coil sets arranged to produce a magnetic field of the motor. The electric motor also includes a plurality of control devices coupled to respective sub-sets of coils for current control. A similar arrangement is proposed for a generator. A coil mounting system for an electric motor or generator includes one or more coil teeth for windably receiving a coil for the motor and a back portion for attachably receiving a plurality of the coil teeth. A traction control system and method for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels independently powered by a respective motor. A suspension control system and method for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, each wheel being mounted on a suspension arm of the vehicle and being independently powered by a respective motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Protean Electric Limited
    Inventor: Martin Boughtwood
  • Patent number: 8660254
    Abstract: A method and system for call management is provided. In a system embodiment a call manager server is provided that can managing incoming call requests from certain telephony devices and effect connections to other telephony devices based on those incoming call requests. The call manager server can also maintain a policy that defines permissions as to whether certain telephony devices can request interruption of an ongoing phone call at a destination telephony device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Michael Colbert, Michael Gray, Peter Baccay
  • Publication number: 20130322606
    Abstract: One telephone system embodiment having an alert module includes a base unit and at least one handheld unit. The base unit has a processor in data communication with a telephone network interface, a radio receiver, a first local transmitter, a first local receiver, and a first computer memory having a first program. The handheld unit has a processor in data communication with a second local receiver, a second local transmitter, a microphone, a speaker, and a second computer memory having a second program. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for passing signals between a telephone network on one end and the microphone and the speaker on another end. At least one of the first and second programs includes instructions for presenting an emergency warning through the speaker upon receipt of alert data from an emergency broadcast radio transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel M. Devling, Guido Izhak Raccah
  • Patent number: 8548126
    Abstract: A firefighter's telephone communication system is provided that includes a polarized telephone station that may be connected to either 3-state (detection of normal, open, or call-in) or 4-state (detection of normal, open, short, or call-in) telephone control panel, without the need to alter the telephone station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Right, Keith Morrow, Hilario Costa
  • Patent number: 8520806
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to implement forced answer communications by receiving a request to permit emergency activation of a first telephone in response to a call placed by a second telephone having a defined telephone number, receiving the call placed by the second telephone to the first telephone, wherein the first telephone is either on hook or turned off, and establishing a voice communication path between the first telephone and the second telephone. The path may be established by either sending an off hook command to the first telephone if the first telephone is turned on and on hook, or sending a combination of turn on and off hook commands to the first telephone if the first telephone is turned off. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Novell, Inc.
    Inventor: Debashis Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8515021
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized reversed 911 services are provided. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a 911 call indication is received. This 911 call indication triggers a review of at least one reverse 911 profile associated with media gateway device initiating the 911 call. One or more call treatments to be performed based on the reverse 911 profiles are determined. Instructions for performing the one or more call treatments may then be generated and forwarded to one or more appropriate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ooma, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Farrand, Todd Krein, Jeff Peck
  • Patent number: 8447267
    Abstract: A system and method for providing location information to a public safety answering point may include receiving, at a network access point, an emergency 911 call signal including GPS location information and mobile directory number of a wireless device. The GPS location information and mobile directory information may be communicated to a selective muter associated with a public safety access point servicing an area including the network access point. The network access point may be a WiFi access point. The access point address information may be communicated using a type II caller ID data packet after the public safety answering point goes off-hook. By communicating both the access point address information and GPS location information, both PSAPs that are configured as E911 Phase I and E911 Phase II may display address location information of an emergency 911 caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Amar N. Ray, Cadathur V. Chakravarthy
  • Patent number: 8345827
    Abstract: A public addressing and emergency system has a person or message signal generator for generating a message whose contents comprise at least one of a sign language message, a voice message, and a text message and a transmitting system for transmitting the message signal to at least one of a mobile unit and at least one fixed display unit in at least one location. The message signal transmitting system is bi-directional enabling bi-directional message communication and may include a device such as a splitter for generating multiple signals and/or a device such as a booster for increasing or maintaining the power of the signals. The public addressing system can be independent, or tied in with internal processing of commercial entities and their electronic displays to present advertising and educating the public about the emergency system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Joshua Elan Liebermann, Raanan Liebermann
  • Patent number: 8275349
    Abstract: Methods and systems automatically allocate cellular communication network resources to emergency response personnel during emergency situations which are detected by call volumes exceeding a predetermined maximum. Access to cellular communication network resources is provided by dedicating a portion of communication channels to emergency response personnel use. By reserving whole communication channels for emergency communication purposes, emergency personnel are able to both initiate and receive calls from both other mobile devices as well as conventional landline telephone stations. Qualified emergency response personnel can preregistered their phones and be assigned personal identification numbers to enable access to allocated network resources. Users can also be registered “on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rivada Networks, LLC
    Inventor: Clint Smith
  • Patent number: 8265938
    Abstract: Methods, systems and processor-readable media for providing instant/real-time voice alerts automatically to remote electronic devices. An activity can be detected utilizing one or more sensors. A text message indicative of the activity can be generated and converted into a digitized voice alert. The activity can also be a live utterance (e.g., a live announcement), which can then be instantly converted into a digitized voice alert for automatic delivery in a selected series of languages following the base language (e.g., English). The combined digitized voice alert can then be instantly transmitted through a network for broadcast of consecutive alerts (e.g., English followed by Spanish followed by Vietnamese, etc.) to one or more remote electronic devices that communicate with the network for an automatic audio announcement of the digitized voice alert through the one or more remote electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Verna IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Verna, Luis M. Ortiz, Kermit D. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8244542
    Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for monitoring a location having a plurality of audio sensors and video sensors are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving auditory data, comparing a portion of the auditory data to a lexicon comprising a plurality of keywords to determine if there is a match to a keyword from the lexicon, and if a match is found, selecting at least one video sensor to monitor an area to be monitored. Video data from the video sensor is archived with the auditory data and metadata. The video sensor is selected by determining video sensors associated with the areas to be monitored. A lookup table is used to determine the association. Cartesian coordinates may be used to determine positions of components and their areas of coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Hercules Claudatos, William Dale Andruss, Richard Urmston, John Louis Acott
  • Patent number: 8182548
    Abstract: An electronic device security and tracking system. A system includes one or more clients, wherein the clients are electronic devices; and a server computer system connected to each of the clients, wherein the server computer system is capable of tracking and locating each of the clients. In one aspect, the server computer system includes one or more web servers coupled to each of the clients, wherein the web servers include a website for the electronic device security and tracking system; one or more file transfer protocol servers coupled to each of the web servers; and one or more database servers connected to each of the web servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    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: 8175572
    Abstract: The system includes a rescue requester device including an urgent rescue key for a requester's urgent situation, a communication company server configured to receive an urgent situation from the rescue requester device and establish a call between the rescue requester device and a rescuer device, and when the urgent situation is transferred from the rescuer device to a security server, switch the call to a call between the rescue requester device and the security server and transmits a telephone number of the rescue requester and short message information to the rescuer device, a rescuer device configured to inform the urgent situation based on the telephone number of the rescue requester device and the short message information, and a security server configured to connect the rescue requester device and a secondary emergency contact point one-sidedly through the communication company server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Seo-O Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8078161
    Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication module, and a second communication module. The first communication module may receive a first type of communication signal (e.g. a mobile telephone signal) and convert it into a second-type of communication signal (e.g., a millimeter wave radio signal). The first type of communication signal may be a mobile telephone signal from a first fire fighter's mobile telephone who is located outside of the building. The first communication module may transmit the second-type of communication signal to the second communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Pine Valley Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald C. DiPiazza
  • Patent number: 7933386
    Abstract: A hospitality system has at least one database for storing guest preferences regarding environment variables, for storing a national and/or regional origin or personal attributes of the guest. According to embodiments, advanced evacuation systems and entertainment systems are provided which fit the guest's preferences and origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bruggemeier, Gerlinde Kuhnel-Mathe, Bernd Solow, David Leonhard Steinbauer, Jurgen Totzke
  • Patent number: 7848505
    Abstract: A method and system for blocking an incoming telephone call based upon at least one predetermined criterion. The system includes a security device having a user device for imputting a first control signal to block the incoming telephone call, and for inputting a second control signal for controlling at least one feature of the security system, at least one sensor for detecting an emergency event within a protected area. The sensor generates an alarm signal. The system further includes a control section for processing the first and second control signals. The control section generates a control signal based upon the first control signal. Based upon this control signal, a line seizure means opens or closes a connection between an incoming telephone line and a telephone device. The security system has continuous access to the incoming telephone line, even though the line can be isolated from the telephone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Martin, Narine Boodoosingh
  • Patent number: 7844035
    Abstract: A message broadcast system is disclosed for quickly delivering a relatively large amount of content to customer premises devices. A dial-out voice server initiates a plurality of telephone calls to a plurality of telephone numbers associated with customer premises alerting devices. The dial-out server also transmits a control data signal to the alerting devices, which indicates an incoming voice message to the alerting devices. The customer premises devices are connected to the telecommunication network via a communication channel and are configured to continuously monitor the communication channel for the control data signal. In response to receipt of a control data signal, an alerting device automatically configures itself to receive the incoming voice message. After delivering the voice message to the alerting device, the dial-out voice server may disconnect and place another call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Stanley Pietrowicz
  • Publication number: 20100218210
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for emergency broadcasting to telephones or audio and/or video-enabled devices from a server system provide more timely emergency notification and more effective coverage for such emergency notifications than existing systems. A method for broadcasting at least one message to end user devices may comprise determining at least one group including a plurality of end user devices to which to broadcast the at least one message, based on programmable criteria related to each end user device and independently of a private branch exchange, central office, or other physical connection of each end user device, and transmitting the at least one message to each end user device of the group of end user devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: XCAST LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Vladimir Smelyansky
  • Publication number: 20100054427
    Abstract: In a messaging system, a messaging server transmits signals over the telephone network to be received by equipment at, e.g., the customer premises. Upon receiving a specific signal, the receiving equipment automatically signals the telephone network to connect the call, such as by going off-hook or by performing a hook flash sequence. In the connected state, the receiving equipment can receive data over the network, such as data to provide the recipient with notification information such as emergency notification messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: David J. Luneau
  • Publication number: 20090180596
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for broadcasting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) messages. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving an indication that a message should be delivered to a plurality of recipients. In response, contact information for the plurality of recipients may be identified, and an outbound packetized call to each of the recipients may be launched. In practice, the packetized call may be in a VoIP form or some other appropriate packetized form. If a call is answered, the call may be connected to a multicast server capable of playing the to-be-delivered message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas F. Reynolds, Jeffrey Lewis Brandt, Aaron Bangor, Marc Andrew Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090154659
    Abstract: A reverse 911 system uses voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)/Session Internet Protocol (SIP) conferencing. An emergency alert message may be a text, video, MMS, hyperlink and/or image communicated simultaneously to multiple VoIP users via a SIP conference. Multiple SIP conferences may be cascaded to communicate with a larger number of users in a relevant group of users to be communicated with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Drew Morin
  • Patent number: 7522063
    Abstract: A combination thermostat and warning device that is housed within a common housing, such as a housing resembling that for a conventional thermostat. The combination device includes a controller that is operable to control the operation of a climate control device, such as an HVAC system. The combination thermostat and warning device includes a radio receiver that is disposed within the common housing and receives warning radio broadcasts from a remote source, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The controller of the combination thermostat and warning device controls the generation of a warning alarm by an alarm indicator based upon the warning radio broadcast to alert occupants of the warning broadcast. The warning alarm can be generated by an alarm indicator included within the common housing or can be generated by remote devices, such as hazardous condition detectors or other alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Gregory A. Ehlers
  • Patent number: 7245703
    Abstract: A relatively simple redialer device is provided at the customer's home to redirect outgoing alarm calls to a middleware processing center. The redialer first dials “?82” (or other appropriate code) to disable caller-ID blocking. The redialer then redirects the alarm call to a middleware processing center. The middleware processing center receives the alarm call and determines the customer identification by detecting the caller ID. The middleware processing center then dials out to the appropriate alarm company for that customer, and transfers the alarm data along with customer identification information (account number or the like) in a data format compatible with the alarm monitoring company's computers. The alarm is then handled by the alarm monitoring company in the normal manner practiced by the alarm monitoring company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Harvey Alexander Elliot, Bryan Field-Elliot
  • Patent number: 6775356
    Abstract: An emergency call initiated from a wireline or wireless device is recognized at a point along a network path and an alert signal is generated. Additional information including real-time incident and response information is collected in response to the alert signal. The emergency call is associated with the additional information separate from information in the emergency call. A call is then automatically placed to a telephone number designated by the subscriber, the call including the additional information. The real-time incident and response information includes the location of the calling device, and one or more of incident specific information, person specific information, and vehicle specific information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Angelo Salvucci, Don E. Reich, Kurt E. Warner, William C. Cook
  • Patent number: 6728340
    Abstract: A system and method for providing early warning notifications to telephone subscribers having calling number delivery service. The system uses an advanced intelligent network to initiate several calls in rapid succession to all calling number delivery subscribers located within a pre-determined geographic area. A code identifying the disaster warning message is transmitted to the subscribers' calling number delivery systems in place of an actual calling line identification. Subscribers having calling name delivery service receive the disaster code and a text message briefly describing the disaster warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: R. Keith Vinson
  • Patent number: 6724861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disseminating emergency warning information via a telecommunication network via a telecommunication network is disclosed. After a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) has decided to issue a warning regarding an impending emergency to a specific area, the LEPC dials a group emergency telephone number to issue a warning to any subscriber of the group emergency telephone number. The warning, which may be audio and/or visual, informs the subscriber of the impending emergency and/or the necessary actions that needs to be taken by the subscriber. By sending the warning via a telecommunication network, a large number of people can be contacted with specific details of the impending emergency within a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: David Newland, Bobby W. Newland
  • Patent number: 6694132
    Abstract: A method is described for telephone broadcasting warnings, information or the like into defined geographical areas. The method provides for: dividing the interested area into geographic zones; associating with the directory number of each fixed telephone set an information indicating the geographic zone inside which said fixed telephone set is installed; providing each public telephone exchange with geographic zone information related to the directory number controlled by it; where requested, providing the text of a message and the list of the geographic zones to which such message is to be sent; and having all the directory numbers associated with the interested geographic zones automatically called by the telephone exchanges. In particular, the message could concern the announcement of impending natural calamities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Carmine Lausi
  • Patent number: 6678358
    Abstract: An automated nodal calling system comprises a database having a plurality of phone numbers and associated geographic identifiers. In the event of an emergency, an emergency calling area is defined and a message is recorded for delivery to the callees in the emergency calling area. The system generates a call request for all phone numbers having an associated geographic identifiers within the emergency calling area. Each call request contains various pieces of information important to proper completion of the phone call identified in the call request. All of the call requests are stored in a queue and the system determines whether to process each call request from a local node or a remote node. A call request to be processed from a local node is delivered to a template program which connects to the telecommunications system and completes the call request to the identified phone number. After the local node completes the call request, a call response is generated to identify the result of the call request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sigma Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Al Langsenkamp, Kent E. Kercheval
  • Patent number: 6658104
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of communication devices and a telephony exchange system. The telephony exchange system is adapted to communicate with the plurality of communication devices. The telephony exchange system comprises receiving an alert signal, identifying a plurality of users of the private telephony exchange system, and alerting the identified plurality of users in response to receiving the alert signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Carlos F. Carrion, Steven W. Craycraft
  • Patent number: 6628759
    Abstract: An audible signal associated with an event is provided as part of the audio path of a telephone. In particular, a telephone according to one embodiment of the invention includes a microphone adapted to receive audible signals from a user and to convert the audible signals to electrical signals for transmission to a distant party, and a speaker adapted to receive electrical signals associated with input from the distant party and to convert the electrical signals to audible signals. According to the invention, the telephone also includes a processor adapted to produce electrical signals associated with an external event, and to integrate these electrical signals with the received electrical signals. In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, a method of alerting a party to a telephone conversation of an external event includes the step of providing an indication of the external event to the party from a speaker of the telephone during the telephone conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, James A. Johanson, Philip D. Mooney, Richard M. Ubowski
  • Patent number: 6594345
    Abstract: A system and method for providing early warning notifications to telephone subscribers having calling number delivery service. The system uses an advanced intelligent network to initiate several calls in rapid succession to all calling number delivery subscribers located within a pre-determined geographic area. A code identifying the disaster warning message is transmitted to the subscribers' calling number delivery systems in place of an actual calling line identification. Subscribers having calling name delivery service receive the disaster code and a text message briefly describing the disaster warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: R. Keith Vinson
  • Publication number: 20030095639
    Abstract: A system and method for providing early warning notifications to telephone subscribers having calling number delivery service. The system uses an advanced intelligent network to initiate several calls in rapid succession to all calling number delivery subscribers located within a pre-determined geographic area. A code identifying the disaster warning message is transmitted to the subscribers' calling number delivery systems in place of an actual calling line identification. Subscribers having calling name delivery service receive the disaster code and a text message briefly describing the disaster warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: R. Keith Vinson
  • Patent number: 6563915
    Abstract: The invention provides a system that includes a method and apparatus for automatically barging-in on telephone calls. When a first party is talking to a second party, a third party may be automatically connected to the first party and the second party given an option to hold or leave a voice mail message. In addition, when a first party is connected to a stored information service provider, a third party may be automatically connected to the first party and a bookmark is set in the stored information. If the call between the first party and the third party does not exceed a predetermined time limit, the first party may resume the stored information service from the location of the bookmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Charles Salimando
  • Patent number: 6510207
    Abstract: Apparatus and method to receive and record an Emergency Alert System warning message on a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes an Emergency Alert System radio receiver and detector module to receive and record an Emergency Alert System warning message. The emergency message can be reviewed either locally or remotely. In another embodiment, an Emergency Alert System warning message is received by a telephone system, and played in the earpiece or speaker on a substantially real-time basis. In yet another embodiment, an Emergency Alert System warning message may be recorded and then forwarded to another location based on address information (e.g., telephone number, e-mail address, pager number, etc.) which would not otherwise be within the broadcast area of the original Emergency Alert System warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, Philip D. Mooney
  • Patent number: RE40979
    Abstract: A system and method for providing early warning notifications to telephone subscribers having calling number delivery service. The system uses an advanced intelligent network to initiate several calls in rapid succession to all calling number delivery subscribers located within a predetermined geographic area. A code identifying the disaster warning message is transmitted to the subscribers' calling number delivery systems in place of an actual calling line identification. Subscribers having calling name delivery service receive the disaster code and a text message briefly describing the disaster warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Inventor: R. Keith Vinson