Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship. Relaying a call to the second device may be accomplished by call forwarding, a ring-no-answer treatment, three-way calling, or other methods.

Abstract: A response center or other entity maintains in electronic storage records of trust relationships between parties. In an example method of operating a call center, personal profiles of clients of a service of the call center are maintained. At least some of the profiles include contact information for entities in trusted networks of the respective clients. An inquiry can be received from an inquiring party, inquiring whether a particular entity is trusted by a particular client. An electronic message is automatically sent to the inquiring part indicating whether or not the particular entity is trusted. In some implementations, entities may be assigned levels of trustedness.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In one example use, a mobile communications device receives a text-based message, determines that the message is an emergency alert message, and forwards at least some of the content of the message to a computer system. The computer system derives, from the content of the text-based message, data or signals that render at least some of the content of the text-based electronic message into an audio format, and transmits the data or signals to the remote communications device, which then audibly plays the message. Such a system may enable additional persons to receive emergency notifications who otherwise may not receive them, for example, persons with visual impairments, or persons using communications devices that are unable to display text.

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

Abstract: A response center or other entity maintains in electronic storage records of trust relationships between parties. In an example method of operating a call center, personal profiles of clients of a service of the call center are maintained. At least some of the profiles include contact information for entities in trusted networks of the respective clients. An inquiry can be received from an inquiring party, inquiring whether a particular entity is trusted by a particular client. An electronic message is automatically sent to the inquiring part indicating whether or not the particular entity is trusted. In some implementations, entities may be assigned levels of trustedness.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship. Relaying a call to the second device may be accomplished by call forwarding, a ring-no-answer treatment, three-way calling, or other methods.

Abstract: A wireless phone system and methods performed thereon for cryptographically processing SMS messages is disclosed. A cryptographic pad is used to replace characters in a payload of a SMS message with coded characters. The cryptographic pad is used by the receiver of the SMS message to decode it. The cryptographic pad is one of two or more possible cryptographic pads stored in the receiver. In one embodiment, the two or more possible cryptographic pads are sent as a key where a particular cryptographic pad is referenced in the key using an index.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing operational records, for example of a private response center. In one implementation the system includes one or more processors, memory holding instructions executable by the one or more processors, distributed storage holding a plurality of event stores storing records of events, and one or more electronic communication links between locations at which the event stores are stored. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive a request for a view of a state of the system, and construct the view from the records in at least one of the event stores.

Abstract: A wireless phone system and methods performed thereon for cryptographically processing SMS messages is disclosed. A cryptographic pad is used to replace characters in a payload of a SMS message with coded characters. The cryptographic pad is used by the receiver of the SMS message to decode it. The cryptographic pad is one of two or more possible cryptographic pads stored in the receiver. In one embodiment, the two or more possible cryptographic pads are sent as a key where a particular cryptographic pad is referenced in the key using an index.

Abstract: A response center maintains personal profiles of clients of a service of the response center. At least some of the profiles include contact information for entities in trusted networks of the respective clients. At least some of those trusted network entities may also have designated second-level entities in their own trusted networks. In some applications, the response center utilizes this extended network of entities for the benefit of its clients. For example, the response center may request information from a second-level entity if the information is not available from the client or one of the client's trusted entities. In other examples, the response center may recruit members of the extended network for assistance in certain situations, or may use the extended network as an information distribution mechanism. Principles of the invention may apply to a private response center or a public center such as a public safety answering point.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method, system and device for determining information about a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to contact a private response call center (PRCC), e.g., by pressing or selecting one or more buttons or a softmenu. A PRCC operator can identify a potential emergency situation and, upon such an identification, initiate a conference call between a PRCC operator, a user of the mobile device, and a public safety answering point (PSAP) operator. The mobile device may transmit location information previously determined before PRCC call and be commanded to gather new location information during the call. The mobile device may also, while on a call with the PRCC, determine and transmit to the PRCC location information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages such as Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alerts. In one example use, a mobile communications device receives a text-based message, determines that the message is an emergency alert message, and forwards at least some of the content of the message to a computer system. The computer system derives, from the content of the text-based message, data or signals that render at least some of the content of the text-based electronic message into an audio format, and transmits the data or signals to the remote communications device, which then audibly plays the message. Such a system may enable additional persons to receive emergency notifications who otherwise may not receive them, for example, persons with visual impairments, or persons using communications devices that are unable to display text.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for notifying an extended group of persons that a person has requested assistance from a private response center. In one example, an electronic communication is received from the first person, requesting assistance. One or more potential assisting persons are automatically identified as being in position to render assistance to the first person. An electronic message is sent to the one or more potential assisting persons indicating that the first person has requested assistance. The potential assisting persons may be identified based at least in part on their proximity to the first person, for example based on their interaction with the same cell of a cellular communications network, or based on global positioning system data. The electronic message may contain other information, such as information about the first person. In this way, the original caller may be assisted more quickly than would otherwise occur.

Abstract: A cellular phone with gesture detection is used to more effectively activate a multi-tier help system. Initially, a shake gesture is used to activate a context-sensitive help screen. Help can progress to a tier that includes interaction with a human customer service representative called from the cellular phone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. The communications device may prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method, system and device for determining information about a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to contact a private response call center (PRCC), e.g., by pressing or selecting one or more buttons or a softmenu. A PRCC operator can identify a potential emergency situation and, upon such an identification, initiate a conference call between a PRCC operator, a user of the mobile device, and a public safety answering point (PSAP) operator. The mobile device may transmit location information previously determined before PRCC call and be commanded to gather new location information during the call. The mobile device may also, while on a call with the PRCC, determine and transmit to the PRCC location information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method, system and device for determining information about a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to contact a private response call center (PRCC), e.g., by pressing or selecting one or more buttons or a softmenu. A PRCC operator can identify a potential emergency situation and, upon such an identification, initiate a conference call between a PRCC operator, a user of the mobile device, and a public safety answering point (PSAP) operator. The mobile device may transmit location information previously determined before PRCC call and be commanded to gather new location information during the call. The mobile device may also, while on a call with the PRCC, determine and transmit to the PRCC location information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method, system and device for determining information about a location of the mobile device. The mobile device is configured to contact a private response call center (PRCC), e.g., by pressing or selecting one or more buttons or a softmenu. A PRCC operator can identify a potential emergency situation and, upon such an identification, initiate a conference call between a PRCC operator, a user of the mobile device, and a public safety answering point (PSAP) operator. The mobile device may transmit location information previously determined before PRCC call and be commanded to gather new location information during the call. The mobile device may also, while on a call with the PRCC, determine and transmit to the PRCC location information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. The communications device may prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.