Abstract: A low-power wireless communication device is in a sleep or standby mode of operation for extended periods of time, periodically becoming fully operational and issuing a “check in” message to a base station, thereby inhibiting the ability of the base station to assist in the locating of device, and remotely updating the settings or operational programming of the device much of the time. Upon receipt of a command to locate a misplaced low-power wireless device or to update the device, a base station queues an associated command in a task queue. Upon receipt of a check-in message from an associated low-power wireless device, indicating it is in a fully powered and communicative state of operation, the base station searches its task queue for applicable commands relative to the specific wireless device and executes them via communication with the now fully-operational wireless device.

Abstract: An emergency services automatic dialing device enables at least one number in a list of alternate numbers to be called prior to dialing an emergency services number (e.g., 911). This enables a user of a corresponding portable transceiver to try to reach someone else (e.g., a family member) before having to resort to calling emergency services (e.g., 911 for fire department, police or ambulance). The dialing device can call several numbers in a list until all the numbers are exhausted before dialing the emergency services number. Calling the list of numbers can also be overridden by pressing a button on the portable transceiver in a particular way.

Abstract: Plural voice pendants 100 communicate with a remote monitoring station using a wireless communications protocol and without requiring a connection to a circuit switched telephone network. Such a configuration may be used in any group environment, such as a retirement home or an assisted living facility. The voice pendants can be carried or worn by the residents/patients/members of the home or the facility to assist in calling for help in an emergency situation, e.g., if someone has fallen and cannot get up. By activating an actuator (e.g., a button or switch) on the pendant, the person wearing the pendant is put into voice communication with the monitoring station without the need to dial any phone numbers or hit a “send” style button which indicates the end of a dialed number sequence.

Abstract: A system for providing emergency services in which a voice pendant provides voice signals to a corresponding radio-based voice-enabled base station which either (1) acoustically forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station or (2) forwards the voice signals on to an existing base station via a communications link. The existing base station is triggered by a triggering signal that is learned by the radio-based voice-enabled base station by either DTMF programming or by receiving the triggering signal from an existing pendant while in a learning mode.

Abstract: An emergency services automatic dialing device enables at least one number in a list of alternate numbers to be called prior to dialing an emergency services number (e.g., 911). This enables a user of a corresponding portable transceiver to try to reach someone else (e.g., a family member) before having to resort to calling an ambulance. The dialing device can call several numbers in a list until all the numbers are exhausted before dialing the emergency services number. Calling the list of numbers can also be overridden by pressing a button on the portable transceiver in a particular way.