Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for protecting the health and safety of an authorized user. The method includes the steps of monitoring a vital sign of the authorized user via a portable sensor attached to and carried by the authorized user and automatically calling for help using a radio frequency channel when the monitored vital sign exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is offered of certifying delivery of a facsimile transmission. The method includes the steps of detecting a facsimile transmission from an originating facsimile machine to a destination facsimile machine. The method further includes the steps of receiving acknowledgement from the destination facsimile machine that a page of the facsimile transmission was received and certifying delivery of the page by outputting a copy of the page with indicia of delivery printed thereon.

Abstract: A method of certifying delivery of an E-mail transmission through a telephonic network. The method includes the steps of detecting a request for an E-mail certification from an originating computer to a destination computer by a controller of the telephonic network and storing a copy of the E-mail transmission in the controller. The method further includes the step of certifying delivery of the E-mail transmission by matching a copy of the E-mail transmission received by the destination computer with the stored copy.

Abstract: A method of the present invention of certifying delivery of a transmission through a public switch telephone network. The method includes the steps of detecting a request for certification of a transmission from a first telephonic communication unit by a local telephone switch of the public switch telephone network and forwarding the transmission from the first telephonic unit to a second telephonic unit through the local telephone switch. The method further includes the steps of copying the transmission within the local switch. A mirrored transmission from the destination telephonic unit to the first telephonic unit is detected by the local switch and the mirrored transmission is copied within the local switch. A hardcopy of the transmissions and identifiers of the first and second telephonic units is provided through a printer of the local switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is offered of certifying an information content of a telephonic exchange between a calling party and a called party. The method includes the steps of establishing a unidirectional signal path between the calling party and a transcriber and between the called party and the transcriber. The method further includes the step of transcribing the communicated information of calling and called parties along with indicia of source and time of transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is offered of certifying delivery of a facsimile transmission. The method includes the steps of detecting a facsimile transmission from an originating facsimile machine to a destination facsimile machine. The method further includes the steps of receiving acknowledgement from the destination facsimile machine that a page of the facsimile transmission was received and certifying delivery of the page by outputting a copy of the page with indicia of delivery printed thereon.