Emergency Or Alarm Communications (e.g., Watchman's Circuit) Patents (Class 379/37)
  • Patent number: 7924984
    Abstract: Pluggable communication modules, e.g. SFP, XFP, XENPAK, on a service provider's packet switched network will include network monitoring capability, e.g. Intelligent Pluggable Modules. The Intelligent Pluggable Modules are configured to detect emergency calls. When an emergency call is detected, the module notifies a software application of the detected call, including the Media Access Controller (MAC) address of the caller. The application then queries the network equipment, typically the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer for the ingress port of the MAC address using a protocol such as SNMP. Upon receipt, the service provider's customer database is then queried for the physical port location corresponding to the MAC address. The management station then sends the physical location into the existing 911 system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance A. Tatman, Jeffrey P. Jones
  • Patent number: 7920679
    Abstract: A communication system for notifying persons of an emergency telephone call is provided according to the invention. The communication system includes a communication network configured to receive a user-initiated emergency telephone call from a caller. The communication system further includes a notification system configured to receive the user-initiated emergency telephone call from the communication network, select one or more proximity communication devices based on one or more predetermined proximity criteria, and generate a notification communication to the one or more proximity communication devices. The notification communication notifies the one or more proximity communication devices of the user-initiated emergency telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Usman Muhammad Naim, Nasir Mahmood Mirza, Sameer Akbar Khan
  • Patent number: 7912185
    Abstract: The present invention relates to providing precise location data to a 911 operator of a cell phone operator who initiates a 9-1-1 call and, more particularly, to the interaction of transmitting circuitry in a cellular telephone and complementary receiving circuitry in a landline telephone or stand-alone unit. When a cellular 9-1-1 call is made within proximity of a landline telephone or a stand-alone unit, an interaction takes place between the enabled cell phone and the landline telephone. Upon receiving and decoding the cellular transmission, the landline telephone or stand-alone unit transmits a 9-1-1 call which provides more precise location data (in the form of the landline telephone's subscriber's identification) to a 911 operator than if the 9-1-1 call was simply connected to the operator from the cell phone. The present invention has further applications for locating a 9-1-1 call from a landline telephone connected through a PBX-type master switching box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Celphinder Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sydney Devlin Stanners
  • Publication number: 20110066002
    Abstract: A system and method to assist an emergency medical dispatcher in responding to emergency calls. A computer implemented emergency medical dispatch protocol includes interrogatories for a dispatcher to ask a caller to generate an appropriate response. A diagnostic tool is provided to aid the dispatcher in gathering symptom information for a patient who may be suffering from a pandemic illness, such as a severe respiratory infection like influenza. The diagnostic tool facilitates uniform and consistent gathering of symptom information relating to a pandemic outbreak. The information may be stored and/or processed for use in monitoring and/or tracking pandemic outbreaks. The diagnostic tool can be launched automatically by the emergency dispatch protocol, or manually by a dispatcher. The diagnostic tool presents a user interface that provides, among other things, instructions, symptoms, and input fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: 7903801
    Abstract: Contact information management is described. In an embodiment, an account can be established for a subscriber to provide contact information for contacting the subscriber in the event that a disaster disrupts a regular communication service of the subscriber. The account can be indexed in a database by associating one or more identifiers for identifying the subscriber with the account, so that the account can be identified based on one or more of the identifiers. The account can be activated when the regular communication service of the subscriber has been disrupted by the disaster, so that the contact information can be provided to a searching person who is attempting to contact the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John P Ruckart
  • Patent number: 7903791
    Abstract: An E-9-1-1 voice-over-IP (VoIP) solution is provided wherein a 911 call from a wireless VoIP device is routed directly to the correct Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) via dedicated trunks, together with correct location information and call-back number. VoIP gateways are implemented locally, at least one per LATA, and accept VoIP packetized data inbound, and convert it to standard wireline voice calls. Calls are routed to an IP address at the VoIP gateway, which then egresses the call to a voice port at a selective router. Dedicated voice trunks (CAMA, SS7, FG-D) are installed between each local VoIP gateway and appropriate selective routers. An Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database is provisioned with ESRKs dedicated for VoIP use. TCP/IP circuits may be established between some or all of the various local VoIP gateways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dickinson, Roger Marshall, Steven P. Helme
  • Patent number: 7899159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a common database to store regionalized and localized dialing plans and emergency contact information of major international countries and cities around the world are disclosed. This database collects feeds from foreign network service providers and other carriers that provide regional and local support around the world on a periodic basis. This database is designed to provide the collected information to retail or wholesale network services providers as an information service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7899174
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for facilitating emergency services via packet networks. Emergency service providers will implement emergency proxies to ensure that proper call setup requests for emergency services are forwarded to the appropriate entities, even if those entities are in overload conditions. The emergency proxies may authenticate and filter call setup requests to ensure that only proper call setup requests are forwarded to help prevent such overload conditions. The emergency proxies may operate solely in a packet network, as well as at the interface between a packet network and a circuit-switched network to assist in call setup requests originating from either the packet network or the circuit-switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventor: Cristian Constantinof
  • Patent number: 7894406
    Abstract: A method is provided for routing an emergency call from Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The method includes: establishing a session over a packet-switched network (200) between a CPE (110) and a network node (302), such that the CPE (110) accesses a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) (400) from the network node (302) via a telecommunications switch (500) associated with a first PSAP (320) serving a geographic region (300) different than where the CPE (110) is currently located; identifying a telephone number for a second PSAP (120) serving the geographic region (100) in which the CPE (110) is located; and, substituting the identified telephone number for a dialed telephone number when the dialed telephone number is indicative of an emergency call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Owen Goldman, Kevin M. Patfield
  • Patent number: 7895263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing electronic notifications are described. A notification broadcast initiation is received over a network from a first user. The notification initiation is for a first notification intended for recipients in a first area selected via a GIS system. A determination is made as to which of the recipients in the first area are members of a notification system and have submitted contact paths to the notification system. For those recipients that are members of the notification system, the notification is provided using the submitted contact paths accessed from a system database. For those recipients that are not members of the notification system, the notification is provided using contact information from a reverse 911 database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Steve Kirchmeier, Cinta Putra
  • Patent number: 7877785
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of providing a terminal (10) with an emergency access over a WLAN (2) to a LAN (3), and a communication system (1) to execute this method. The LAN (3) comprises one or more access points (20) and an access control function (21) which admits data packets from users of the WLAN (2) associated with a first SSID to the LAN (3). One or more emergency SSIDs dedicated to allow access to the LAN (3) in an emergency case are defined. An emergency call is initiated by sending data packets from the terminal (10) associated with a selected emergency SSID to one of the one or more access points (20). The access control function (21) admits the data packets from the terminal (10) associated with the selected emergency SSID to the LAN (3). The data packets from the terminal (10) associated with the selected emergency SSID are routed, after admission to the LAN (3), to an emergency answering point (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Anne-Laure Selignan
  • Patent number: 7869576
    Abstract: A power management system for a plurality of rechargeable vehicles comprising an administrator interface for transmitting messages to a rechargeable station network using a processor in communication with data storage; a dynamic information database comprising a classification for at least one user, a rechargeable station identification, a user contact device information, discretionary power consumption information, and at least one dispatchable or non-dispatchable power source; and computer instructions in the data storage for instructing the processor to provide at least one message to the rechargeable station network. An administrator initiates distribution of the at least one message, which is transmitted through at least one industry standard protocol, and the administrator manages distribution and usage of the dispatchable power and non-dispatchable power to the rechargeable station network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: TechRadium, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Rodkey, John Frank Rodkey, Mark Stephen Ledder, David Lynn Hickey, Darren Lynn Ross, Ronald F. Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20110002448
    Abstract: A system and method for emergency telephone call notification. The system includes an AIN capable switch, a service control point (SCP) having a database of designated contact numbers associated with a service subscriber telephone number, and an intelligent peripheral (IP) in communication with the SCP for contacting the designated contact numbers. The method includes the steps of recognizing an N11 trigger and the SCP initiating telephone calls, via the IP, to each of the contact numbers corresponding to the telephone number of the subscriber making the emergency telephone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: David Anthony Orwick, Karen Jeanne Pelletier, Laura Marie Griffith, Todd August Bartels, Thomas Joseph McBlain, Dianna Inara Tiliks, Gordon Lynn Blumenschein, James Daniel Kovarik
  • Patent number: 7864927
    Abstract: A method and continually wearable device for one-button emergency calling, direct to the local emergency responder, from anywhere worldwide where the user is within cordless phone range of their extensive, personally-tailored network of secure, pre-authorizing landline base units. In the U.S., the local emergency responder instantly receives the users' callback number and instant street address with on-site directions through Enhanced 911. The wearable device provides 2-way audio communication with the local emergency responder in either speakerphone, phone or monitor-only modes. The method of adding an emergency calling authorization to a users' network is for the user to place their call pod on the base unit to grant authorization, the base owner then enters his password and the call pod owners name and presses the ‘authorize’ button. An adjustable strap holds the device to the users' body, or the device may be incorporated into other items which are worn or carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Marion Alice Loizeaux
  • Patent number: 7853240
    Abstract: Automatically selecting an emergency number for use by a mobile communications device enabled for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, including: receiving at the mobile communications device a geographic indicator in a beacon frame transmitted from a wireless access point of a wireless local area network that is connected to an Internet Protocol network; and determining from a plurality of emergency numbers stored in a storage element of the mobile communications device a selected emergency number in dependence on the received geographic indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Sherif Abdel-Kader, Srdjan Majkic
  • Patent number: 7848510
    Abstract: A method for recording automatic call distributor calls includes receiving from a caller a call for distribution to one of a plurality of agents and distributing the call to a first agent of the plurality of agents for handling. The method includes creating a call signature associated with the call for recording verification and recording communications of the call to a recording file. The method also includes embedding the call signature in the recording file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Labhesh Patel, Robert T. Bell, Shantanu Sarkar
  • Patent number: 7843934
    Abstract: For purposes of servicing emergency calls, such as 911 calls, a telephone number is associated with each edge router port used to provide IP service to a customer premise location. A telephone number is associated with the edge router port and the corresponding customer location. The telephone number and location information are stored in a database used for providing emergency calling party location information. When a switch used for routing IP calls detects a telephone call to an emergency call center it determines the edge router port from which the call was placed and the telephone number associated with the port for emergency call purposes. The call is then forwarded to the emergency call service center with the determined telephone number being supplied as the calling party number. Performing a lookup operation using the supplied telephone number the emergency service operator determines the location from which the call was placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Services Corp.
    Inventors: Robert T. Baum, Jim Curry
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7843903
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for E911 registration assistance for subscribers using portable Internet Protocol (IP) communications devices are disclosed. According to one method, an IP address of a portable IP communications device is stored. A message is received that indicates an IP address of the portable IP communications device. Next, it is determined whether a difference between the stored IP address and the received IP address indicated by the registration message indicates a change in geographic location of the portable IP communications device. In response to determining that the difference between the stored IP address and the IP address indicated by the received message indicates a change in geographic location of the portable IP communications device, a subscriber is prompted to update stored geographic location information for providing E911 service to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: BroadSoft M6, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Bakke, Subash Madhusudan, Gary L. Brannick
  • Publication number: 20100295671
    Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed devices and methods for monitoring sensors in a home, office or other location and transmit low-bandwidth signals concerning those sensors along existing telephone wires not connected to telephone service. A hub device is electronically connected to one or more sensors at an end user's location, and is also electronically connected to the unused telephone wires. When a sensor transmits a signal to the hub, such as a smoke detection or other problem, the hub creates a low-bandwidth signal and transmits it along the unused telephone wires. A converter remote from the end user's location receives the signal, converts it into data or other type of message, and sends the message to the end user or other service for action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Sweeney, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Jim Kevin Edwards
  • Patent number: 7831270
    Abstract: Providing one or more virtual talk groups to an endpoint includes establishing one or more resources of a user endpoint. Demand of the one or more virtual talk groups is estimated, where the demand is placed on the one or more resources. Whether the one or more resources are capable of satisfying the demand is determined. At least a subset of the one or more virtual talk groups that may be presented to the user endpoint is established, if the one or more resources are not capable of satisfying the demand. At least the subset of the one or more virtual talk groups is provided to the user endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Kalley, Kittur V. Nagesh, Shmuel Shaffer, Dean M. Zanone
  • Patent number: 7822391
    Abstract: A mobile telephone is provided with an emergency beacon. When the telephone's user dials an emergency number, such as 9-1-1, the telephone detects that an emergency number has been dialed, and it activates the beacon. The beacon may be a radio beacon, and, if the telephone is GPS-equipped, the radio beacon may send out the mobile telephone's location. Safety personnel can locate the caller by following the beacon to the caller. Other optional features include an audio emergency beacon and/or a visual emergency beacon, such as a strobe, in addition to or in place of a radio beacon. In one embodiment, the beacon is not activated unless the mobile telephone is unable to complete the call to the emergency number. In another embodiment, the beacon is activated without receiving any remote authorization from, for example, a 9-1-1 call center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Jason R. Delker, John Everson, Jeffrey Mau
  • Patent number: 7817012
    Abstract: When an entity (such as a customer using a communication device 131, 141, 151 . . . ) attempts to communicate with a target (such as an employee), an arrangement indicates to the customer, “status” information describing at least the employee's present and future ability to communicate with the entity (such as by returning his call). At least one sensing device 111-119 is configured to provide sensing information concerning the target employee's status in response to an action of the target employee with respect to the sensing device. A monitoring server 102 is configured to receive the sensing information and to govern communication to the entity (customer) of the target's “status.” In one implementation, a particular sensing device (such as a cash register 111, computer terminal 112, or time clock 113) is configured to perform both (A) a primary function that is not related to providing the sensing information, and (B) the secondary function of providing the sensing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: James C. Ehlinger, Christopher P. Gilboy, Marius J. Gudelis
  • Publication number: 20100254519
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a voice-recordable vocal emergency notification system, wherein the user can store his own vocal emergency message in the system. In the present invention, the vocal emergency message, which may be recorded by the user himself, is input into the system via a communication module. A memory module is used to store and play the vocal emergency message. The communication module sends the vocal emergency message to the police according to the notification telephone numbers, and the case-reporting system of the police can thus receive clear information about the case. Then, the police verify with the GPS service company the user's data and obtain the position of the user. Thereby, the police can fast execute a rescue action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Chien-Chung Su
  • Patent number: 7796738
    Abstract: A method for providing a E911 edge network. The method includes assigning public safety answering points (PSAPs) to ports located in a network, where each of the ports is associated with a calling party number (CPN) and a geographic location. The method also includes identifying an incoming emergency call from an IP device. The IP device corresponds to a unique code address and the incoming emergency call includes an incoming CPN. The entry port associated with the IP device is determined based on the unique code address and the incoming CPN. The incoming emergency call is connected to the PSAP corresponding to the entry port. The CPN and the geographic location data are transmitted to the PSAP corresponding to the entry port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Ronald Paul Wright
  • Publication number: 20100226481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for establishing emergency and alarm communications between devices via an interface device are provided. According to one aspect, an interface device comprises an input, an output, and logic. The input receives data in a first format from the first device. The logic detects whether the data is intended to request assistance from emergency services and if so, determining proper routing, retrieving location information and transmit the data and location information to the proper destination. If not intended to request assistance, a second device for receiving the data is identified as well as a second format, the data is translated to the second format and transmitted to the second device. A battery may selectively provide power to essential components of the interface device upon detection of a power failure. Notifications are made upon detection of a power failure, malfunction, or emergency request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Tischer, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Publication number: 20100220840
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating a pre-stored emergency message from a TTY to a PSAP may include, in response to receiving an emergency call signal, accessing a pre-stored emergency message stored in a memory. A PSAP may be dialed. In one embodiment, the PSAP may be dialed by the user dialing 911 or the TTY may automatically dial 911 in response to the user selecting a hard or soft-button associated with communicating an emergency message to a PSAP. The pre-stored emergency message may be communicated to a PSAP using a TTY communications protocol. A TTY compatible device utilized by a PSAP operator may be configured to provide the PSAP operator with pre-stored messages available for selection and communication to the emergency caller. By providing pre-stored messages on TTY devices, emergency communications between users of the TTY devices may be expedited, thereby potentially saving lives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: AMAR NATH RAY, Lynn T. Greene
  • Patent number: 7783013
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to locate, route, and/or otherwise process an emergency communications signal from a VoIP communication device equipped with a location positioning system and an emergency communications computer software product. The software identifies an emergency communications address, activates the location positioning system, and communicates location coordinates and other emergency information with the emergency communications signal to a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Donald R. Laliberte
  • Patent number: 7783278
    Abstract: A communicator for a personal emergency response system determines, when a power switch is switched on, whether the communicator has previously successfully performed at least one predetermined installation sequence. If the communicator has previously completed the installation sequence, it bypasses the installation sequence. If the communicator has not previously completed the installation sequence, it prompts the user through the installation sequence using a series of audible or text prompts. During the installation sequence, the user is prompted to perform range testing to verify the operation of a transmitter in conjunction with the communicator in the personal emergency alarm system in one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: William G. MacIver, Alan D. Brav, Joshua A. Hanson, William S. Prenovitz
  • Patent number: 7778394
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a system and method for providing a signal to a communication system comprising an interface between a communication link and the communication system, like an alarm system, wherein the interface receives a signal from the communication link and provides a signal indicative of the availability of the communication link for use by the communication system. Alarm systems operations may be facilitated so that Residential Gateway components (such as voice terminal adapters) may simulate traditional telephone network systems that run on 48 VDC powered telephone lines. The system also comprises an input port associated with the interface for receiving the signal from the communication link, a transformer or a voltage regulator and an output port associated with the interface for providing the conditioned signal to the communication system. A ring voltage received from the communication link may be passed through to the alarm system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: David B. Small, Steve Wollmershauser, Yolius Diroo
  • Patent number: 7773729
    Abstract: A digital notification and response system utilizes an administrator interface to transmit a message from an administrator to user contact devices having an advertising module and a customer module with translation abilities. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes user contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard protocols simultaneously to groups of user contact devices based upon priority information. Once the message is received by the user contact device, the user contact device transmits a response through the industry standard protocols back to the dynamic information database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Techradium, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Rodkey, John Frank Rodkey, Jr., David Lynn Hickey, Ronald F. Ramsey, Darren Lynn Ross
  • Patent number: 7764769
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods are presented for handling calls. In one embodiment, an emergency call handling system capable of receiving visual information from callers and correlating the visual information to particular incidents is disclosed. To obtain visual information, a call handler may generate and send an electronic mail message to the caller. The caller may reply to the electronic mail message and attach an image captured with, for example, a camera phone. The visual information may then be correlated to the call between the caller and call handler. In addition, unsolicited visual information received by the emergency call handling system may be prioritized, triaged and delivered to the call handler. The visual information may be used to assess an emergency situation. The visual information may be forwarded to emergency service providers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: PowerPhone, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Salafia, Jeremy Edward Turk, Philip M. Salafia, Francois Gerard Koutchouk
  • Patent number: 7756254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a signaling message to be sent in response to an emergency call, e.g., an E911 call, set up message to provide information as to whether or not the E911 call has been successfully completed are disclosed. An indicator of a failed call setup will trigger the call to be re-originated transparently to an emergency center where live operators can handle the call on a 24hours/day basis. In one embodiment, an emergency center is a call center that is operated by a network provider or a third party provider to support emergency calls when a PSAP cannot be reached by a caller for various reasons. The emergency center is capable forwarding a call to the appropriate PSAP for call termination on behalf of the E911 caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7734020
    Abstract: Security systems typically communicate with alarm monitoring centers using a telephone connection. The present invention offers a system and technique for monitoring a security system connected using a Voice-over-IP connection, in real time, and alerting the owner of the security system, or the alarm-monitoring center, when the connection is broken. This alert can be used, for example, to issue a telephone call to the police, informing them of the breach of line integrity and possible compromise of the premise. In addition, the present invention allows for one-way or two-way voice communication between the alarm panel and an alarm operator and/or a 3rd party. Such voice communication helps the alarm operator and/or 3rd party to determine whether an alarm is a real alarm or a possible false alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: NextAlarm International, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Alexander Elliot, Bryan Field-Elliot, Daniel Elliot
  • Patent number: 7734019
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for servicing emergency calls are disclosed. One such method includes providing a location database that includes physical location information about a communication device. This location information can be accessed either directly or indirectly by an emergency service answering system, while concealing the information from a network responsible for terminating the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventor: Richard D. Terpstra
  • Patent number: 7715530
    Abstract: The present invention discusses a method and apparatus for selectively providing a power to an alarm system, such as the power source provided by a telephone company, to alarm equipment located at customer's premises in a Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) telephone network. This power source is commonly used to power the POTS lines in a Service Provider's network. Two signals, one relating to the optical connectivity of the network and one relating to the connectivity of virtual circuits, are monitored at the customer premises. A logical operation is performed so as to remove a power source if either of the two signals is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan David Walker, Mark Lamar Dement, Eugene L. Edmon
  • Patent number: 7715821
    Abstract: In the method of updating a unique call back number for a wireless unit having originated an emergency call, a unique call back number for the wireless unit is updated (e.g., changed or added to a list of unique call back numbers) based on a received unique call back number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Rollender
  • Publication number: 20100098065
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling calling parties to request the VoIP network to provide a special ring tone to be signaled as the occurrence of an urgent call to called parties are disclosed. Alternatively, a high frequency intercept tone or call waiting tone is also provided when the called parties are already engaged in conversation when an urgent call is incoming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7694325
    Abstract: The instant invention provides a system and method of broadcasting audio and visual information to a plurality of audio reproduction devices and visual display devices utilizing a plurality of control computers linked thereto by a communications network. The invention employs a plurality of pre-recorded digital audio files and corresponding visual representation thereof to allow a user to construct message sequences for broadcast with a minimum of system input. Furthermore, a user may specify a plurality of broadcast zones to broadcast audio and visual messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Electronic Designs, LLC
    Inventors: Hardison G. Martin, Kenneth A. Tench, Anthony W. Simpson, John D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100074418
    Abstract: A selective router interface translator for placement between legacy selective routers and their location databases translates location queries from legacy selective router interfaces to newer protocol location databases using newer protocol interfaces, e.g., a NENA V8 protocol query to an Emergency Routing DataBase (ERDB), or a Location to Service Translation (LoST) protocol query to a LoST server. In this way existing selective routers may remain as they are today, yet be flexible enough to allow the databases they query to be developed to new standards. The disclosed selective router interface translator includes a NENA V3 protocol to LoST protocol translator to translate a NENA V3 query for location of an emergency caller into a LoST protocol query. The selective router interface translator also comprises an ALI to ERDB protocol translator to translate an ALI query for location of an emergency caller into an ERDB protocol query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Todd POREMBA
  • Patent number: 7683792
    Abstract: An alarm unit for providing warnings of multiple types of emergency situations includes a connector for connecting the unit to host electricity, a backup power source, receiver circuitry for receiving a broadcast warning, memory for storing digital alarm files, and a speaker for amplifying an executed alarm file. The receiver circuitry receives one or a combination of early warning system broadcast alerts, emergency band radio alerts, cellular network alerts, or data network alerts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Susan Araiza-Boys
  • Patent number: 7680252
    Abstract: A switch proxy comprising a controller, a translations database and a switching fabric are connected to a trunk group between a remote terminal and its controlling local switching system. The switch proxy monitors control signals to and from the switching system on the trunk. In the event of loss of control signals from the host switching system, the switch proxy intercepts requests for service, etc. from a calling telephone connected to the remote terminal and performs a look up in the translation database. If the call can be completed without the controlling switching system the call is looped back to the remote terminal. The translation database is maintained by a switch proxy management system that receives change orders from the local exchange carrier. The switch proxy management system forwards relevant changes to the switch proxy's translation database in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aztek Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Marcus Elder
  • Patent number: 7675402
    Abstract: A keypad security apparatus and security system are provided. The keypad includes a network connector to connect the keypad to a data network, an address tracker to track an address assigned to the keypad, and a data input to receive user input data, including arm/disarm commands and to transmit the data via the data network. The network may be a LAN, such an Ethernet connecting the keypad via a router to an internet. A security control panel may also be connected to the local area network. Audio data may be input to the keypad and transmitted via the network voice data over data network, such as voice over IP data (VoIP). The address assigned to the keypad may be an IP address or a local area network address. The keypad may be connected as a wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Lee, Jaime E. Barahona, James Ramroop
  • Publication number: 20100046506
    Abstract: A telecommunications outlet providing location identification in a local area network, the telecommunications outlet constituted of: a network side connection adapted to be connected to a networking device via horizontal cabling; a data terminal side connection adapted to be connected to a data terminal equipment; a control circuitry; a memory adapted for storage of multi-bit data; a transmitter in communication with the memory; and a first switch responsive to the control circuitry, the first switch arranged in a first mode to connect data from the network side connection to the data terminal side connection and in a second mode to connect data from the transmitter to the network side connection and disconnect data from the network side connection to the data terminal side connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSEMI CORP. - ANALOG MIXED SIGNAL GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Feldman, David Pincu, Tamir Langer
  • Publication number: 20100046719
    Abstract: An emergency notification system. The system includes a first server for receiving a communication from a telecommunications network and for transmitting a message to a subscriber of the notification system. The system also includes a second server in communication with the first server, the second server for supplying the first server with information associated with a subscriber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. f/k/a BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventor: Sunil H. Contractor
  • Patent number: 7664233
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing electronic notifications are described. A server is configured to serve an interface, such as a Web page, to a terminal that requests from a user a first set of user contacts to be used to provide notifications to the user by a telephonic notification system in response to a notification process initiated by an organization associated with the user. The interface further requests a first set of priorities corresponding to the first set of user contacts, wherein the notification system will attempt to provide notifications to the first set user contracts in an order based at least in part on the first set of priorities. A database is configured to store the first set of user contacts and the first set of priorities. A voice interface circuit is configured to transmit a voice notification to at least one of the first set of user contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Everbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Kirchmeier, Cinta Putra
  • Publication number: 20100014508
    Abstract: An emergency call includes sending, by a Call Session Control Function entity (CSCF) to User Equipment (UE), a session reject message containing indication information indicating re-initiating an emergence call according to a local policy upon detecting that a session request sent by the UE is an emergency session request; and re-initiating, by the UE, an emergency call of CS domain or Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domain according to the indication information. A system for an emergency call includes UE and a CSCF. The CSCF includes an emergency call determination unit and an emergency call domain selection unit. Upon detecting that a call is an emergency call, the CSCF instructs the UE to re-initiate an emergency call of CS or IMS domain according to whether a network supports the emergency call of CS or IMS domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanfei Yang
  • Publication number: 20100008478
    Abstract: A management apparatus of a notification system includes an interface unit that communicates with a store terminal used for a predetermined site work process by a site worker and an IP telephone terminal used for IP phone call, which are located at one work site; an accepting unit that accepts an emergency notification to the site worker; a display control unit that displays and outputs the accepted emergency notification on the store terminal via the interface unit; and a calling unit that calls the IP telephone terminal via the interface unit to make the site worker recognize the emergency notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: SHINYA ARAO, Teruharu Serada, Hirokazu Yamada, Noriaki Hayase, Takayuki Omino, Yasuaki Tsunemi, Kenichi Kamiya, Michio Nishioka
  • Patent number: 7646858
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for handling calls. In one embodiment of the invention, a call handling system is configured for handling a variety of emergency and/or non emergency related calls. The call handling system may enable recognition of and response to received call information. The call handling system comprises a call interface configured for receiving the call information. A processor is communicatively coupled to the call interface and configured for processing the call information to initiate a protocol. This protocol may, as it progresses, be used to generate data for use in a CAD system. The CAD system may subsequently dispatch responders based on the generated data. The call handling system includes an advisory component that recommends a type of dispatch and a risk assessment. The call handling system also includes a build component that allows for the generation of protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: PowerPhone, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Salafia, Jeremy Edward Turk, Philip M. Salafia
  • Patent number: 7646854
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to a critical event. The method includes receiving a call requesting an emergency response to a critical event and in response to the call, using at least one communication network to transmit a request for supplemental information from reporting devices located in a specified area related to the critical event. The supplemental information is received over the at least one communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Scenera Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eric C. Anderson