(12) United States Patent
`Martin
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111111
`US006839552Bl
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`Jan.4, 2005
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPORTING
`AN EMERGENCY SITUATION
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Dannie E. Martin, Casselberry, FL
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property
`Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S .C. 154(b) by 401 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/746,648
`Dec. 26, 2000
`(22) Filed:
`(51) Int. Cl.7
`. .. .. .... .. .. ...... ........ ....... . ... .... . ... .. .. H04Q 7/20
`(52) U.S. Cl . .................. 455/404.1; 455/420; 455/414.l
`(58) Field of Search ........................... 455/404.1, 414.1,
`455/418-420, 456.3, 566, 404, 414, 456-457,
`421, 408, 411, 521, 566.1, 404.2; 379/37
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PArENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9/1997
`5,663,734 A
`5,890,061 A * 3/ 1999
`6,011,967 A * 1/2000
`6,198,914 Bl * 3/2001
`6,208,877 Bl * 3/2001
`6,477,362 Bl • 11/2002
`6,477,363 Bl * 11/2002
`6,518,957 Bl • 2/2003
`6,687,497 Bl * 2/2004
`
`Krasner
`Timm et al. ............. 455/404.2
`Wieck ........................ 455/ 404
`Saegusa ................... 455/404.2
`Hemy, Jr. .. ................. 455/566
`Railh el al. .............. 455/ 404.1
`Ayoub et al. . .. . .. .. . .. . 455/ 404.2
`Leh1inen el al. ............ 345/ l 73
`Pa,vulescu et al. ....... , . 455/ 420
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0 930 770 A2 * 7/1999
`
`H04N/ 1/00
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`James M. Zagami et al., " Providing Universal Location
`Services Using a Wireless E911 Location Network", IEEE
`Communications Magazine, Apr. 1998, pp. 66- 71.
`
`James J. Caffery, Jr., et al, "Overview of Radiolocation in
`CDMA Cellular Systems", IEEE Communications Maga(cid:173)
`zine, Apr. 1998, pp. 38-45.
`
`Mark Moeglein, et al. "An Introduction to Snap Track
`Server - Aided GPST Technology", available at http://ww(cid:173)
`w.snaptrack.com/aLwork.btml.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner- William Trost
`Assistant Examiner~ randon J. Miller
`(74) Attome)\ Agent, or Firm-Cantor Colburn LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention is a system and method for reporting
`an emergency situation to a called party a using a wireless
`device. T he wireless device comprises a keyboard and a
`microprocessor. In one embodiment, when a specific key(cid:173)
`stroke sequence is entered using the keyboard, the wireless
`device performs the following tasks: (1) disabling one or
`more components of the wireless device; (2) establishing a
`wireless communication session with the called party; (3)
`communicating with a location system to generate location
`information pinpointing the location of the wireless device;
`and (5) providing the location information to the called
`party. In other embodiments, the wire device performs
`additional tasks, including: ( 6) capturing content during the
`wireless communication; (7) communicating with the loca(cid:173)
`tion system to generate subsequent location information; and
`(8) providing one or more of the subsequent location infor(cid:173)
`mation and the content to the called party. The called party
`may then use the location information and the content to
`perform one or more actions, including providing help to the
`user of the wireless device.
`
`58 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Relalea,peciflckey,uol<e
`kllq~ewllh"'911"
`
`S~ 11s~r information
`
`Rc,;ei\'C 1he spec.iflC
`key$uok, s:equenoe
`
`~ae1iva1e • dhplay
`llll4 . ru,ge,
`
`~ l lb •,i,•i,de,,_
`<:<>mt'llWl.ieation 1euiQ0
`
`SO?
`
`504
`
`>06
`
`,os
`
`SIO
`
`Generaieinidal
`location i:lfonnadon
`
`Provide lhe illitial
`loc,tion tnfommioo
`
`Maintainertwinln.s
`cocnmunic::ation. sessfoa
`
`Oen~ tubkqlH1)t
`~OIi 1nfonnatiom
`
`\he d'Je mormatioa ~ivod
`to ~rformariarlicm
`
`ll2
`
`,..
`
`'16
`
`518
`
`'20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.4, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`20
`
`.l PA Control .
`
`~ Dis
`I N
`Ba
`
`'
`
`' •.. , .
`
`10
`
`t
`
`Figure 1
`PRIOR ART
`
`■ . I
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 4, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`280
`
`Location
`System
`
`200 r::::.====-::;.,f
`
`,___ _ _ __, Database
`
`290
`
`Called
`Party
`
`380
`
`Location
`System
`
`300
`
`Wireless
`Network
`
`t - - -- - - - i Database
`
`390
`
`150
`
`( 100
`
`osr
`
`140
`
`120
`
`Keyboard
`
`130
`
`Display
`
`Sensing
`Device
`
`Memory
`
`Notifier
`
`160
`
`112
`
`170
`
`Location
`System
`
`Figure 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.4, 2005
`
`Sheet 3 of S
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`START
`
`Create keystroke sequence
`LO called pany relationship
`
`Store user information
`in database
`
`Receive keystroke sequence
`and retrieve called number
`
`Disable al least one
`component of the wireless device
`
`Establish a wireless
`communication session
`
`Generate initial
`location information
`
`302
`_,/
`
`304
`
`306
`
`308
`
`3!0
`
`312
`_/
`
`314
`
`316
`
`318
`
`320
`
`322
`
`324
`../
`
`326
`
`Provide the initial
`location information
`
`Maintain the wireless
`communication session
`
`Generate 5ubsequent
`location information
`
`Caprure content
`
`Transmit the content
`to the called party
`
`Play a recording when an
`incoming call is received
`
`Use the infonnatiou
`lo perform an action
`
`END
`
`Figure 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.4, 2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`400
`
`490
`
`PSAP
`
`Database
`
`380
`
`Location
`System
`
`,,.- 300
`
`100
`
`Wireless
`
`Network . . :
`
`Wireless
`Device
`
`Figure 4
`
`START
`
`Relate a specific keystroke
`squence with "91 l"
`
`Store user information
`
`Receive the specific
`keystroke sequence
`
`Deactivate a display
`and a ringer
`
`Establish a wireless
`communication session
`
`502
`
`504
`
`506
`
`508
`
`510
`
`512
`
`514
`
`516
`_.J
`
`518
`
`520
`
`Generate initial
`location infonnation
`
`Provide the initial
`location infonnation
`
`Maintain the wireless
`communication session
`
`Generate subsequent
`location mfonnation
`
`Use the information received
`to perform an action
`
`END
`
`Figure 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan.4, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`600 ""'\
`
`Operation
`Center
`
`Wirele.~
`Network
`
`300
`
`l 10
`
`112 '\ F===:::::i
`Memory
`
`180
`
`Location
`System
`
`Figure 6
`
`,,. 100
`
`190
`
`160
`
`Signal
`Detector
`
`Sensing
`Device
`
`START
`
`Relate a keystroke sequence
`with operation center
`
`Store the keystroke
`sequence in Lhe memory
`
`Receive the
`keystroke sequence
`
`Suspend nonnal functions
`of the wireless device
`
`Sense or detect
`a stimulus or a signal
`
`702
`
`704
`/
`
`706
`
`708
`
`710
`
`Establish a wireless
`communication session
`
`Generate
`location infonnation
`
`Provide the
`location information
`
`Capture content
`
`Transmit the
`content
`
`Use the information received
`to perfonn an action
`
`712
`
`714
`
`716
`_,)
`
`718
`
`720
`
`722
`
`Figure 7
`
`END
`
`

`

`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REPORTING
`AN EMERGENCY SITUATION
`
`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`BACKGROUND
`1. Field of the Invention
`to
`The present invention relates generall y
`telecommunications, and more particularly to a system and
`method for reporting an emergency situation using a wire(cid:173)
`less device.
`2. Background of the Invention
`Being a victim of a crime can be a terrible thing for any
`person. The experience of being the victim could be even
`worse if the victim could not communicate with others to
`obtain help. For example, a person being kidnapped or 1s
`car-jacked is unable to call the police, especially if the
`person is ordered by his or her kidnapper to disable hi5 or her
`wireless telephone. Even in a situation in which the kidnap(cid:173)
`per was initially unaware of the presence of the wireless
`telephone, the victim's safety could be in jeopardy when bi5 20
`or her attempt to use the v.,jreless telephone is intercepted by
`the kidnapper.
`The widespread use of the wireless telephones in the
`United States has prompted the Federal Communications
`Commission (FCC) to promulgate new rules related to 25
`emergency call processing. The. FCC's wireless Enhanced
`911 (E911) rules require certain Commercial Mobile Radio
`Services (CMRS) carriers to begin transmis.5ion of enhanced
`location and identity information in two phases. The first
`phase, started on Apr. 1, 1998, required wireless service 30
`providers to transmit a 911 caller's number and section of
`the cell site from which the call is originated to a Public
`Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The second phase, starting
`on Oct. 31, 2001, requires all wireles.5 service providers to
`locate two-thirds of all 911 callers within 125 meters of their 35
`physical locations. In other words, for all 911 calls received,
`a PSAP must be able to pinpoint 67% of the callers within
`125 meters.
`Under the FCC rules, wireles.5 communication networks
`and wireless telephones (or any wireless devices that can be
`used to call 911) , must provide both the identity and location
`of the caller to a 911 dispatcher. To provide a caller's
`identity, the wireless device must furnish a device
`identification, e.g., a mobile identification number (MIN),
`indicating in most instances the telephone number of the 45
`device. To provide a caller's location, tile wireless commu(cid:173)
`nication networks and wireless devices will use a network(cid:173)
`based location system or a handheld location system
`installed within the wireless devices, or a combination of the
`two systems. An example of a handheld location system is so
`a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. U.S. Pat. No.
`5,663,734, which is incorporated herein by reference, di5-
`closes a GPS receiver and a method for processing GPS
`signals.
`The contemplated E911 location technology will enable 55
`the PSAP to know the location of the wireless telephone at
`the time the 911 call i5 establi5hed. However, the caller must
`physically dial the number, and the wireless telephone must
`remained active or on to enable the PSAP to track the
`location of the wireless telephone. The current technology 60
`does not provide a wireless device that can be used to report
`an emergency situation, and at the same time, appears to
`have been powered off.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is a system and method for using a
`wireless device to report an emergency situation to a called
`
`2
`party. The wireless device may be any apparatus with
`telecommunication capabilities. For example, the wireless
`device may be a wireless telephone, an interactive pager, a
`handheld computer, or a personal digital assistant.
`A wireless device of the present invention comprises a
`microprocessor, a location system, an input device, and an
`output device. The input device may be a keypad or a
`keyboard. The output device ray be a display commonly
`found on the wireless devices mentioned above. A preferred
`10 embodiment of the present invention can comprise addi(cid:173)
`tional devices, including one or more of a signal detector and
`a sensing device.
`A wireless device of the present invention can maintain a
`wireless communication session with a called party while
`the wireless device appears to have been powered off. The
`called party may be a PSAP. The present invention may be
`used, for example, by a victim of a crime to report the crime
`without alerting the criminal. In another example, an under-
`cover law enforcement agent can use the wireless device to
`transmit a conversation to his or her operation center
`secretly.
`A preferred method for using the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises the following steps. First, a relationship between a
`telephone number that is associated with the called party
`(the called number) and a sequence of keystrokes is created,
`and the relationship is programmed into the wireless device.
`Second, a user of the wireless device (the caller) inputs the
`sequence using the input device when the caller wishes to
`contact the called part y. Third, the microprocessor deacti(cid:173)
`vates one or more components of the wireless device,
`including the display. Fourth, the microprocessor, in con(cid:173)
`junction with other components of the wireless device,
`establishes a wireles.5 communication session with the called
`party. Fifth a location system generates location information
`pinpointing the location of the wireles.5 device and provides
`the location information to the called party.
`In other embodiments, the following additional steps may
`be included. Sixth, the sensing device of the wireles.5 device
`40 can capture content comprising, for example, sound.
`Seventh, the content can be transmitted to the called party.
`Eighth, the wireles.s communication session can remain
`active to enable the location system to provide subsequent
`location information to the called party.
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe
`method for reporting a crime.
`It is another object of the present invention to enable
`spontaneous. transmission of information to a called party
`when a wireless communication session is established.
`It i5 another object of the present intention to establish a
`wireless communication session when a stimulus is received
`by the wireless device.
`These and other objects of the present invention are
`described in greater detail in the detailed description of the
`invention, the appended drawings, and the attached claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Fl G. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art wireless telephone.
`FIG. 2 15 a schematic diagram showing the system archi(cid:173)
`tecture of an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 i5 a flowchart showing the general steps involved
`in using an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 4 15 a schematic diagram showing the system archi-
`65 lecture of a first preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein a crime victim can use a wireless device
`to report a crime in progre.ss to a PSAP.
`
`

`

`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`3
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart s howing the steps involved in using
`the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the system archi(cid:173)
`tecture of a second preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein a law enforcement agent can use the
`wireless device during an undercover operation.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps involved in using
`the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`
`4
`example, the method published by James J . Caffery, Jr. and
`Gordon L. Stuber in IEEE Communications Magazine
`(April 1998) may be used. The article titled "Overview of
`Radiolocation in CD~IA Cellular Systems" is hereby incor-
`s porated by reference. One or both of called party 200 and
`wireless network 300 can be associated with a database,
`which is shown in FIG. 2 as database 290 and database 390,
`respectively.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the general steps involved
`10 in using an embodiment of the present invention. In specific
`embodiments of the present invention, one or more of these
`general steps may be used. Furthermore, each of the general
`steps may include one or more sub-steps in the specific
`embodiments. Although these general steps and sub-steps
`15 are discussed herein sequentially, the steps may be imple(cid:173)
`mented in any combination and in any logical order to
`accomplish a specific purpose. Furthermore, specific
`embodiments of the present invention may include addi(cid:173)
`tional unique steps that are not discussed herein as part of the
`20 general steps.
`In step 302, at least one relationship between a keystroke
`sequence and a telephone number associated with called
`party 200 (the called number) can be defined or created. The
`relationship may be stored in memory 112 shown in FIG. 2.
`Memory 112 can be accessible by microprocessor 110 of
`wireless device 100. A first specific example of the keystroke
`sequence may comprise pressing the "power off'' key while
`holding down the "*" key on keyboard 120. A second
`specific example of the keystroke sequence may comprise
`pressing the "power-off'' key a number of times. In still
`another specific example of the relationship, the keystroke
`sequence may comprise pressing a plurality of keys seriatim.
`In step 304, information related to wireless device 100 can
`35 be stored in the memory. The information may comprise the
`relationship created in step 102 and a user profile. Tbe user
`profile may comprises, for example, the name of the user of
`wireless device 100, the medical record of the user, the type
`of vehicle owned by the user, and/or the vehicle's license
`40 plate number. The information can be provided to called
`party 200 when the keystroke sequence is used to establish
`the wireless communication session. The information may
`also be stored in a database accessible by called party 200.
`For example, the information may be stored in at leac;t one
`45 of database 290 and database 390.
`In step 306, when a user of wireless device 100 inputs the
`keystroke sequence on keyboard 120, microprocessor 110
`can retrieve the called number from memory 112. In a
`specific example, if the user presses the "power-off'' key
`while holding down the "*" key, microprocessor 110 knows
`that 911 is to be tLc;ed as the called number. Other keystroke
`sequences can associate other telephone numbers with other
`called parties. In step 308, at least one component of
`wireless device 100 can deactivated or disabled by micro(cid:173)
`processor 110. The component may be a display, e.g.,
`display 130, or a notifier, such as notifier 170, or both.
`Deactivation of display 130 creates an appearance that
`wireless device 100 has been powered off. Deactivation of
`notifier 170 prevents any incoming call intended for wireless
`device l(N) from alerting any person in the vicinity of
`wireless device 100 of the existence of wireless device 100.
`As known to one skilled in the art, wireless device 100 can
`be programmed with these functions.
`In step 310, microprocessor ll0 can use the called number
`65 to establish a wireless communication session with called
`party 200. In the first specific example, the microprocessor
`can use "911" as the called number to call a PSAP as called
`
`30
`
`25
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art wireless telephone
`10. ARM control 20 is a microprocessor that is part of prior
`art wireless telephone 10. As known to one skilled in the art,
`the variottc; components of wireless telephone 10 be adapted
`for the system architecture of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the system archi(cid:173)
`tecture of an embodiment of the present invention. The
`system of the present invention comprises microprocessor
`110, keyboard 120, and display130, each of which is a
`component of wireless device 100. Microprocessor ll0 is
`preferably a RISC (reduced instruction set computer) micro(cid:173)
`processor. Keyboard 120 is an example of an input device.
`Display 130 is an example of an output device. Wireless
`device 100 may be any wireless communication equipment
`that can be used to establish a \vireless communication
`session with a called party, such as called party 200.
`Examples of wireless device 100 include a wireless
`telephone, an interactive pager, a handheld computer, and a
`personal digital assistant.
`Microprocessor 110 ic; in communication with keyboard
`120 and display 130. In preferred embodiments, micropro(cid:173)
`cessor 110 can also be in communication with digital signal
`processor (DSP) 140, antenna 150, sensing device 160, and
`notifier 170, each of which a component of wireless device
`100. Sensing device 160 may be, for example, one or more
`of a microphone, a camera, a thermometer, and a barometer.
`Sensing device 160 can capture content. The content can
`include one or more of sound, still or moving images,
`temperature, and pressure, depending on the type of sensing
`device used. Notifier 170 may be any component that can be
`used to notify the user of wireless device 100 when an
`incoming call is received by wireless device 100. For
`example, it may be a ringer or a vibrator. Microprocessor
`110 is preferably in communication with memory 112,
`which is also a component of wireless device 100.
`Wireless device 100 cao establic;b a wireles.5 communi(cid:173)
`cation session with called party 200 through wireless net(cid:173)
`work 300. The present invention can further comprise one or 50
`more of location system 180, location system 280, and
`location system 380, which are associated with wireless
`device 100, called party 200, and wireless network 300,
`respectively.
`At least one of location systems 180, 280, and 380 can 55
`generate location information pinpointing the location of
`wireless device 110 during the wirele&c; communication
`session. The location information may be generated tLc;ing
`any known methodc;. For example, location system 180 may
`be a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver that is in 60
`communication with a constellation of OPS satellites, which
`produces position coordinates of wireless device 100. U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,663,734, which is incorporated herein by
`reference, discloses a GPS receiver and a method for pro(cid:173)
`cessing GPS signals.
`Location systems 180, 280, and 380 may generate the
`location information using one of several methods. For
`
`

`

`US 6,839,552 Bl
`
`s
`
`5
`party 200. The wireless communication session can be
`established using a number of components of wireless
`device 100, including DSP 140 and antenna 150.
`In step 312, initial location information can be generated
`by at least one location system, which may be one or more
`of location systems 180, 280, and 380. The initial location
`information can pinpoint the location of wireless device 100
`at the time the initial location information is generated. The
`initial location information may be generated using any of
`the known methods discussed above. In step 314, the initial
`location information can provided to called party 200 during
`the wireless communication session. The initial location
`information is preferably provided to called party 200 as
`soon as it is generated.
`In step 316, the wireless communication session is main(cid:173)
`tained. Called party 200 preferably has exclusive control
`over the wireless communication session. Exclusive control
`means that only called party 200 can terminate the session.
`The exclusive control can prevent the wireles.s communica(cid:173)
`tion session from being terminated by anyone, whether ZO
`accidentally or intentionally.
`In step 318, subsequent location information can be
`generated by one or more of location systems 180, 280, and
`380. The subsequent location information can be generated
`based on a rule. The rule is preferably stored in one or more
`of memory ll2, database 290, and database 390, to operate
`location system 180, location system 280, and location
`system 380, respectively. The rule may comprise generating
`the subsequent location information continuously. The rule
`may comprise generating the subsequent location informa(cid:173)
`tion at regular intervals. The regular intervals may be every
`few seconds, minutes, or hours, depending on specific
`application of the embodiment. The subsequent location
`information can pinpoint a subsequent location of wireless
`device 100 at the time the subsequent location information
`is generated. The subsequent location information is pref(cid:173)
`erably provided to called party 200 as soon as it is generated.
`In step 320, content surrounding wireles.s device 100 can
`be captured by sensing device 160. Sensing device 160 may
`be ooe of several instruments. For example, a microphone
`may be used as sensing device 160 to capture sound as the
`content. Similarly, if the content comprises images, the
`appropriate sensing device would be a camera. A thermom(cid:173)
`eter and a barometer are appropriate sensing devices for
`temperature and pressure, respectively. The content can be
`transmitted to called party 200 in step 322.
`In step 324, a recording can be played when an incoming
`call is received from a third party. The recording may
`comprise, for example, " Normal functioning of this wireless 50
`device is currently suspended. Please leave a message." The
`recording may also comprise, for example, "I am in trouble,
`please call the police." The recording may further comprise
`the most current location information at the time the record(cid:173)
`ing is played. The recording can be created by micropro- 55
`cessor 110. The recording may also be a prerecorded mes(cid:173)
`sage stored in memory 112.
`In step 326, called party can use one or more of the user
`information, the location information, and the content to
`perform an action. The action may comprise, for example, 60
`dispatching an emergency response team to the location,
`and/or using the content as evidence in a litigation.
`There are a number of specific embodiments that may be
`implemented. For example, in a first specific embodiment, a
`crime victim can use the wireless device of the present 65
`invention to report a crime in progress to a PSAP. In a
`second specific embodiment, a law enforcement agent can
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`use the wireless device in an undercover operation. Other
`embodiments may also be implemented.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the system archi(cid:173)
`tecture of a first preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, wherein a crime victim can use wireless device
`100 to report a crime in progress to PSAP 400. Database 490
`is a database that is accessible by PSAP 400. Database 490
`comprises, among other things, information of the kind
`typically maintained in a 911 database. A specific example
`10 involving a victim being car-jacked is described herein to
`demonstrate how the present invention may be imple(cid:173)
`mented. Wireless device 100 in this embodiment can be a
`wireless telephone, which is a node of wireless network 300.
`Location system 380 is a component of wireless network
`300.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps involved in using
`the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In
`step 502, a specific keystroke sequence can be related to
`"911" as the called number. For example, the keystroke
`sequence might comprise holding the "*" key down while
`the pressing the "power off" key. The relationship can be
`stored in memory 1l2 of wireless device 100. In step 504,
`information related to the user of wireless device 100 can be
`stored in a database. The database may be database 490. The
`information can comprise the identity of wireless device
`100, the identity of the owner of wireless device 100, as well
`as information related to the owner's vehicle, including the
`tag number, color, make, and model year of the vehicle.
`Io step 506, the specific keystroke sequence is received by
`wireless device 100. For example, when the owner is being
`forced by a carjacker to turn off wireless device 100, she can
`hold the "*" key down while pres.sing the "power off'' key
`on keyboard 120 of wireless device 100 to enter the specific
`keystroke sequence defined in step 502. In step 508, display
`130 of wireless device 100 can immediately go inactive,
`giving an appearance that wireles.s device 100 bas been
`turned off. Preferably, notifier 170 of wirele.ss device 100 is
`also deactivated at the same time. Moreover, incoming audio
`can also be muted so that noise is not heard from wireless
`device 100.
`In step 510, unbeknown to the carjacker, v.ireless device
`100 can establish a wireless communicatioo session with
`PSAP 400. The wireles.s communication session can be
`initiated by microprocessor 110 that dials 911 because it had
`recognized the specific keystroke sequence to be related to
`911. In step 512, a location system, such as location system
`380, can generate initial location system pinpointing the
`location of wireless device 100. In step 514, the initial
`location system is preferably provided to PSAP 400 as soon
`as it is generated.
`In step 516, the wireless communication session is main(cid:173)
`tained. Preferably, PSAP 400 has exclusive control over the
`wireless communication session. Exclusive control means
`that only PSAP 400 can terminate the ses.sion. In step 518,
`location system 380 can generate subsequent location infor(cid:173)
`mation. The subsequent location information may be gen(cid:173)
`erated continuously, or it may be generated at regular
`intervals, e.g ., every minute or every five minutes. The
`subsequent location information can pinpoint a subsequent
`location of wireless device 100. The subsequent location
`information is preferably provided to PSAP 400 as soon as
`it is generated. In step 520, PSAP 400 can use one or both
`of the initial and subsequent location information to perform
`an action. The action may be to dispatch an emergency
`response team to assist the use'r of wireless device 100.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the system archi(cid:173)
`tecture of a second preferred embodiment of the present
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`US 6,839,552 Bl
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`invention, wherein a Jaw enforcement agent can use the
`wireless device during an undercover operation. Operation
`center 600 is the called party in this embodiment. Wireless
`device 100 and operation center 600 are nodes of wireless
`network 300. Microprocessor no, memory lU, sensing 5
`device 160, location system 180, and signal detector 190 are
`components of wireless device 100. Sensing device 160 may
`be any instruments that can capture content. For example,
`sensing device 160 may be one or more of a microphone, a
`camera, a thermometer, and a barometer. Signal detector 190 10
`is an electronic device that can detect signals or stimuli
`associated with the content such as sound, images,
`temperature, and pressure. Sensing device 160 and signal
`detector 190 may be an integrated component.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the steps involved in using 15
`the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`In step 702, a keystroke sequence is related to the telephone
`number that is associated with operation center 600. The
`specific keystroke sequence may comprise, for example,
`pressing one special key on keyboard 120. In step 704, the 20
`keystroke sequence and the telephone number of operation
`center 600 can be stored in memory 112. In step 706, when
`the undercover officer presses the special key on keyboard
`120, the keystroke sequence is received by microprocessor
`~
`In step 708, microprocessor 110 can suspend normal
`functions of wireless device no so that wireless device 100
`has an appearam .. --e of being powered off. Wireless device 100
`preferably has voice recognition capabilities. Wireless
`device 100 can be equipped with signal detector 190. Signal
`detector 190 is preferably an electronic device that is sen(cid:173)
`sitive to picking up signals or stimuli having certain char(cid:173)
`acteristics. For example, signal detector 190 may be pro(cid:173)
`grammed to recognize a stimulus or signal comprising
`certain words of the undercover officer such as "Hello."
`Signal detector 190 can detect a stimulus or signal in step
`710. The stimulus may be the word " Hello" uttered by the
`undercover officer. Once the s ignal is detected, micropro(cid:173)
`cessor 110, in step 712, can establish a wireless communi-
`cation ses.sion with operation center 600. In step 714,
`location system 180 can generate location information pin(cid:173)
`pointing the location of wireless device 100. In step 716, the
`location information can be provided to operation center
`600. In step 718, sensing device 160 can capture content. For
`example, if sensing device 160 is microphone, sounds
`surrounding wireless device 100 may be captured by it. In
`step 720, wireless device 100 can transmit the content
`captured by sensing device 160 to operation center 600. In
`step 722, one or more of the location information and the
`content may be used to perform an action. The action may
`be to use the information received by operation center 600
`as evidence in a litigation.
`The foregoing disclosure of embodiments and specific
`examples of the present invention bas been presented for 55
`purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to
`be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
`disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodi(cid:173)
`ments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary
`skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of 60
`the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended
`hereto, and by their equivalents.
`What I claim is:
`1. A wireless device for reporting an emergency situation
`to a called party, the wireless device comprising:
`a microproces.sor;
`a keyboard in communication \vith the microproce