US6067017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency location system and method
Assignee: Harris Corp
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Filing: 1996-08-12
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Granted: 2000-05-23
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Expires: 2016-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An emergency location system and method for determining the location of a caller sending an emergency signal without utilizing the bandwidth of the calling system. The system may be readily attached to existing telephone, radio-telephone and similar communicating devices through existing detachable battery packs. Detection of the need to send the locating signal may be based on automatic detection of a predetermined dialing sequence or through a dedicated switch (i.e., a "panic switch") or both.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur L. Stewart
- 👤 Brian P. Holt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/04; G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/016; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/3883; G01; G01S; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/01; G01S2205/06; G01S5/00; G01S5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An emergency location system operable in conjunction with a public communication system comprising: central means for detecting an alerting signal; locating means responsive to the detection of an alerting signal by said central means for geolocating the source of said alerting signal; and, alerting signal generating means, comprising: a battery-powered, hand-held device for communicating on a public communication system; a battery pack for powering said device for communicating, said battery pack being removable from said device; alerting signal transmitting means carried within said battery pack for communicating an alerting signal; alerting signal control means for initiating said alerting signal transmitting means; whereby the user of the device for communicating may selectively send an alerting signal for receipt by said central means to indicate the presence of an emergency condition affecting the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An emergency location system operable in conjunction with a public communication system comprising: central means for detecting an alerting signal; locating means responsive to the detection of an alerting signal by said central means for geolocating the source of said alerting signal; and, alerting signal generating means, comprising: a battery-powered, hand-held device for communicating on a public communication system; a battery pack for powering said device for communicating, said battery pack being removable from said device; alerting signal transmitting means carried within said battery pack for communicating an alerting signal; alerting signal control means for initiating said alerting signal transmitting means; whereby the user of the device for communicating may selectively send an alerting signal for receipt by said central means to indicate the presence of an emergency condition affecting the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said alerting signal uses a frequency other than the frequencies used by said public communication system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said alerting signal control means comprises means to monitor the signals sent by the user on the public communication system to detect the transmission of a predetermined emergency dialing sequence thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said alerting signal control means comprises manual switch means carried by said battery pack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said alerting signal control means further comprises manual switch means carried by said battery pack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said alerting signal control means comprises data port detection means whereby emergency dialing sequences input by the user are detected by the alerting signal control means on a data port associated with said device for communicating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said alerting signal transmitting means comprises a single semiconductor chip and an antenna.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said antenna comprises a patch antenna.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said patch antenna is affixed to a surface within the interior of the housing of the battery pack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: notification means for notifying the public communication system of the geolocation of the source of the alerting signal; association means for associating an emergency call on the public communication system with the geolocation of the user sending an alerting signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said system operates in conjunction with plural public communication systems.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said association means associates an emergency call on one of said plural communications systems with the geolocation of the user sending an alerting signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol, and a removable, battery pack for powering said device, the improvement comprising an emergency beacon transmitter affixed to said battery pack.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol, and a removable, battery pack for powering said device, the improvement comprising an emergency beacon transmitter affixed to said battery pack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The communicating device of claim 13 further comprising a manual switch carried on said battery pack and operatively connected to said emergency beacon transmitter for causing said transmitter to transmit an alerting signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communicating device of claim 13 further comprising means for causing said emergency beacon transmitter to transmit an alerting signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The communicating device of claim 15 wherein said means for causing comprises a detection circuit for detecting an emergency signal sent by the user of the device within said communications protocol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communicating device of claim 16 wherein said alerting signal is transmitted using a different protocol from said communications protocol.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol, a removably attached battery pack, and a beacon transmitter affixed to said battery pack so that said device may be used to transmit an alerting signal from an antenna of said attached battery pack.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
A hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol, a removably attached battery pack, and a beacon transmitter affixed to said battery pack so that said device may be used to transmit an alerting signal from an antenna of said attached battery pack.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol; a removable battery pack, and an emergency beacon transmitter and an antenna affixed to said battery pack so that said battery pack may be used to transmit an alerting signal from the antenna.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A hand-held, battery powered device for communicating on a public communication system, said device comprising a keypad, a voice transmission circuit, control logic for operating said voice transmission circuit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol; a removable battery pack, and an emergency beacon transmitter and an antenna affixed to said battery pack so that said battery pack may be used to transmit an alerting signal from the antenna.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4903326A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |