U.S. patent application number 12/268544 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for emergency cellular telephone.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kroll Family Trust. Invention is credited to Chase R. Kroll, Mark W. Kroll.
Application Number | 20090137223 12/268544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27079070 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090137223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kroll; Mark W. ; et
al. |
May 28, 2009 |
Emergency Cellular Telephone
Abstract
A cellular phone for emergency situations may include a power
source, a communications antenna, communications electronic
circuitry, a "911" button wherein the "911" button is characterized
in that depressing the "911" button transmits a 911 emergency
number, an actuation device, and a microswitch. These elements are
cooperatively connected such that when the "911" button is
depressed, the actuation device deploys the antenna to a fully
extended position, and the antenna deployment activates a
microswitch that turns on the communications electronic
circuitry.
Inventors: |
Kroll; Mark W.; (Crystal
Bay, MN) ; Kroll; Chase R.; (Crystal Bay,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VIDAS, ARRETT & STEINKRAUS, P.A.
SUITE 400, 6640 SHADY OAK ROAD
EDEN PRAIRIE
MN
55344
US
|
Assignee: |
Kroll Family Trust
Crystal Bay
MN
|
Family ID: |
27079070 |
Appl. No.: |
12/268544 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10219901 |
Aug 14, 2002 |
7457636 |
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12268544 |
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09584326 |
May 30, 2000 |
6580908 |
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10219901 |
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08895398 |
Jul 16, 1997 |
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09584326 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/404.1 ;
455/556.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6775 20130101;
H04M 1/677 20130101; H04M 2215/32 20130101; H04M 15/8083 20130101;
H04M 1/18 20130101; H04M 1/0287 20130101; H04M 2250/10 20130101;
H04M 1/72421 20210101; H04M 2250/12 20130101; H04M 2215/724
20130101; H04M 1/724 20210101; H04M 1/72424 20210101; H04M 17/005
20130101; H04M 1/21 20130101; H04M 15/77 20130101; H04M 2215/7254
20130101; H04M 2215/0184 20130101; H04B 1/3833 20130101; H04M
15/765 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/404.1 ;
455/556.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/04 20060101
H04M011/04; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A cellular phone for emergency situations, the phone comprising:
a power source; a communications antenna and communications
electronic circuitry; a "911" button wherein the "911" button is
characterized in that depressing the "911" button transmits a 911
emergency number; an actuation device; and a microswitch, wherein
the power source, the communications antenna, the communications
electronic circuitry, the "911" button, the actuation device, and
the microswitch are cooperatively connected such that when the
"911" button is depressed the actuation device deploys the antenna
to a fully extended position, wherein the antenna deployment
activates a microswitch that turns on the communications electronic
circuitry.
2. The phone of claim 1, wherein the communications electronic
circuitry comprises a microprocessor, and wherein a transistor is
in electrical communication with the microprocessor, and wherein a
light is in electrical communication with the transistor, and
wherein an acceleration sensor is in electrical communication with
the microprocessor through an amplifier, and wherein when the
acceleration sensor detects an acceleration exceeding a threshold
level the microprocessor will turn on the phone and pulse the light
through the transistor.
3. The phone of claim 2, wherein the "911" button is lit up by the
pulsed light.
4. The phone of claim 3, further comprising a timer, wherein
failure to depress the "911" button within a predetermined time
after the threshold level of acceleration has been exceeded results
in the phone being turned off.
5. The phone of claim 1, wherein the actuation device is a
spring.
6. The phone of claim 1, further comprising a thermal battery.
7. The phone of claim 6, further comprising an electric match.
8. The phone of claim 7, further comprising a non-thermal
battery.
9. The phone of claim 6, further comprising a percussion ignition
system.
10. A method of operating a cellular phone without a dedicated
number, the method comprising: depressing a "911" button, the "911"
button being characterized in that depressing the "911" button
transmits a 911 emergency number; attempting to register a first
mobile identification number and a first electronic serial number;
verifying that registration is established; transmitting the 911
emergency number if registration was established; initiating a
timer if registration was established; and disabling further
transmissions after the timer reaches a predetermined duration.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: verifying that a
carrier signal is present if registration was not established;
attempting to register a second mobile identification number and a
second electronic serial number if a carrier signal was present;
verifying that registration is established; transmitting the 911
emergency number if registration was established; initiating a
timer if registration was established; and disabling further
transmissions after the timer reaches a predetermined duration.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: attempting to
re-register the first mobile identification number and the first
electronic serial number if no carrier signal was present.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/219,901, filed Aug. 14, 2002, which is a
divisional of "Generic Number Cellular Telephone" U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/584,326, filed on May 30, 2000, now issued
U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,908, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/895,398, filed Jul. 16, 1997,
"Disposable Emergency Cellular Phone", now issued U.S. Pat. No.
6,115,597, the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
[0002] This application is also related to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/504,500, filed Feb. 15, 2000, "Thermal Battery Booster
System," now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,249, and also related to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/571,980, filed May 15, 2000,
"Keyboard Signature Security System," now issued U.S. Pat. No.
6,405,922, both incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As it is well known, cellular phones present a tremendous
advantage in dealing with an emergency situation. However, there
are several problems with present cellular phone systems. The
primary one is that the owner must pay a monthly charge to maintain
the use of a number. Thus there is a need for an economical and
durable disposable emergency cellular phone that can be operated
without the need to pay a monthly access fee.
[0005] The art referred to and/or described above is not intended
to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other
information referred to herein is "prior art" with respect to this
invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to
mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent
information as defined in 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.56(a) exists.
[0006] All U.S. patents and applications and all other published
documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
[0007] Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary
of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth
below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the
invention or additional embodiments of the invention may be found
in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
[0008] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the
specification is provided for the purposes of complying with 37
C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a
cellular phone for emergency situations. The phone may include a
power source, a communications antenna, communications electronic
circuitry, a "911" button wherein the "911" button is characterized
in that depressing the "911" button transmits a 911 emergency
number, a spring, and a microswitch. These elements are
cooperatively connected such that when the "911" button is
depressed, the spring deploys the antenna to a fully extended
position. The antenna deployment activates a microswitch that turns
on the communications electronic circuitry.
[0010] In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method
of operating a cellular phone without a dedicated number. The
method includes depressing a "911" button, the "911" button being
characterized in that depressing the "911" button transmits a 911
emergency number. The method further includes attempting to
register a first mobile identification number and a first
electronic serial number. The method further includes verifying
that registration is established. The method further includes
transmitting the 911 emergency number if registration was
established. The method further includes initiating a timer if
registration was established. The method further includes disabling
further transmissions after the timer reaches a predetermined
duration.
[0011] These and other embodiments which characterize the invention
are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and
forming a part hereof. However, for further understanding of the
invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use,
reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part
hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is
illustrated and described embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0012] A detailed description of the invention is hereafter
described with specific reference being made to the drawings.
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a front and side view of the phone with
the antenna collapsed.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows the side and front views of the phone with the
antenna extended.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows the phone in its waterproof storage pouch.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows the basic circuitry for the phone.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the circuitry modifications for the automatic
crash response feature.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows the registration process to allow the user to
bypass a monthly access fee.
[0019] FIG. 7 shows the physical embodiment of the stun gun version
of the cell phone.
[0020] FIG. 8 shows the electrical circuitry of the stun gun cell
phone.
[0021] FIG. 9 shows one cell of a thermal battery.
[0022] FIG. 10 shows the internal construction of a thermal battery
with the cells and housing.
[0023] FIG. 11 shows the method of the operation of the thermal
battery emergency cell phone.
[0024] FIG. 12 shows the method of operation of the generic number
email/data phone.
[0025] FIG. 13 shows the "on-off" times for dialing a four digit
number or PIN.
[0026] FIG. 14 shows the method of using on-off times for
identification security.
[0027] FIG. 15 shows the method of using the instant invention for
monitoring persons.
[0028] FIG. 16 shows the method of using the instant invention for
medical monitoring.
[0029] FIG. 17 shows the method of using the instant invention to
allow the cell phone to act as a car or house key.
[0030] FIG. 18 shows the embodiment of the method for operating the
phone in an emergency warning "as a siren proxy."
[0031] FIG. 19 shows the embodiment of the invention with a fax
scanner on the phone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] While this invention may be embodied in many different
forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred
embodiments of the invention. This description is an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments
illustrated.
[0033] For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals
in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise
indicated.
[0034] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the phone with the antenna collapsed
from a side and front view. The basic mechanical components of the
phone 10 are the speaker and speaker section 12, the antenna 14,
and the microphone section 18. The center section 19 carries the
batteries and the electronics. It also serves as the base for the
"911" button 16.
[0035] A spring 20 to automatically deploy the antenna is shown in
the speaker section. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna is
slid down into the phone body with a linear spring. When the 911
button is pushed, it releases the antenna, which then slides out
the end into a fully extended position when released.
[0036] In one embodiment, the whole phone is made waterproof
through the use of waterproof switches, microphone, and
speakers.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows the identical components but with the antenna
extended. The operation of the spring is such that the antenna is
normally fully extended.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows the phone of this embodiment in its
weatherproof pouch 30. This pouch could be made of any water or
weatherproof material including vinyl, polycarbonates or other
polymers. Along the front end of the pouch 30 is an embedded quick
release strip 34, which has a brightly colored large pull tab 36.
For use of the phone the tab 36 is gripped and pulled down the
complete length of release line 34 to open the pouch and access the
phone. This then automatically deploys the antenna due to the
operation of the integral spring.
[0039] On the back of the phone pouch 30 is an attachment means. In
the preferred embodiment this is shown as a Velcro.RTM. type of
mechanism 32. Alternatively it could be suction cups for glass or
adhesives for metal. Further alternatives would include magnets for
metal. The Velcro.RTM. works particularly well for the roof cloth
or floor carpeting of many cars. Yet another alternative attachment
mechanism would be a combination of Velcro.RTM. and magnet for
universal attachment as shown using the magnets 38 embedded in the
pouch.
[0040] The pouch is transparent to make the phone contents very
obvious in an emergency situation.
[0041] Due to the presence of dedicated integrated circuits the
electronic portion of a conventional cellular phone design is
doable by anyone skilled in the art of electrical engineering. The
circuit in FIG. 4 is meant to be broadly illustrative. The
circuitry is not meant to be in great detail as that is no longer
necessary with this art. Speaker 40 is coupled through capacitors
42 and 44 to audio controller 60. The audio controller 60 receives
a demodulated audio line 62 from the RF section chip 66. That RF
section chip receives the RF signal from antenna 68. Microswitch 17
is shown connected to the power supply chip for automatically
turning on the phone after the antenna is deployed as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0042] Microphone 46 is coupled through capacitors 48 and 50 and
resistors 52, 54, 56, and 58 into the audio controller 60. The
audio controller then sends the "audio out" signal on line 64 into
the RF section 66 for final transmission out on antenna 68. When
the call button 16 is depressed the microprocessor microcontroller
70 interprets this and activates the appropriate sequences and the
digital controller 72 would then give the appropriate controls to
the audio controller 60. Digital controller 72 is clocked by a
crystal oscillator comprising capacitors 74 and 76, crystal 78, and
resistor 80. All of the electronic components are powered by
battery 76 through the power supply chip 74. A representative audio
controller is the TCM 8010 of Texas Instruments, P.O. Box 655303,
Dallas, Tex. 75265. A representative RF section IC is the TRF 1015
from Texas Instruments. There are numerous manufacturers of
microprocessors or microcontrollers. Sample devices are the 8051 or
8032 available from numerous electronic manufacturers. electronic
manufacturers. A representative of the digital controller is the
TCM 8002 from Texas Instruments. Representative power supply ICs
are the TPS9013 or the TPS9104, both of Texas Instruments.
[0043] The battery 76 is a permanently installed primary cell such
as an alkaline, lithium, or manganese dioxide cell although many
other types could work. The cell must provide high peak currents in
transmission but otherwise is not required to have extremely high
longevity. By having a permanent primary cell there is an economy
over the use of an expensive rechargeable cell and also over the
use of a changeable primary cell due to the expense of the battery
holders chambers and doors. These battery holders, chambers, and
doors for a battery chamber also introduce reliability problems. As
an alternative embodiment the battery could be a fixed or removable
thermal battery or any practical battery.
[0044] Microswitch 17 is activated by the antenna springing out and
thus automatically turning on the device. FIG. 5 depicts the
circuit modifications to allow for the automatic crash activation
feature. The three-axis acceleration sensor 100 will detect the
sudden acceleration from a crash and pass this on to three-channel
amplifier 102 and then on to the microprocessor and microcontroller
70. If a sufficient force is detected then the device will turn on
automatically and begin pulsing through transistor 104 to pulse
integral light 106. The light 106 is also used to light up the 911
button after the antenna is deployed. The microprocessor
microcontroller will also signal the rapid beeping through the
phone speaker 40, which is shown in FIG. 4.
[0045] If the phone is not operated within 5 minutes of the "crash"
then it automatically turns off to save battery life. Alternatively
the phone could include a "hang-up" button which could also stop
the flashing and pulsing.
[0046] Suitable acceleration sensors are available from Analog
Devices of Norwich, Mass.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows the flow chart for the operation of the phone
with particular attention to the unique feature that allows the
operation of the phone without the customer having to pay a monthly
access fee for a private number.
[0048] The provider (distributor) of the disposable emergency
cellular phones will pay a monthly fee for a few phone numbers.
Each of these phone numbers (mobile identification number [MIN])
comes with an electronic serial number (ESN) which will be
transmitted with the MIN in order to register to the cellular
system. (A conventional cellular phone also transmits its MIN and a
unique ESN, which it registers. The ESN is unpublished and is
matched with the phone to minimize fraudulent usage.) One feature
of this invention is that thousands of the disposable emergency
phones could share a small set of MINs and matching ESNs.
[0049] Assume that the average call requires 5 minutes. The table
below gives the number of MINs required for a smoothed (average)
load as a function of the number of subscribers. The last column
gives the estimated number of MINs required to reduce waits as call
volume will not be perfectly constant.
TABLE-US-00001 number of MINs needed for MINs needed to subscribers
average load minimize waits 100 1 3 200 1 5 500 2 8 1,000 4 12
2,000 7 17 5,000 18 30 10,000 35 49 20,000 70 85 50,000 174 190
100,000 348 364 200,000 695 712 500,000 1,737 1,753 1,000,000 3,473
3,490 2,000,000 6,945 6,962 5,000,000 17,362 17,378 10,000,000
34,723 34,740
[0050] In operation, the first step is to wait for the 911 button
depression 200. Step 202 is to register with a MIN and ESN. Step
204 is to verify that registration (log on) is established. If it
is established then the method proceeds on to step 206 which is to
transmit the 911 number. Then step 208 begins a timer. Finally, at
step 210 the device will disable further transmissions when the
timer reaches 60 minutes. In an alternative embodiment, a counter
is used to limit the number of 911 calls to a small fixed number,
say 5. The total talking time would then be limited only by the
battery life and the patience of the 911 operators. If at step 204
registration was not established then the method proceeds to step
212, which is to verify that a carrier signal is present. If If no
carrier is detected then the method returns to step 202 to attempt
registration again. If the carrier is detected then the method
proceeds to step 214 and increments to the next MIN (phone number)
and ESN (serial number). It then attempts another registration in
step 216. The reason for the attempt for different numbers is that
it is conceivable that two customers would both be trying to make a
911 call at the exact same time. Were that to occur, the first
caller would normally lock out that number nationwide and prevent
the second caller from getting through. Thus a disposable cellular
phone provider would have a few numbers that a minimal monthly
service fee is paid for. The system could try the MINs and ESNs
(phone and serial numbers) in a fixed sequence or a random fashion.
Alternatively the phone could simply log on with a public phone
number and transmit a 311 or 911 call since the FCC requires phone
companies to accept 311 and 911 calls regardless of the account
status.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows the physical embodiment of the stun gun in this
version of the cell phone. The basic phone 300 has a conventional
key pad 302 and read-out display 304 along with the antenna 306.
There is also the on-off button 308 as standard.
[0052] There is a left side high (mechanical) resistance push
button 310 to enable the flashlight. Also there is a right side
push button 311 to enable the electrical stunning operation when
used in conjunction with the switch 310. When the flashlight is
enabled then the battery from the cell phone is connected to high
intensity light bulb 312. When both switches 310 and 311 are
enabled simultaneously a high voltage is developed between the
pseudo antenna tip 314 and the tip of the normal antenna 316. The
angle between the tips 314 and 316 is very important as it allows
the shock to be delivered from the operator's right hand and angled
to attack the arm or hand of an attacker without having to have a
full perpendicular contact.
[0053] FIG. 8 shows the synergistic operation of the circuitry. We
begin with the battery 320, which is connected to the conventional
cell phone circuitry 322, which then drives the conventional
antenna 306 for transmission. When switch 311 is depressed then the
battery power 320 is delivered directly to the light bulb 312 to
cast an intense beam.
[0054] When both switches 311 and 310 are depressed then battery
current is delivered to oscillator 324. Oscillator 324 provides an
AC current to transformer 326 which develops a high voltage output
which is rectified by diode 328 and stored in capacitor 330. In
this way a voltage is built up to over 1000 volts on capacitor 330.
When the voltage exceeds 1000 volts on capacitor 330 then the
hermetically sealed spark gap 332 will break down and deliver a
short intense current through transformer 334. The output of
transformer 334 (of about 25,000 to 50,000 volts) will then appear
between contacts 306 (which is the conventional antenna) and 314
which is the shocking probe "pseudo antenna." The hermetically
sealed spark gap 336 limits that voltage to prevent damage to the
circuitry. The Zener diodes 337 serve to protect the cell phone
circuitry from the effects of this high voltage and keep the
antenna 306 closer to a ground potential.
[0055] Another key element of this invention is the use of a
thermal battery for an emergency phone system. U.S. Pat. No.
6,041,255 teaches the possible use of a thermal battery for a
single use external defibrillator.
[0056] The detailed construction of the piles of a thermal battery
is shown in FIG. 9. It begins with a pyrotechnic heat source 340
which is followed by cathode 342 which is followed by an
electrolyte 344, followed by anode 346 followed by current
collector 348. The electrolyte at normal ambient temperature is a
solid, insulating inorganic salt. The electrolyte is rendered
molten by the pyrotechnic heat source. The heat melts the
electrolyte which causes it to be conductive and deliver electrical
power at an extremely high rate. The thermal battery has many
attributes making it ideal for an emergency phone system. First, it
has no leakage current until it is triggered. Thus it has a shelf
life of ten or twenty years. It then delivers current at an
extremely high rate for a short period of time on the order of
minutes. This is ideal for long range, high power transmission.
[0057] Representative materials for the battery anode include
lithium, calcium, magnesium, and others. The electrolytes that have
been used successfully in these batteries have been lithium
chloride and potassium chloride mixtures primarily. Representative
cathodes are FeS.sub.2, K.sub.2Cr.sub.2O.sub.7, WO.sub.3,
CaCrO.sub.4, and V.sub.2O.sub.5 for example. A typical pyrotechnic
heat source is iron with KClO.sub.4.
[0058] FIG. 10 shows the overall construction of a thermal battery.
Battery piles 350 are shown stacked as discs leaving an open core
354. The electric match 352 is placed above that open core.
Electric match 352 is ignited by current passing through contacts
358 and 360. Connection 356 is used for delivery of current from
the battery and the other current delivery connection can be one of
the match terminals, either 358 or 360. As an alternative, yet a
fourth electrode could be used for the battery output current.
Insulation material 364 is wrapped around the battery to keep it
very hot so that it can achieve its high levels of efficiencies.
Temperatures on the order of 23.degree. Celsius are not uncommon.
Representative insulation that can be used include Mica,
silicon-bonded Mica, FiberFrax, Microtherm, Aluminum/Mica
combinations, and Min-K.
[0059] In the embodiment using an electric match to trigger the
thermal battery, a conventional non-thermal small battery such as a
lithium battery will deliver current when connected through the
electric match circuitry. This will cause the thermal battery to go
to its high temperature mode and then deliver current at an
extremely high level.
[0060] Another preferred embodiment for this invention is shown as
FIG. 15 of "Thermal Battery Booster System" Ser. No. 09/504,500,
filed Feb. 15, 2000. In this case the electric match is replaced by
a percussion ignitor. This is essentially a primer from a shotgun
shell. This has an impact activated explosive. A spring loaded
percussion ignition system comprising a firing pin and spring (or
other mechanical activation means). Then the firing pin will
contact the percussion ignitor to begin the thermal battery
ignition process. This will then allow the thermal battery to begin
delivering extremely high currents without the need for an electric
match and small triggering battery.
[0061] FIG. 11 shows the method of operating the thermal battery
emergency phone. We begin at step 400, which is to activate the
phone. At step 402 the base station carrier is attempted to be
detected. If the base station carrier is detected then we go to
step 404 which is to proceed as in FIG. 6 to register. If the base
station carrier is not detected in step 402 then we go to step 406
and the system asks if the number 911 was dialed. If it was not
then we go to step 408 which warns that only 911 calls can get
through with the high-power operation at this point and returns to
step 406. If 911 was, in fact, dialed then the system permits the
move to step 410 which is to go to unrestricted mode in which case
it will scan all carriers and frequencies. Thus if the subscriber's
main provider was the local System A which is unavailable it could
also allow System B as well as other frequencies. At step 412 the
system looks for a base station carrier to be detected. If it is,
then it would proceed as in FIG. 6 before. If it is not then the
system proceeds to step 414 at which point the thermal battery is
activated and the system goes to a maximum power transmit level of
20 watts. This is important as a thermal battery is able to provide
at least 20 watts of output power, or even up to 50 watts but only
for a watts but only for a short period of time. Thus the output
power is merely limited by the output stage transistors and a
significant increase in range would be obtained. The conventional
cell phones are limited to three-watt power and thus, for this
emergency operation, an output of 12 watts gives an increase of
four times which would give a doubling of the range by the square
power law.
[0062] The invention of using multiple MINs and ESNs for a generic
number phone system has many uses beyond the emergency cellular
voice phone. Some of these embodiments are described below.
[0063] The set of MINs and ESNs for a given set of phones would be
stored in the memory of each of the phones. The provider can
download additional numbers to generic phone number customers if it
is found that they are experiencing excessive waits.
[0064] FIG. 12 shows the operation of the generic number phone for
sending and receiving local data. The subscriber unit could be a
laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant,
a cellular phone with a sufficient display to read Email, or other
means of entering or displaying digital messages. It could be a car
computer with a digital display terminal. The exact hardware system
is quite flexible. The operation begins in step 420 where the
operator activates the mobile data phone. At step 422 the selection
is made to send or receive data. If the decision is made to send
data then the system proceeds to step 424 and asks if the data is
ready for transmission. If it is then the system proceeds to step
430 which it would also go to if it was ready to receive data. If
at step 424 the system is not ready to transmit data then it goes
to step 426 where it opens an email screen for the operator. At
this point the operator must at step 428 prepare the email message.
When this is ready then everything goes to step 430 where the
system will attempt a registration with a randomly chosen mobile
identification number MIN.sub.j and an electronic serial number
ESN.sub.j. These numbers are not capriciously chosen but are rather
from the list of approved numbers for this service. At step 432, if
the system finds the registration was unsuccessful due to the fact
that someone else was using that mobile identification number and
that serial number, then the system goes to step 434. At that point
j is increased by 1 and the system goes back to step 430 to attempt
registration with the next MIN.sub.j and ESN.sub.j. When
registration is finally successful then the system proceeds to step
436 where it will send and receive data. After the data is sent or
received the system proceeds to step 438 which is to hang up.
[0065] FIG. 13 shows the on/off times that are available when an
operator types a four digit number. In this case the operator has
typed in a PIN or a subscriber's line number of 5678. This
operation generates eight distinct times beginning with the "space"
time T10, which is the time from the prompt or previous number to
the pushing of the "5" key.
[0066] Then there is the "key-down" time T11 which is the amount of
time the "5" key is held down, etc.
[0067] This set of times provides a distinct signature of the
operator due to the fact that everyone has different typing habits.
This is the subject of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/942,820,
"ATM signature security system" filed Oct. 2, 1997. The operation
of this security system is shown in FIG. 14 and also later on in
FIG. 17 as one application.
[0068] In FIG. 14 we begin with step 500 which measures space times
and key down times during entry of a phone or PIN. Step 502 of the
system transmits the vector of times 504 to the base station which
selects the stored signature acceptance criteria based on the type
of phone being used. In step 506 the transmitted vector is compared
to the existing signature range. In step 508 the comparison results
are acted on. If the transmitted vector of times is found to be
within limits then the call or transaction is approved at step 510.
Then at step 512 the vector is used to update the stored signature
slightly to account for aging or changing of patterns of the
user.
[0069] If, at step 508, the vector was out of limits then the
customer is asked to reenter the number at step 514. The vector is
then compared to the stored signature at step 516 and if it is then
found within limits then the operation proceeds to step 510. If the
vector is found to be outside of limits for the second time then
the system goes to step 518 to initiate the emergency
procedure.
[0070] An important alternative embodiment to the system as shown
in FIG. 14 involves comparing the signature internally at the phone
at step 508 rather than at the base station. This would allow the
phone to be modified and not require modification of base stations.
The disadvantage is that one could perhaps fraudulently modify
phones.
[0071] FIG. 15 shows the application of this generic number
cellular telephone to monitor people. This could be a criminal in
house arrest or a child. The step 530 is to attach a phone to
monitor a person with a tamperproof means. Step 532 is pseudo
random number generator, which generates random call times. This is
to prevent a sophisticated criminal from having a scanner, or other
sense of detection of a cellular phone transmission, detecting when
the cell phone is making a transmission and assuming that he or she
is free to move about in between. The pseudo random number
generator would randomly generate call times between one minute and
several hours of each other.
[0072] In step 534 the location of the call is recorded at a
monitoring base station as the call comes in. This location could
be generated by modern cellular location systems from "enhanced
911" service or could use even the simpler version, which simply
gives the cellular antenna involved. The more sophisticated but
expensive system would involve the use of GPS receiver including
the monitor. This has a disadvantage of being unable to report when
someone is indoors so the GPS system would have to store the most
recent good GPS data. To prevent the fraud of having the criminal
cover the GPS antenna to allow movement the system would have the
backup of noting the base cellular antenna to demonstrate
significant movements.
[0073] Finally at step 536 authorities are alerted if the monitored
person is in an inappropriate location. This is done by the base
station making appropriate calls that could also be done
automatically from the attached cellular phone on the monitored
person.
[0074] Similarly, this invention will be very useful for the
monitoring of stolen cars. When circuitry in the car detects that
the car is being moved by unauthorized people, then the generic
phone number cellular phone will begin transmitting this fact along
with location information. Also, by differentiating the position
information, the system can calculate the direction of heading and
forward all of this to the authorities.
[0075] FIG. 16 shows the method of this invention for medical
monitoring. It begins at step 540 recording diagnostic information.
This could be from an implantable device or an external monitor or
a nerve stimulator, etc.
[0076] It then moves to step 542 and asks if the information
suggests an emergency. If it suggests an emergency then it proceeds
to step 544 to call 911 as done in the method shown in FIG. 6. The
system then, at step 546, generates a recorded (actually
synthesized) voice giving the nature and location of the emergency
and then goes to step 556 to hang up. If the information does not
suggest an emergency then the system goes to step 548 where it
registers under the generic mobile identification number and
electronic serial number also shown earlier in FIG. 6.
[0077] In step 550 the system will then ask if the registration was
successful. If it is then it goes to step 554 to do a burst
transmission of the data to the appropriate number and then
proceeds to step 556 to hang up.
[0078] If the registration was unsuccessful in step 550 the system
proceeds to step 552 and generates a random (or pseudo-random)
number delay from 1 to 59 seconds and then goes back to step 550 to
attempt registration. This is due to the fact that another similar
system or the same service may be attempting to transmit the
medical information at the exact same second. Note that this system
does not require a batch of MINs. This exact embodiment in FIG. 16
allows just the mere waiting for an open "slot". Of course this can
also be combined with the searching for further phone numbers as
shown in FIG. 12.
[0079] This approach can also be used for industrial emergency
monitoring. The term is here used to refer to many (often
unwitnessed) emergencies such as oil and water spills or factory or
forest fires. Before this invention, one would have had to pay for
a cellular phone account for each monitoring site. With the instant
invention, an enormous number of monitoring sites can use the same
generic number.
[0080] FIG. 17 shows the method of using the instant invention to
allow the cell phone to act as a car or house key. The system
begins at step 600 where the operator is prompted to enter a PIN
into the key pad. At step 604 the systems asks if the PIN matches
the base station database. If it does not, then at step 606 we
prompt for reentry and go back to step 600. If the PIN matches then
the system goes on to 612 to transmit a pseudo random binary number
(PRBN) to unlock the car. As an alternative to a PIN the system
will prompt as many people as there are PINs to enter their home
phone number in step 602. At step 608 the system does a keystroke
dynamics to verify the identity as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Once
the identity is verified then the system goes to step 612 to
transmit the PRBN to unlock the car or house. If the identity is
not verified then the system goes to step 610 to prompt for
reentry.
[0081] In FIG. 18 is shown the embodiment of the invention for
modification to allow police and emergency vehicles to get the
attention of the operator. There is a major problem with people
talking on their cellular phones and not hearing emergency vehicles
behind them. The system proceeds as follows. At step 620 the system
asks if 10 seconds has elapsed. This is because the system will at
every 10 seconds check the emergency vehicle warning transmission.
If 10 seconds has not elapsed then the system at step 622 continues
with normal phone procedures. If it is time for a 10 second check
then the systems proceeds to step 624 where it checks for the
emergency transmission.
[0082] If an emergency warning transmission is detected in step 626
then the system goes to step 628 where it asks if the operator
phone is connected to 911. This is very important as criminal usage
to spoof a police transmission could be used to shut off a
citizen's cell phone and thus prevent them from making an emergency
call. It is important that a 911 call be able to bypass the shut
off. If the operator is connected to 911 then the system proceeds
to step 630 where the warning is given.
[0083] If in fact the user is not connected to 911 then the system
goes to step 632 and warns by the synthesized voice of an emergency
vehicle and disconnects the existing call so that the user/driver
can focus on driving out of the way.
[0084] FIG. 19 depicts the fax scanning version of the invention.
Here charge coupled device (CCD) scanning array 650 is embedded in
linear lens 652. The scanned data is observed in either the
"fisheye" lens 654 or in the normal operating screen 656. With this
scanner the phone can either directly send a fax or, with optical
character recognition circuitry, send actual text based on the
scanned image.
[0085] The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not
exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and
alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various
elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be
combined or modified for combination as desired. All these
alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the
scope of the claims where the term "comprising" means "including,
but not limited to"
[0086] This completes the description of the preferred and
alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art
may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment
described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed
by the claims attached hereto.
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