Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AN INTERCHANGEABLE PERSONAL SECURITY DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD
This invention relates to a personal security device and more particularly
relates to a
portable or wearable personal security device that sends an alert signal in
response to being
activated by a user.
BACKGROUND
Personal security is a concern in many locations. Often a person is attacked
while
away from home or a person has a medical emergency. In addition, the person
may be unable to
use a cellular phone or other communication device to call for help. For
example, a person being
attacked may not have time to reach for a cell phone, turn on the cell phone,
and dial an
emergency contact. In addition, a person having a medical emergency may not be
in a condition
to get to a phone, call for help, or dial a particular number on a phone.
SUMMARY
An apparatus for personal security is disclosed. A system and method also
perform the
functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a wearable accessory formed
to receive an
alerting device such that the alerting device is not visible while the
accessory is worn. The
apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an alerting device with an alerting
element. The alerting
device is interchangeable with a plurality of wearable accessories. One or
more activation
elements are disposed on the wearable accessory and formed to activate the
alerting device
wherein the alerting element sends an alert signal in response to receiving an
activation signal
from the one or more activation elements.
In one embodiment, the alerting device is in wireless communication with a
communication device and sends an alert signal to the communication device in
response to
receiving the activation signal. In another embodiment, the communication
device notifies one
or more predefined contacts that an alert signal was sent in response to
receiving the alert signal.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an audible/visual alert module
that transmits an
audible alert and/or a visual alert in response to activating an activation
element of the one or
more activation elements. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a
secondary alert
module that sends a notification to one or more predefined contacts in
response to receiving an
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activation signal from the one or more activation elements and not being in
communication with
a communication device configured to send a notification to the one or more
predefined contacts.
A system for personal security includes, in one embodiment, an interchangeable
alerting
device shaped to fit within two or more wearable accessories and an activation
module in the
alerting device that receives an activation signal in response to a user
interacting with one or
more activation elements of the alerting device. The system, in one
embodiment, includes an
alert module in wireless communication with a communication device that
wirelessly sends an
alert signal to the communication device in response to receiving the
activation signal and a
notification module that sends a notification in response to the communication
device receiving
the alert signal. The communication device sends the notification to one or
more predefined
contacts.
In one embodiment, the system includes a contacts module that stores the one
or more
predefined contacts and organizes the one or more predefined contacts into one
or more groups.
In another embodiment, the system includes a location module that sends a
location of the user in
response to the communication device receiving the alert signal. In another
embodiment, the
system includes a recording module that records content in response to a user
interacting with
one or more activation elements. In another embodiment, the system includes a
deactivation
module that cancels sending a notification to one or more contacts in response
to receiving a
deactivation signal. In a further embodiment, the alert module sends an alert
signal in response
to the deactivation module receiving a false deactivation signal.
In one embodiment, the notification includes a message, a location, and/or
medical
information. In another embodiment, the system includes a silence module that
sends a silence
signal to the communication device in response to the alert signal. The
communication device
enters a muted state in response to the silence signal. In another embodiment,
the
communication device further enters a state where an electronic display of the
communication
device is deactivated in response to the silence signal. In another
embodiment, the system
includes a separation alert module that sends a separation alert in response
to the alerting device
losing communication with the communication device after the communication
device receives
the alert signal. In another embodiment, the separation alert module sends the
separation alert to
a device other than the communication device. In a further embodiment, the
system includes a
location module within the alerting device and/or the alerting device that
sends a location of the
user in the separation alert. In another embodiment, the system includes a
biometric sensing
module that senses biometric information associated with a user and sends an
activation signal in
response to failing to sense biometric information associated with the user.
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A method for personal security includes receiving, in an alerting device, an
activation
signal in response to a user interacting with one or more activation elements
of the alerting
device. The alerting device is interchangeable and is shaped to fit within two
or more wearable
accessories. The method, in one embodiment, includes wirelessly sending an
alert signal to a
communication device in response to receiving the activation signal. The
communication device
is in wireless communication with the alerting device. In one embodiment, the
method includes
sending a notification in response to the communication device receiving the
alert signal. The
communication device sends the notification to one or more predefined
contacts.
Another apparatus for personal security includes a portable accessory formed
to receive
an alerting device. In a certain embodiment, the alerting device may fit
within a compartment of
the portable accessory, and the portable accessory may include a communication
device. The
apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an alerting device with an alerting
element. The alerting
device is interchangeable with a plurality of portable accessories. One or
more activation
elements are disposed on the portable accessory and formed to activate the
alerting device
wherein the alerting element sends an alert signal to the communication device
in response to
receiving an activation signal from the one or more activation elements.
In various embodiments, the communication device may include a satellite
communication device, a short wave radio communication device, a two-way radio
communication device, and a cellular network communication device. In one
embodiment, the
alerting device is in communication with the communication device and sends an
alert signal to
the communication device in response to receiving the activation signal. In
another embodiment,
the communication device notifies one or more predefined contacts that an
alert signal was sent
in response to receiving the alert signal.
In one embodiment, the communication device includes a power supply separate
from a
power supply for the alerting device. In a further embodiment, the power
supply for the
communication device provides more power than the power supply for the
alerting device. In
one embodiment, the power supply for the communication device may include a
battery. In a
further embodiment, the battery may include a rechargeable battery and/or a
disposable batter.
In another embodiment, the power supply for the communication device may
include a fuel cell.
In a further embodiment, the fuel cell may be capable of maintaining an
isolated fuel supply until
the fuel cell is activated.
In a certain embodiment, the communication device is powered on in response to
the
activation signal. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes an
audible/visual alert module
that transmits an audible alert and/or a visual alert in response to
activating an activation element
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of the one or more activation elements. In one embodiment, a power supply for
the
communication device provides power for the audible/visual alert module. In a
further
embodiment, the alerting element sends the alert signal to the communication
device in response
to a first activation signal from the one or more activation elements. In a
certain embodiment,
the audible/visual alert module transmits the audible and/or visual alert in
response to a second
activation signal from the one or more activation elements. In a further
embodiment, the first
activation signal may differ from the second activation signal.
A system for personal security includes, in one embodiment, an interchangeable
alerting
device shaped to fit within two or more portable accessories and an activation
module in the
alerting device that receives an activation signal in response to a user
interacting with one or
more activation elements of the alerting device. In a further embodiment, at
least one of the
portable accessories may include a communication device. The system, in one
embodiment,
includes an alert module in wireless communication with the communication
device that
wirelessly sends an alert signal to the communication device in response to
receiving the
activation signal and a notification module that sends a notification in
response to the
communication device receiving the alert signal. The communication device
sends the
notification to one or more predefined contacts.
In one embodiment, the communication device sends the notification to one or
more
predefined contacts by communicating with a single distribution device that
distributes the
notification to the one or more predefined contacts. In another embodiment,
the system may
include a second communication device separate from the portable accessories.
In a further
embodiment, the second communication device may receive the alert signal and
send a
notification to one or more additional predefined contacts.
In one embodiment, the system includes a map module that displays a
recommended safe
route between origin and destination points. In a further embodiment, the map
module may
determine the recommended safe route based on lighting, open businesses,
and/or reported
crime. In a certain embodiment, the system includes a security notification
module that sends a
notification to a security force in response to the communication device
receiving the alert
signal. In a further embodiment, the notification to the security force may
include the location of
the user. In one embodiment, the system includes an automotive notification
module that sends a
notification via an automobile communication service, in response to the alert
signal.
In one embodiment, the system includes a contacts module that stores the one
or more
predefined contacts and organizes the one or more predefined contacts into one
or more groups.
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In another embodiment, the system includes a location module that sends a
location of the user in
response to the communication device receiving the alert signal.
A method for personal security includes receiving, in an alerting device, an
activation
signal in response to a user interacting with one or more activation elements
of the alerting
device. The alerting device is interchangeable and is shaped to fit within two
or more portable
accessories. At least one of the portable accessories may include a
communication device. The
method, in one embodiment, includes wirelessly sending an alert signal to the
communication
device in response to receiving the activation signal. The communication
device is in
communication with the alerting device. In one embodiment, the method includes
sending a
notification in response to the communication device receiving the alert
signal. The
communication device sends the notification to one or more predefined
contacts.
Another apparatus includes an alerting device with an alerting element and an
alarm
device that activates an alarm in response to receiving an alert signal from
the alerting device.
The alarm device is in wireless communication with the alerting device and the
alarm includes
an audible alarm and/or a visible alarm. The apparatus includes one or more
activation elements
formed to activate the alerting device where the alerting element sends the
alert signal to the
alarm device in response to receiving an activation signal from the one or
more activation
elements. =
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wearable accessory formed to
receive the
alerting device such that the alerting device is not visible while the
accessory is worn. The
alerting device is interchangeable with a plurality of wearable accessories,
and at least one of the
one or more activation elements is disposed on the wearable accessory. In
another embodiment,
the alerting device is in wireless communication with a communication device
and sends the
alert signal to the alarm device and the communication device in response to
receiving ,the
activation signal. In another embodiment, the alarm device includes a power
supply separate
from a power supply for the alerting device. The power supply for the alarm
device provides
more power than the power supply for the alerting device, such that the alarm
for the alarm
device is more powerful than a corresponding alarm provided by one or more of
the alerting
device and a communication device in communication with the alerting device.
In a further
embodiment, the visible alarm for the alarm device is brighter than a
corresponding visible alarm
provided by one or more of the alerting device and the communication device.
In another further
embodiment, the audible alarm for the alarm device is louder than a
corresponding audible alarm
provided by one or more of the alerting device and the communication device.
In another
embodiment, the apparatus includes a secondary alert module that sends a
notification to one or
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more predefined contacts in response to receiving an activation signal from
the one or more
=
activation elements and not being in communication with the alarm device.
Another system includes an alerting device, an alarm device that activates an
alarm in
response to receiving an alert signal, where the alarm includes an audible
alarm and/or a visible
alarm, and an activation module in the alerting device that receives an
activation signal in
response to a user interacting with one or more activation elements of the
alerting device. The
system includes an alert module in wireless communication with the alarm
device, where the
alert module wirelessly sends the alert signal to the alarm device in response
to receiving the
activation signal.
In one embodiment, the alerting device is an interchangeable alerting device
shaped to fit
within two or more wearable accessories. In another embodiment, the alarm
device is separate
from the alerting device, where the alarm device is in wireless communication
with the alerting
device. In another embodiment, the system includes a communication device that
receives the
alert signal, and a notification module that sends a notification in response
to the communication
device receiving the alert signal. The communication device sends the
notification to one or
more predefined contacts. In another embodiment the system includes a
recording module that
records content in response to a user interacting with one or more activation
elements. In
another embodiment, the system includes a deactivation module that cancels the
alarm in
response to receiving a deactivation signal. In a further embodiment, the
alert module sends an
alert signal in response to the deactivation module receiving a false
deactivation signal.
In one embodiment, the system includes a separation alert module that sends a
separation
alert in response to the alerting device losing communication with the alarm
device after the
alarm device receives the alert signal. In a further embodiment, the
separation alert module
sends the separation alert to a device other than the alarm device. In another
further
embodiment, the system includes a location module that sends a location of the
user in the
separation alert. In another embodiment, the system includes a biometric
sensing module that
senses biometric information associated with a user and sends an activation
signal in response to
failing to sense biometric information associated with the user.
Another method includes receiving, in an alerting device, an activation signal
in response
to a user interacting with one or more activation elements of the alerting
device, and wirelessly
sending an alert signal to an alarm device in response to receiving the
activation signal, the alarm
device in wireless communication with the alerting device. In one embodiment,
the method
includes activating an alarm in response to the alarm device receiving the
alert signal. The alarm
includes an audible alarm and/or a visible alarm.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a
more particular
description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by
reference to specific
embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that
these drawings
depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be
considered to be
limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity
and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1A is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security device;
Figure 1B is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security device;
Figure IC is a perspective view illustrating a further embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security device;
Figure ID is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security device;
Figure lE is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security device;
Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system
for an
interchangeable personal security device;
Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an
interchangeable
personal security apparatus;
Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an
interchangeable personal security apparatus;
Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a
method for
personal security; and
Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating another embodiment of
a method
for personal security.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment,"
or
similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances of
the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language
throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment,
but mean "one or
more but not all embodiments" unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms
"including,"
"comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited
to" unless
expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply
that any or all of
the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly
specified otherwise.
The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more" unless ,expressly
specified otherwise.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the
embodiments
may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize that the
embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or
advantages of a
particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized
in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments.
These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully
apparent from
the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the
practice of
embodiments as set forth hereinafter. As will be appreciated by one skilled in
the art, aspects of
20, the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, and/or
computer program product.
Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely
hardware
embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident
software, micro-
code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may
all generally be
referred to herein as a "circuit," "module," or "system." Furthermore, aspects
of the present
invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or
more computer
readable medium(s) having program code embodied thereon.
Many of the functional units described in this specification have been labeled
as modules,
in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For
example, a
module may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI
circuits or gate
arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or
other discrete
components. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices
such as
field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic
devices or the
like.
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Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of
processors. An identified module of program code may, for instance, comprise
one or more
physical or logical blocks of computer instructions which may, for instance,
be organized as an
object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified
module need not be
physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in
different locations
which, when joined logically together, comprise the module and achieve the
stated purpose for
the module.
Indeed, a module of program code may be a single instruction, or many
instructions, and
may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different
programs, and
to across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be
identified and illustrated
herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized
within any
suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a
single data set, or may
be distributed over different locations including over different storage
devices, and may exist, at
least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. Where a
module or portions
of a module are implemented in software, the program code may be stored and/or
propagated on
in one or more computer readable medium(s).
The computer readable medium may be a tangible computer readable storage
medium
storing the program code. The computer readable storage medium may be, for
example, but not
limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,
holographic,
micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any
suitable combination of
the foregoing.
More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium may include but
are
not limited to a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access
memory (RAM), a read-
only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash
memory),
a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc
(DVD), an optical
storage device, a magnetic storage device, a holographic storage medium, a
micromechanical
storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context
of this document, a
computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain,
and/or store
program code for use by and/or in connection with an instruction execution
system, apparatus, or
device.
The computer readable medium may also be a computer readable signal medium. A
computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with
program code
embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such
a propagated
signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,
electrical, elect -
.
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magnetic, magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer
readable signal
medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable
storage medium
and that can communicate, propagate, or transport program code for use by or
in connection with
an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied
on a computer
readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium,
including but not
limited to wire-line, optical fiber, Radio Frequency (RF), or the like, or any
suitable combination
of the foregoing
In one embodiment, the computer readable medium may comprise a combination of
one
or more computer readable storage mediums and one or more computer readable
signal
mediums. For example, program code may be both propagated as an electro-
magnetic signal
through a fiber optic cable for execution by a processor and stored on RAM
storage device for
execution by the processor.
Program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention
may be
written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented
programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, PHP or the like and
conventional
procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's
computer, partly
on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the
user's computer and
partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In
the latter scenario,
the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network,
including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the
connection may be
made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an
Internet Service
Provider).
The computer program product may be shared, simultaneously serving multiple
customers in a flexible, automated fashion. The computer program product may
be standardized,
requiring little customization and scalable, providing capacity on demand in a
pay-as-you-go
model. The computer program product may be stored on a shared file system
accessible from one
or more servers.
The computer program product may be integrated into a client, server and
network
environment by providing for the computer program product to coexist with
applications,
operating systems and network operating systems software and then installing
the computer
program product on the clients and servers in the environment where the
computer program
product will function.
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In one embodiment software is identified on the clients and servers including
the network
operating system where the computer program product will be deployed that are
required by the
computer program product or that work in conjunction with the computer program
product. This
includes the network operating system that is software that enhances a basic
operating system by
adding networking features.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the
embodiments
may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous
specific details
are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user
selections, network
transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules,
hardware circuits,
hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One
skilled in the
relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced
without one or more of
the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so
forth. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or
described in detail to
avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment.
Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic
flowchart
diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, systems, and
computer
program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be
understood that each
block of the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, and
combinations
of blocks in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams,
can be
implemented by program code. The program code may be provided to a processor
of a general
purpose computer, special purpose computer, sequencer, or other programmable
data processing
apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the i)rocessor of the
computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for
implementing the
functions/acts specified in the schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic
block diagrams
block or blocks.
The program code may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can
direct a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a
particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable
medium produce an
article of manufacture including instruetions which implement the function/act
specified in the
schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.
The program code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data
processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on
the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a
computer
implemented process such that the program code which executed on the computer
or other
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programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the
flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in the
Figures
illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of
apparatuses, systems, methods and computer program products according to
various
embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the
schematic flowchart
diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or
portion of code,
which comprises one or more executable instructions of the program code for
implementing the
specified logical function(s).
It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in
the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two
blocks shown in
succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks
may sometimes be
executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.
Other steps and
methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to
one or more blocks,
or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures.
Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart
and/or
block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the
corresponding embodiments.
Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the
logical flow of the
depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or
monitoring period of
unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It
will also be'
noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, and
combinations of
blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by
special purpose
hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or
combinations of special
purpose hardware and program code.
Descriptions of Figures may refer to elements described in previous Figures,
like
numbers referring to like elements. Figures lA through lE depict various
embodiments of an
interchangeable personal security device 100, 110, 120, 140, 150, including a
portable accessory
102, 112, 122, 142, 152. In certain embodiments, as depicted in Figures 1A
through 1D, the
portable accessory 102, 112, 122, 142 may be a wearable accessory. In another
embodiment, as
depicted in Figure 1E, the portable accessory 152 may not be wearable. Figure
1 A depicts one
embodiment of an interchangeable personal security device 100. In one
embodiment, the
interchangeable personal security device 100 includes a portable or wearable
accessory 102, an
alerting device 104, and one or more activation elements 106, which are
described below.
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The wearable accessory 102, in one embodiment, has an aesthetically pleasing
appearance. In certain embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 includes the
appearance of
jewelry, such as a necklace, amulet, bracelet, ring, or the like. In other
embodiments, the
wearable accessory 102 includes a watch, sunglasses, a pin, a brooch, a belt
buckle, or the like.
In certain embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 includes various sportswear
accessories,
such as athletic watches, fitness bands, sweatbands, wristbands, or the like.
In some
embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 clips-on to an article of clothing,
such as a shoelace,
zipper, collar, pocket, bra, belt, hat, purse, or the like. In one embodiment,
the wearable
accessory 102 includes a substantially rigid body. The substantially rigid
body may include
various materials, such as plastic, metal, precious metal, crystals, gems,
jewels, or the like, or
any combination of the aforementioned materials. For example, the wearable
accessory 102 may
be a necklace with an attached pendant where the pendant includes a metal body
with an
embedded jewel. In one embodiment, the wearable accessory 102 includes
waterproof material.
In certain embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 is formed to receive an
alerting
device 104, which is described in more detail below. The wearable accessory
102, in another
embodiment, receives the alerting device 104 such that the alerting device 104
is not visible
while the wearable accessory 102 is worn. For example, the alerting device 104
may be located
within the wearable accessory 102. In such an embodiment, the wearable
accessory 102 includes
a casing that covers and protects the alerting device 104. Furthermore, such
an embodiment may
be water resistant, such that portions of the wearable accessory 102 are
connected in a way to
prevent water from penetrating the wearable accessory 102 and damaging the
alerting device
104. In other embodiments, the alerting device 104 may be disposed on a
portion of the
wearable accessory 102 that is not visible while being worn. For example, the
alerting device
104 may be disposed along the backside of a watch such that it is not visible
while the watch is
worn.
In another embodiment, the alerting device 104 includes an alerting element.
In one
embodiment, the alerting element sends an alert signal in response to
receiving an activation
signal. In some embodiments, the alert signal is a silent alarm, which may be
received by an
external device without alerting those near the alerting device 104 that an
alarm has been
triggered. In another embodiment, the alert signal is a loud alarm that emits
an audible alarm
signal, such as a siren or similar noisemaker, intended to warn and/or alert
persons near the
alerting device 104. For example, a person who feels threatened by another
person may trigger a
loud alarm to scare the person and/or to alert others. In some embodiments,
the alerting device
104 includes both silent and loud alarms. For example, the loud alarm may be
triggered by the
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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user separately from a silent alarm. In another embodiment, the loud alarm
includes sending an
alert to a communication device.
In one embodiment, the alerting device 104 is interchangeable with a plurality
of portable
or wearable accessories 102. For example, a single alerting device 104 may be
used in a watch,
a pendant, a bracelet, a brooch, a ring, or the like. In one embodiment, at
least one of the
portable accessories 102 may include a communication device as described with
regard to Figure
1E. In various embodiments, an alerting device 104 may be in communication
with a
communication device that is included with a portable accessory 102, or may be
in
communication with a separate communication device, not included with a
portable or wearable
accessory 102. In some embodiments, using an interchangeable alerting device
104 allows a
user to customize wearable accessories 102 without providing multiple alerting
devices 104. The
alerting device 104, in another embodiment, includes different shapes and
sizes to accommodate
different wearable accessories 102. For example, the alerting device 104 may
be compact
enough to fit in a charm, a ring, or the like.
In some embodiments, the alerting device 104 is permanently connected to the
wearable
accessory 102, such that it is not interchangeable with other wearable
accessories. For example,
an alerting device 104 may be permanently built into a watch, such that the
alerting device 104 is
not designed to be removed, but is instead operationally connected to the
watch. In some
embodiments, the watch includes different personal security features, which
would not function
without the alerting device 104 installed.
In certain embodiments, the one or more activation elements 106 are disposed
on the
wearable accessory 102 and are formed to activate the alerting device 104. In
one embodiment,
the activation elements 106 include buttons, switches, or the like. In certain
embodiments, the
activation elements 106 are flush mounted with the surface of the wearable
accessory 102 such
that they do not protrude past the surface of the wearable accessory 102. In
other embodiments,
the activation elements 106 are shaped to accommodate a user's finger or hand
and may protrude
past the surface of the wearable accessory 102. In one embodiment, the
activation elements 106
include the same material as the wearable accessory 102, such as plastic,
metal, or the like. In
other embodiments, the activation elements 106 may include a substantially
flexible material,
such as rubber, soft plastic, or the like.
Even though the illustrated embodiment depicts a wearable accessory 102 having
two
activation elements 106, any number of activation elements 106 may be used to
activate the
alerting device 104, the wearable accessory 102, and/or different personal
security preferences.
In some embodiments, the activation elements 106 are not visible while the
wearable accessory
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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102 is being worn. For example, the activation elements 106 may be located on
the backside of a
watch or a pendant, which may not be visible while the accessory 102 is being
worn. In another
embodiment, the activation elements 106 are integrated into elements of the
wearable accessory
102 such that the activation elements 106 appear to be part of the design of
the wearable
accessory 102. For example, a button on a watch that appears to be a button
that adjusts a setting
of the watch may in fact be an activation button. Similarly, a gem stone on a
ring may actually
be an activation element that a user pushes, twists, or the like, to activate
the alerting device 104
and/or the wearable accessory 102. In some embodiments that include more than
one activation
element 106, only one activation element 106 may be pressed at one time. In
other
embodiments, two or more activation elements 106 may be pressed at the same
time. In some
embodiments, the one or more activation elements 106 turn on one or more light
sources, such as
a light-emitting diode ("LED"), disposed on the wearable accessory 102.
In certain embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 also includes an electronic
power
source (not shown) to power the communication functions of the alerting device
104. In some
embodiments, the electronic power source includes a disposable battery, which
is designed to be
used once and discarded. In another embodiment, the electronic power source
includes a
rechargeable battery, which is designed to be recharged and used multiple
times. In certain
embodiments, the rechargeable battery may be charged using a power outlet, a
computer (e.g.,
via a USB port), an induction charging system, or the like.
In one embodiment, the wearable accessory 102 includes its own power source
that is
separate from the power source that powers the alerting device 104, such as a
battery. In another
embodiment, the wearable accessory 102 and the alerting device 104 share a
power source. In
some embodiments, the wearable accessory 102 includes functionality separate
from the alerting
device 104, which may require power from the power source. For example, the
wearable
accessory 102 may include communications functionality, such as cell phone
service,
Bluetooth , Wi-Fi, and/or the like. Alternatively, the wearable accessory 102
may include
functionality for location services (e.g., a global positioning system
("GPS")), an alarm, and/or
the like. Thus, the wearable accessory 102 may perform one or more personal
security functions
without using the alerting device 104.
In some embodiments, non-battery power sources may be used in conjunction with
and/or in addition to a battery source. In another embodiment, non-battery
power sources are
used to recharge a battery source. In one embodiment, the wearable accessory
102 includes a
power source that derives its power from the kinesthetic movements of the
wearer. For example,
the wearable accessory 102 may be a watch that is powered through the arm
movements of the
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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wearer. In another embodiment, the wearable accessory 102 includes a power
source that
derives its power from a solar panel disposed on the wearable accessory 102
such that the
wearable accessory 102 is powered when exposed to sunlight. In a further
embodiment, the
wearable accessory 102 may include a fuel cell that provides power to the
wearable accessory
102. In one embodiment, the power source is not used until an activation
signal is received to
activate the alerting device 104. In some embodiments, the alerting device 104
is constantly
monitoring and drawing power from the power source.
Figure 1B depicts another embodiment of an interchangeable personal security
device
110. The interchangeable personal security device 110 includes elements that
are substantially
similar to the interchangeable personal security device 100 of Figure 1A. In
one embodiment,
Figure 1B depicts the alerting device 104 being interchangeable in a different
wearable accessory
112. For example, the user may wear an interchangeable personal security
device 100 that
includes a necklace having a wearable accessory 102 in the form of a diamond
shaped pendant
and also an interchangeable personal security device 110 that includes a
necklace having a
wearable accessory 112 in the form of an oval shaped pendant. The alerting
device 104 may be
interchangeable in both devices 100, 110. In certain embodiments, the alerting
device 104 is
interchangeable regardless the placement of the activation elements 106, 114.
In this manner, a
user may customize the wearable accessories 102 associated with an alerting
device 104 without
having to reconfigure multiple wearable accessories 102.
Figure 1C depicts one embodiment of an interchangeable personal security
device 120.
In the depicted embodiment, the interchangeable personal security device may
include a
wearable accessory 102 that is embodied as a watch 122. The watch 122 may
include one or
more buttons that control the settings of the watch, such as setting the time,
date, or the like. In
some embodiments, a button 124 may appear to be a functioning part of the
design of the watch
122; however, the button 124 may activate one or more personal security
components of the
watch 122. For example, the watch 122 may include one or more of an alarm
component 126,
which may trigger a loud or silent alarm, a cellular communication component
128, which may
communicate with an alarm device or one or more communications devices over a
cellular
network, or the like, in addition to an alerting device 104. Other personal
security components
may include a location services component (e.g., GPS), a Bluetooth component,
a Wi-Fi
component, or the like.
In response to a user interacting with the button 124, the alerting device 104
may be
activated. Alternatively, if the alerting device 104 is out of range of a
communication device or
alarm device that is configured to receive an alert signal from the alerting
device 104, one or
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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more different personal security components may become activated, such as the
alarm
component 126, the cellular communication component 128, or the like. The
watch 122 may
include a plurality of power sources configured to power the personal security
elements 104,
126, 128. For example, the alerting device 104 may be powered by a battery
while the cellular
communication component 128 is powered by a different battery. Moreover, in
addition to the
alerting device 104 being interchangeable with different wearable accessories
122, the other
personal security components 126, 128 may also be interchangeable. Some
wearable accessories
102 compatible with the altering device 104 may include a separate power
source and may
include functionality in addition to the altering device 104 while other
wearable accessories 102
compatible with the same alerting device 104 may not have a separate power
source so that any
additional functionality, such as cellular or GPS capabilities, alarm power,
etc., may be powered
by the alerting device 104 or may not have additional functionality.
Figure 1D depicts another embodiment of an interchangeable personal security
device
140. In the depicted embodiment, the wearable accessory 102 includes a ring
142. The ring 142
may include a gem, jewel, or the like that comprises the activation button 144
for the device.
Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the activation button 144 is discrete
because it appears to be a
design feature of the ring 142 instead of a button 144. Similar to the watch
122 in Figure 1C, the
ring 142 includes an alerting device 104 and other personal security
components, such as an
alarm component 146 and a cellular communication component 148, which may be
substantially
similar to the personal security components 126, 128 of Figure 1C.
In some embodiments, in response to the activation button 144 being interacted
with, the
alerting device 104 may be activated and may send an alarm signal to an
external alarm device
and/or an external communications device. In some embodiments, however, if the
alerting
device 104 is taken out of the communications range of the ring 142, the alarm
device, and/or the
communications device, the other personal security components 146, 148 of the
ring 142 may be
activated. Further, like the watch 122 of Figure 1C, the ring 142 may also
include a plurality of
power sources to power the different personal security components 104, 146,
148.
[0001] Figure lE depicts another embodiment of an interchangeable personal
security
device, 150. In the depicted embodiment, a portable accessory 102 comprises a
communication
device 152. The portable accessory 102 is formed to receive the alerting
device 104, such that
the alerting device 104 fits within a compartment 158 of the portable
accessory 102. For
example, in one embodiment, the portable accessory 102 may be a shell that
includes a
compartment 158 for the alerting device 104, and that encloses a communication
device 152. In
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
- 18 -
another embodiment, the portable accessory 102 may be a communication device
152 with a
compartment 158 for the alerting device 104.
[0002] In the depicted embodiment, the communication device 152 includes a
touch
screen 154 with controls. In another embodiment, the communication device may
include
buttons or other types of controls. In certain embodiments, the controls for
the communication
device 152 may include one or more activation elements for the alerting device
104. Thus, in
various embodiments, the alerting device 104 may be activated by pressing a
button, pressing a
sequence of buttons, activating an app on the communication device 152, or the
like. In the
depicted embodiment, the communication device 152 includes an alarm component
156, which
may, in some embodiments be similar to the alarm component 126 of Figure 1C.
[0003] In some embodiments, an alerting device 104 in a portable accessory
102, 112,
122, 142, 152 may be in wireless communication with a separate communication
device, such as
a cellular phone. In certain environments, such as urban settings, a cellular
telephone may
provide adequate communication capabilities for providing personal security.
However, in other
environments, such as rural or backcountry environments with poor cellular
reception, a different
type of communication device 152 may provide better communication capabilities
for personal
security. Because many users do not ordinarily carry a communication device
other than a
cellular phone, a portable accessory 102 that includes the communication
device 152 may allow
a user to use different forms of communication when cellular reception is
poor. Thus, in various
embodiments, the communication device 152 may include a satellite
communication device,
such as a satellite phone, a short wave radio communication device, such as an
amateur or
citizens band radio, a two-way radio communication device such as a walkie-
talkie, a cellular
network communication device such as a cell phone, or the like.
[0004] For example, the communication device 152 may be configured
specifically for
use with the alerting device 104 and may have less functionality than a
typical satellite phone,
two-way radio, etc. and thus may be less expensive than a fully functional
satellite phone, two-
way radio. In other embodiments, the communication device 152 may have
capabilities of a
typical satellite phone, two-way radio, etc. but may have additional
capabilities associated with
adding the alerting device 104. For example, adding the alerting device 104
may add one-touch
emergency notification. One of skill in the art will recognize other
capabilities of a
communication device 152 with an alerting device 104.
[0005] In certain embodiments, the alerting device 104 may be in wireless
communication with the communication device 152. In another embodiment, the
compartment
158 for the alerting device 104 may include a wired connection to the
communication device
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
-19-
152. In one embodiment, the communication device 152 may include a power
supply separate
from a power supply for the alerting device 104. In certain embodiments, an
alerting device 104
that is interchangeable with a plurality of portable accessories may have
small, low-power power
supply, so that the alerting device 104 can fit interchangeably into small
weatable accessories.
However, communication from backcountry areas may involve a larger, higher-
power power
supply. Thus, in certain embodiments, the power supply for the communication
device 152 may
provide more power than the power supply for the alerting device 104.
[0006] In one embodiment, the power supply for the communication device may
include
a battery, such as a rechargeable battery, a disposable battery, or the like.
In another
embodiment, the power supply for the communication device may include a fuel
cell. In a
further embodiment, the fuel cell may be capable of maintaining an isolated
fuel supply until the
fuel cell is activated. For example, a zinc-air fuel cell (sometimes referred
to as a zinc-air
battery) may include a seal that isolates zinc from air, so that the zinc fuel
does not react until the
fuel cell is activated by breaking or removing the seal. In various
embodiments, isolating the
fuel supply for a fuel cell may provide a shelf-stable power supply that is
ready for use when
activated, without a user frequently checking or replacing batteries.
[0007] In one embodiment, the communication device 152 may be powered on in
response to receiving an activation signal from the alerting device 104. Prior
to receiving the
activation signal, the communication device 152 may be in a powered-off state,
or a low-power
standby state. For example, in one embodiment, a fuel cell with an isolated
fuel supply may be
activated (so that the fuel supply can react and provide power) in response to
the activation
signal. In some embodiments, a communication device 152 that is powered on in
response to an
activation signal may be less convenient than an always-on communication
device such as a
phone. However, in certain embodiments, it may be impractical to regularly
recharge or refresh
a power supply for a communication device. For example, a personal security
device 150 for
backcountry medical emergencies may be regularly carried without an emergency
occurring, and
may stay powered off (or keep an isolated fuel supply) so that it is ready to
be activated if an
emergency occurs.
Figure 2 depicts one embodiment of a system 200 for an interchangeable
personal
security device. The system 200, in one embodiment, includes an
interchangeable personal
security device 202, a personal security apparatus 204, and a first network
206. In a further
embodiment, the system 200 includes a communication device 208, an alarm
device 214, a
second network 210, and one or more monitoring devices 212, which are
described below in
more detail. In a certain embodiment, the system 200 may include the
communication device
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
- 20 -
208, second network 210, and monitoring devices 212 without the alarm device
214. In another
embodiment, the system 200 may include the alarm device 214 without the
communication
device 208, second network 210, and monitoring devices 212.
The system 200, in one embodiment, includes an interchangeable personal
security
device 202, which may be substantially similar to the interchangeable personal
security devices
100, 110, 120, 140, 150 described above. The interchangeable personal security
device 202, in
certain embodiments, is a portable or wearable accessory 102, 112, 122, 142,
152 that includes
an alerting device 104 and one or more activation elements 106, 114, as
described above with
reference to Figures 1A-1E. In another embodiment, the alerting device 104 is
interchangeable
with different portable or wearable accessories 102, 112, 122, 142, 152 such
as a pendant, watch,
ring, communication accessory, or the like. Hereinafter, a portable or
wearable accessory may
take any form, such as the wearable accessories 102, 112, 122, and 142, as
depicted in Figures
1A-1D, or the portable accessory including a communication device 152 as
depicted in Figure
1E, but for simplicity is referred to as "portable accessory 102."
In one embodiment, the system 200 includes a personal security apparatus 204.
The
personal security apparatus 204, in another embodiment, is configured to
activate the
interchangeable personal security device 202 and send an alert signal to a
communication device
208 and/or an alarm device 214 over a first network 206. The personal security
apparatus 204 is
described in more detail below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The personal
security
apparatus 204 may be included in the alerting device 104 or may be distributed
between the
alerting device and the portable accessory 102.
The system 200, in certain embodiments, includes a first network 206. The
first network
206, in certain embodiments, is a digital communication network that transmits
digital
communications related to an interchangeable personal security device 202. The
first network
206 may include a wireless network, such as a wireless telephone network, a
local wireless
network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth0 network, an ANT-I-Tm wireless
connection, a
near field communication ("NFC") connection, and the like. The first network
206 may include
a wide area network ("WAN"), a storage area network ("SAN"), a local area
network ("LAN"),
an optical fiber network, the intemet, or other digital communication network
known in the art.
The first network 206 may include two or more networks. The first network 206
may include
one or more servers, routers, switches, and/or other networking equipment. The
first network
206 may also include computer readable storage media, such as a hard disk
drive, an optical
drive, non-volatile memory, random access memory ("RAM"), or the like.
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
-21 -
In one embodiment, the system 200 includes an alarm device 214. The alarm
device 214,
in the depicted embodiment, is in communication with the personal security
device 202 via the
first network 206. In another embodiment, however, the alarm device 214 may be
in direct, non-
networked contact with the personal security device 202. For example, in a
certain embodiment,
the alarm device 214 may be in direct communication with the personal security
device 202 over
a wireless link using a Bluetooth protocol, NFC protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, or
the like
In one embodiment, the alarm device 214 activates an alarm in response to
receiving an
alert signal (e.g., from the alerting device 104). In a certain embodiment,
the alarm may include
an audible alarm, such as a siren, a horn, or the like. In another embodiment,
the alarm may
include a visible alarm such as a flashing light, a rotating light, or the
like. In some
embodiments, the alarm may include a combination audible and visible alarm. In
various
embodiments, the alarm device 214 may include various elements for providing
the alarm such
as speakers, air-activated noisemakers, light bulbs, flashbulbs, and the like.
In view of this
disclosure, many possible elements for providing an alarm are clear
In one embodiment, the alarm device 214 may include a power supply separate
from a
power supply for the alerting device 104 or personal security apparatus 202.
In various
embodiments, a power supply for the alarm device may include a disposable
battery, a
rechargeable battery, a wired power source such as a car charger, A/C charger,
or the like, for
recharging a rechargeable battery, or for powering the alarm device 214 in the
absence of or in
addition to a battery.
In a further embodiment, the power supply for the alarm device 214 may provide
more
power than a power supply for the alerting device 104 or personal security
apparatus 202. In
certain embodiments, an alerting device 104 may have a small, less powerful
power supply to
facilitate interchanging the alerting device 104 with multiple wearable
accessories 102, 112, 122,
142. However, a low-power power supply may not provide enough power for a loud
or bright
alarm. Similarly, the alerting device 104 may be in communication with a
communication
device 208 such as a cell phone, but a communication device 208 may not have
enough power, a
loud enough speaker, or a bright enough display (or other lights) to provide a
suitably loud or
bright alarm. Thus, in certain embodiments, a separate alarm device 214 with a
more powerful
power supply may provide an alarm that is more powerful (e.g., brighter and/or
louder) that a
corresponding alarm provided by an alerting device 104 and/or a communication
device 208
In one embodiment, a visible alarm for the alarm device 214 may be brighter
than a
corresponding visible alarm provided by the alerting device 104 and/or the
communication
device 208. For example, in one embodiment, the alarm device 214 may provide a
visible alarm
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
-22 -
using a rotating light or flashbulb with a brightness similar to the
brightness of a police light bar,
fire alarm strobe, or the like. In a further embodiment, an audible alarm for
the alarm device 214
may be louder than a corresponding audible alarm provided by the alerting
device 104 and/or the
communication device 208. For example, in one embodiment, the sound level of
an audible
alarm for the alarm device 214 may be in a range from 75 dBA to 110 dBA. In
another
embodiment, the sound level of the audible alarm for the alarm device 214 may
be 15 dB above
an average ambient sound level, 5dB above an expected maximum ambient sound
level, or the
like.
In one embodiment, the alarm device 214 may be separate from the alerting
device 104
and/or the personal security device 202. In a further embodiment, the alarm
device 214 may be
carried in a purse, installed in a car, or the like. In general, in various
embodiments, a separate
alarm device 214 with a loud and/or bright alarm provides greater security,
noticeability, and/or
deterrence than a quieter or lower-powered alarm that might be integrated with
a personal
security device. However, in another embodiment, a personal security device
202 may be
integrated with an alarm device 214 that provides a sufficiently loud alarm.
In certain
embodiments, though, a personal security device 202 with an integrated alarm
device 214 may
be portable, but may not be compatible with a wearable accessory, due to the
inclusion of a
sufficiently powerful power supply, lights, speakers, or other alarm elements.
In a further embodiment, the system 200 includes a communication device 208.
The
communication device 208, in one embodiment, includes a cell phone, a smart
phone, a tablet
computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart TV, an e-book reader,
a PDA, a
Global Positioning System ("GPS") device, or the like. In certain embodiments,
the
communication device 208 communicates with the interchangeable personal
security device 202
using the first network 206. In another embodiment, the communication device
208 is directly
connected to the personal security device 202 via a wired or wireless link. In
one embodiment, a
plurality of interchangeable personal security devices 202 is in communication
with a single
communication device 208. For example, each family member in a family of four
may have an
interchangeable personal security device 202 such that each interchangeable
personal security
device 202 may be in communication with a single communication device 208.
In one embodiment, the communication device 208 may be included in a portable
accessory 102 with a compartment 158 for the personal security device 202. In
another
embodiment, the communication device 208 may be separate from the portable
accessory 102.
In a further embodiment, the personal security device 202 may be in
communication with a first
communication device 208 included in a portable accessory 208 and a second
communication
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
- 23 -
device 208, separate from a portable accessory 208, and either or both
communication devices
208 may receive an alert signal from the personal security device 202 and send
a notification to
predefined contacts. For example, a first communication device 208 may send a
notification to a
first set of predefined contacts, and a second communication device 208 may
send a notification
to one or more additional predefined contacts.
In some embodiments, the communication device 208 communicates with one or
more
monitoring devices 212 using the second network 210, which are described
below. In certain
embodiments, the first network 206 and the second network 210 are the same
network. In one
embodiment, the first network 206 and the second network 210 share at least a
portion of the
components that include the first network 206 and second network 210. In
another embodiment,
the communication device 208 executes a computer program product, such as an
application, that
is in communication with the interchangeable personal security device 202 and
the one or more
monitoring devices 212.
The system 200, in one embodiment, includes a second network 210, which may be
substantially similar to the first network 206. In some embodiments, the
second network 210 is a
digital communication network that transmits digital communications between a
communication
device 208 and one or more monitoring devices 212. The second network 210 may
include a
wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, a local wireless
network, such as a Wi-Fi
network, a Bluetooth network, a near field communication ("NFC") connection,
and the like.
The second network 210 may include a wide area network ("WAN"), a storage area
network
("SAN"), a local area network ("LAN"), an optical fiber network, the intemet,
or other digital
communication network known in the art. The second network 210 may include two
or more
networks. The second network 210 may include one or more servers, routers,
switches, and/or
other networking equipment. The second network 210 may also include computer
readable
storage media, such as a hard disk drive, an optical drive, non-volatile
memory, random access
memory ("RAM"), or the like.
In another embodiment, the system 200 includes one or more monitoring devices
212.
The one or more monitoring devices 212, in one embodiment, include a cell
phone, a smart
phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a smart TV,
an e-book reader,
a UPS device, a PDA, or the like. In one embodiment, the one or more
monitoring devices 212
are in communication with the communication device 208 using the second
network 210. In
another embodiment, the one or more monitoring devices 212 are in
communication with the
interchangeable personal security device 202 using a first network 206 and/or
a second network ,
210.
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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In one embodiment, the communication device 208 may be in communication with
the
alarm device 214 via the first network 206, another network, or a direct link.
For example, in a
further embodiment, if the communication device 208 is a smart phone, the
communication
device may send an alert signal to the alarm device 214 in response to a user
activating a control
in a smart phone application, and the alarm device 214 may activate the alarm
in response to the
alert signal from the communication device 208, with or without receiving an
alert signal from
the personal security device 202. Activating the alarm device 214 from the
communication
device 202 may, in certain embodiments, be less convenient than activating the
alarm device 214
from the personal security device 202, but may be a viable backup mode of
operation if the user
is separated from the personal security device 202.
Figure 3 depicts one embodiment an apparatus 300 that includes one embodiment
of a
personal security apparatus 204. The personal security apparatus 204, in
certain embodiments,
includes an activation module 302, an alert module 304, and a notification
module 306, which
are described in more detail below. Although the depicted embodiment of a
personal security
apparatus 204 includes a notification module 306, the personal security
apparatus 204 may, in
another embodiment, include an activation module 302 and an alert module 304
without a
notification module 306.
In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 204 includes an activation
module
302 configured to receive an activation signal in response to a user
interacting with one or more
activation elements 106, 114. In one embodiment, the activation module 302
receives an
activation signal in response to a single activation element 106, 114 being
actuated by the user.
In another embodiment, the activation signal receives an activation signal in
response to a
plurality of activation element 106, 114 being actuated by the user. For
example, the activation
module 302 may receive an activation signal in response to one button being
pressed and/or two
or more buttons being pressed at the same time.
In one embodiment, the activation module 302 receives an activation signal in
response
to a plurality of activation elements 106, 114 being actuated in a specific
sequence. For
example, an interchangeable personal security device 202 may include three
buttons, which,
when pressed in a certain order (e.g., left, right, middle), sends an
activation signal. In another
embodiment, the activation module 302 receives an activation signal in
response to the amount
of time the one or more activation elements 106, 114 are actuated. For
example, the activation
module 302 may receive an activation signal in response to the one or more
activation elements
106, 114 being pressed and released quickly. In another example, the
activation module 302
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receives a different activation signal in response to the one or more
activation elements 106, 114
being held down for a longer period of time.
In one example, where the personal security apparatus 204 includes more than
one
activation element 106, 114, each activation element 106, 114 may have a
different function.
For example, the activation module 302 may receive an activation signal from
one activation
element 106, 114 while other activation elements 106, 114 may have different
functions, like
activating an audible alarm, activating a visual alarm, turning on a light,
etc. In another
embodiment, the activation module 302 may receive an activation signal from
one activation
element 106, 114 for one purpose and may receive a different activation signal
from another
activation element 106 for another activation element 106.
In various embodiments, various activation elements 106, 114, or combinations
or
sequences of activation elements 106, 114 may activate different functions of
the communication
device 208 and/or the alarm device 214. For example, pressing one button in
one sequence may
activate the communication device 208 to send notifications to predefined
contacts without
activating an audible or visible alarm. Another button or sequence of buttons
may activate the
communication device 208 to send emergency notification and may activate the
alarm device
214 to produce an audible and visible alarm. In another embodiment, pressing a
different button
or sequence of buttons may activate an audible and/or visible alarm, without
sending
notifications. In a further embodiment, a particular button-press sequence may
activate a silent
alarm, which becomes an audible/visible alarm after a predefined period of
time. In another
embodiment, different button-press combinations may affect the volume or
brightness of an
alarm from the alarm device 214.
In one embodiment, various activation elements 106, 114, or combinations or
sequences
of activation elements 106, 114 may activate different alarm levels. For
example, one alarm
level may be a low level alarm that activates the communication device 208 to
send a warning to
one or more predefined contacts. The warning may alert the contacts that the
user is
uncomfortable, worried, or may put the contacts on alert. The alarm level may
be activated by a
single button press. A higher level alarm maybe activated by a different
button, a sequence of
button presses, such as two button presses in rapid sequence. The higher alarm
level may
activate the communication device 208 to send out a high level alarm to the
one or more
predefined contacts, which may be the same or different than contacts notified
for the lower level
alarm. For example, the higher level alarm may call police, may alert contacts
to call emergency
services, may summons the contacts, etc. Other higher level alarms may
activate visible and/or
audible alarms, may activate a siren or horn on a vehicle, etc. In view of
this disclosure, one of
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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skill in the art will recognize that there are many ways to configure the
communication device
208 and/or the alarm device 214 to respond to different activation signals
from different
activation elements 106, 114 or combinations of activation elements 106, 114.
In one embodiment, the interchangeable personal security device 202 includes
voice
activation elements (e.g., a microphone) such that the activation module 302
receives an
activation signal in response to the user speaking a phrase, a word, or the
like. For example, the
user may say "Help!," which may be identified by the activation module 302 as
a recognizable
activation word. In some embodiments, the activation module 302 may be
programmed to
recognize other activation words, phrases, or the like. In another embodiment,
the activation
module 302 may be programmed to recognize one or more persons' voices, such
that the
interchangeable personal security device 202 may only be activated in response
to identifying an
activation word or phrase spoken by a recognizable person. In one embodiment,
the voice
activation capabilities of the activation module 302 may be enabled in
response to a user
actuating one or more of the activation elements 106, 114. For example, a user
may hold down a
button to activate the voice recognition capabilities of the activation module
302 while
simultaneously speaking an activation word, phrase, or the like.
The personal security apparatus 204, in another embodiment, includes an alert
module
304 in wireless communication with a communication device 208 using the first
network 206. In
certain embodiments, the alert module 304 is configured to wirelessly send an
alert signal to the
communication device 208 in response to the activation module 302 receiving
the activation
signal. For example, the alert module 304 may send a silent alarm to the
communication device
208, which, as described below, may notify one or more persons, emergency
organizations, or
the like, that an alarm has been triggered. In one embodiment, the alert
module 304 is in
communication with a computer program product executing on the communication
device 208,
such as a personal security application running on a smart device. In other
embodiments, the
alert module 304 is in communication with a communication device 208 running a
network
application, such as a web browser, which may send a notification to an online
account managed
by the user. For example, the alert module 304 may send an alert signal to a
laptop computer
running a program that is connected to the user's account online, which would
define where to
forward a notification.
In certain embodiments, the alert module 304 activates an audible alarm in
response to
receiving an activation signal. For example, the communication device 208 may
sound a loud
alarm in response to receiving an audible alarm signal. In another embodiment,
the type of alert
sent by the alert module 304 depends on how the activation signal was
triggered. For example,
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pressing a single button may trigger a silent alarm while pressing two buttons
simultaneously
may trigger an audible alarm and a silent alarm. In another example, a user
may say "Loud!" or
"Silent!" or other phrase or word to trigger an audible and/or silent alarm,
respectively, using
voice activation.
In another embodiment, the alert module 304 may be programmable such that the
user
may customize how to trigger different alert types, such as a silent alarm, an
audible alarm,
and/or the like. For example, the user may specify that pressing two buttons
sends a silent alarm
every minute. Or, the user may specify that holding a button for five seconds
triggers a loud
alarm that sounds in five second intervals until disabled by the user. In
another embodiment, the
alert module 304 delays a predefined amount of time before sending an alert
signal to the
communication device 208. For example, the alert module 304 may start a thirty-
second
countdown before sending an alert signal to the communication device 208
and/or sounding an
audible alarm. In one embodiment, this provides the user with an opportunity
to disable the alert
signal before being sent by the alert module 304. In another embodiment, the
user programs the
amount of time the alert module 304 delays before sending the alert signal.
In one embodiment, the alert module 304 configures one or more settings of the
communication device 208. For example, the alert module 304 may send a signal
to a smart
phone to shut off the ring tone and/or place the phone in vibrate mode. In
this manner, the smart
phone may be silenced such that others are not aware that the alert module 304
sent an alert
signal. Other settings may be configured by the alert module 304, such as
locking the
communication device 208, turning the communication device 208 off, or the
like.
In various embodiments, the alert module 304 sends automated alerts regarding
the status
of the interchangeable personal security device 202. For example, the alert
module 304 may
send an alert to the communication device 208 in response to the battery level
becoming low. In
another example, the alert module 304 may send an alert if the interchangeable
personal security
device 202 is getting too far away from the communication device 208 or if the
interchangeable
personal security device 202 is having a difficult time maintaining a
connection to the
communication device 208.
In certain embodiments, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a
notification
module 306 configured to send a notification in response to the communication
device 208
receiving the alert signal. In certain embodiments, the notification includes
a message, medical
information, a location, and/or the like. For example, a user having a heart
attack may activate
the interchangeable personal security device 202, which would send an alert
signal to the
communication device 208. The communication device 208, in response to
receiving the alert
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signal, may send a predefined notification to one or more monitoring devices
212. The
notification may include a message, such as "Help! I'm having a heart attack!
Call 911!" The
notification may also include the location and/or medical information of the
person wearing the
interchangeable personal security device 202.
In certain embodiments, the user customizes the notification sent by the
notification
module 306, including the message, medical information, or the like. In some
embodiments, the
user may also add one or more customized notifications that are sent in
response to certain
activation elements 106, 114 being triggered. For example, a particular
notification may be sent
in response to a specific voice command and a different notification may be
sent in response to a
button being pressed. Alternatively, a separate notification may be sent in
response to the
interchangeable personal security device 202 losing communication with the
communication
device 208, which may include the last known location of the interchangeable
personal security
device 202.
In one embodiment, the notification module 306 sends the notification to one
or more
predefined contacts. The one or more predefined contacts, in certain
embodiments, are
associated with one or more monitoring devices 212. In another embodiment, the
notification
module 306 sends a notification to one or more contacts that have been
predefined by the user.
For example, the user may select the contacts that may receive a notification
from a list of
contacts stored in the user's smart phone. The notification module 306, in
another embodiment,
is part of a computer program product running on the communication device 208,
such as an
application running on a smart phone. For example, a personal security
application running on a
smart phone may allow the user to configure various personal security
settings, such as who to
send a notification to, how to send the notification, what information the
notification should
include, or the like.
In one embodiment, the notification module 306 sends a notification to one or
more
contacts using short message service ("SMS"). For example, the one or more
monitoring devices
212 may receive a text message from the communication device 208 that includes
the
notification information. In another embodiment, the notification module 306
sends an email to
the one or more contacts. In a further embodiment, the notification module 306
sends an
automated voice message to the one or more contacts. In some embodiments, the
notification
may be sent to the one or more contacts at specific time intervals. In one
embodiment, the
notification module 306 continuously sends a notification until at least one
contact reacts to the
notification, such as by calling emergency services, sending a reply message,
calling the user, or
the like.
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In another embodiment, the notification module 306 posts a notification to one
or more
social networks associated with the user. For example, the notification module
306 may post a
notification on the Twitter page and/or a Facebook page associated with the
user. In some
embodiments, the user selects the social network contacts to send the
notification to. For
example, the user may specify the Facebook friends that should receive the
notification, which
may be posted on a webpage of a contact, such as a contact's wall, sent to the
contact's
Facebook email address, sent as a private message, or the like.
Figure 4 depicts another embodiment of an apparatus 400 that includes a
personal
security apparatus 204. In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 204
includes an
activation module 302, an alert module 304, and a notification module 306,
which are
substantially similar to the activation module 302, alert module 304, and
notification module 306
of the apparatus 300 of Figure 3. In a further embodiment, the personal
security apparatus 204
includes a contacts module 402, a location module 404, a recording module 406,
a deactivation
module 408, a reminder module 410, a clock module 412, an audible/visual alert
module 414, a
secondary alert module 416, a silence module 418, a separation alert module
420, a biometric
sensing module 422, a map module 424, a security notification module 426, and
an automotive
notification module 428, which are described in more detail below.
In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a contacts
module 402
configured to store the one or more predefined contacts and to organize the
one or more
predefined contacts into one or more groups. In one embodiment, the one or
more contacts may
be stored on the communication device 208, such as a contact list in a smart
phone or a friend list
on a social network accessible by a network application.
In certain embodiments, the contacts module 402 groups contacts into one or
more
groups. In one embodiment, the contacts module 402 group contacts based on the
user's
location, the user's social circles, or the like. For example, a user may
group contacts based on
family relationships, work groups, travel groups, or the like, such that the
user may notify
contacts that will be able to provide the quickest assistance. Thus, a user
may configure a
personal security application on their smart phone to notify contacts in the
"work" group
between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM in response to receiving an alert
signal from the
interchangeable personal security device 202 and may notify contacts in a
different group during
other hours. In one embodiment, a contact may be a member of more than one
group.
As described above, multiple interchangeable personal security devices 202 may
be in
communication with a single communication device 208. In some embodiments, the
contacts
module 402 may assign a group of contacts to a specific interchangeable
personal security device
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202. For example, a child in a family of four may just have her parents in a
contact group
assigned to her interchangeable personal security device 202 whereas the
father may have his
spouse, one or more neighbors, extended family, or the like, in his contact
group assigned to his
interchangeable personal security device 202.
In certain embodiments, the contacts module 402 includes local emergency
services, such
as police and fire departments, as part of a contact group. In certain
embodiments, the contacts
module 402 automatically assigns local emergency services to every contact
group, such that the
emergency services are always notified. In another embodiment, the contacts
module 402 gives
the user the option to add the emergency services as a contact.
The personal security apparatus 204, in another embodiment, includes a
location module
404 configured to send the location of the user in response to the
communication device 208
receiving the alert signal. In one embodiment, the location module 404 adds
the location of the
user to the notification sent by the notification module 306. The location
module 404, in some
embodiments, uses a location service, such as a global positioning service
("GPS"), to determine
the location of the user. For example, the communication device 208 may
include a GPS
function and the notification module 306 may include location information from
the GPS in the
communication device 208 in the notification sent by the notification module
306. In another
embodiment, the alerting device 104 and/or the portable accessory 102 may
include a location
service and the location module 404 may include location information from the
alerting device
104 and/or the portable accessory 102 in the alert signal sent to the
communication device 208.
In another embodiment, a monitoring device 212, in response to receiving a
notification with the
user's location, executes a map program, such as Google Maps, to visually
display the location
of the user. The location of the user may be a location of the alerting device
104 and/or portable
accessory 102 or may be a location of the communication device 208, or both.
In certain embodiments, the location module 404 provides the location of the
user as an
address. In some embodiments, the location module 404 provides the location of
the user as
degrees of latitude and longitude. The location module 404, in other
embodiments, determines
the directions from the monitoring device 212 to the user and displays the
directions on the
monitoring device 212. In one embodiment, the location module 404 continuously
transmits the
user's location in response to the user activating a location transmission
mode using one or more
activation elements 106, 114. In certain embodiments, the location module 404
transmits the
location of the interchangeable personal security device 202 in response to
the interchangeable
personal security device 202 losing communication with the communication
device 208. In one
embodiment, the communication device 208 includes a location service and
transmits a location
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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of the communication device 208 in response to losing communication with the
personal security
device 202. In another embodiment, the personal security device 202 includes a
location service
and sends a location of the personal security device 202 with the alert
signal.
In some embodiments, the location of the interchangeable personal security
device 202
may be tracked using a website, a mapping program, or the like. For example,
if a user wearing
the interchangeable personal security device 202 is missing, another person
may use information
on a website or other location to determine a location of the interchangeable
personal security
device 202. The person may start tracking the interchangeable personal
security device 202 with
or without a notification. In one embodiment, the location module 404
transmits a location of
the interchangeable personal security device 202 or transmits a location in
response to an
inquiry. In one embodiment, the location module 404 continuously sends the
location of the
interchangeable personal security device 202 by SMS, email, to a website
corresponding to the
interchangeable personal security device 202 or the user, or the like.
In certain embodiments, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a
recording module
406 configured to record content in response to a user interacting with one or
more activation
elements 106, 114. In one embodiment, the recording module 406 records audible
sounds using
a sound capture device, such as a microphone. In another embodiment, the
recording module
406 captures still images and/or video using an image capture device, such as
a digital camera.
In certain embodiments, recording module 406 stores the content on the
interchangeable personal
security device 202 and transfers content to external devices using a wireless
or wired
connection, such as WiFi, USB, or the like. In some embodiments, the recording
module 406
sends the content to one or more monitoring devices 212 as part of a
notification. In one
embodiment, the recording module 406 records content for a predetermined
amount of time. The
recording module 406, in certain embodiments, records content until the user
interacts with one
or more activation elements 106, 114. For example, a user may interact with
one or more
activation elements 106, 114 to stop recording.
In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a deactivation
module
408 that cancels sending a notification to one or more contacts in response to
receiving a
deactivation signal. In one embodiment, the communication device 208 does not
send a
notification in response to receiving the deactivation signal. In a further
embodiment, the
deactivation module 408 may cancel an alarm from the alarm device 214 in
response to receiving
the deactivation signal. In certain embodiments, the deactivation module 408
sends a
deactivation signal in response to the user deactivating the alert signal
within a predetermined
amount of time. In another embodiment, the deactivation module 408 sends a
deactivation signal
CA 02903004 2015-09-04
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in response to the user interacting with one or more activation elements 106,
114. For example,
a user may press two buttons in a predetermined order or a predetermined
number of times in
order to send a deactivation signal.
In one embodiment, the deactivation module 408 receives a deactivation
password
entered by a user in order to send a deactivation signal. For example, a user
may enter a
password on a smart phone executing a personal security application. If the
password is a valid
deactivation password, the communication device 208 may not send a
notification to one or more
contacts. In certain embodiments, the deactivation module 408 receives a fake
or "spoof'
password designed to give the impression that the communication device 208 has
been
deactivated when it is still active. For example, a user may be under duress
to deactivate sending
the alert signal and/or the notification. The user may enter a predetermined
fake password to
make it appear that the communication device 208 has been deactivated. The
communication
device 208, however, may continue to send the notification until a valid
deactivation password
has been provided.
The personal security apparatus 204, in another embodiment, includes a
reminder module
410 configured to periodically generate an audible sound. The reminder module
410 may
generate an audible sound in response to a predetermined amount of time
elapsing. In another
embodiment, the reminder module 410 generates an audible sound based on a
predetermined
schedule. For example, a user may set a reminder to take his pills every day
at 8:00 AM. The
reminder module 410 may be programmed to generate a sound every day at that
time. The
reminder module 410, in some embodiments, consistently generates the audible
sound until the
user interacts with one or more of the activation elements 106, 114.
In certain embodiments, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a clock
module 412
configured to indicate and keep time. The interchangeable personal security
device 202, for
example, may include a digital clock disposed on a hidden portion of the
personal security device
202. In some embodiments, the reminder module 410 uses the clock module 412 to
set alarms,
timers, or the like, that generate an audible sound in response to a
predetermined amount of time
elapsing.
In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 204 includes an
audible/visual alert
module 414 that transmits an audible alert and/or a visual alert in response
to activating an
activation element 106, 114 of the one or more activation elements 106, 114.
For example, as
described above, the interchangeable personal security device 202 may sound a
loud alarm when
the user actuates one or more activation elements 106, 114. In another
example, the
interchangeable personal security device 202 may include visual elements, such
as one or more
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lights that turn on, flicker, or the like, in response to the user actuating
one or more activation
elements 106, 114. In some embodiments, the audible/visual alert module 414
transmits a
combination of audible and visual alert signals. For example, after a user
actuates one or more
activation elements 106, 114, the audible/visual alert module 414 may sound a
loud alarm and
flicker one or more lights on and off. In this manner, the audible/visual
alert module 414 may
warn and/or alert others within the proximity of the interchangeable personal
security device
202.
In one embodiment, the power supply for the communication device 208 may
provide
power for the audible/visual alert module 414. For example, in one embodiment
the
communication device 208 may include a more powerful power supply than the
personal
security device 202/, and the communication device 208 may provide power for
the
audible/visual alert module 414, to provide a brighter, louder, or otherwise
more powerful
audible and/or visual alert.
In a certain embodiment, the communication device 208 and the audible/visual
alert
module 414 may respond to different activation signals. For example, in one
embodiment, a user
may activate one or more activation elements in one way to trigger a first
activation signal that
triggers an alerting element to send an alert signal to the communication
device 208. In a further
embodiment, the user may activate the activation elements in a different way
(e.g., by pressing a
different button, pressing a different sequence of buttons, or the like), to
trigger a second
activation signal, that triggers the audible/visual alert module 414 to
transmit an audible and/or
visual alert. In certain embodiments, the first activation signal may be
different from the second
activation signal, so that the audible/visual alert module 414 can be
activated separately from the
communication device 208.
The personal security apparatus 204, in another embodiment, includes a
secondary alert
module 416 that sends a notification to one or more predefined contacts in
response to receiving
an activation signal from the one or more activation elements 106, 114 and not
being in
communication with an alarm device 214 or a communication device 208
configured to send a
notification to the one or more predefined contacts. For example, if the
interchangeable personal
security device 202 loses communication with the alarm device 214, the
communication device
208, or both, the secondary alert module 416 sends a notification to one or
more predefined
contacts. In one embodiment,.the secondary alert module 416 is programmed with
one or more
predefined contacts and a notification message that is sent to the one or more
predefined
contacts. In another embodiment, the secondary alert module 416 uses a network
206, 210,
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which may include a cell phone network, to send a notification to one or more
predefined
contacts.
In certain embodiments, the personal security apparatus 204 includes a silence
module
418 that sends a silence signal to the communication device 208 in response to
the alert signal.
In some embodiments, the communication device 208 enters a muted state in
response to the
silence signal. For example, a smart phone may disable its ring tone and
vibrate mode, may go
into vibrate mode, shut down, or the like, in response to receiving a silence
signal from the
silence module 418. In some embodiments, the communication device 208 further
enters a state
where an electronic display of the communication device 208 is deactivated in
response to the
silence signal. For example, the silence module 418 may send a silence signal
to the
communication device 208 and the communication device may disable all audio
and visual
functions so that the communication device 208 may not alert an attacker of
the presence of the
communication device 208 while the communication device 208 continues to
receive alert
notifications from the personal security device 202, send notifications to
monitoring devices 212,
etc. In another embodiment, the silence module 418 sends a silence signal to
the communication
device 208 along with an alert signal. In another embodiment, the
communication device 208
may be pre-programmed with a default setting to enter a silent mode when
receiving a
communication from the personal security device 202. In this manner, others
within the
proximity of the communication device 208 may not be made aware that the
interchangeable
personal security device 202 is in communication with the communication device
208 and that
the communication device 208 is sending notifications to one or more
monitoring devices 212.
In one embodiment, the personal security apparatus 214 includes a separation
alert
module 420 sends a separation alert in response to the alerting device 104
losing communication
with the alarm device 214 after the alarm device 214 receives the alert
signal. In another
embodiment, the separation alert module 420 sends a separation alert in
response to the alerting
device 104 losing communication with the communication device 208 after the
communication
device 208 receives the alert signal. For example, the interchangeable
personal security device =
202 may be in wireless communication with a smart phone using a Bluetooth
connection.
While in an alert mode after receiving an alert signal, if the smart phone
loses the connection
with the interchangeable personal security device 202, e.g., by going outside
the range of the
Bluetooth connection, the separation alert module 420 may send an activation
signal. The alert
mode, in one example, is a time after receiving an alert signal and before
some type of a
cessation of the alert mode, such as by a deactivation signal, expiration of a
time limit, etc. In
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another embodiment, the separation alert module 420 may not send a separation
alert when not in
an alert mode, for example if no alert signal has been received.
In another embodiment, the separation alert module 420 sends an activation
signal in
response to the interchangeable personal security device 202 not moving for a
predefined amount
of time. For example, a motion sensor device may be programmed to send an
activation signal
in response to not sensing motion for thirty minutes, ten hours, or the like.
In another example, if
an alert signal was previously sent and before a deactivation event, such as a
deactivation signal,
the separation alert module 420 may sense no movement of the personal security
device 202 for
a predetermined time and may send an activation signal. In another example,
the separation alert
module 420 sends a notification after sensing that the communication device
208 has not moved
for a specified period of time while in an alert mode. In another embodiment,
the separation
alert module 420 sends an activation signal in response to one or more
components of the
interchangeable personal security device 202 malfunctioning.
In one embodiment, the personal security device 202 includes a communication
capability that allows the personal security device 202 to send an alert
signal to a device other
than the communication device 208 or the alarm device 214. For example, the
personal security
device 202 may include a cellular telephone, radio, WiFi, etc. capability that
is activated in
response to losing communication with the communication device 208. The alert
may include a
location of the personal security device 202 that is determined by a location
service associated
with the personal security device 202. For example, the location service may
be determined by
the cellular telephone service, such as by triangulation, by determining a
location of one or more
cellular towers in communication with the personal security device 202, etc.
In another
embodiment, the personal security device 202 includes a GPS capability and the
alert signal sent
by the personal security device 202 may include location information from the
GPS service.
In one embodiment, the location service and/or additional communication
capability of
the personal security device 202 is located in the alerting device 104. In
another embodiment,
the location service and/or additional communication capability of the
personal security device
202 is located in the portable accessory 102. For example, the portable
accessory 102 may have
a cellular telephone, radio, or other communication capability that is capable
of communication
at a distance more than a few feet and the communication capability may be
disabled before an
alert signal or after an alert signal and while the communication device 208
is in communication
with the personal security device 202, and the communication capability may be
enabled, for
example by the separation alert module 420, after an alert signal and after
the personal security
device 202 loses communication with the communication device 208. In other
embodiments, the
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additional communication capability of the personal security device 202 may be
activated in
other situations, for example, by user input through an activation element
106, 114, by pressing a
certain combination of activation elements 106, 114, by a voice command, etc.
For example, an alerting device 104 of a personal security device 202 may be
designed
for communication with the communication device 208 when the communication
device 208 is
within a short distance of the personal security device 202 while the portable
accessory 102 of
the personal security device 202 may include a communication capability for
longer range
communications. In one embodiment, the portable accessory 102 may include a
power supply
sufficient for the longer range communications. The power supply may be
rechargeable, in one
embodiment, or may include a disposable battery to be replaced. In another
embodiment, the
power supply for the longer range communications may be deactivated under
typical use of the
personal security device 202 and may be activated under certain circumstances,
such as after an
alert signal and then after loss of communication with the communication
device 208. In another
embodiment, the personal security device 202 may transmit occasional signals
using the longer
range communications to save power and may hibernate the longer range
communications
capability between transmissions.
In one embodiment where the portable accessory 102 includes communication
functionality separate from the alerting device 104, the separation alert
module 420 places the
portable accessory 102 into a communication mode in response to losing
communication with
the communication device 208. The communication mode may include activating a
cellular
communication mode, Bluetooth , Wi-Fi, or the like. As discussed above, in
some
embodiments, the separation alert module 420 places the portable accessory 102
into a
communication mode in response to losing communication with the communication
device 208
after the communication device 208 receives an alert signal. For example,
after an alert signal
has been sent (indicating that the alerting device 104 and/or the portable
accessory 102 has been
activated), the separation alert module 420 may enable a cellular
communication capability of
the portable device 102 such that the portable device 102 may continue to
communicate with a
cellular network even though communication with the communication device 208
is lost.
Alternatively, the separation alert module 420 enables other functionality of
the portable
accessory 102, such as an alarm, location services, or the like, in response
to losing
communication with the communication device 208.
The personal security apparatus 204, in one embodiment, includes a biometric
sensing
module 422 that senses biometric information associated with a user and sends
an activation
signal in response to the interchangeable personal security device 202 failing
to sense biometric
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information associated with the user. For example, the interchangeable
personal security device
202 may include a biometric monitor device that sends an activation signal in
response to failing
to sense biometric information, such as a user's pulse. In other embodiments,
the biometric
sensing module 422 may send an activation signal in response to sensing
enhanced biometric
information, such as an increased heart rate, increased breathing rate, or the
like, which may
signal certain emotions such as fear, anger, or the like.
In another embodiment, the biometric sensing module 422 may send an activation
signal
in response to not sensing biometric information. In one example, the
biometric sensing module
422 may send an activation signal in response to not sensing biometric
information after the
activation module 302 receives an activation signal from one or more
activation elements 106,
114. For instance, after receiving an activation signal from one or more
activation elements 106,
114, the biometric sensing module 422 may sense biometric data from a user and
the biometric
data may cease, possibly indicating a separation of the personal security
device 202 from the user
or that the user is deceased. In another embodiment, the biometric sensing
module 422 may
sense biometric data from a user independent of the activation module 302
receiVing an
activation signal.
The personal security apparatus 204, in one embodiment, includes a map module
424 that
displays a recommended safe route between origin and destination points. In
the depicted
embodiment, the map module 424 is part of the personal security apparatus 204.
However, in
another embodiment, the map module 424 may be part of a communication device
208, or
another device. For example, in one embodiment, the map module 424 may be an
application on
a cell phone, tablet, or other portable electronic device. In another
embodiment, the map module
424 may be a web application.
In another embodiment, the map module 424 may communicate with a safe route
system
(not shown) that monitors conditions with regard to safety. For example, the
system may store
street light locations, crime data, business hours for stores, gas stations,
etc., amount of traffic on
a roadway, and other information that may assist in identifying a route that
may be thought to be
safer than other routes that may be in areas of high crime, dimly lit, etc.
In various embodiments, origin and/or destination points for the recommended
safe route
may be entered by a user, selected by the user from a list of predetermined
locations (such as
work, home, and the like), automatically determined based on a user's
location, selected from a
list of location search results, or the like. In certain embodiments, the map
module 424 may
determine the recommended safe route by identifying multiple routes between
the origin and
destination points, and evaluating a safety factor for each of the possible
routes. In various
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embodiments, a safety factor for a route may be based on lighting along the
route, open
businesses along the route, reported crime along the route, or the like, or a
combination of
individual factors. In a further embodiment, the map module 424 may select the
recommended
safe route from the multiple possible routes based on the evaluated safety
factors.
In one embodiment, determining a safety factor for a route may include whether
stores,
gas stations, and the like are open or the like. For example, the safe route
system may gather
information regarding store and business hours and may identify a safer route
based on how
many stores and businesses are open along the route. In another embodiment,
the safe route
system integrates with a system that provides a shortest route to a location
to identify a route that
has safety factors as well as shortest route considerations. A user, in one
example, may identify
certain traits of a route with regard to safety and the map module 424 may
work with information
from a safe route system and a shortest route system to identify a route that
is shortest while
considering safety factors, a minimum level of safety in certain areas , etc.
The personal security apparatus 204, in one embodiment, includes a security
notification
module 426 that sends a notification to a security force in response to the
communication device
208 receiving the alert signal. In the depicted embodiment, the security
notification module 426
is part of the personal security apparatus 204. However, in another
embodiment, the security
notification module 426 may be part of a communication device 208, or another
device. For
example, in one embodiment, the security notification module 426 may be an
application on a
cell phone, tablet, or other portable electronic device.
In a certain embodiment, a security force, such as a campus security
department, may
provide an opt-in program allowing a user to register with the security force
so that a notification
from a security notification module 426, for a registered user, may indicate
that an emergency
has occurred or is occurring. In one embodiment, the security notification
module 426 may send
a notification to the security force that includes a location of the user. For
example, in a further
embodiment, the security notification module 426 may send a text message with
the user's GPS
coordinates to the security force. In another embodiment, the security
notification module 426
may send a notification to the security force that allows the security force
to connect to an active
GPS location signal for the user.
The personal security apparatus 204, in one embodiment, includes an automotive
notification module 428 that sends a notification via an automobile
communication service, in
response to the alert signal. In certain embodiments, an automobile
communication service, such
as the OnStar service provided by General Motors, may connect a driver or
passenger to
representatives for emergency services. In a further embodiment, an automotive
notification
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module 428 may link the personal security apparatus 204 to a car's OnStar
service, or a similar
automobile communication service, and may send a notification via the
automobile
communication service in response to an alert signal.
The automotive notification module 428, in one embodiment, may be a
communication
device 208 and may have similar functionality as the communication device 208
described
above. For example, the automotive notification module 428 may have similar
capabilities to a
cellular phone or other device that receives a signal from the personal
security device 202 and
sends a notification to a monitoring device 212. In one embodiment, the
automotive notification
module 428 may act in parallel with another communication device 208 to send
an alert or may
send an alert when another primary communication device 208 is not
functioning. For example,
if an attacker throws a cell phone out of a vehicle that was in communication
with the personal
security device 202, the automotive notification module 428 may send an alert
in response to
receiving an alert from the personal security device 202. The automotive
notification module
428 may provide additional security to a user when another communication
device 208 is not
functioning or is not present.
Figure 5 depicts one embodiment of a method 500 for personal security. In one
embodiment, an activation module 302 receives 502 an activation signal in
response to a user
interacting with one or more activation elements 106, 114. In another
embodiment, an alert
module 304, which is in wireless communication with a communication device
208, sends 504
an alert signal to the communication device 208 and/or alarm device 214 in
response to receiving
the activation signal. A notification module 306, in a further embodiment,
sends 506 a
notification to one or more predefined contacts in response to the
communication device 208
receiving the alert signal, and the method 500 ends. In another embodiment,
the alarm device
214 activates an audible and/or visible alarm in response to receiving the
alert signal.
Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of a method 600 for personal security. In
one
embodiment, a user interacts 602 with one or more activation elements 106, 114
located on the
interchangeable personal security device 202. In one embodiment, an activation
signal is sent
604 in response to the user interacting with one or more activation elements
106, 114. In another
embodiment, the type of activation signal that is sent 604 depends on the
manner in which the
user interacted with the one or more activation elements 106, 114. For
example, a user may
press two buttons quickly, hold one button down, speak into the personal
security device 202, or
the like, to activate the personal security device 202 and trigger different
actions.
In certain embodiments, an activation module 302 receives 606 an activation
signal in
response to the user interacting with one or more activation elements 106,
114. Depending on
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the type of activation signal that was sent, in one embodiment, an alert
module 304 sends 608 an
alert signal to the communication device 208 and alarm device 214 in response
to receiving the
activation signal. In some embodiments, the alert module 304 sends a silent
alarm such that
others cannot tell the alert module 304 is communicating with the
communication device 208. In
other embodiments, the alert module 304 sends an audible alarm designed to
warn and/or alert
others around the interchangeable personal security device 202. For example,
the alert module
304 may send the alert signal to the alarm device 214.
In one embodiment, a communication device 208 and/or alarm device 214 receive
610
the alert signal. In one embodiment, the alarm device 214 activates 612 an
alarm, which may be
audible and/or visual. The communication device 208 selects 614 one or more
contacts to send
616 a notification to. In one embodiment, a notification module 306 sends 616
a notification to
one or more monitoring devices. 212 associated with one or more predefined
contacts, and the
method 600 ends. In certain embodiments, a contacts module 402 organizes
contacts into one or
more groups and assigns contacts to one or more interchangeable personal
security devices 202.
In some embodiments, the notification sent by the notification module 306
includes a message, a
user's location, the user's medical information, or the like.
Embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in other specific forms.
The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive.
The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only
and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the
singular forms "a", "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates
otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes," "has,"
"comprises," and/or
"comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of
one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups
thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or
step plus
function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure,
material, or act for
performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as
specifically claimed. The
description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention
in the form disclosed.
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Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was
chosen and described
in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical
application, and to enable
others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various
embodiments with
various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
