USO0RE41845E

(19) United States (12) Reissued Patent

(10) Patent Number: US RE41,845 E (45) Date of Reissued Patent: *Oct. 19, 2010

Jenkins (54)

PERSONAL EMERGENCY

2006/0276166 A1

12/2006 Jenkins

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OTHER PUBLICATIONS

(76)

Inventor:

Nevin Jenkins, 4203 S. Purslane Dr., Homosassa, FL (US) 34448

(*)

Notice:

This patent is subject to a terminal dis claimer.

LogicMark, LLC V. MedicalAlarm Concepts Holding, Inc. et al., Complaint ?led in the Eastern District of Virginia on Nov. 24, 2009; pp. 1*31, and Exhibits 4 and 14*22. LogicMark, LLC v. MedicalAlarm Concepts Holding, Inc. et al., Nevin Jenkins’ Answer ?led in the Eastern District of Virginia on Jan. 27, 2010; pp. 1*40. LogicMark, LLC v. MedicalAlarm Concepts Holding, Inc. et al., LogicMark, LLC’s Answer to Medical Alarm Concepts Holding, Inc. et al’s Counterclaims ?led in the Eastern Dis trict of Virginia on Feb. 11, 2010; pp. 1*7.

(21) Appl.No.: 12/038,477 (22) Filed:

Feb. 27, 2008 Related US. Patent Documents

Reissue of:

(64) Patent No.:

(51)

7,231,200

* cited by examiner

Issued:

Jun. 12, 2007

Appl. No.: Filed:

10/955,327 Sep. 30, 2004

Int. Cl. H04 W 04/00

Primary ExamineriCharles N Appiah Assistant ExamineriJaime M Holliday (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiMartin Fleit; Paul D. Bianco; Fleit Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco PL

(2006.01)

(57)

ABSTRACT

(52)

US. Cl. ........... .. 455/404.1; 455/4042; 340/539.12;

379/38; 379/40

A personal emergency communication system includes a

(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search ...... .. 455/404.l*404

See application ?le for complete search history.

user-carried portable communication unit having a single button, which when depressed by the user, wirelessly sends a

References Cited

telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

emergency center] the emergency responder in wireless

call request signal to a base unit. The base unit initiates a

(56)

5,467,074 A

5,521,582 6,262,655 7,231,200 7,315,736 2001/0000505

[response center] responder and places [an operator at the

* ll/l995

Pedtke ................. .. 340/539.ll

A 5/1996 B1 7/2001 B2 6/2007 B2 * 1/2008 Al 4/2001

Kingston Yoshioka et a1. Jenkins Jenklns Segal et a1. ............... .. 455/405

2003/0027547 Al

voice communication with the portable unit when the call is

connected. A speech synthesizer operating in combination with automated voice messages stored in [the base unit] sys tem memory are used to advise the user of the status of the call, and to provide the user with verbal con?rmation that [functional Systems of the: base unit are] the System isfunc_

2/2003 Wade

[ionall O eratin

r0 erl

y p

p

2004/0266390 A1 * 12/2004 Faucher et a1. ......... .. 455/404.1 2005/0176434 Al *

8/2005

White, Jr.

2006/0073806 A1

4/2006 Jenkins

gp

3"

................. .. 455/445

42 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

30

58

Teletmggulun? In; Telephone Lines 32

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Telephone

Dialer

56

52

interface

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50

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Recelver

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LED

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US. Patent

Oct. 19, 2010

Sheet 1 0f4

26

Portable Unit

EMS

%—

/32\

Power

Bose Unit

US RE41,845 E

28

Telephone Unit

1

30

US. Patent

0a. 19, 2010

15

Sheet 2 0f4

1a /

16

19

17

FIG.3

US RE41,845 E

US. Patent

0a. 19, 2010

Push Call Button

Sheet 4 0f4

US RE41,845 E

’\./ 60

Stop

~ 64

Transmit Call Request Signal To N 66 Base Unit

Connect To Dial—Up Network ~ 58 (Base Unit Off Hook) 72 ._

Dial 911

N 70

ii Transmit Voice Message Connection Made? 74

To Portable Unit

YES =

76v- Connect Portable Unit To 911 Center

Terminate Call

~80

i

Transmit Voice Message to Portabie Unit N 82 l END

/\_/ 84

FIG.5

US RE41,845 E 1

2

PERSONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

system for establishing direct, two way voice communica tion between the user and an emergency response center, such as a 911 center operator. The portable unit includes a

wireless transmitter and a receiver for communicating with the base unit, and a single call button actuated by the user to initiate a call request signal that results in placing the user in voice communication with the emergency response center. The call button is recessed within a central opening in the portable unit and is surrounded with an upstanding ridge to aid the user in tactile location of the call button. The base unit includes a wireless transmitter and receiver

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue speci?ca tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly relates to personal commu nication systems, and deals more particularly with a system for placing a user requiring emergency attention in direct voice communication with an emergency response center,

for communicating with the portable unit, a memory for storing a telephone number of the emergency response center, a dialer for dialing the emergency response center

such as a 911 operator.

telephone number, and a controller responsive to the call request signal for controlling the dialer to dial the emergency response center telephone number. The portable unit includes an acoustic transducer providing the portable unit with a speaker phone function, thereby allowing voice com

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of personal emergency communication devices had been developed which allow a person in need of immediate medical attention or other emergency service to contact an emergency service provider. In some cases, the user is required to subscribe to a proprietary communication

20

system in which the service provider collects a monthly fee.

These private systems typically rely on radio frequency communication between a portable communication unit

25

worn or attached to the user, and a base station monitored by

the service provider. Numerous other forms of communication links have been employed to connect a remote subscriber with a monitoring

station for emergency communications. Such links include

30

munication between the user and the emergency response center. The base unit includes one or more preselected voice messages stored in a memory, and a speech synthesizer which provides the user with automatic voice messages reporting the status of the call as well as the operational status of the base unit. The portable unit includes a test fea ture that may be initiated by the user to carry out functional

testing of operating systems in the base unit. According to another aspect of the invention, a personal emergency response communication system is provided, comprising a portable, wireless communication unit

telephone lines, cable television transmission lines, or dedi

intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency

cated land lines. Many recently developed systems utilize public telephone lines because they are widely available and

attention, and a base communication unit for wirelessly

communicating with the portable unit. The portable unit includes a single, centrally located call button activatable by

require minimal installation expense. User-carried portable communication units are available

35

in a variety of forms, including those that are automatically

The base unit is coupled with a public dial up telephone system and is responsive to the call request signal for estab

activated by an emergency event and those that are manually activated by a user in the event of an emergency. In the case

of portable units capable of establishing a communication link with an emergency response center, such as a 911

the user to transmit a call request signal to the base unit.

40

lishing voice communications between the user and an emer gency response center. The base unit includes at least one

center, most prior systems, while capable of dialing a 911

stored voice message indicating the status of the communi cations with the response center, and a controller for control

number, are restricted in their ability to place the user in direct, two way voice communication with the 911 operator.

unit in order to advise the user of the communications status.

Moreover, existing personal communication systems capable of remotely dialing a 91 1 operator require the user to

ling the transmission of the voice message to the portable 45

use keypads or manipulate a number of buttons or switches

on a portable communications unit in order to place the call.

A problem exists with these prior systems, in that the user

may be substantially incapacitated by the medical condition which gives rise to the emergency call, thereby diminishing the user’s ability to complete the steps that are necessary to

message to advise the user of the operational status of vari ous functional systems contained in the base unit.

place the call. This problem is particularly prevalent with elderly users having limited manual dexterity or diminished vision. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a personal com munication system which overcomes each of the disadvan tages of the prior art discussed above, and which is both simple to use and inexpensive to construct. The present invention is directed toward satisfying this need.

55

According to still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for calling an emergency response center from a user carried, portable communications unit, compris

ing the steps of: transmitting a call request signal from the portable unit to a base unit; receiving the call request signal 60

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a personal emer gency response communication system is provided, com prising a portable communications unit intended to be car ried by a user who may require emergency attention, and a base communication unit coupled with a dial up telephone

The base unit also includes a speech synthesizer for generat ing the stored voice message. In a preferred embodiment, the base unit includes two stored voice messages respectively indicating that the base unit has commenced dialing a call to the response center, and that the base unit is subsequently terminating the call when voice communications have been completed. The base unit may include a third stored voice

at the base unit; using the base unit to place a call to a telephone number of the emergency response center in response to the call request signal; storing at least a ?rst voice message at the base unit indicating the status of the

call that has been placed; and, transmitting the ?rst voice message from the base unit to the portable unit in order to 65

advise the user of the call status.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a personal emergency communication system

US RE41,845 E 3

4

which is simple in construction and operation, and allows a

generally rectangular case or housing 15 having dimensions

user to establish direct, two way voice communications with

Another object of the invention is to provide a communi

small enough to permit the unit to be held in a user’s hand, as shown in FIG. 2. The case 15 may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, aluminum or titanium and,

cation system as described above which employs a user

signi?cantly, includes appropriate gaskets, O-rings or other

an emergency response center, such as a 911 center.

carried, portable communication unit having a single, easy

suitable seals to assure that the unit 10 remains water tight

to-locate call button used to initiate a 911 call. A still further object of the invention is to provide a com

when subjected to brief immersion in water. By this feature, the user may wear the unit 10 while bathing without fear of damage to the unit. The case 15 is provided with a mounting loop 14 formed on one end thereof. A lanyard 12 is remov ably attached to the case 15 by means of a clip attached to the loop 14. The portable unit 10 may be worn as a pendant

munication system of the type mentioned above which pro vides the user with preselected voice messages that inform the user of the status of the call that has been placed to the 911 center.

with the lanyard 12 looped around the user’s neck. Alternatively, the case 15 may be provided with a clip (not shown) for removably attaching the unit 10 to the user’s belt

Another object of the invention is to provide a communi cation system as mentioned immediately above in which the user may employ the portable unit to cause functional tests be carried out in a base unit to con?rm that the base unit is

or other article of clothing. The unit 10 further includes an acoustic transducer or speaker 22 which acts both as a microphone and a speaker to

operating properly. A further object of the invention is to provide a communi cation system as described immediately above which pro

20

vides the user with voice con?rmation that functional tests of

the base unit have been carried out with satisfactory results. These non-limiting features, as well as other advantages and objects of the invention may be better understood by considering the following details of a description of a pre ferred embodiment of the present invention.

25

has been activated to initiate a call. A test button 24 is pro vided near the bottom of the case 15 to allow the user to test 30

functioning properly. A circular call button 16 is recessed into a central opening 35

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable unit forming a

through the outer face of the unit shown in FIG. 2, to better

upstanding, ring shaped ridge 18. Recessing the call button ture in the case 15 that allows the user to more quickly locate

40

reveal the recessed position of the call button; FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the details of the portable unit and the base unit depicted in FIG. 1; and, FIG. 5 is a ?ow chart showing the steps in placing a call to a 911 center using the communication system of the present invention.

in one face of the case 15 and is surrounded by an

16 within the case 15 reduces the possibility of inadvertent button actuation while also providing a tactile surface fea

portion of the system showed in FIG. 1, shown being held in a user’s hand; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken

the unit’s battery strength and to interrogate the base unit 26 to determine whether certain base unit operating systems are

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a personal emer

gency communication system, which forms the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

user can clearly hear a voice produced by the speaker 22 at a distance of at least 15 inches. An LED 20 is provided in the face of the case 15 to pro vide the user with a visual indication of certain later dis

cussed operating functions, such indicating that the unit 10

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which form an integral part of the speci?cation, and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and which like reference numerals are employed to desig nate identical components in the various views:

provide the unit 10 with a speaker phone function. The speaker 22 is a readily available commercial device, similar to speaker phone devices used in common cell phones and preferably has dimensions and performance such that the

the call button 16. The upstanding ridge 18 also assists in avoiding unintended button actuation. As shown in FIG. 3, button 16 includes a projection 19 on its lower face which is

displaced downwardly by movement by the button 16 to actuate a switch or similar device mounted on a printed cir 45

cuit board 17.

The portable unit 10 is powered by an electrical battery, preferably comprising one or more replaceable lithium bat

tery cells. A common lithium battery will normally provide DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 50

unit 10 with at least 1 year of operability on a standby basis, and will be suf?cient to provide a minimum of 30 minutes of

55

As will be discussed later, the portable unit 10 includes a radio frequency transmitter and a receiver provided with an antenna that is contained completely inside the case 15. Reference also now made to FIG. 4 which depicts further

Referring ?rst to FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a

personal emergency communication system broadly com prising a base unit 26 which communicates via radio fre

quency (RF) signals with a portable unit 10 that is either worn or attached to a user who may require emergency atten

uninterrupted conversation.

tion. The base unit 26 derives power from a suitable electri

details of the portable unit 10 and the base unit 26. Broadly,

cal power source 28, and is coupled with a public dial-up telephone network 32. A conventional telephone unit 30 may be optionally coupled to the base unit 26 in order to provide

the portable unit 10 includes a remote unit controller 36 which may comprise a suitable micro-processor IC for con

normal access to the telephone network 32. As will be described later in more detail, the base unit 26 functions to

60

place the portable unit 10 in two way voice communication

troller 36. The controller 36 also controls the operation of a radio frequency transmitter 38 and a radio frequency receiver 40 which, if desired, may be combined into a single

via the telephone network 32 with an emergency response center, herein illustrated as an emergency medical service

(EMS) center 34. Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which depict the

physical details of the portable unit 10. Unit 10 comprises a

trolling various operations of the unit 10. The call button 16 and the test button 24 form inputs to the controller 36, while speaker 22 and LED 20 receive output signals from the con

65

radio transponder. The transponder may be any of various, commercially available radios operating, for example, in the 800 MHZ spectrum.

US RE41,845 E 5

6

Actuation of the call button 16 by the user results in the controller 36 turning on the LED 20 and generating a call

gency that warrants activation of the system, the portable unit 10 is in an inactive, standby mode, and the base unit 26

request signal that is wirelessly transmitted to the base unit

is “on hook” which means that the base unit 26 is also stand

26 by the RF transmitter 38. The LED 20 provides the user with visual con?rmation that a call request signal has been transmitted to the base unit 26. The RF receiver 40 receives incoming RF signals from the base unit 26 which are pro

ing by and has not yet made an active connection with the telephone line 32. In the event of an emergency in which the user requires personal assistance, the user presses the call button 16 at step 60. If the call button 16 is depressed for at least a certain length of time at 62, a call request signal is generated by the portable unit 10 and transmitted to the base unit 26. If, however, the call button is depressed for a shorter length of time, then the call process is stopped at 64.

cessed by the controller 36. Incoming signals containing voice communications are delivered to the speaker 22. The

controller 36 preferably includes a time delay circuit which

prevents the call request signal from being generated unless the call button 16 is depressed for at least a preselected amount of time, for example one half second. This feature

As shown at step 68, upon receipt of the call request signal at the base unit 26, the controller 50 retrieves the telephone

prevents a call from being initiated to a 911 center as a result

number of an emergency response center from memory 48 and instructs the dialer 54 to dial the number, as is shown at step 70. Simultaneously, controller 50 retrieves a voice mes

of inadvertent, momentary activation of the call button 16. When the user depresses and brie?y holds down the test button 24, the controller 36 performs a test to determine the

sage from memory 58 which is processed by the speech synthesizer 56 and wirelessly transmitted to the portable unit 10. This voice message, which for example, may comprise

strength of the battery power source 42. If the remaining battery strength is above a threshold voltage, the controller turns on LED 20 to provide the user with a visual indication

that the battery strength is adequate.

20

24 for a longer, preselected time period, for example ?ve seconds or more, the controller 36 causes a test request sig

nal to be wirelessly transmitted to the base unit 26. Simultaneously, the controller 36 causes the LED 20 to ?ash during this test sequence. The test request signal received at the base unit 26 is processed by a base unit controller 50

As shown at step 74, if a connection is not made, the dialing sequence is repeated, otherwise a connection is 25

made, and the base unit controller 50 connects the emer gency center operator with the portable unit 10, as shown at

step 76, thereby placing the user in direct, two way voice

which causes a series of functional tests to be performed on

certain operating systems of the base unit 26. Upon success ful completion of the base unit 26 functional tests, a prese

“Your emergency call is now being dialed. Please standby”

is announced through the speaker 22, thereby giving the user audible voice con?rmation that the call is being placed.

When the user depresses and holds down the test button

30

lected voice message is transmitted from the base unit 26 to

communication with the emergency center operator. At this point, the user may give the emergency center operator infor mation concerning the nature of the user’s emergency, his

the portable unit 10 and is announced by the speaker 22 to

location and other important information. The connection

alert the user that the test was successful and that all systems

between the user and the emergency operator continues until such time as the base unit controller 50 does not detect any

in the base unit 26 are operating properly. This voice mes

sage may comprise, for example, “System check. All func

35

tions are OK”

The base unit 26 includes an RF transmitter and receiver, 44, 46, which communicate with the remote unit 10. The base unit controller 50 may comprise a commercially avail able microprocessor which controls various functions of the

voice communication between the parties for a preselected length of time, for example a period of two minutes. At step 78, if no voice communications are detected dur

ing this preselected time period, the controller 50 directs the 40

telephone interface network 52 to terminate the call at step 80. Then, as shown at step 82, the controller 50 retrieves a

base unit 26, including the transmission and reception of RF

pre-selected voice message from memory 48 and causes a

signals between the base unit 26 and the remote unit 10. The

speech synthesizer 56 to produce a voice message that is transmitted to the portable unit and played through the

base unit 26 includes a suitable power source which may

comprise anAC adapter that can be plugged into an ordinary electrical wall outlet. A memory 48 is provided to store vari

45

ous information, such as the telephone number of one or more emergency response centers, including the common 911 number. One or more voice messages also may be stored in the memory 48 which are recalled by the controller 50 and

are delivered to a speech synthesizer 56 which may comprise

the user, and the sequence of events ends at 84. 50

a commercially available “speech chip” having approxi mately 10 seconds or more of play time. The base unit 26 includes a telephone interface network 52 which interfaces the base unit 26 with a public telephone network shown as telephone lines 32. Controller 50 operates a conventional

55

Referring also to FIG. 5, the operation of the present com munication system will now be described. Prior to an emer

described without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. What is claimed: 1. A personal emergency response communications sys

tem comprising: 60

a portable communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention, including: (1) a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for

As previously mentioned, a conventional telephone unit 30 may be optionally connected to the telephone interface network 52 by way of an input port provided in the base unit 26.

It is to be understood that the speci?c systems, methods and techniques which have been described above are merely illustrative of one application of the principles of the inven tion. Numerous modi?cations may be made to the system as

dialer 54 which produces DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) signals that are delivered through the interface network 52 in order to place a call through the telephone lines 32. An optional key pad 58 may be employed to manu ally input call numbers to the dialer 54 or into the memory 48.

speaker 22 to alert the user that the call is being terminated. This message may comprise, for example, “help is on the way.” Upon termination of the call, the base unit 26 returns to its standby “on hook” status, the portable unit 10 likewise returns to its standby mode until another call is initiated by

respectively transmitting and receiving communica tion signals, (2) a call button actuatable by the user to initiate a call 65

request signal that will result in placing the user in voice communication with an emergency response

center; and

US RE41,845 E 8

7

with a dial-up telephone system and responsive to the call request signal for establishing voice communica

a base communications unit coupled with a dial-up tele

phone system for establishing voice communication the base unit including

tions between the user and the emergency response center, the base unit including at least one stored voice

(3) a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for

message indicating the status of the communications

between the user and the emergency response center,

respectively transmitting and receiving communica tion signals, (4) a memory for storing a telephone number of the emergency response center, (5) a dialer for dialing the emergency response center

telephone number,

with the emergency response center and a controller for

controlling the transmission of the voice message to the portable unit in order to advise the user of the commu

nications status; 10

(6) a controller responsive to the call request signal for controlling the dialer to dial the emergency response

wherein the base unit includes two stored voice messages

respectively indicating the status of the communica tions with the emergency response center when the base

unit begins dialing a telephone number of the center,

center telephone number, wherein the base unit includes a speech synthesizer for

and when the base unit terminates communications with the emergency response center.

producing preselected voice messages indicative of the status of the call request, and the controller is operative

11. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the base unit includes a speech synthesizer for generating the

to deliver the preselected voice messages to the por

stored voice message. 12. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the base unit includes a further stored voice message indicating the status of an operational test performed on the base unit.

table unit; and wherein the preselected voice messages include a ?rst voice message indicating that the emergency response center number is being dialed, and a second voice mes sage indicating that the call to the center is being termi nated. 2. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes an acoustic transducer for converting

20

13. The communications system claim 10, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test

button actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller 25

the user’s speech into electrical signals, and for converting electrical signals received from the base unit into audible

speech. 3. The communications system claim 1, wherein the por table unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test but

the test. 30

ton actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller being responsive to the actuation of the test button to transmit a test

35

the portable unit announcing the results of the test. 4. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source.

5. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the

45

ing with the portable unit, the base unit being coupled

(B) receiving the call request signal at the base unit; (C) using the base unit to place a call to a telephone num ber of the emergency response center in response the

call request signal; (D) storing at least a ?rst voice message at the base unit 50

scribing the call button and extending outwardly from the

a user who may require emergency attention, the por table unit including a call button actuatable by the user to transmit a call request signal; and a base communications unit for wirelessly communicat

from a user-carried, portable communication unit, compris ing the steps of: (A) transmitting a call request signal from the portable unit to a base unit;

indicating the status of the call placed in step (C); (E) transmitting the ?rst voice message from the base unit to the portable unit to advise the user of the call status; wherein the ?rst voice message noti?es the user that the

surface of the housing to provide the user with a tactile guide

for locating the call button. 8. The communications system of claim 7, wherein the call button is recessed within the housing opening. 9. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes means for removably attaching the portable unit to the user’s body. 10. A personal emergency response communications sys tem comprising: a portable communications unit intended to be carried by

15. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller operative to terminate communications between the base unit and the portable unit if the portable unit does not detect the voice of the user during a preselected time period. 16. A method of calling an emergency response center

40

portable unit includes a lamp for indicating the operational status of the portable unit. 6. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller operative to terminate communications between the base unit and the portable unit if the portable unit does not detect the voice of the user during a preselected time period. 7. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the portable unit includes a housing having an opening within which the call button is mounted, and a raised ring circum

14. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source.

request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to the test request signal to perform a test of certain functions of the base unit and transmit a synthesized voice message to

being responsive to the actuation of the test button to trans mit a test request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to the test request signal to perform a test of certain functions of the base unit and transmit a synthesized voice message to the portable unit announcing the results of

call is being placed. 55

17. The method of claim 16, including the step of placing the portable unit in voice communication with the emer gency response center when the center answers the call

dialed in step (C). 18. The method of claim 16, wherein step (D) includes 60

storing a second voice message at the base unit, the second message notifying the user that the call to the emergency

response center is being terminated, and the method further includes transmitting the second voice message from the base unit to the portable unit. 19. The method of claim 16, including the steps of: (F) performing a functional test of the operating systems of the base unit;

US RE41,845 E 9

10 portable unit ifthe portable unit does not detect the voice of

(G) storing a second voice message at the base unit advis ing the user that the test performed in step (F) was

the user during a preselected time period. 26. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes a housing having an opening within which the call button is mounted, and a raised ring circum

successful; and, (H) transmitting the second voice message from the base unit to the portable unit to alert the user that the func

scribing the call button and extending outwardly from the

tional test was successful.

surface ofthe housing to provide the user with a tactile guide

20. A personal emergency response communications

for locating the call button.

system, comprising:

27. The communications system ofclaim 26, wherein the call button is recessed within the housing opening. 28. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes an attachmentfor removably attach

aportable communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention, including (1) a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for

respectively transmitting and receiving communica tion signals,

ing the portable unit to the user. 29. A personal emergency response communications

system, comprising:

(2) a call button actuatable by the user to initiate a call

a portable, wireless communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require emergency attention,

request signal that will result in placing the user in voice communication with an emergency response

the portable unit including a call button actuatable by

provider, and (3) a speakerfor playing?rst and second voice mes

the user to transmit a call request signal, and a speaker

sages to the user; a base communications unit coupled with a communica

for playing ?rst and second voice message to the user; and a base communications unitfor wirelessly communicating

tion system for establishing voice communication

with the portable unit, the base unit being coupled with

between the user and the emergency response provider,

a communication system and responsive to a call

the base unit including

request signal for establishing voice communications

(1) a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver for

between the user and an emergency response provider,

respectively transmitting and receiving communica

memory in said system including?rst and second voice messages, wherein the ?rst and second voice messages, respectively, indicate the status of the communications with the emergency response provider when the base

tion signals, and (2) a devicefor initiating a communication to an emer

gency response provider upon receiving a call

request signal from the portable communications unit, memory for storing electrical signals convertible into ?rst

response provider, and when the base unit terminates communications with the emergency response pro

vider; and

and second voice messages, wherein the?rst voice mes sage indicating that communication with the emer

gency response provider is being initiated, and the sec ond voice message indicating that the communication with the emergency response provider is being termi

unit initiates communication with the emergency

30

a controller for playing the ?rst and second voice mes 35

sages to a user through the speaker

30. The communications system ofclaim 29, including a

speech synthesizer for generating the ?rst and second voice messages.

nated;

3]. The communications system ofclaim 29, wherein the

a controller responsive to a call request signalfor control ling the communication to the emergency response pro

memory includes a third voice message indicating the status

ofan operational testperformed on the base unit. 32. The communications system claim 29, wherein the

vider; and

sound reproducing circuitry for reproducing the ?rst and

portable unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test

second voice messages.

button actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller being responsive to the actuation of the test button to trans mit a test request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to a test request signal to perform a test ofcertain functions ofthe base unit and said memory including a third voice messagefor announcing to the user the results ofthe

2]. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes an acoustic transducerfor converting the user's speech into electrical signals and for converting electrical signals received from the base unit into audible

speech.

test.

22. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller, and a test

33. The communications system ofclaim 29, wherein the

button actuatable by the user, the portable unit controller being responsive to the actuation of the test button to trans mit a test request signal to the base unit, the base unit being responsive to the test request signal to perform a test of certain functions of the base unit and in response by the speaker plays a voice message announcing the results of the

portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source. 55

portable unit ifthe portable unit does not detect the voice of

test.

a user during a preselected time period. 35. A method ofcalling an emergency response provider

23. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes a battery power source, and a battery test button actuatable by the user to initiate a test of the battery power source.

60

(A) receiving at a base unit a call request signal initiated

portable unit includes lightingfor indicating the operational

terminate communications between the base unit and the

from a user-carried, portable communication unit, compris

ing the steps of'

24. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the

status of the portable unit. 25. The communications system ofclaim 20, wherein the portable unit includes aportable unit controller operative to

34. The communications system ofclaim 29, wherein the portable unit includes a portable unit controller operative to terminate communications between the base unit and the

from a user-carried, portable communication unit; 65

(B) initiating communication from the base unit via a stored reference to an emergency response provider in response to the base unit receiving a call request sig

nal;

US RE41,845 E 11

12

(C) playing to the user via a speaker at least a ?rst voice message stored in a memory advising the user that the

(2) a device for initiating a communication to a 9]] emergency response center upon receiving a call

communication is being initiated; and

request signal from the portable communications unit, C. memory for storing electrical signals convertible into

(D) playing to the user via the speaker a second voice message, the second message noti?1ing the user that the communication with the emergency response provider

two voice messages, wherein one voice message indi cates that communication with a 9]] emergency

is being terminated. 36. The method ofclaim 35, including the step ofplacing

response center is being initiated, and the second voice message indicates that the communication with the 9]] emergency response center is being terminated; D. a controller responsive to a call request signal for

theportable unit in voice communication with an emergency

response provider after having initiated the communication via the stored reference of the emergency response provider.

37. The method ofclaim 35, including thefurther steps of' (D) performing a functional test of the operating systems ofthe base unit; and (E) playing a voice message advising the user that the

functional test performed in step (D) was successful.

controlling the communication to a 9]] emergency response center; 15

38. The method ofclaim 35, including thefurther steps of'

E. sound reproducing circuitryfor reproducing the voice messages and for playing the reproduced voice mes sages through the speaker in the portable unit. 40. A method of calling a 9]] emergency response center

(F) performing a functional test of a battery power source contained in the user-carried, portable communication unit responsive to a battery test button being actuated; and (G) playing a voice message advising the user ofthe con dition of the battery power source. 39. A personal emergency response communications sys tem for calling a 9]] emergency response center, compris

from a user-carried, portable communication unit, compris

ing the steps of' (A) receiving at a base unit a call request signal initiated

from a user-carried, portable communication unit; (B) initiating direct two-way voice communication from the base unit via a stored reference to a 9] 1 emergency response center in response to the base unit receiving a

ing:

call request signal;

A. aportable communications unit intended to be carried by a user who may require 9]] emergency attention,

(C) playing to the user via a speaker at least a?rst voice message stored in a memory advising the user that the

including (1) a ?rst wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver

for respectively transmitting and receiving communi

communication with is being initiated; and 30

cation signals to a base communications unit, (2) a call button actuatable by the user to initiate a call

emergency response center is terminated.

request signal to a base unit that will result in plac ing the user in direct voice communication with a 9]] operator in a 9]] emergency response center,

35

(E) playing a voice message advising the user that the

functional test performed in step (D) was successful.

B. a base communications unit coupled with a communi 40

tion between the user and an operator of a 9]] emer

gency response center, the base communication unit

including (1) a second wireless transmitter and a wireless

receiver for respectively transmitting and receiving communication signals to place the user in direct two-way voice communication with a 9]] operator, and

4]. The method ofclaim 40, including thefurther steps of' (D) performing a functional test of the operating systems of the base unit; and

and (3) a speaker for playing a voice message to the user;

cation systemfor establishing direct voice communica

(D) playing to the user via the speaker a second voice message, the second message notifying the user that the direct two-way voice communication with the 9]]

45

42. The method ofclaim 40, including thefurther steps of' (F) performing a functional test of a battery power source contained in the user-carried, portable communication unit responsive to a battery test button being actuated; and (G) playing a voice message advising the user ofthe con dition of the battery power source.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT No.

; RE4l,845 E

APPLICATION NO. DATED

: 12/03 8477 : October 19, 2010 : Nevin Jenkins

INVENTOR(S)

Page 1 of 1

It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 29, column 10, lines 14-35 should read: 29. A personal emergency response communications

system, comprising: a portable, Wireless communications unit intended to be carried by a user Who may require emergency attention,

the portable unit including a call button actuatable by the user to transmit a call request signal, and a speaker for playing first and second voice message to the user; and

a base communications unit for Wirelesst communicating

with the portable unit, the base unit being coupled With a communication system and responsive to a call

request signal for establishing voice communications between the user and an emergency response provider,

memory in said system including first and second voice messages, wherein the ?rst and second voice messages, respectively, indicate the status of the communications with the emergency response provider When the base unit initiates communication With the emergency response provider, and When the base unit terminates communications With the emergency response provider; and a controller for playing the first and second voice messages to a user through the speaker.

Signed and Sealed this

David J. Kappos Director 0fthe United States Patent and Trademark O?ice

Personal emergency communication system

Feb 27, 2008 - call request signal to a base unit. The base unit initiates a telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency. [response center] ...

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