Greatcall, Inc.

Jonathan J Sieg

Kotaro Matsuo

Dean Williams

Krijn Van Der Raadt

Scott Brenton

John H Chin

Systems and methods are provided for enabling communication between a service provider and a telephone user in conjunction with a call placed by the user. A call from the user to a particular telephone number, for example an emergency services number, is detected, and a notification is sent to a preselected recipient indicating that the call has been placed. The preselected recipient may be, for example, a private response center operated by a provider of personal health or other services to the user. A predetermined delay time may be allowed to elapse before the preselected recipient is notified of the call to the emergency services number. The preselected recipient may place a second call in reaction to the notification, for example the preselected recipient may call the user on his or her telephone.

Emergency call return systems and methods

Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 9-1-1, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance, or when it is recognized by the private response center that emergency services are needed at the caller's location. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the private response center may explicitly reject the call, causing the calling device to take action to call an emergency services telephone number, if needed. In another example, the call to the private response center may reach a customer service representative who recognizes that emergency services are needed. A signal is then sent to the calling device causing the device to call 9-1-1 directly.

Emergency call placement systems and methods

Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. In another example, the call to the private response center may connect, but the private response center may signal the communications device that the call will not be handled immediately. The communications device may then prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

Emergency call redirection systems and methods

A communications terminal facilitates signaling emergency alerts and monitoring. The terminal is operative in response to user input to generate emergency messages which are transmitted to one or more predetermined recipients via one or more mediums of communication. This user input to generate an emergency is designed such that it takes advantage of the facilities of available common user terminals (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants) and may be augmented by short-range wireless 'panic button' devices carried or worn by the user to allow triggering an alarm more effectively and/or conveniently. In response to either direct input from a user or remote input from another, the terminal also transmits audio, video, still image, and other available data that facilitates situation monitoring. The user may also indicate the nature and severity of the situation. Further, the terminal may suppress indications of the established communications such that the terminal appears to be in a dormant state. Further, the terminal may suppress normal handset controls allowing anyone to terminate communication, requiring specific, unique user input to terminate the emergency communication medium(s). Incorrect entry of this unique user input may be used as an indication that the user is in a situation of duress.

Emergency communications system

Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 911, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the communications device used to make the call may prompt the user to indicate that the call relates to an emergency, and the communications device may call the emergency services telephone number. Failure to connect may result when the call does not connect to a receiving party, or upon failure to timely reach a customer service representative. The communications device may prompt the user to indicate whether an alternate telephone number should be called.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Jonathan J Sieg