# US 10,375,574 B2 · Emergency contact method and system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,375,574 B2 - Document ID: US10375574B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/150,089 - Filed: 2018-10-02 - Published: 2019-01-31 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-08 - Applicants: Allen Cagle - Inventors: Allen Cagle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10375574B2 ## CPC - H04W 12/08: Access security - H04L 63/105: {Multiple levels of security} - H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication - H04W 4/90: Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS] - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract An emergency contact method and system to enable a person to access emergency contact information without unlocking a user's mobile device is described herein. The emergency contact information is able to be input by a user or automatically generated and then displayed to another user without requiring the other user to know the personal security code of the mobile device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a device comprising: a. receiving emergency contact information including acquiring an image of an owner of the device by selecting a photo box on the device which causes a camera of the device to be triggered to enable the owner to take a picture of the owner which is displayed in the photobox; and b. displaying the emergency contact information on the device without unlocking the device, wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes scanning a code of the device with a camera of a second device which causes the second device to directly send a signal to the device to unlock the device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the emergency contact information includes at least one of a name of an owner of the device, an address, a photograph, a scannable item, an emergency contact information, a medical identification number, current medications of the owner of the device, and current health conditions of the owner of the device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the emergency contact information includes automatically populating fields on the device by retrieving the information from a second device or from a social networking site. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the emergency contact information includes receiving a phone number and retrieving corresponding information based on the phone number. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes detecting finger pressure and movement on a screen of the device before displaying the emergency contact information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes using the camera of the device to read a code on an item to determine if a person is granted access to the emergency contact information. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the emergency contact information occurs after a physical device containing emergency credentials provided only to a select group of people is inserted into the device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically contacting an emergency contact using the emergency contact information, and contacting one or more additional emergency contacts using the emergency contact information in sequential order if a prior call does not result in an answered call. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising editing the emergency contact information by detecting deletion of a contact from the device and communicating with a medical database to determine changes in medical condition of an owner of the device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising implementing a security measure to ensure the emergency contact information is only accessed by emergency or medical personnel. ### Claim 11 An apparatus comprising: a. a non-transitory memory for storing an application, the application for: i. receiving emergency contact information including acquiring an image of an owner of the device by selecting a photo box on the device which causes a camera of the device to be triggered to enable the owner to take a picture of the owner which is displayed in the photobox; and ii. displaying the emergency contact information on the apparatus without unlocking the apparatus, wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes scanning a code of the device with a camera of a second device which causes the second device to directly send a signal to the device to unlock the device; and b. a processing component coupled to the memory, the processing component configured for processing the application. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes using the camera of the apparatus to read a code on an item to determine if a person is granted access to the emergency contact information. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein displaying the emergency contact information occurs after a physical device containing emergency credentials provided only to a select group of people is inserted into the device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the application is further for automatically contacting an emergency contact using the emergency contact information, and contacting one or more additional emergency contacts using the emergency contact information in sequential order if a prior call does not result in an answered call. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the application is further for implementing a security measure to ensure the emergency contact information is only accessed by emergency or medical personnel. ### Claim 16 A method programmed in a non-transitory memory of a device comprising: a. accessing emergency contact information, wherein an image of an owner of the device is acquired by selecting a photo box on the device which causes a camera of the device to be triggered to enable the owner to take a picture of the owner which is displayed in the photobox; and b. displaying the emergency contact information on the device without unlocking the device, wherein displaying the emergency contact information includes scanning a code of the device with a camera of a second device which causes the second device to directly send a signal to the device to unlock the device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein accessing the emergency contact information includes authorizing a user. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein authorizing the user includes: using the camera of the device to read a code on an item to determine if a person is granted access to the emergency contact information, using RFID to determine if the person is granted access to the emergency contact information, using NFC to determine if the person is granted access to the emergency contact information, or using a wireless technology to determine if the person is granted access to the emergency contact information. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the unlock signal is sent from the second device to the device using an application on the second device which is accessible only by medical or emergency personnel.