Method, apparatus, and computer program product for an assistance transponder

A wireless device operable to provide customized services to a person having a disability, the wireless device comprising:

• telecommunications circuitry operable to communicate on a wireless carrier network;
• close-range communications circuitry capable of communicating by a standard-protocol;
• user input circuitry operable to receive an input from a special needs button;
• and
• a processor coupled to the telecommunications circuitry, the close-range circuitry and the user input circuitry, wherein the processor is operable to:
• sending a first message in response to the person having the disability activating the special needs button, the first message being transmitted by the close-range circuitry;
• receiving a first response message, the first response being received by the close-range circuitry, wherein the first response identifies a contact phone number;
• dialing the contact phone number on the wireless carrier network, wherein the telecommunications circuitry dials the contact phone number, wherein the wireless device is uniquely identified by a caller identifier;
• and
• receiving information describing customized services corresponding to the person having the disability in response to dialing the contact phone number.

A computer system for providing customized services to a person having a disability, the computer system comprising:

• telecommunications circuitry operable to communicate on a wireless carrier network;
• close-range communications circuitry capable of communicating by a standard-protocol;
• and
• a processor coupled to the telecommunications circuitry, and the close-range circuitry, wherein the processor is operable for:
• receiving a first message transmitted by a client device, the client device being operable by the person having the disability, the first message being transmitted by a close-range communications circuitry;
• sending a first response message to the client device, the first response being transmitted by the close-range communications circuitry, wherein the first response identifies a contact phone number;
• receiving on the wireless carrier network a second message, wherein the second message is received by the telecommunications circuitry, wherein the second message includes a caller identifier to uniquely identify the client device;
• searching a database coupled to the processor for a record matching the caller identifier, wherein the database stores customized services corresponding to the person having the disability;
• and
• sending a second response to the client device, wherein the second response identifies the customized services.

A computer program product for an assistance transponder system, the assistance transponder system including a client device coupled to a server device, the assistance transponder system operable to provide customized services to a person having a disability, the computer program product comprising:

• instructions for receiving a first message transmitted by the client device, the client device being operable by the person with the disability, the first message being transmitted by a close-range, standard-protocol radio signal;
• instructions for sending a first response message to the client device, the first response being transmitted by the close-range, standard-protocol radio signal, wherein the first response identifies a contact phone number;
• instructions for receiving on a wireless carrier network, a second message including a caller identifier to uniquely identify the person with the disability;
• instructions for searching a database coupled to the server device for a record matching the caller identifier, wherein the database stores customized services corresponding to the person with the disability;
• and
• instructions for sending a second response to the client device, wherein the second response identifies the customized services.