Emergency phone for automatically summoning multiple emergency response services

A hand-held wireless communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving cellular radio signals that are compatible with a cellular network, and for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the apparatus comprising:

• a lightweight and rigid housing;
• a cellular transmitter disposed within the housing that, when activated, transmits first outgoing cellular radio signals to a central paging service, the first outgoing cellular radio signals including a paging signal containing information for identifying the apparatus and indicating the location of the apparatus, where the central paging service forwards the information to the private emergency response service, and immediately after completion of the transmission to the central paging service, automatically transmits second outgoing cellular radio signals to establish full-duplex communication with a public emergency response service;
• one large emergency response button disposed in the housing, the emergency response button being the sole means of activating the transmitter, which, when pressed once, alone activates the transmitter to cause the transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals, there being no control buttons for activating the cellular transmitter other than the one emergency response button;
• receiver means disposed within the housing for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals;
• an audio output device electrically connected to the receiver means for receiving the audio signals from the receiver means and for generating audible messages based on the audio signals;
• an audible alarm for audibly alerting individuals in an area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the audible alarm activated by at least one alarm button on the housing;
• a visual alarm for visually alerting individuals in an area surrounding the apparatus that an emergency situation exists, the visual alarm activated by the at least one alarm button on the housing;
• a flip top cover mounted on the housing that covers the emergency response button and reduces the possibility of accidentally activating the cellular transmitter;
• an electrical power source disposed within the housing for supplying electrical power to the apparatus;
• and
• indicator lights for indicating when the apparatus is within communications range of a cellular network, when the apparatus has been activated, and when the electrical power source is not supplying adequate electrical power to the apparatus.

A security system for summoning assistance in an emergency situation, the security system comprising;

• a home security system for producing alarms in response to a variety of emergency situations, the home security system capable of activation by wireless communications;
• and
• a hand-held personal security device comprising:
• a radio frequency transmitter for establishing wireless communications with the home security system if the hand-held personal security device is within communications range of the home security system when the radio frequency transmitter is activated;
• a home security alarm button that activates the radio frequency transmitter and causes the hand-held personal security device to establish radio communications with the home security alarm system;
• a cellular transmitter that, when activated, transmits first outgoing cellular radio signals that contain information for a private emergency response service, and immediately after completion of the transmission to the private emergency response service, automatically transmits second outgoing cellular radio signals to establish full-duplex communication with a public emergency response service;
• an one large emergency response button which is the sole means of activating the transmitter, that, when pressed once, alone activates the cellular transmitter to cause the cellular transmitter to generate the first and second outgoing cellular radio signals, there being no control buttons for activating the cellular transmitter other than the one emergency response button;
• receiver means for receiving incoming cellular radio signals over the cellular network from at least one of the emergency response services, and for converting the incoming cellular radio signals into audio signals;
• an audio output device electrically connected to the receiver means for receiving the audio signals from the receiver means and for generating audible messages based on the audio signals;
• and
• an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to the device.