Method and apparatus for generating an alert message

Abstract

A method of generating an alert message, the method including the steps of: a) inputting a location identifier into a communication unit; b) transmitting the location identifier from the communication unit to a central monitoring station; c) receiving the location identifier at the central monitoring station; d) retrieving information associated with the received location identifier from a database; and e) outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved information. And also a method of generating an alert message including the steps of: a) storing one or more schedule records, each schedule record including a time range and associated schedule information; b) receiving a duress message from a remote communication unit; c) determining a receipt time of the duress message; d) selecting a schedule record having a time range which incorporates the receipt time; e) retrieving the schedule information from the selected schedule record; and f) outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved schedule information.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method of generating an alert message including the steps of: 
 a) storing one or more schedule records, each schedule record including a time range and associated schedule information;    b) receiving a duress message from a remote communication unit;    c) determining a receipt time of the duress message;    d) selecting a schedule record having a time range which incorporates the receipt time;    e) retrieving the schedule information from the selected schedule record; and    f) outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved schedule information.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the retrieved schedule information is descriptive of a physical location.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the retrieved schedule information is descriptive of a potential threat or hazard.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the step of outputting an alert message includes the step of transmitting the alert message to the remote communication unit.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the step of outputting an alert message includes the step of transmitting the message to a response unit.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the duress message includes a source identifier which identifies the source of the duress message.  
   
   
       17 . A method of generating an alert message including the steps of: 
 a) storing two or more schedule records, each schedule record including a time indicator and associated schedule information, wherein at least two of the schedule records contain different time indicators and different schedule information;    b) retrieving schedule information from a schedule record at a time specified by its associated time indicator; and    c) outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved schedule information,    wherein steps b) and c) are performed at a specific time only if an OK message has not been received prior to the specific time.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the retrieved schedule information is descriptive of a physical location.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the retrieved schedule information is descriptive of a threat or hazard.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the step of outputting an alert message includes the step of transmitting the alert message to the remote communication unit.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the step of outputting an alert message includes the step of transmitting the message to a response unit.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the alert message includes all or part of the retrieved information.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus for generating an alert message, the apparatus including: 
 a communication unit including an input device for receiving a location identifier, and a transmitter for transmitting the location identifier; and    a receiver for receiving the location identifier; means for retrieving information associated with the received location identifier from a database; and means for outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved information.    
   
   
       24 . Apparatus for generating an alert message, the apparatus including: 
 a) means for storing two or more schedule records, each schedule record including a time range and associated schedule information, wherein at least two if the schedule records contain different time ranges and different schedule information;    b) a receiver for retrieving a duress message from a remote communication unit;    c) means for determining a receipt time of the duress message;    d) means for selecting a schedule record having a time range which incorporated the receipt time;    e) means for retrieving the schedule information from the selected schedule record; and    f) means for outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved schedule information.    
   
   
       25 . Apparatus for generating an alert message including: 
 a) means for storing one or more schedule records, each schedule record including a time indicator and associated schedule information;    b) means for retrieving schedule information from a schedule record at a time specified by its associated time indicator; and    c) means for outputting an alert message which varies in accordance with the retrieved schedule information,    wherein steps b) and c) are performed at a specific time only if an OK message has not been received prior to the specific time.