Device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert

Abstract

A device, system and method for confidentially communicating a security alert to a monitoring service or other entity are provided. A mobile device of the present disclosure, e.g., a cellular phone, GSM phone, media player, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., will enable a user to send a security alert or emergency communication to another party, e.g., an alerting such a monitoring service, where the user can accomplish this alert without letting anyone know that they are sending the alert so that the user does not put themselves in further danger by alerting the perpetrator of the crime to the alert. Moreover, the user will be able to send the monitoring service information on the nature of the alert including a geographic location of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile system for communicating an alert, the mobile system comprising:
 a mobile device;   a first button placing the mobile system in a normal operation mode; and;   a second button placing the mobile device in a security mode such that upon entering the security mode, the mobile device is configured to initiate a communication link between the mobile device and a first contact user device using a communication module wherein contact information for the first contact user device is in the predefined list of contacts and wherein a trigger module on the mobile device awaits a trigger signal;   wherein the mobile device includes:   the communication module;   a storage module operative to the predefined list of contacts;   the trigger module receiving the trigger signal from the device while in security mode;   a processing module receiving the trigger signal and, upon receipt of the trigger signal, to access the storage module to retrieve contact information for the first contact user device;   wherein the communication module communicates an alert to the first contact user device.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one input key on the device disposed on the housing operative to generate the trigger signal. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile system of  claim 2 , wherein the trigger signal is generated in response to a predetermined combination of the at least one input key. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , further comprising a peripheral device located remotely from the housing operative to generate the trigger signal. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile system of  claim 4 , wherein a peripheral device is wirelessly coupled to the mobile device. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , further comprising a microphone operative to receive a voice command and generate the trigger signal therefrom. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile system of  claim 6 , wherein the microphone is disposed in the mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage module stores the at least one contact in a predetermined order for attempting communication therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is operative to receive confirmation that the alert has been sent. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , furthering comprising a vibration module on the mobile device to vibrate the device upon confirmation of the alert. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile system of  claim 2 , furthering comprising a light module on the mobile device to indicate confirmation of the alert. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , wherein the communication module is operative to receive confirmation that the alert has been sent and to send the confirmation of the alert to the wireless device for annunciation to the user. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , wherein the alert includes at least one of an identifier, a telephone number of the user and at least one prestored message from the storage module. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locational information module on the mobile device operative to determine a geographic location of the mobile device, wherein the communicated alert includes the determined geographic location. 
     
     
         15 . A system for communicating an alert comprising:
 a mobile device;   a first button placing the mobile system in a normal operation mode; and   a second button placing the mobile device in a security mode such that upon entering the security mode, the mobile device is configured to initiate a communication link between the mobile device and a first contact user device using the communication module wherein contact information for the first contact user device is in the predefined list of contacts and wherein a trigger module on the mobile device awaits a trigger signal;   wherein the mobile device includes:   the communication module;   a storage module operative to the predefined list of contacts;   the trigger module receiving the trigger signal from the device while in security mode;   a processing module receiving the trigger signal and, upon receipt of the trigger signal, to access the storage module to retrieve contact information for the first contact user device;   wherein the communication module communicates an alert to the first contact user device.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein an identifier is a phone number of the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein retrieved contact information includes an address of the user, special medical conditions of the user, and designated persons to be contacted. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one server sends commands to the mobile device for controlling the mobile device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the commands include turn on/off a microphone of the mobile device, turn on/off a speaker of the mobile device, and capture an image or images including video via the capture module of the mobile device.