Remote alert generation based on trigger events indicating attack

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting a crime is presented. The apparatus includes a Portable Wireless Communications Device having a processor, a memory, a location determination chip, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a wireless communications circuitry, and a coupling site. The apparatus also includes a connector having a first portion that detachably couples to the coupling site and a second portion that attaches to a person or an item worn by a person, wherein the portable wireless communications device automatically transmits an alert upon sensing a detachment of the connector from the coupling site. When an attack happens, the sudden motion or jerk causes the connector to detach from the coupling site, causing an alert transmission. The alert may be sent to a predesignated phone number or email address so that there is immediate notification of a crime. An alert phrase may be used instead of detachment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for detecting a crime, comprising:
 a Portable Wireless Communications Device having a processor, a memory, a location determination chip, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a wireless communications circuitry, a wireless tag reader, and a coupling site; and   a connector having a first portion that detachably couples to the coupling site and including a wireless tag, and a second portion that attaches to a person or an item worn by a person such that when the connector is coupled to the coupling site, the wireless tag reader detects the presence of the wireless tag, wherein the portable wireless communications device automatically transmits an alert upon sensing a detachment of the connector from the coupling site of the Portable Wireless Communications Device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device transmits the alert in response to the inability of the wireless tag reader to detect the presence of the wireless tag. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device comprises a wireless tag reader, the coupling site comprises a wireless tag, and the first portion of the connector comprises a wireless tag shield that interferes with the wireless tag reader's ability to detect the presence of the wireless tag. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device transmits the alert in response to a change in the ability of the wireless tag reader to detect the presence of the wireless tag. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device transmits the alert in response to a change in the detection status between a wireless tag reader and a wireless tag at the coupling site. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device repeatedly records video clips using the camera and stores the video clips to be transmitted with the alert. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device stops recording and saves the last video clip in the memory upon sensing the detachment. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the camera is a first camera and the Portable wireless Communications Device further comprises a second camera, wherein the first and the second cameras simultaneously record their surroundings to generate a picture-in-picture video clip to be transmitted with the alert. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the location determination chip repeatedly determines location of the Portable Wireless Communications Device at a predefined time interval and transmits the last location with the alert. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the alert comprises at least one of an automatic telephone call and/or SMS message made to a preselected phone number(s) and/or an email message to a preselected email address(es). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the portable wireless communications device has a display. 
     
     
         12 . A computer-implemented method of detecting a crime, the method comprising automatically and transmitting an alert in response to a connector's detachment from a Portable Wireless Communications Device, wherein the connector has a first portion attached to a person and a second portion attachable to the Portable Wireless Communications Device. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the transmitting of the alert is done within one second of detecting the detachment. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the connector's detachment from a Portable Wireless Communications Device causes a change in detection status between a wireless tag reader in the Portable Wireless Communications Device and a wireless tag. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein the change in detection status comprises a change from the wireless tag reader being able to detect wireless tag to the wireless tag reader not being able to detect the wireless tag. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 14 , wherein the change in detection status comprises a change from the wireless tag reader not being able to detect the wireless tag to the wireless tag reader being able to detect the wireless tag. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting an alert comprises transmitting a video recording of the last predefined number of seconds preceding the detachment. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device is configured to record images and sounds for a predefined number of seconds in a continuous loop for transmission with the alert. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communications Device is configured to automatically delete any stored video and audio recordings upon deactivation of the method. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting the alert comprises transmitting a latest location information recorded prior to the detachment. 
     
     
         21 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting the alert comprises of at least one of making a telephone call to a predesignated number(s), sending a text message(s) with recorded video(s) to a predesignated number(s), and sending email(s) to a predesignated email address(es). 
     
     
         22 . The computer-implement method of  claim 12 , wherein the Portable Wireless Communication Device, upon detecting a triggering event, records a video of a predefined length and transmits the video via wireless communications circuitry to one or more predefined phone numbers. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implement method of  claim 12  wherein the Portable Wireless Communication Device, upon detecting a triggering event, turns on a speaker phone function and makes one or more phone calls to predefined phone numbers.