BACKGROUND
The invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and a system for a wireless communication device transmitting alerts to emergency numbers in response to an impact on the wireless communication device.
With exponential improvements made in wireless technology, several wireless communication devices have been introduced in the market that have various features. Examples of wireless communication devices include cellular phones, PDAs, laptops, and the like. Apart from the typical features related to communication, these wireless devices also provide additional features. These devices are such an integral part of users' lives that they are carried with them throughout the day. Currently, some high end cellular phones are equipped with an accelerometer sensor that measures the acceleration value of the device. These values are used for various purposes, for example, the motion sensor feature in mobile gaming, the 'shake control' feature for playing music, picture user interface automation, step recognition or counting in sports application, video stabilization and photo orientation, and the sensor feature in gaming applications. Moreover, recent innovations in wireless communication devices have been focusing on providing navigational functionality by using a Global Positioning System (GPS).
One or more of the features of the wireless communication devices mentioned above are only used for multi-media and entertainment functions. Further, these wireless communication devices require GPS technology to provide location-based services. Moreover, the whole range of wireless communication devices may not be available on all wireless communication devices in every country. Furthermore, the features provided in these devices have not been used in emergency situations, for example, in the event of an accident, to notify emergency response systems.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a wireless communication device that can transmit alerts to emergency numbers in the event of an impact. Further, such a device must be able to function independent of GPS technology.
SUMMARY
An object of the invention is to provide a method and system for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device connected in a telecommunication network.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method, system for transmitting the location information to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device independently of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and system for transmitting an alert by a wireless communication device which is not in the range of a telecommunication network.
To achieve the objectives mentioned above, the invention provides a method, system and computer program product for a wireless communication device transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers in response to an impact on the wireless communication device. The device is connected to a telecommunications network that has one or more network base stations. The method includes recording the acceleration values of the wireless communication device, comparing these acceleration values with a predefined threshold acceleration value for the impact, retrieving location information relating to the wireless communication device from a network base station on the basis of a comparison of the acceleration values with the predefined threshold, and then generating an alert with the location information. The alert is transmitted to the communication devices that correspond to one or more emergency numbers. The invention also provides a method for displaying an alert on a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, which is not

within the range of a telecommunications network. This alert is displayed on the screen of the wireless communication device.
The invention described above provides a method for a wireless communication device to generate and transmit alerts to other wireless communication devices in the event of an impact. The method functions independent of GPS, and therefore, the invention can also be used in countries that do not support GPS technology and by devices that do not support GPS technology. Further, the method transmits alerts by using various telecommunications and wireless networks. These features are useful as they provide emergency aid to users of the wireless communication device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2a and 2b is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying an alert on a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention provides a method and a system for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device. Examples of wireless communication device include cellular phones, PDAs, laptops and the like. An accelerometer records the acceleration values of the wireless communication device and compares the values with a predefined threshold for the impact. Alerts are transmitted to the emergency numbers based on the comparison the acceleration values with the predefined threshold.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The wireless communication device is connected to a telecommunication network. The telecommunication networks include one or more network base stations. The network base stations are wireless communications stations installed at fixed locations to communicate through a telecommunication network, such as cellular CDMA or European GSM.
At step 102, the acceleration values of the wireless communication device are recorded. In various embodiments of the invention, an accelerometer is used to record the acceleration values. Examples of an accelerometer include a 2 D accelerometer and a 3 D accelerometer. An accelerometer is an electromechanical device for measuring the acceleration forces experienced by the wireless communication device to which it is attached. These forces may be static, for example, the constant force of gravity, or dynamic, such as the forces generated by moving or vibrating the accelerometer. Single and multi-axis (bi-axial or 3D accelerometer) models are used to detect the magnitude and direction of the acceleration as a vector quantity. Accelerometers can also be used to sense inclination, vibration and shock. In an embodiment of the invention, the acceleration values are recorded in standard unit 'g' and symbolize acceleration caused by gravity, which is already known in the art. The acceleration values of the wireless communication device may be recorded in real time at predefined intervals.

At step 104, the acceleration values recorded by the accelerometer are compared with a predefined threshold value. In an embodiment of the invention, the predefined threshold acceleration value may be manually set by a user of the wireless communication device. In another embodiment of the invention, the predefined threshold is preconfigured for the device. This predefined threshold may vary from 1 g to 5 g, based on the sensitivity required.
At step 106 information pertaining to location of the wireless device is retrieved. In various embodiments of the invention, this information is retrieved from a service base station by comparing the acceleration values with the predefined threshold value of impact. In various embodiments of the invention, this information includes the current location of the wireless communication device, and the contact numbers and addresses of nearby medical centers and police control rooms. This method of retrieval is independent of the GPS system as it uses network base stations.
At step 108, an alert is generated and transmitted to one or more emergency numbers. Examples of emergency numbers include contact number of emergency medical services, contact number of police patrol, contact numbers of family members and close friends, and the like. In various embodiments of the invention, the alert includes the location information of the wireless communication device, and the personal information of the user of the wireless communication device. In an embodiment of the invention, the alert is a short text message. In another embodiment of the invention, the alert is a voice message. The voice message is composed by converting the short text message into speech format using various text-to-speech conversion techniques already known in the art. In yet another embodiment, the alert is an electronic mail. In still another embodiment, the alert is a flash message. In various embodiments of the invention, the alert is generated based on a predefined template. The personal information and location information is appended to the predefined template for generating the alerts.
The generated alerts are transmitted to the one or more emergency numbers using the telecommunication network. The method of alert generation and transmission are described in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2a and 2b. This invention may be used to

track and locate an accident or any other emergency situation that may have occurred with the users of the wireless communication devices.
FIG. 2a and 2b is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
At step 102, an acceleration value of the wireless communication device is recorded. The details of recording of an acceleration value have described in conjunction with FIG. 1. At step 202, it is determined if the acceleration value is greater than the predefined threshold acceleration value for an impact. The details of predefined threshold acceleration value for impact have also been explained in conjunction with FIG. 1. If the acceleration value is lesser than the predefined threshold acceleration value, then step 102 is repeated.
If the acceleration value is greater than the predefined threshold acceleration value, then at step 204 it is determined if an emergency number exists in memory of the wireless communication device. If the emergency number does not exist, then at step 206, one or more last dialed numbers in the memory of the wireless communication device are used. At step 106, the location information of the wireless communication device is retrieved. Subsequently, at step 208, an alert is generated and transmitted to the wireless communication devices associated with either the emergency number or the last dialed numbers based on step 206. The alert generation and transmission of the alert have been described in detail in conjunction with FIG.1.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying an alert on a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the invention is used when the wireless communication device is not in the range of the telecommunication network.

At step 102, the acceleration values of the wireless communication device are recorded. At step 104, the acceleration values recorded by the accelerometer are compared with a predefined threshold. Recording of the acceleration values, and their comparison, has been described in conjunction with FIG. 1.
Thereafter, an alert is generated at step 302, based on the comparison between the acceleration values and the predefined threshold values of the impact. This alert is generated if the acceleration values of the wireless communication device are greater than the threshold acceleration value of the impact. The threshold value of the impact is set in accordance with various embodiments described in conjunction with FIG. 1. An alert includes personal information relating to the user of the wireless communication device, for example, the name and blood group of the user.
At step 304, the generated alert is displayed on the wireless communication device. In another embodiment of the invention, the generated alert may also be transmitted to one or more communication devices connected in a wireless network. Examples of wireless networks include a Bluetooth® wireless network. The wireless communication device may contact communication devices in the wireless network using Bluetooth® feature and transmit the alert to be displayed on their screens.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 400 for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. System 400 includes a memory module 402, an accelerometer 404, a comparator 406, a microprocessor 408, a location module 410, an alert generation module 412, a transmission module 414, a wireless transceiver 416, and a display module 418.
Memory module 402 provides memory for the storage of information, such as a predefined threshold acceleration value for the impact, personal information of a user of the wireless communication device, the one or more emergency numbers and the like. Examples of memory include in built Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM) and an external memory stick connected through Universal Serial Bus (USB). In an embodiment of the invention, the predefined threshold acceleration value

may be manually set by a user of the wireless communication device. In another embodiment of the invention, the predefined threshold is preconfigured for the device. The predefined threshold may vary from 1 g to 5 g based on the required sensitivity. The personal information of the user of the wireless communication device includes name, and blood group of the user. Examples of emergency numbers include contact number of emergency medical services, contact number of police patrol and the like. In an embodiment of the invention, the emergency numbers are provided by the manufacturer of the wireless communication device. In another embodiment of the invention, the emergency numbers are provided by service provider of the telecommunication network. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the emergency numbers are saved by the user in the memory of the wireless communication device. Memory module 402 provides the information to accelerometer 404, comparator 406, microprocessor 408, location module 410, alert generation module 412, transmission module 414, wireless transceiver 416, and display module 418 as described in the following paragraphs.
Accelerometer 404 records acceleration values of the wireless communication device. In various embodiments of the invention, accelerometer 404 is a 3 D accelerometer. The acceleration values are provided to comparator 406 and microprocessor 408.
Comparator 406 compares the recorded acceleration values of the wireless communication device with the predefined threshold acceleration value for the impact using microprocessor 408. In various embodiments of the invention, comparator 406 is part of a software application in the wireless communication device. If the recorded acceleration value is greater than the predefined threshold acceleration value then the output of comparator 406 is transmitted to location module 410.
Location module 410 retrieves location information of the wireless communication device from a network base station based on the output of Comparator 406. If the recorded acceleration value exceeds the predefined threshold acceleration value, then location module 410 retrieves the location information of the wireless communication device. In various embodiments of the invention, the location information includes the

address of the current position of the wireless communication device and a location map. The location information is provided to alert generation module 412.
Alert generation module 412 generates an alert for transmission to the emergency numbers. In various embodiments of the invention, the alert includes location information and personal information of the user of the wireless communication device. In an embodiment of the invention, the alert is a short text message. In another embodiment of the invention, the alert is a voice message. The voice message is composed by converting the short text message into speech format using various text-to-speech conversion techniques already known in the art. In yet another embodiment, the alert is a flash message. In still another embodiment, the alert is an electronic mail. The generated alert is transmitted using transmission module 414 to the communication devices associated with the emergency numbers. Further, the generated alert is provided to wireless transceiver 416.
Wireless transceiver 416 connects to a wireless network and transmits the generated alert to one or more wireless communication devices in the wireless networks. In various embodiments of the invention, wireless networks are short range networks, such as different versions of Bluetooth® wireless network. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the invention is also applicable with future long-range versions of the Bluetooth®. The wireless communication device, in case of an impact, may contact the communication devices in the network using Bluetooth®feature and transmit the alert to be the communication devices. The wireless transceiver is capable of transmitting the alert when the wireless communication device is not in the range of the telecommunication network.
Display module 418 displays the alert on the screen of the wireless communication device under impact. The feature is useful especially when the wireless communication device is not in the range of any telecommunication network or any wireless network.
The invention described above provides a method for a wireless communication device to generate and transmit alerts to other wireless communication device in case of

an impact. The method functions independent of GPS and therefore the invention can be used in countries that do not support GPS technology and also in devices which do not support GPS technology. Further, the method transmits alerts by means of various telecommunication and wireless networks. These features are useful for providing emergency aid to the user of the wireless communication device.
In various embodiments of the invention, the modules of system 400 may be implemented in the form of software, hardware, firmware, or combinations thereof.
The system for transmitting an alert as described in the present invention or any of its components may be embodied in the form of a computer program product for use in a wireless communication device. Typical examples of a wireless communication device include a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and the like.
The wireless communication device comprises a microprocessor, which is connected to a communication bus. The wireless communication device also includes a memory, which may be a Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM). Further, the wireless communication device comprises a storage device, which can be a wireless communication device useable medium such as a hard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a flash drive, a USB based memory device, etc. The wireless communication device useable medium can also be other similar means for loading computer programs or other instructions into the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device includes a communication unit, which enables the wireless communication device to connect to telecommunication networks and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). The communication unit enables the transfer and reception of data from network base stations. Further, the wireless communication device includes a display unit to display information or instructions for the user of the wireless communication device.
The wireless communication device executes a set of instructions that is stored in one or more storage elements to process data. These storage elements may hold data or other information, as desired, and may be in the form of an information source or a physical memory element present in the wireless communication device.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct the wireless communication device to perform specific tasks such as the steps that constitute the method of the present invention. The set of instructions may be in the form of a software program. Further, the software may be in the form of a collection of separate programs, a program module with a larger program, or a portion of a program module, as in the present invention. The software may also include modular programming in the form of object-oriented programming.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless
communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being connected to a telecommunication network, the telecommunication network comprising one or more network base stations, the method comprising:
a. recording acceleration values of the wireless communication device;
b. comparing the acceleration values with a predefined threshold acceleration
value for the impact;
c. retrieving location information of the wireless communication device from a
network base station based on the comparison of the acceleration values
with the predefined threshold acceleration value; and
d. generating the alert comprising the location information, wherein the
generated alert is transmitted to the one or more emergency numbers.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alert is generated based on a
predefined template.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined threshold acceleration value
is set by a user of the wireless communication device.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predefined threshold acceleration value
is preconfigured for the wireless communication device.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the alert is a short text message.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the alert is a voice message, the voice
message being composed by converting the short text message to speech format.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration values is recorded by an accelerometer sensor.
8. A method for displaying an alert on a wireless communication device in response to
an impact on the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being not in the range of a telecommunication network, the method comprising:
a. recording acceleration values of the wireless communication device;
b. comparing the acceleration values of the impact with a predefined
threshold acceleration value for the impact; and
c. generating the alert comprising personal information of a user of the
wireless communication device, wherein the generated alert is displayed
on a screen of the wireless communication device.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising the generated alert being
transmitted to one or more wireless communication devices using a wireless network.
10. A system for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by a wireless
communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication
device, the wireless communication device comprising a microprocessor, the wireless
communication device being connected to a telecommunication network, the
telecommunication network comprising one or more network base stations, the
system comprising:
a. a memory module configured for storing information, the information comprising a predefined threshold acceleration value for the impact, personal information of a user of the wireless communication device, the one or more emergency numbers, and a predefined template;

b. an accelerometer configured for recording acceleration values of the
wireless communication device;
c. a comparator configured for comparing the acceleration values of the
wireless communication device with the predefined threshold acceleration
value for the impact using the microprocessor;
d. a location module configured for retrieving location information of the
wireless communication device from a network base station based on the
comparison;
e. an alert generation module configured for generating the alert comprising
the location information and the personal information based on the
predefined template; and
f. a transmission module configured for transmitting the alert to the one or
more emergency numbers.
11. The system according to claim 10 further comprising a wireless transceiver configured for connecting to a wireless network and transmitting the generated alert to one or more wireless communication devices in the wireless network.
12. The system according to claim 10 further comprising a display module to display the personal information on the wireless communication device.
13. A computer program product for use with a wireless communication device, the computer program product comprising a wireless communication device usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by the wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being connected to a telecommunication network, the

telecommunication network comprising one or more network base stations, the computer readable program code performing:
a. recording acceleration values of the wireless communication device;
b. comparing the acceleration values with a predefined threshold acceleration
value for the impact;
c. retrieving location information of the wireless communication device from a
network base station based on the comparison of the acceleration values
with the predefined threshold acceleration value; and
d. generating the alert comprising the location information, wherein the
generated alert is transmitted to the one or more emergency numbers.
14. A computer program product for use with a wireless communication device, the computer program product comprising a wireless communication device usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein for transmitting an alert to one or more emergency numbers by the wireless communication device in response to an impact on the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device being not in the range of a telecommunication network, the computer readable program code performing:
a. recording acceleration values of the wireless communication device;
b. comparing the acceleration values of the impact with a predefined
threshold acceleration value for the impact; and
c. generating the alert comprising personal information of a user of the
wireless communication device, wherein the generated alert is displayed
on a screen of the wireless communication device.