Crisis communication systems, personal devices and control devices for such systems, and methods of communicating

Abstract

Whilst communications infrastructure and the capabilities of electronic devices have evolved the underlying management of the communications and the filtering or direction of communications has not kept pace and is particularly evident than in respect of the management of crisis situations. Crisis situations can include, but not be limited to, accidents, natural disasters, and violence such as school shootings or mass shootings. Within these crisis situations it is particularly important that communications are effective to provide those impacted with the appropriate information and to provide emergency services or others responding to the crisis with correspondingly appropriate information to their role(s) / activities. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide methods and systems for the acquisition of information, the presentation of information and communications between potentially a large number of individuals within highly dynamic environments as any crisis is a dynamic occurrence.

Description

CRISIS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS. PERSONAL DEVICES AND CONTROL DEVICES FOR SUCH SYSTEMS. AND METHODS OF COMMUNICATINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 561,600 filed March 5, 2024; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This patent application relates to communication systems and even more particularly to methods, devices and systems for communications within highly dynamic environments.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Communication is the activity of conveying information via different means including audible means such as speech, visual means such as images or audiovisual content, signal means such as signs, written means, or behavioral means. The advent of integrated microelectronics, high volume low cost manufacturing, and deployments of wireless and fiber optic network infrastructure in the past 50 years have meant that today mobile electronic devices are employed by over 6 billion users and support a wide variety of services such as text messaging based upon Short Message Service (SMS) protocols, electronic mail (email), Internet access, short-range wireless communication protocols such as infrared and Bluetooth, business applications, photography, gaming, audio streaming, video streaming, and accessing / providing Internet content.

[0004] However, whilst communications infrastructure and the capabilities of electronic devices have evolved the underlying management of the communications and the filtering or direction of communications has not kept pace. Nowhere is this more evident than in respect of the management of crisis situations. Crisis situations can include, but not be limited to, accidents, natural disasters, and violence such as school shootings or mass shootings.

[0005] Within these crisis situations it is particularly important that communications are effective to provide those impacted with the appropriate information and to provide emergency services or others responding to the crisis with correspondingly appropriate information to their role(s) / activities. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide methods and systems for the acquisition of information, the presentation of information and communications betweenpotentially a large number of individuals within highly dynamic environments as any crisis is a dynamic occurrence.

[0006] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to mitigate limitations within the prior art relating to communication systems and even more particularly to methods, devices and systems for communications within highly dynamic environments.

[0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system, comprising: a plurality of personal devices where each of the plurality of personal devices comprises a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol, a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol, a display and a readable storage medium; a first control device comprising another wireless transmitter operating according to a third protocol and another wireless receiver operating according to a fourth protocol; and a plurality of cameras each camera of the plurality of cameras at a defined location within a facility; wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device; the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated; and the first control device is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device to: automatically determine a camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras; andautomatically determine a defined subset of the plurality of personal devices and transmit an alert signal to the defined subset of the plurality of personal devices.

[0009] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device forming part of a crisis communication system, comprising: a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol; a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol; a display; and a readable storage medium; wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device; and the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated.

[0010] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary network environment within which configurable electrical devices according to and supporting embodiments of the invention may be deployed and operated;

[0013] Figure 2 depicts an exemplary wireless portable electronic device supporting communications to a network such as depicted in Figure 1 and configurable electrical devices according to and supporting embodiments of the invention;

[0014] Figure 3 depicts electrical receptacles and switches supporting network elements for Systems, Applications and Platforms (CAC-SAPs) according to embodiments of the invention with configurable inserts and options to restrict inserts to electrical receptacles only, electricalswitches only, and both electrical receptacles and switches according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] Figure 4 depicts a configurable electrical receptacle supporting network elements for CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention wherein the installed functionality can be set at installation leaving the post-installation receptacle configuration;

[0016] Figure 5 depicts exemplary formats for a configurable receptacle supporting network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention;

[0017] Figure 6 depicts a schematic of a receptacle for incorporating an insert comprising a Contextually Aware Communication Nano-Hub supporting artificial intelligence based decision making and / or network elements for CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention;

[0018] Figures 7 depict an Arbitrarily Configurable Sensor and Control (ACSC) module and inserts which may be employed as part of an ACSC array to provide network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention;

[0019] Figure 8 depicts ACSC Array configurations with a Base ACSC Module providing network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention;

[0020] Figure 9 depicts a personal device according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0021] Figure 10 depicts a schematic of a facility with a deployed communication system according to an embodiment of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is directed to communication systems and even more particularly to methods, devices and systems for communications within highly dynamic environments.

[0023] The ensuing description provides representative embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an embodiment or embodiments of the invention. It being understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions and not the sole implementation. Various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may alsobe provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention can also be implemented in a single embodiment or any combination of embodiments.

[0024] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. The phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be constmed as limiting but is for descriptive purpose only. It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be constmed as there being only one of that element. It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component feature, stmcture, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, stmcture, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0025] Reference to terms such as “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “front” and “back” are intended for use in respect to the orientation of the particular feature, stmcture, or element within the figures depicting embodiments of the invention. It would be evident that such directional terminology with respect to the actual use of a device has no specific meaning as the device can be employed in a multiplicity of orientations by the user or users.

[0026] Reference to terms “including”, “comprising”, “consisting” and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, integers or groups thereof and that the terms are not to be constmed as specifying components, features, steps or integers. Likewise, the phrase “consisting essentially of’, and grammatical variants thereof, when used herein is not to be constmed as excluding additional components, steps, features integers or groups thereof but rather that the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition, device or method. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0027] Reference to terms such as “first”, “second”, etc. or “other”, “another” “further” etc. may be used herein to describe various devices, components, elements, or other items, such devices, components, elements, or other items are not employed to limit by these devices, components, elements, or other items etc. The terms are employed used to distinguish one of a type of item from another of the same or similar type of item within the description.

[0028] Any statement herein that a device, component, element or other item is “configured to” perform an action means that the device, component, element or other item - or some part(or parts) of the item are capable of performing such action and have the requisite physical and / or processing elements necessary to perform the action.

[0029] An “electrical receptacle” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to, but is not limited to a housing design designed to be inserted into a work box / electrical utility work box and connected to one or more electrical cables providing power distribution / signal distribution within the environment exploiting embodiments of the invention which may for example be residential, commercial, industrial, entertainment and retail. An electrical receptacle may be manufactured with a predetermined function, e.g. electrical outlet or lighting switch, or it may be configurable as described below in respect of embodiments of the invention.

[0030] An “electrical outlet” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refer to, but is not limited to, an electrical receptacle that is configured for providing electrical power, typically at so-called “mains” voltage being that supplied to the environment the outlet is deployed within by the electrical distribution network. As such the “mains” voltage is typically defined by region / country.

[0031] A “switch receptacle” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refer to, but is not limited to, an electrical receptacle that is configured for providing switching functionality, e.g. turning on / off a light or lights or an electrical device / system for which the switching functionality controls power. A switch receptacle may provide control of an electrical distribution circuit, e.g. be a circuit breaker, or distribution panel comprising other switch receptacles, e.g. circuit breakers.

[0032] An “insert” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refer to, but is not limited to, an assembly designed to be inserted within an opening / recess, for example within an electrical and / or switch receptacle. This may be a demountable insert which may be inserted / removed through the faceplate without requiring the removal of the face plate with or without a tool or a non-demountable insert which when inserted may not be removed.

[0033] A “wireless standard” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refer to, but is not limited to, a standard for transmitting signals and / or data through electromagnetic radiation which may be optical, radio-frequency (RF) or microwave although typically RF wireless systems and techniques dominate. A wireless standard may be defined globally, nationally, or specific to an equipment manufacturer or set of equipment manufacturers. Dominant wireless standards at present include, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU- R 5.150, ITU-R 5.280, IMT-1000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ultra-Wideband and WiMAX. Somestandards may be a conglomeration of sub-standards such as IEEE 802.11 which may refer to, but is not limited to, IEEE 802.1a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, or IEEE 802.1 In as well as others under the IEEE 802.11 umbrella.

[0034] A “wired standard” as used herein and throughout this disclosure, generally refer to, but is not limited to, a standard for transmitting signals and / or data through an electrical cable discretely or in combination with another signal. Such wired standards may include, but are not limited to, digital subscriber loop (DSL), Dial-Up (exploiting the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to establish a connection to an Internet service provider (ISP)), Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), Ethernet, Gigabit home networking (G.hn), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), and Power Line Communication (PLC, wherein data is overlaid to a AC / DC power supply). In some embodiments a “wired standard” may refer to, but is not limited to, exploiting an optical cable and optical interfaces such as within Passive Optical Networks (PONs) for example.

[0035] A “sensor” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a transducer providing an electrical output generated in dependence upon a magnitude of a measure and selected from the group comprising, but is not limited to, environmental sensors, medical sensors, biological sensors, chemical sensors, ambient environment sensors, audiovisual sensors, position sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, infrared sensors, visible sensors, RFID sensors, and medical testing and diagnosis devices.

[0036] A “portable electronic device” (PED) as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to a wireless device used for communications and other applications that requires a battery or other independent form of energy for power. This includes devices, but is not limited to, such as a digital lanyard, cellular telephone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer, pager, portable multimedia player, portable gaming console, laptop computer, tablet computer, a wearable device and an electronic reader.

[0037] A “fixed electronic device” (FED) as used herein and throughout this disclosure, refers to a wireless and / or wired device used for communications and other applications that requires connection to a fixed interface to obtain power. This includes, but is not limited to, an electrical receptacle, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a computer server, a kiosk, a gaming console, a digital set-top box, an analog set-top box, an Internet enabled appliance, an Internet enabled television, and a multimedia player.

[0038] A “server” as used herein, and throughout this disclosure, refers to one or more physical computers co-located and / or geographically distributed running one or more services as a host to users of other computers, PEDs, FEDs, etc. to serve the client needs of these other users.This includes, but is not limited to, a database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, gaming server, or virtual environment server.

[0039] An “application” (commonly referred to as an “app”) as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a “software application”, an element of a “software suite”, a computer program designed to allow an individual to perform an activity, a computer program designed to allow an electronic device to perform an activity, and a computer program designed to communicate with local and / or remote electronic devices. An application thus differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose chores), and a programming tools (with which computer programs are created). Generally, within the following description with respect to embodiments of the invention an application is generally presented in respect of software permanently and / or temporarily installed upon a PED and I or FED.

[0040] An “enterprise” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a provider of a service and / or a product to a user, customer, or consumer.

[0041] A “service provider” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a third party provider of a service and / or a product to an enterprise and / or individual and / or group of individuals and / or a device comprising a microprocessor.

[0042] A “third party” or “third party provider” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a so-called “arm's length” provider of a service and / or a product to an enterprise and / or individual and / or group of individuals and / or a device comprising a microprocessor wherein the consumer and / or customer engages the third party but the actual service and / or product that they are interested in and / or purchase and / or receive is provided through an enterprise and / or service provider.

[0043] A “user” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, an individual or group of individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, private individuals, employees of organizations and / or enterprises, members of community organizations, members of charity organizations, men and women. In its broadest sense the user may further include, but not be limited to, software systems, mechanical systems, robotic systems, android systems, etc. that may be characterised by an ability to exploit one or more embodiments of the invention. A user may also be associated through one or more accounts and / or profiles with one or more of a service provider, third party provider, enterprise, social network, social media etc. via a dashboard, web service, website, software plug-in, software application, and graphical user interface.

[0044] “Biometric” information as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, data relating to a user characterised by data relating to a subset of conditions including, but not limited to,their environment, medical condition, biological condition, physiological condition, chemical condition, ambient environment condition, position condition, neurological condition, drug condition, and one or more specific aspects of one or more of these said conditions. Accordingly, such biometric information may include, but not be limited, blood oxygenation, blood pressure, blood flow rate, heart rate, temperate, fluidic pH, viscosity, particulate content, solids content, altitude, vibration, motion, perspiration, EEG, ECG, energy level, etc. In addition, biometric information may include data relating to physiological characteristics related to the shape and / or condition of the body wherein examples may include, but are not limited to, fingerprint, facial geometry, baldness, DNA, hand geometry, odour, and scent. Biometric information may also include data relating to behavioral characteristics, including but not limited to, typing rhythm, gait, and voice.

[0045] “User information” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, user behavior information and I or user profile information. It may also include a user's biometric information, an estimation of the user's biometric information, or a projection / prediction of a user's biometric information derived from current and I or historical biometric information.

[0046] A “wearable device” or “wearable sensor” relates to miniature electronic devices that are worn by the user including those under, within, with or on top of clothing and are part of a broader general class of wearable technology which includes “wearable computers” which in contrast are directed to general or special purpose information technologies and media development. Such wearable devices and / or wearable sensors may include, but not be limited to, smartphones, smart watches, e-textiles, smart shirts, activity trackers, smart glasses, environmental sensors, medical sensors, biological sensors, physiological sensors, chemical sensors, ambient environment sensors, position sensors, neurological sensors, drug delivery systems, medical testing and diagnosis devices, and motion sensors.

[0047] “Electronic content” (also referred to as “content” or “digital content”) as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, any type of content that exists in the form of digital data as stored, transmitted, received and / or converted wherein one or more of these steps may be analog although generally these steps will be digital. Forms of digital content include, but are not limited to, information that is digitally broadcast, streamed or contained in discrete files. Viewed narrowly, types of digital content include popular media types such as MP3, JPG, AVI, TIFF, AAC, TXT, RTF, HTML, XHTML, PDF, XLS, SVG, WMA, MP4, FLV, and PPT. Within a broader approach digital content mat include any type of digital information, e.g. digitally updated weather forecast, a GNSS map, an eBook, a photograph, a video, a Vine™, a blog posting, a Facebook™ posting, a Twitter™ tweet, online TV, etc. The digital content maybe any digital data that is at least one of generated, selected, created, modified, and transmitted in response to a user request, said request may be a query, a search, a trigger, an alarm, and a message for example.

[0048] A “profile” as used herein, and throughout this disclosure, refers to a computer and / or microprocessor readable data file comprising data relating to settings and / or limits of an adult device. Such profiles may be established by a manufacturer / supplier / provider of a device, service, etc. or they may be established by a user through a user interface for a device, a service or a PED / FED in communication with a device, another device, a server or a service provider etc.

[0049] “Metadata” as used herein, and throughout this disclosure, refers to information stored as data that provides information about other data. Many distinct types of metadata exist, including but not limited to, descriptive metadata, structural metadata, administrative metadata, reference metadata and statistical metadata. Descriptive metadata may describe a resource for purposes such as discovery and identification and may include, but not be limited to, elements such as title, abstract, author, and keywords. Structural metadata relates to containers of data and indicates how compound objects are assembled and may include, but not be limited to, how pages are ordered to form chapters, and typically describes the types, versions, relationships and other characteristics of digital materials. Administrative metadata may provide information employed in managing a resource and may include, but not be limited to, when and how it was created, file type, technical information, and who can access it. Reference metadata may describe the contents and quality of statistical data whereas statistical metadata may also describe processes that collect, process, or produce statistical data. Statistical metadata may also be referred to as process data.

[0050] An “artificial intelligence system” (referred to hereafter as artificial intelligence, Al) as used herein, and throughout disclosure, refers to machine intelligence or machine learning in contrast to natural intelligence. An Al may refer to analytical, human inspired, or humanized artificial intelligence. An Al may refer to the use of one or more machine learning algorithms and / or processes. An Al may employ one or more of an artificial network, decision trees, support vector machines, Bayesian networks, and genetic algorithms. An Al may employ a training model or federated learning.

[0051] “Machine Learning” (ML) or more specifically machine learning processes as used herein refers to, but is not limited, to programs, algorithms or software tools, which allow a given device or program to leam to adapt its functionality based on information processed by it or by other independent processes. These learning processes are in practice, gathered fromthe result of said process which produce data and or algorithms that lend themselves to prediction. This prediction process allows ML-capable devices to behave according to guidelines initially established within its own programming but evolved as a result of the ML. A machine learning algorithm or machining learning process as employed by an Al may include, but not be limited to, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, cluster analysis, reinforcement learning, feature learning, sparse dictionary learning, anomaly detection, association rule learning, inductive logic programming.

[0052] A “personal device” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a PED which is associated with an individual (user) and thereby provides the user with at least one of one or more interfaces for establishing an alert or providing electronic content to be transmitted from the personal device to a control device and one or more other interfaces for providing to the user other electronic content transmitted to the personal device from a control device.

[0053] A “control device” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a PED or a FED which is associated with one or more individuals (users) associated with a role or location with respect to a crisis or an element of a response to the crisis such as a mobile command vehicle, emergency response centre, remote processing centre or the facility associated with the response whereby the control device provides the user with at least one of one or more interfaces for providing to the user electronic content transmitted from a personal device to the control device, electronic content from another control device or electronic content from elements within the facility associated with the facility’s infrastructure and providing one or more other user interfaces for the user to provide further electronic content which is to transmitted to a personal device or a another control device.

[0054] A “facility” as used herein may refer to, but is not limited to, one or more locations associated with a crisis which define a three-dimensional region or area. A facility may be indoor, outdoor, a combination thereof, fixed or mobile and has elements within the facility associated with the facility’s infrastructure providing electronic content independent of other electronic content provided by personal devices or control devices. In some instances the three- dimensional region may be a predetermined geofenced region as the facility is well-defined, e.g. a school, an office building, a cruise ship etc., or it may be a defined geofenced region which is established in dependence upon the location of the alert, e.g. a defined subsets of floors of an office building, a defined portion of a school, etc. The geofenced region may be dynamically defined in dependence upon the locations of personal devices associated with a system where the alert is triggered by a personal device associated with the system or it may be dynamically defined by a control device or a user of a control device.

[0055] “Current location” or “then current location” as used with respect to physical devices such as control devices, personal devices, etc. herein may refer to, but is not limited to, a physical location or approximate physical location of the physical device as defined by one or more values of a coordinate system which may define a position absolutely, e.g. via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS),m, or relatively, e.g. relative to one or more wireless transceivers, antennae, beacons etc., at a defined point in time, i.e., upon the occurrence of an action such as an crisis alert or transmittal of the location information (as the physical device may subsequently move prior to transmitting an updated location).

[0056] Communication is the activity of conveying information via different means including audible means such as speech, visual means such as images or audiovisual content, signal means such as signs, written means, or behavioral means. The advent of integrated microelectronics, high volume low cost manufacturing, and deployments of wireless and fiber optic network infrastructure in the past 50 years have meant that today mobile electronic devices are employed by over 6 billion users and support a wide variety of services such as text messaging based upon Short Message Service (SMS) protocols, electronic mail (email), Internet access, short-range wireless communication protocols such as infrared and Bluetooth, business applications, photography, gaming, audio streaming, video streaming, and accessing / providing Internet content.

[0057] However, whilst communications infrastructure and the capabilities of electronic devices have evolved the underlying management of the communications and the filtering or direction of communications has not kept pace. Nowhere is this more evident than in respect of the management of crisis situations. Crisis situations can include, but not be limited to, accidents, natural disasters, and violence such as school shootings or mass shootings.

[0058] Within these crisis situations it is particularly important that communications are effective to provide those impacted with the appropriate information and to provide emergency services or others responding to the crisis with correspondingly appropriate information to their role(s) / activities. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide methods and systems for the acquisition of information, the presentation of information and communications between potentially a large number of individuals within highly dynamic environments as any crisis is a dynamic occurrence.

[0059] Within the following description the embodiments of the invention are presented with respect to a non-limiting example of a school which represents a facility in which crisis situations can be managed through use of the systems, devices and methods of the invention. However, it would be evident that embodiments of the invention may be employed within otherfacilities which are indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both. Such a facility may be fixed in location or it may be mobile, e.g. a cruise liner, warship etc.

[0060] Within the context of a school examples of a crisis or crises to manage may include, but not be limited to, those associated with the school building(s)s and / or school field(s), which may include, but not be limited to, an active shooters, a fire, a fights, a medical emergency, an intruder with a weapon and an earthquake

[0061] From the following description it will be evident that embodiments of the invention by exploiting a combination on network elements including, but not limited to, installed elements as or within FEDs such as electrical receptacles, switch receptacles, lighting elements, HVAC elements, lamps, projectors and digital whiteboards for example; or as or within PEDs such as digital lanyards worn by authorized personnel and laptops for example; or other network elements may be introduced into the facility such as body cameras, head mounted displays, etc. on police, firemen, paramedics etc., enable accurate, timely, and consistent information to be acquired, rendered, processed etc. in multiple forms of electronic content from data, audio stream(s), camera image(s), streaming video, etc. where the electronic content may be acquired from a first group of users, e.g. teachers and staff within the school, and pushed to another group of users, e.g. headmaster and emergency services, as well as some other content being pushed to different subsets of the first group of users. For example, a teacher may trigger an alarm wherein content is pushed to the other group of users wherein subsequently the teacher is pushed other content and other teachers are pushed further content. As will become evident the electronic content may comprise one or more forms of electronic content, e.g., knowledge, images, instructions, etc., to be distributed to those in need of the information. Systems in accordance with embodiments of the present can provide users with one or more of immediate notification, situational awareness, and consistent communications.

[0062] Where users employ a digital lanyard such as described below in respect of Figure 9, for example, the first group of users, e.g. staff members, do not need to use personal PEDs, room-based panic buttons, or other similar devices. Further, the digital lanyard provides the first group of users with the one or more of the immediate notifications, situational awareness, and consistent communications. By employing digital lanyards that are personal devices for the first group of users which are small, powerful, and easy to use then any staff member can initiate an alert by simply holding an “Alert” button for example of their digital lanyard which immediately notifies a central hub or hubs and then pushes notifications to first responders and organizational staff that a crisis alert has been issued. This central hub may be local to the facility or it may be remote, e.g. a remote server, wherein a software suite or softwareapplication executed upon one or more PEDs and / or one of more FEDs acquires and processes the electronic content on the remote server to generate electronic content for the different groups of users and rendering to a control facility, e.g. an emergency service vehicle or a Mobile Command Vehicle for example.

[0063] The identity of the individual who initiated the alert and their location are immediately accessible to the central hub and a situational awareness system is engaged. If time and the situation permit, a control device of the invention can send and receive precise information, such as whether the emergency is medical, fire, or violence, and / or the control device can send additional information and / or update information as the situation continues. Within embodiments of the invention the system can provide first responders with an accurate, live view of what is happening, specifically, where the event is occurring. Within embodiments of the invention, in compliance with local regulations, one or more cameras and / or one or more microphones may be activated within the vicinity of the user triggering the alert so that responders and those assessing the situation have additional information. Optionally, as the situation develops other cameras, microphones, motion sensors etc. may be activated to provide additional information. Upon the crises being “cleared” then these feeds may be terminated to comply with local regulations.

[0064] Referring to Figure 1 there is depicted a Network within which embodiments of the invention may be employed supporting Contextually Aware Communication (CAC) Systems, Applications and Platforms (CAC-SAPs) according to embodiments of the invention. Such CAC-SAPs, for example, supporting multiple communication channels, dynamic filtering, etc. As shown first and second user groups 100 A and 100B respectively interface to a telecommunications Network. Within the representative telecommunication architecture, a remote central exchange 180 communicates with the remainder of a telecommunication service providers network via the Network which may include for example long-haul OC-48 / OC-192 backbone elements, an OC-48 wide area network (WAN), a Passive Optical Network, and a Wireless Link. The central exchange 180 is connected via the Network to local, regional, and international exchanges (not shown for clarity) and therein through Network to first and second cellular APs 195 A and 195B respectively which provide Wi-Fi cells for first and second user groups 100A and 100B respectively. Also connected to the Network are first and second WiFi nodes 110A and HOB, the latter of which being coupled to Network via router 105. Second Wi-Fi node HOB is associated with commercial service provider 160 comprising other first and second user groups 100A and 100B. Second user group 100B may also be connected to the Network via wired interfaces including, but not limited to, DSL, Dial-Up, DOCSIS,Ethernet, G.hn, ISDN, MoCA, PON, and Power line communication (PLC) which may or may not be routed through a router such as router 105.

[0065] Within the cell associated with first AP 110A the first group of users 100 A may employ a variety of PEDs including for example, laptop computer 155, portable gaming console 135, tablet computer 140, smartphone 150, cellular telephone 145 as well as portable multimedia player 130. Within the cell associated with second AP 110B are the second group of users 100B which may employ a variety of FEDs including for example gaming console 125, personal computer 115 and wireless / Internet enabled television 120 as well as cable modem 105. First and second cellular APs 195A and 195B respectively provide, for example, cellular GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) telephony services as well as 3G and 4G evolved services with enhanced data transport support. Second cellular AP 195B provides coverage in the exemplary embodiment to first and second user groups 100A and 100B. Alternatively the first and second user groups 100A and 100B may be geographically disparate and access the Network through multiple APs, not shown for clarity, distributed geographically by the network operator or operators. First cellular AP 195A as show provides coverage to first user group 100A and environment 170, which comprises second user group 100B as well as first user group 100A. Accordingly, the first and second user groups 100 A and 100B may according to their particular communications interfaces communicate to the Network through one or more wireless communications standards such as, for example, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU-R 5.150, ITU-R 5.280, and IMT-1000. It would be evident to one skilled in the art that many portable and fixed electronic devices may support multiple wireless protocols simultaneously, such that for example a user may employ GSM services such as telephony and SMS and Wi-Fi / WiMAX data transmission, VOIP and Internet access. Accordingly, portable electronic devices within first user group 100A may form associations either through standards such as IEEE 802.15 and Bluetooth as well in an ad-hoc manner.

[0066] Also connected to the Network are Social Networks (SOCNETS) 165, first and second service providers 170A and 170B respectively, first and second third party service providers 170C and 170D respectively, and a user 170E. Also connected to the Network are first and second enterprises 175A and 175B respectively, first and second organizations 175C and 175D respectively, and a government entity 175E. Also depicted are first and second servers 190A and 190B may host according to embodiments of the inventions multiple services associated with a provider of contact management systems and contact management applications / platforms (CAC-SAPs); a provider of a SOCNET or Social Media (SOME) exploiting CAC-SAP features; a provider of a SOCNET and I or SOME not exploiting CAC-SAP features; a provider of services to PEDS and / or FEDS; a provider of one or more aspects of wired and / or wireless communications; an Enterprise 160 exploiting CAC-SAP features; license databases; content databases; image databases; content libraries; customer databases; websites; and software applications for download to or access by FEDs and / or PEDs exploiting and / or hosting CAC-SAP features. First and second primary content servers 190A and 190B may also host for example other Internet services such as a search engine, financial services, third party applications and other Internet based services.

[0067] Also depicted in Figure 1 are Electronic Devices (EL-DEVs) 100 according to embodiments of the invention such as described and depicted below. As depicted in Figure 1 the EL-DEVs 100 communicate directly to the Network. The EL-DEVs 100 may communicate to the Network through one or more wireless or wired interfaces included those, for example, selected from the group comprising IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU-R 5.150, ITU- R 5.280, IMT-1000, DSL, Dial-Up, DOCSIS, Ethernet, G.hn, ISDN, MoCA, PON, and Power line communication (PLC).

[0068] Now referring to Figure 2 there is depicted an Electronic Device 204 and network access point 207 supporting CAC-SAP features according to embodiments of the invention. Electronic Device 204 may, for example, be a PED and / or FED and may include additional elements beyond those described and depicted. Also depicted within the Electronic Device 204 is the protocol architecture as part of a simplified functional diagram of a System 200 that includes an Electronic Device 204, such as a smartphone 155, an access point (AP) 206, such as first AP 110, and one or more network devices 207, such as communication servers, streaming media servers, and routers for example such as first and second servers 190A and 190B respectively. Network devices 207 may be coupled to AP 206 via any combination of networks, wired, wireless and / or optical communication links such as discussed above in respect of Figure 1 as well as directly as indicated. Network devices 207 are coupled to Network and therein Social Networks (SOCNETS) 165, first and second service providers 170A and 170B respectively, first and second third party service providers 170C and 170D respectively, a user 170E, first and second enterprises 175 A and 175B respectively, first and second organizations 175C and 175D respectively, and a government entity 175E.

[0069] The Electronic Device 204 includes one or more processors 210 and a memory 212 coupled to processor(s) 210. AP 206 also includes one or more processors 211 and a memory 213 coupled to processor(s) 210. A non-exhaustive list of examples for any of processors 210and 211 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC) and the like. Furthermore, any of processors 210 and 211 may be part of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or may be a part of application specific standard products (ASSPs). A non- exhaustive list of examples for memories 212 and 213 includes any combination of the following semiconductor devices such as registers, latches, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory devices, non-volatile random access memory devices (NVRAM), SDRAM, DRAM, double data rate (DDR) memory devices, SRAM, universal serial bus (USB) removable memory, and the like.

[0070] Electronic Device 204 may include an audio input element 214, for example a microphone, and an audio output element 216, for example, a speaker, coupled to any of processors 210. Electronic Device 204 may include a video input element 218, for example, a video camera or camera, and a video output element 220, for example an LCD display, coupled to any of processors 210. Electronic Device 204 also includes a keyboard 215 and touchpad 217 which may for example be a physical keyboard and touchpad allowing the user to enter content or select functions within one of more applications 222. Alternatively, the keyboard 215 and touchpad 217 may be predetermined regions of a touch sensitive element forming part of the display within the Electronic Device 204. The one or more applications 222 that are typically stored in memory 212 and are executable by any combination of processors 210. Electronic Device 204 also includes accelerometer 260 providing three-dimensional motion input to the process 210 and GNSS 262 which provides geographical location information to processor 210.

[0071] Electronic Device 204 includes a protocol stack 224 and AP 206 includes a communication stack 225. Within system 200 protocol stack 224 is shown as IEEE 802.11 protocol stack but alternatively may exploit other protocol stacks such as an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) multimedia protocol stack for example. Likewise, AP stack 225 exploits a protocol stack but is not expanded for clarity. Elements of protocol stack 224 and AP stack 225 may be implemented in any combination of software, firmware and / or hardware. Protocol stack 224 includes an IEEE 802.11 -compatible PHY module 226 that is coupled to one or more Front-End Tx / Rx & Antenna 228, an IEEE 802.11 -compatible MAC module 230 coupled to an IEEE 802.2-compatible LLC module 232. Protocol stack 224 includes a network layer IP module 234, a transport layer User Datagram Protocol (UDP) module 236 and a transport layer Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) module 238.

[0072] Protocol stack 224 also includes a session layer Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) module 240, a Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) module 242, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) module 244 and a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) module 246. Protocol stack 224 includes a presentation layer media negotiation module 248, a call control module 250, one or more audio codecs 252 and one or more video codecs 254. Applications 222 may be able to create maintain and / or terminate communication sessions with any of devices 207 by way of AP 206. Typically, applications 222 may activate any of the SAP, SIP, RTSP, media negotiation and call control modules for that purpose. Typically, information may propagate from the SAP, SIP, RTSP, media negotiation and call control modules to PHY module 226 through TCP module 238, IP module 234, LLC module 232 and MAC module 230.

[0073] It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that elements of the Electronic Device 204 may also be implemented within the AP 206 including but not limited to one or more elements of the protocol stack 224, including for example an IEEE 802.11 -compatible PHY module, an IEEE 802.11 -compatible MAC module, and an IEEE 802.2-compatible LLC module 232. The AP 206 may additionally include a network layer IP module, a transport layer User Datagram Protocol (UDP) module and a transport layer Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) module as well as a session layer Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) module, a Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) module, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) module and a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) module, media negotiation module, and a call control module. Portable and fixed electronic devices represented by Electronic Device 204 may include one or more additional wireless or wired interfaces in addition to the depicted IEEE 802.11 interface which may be selected from the group comprising IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU-R 5.150, ITU-R 5.280, IMT-1000, DSL, Dial-Up, DOCSIS, Ethernet, G.hn, ISDN, MoCA, PON, and Power line communication (PLC).

[0074] Also depicted in Figure 2 are Electronic Devices (EL-DEVs) 100 according to embodiments of the invention such as described and depicted below. As depicted in Figure 2 an EL-DEVs 100 may communicate directly to the Network. Other EL-DEVs 100 may communicate to the Network Device 207, Access Point 206, and Electronic Device 204. Some EL-DEVs 100 may communicate directly to other EL-DEVs 100. Within Figure 2 the EL- DEVs 100 coupled to the Network and Network Device 207 communicate via wired interfaces. The EL-DEVs 100 coupled to the Access Point 206 and Electronic Device 204 communicate via wireless interfaces. Each EL-DEV 100 may communicate to another electronic device, e.g. Access Point 206, Electronic Device 204 and Network Device 207, or a network, e.g. Network.Each EL-DEV 100 may support one or more wireless or wired interfaces including those, for example, selected from the group comprising IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, UMTS, GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, GPRS, ITU-R 5.138, ITU-R 5.150, ITU-R 5.280, IMT-1000, DSL, Dial-Up, DOCSIS, Ethernet, G.hn, ISDN, MoCA, PON, and Power line communication (PLC).

[0075] Within embodiments of the invention an EL-DEV 100 may include, but not be limited to, an Electronic Device 204 as depicted in Figure 2, a FED, a PED or an electronic device with a subset of the functionality - elements described and depicted with respect to Electronic Device 204. Within embodiments of the invention an EL-DEV 100 may include, but not be limited to, an electrical receptable, switch receptable or an insert as described below with respect to configurable in-wall devices such as described by the inventors within this specification such as described and depicted in respect to Figures 3, 4 and 6, configurable receptacles such as described and depicted in respect to Figure 5, Arbitrarily Configurable Sensor and Control (ACSC) modules and inserts such as described and depicted in respect to Figures 7 and 8. Accordingly, within embodiments of the invention described below a personal device and / or a control device may be instantiated as an EL-DEV 100 with all or a subset of the functionality described below with respect to these personal devices and / or control devices.

[0076] Whilst within the following description embodiments of the invention are described with respect to electrical receptables and switch receptacles as forming elements of an infrastructure within which embodiments of the invention may operate discretely or in combination with these electrical receptables and switch receptacles directly or via inserts providing additional functionality to the electrical receptables and switch receptacles. Inserts requiring electrical power may also be housed within elements of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or lighting fixtures for example.

[0077] An EL-DEV 100 may be an Electronic Device 204 where each EL-DEV 100 may have a defined subset of the elements of Electronic Device 204 or additional elements. Within the following description a personal device represents one type of EL-DEV 100 whilst a control device represents another type of EL-DEV 100. It would be further evident based upon the description that elements of Contextually Aware Communication Systems, Applications and Platforms such as electrical receptacles with and without inserts, switch receptacles with and without inserts and Arbitrarily Configurable Sensor and Control (ACSC) module represent other EL-DEVs 100.

[0078] Optionally, rather than wired and. / or wireless communication interfaces devices may exploit other communication interfaces such as optical communication interfaces and / orsatellite communications interfaces. Optical communications interfaces may support Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, SONET, Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) etc.

[0079] Electrical receptacles, electrical switches and inserts as described within this specification may exploit concepts established by the inventors within U.S. Patent 8,496,342 entitled “Configurable Electrical Receptacles”; U.S. Patent 10,720,764 entitled “Configurable Safety Light Receptacle”; PCT / CA2020 / 051264 entitled “Methods and Devices for Intelligent Reconfigurable Electrical Device” published as WO / 2021 / 056100 and PCT / CA2022 / 051427 entitled “Arbitrarily Configurable Sensors and Electrical Devices” published as WO / 2023 / 049996 for example. Other approaches to increased functionality of building electrical infrastructure including but not limited to electrical receptacles, electrical switches, removable and non-removable inserts etc. may be employed within embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the patent.

[0080] Figure 3 depicts electrical receptacles and switches supporting network elements for Contextually Aware Communication Systems, Applications and Platforms (CAC-SAPs) according to embodiments of the invention with configurable inserts and options to restrict inserts to electrical receptacles only, electrical switches only, and both electrical receptacles and switches according to an embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, an electrical receptacle 350A is depicted wherein inserts from first insert group 300A and second insert group 300B can be inserted into its cavity and make the appropriate electrical and mechanical connections to power the insert and form configurable electrical receptacle 350C. Similarly, switch receptacle 350B may be employed in combination with an insert selected from the second insert group 300B and third insert group 300C which when inserted into the cavity makes the appropriate electrical and mechanical connections to power the insert and form and provide configurable switch receptacle 350D. Accordingly, three classes of insert are defined:• First class 300A which fit the electrical receptacle 350A only;• Second class 300B which fit either the electrical receptacle 350 A or switch receptacle350B; and• Third class 300C which fit the switch receptacle 350B only.

[0081] Examples of insets include, but are not limited to, a blank insert, Wi-Fi node, a wireless transceiver, a light, a camera, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) or array of LEDS, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a DC power interface, an AC power interface, a communications interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) for example, a chemical sensor, a smoke detector, an infrared sensor, a visible light sensor, a microphone, a loudspeaker, a motion detector, a security systemsensor, a radon detector, a noxious gas detector such as a carbon dioxide detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a natural gas detector.

[0082] Figure 4 depicts first and second configurable electrical Receptacles 410 and 440 which support network elements for CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention wherein the installed functionality can be set at installation leaving the post-installation receptacle configuration. Referring to first Receptacle 410 then it supports insertion of two electrical elements into the upper and lower cavities and an insert into the middle insert cavity. Alternate electrical elements 420A to 420D are depicted comprising an electrical socket (Type B), a dual USB interface, another electrical socket (Type C), and a 2.1mm DC socket. As depicted the second element cavity is configured as a 180° rotation of the first element cavity such that, for example, first electrical element 420A can be used in both cavities. Optionally, within other embodiments of the invention such a configuration may be limited such that different upper and lower elements are required. Further, the concept discussed supra in respect of configuring inserts to fit only certain receptacles can be applied such that only certain electrical elements can be inserted into one or other cavity or both cavities etc. Once the electrical elements have been inserted a cover (not depicted for clarity) is attached such that the only removable element is an insert into the central cavity of the Receptacle 410. Second Receptable 440 in contrast has a single cavity plus the insert cavity. Accordingly, the electrical element inserted into the single cavity may be larger in footprint than the electrical elements inserted into the cavities of first Receptacle 410. Depicted are first to fourth Electrical Elements 430A to 430D respectively comprising a touch dimmer switch 430A, a rotary dimmer switch 430B, a toggle switch 430C and a further electrical socket (Type G).

[0083] Accordingly, first and second Receptacles 410 and 440 may in common with electrical receptacle 350A and switch receptacle 350B be Electrical Devices 100 as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 based upon wired electrical interfaces or wireless interfaces integral to them or added via the inserts. Similarly, the first and second Receptacles 410 and 440 may in common with electrical receptacle 350A and switch receptacle 350B may be configured post-installation through the removable inserts such that their functionality is defined post-installation and can be subsequently changed by the removal of one insert and the insertion of another. Whilst the designs depicted in Figures 3 and 4 show single cavities for removable inserts it would be evident that other receptacles may support 2 or more cavities and in some instance only support inserts with no pre-defined functionality.

[0084] Figure 5 depicts exemplary geometries for a configurable receptacle supporting network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention which may be fitted to a range of electronic devices or electrical devices which are deployed within a range of environments rather than within elements of electrical infrastructure or HVAC infrastructure for example. Accordingly, first and second geometries 500A and 500B depict panel mounting configurations wherein the receptacle would snap fit upon insertion though an opening within a panel forming a portion of the device within which the receptacle is to be fitted. Third geometry 500C depicts a screw mounting configuration wherein the receptacle fits within or behind an opening within a panel forming a portion of the device within which the receptacle is to be fitted and is screwed to the panel or another element of the device. It would be evident that other configurations may be configured but within each one or more Cavities 1510 are disposed which provide for the retention, keying, and electrical connection etc. of an insert or inserts, not depicted for clarity.

[0085] Figure 6 depicts a schematic of a receptacle for incorporating an insert comprising a Contextually Aware Communication Nano-Hub 600 supporting artificial intelligence based decision making and / or network elements for CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention. Disposed within the Receptacle 670 are a Function 610, first to third Inserts 620 to 640 respectively, Electronics 650 and Electrical Interface 690. Electrical Interface 690 providing connection to a power distribution network within an element of infrastructure the Receptacle 670 is disposed within. Also depicted are first and second Inserts 620 and 630 respectively. Disposed within the first Insert 620 is an AIAL Nano-Hub 660 and within the second Insert 630 an Interface 680. Accordingly, each of the Function 610, third Insert 640 and first and second Inserts 620 and 630 communicate to the AIAL Nano-Hub 660 via the Electronics 650, although they may communicate directly within other embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the AIAL Nano-Hub 660 may determine an action or actions with respect to one or more of the Function 610, third Insert 640 and first and second Inserts 620 and 630 from data received by the AIAL Nano-Hub 660 from all or a subset of the Function 610, third Insert 640 and first and second Inserts 620 and 630 or in conjunction with data received from functions and / or inserts of one or more other Receptacles 670 or other PEDs, FEDs, wearable devices, sensors etc. linked to the AIAL Hub 660. Optionally, the AIAL Hub 660 may communicate via the Interface 680 forming part of the second Insert 630. Such a communications interface may, for example, be a wired interface and / or a wireless interface such as described above in respect of Figures 1 and 2. Each of the first to third Inserts 620 to 640 may be a demountable insert or a non-demountable insert.

[0086] Figure 7 depicts an Arbitrarily Configurable Sensor and Control (ACSC) module and inserts which may be employed as part of an ACSC array to provide network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention. First to third Images 700 A to 700CC depict an ACSC module according to an embodiment of the invention supporting inserts to configure and reconfigure additional functionality to the ACSC module. Within first to third Images 700A to 700C an ACSC Module 710 is depicted comprising a Power Interface 750 for connecting to a power supply, e.g., an AC or DC power supply, a Card Interface 730, e.g., a Secure Digital (SD) card such as SD, SDHC, SDXC. SDUC, or other interface for connecting a digital memory to the ACSC Module 710 such as a USB interface, Lightning interface etc. The Card Interface 730 allowing data and / or software to be loaded to or transferred from the ACSC Module 710.

[0087] The ACSC Module 710 further comprises a Cavity 740 allowing the insertion and removal of inserts such as described and depicted above to provide additional functionality to be added to the ACSC Module 710 and adjusted according to evolving requirements. Whilst the ACSC Module 710 is depicted with a single Cavity 740 it would be evident that other ACSC Modules may comprise N cavities, where N> 0 and an integer.

[0088] The ACSC Module 710 further comprises first to fourth Slots 720(A) to 720(D) within the top, right, left and bottom surfaces of the ACSC Module 710. Each of the first to fourth Slots 720(A) to 720(D) respectively supports the insertion of a Bus Interconnection Element (BIE) such as described within PCT / CA2022 / 051427 entitled “Arbitrarily Configurable Sensors and Electrical Devices”, for example, which allow for a number of M ACSC modules, such as ACSC Module 710 to be stacked and interconnected in an arbitrary manner with respect to a base module rather than within a defined sequence. The BIE(s) and Slot(s) provide for electrical interconnection between adjacent ACSC Modules, either laterally or vertically, in a manner where additional mechanical interfaces to secure the electrical connections are either not required and / or difficult to make between adjacent ACSC Modules. Optionally, additional mechanical interfaces may be provided to secure adjacent ACSC modules.

[0089] Whilst the ACSC Module 710 further comprises first to fourth Slots 720(A) to 720(D) it would be evident that within other embodiments of the invention the number of slots upon each surface of an ACSC Module may vary and may vary surface to surface. The number of slots per surface may be 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. Whilst no slots are depicted within the front and rear surfaces of the ACSC Module 710 slots may be provided within these to support other mechanical configurations and assembly configurations. However, the locations of these slots upon each surface are predetermined with respect to a defined aspect of the mechanical shellof the ACSC Module such that slots within each pair of adjacent ACSC Modules align based upon mechanical alignment of the ACSC Modules themselves. For example, the slots are defined heights and lengths away from the bottom rear left comer such that even if the width, height and length of ACSC Modules varies the slots are aligned when the ACSC Modules are aligned at their rear.

[0090] Figure 8 depicts ACSC Array configurations with a Base ACSC Module providing network elements supporting CAC-SAPs according to embodiments of the invention. In first Array 800A a series of ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) are connected to a Base ACSC 820. The number N being a positive integer or zero as a Base ACSC 820 can be deployed on its own. Each ACSC Module 810(1) to 810(N) and / or Base ACSC 820 can provide discrete integral functionality of an electronic device or electrical device and may include one or more cavities for insertion of an Insert such as described above to provide additional configuration options and reconfigurability. Further, as discussed above each of the ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) within the series of ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) can be placed in any position relative to the others unless one of the ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) is defined as a cap module wherein the cap module is always positioned at the distal end of the series of ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) from the Base ACSC 820. Whilst the orientation depicted has the Base ACSC 820 at the bottom of the series of the ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) the sequence may be inverted with the Base ACSC 820 always being the top ACSC module. Alternatively, the ACSC Modules 810(1) to 810(N) and Base ACSC 820 may be designed to form the ACSC array from left to right or vice versa or front to back or vice versa. Other configurations such as staggered stacking may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0091] In second Image 800B an ACSC Array 800B comprising an upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) which are connected to one side of a Base ACSC 840. The number N being a positive integer or there may be no upper ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) as a Base ACSC 2620 can be deployed on its own. Disposed to the other side of the Base ACSC 2620 are a lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) where the number Mis a positive integer or there are no lower ACSC Modules 840(1) to 840(M) within other configurations. Within embodiments of the invention the upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) may be configured differently to lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) so that they can only be “stacked” on a predetermined side of the Base ACSC Module 840 whilst the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) are configured so that they can only be “stacked” on a different predetermined side of the Base ACSC Module 840. Alternatively, the ACSCModules may be configured such that they can be part of either the upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) or the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) respectively and could in fact be replicated in each. Whilst the upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) and the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) respectively are depicted as being on opposite sides of the Base ACSC Module 840 they may be on different non-opposite sides, e.g. a top and a side, a first side and a second side not opposite the first side, or the same side without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0092] Each upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) and the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) respectively and / or Base ACSC 840 can provide discrete integral functionality as discussed above or may include one or more cavities for insertion of an Insert such as described above to provide additional configuration options and reconfigurability. Further, as discussed above each of the ACSC Modules within each of the upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) and the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) respectively can be placed in any position relative to the others unless one of the ACSC Modules is defined as a cap module wherein the cap module is always positioned at the distal end of either of the upper series of ACSC Modules 830(1) to 830(N) and the lower series of ACSC Modules 850(1) to 850(M) respectively from the Base ACSC 840.

[0093] It would be evident to one of skill in the art that the concepts described and depicted within Figures 3 to 8 provide for fixed functionality and reconfigurable functionality for elements deployed within an area, which may be indoors, outdoors or a combination thereof. Accordingly, a range of functions can be added to conventional electrical elements, network elements and HVAC elements etc. to provide additional functionality through, but not limited to, additional electrical interfaces, additional control interfaces, localized AI / ME decision making and / or data processing, and additional sensors, to the base functionality installed within the area. Further, the added functionality through removable and / or post-installation insertable elements can be configured post-installation such that an initial deployment can be upgraded or modified in light of evolving requirements. For example, a room previously assigned to storage within a building may be initially absent additional sensors but subsequently becomes an office or classroom such that provisioning additional sensors to include the room within a monitored security system or crisis management system becomes possible.

[0094] As discussed herein, some aspects of the present invention (of many aspects and embodiments described herein) relate to crisis communication systems which may comprise at least a first personal device of a plurality of personal devices, at least a first control device and at least one camera located in a facility wherein the first personal device or each of the pluralityof personal devices comprises a crisis alert actuator, a personal device wireless transmitter, a personal device wireless receiver, a display and a readable storage medium, is configured to be assigned to a defined person and the readable storage medium of the first personal device configured to store identification information regarding the first person. The first personal device is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, automatically send at least a first location signal of the first personal device to the first control device, the first location signal of the first personal device being indicative of a then current location of the first personal device where the first control device comprising a first control device wireless receiver and a first control device wireless transmitter and is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, automatically initiate a feed the at least one camera to the first control device. Where a device comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter and the receiver together can be in the form of a transceiver.

[0095] As also discussed herein, the present invention relates to personal devices and control devices as described above and herein, as well as methods that comprise operating any of the crisis communication systems, personal devices or control devices described herein, including methods comprising any aspect of actions described herein in relation to the crisis communication systems, personal devices or control devices. Within the representative embodiments described herein of the invention, a plurality of users of personal devices (e.g., faculty and administrators in a school) each has their own personal device (each personal device is “assigned” to an individual person). Upon a user of a personal device discerning what they believe to be a crisis situation, that user can actuate a crisis alert actuator on that user's personal device. Such actuation can be any desired action, e.g., a single press of a push button on the personal device, a single touch on a region of a touchscreen (e.g., capacitive or resistive), a series of such pressing or touching (e.g., three taps), of any duration (e.g., pressing or touching instantaneously or for at least a threshold duration), alone or in any suitable combination (e.g. three taps followed by holding for at least four seconds, or any type of touches, e.g.. hard- touches, soft-touches, multi-triggering, etc.).

[0096] Optionally, if the personal device is paired with or exchanges data with a PED associated with the user such as a biometric sensor or a smartwatch incorporating a biometric sensor then abnormal biometric data may be sufficient for the personal device to trigger an alert independent of the user performing any other action, e.g. the user is having a heart- attack, or the biometric data may be employed in conjunction with the user performing another action with respect to the personal device to reduce false-alarms, e.g. an elevated heart rate, respiration rate may indicate stress increasing the likelihood that the user action is validly associated withtriggering a crisis. Optionally, the biometric data may be pushed with the alert to the control device(s) directly or via a remote server etc.

[0097] Upon any user of a personal device actuating their crisis alert actuator, any of a variety of actions can be taken automatically by the control device (or any of two or more control devices), and / or by any of one or more users of the control device (or control devices). For example, in a representative school setting, each of a plurality of users of control devices (e.g., a school principal, a school vice-principal, a school security officer, one or more first responders local to the school, a police department local to the school) has a control device, and each of those control devices receives a crisis alert signal upon a crisis alert actuator on a personal device being actuated.

[0098] Upon a control device receiving a crisis alert signal from a particular personal device, the control device and / or that personal device automatically cause at least one camera to be turned on. Output from that camera (video, snapshots, etc.) is automatically transmitted to the control device (or control devices). In some embodiments, output from that camera is also automatically transmitted to one or more other personal devices, and / or a user of a control device can cause and / or authorize output from that camera to be sent to one or more other personal devices.

[0099] In other embodiments the camera is automatically turned on when the alert is triggered such that content is acquired and available to those responding to the crisis from the instant the alert is triggered rather than when a control device authorizes the content. This may be defined by jurisdictional laws, employment contracts, etc. Optionally, the camera may be automatically turned on if acquired biometric data indicates the user is under stress when the alert is triggered and the camera may be remotely activated in other instances when the biometric data does not indicate stress but the alert has been triggered.

[0100] Whilst the description is presented with respect to a camera it would be evident that this implies an audiovisual content acquisition device which may be a microphone, a microphone and camera, etc. Within an embodiment of the invention audio data only is acquired, in others visual data only, and in others audiovisual data.

[0101] In an embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a crisis alert signal from a particular personal device, the control device and / or that personal device ensures that nothing audible (e.g., noises, words or vibration) is emitted from that personal device.

[0102] In an embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a crisis alert signal from a particular personal device, the control device is configured to automatically send at least one text message and / or at least one image to that personal device (and optionally also to one ormore additional personal devices), and any such text message is displayed in the display of that personal device (and optionally also to one or more additional personal devices).

[0103] In an embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a crisis alert signal from a particular personal device, the control device is configured to permit a user of the control device to send text messages and / or images to that personal device (and optionally also to one or more additional personal devices), and any such text message or image is displayed in the display of that personal device (and optionally also to one or more additional personal devices).

[0104] In an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a plurality of cameras, and the first control device is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the personal device (or any of a plurality of personal device), automatically determine which camera, among the plurality of cameras, to activate, and to automatically initiate feed from that camera.

[0105] In an embodiment of the invention, upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the personal device (or any of a plurality of personal device), any user of a control device can cause any camera in the facility to be turned on, and / or authorize output from any camera in the facility to be sent to any control device and / or any personal device. For example, such cameras may be within electrical receptacles, switch receptacles, ACSC modules etc. as well as any other security system as described above with respect to Figures 3 to 8. Such embedding of cameras, microphones etc. discretely into the building infrastructure is likely to mean that in the event of a crisis when conventional security cameras are disabled responders to the crisis may still be provided with audiovisual content.

[0106] In an embodiment of the invention the system is configured to have the capability of obtaining location information for each personal device, for example by the personal devices association with a wireless transceiver within a room. Such wireless transceivers may again form part of the infrastructure of the facility by their inclusion within electrical receptacles, switch receptacles, ACSC modules etc. Based upon the location information the system which may comprise a plurality of cameras is configured such that the first control device, upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator of a first personal device, to automatically determine which camera, among the plurality of cameras, is closest to the location of the first personal device, and to automatically initiate feed from said camera that is closest to the location of the first personal device.

[0107] In an embodiment of the invention, the camera in the system, or any other camera in the system, is prevented from being turned on until a crisis alert actuator of one or more personal device in the system has been actuated. Such embodiments can be effective for giving assurance to personal device users that they, or their surroundings, will not be displayed on anyvideo / photo device (or recorded on any recording device), except where (or near where) and when a crisis situation is ongoing.

[0108] In an embodiment of the invention, a personal device and / or a control device is prevented from detecting a location of a user of a personal device until a crisis alert actuator of a personal device in the system has been actuated. Such embodiments can be effective for giving assurance to personal device users that their location will not be detected except when a crisis situation is ongoing.

[0109] In an embodiment of the invention, upon a crisis alert actuator of any personal device in the system being actuated, the control device is configured to permit a user of the control device to one or more of turn on any camera in the system, send audible messages to any personal device in the system (except for the personal device from which the crisis alert was initiated or those within a defined range of that personal device), send a text message or messages to any personal device in the system, and cause any personal device in the system, other than the personal device from which the crisis alert was initiated, to vibrate; and / or deactivate speakers in any personal devices in the system; etc.

[0110] In an embodiment of the invention, upon a crisis alert actuator of any personal device in the system being actuated, a signal is automatically sent from a control device to one or more other personal devices in the system.

[0111] In an embodiment of the invention, upon a crisis alert actuator of any personal device in the system being actuated, a signal is automatically sent from a control device to one or more other personal devices in the system (i.e., other than the personal device through which the crisis alert was initiated or those within a defined range of that personal device), to cause those other personal devices to emit at least one audible message and / or noise, and after that at least one audible message or noise is emitted, the personal devices are prevented from emitting any more audible messages or noises.

[0112] In an embodiment of the invention, upon a crisis alert actuator of any personal device in the system being actuated, a speaker in the personal device from which the crisis alert was initiated, or those within a defined range of that personal device, is automatically deactivated.

[0113] In an embodiment of the invention, any personal device and / or any control device in the system is configured to recognize available communication media suitable for signals to be sent and received. In some embodiments, each personal device and / or any control device is configured to, upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator of a personal device, identify the most robust available communications medium or media (and optionally also platform or platforms),and route, in any suitable way, e.g., by identifying strength-of-signal values for signals received through the wireless receiver of a control device.

[0114] For example, in some embodiments, a personal device (or a control device) is configured to test communications via any kind of wireless signal from a transmitter the device supports, e.g., radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, UV radiation, etc., e.g., Wi-Fi, UHF (e.g., Bluetooth™), RF (e.g., cellular), via any route, via towers, satellite, or any other kind of apparatus, or any route involving combination of such kinds of communication, using any suitable software and to communicate (or instruct the personal device to communicate) in that way, at least until a next communication test.

[0115] For example, the most robust communication might comprise communication through a mesh network within the facility, e.g., through a route from a first personal device to a first component in a mesh network, from the first component in the mesh network to a second component in the mesh network, from the second component in the mesh network to a third component in the mesh network, from the third component in the mesh network to a personal device near the third component in the mesh network, and from the personal device near the third component in the mesh network via cellular to the first control device; for another example, the most robust communication might comprise communication through a mesh network within the facility, e.g., a route from a first personal device to a third personal device via Bluetooth™ , from the third personal device via satellite to the first control device; in other examples, the most robust communication might comprise communication through a route including any other sequence of devices or components, and / or via any other modes of communication between devices or components; in other examples, the most robust communication might be a route from the first personal device directly to a control device via cellular or Wi-Fi (through a router).

[0116] Within embodiments of the invention the personal device may initially seek to exploit a wireless protocol supporting long range communications before seeking to exploit a wireless protocol supporting short range communications. In embodiments of the invention to support extended battery life within the personal device the personal device may seek to initially exploit a wireless protocol supporting short range communications before seeking to exploit a wireless protocol supporting long range communications. As such the personal device may preferentially seek associations with short range wireless transceivers and networks within the facility established through wireless transceivers which may be within electrical receptacles, switch receptacles, ACSC modules etc. It would be evident that responders may add additionalwireless nodes through adding inserts to electrical receptacles, switch receptacles, ACSC modules etc. if coverage is poor, missing etc.

[0117] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device is configured to transmit information, text, images and / or signals to or through another device of the user associated with the personal device, e.g., a teacher’s PED. In an embodiment of the invention, color can be used (e.g., a color in a background of a portion of the screen on the personal device) to help a user (who might be panicking) to more easily comprehend information being transmitted to the user (e.g., green signifies particular a normal status, red signifies a new alert the user should address, yellow signifies an alert has been triggered but the user does not need to address now but that may escalate etc.). If, in some crises a personal device is acquired by an instigator of the crisis, e.g. an intruder into the school, armed student etc., the colour coding may limit the knowledge the instigator acquires as the colour code is known by memory to users. In other instances, the colour coding may follow a defined colour coding of the facility, e.g. light blue (flood), black (bomb threat), dark blue (cardiac event), brown (hazardous spill), green (evacuate), orange (external crisis), purple (known hostage situation), red (fire or smoke), silver (active shooter or attacker), and yellow (missing individual).

[0118] In an embodiment of the invention, the display on a personal device is, or includes, (i.e., comprises) a touchscreen, and the prompts on different regions of the touchscreen can be altered, e.g., based on prior selections in response to prior prompts on the touchscreen; for example, if the user of the personal device taps a prompt on the touchscreen for ' 'medical emergency,” the control device automatically causes the personal device to display a next set of prompts to allow the user to select from among “one individual,” ' '2-5 individuals,” and “more than 6 individuals,” and then if the user taps the prompt for “2-5 individuals,” the control device automatically causes the personal device to display a next set of prompts to allow the user to select from among “violence,” “equipment collapse,” “building collapse,” “fire,” “explosion,” “fight,” and “other”, etc. In some embodiments, the control device is configured to automatically obtain information from the personal device and / or automatically provide information to the user of a personal device in accordance with stored or learned response protocols (e.g., those based upon AI / ML processes), e.g., analogous to as in 911 call centers. Such information can comprise stored messages (e.g., “pre-credited text notifications”) that are configured to be sent to a user of a personal device when appropriate, e.g., based on responses by the user to choices from among prompts automatically sent to the user from the control device.

[0119] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more of the personal devices further comprises at least a first non-crisis alert actuator for enabling a user of the personal device to send a non-crisis alert to a control device, e.g., to alert a user of the first control device about a non-crisis situation. In some embodiments, a number of different non-crisis alert actuators (e.g., a plurality of push buttons or prompts on a touchscreen) can be provided on the control devices to enable a user of a control device to quickly send an alert regarding any one of a plurality of non-crisis situations (e.g., personnel changes, absentees, spills, departures from normal schedules (e.g., closing early due to weather conditions), transportation issues (e.g., a delayed or disabled bus), etc. The prompts on different regions of a touchscreen on a personal device can be altered, e.g., based on prior selections in response to prior prompts on the touchscreen or upon a location of the personal device, e.g. on a sports field versus being in a classroom. The logic of the prompts can be user-programmable.

[0120] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more personal devices in a system comprise a non-crisis alert actuator, and upon actuation of a non-crisis alert actuator, a control device automatically sends communications to the personal device through which the crisis alert was initiated and / or to one or more other personal devices. In some embodiments, a number of different non-crisis alert actuators (e.g., a plurality of push buttons or prompts on a touchscreen) can be provided on one or more personal devices to enable a user to quickly send information in response to prompts from the control device.

[0121] In an embodiment of the invention, each personal device is configured to, upon actuation of a non-crisis alert actuator of that personal device, to automatically send at least a first location signal of that personal device to a control device, the first location signal of the first personal device being indicative of a then current location of the first personal device.

[0122] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more personal devices further comprises a cancel actuator (e.g., a push button or a region of a touchscreen), which can also be referred to as a “recall” or “cancel” button, with which a user of the personal device can cancel a crisis alert or a non-crisis alert. In the event of a user triggering a crisis alert and then cancelling it the cancellation to the crisis to other personal devices and control devices may only be made upon verification that the alert was triggering in error or the crisis has passed. This may, for example, be based upon one or more of a visual confirmation or audiovisual confirmation with the user whose personal device triggered the crisis, the user providing a codeword, verification of biometrics of the user and independent verification.

[0123] The identification information regarding the person (user) to whom each personal device is assigned may comprise any of a wide variety of information, including the user'sname, user biometric information, user credentials, and / or one or more locations in which the user is expected to be (the user's classroom, a restroom, an office, etc.).

[0124] A control device (for which, as discussed above, a user can optionally be any of a number of people, e.g., a school principal, a school vice-principal, a school security officer, a first responder, a police department, etc.) may be a PED or FED or any suitable device executing a software application directly or remotely that provides the user with the necessary interfaces to support functioning as a control device. Similarly, whilst a personal device is generally described as being a discrete PED independent of any personal PED of the user it may alternatively be a personal device of the user executing a software application directly or remotely that provides the user with the necessary interfaces to support functioning as a personal device. In instances of the control device and / or personal device being actual personal devices of a user then the software application may be geofenced and / or time limited such that, for example, the personal device can only execute that software application within the geofence of the school and between the hours of 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday. More complicated calendars, time limits, geofences etc. may be established without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0125] In an embodiment of the invention, the control device (or a plurality of control devices) receives information about a facility upon a request by a user of the control device and / or automatically upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator in that facility. Such information can comprise any kind of information, e.g., a map of the facility or a region within the facility, information regarding resources (e.g., resource officers, weapons, defibrillators, medications, fire extinguishers, fire pulls, sprinklers, sirens, features designed to enable a person in the facility to be debilitated or confused, etc.) in or near the facility, and the locations of such resources, information regarding locations of locks in the facility, information regarding locations of locks in the facility that can be locked or unlocked by a user of a control device, information regarding barricades in the facility, information regarding barricades in the facility that can be activated or deactivated by a user of a control device, etc. In some instances, devices within a facility can be caused to perform specific actions (e.g., a door is caused to unlock and / or open) upon specific things happening, e.g., a push button is pressed or a specific region of a touchscreen is touched simultaneously with or within a preset time interval of an RF signal that provides authentication being emitted by a personal device or control device. In some instances, authentication can be established by the user's voice being detected by a voice recognition element in the personal device and / or in the control device, and / or a combination of a voice being recognized and a specific word or phrase being vocalized.

[0126] In an embodiment of the invention, the control device (or a plurality of control devices) receives information about people in a facility upon a request by a user of a control device or automatically upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator in that facility. Such information can comprise any kind of information, e.g., rosters (e.g., student lists), attendance information (e.g., current day attendance or scheduled working hours). In an embodiment of the invention the smart infrastructure of the building may count bodies into and out of specific areas such that in the instance a crisis alert is triggered a more accurate disposition of individuals within the facility can be established. For example, a classroom that should have 24 students and 1 teacher currently has none but a gym that should have none has 22 students and 1 teacher. If a facility goes into lockdown such that doors are automatically locked these room counts in conjunction with corridor counts can provide responders to the crisis with important information as to the location of individuals. The users locations being identified generally through the association of their personal device to specific network elements in defined locations.

[0127] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device is configured to permit a user of that control device to operate devices in the facility, e.g., to lock or unlock doors, to activate resources in the facility (e.g., controlling lights, controlling emergency lighting, controlling alarms, controlling other noise-makers, controlling output of jamming signals, activating or deactivating barricades, activating or deactivating actions intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator (e.g., noises to cause a perpetrator to believe that they are trapped by law enforcement).

[0128] In an embodiment of the invention, the crisis communication system is configured to determine, upon receiving conflicting instructions from different users of control devices, which instructions to implement.

[0129] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device and / or a personal device is, / are configured to translate incoming signals, messages, audio, or images from one language to another, and / or to translate outgoing signals, messages, audio or images from one language to another.

[0130] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device and / or a personal device is / are configured to operate devices (e.g., lights), and / or access information or data from external sources, e.g., through any suitable platform, e.g., anything accessible via the Internet (for example, devices such as electrical receptacles, electrical switches and ACSC modules as described within this specification).

[0131] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device and / or a personal device accesses and / or employs artificial intelligence and / or machine learning (AI / ML), e.g., to assist in determining an action or actions to be taken (e.g., what to focus on, or what strategies to employ) based on one or more AI / ML processes assessing information, texts and / or utterances from personal devices, noise and / or motion etc.

[0132] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device is configured to transmit information, text, images and / or signals to a pre-defined group, the pre-defined group comprising, e.g., one or more control devices and / or one or more personal devices, e.g., a message to a particular user of a control device to contact another particular user of a control device

[0133] In an embodiment of the invention, a control device is configured to, upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator of a personal device, to permit a user of the control device to record audio and / or video / photo received from one or more personal devices based upon the user electing to do so. In an embodiment of the invention, a control device is configured to, upon actuation of a crisis alert actuator of a personal device, automatically record audio and / or video / photo received from one or more personal devices.

[0134] In an embodiment of the invention, a personal device is configured to enable a user of the personal device to send to a control device a signal, text, an image and / or information, by actuating a particular push button or touching a particular region of a touchscreen, or a series of actuating push buttons and / or touching touchscreen regions, on the personal device, e.g., to identify a type of crisis alert, to indicate status of people in the user's vicinity (e.g., “all students accounted for”), to indicate the existence of an injury or a type of injury, etc.

[0135] In general, personal devices of the invention may be configured without cameras, in order to avoid the possibility of a personal device rapidly depleting its battery, although in some embodiments, a personal device can be configured to take intermittent photos, or to permit a camera on the personal device to be activated, e.g., by a user of a control device. In some instances a facility configuration may be established wherein if sufficient cameras are present within a region the camera on a personal device is not activated in any circumstance.

[0136] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more control devices comprise a voice recognition element. In some embodiments, the voice recognition element is configured: to recognize a voice of a person assigned to any of the plurality of personal devices; to convert sound into text; to recognize at least one specific word or expression voiced by a person assigned to any of the plurality of personal devices; and / or to recognize at least one specific word or expression voiced. The specific word or expression may be a usual phrase, e.g. “whatare you doing here?, or it may be a specific phrase not typically employed so that a false alert trigger is not generated, such as “You me go” or a coined word or phrase. It may optionally be a colour with a keyword to align with the codes of the facility, e.g. as outlined above, such that “23 Red” is fire in room 23.

[0137] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured: to translate sound in a first language into text or sound in a second language; to translate text in a first language into sound in a second language; to translate text in a first language into text in a second language; to translate sound in a first language into sound in a second language; and / or to translate sound in a first language into text in a second language.

[0138] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system, comprising: a plurality of personal devices, the plurality of personal devices comprising at least a first personal device and a second personal device; at least a first control device; and a plurality of cameras, each of the plurality of cameras located in a facility; wherein each of the plurality of personal devices comprises a crisis alert actuator, a personal device wireless transmitter, a personal device wireless receiver, a display and a readable storage medium; the first personal device configured to be assigned to a first person, the second personal device configured to be assigned to a second person; the readable storage medium of the first personal device configured to store identification information regarding the first person; the readable storage medium of the second personal device configured to store identification information regarding the second person; the first personal device configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, automatically send at least a first location signal of the first personal device to the first control device, the first location signal of the first personal device being indicative of a then current location of the first personal device; the first control device comprising a first control device wireless receiver and a first control device wireless transmitter, andthe first control device configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, automatically determine at least one camera, among the plurality of cameras, to be activated, and to automatically initiate feed from said at least One camera to the first control device.

[0139] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, automatically determine which camera, among the plurality of cameras, is closest to the closest to the location of the first personal device, and to automatically initiate output from said camera that is closest to the closest to the location of the first personal device.

[0140] In an embodiment of the invention the second personal device is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the second personal device, automatically send at least a first location signal of the second personal device to the first control device, the first location signal of the second personal device being indicative of a then current location of the second personal device, and the first control device is configured to, upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the second personal device, automatically determine which camera, among the plurality of cameras, is closest to the location of the second personal device, and to automatically initiate feed from said camera that is closest to the location of the second personal device.

[0141] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to turn on any of the plurality of cameras.

[0142] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to automatically turn on any of the plurality of cameras upon receiving a crisis alert signal from any of the personal devices.

[0143] In an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises one or more additional control devices, and the first control devices is configured to permit a user of the first control device to send signals to any of the additional control devices.

[0144] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to send signals to any of the personal devices.

[0145] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to automatically send a signal to at least the second personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0146] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to cause a second personal device to vibrate upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.- 1 -

[0147] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to automatically cause the second personal device to vibrate upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0148] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit any of the cameras to be turned on only upon the control device receiving a crisis alert signal from any of the personal devices.

[0149] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to turn on the first camera only upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0150] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to automatically deactivate a speaker on the first personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0151] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to deactivate a speaker on the first personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0152] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to deactivate a speaker on any of the personal devices.

[0153] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit only inaudible signals to be sent to the first personal device after receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0154] In an embodiment of the invention: the identification information regarding the first person comprises the name of the first person and at least a first region of a facility, and the identification information regarding the second person comprises the name of the second person and at least a second region of the facility.

[0155] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of personal devices comprises a speaker. In some such embodiments, the first control device is configured to automatically deactivate the speaker of the first personal device after actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, and in some of those embodiments, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to deactivate the speaker of the second personal device.

[0156] In an embodiment of the invention, the first personal device is configured to be worn by the first person, and the second personal device is configured to be worn by the second person. In some embodiments: the first personal device is configured to be attached or adhered to at least a first article of clothing of the first person, and the second personal device isconfigured to be attached or adhered to at least a first article of clothing of the second person. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the first personal device and the second personal device are configured to be worn as a lanyard.

[0157] In an embodiment of the invention, the first personal device is configured to be mounted to a building. In some embodiments, the first personal device is configured to be at least one of wall-mounted, floor-mounted and ceiling mounted.

[0158] In an embodiment of the invention, the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device comprises a push button or a touchscreen.

[0159] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device comprises a voice recognition element. In some embodiments the voice recognition element is configured to recognize a voice of a person assigned to any of the plurality of personal devices, and in some of those embodiments the voice recognition element is configured to: recognize at least one of a specific word or expression voiced by a person assigned to any of the plurality of personal devices; convert sound into text; and recognize at least one of a specific word or expression voiced.

[0160] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device further comprises one of: a language translation element that is configured to translate sound in a first language into text or sound in a second language; a language translation element that is configured to translate text in a first language into sound in a second language. the first control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate text in a first language into text in a second language; the first control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate sound in a first language into sound in a second language; and the first control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate sound in a first language into text in a second language.

[0161] In an embodiment of the invention, each personal device comprises a personal device transceiver that comprises the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver for that personal device. In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device comprises a first control device transceiver that comprises the first control device wireless receiver and a first control device wireless transmitter.

[0162] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of personal devices is configured to recognize available communication media suitable for sending signals through the wireless transmitter of that personal device, or receiving signals through the wireless receiver of that personal device.

[0163] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices is configured to identify a robust available communication medium and / or route including, but not limited to, establishing received signal strength indicators for signals received through the wireless receiver of that personal device via different media and / or routes or establishing timing to / from a designated control device or remote server.

[0164] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices is configured to preferentially associated with wireless infrastructure of the facility supporting short range communications.

[0165] In an embodiment of the invention, the display of each of the plurality of personal devices comprises at least a first information screen configured to display text and / or images.

[0166] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device is configured to permit a user of the first control device to send a vibration initiation signal to any of the other personal devices, and each of the personal devices is configured to vibrate upon receiving a vibration initiation signal from the first control device.

[0167] In an embodiment of the invention, for each of the personal devices, the readable storage medium is configured to store, for each of at least one user, a username, credential information regarding the user, and information regarding one or more locations assigned to the user.

[0168] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices comprises a battery status indicator configured to convey information regarding a charge status of a battery of the personal device, and in some of those embodiments, each of the personal devices is configured to actuate an alarm (which can be visual, auditory or tactile) upon a charge of the battery falling below a preset threshold charge value.

[0169] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices further comprises a location tracker that is configured to detect a location of that personal device. In an embodiment of the invention this location tracker comprises one of a location determining element configured to determine a location of that personal device and a location determining element that determines a location of any of the personal devices based on signals sent from that personal device.

[0170] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices is configured to automatically transmit at least one signal for identifying the location of that personal device after actuation of the crisis alert actuator of that personal device.

[0171] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices further comprises a motion detector that is configured to detect motion of that personal device. In some embodiments, each of the personal devices is configured to automatically transmit at least one signal identifying the motion of that personal device after actuation of the crisis alert actuator of that personal device.

[0172] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device further comprises an identity element that is configured to verify an identify of a user of any of the personal devices. In some embodiments, the identity element is configured to verify an identity of the user by the user's voice and / or biometric data of the user.

[0173] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices further comprises a crisis cancellation actuator. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices is configured to permit a user of the personal device to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of the crisis alert cancellation actuator. In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices is configured to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of the crisis alert cancellation actuator of that personal device and verification of at least one of an identity of a user of that personal device, a codeword relating to cancelling the crisis alert, and by another user.

[0174] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices further comprises at least one additional actuator.

[0175] In an embodiment of the invention, each of the personal devices further comprises at least a first non-crisis alert actuator. In some embodiments, each of the first non-crisis alert actuators comprises a push button or a touchscreen region.

[0176] In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the personal devices further comprises at least a first facility management activator. In some embodiments, at least one of the personal devices is configured to cause a command to be carried out in a facility upon verification as to an identity of a user of that personal device, and actuation of the first facility management activator of that personal device, and in some of those embodiments, the command is selected from the group comprising locking a door, unlocking a door, turning a camera on, turning a camera off, opening a barricade, closing a barricade, activating an alarm, deactivating an alarm, turning on a sprinkler and triggering an action intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator associated with the crisis triggering the alert.

[0177] In an embodiment of the invention, the first control device further comprises at least a first facility management activator. In some embodiments, the first control device is configured to cause a command to be carried out in a facility upon verification as to an identity of a user of that personal device, and actuation of the first facility management activator of that personal device, and in some of those embodiments, the command is selected from the group comprising locking a door, unlocking a door, turning a camera on, turning a camera off, opening a barricade, closing a barricade, activating an alarm, deactivating an alarm, turning on a sprinkler and triggering an action intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator associated with the crisis triggering the alert.

[0178] In an embodiment of the invention, each personal device comprises a removable earpiece (or earpieces) that a user of that personal device can remove and insert in or near one of the user's ears (or, in some embodiments, both ears) to allow the user to receive audible communications that are of low enough volume that anyone near that personal device cannot hear the communications (or recognize that the user is receiving any audible communication), but the user of the personal device can hear the communications. The signals to the earpiece(s) may be transmitted to them from the personal device in any suitable way or they may be transmitted directly to the earpieces from local wireless infrastructure in case the personal device has been removed from the user by a perpetrator, for example, or has fallen off in the crisis etc.

[0179] In an embodiment of the invention, each personal device comprises a haptic signal generator such that the user can receive haptic signals, e.g. short vibrations or taps, which provided information to the user.

[0180] The present invention is also directed to crisis communication systems as described within except that the crisis communication system comprises one or more additional control devices. The present invention is also directed to crisis communication systems as described within except that the crisis communication system comprises only a single personal device. The present invention is also directed to crisis communication systems as described within except that the crisis communication system comprises one or more additional control devices and only a single personal device. The present invention is also directed to crisis communication systems as described within except that the crisis communication system comprises only a single camera.

[0181] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a personal device, comprising: a crisis alert actuator;a wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver; a display; and a readable storage medium wherein the readable storage medium is configured to store identification information regarding a person to whom the personal device is assigned; and the personal device configured to automatically turn on a camera assigned to said person to whom the personal device is assigned upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator.

[0182] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to be worn by said person. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the personal device is configured to be attached or adhered to at least one article of clothing and / or the personal device is configured to be worn as a lanyard.

[0183] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to be mounted to a building. In some of such embodiments, the personal device is configured to be at least one of wall-mounted, floor-mounted and ceiling mounted.

[0184] In an embodiment of the invention, the crisis alert actuator comprises a pushbutton or a touchscreen region.

[0185] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device comprises a voice recognition element. In some of such embodiments the voice recognition element is configured to at least one of recognize a voice of said person, covert sound into text, recognize at least one specific word or expression voiced.

[0186] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate sound in a first language into text or sound in a second language.

[0187] In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are separate components. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are both part of a transceiver.

[0188] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to recognize available communication media and / or routes suitable for sending signals through the wireless transmitter or receiving signals through the wireless receiver. In some of such embodiments: the personal device is configured to identify the most robust available communication medium and / or route. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the personal device is configured to identify strength-of-signal values for signals received through the wirelessreceiver of that personal device and / or the personal device is configured to identify strength- of-signal values for signals received from a control device.

[0189] In an embodiment of the invention, the display comprises at least a first information screen configured to display text and / or images. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to vibrate upon receiving a vibration initiation signal In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the readable storage medium is configured to store, for each of at least one user, at least a username, credential information regarding the user, and information regarding one or more locations assigned to the user.

[0190] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises a battery status indicator configured to convey information regarding a charge status of the first battery, and in some of those embodiments, the personal device is configured to actuate an alarm (which can be visual and / or auditory) upon a charge of the first battery falling below a preset threshold charge value.

[0191] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises a location tracker that is configured to detect a location of the personal device. In some of such embodiments, the personal device is configured to automatically transmit at least one signal for identifying the location of the personal device after actuation of the crisis alert actuator.

[0192] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises a motion detector that is configured to detect motion of the personal device. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to automatically transmit at least one signal identifying the motion of the personal device after actuation of the crisis alert actuator.

[0193] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises an identity element that is configured to verify an identify of a user of the personal device. In some of such embodiments the identity element is configured to verify an identity of the user by the user's voice and / or the identify element is configured to verify an identity of the user by biometric data of the user.

[0194] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises a crisis alert cancellation actuator. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the personal device is configured to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of the crisis alert cancellation actuator by a user of the personal device and / or the personal device is configured to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of the crisis alert cancellation actuator and verification as to an identity of a user of the personal device.

[0195] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least one additional actuator. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least a first non-crisis alert actuator. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the first non-crisis alert actuator comprises a pushbutton or a touchscreen region.

[0196] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least a first facility management activator. In some of such embodiments, the personal device is configured to cause a command to be carried out in a facility upon verification as to an identity of a user of the personal device, and actuation of the first facility management activator, and in some of those embodiments, the command is selected from among locking a door, unlocking a door, turning a camera on, turning a camera off, opening a barricade, closing a barricade, activating an alarm, turning on a sprinkler, and taking an action intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator.

[0197] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device comprises a removable earpiece (or earpieces) that a user of the personal device can remove and insert in or near one of the user's ears (or, in some embodiments, both ears) to allow the user to receive audible communications that are of low enough volume that anyone near the personal device cannot hear the communications (or recognize that the user is receiving any audible communication), but the user can hear the communications.

[0198] In some embodiments of the invention, the personal device comprises a speaker. In some embodiments of the invention the personal device is configured to deactivate the speaker after actuation of the crisis alert actuator; and / or the personal device is configured to deactivate the speaker upon receiving a signal from a control device to deactivate the speaker.

[0199] In some embodiments of the invention, the personal device further comprises an identity element that is configured to verify an identify of a user of the personal device. In some embodiments: the identity element is configured to verify an identity of the user by the user's voice; and / or the identify element is configured to verify an identity of the user based upon biometric data of the user provided to the personal device matching biometric data of the user stored within the personal device or within a remote system to which the current biometric information is pushed as part of the identity verification process.

[0200] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises a crisis alert cancellation actuator. In some embodiments the personal device is configured to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of the crisis alert cancellation actuator by a user of the personal device; and / or the personal device is configured to cancel a crisis alert upon actuation of thecrisis alert cancellation actuator and verification as to an identity of a user of the personal device.

[0201] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least one additional actuator, In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least a first non-crisis alert actuator. In some embodiments, the first non-crisis alert actuator comprises a push button or a touchscreen region. In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device further comprises at least a first facility management activator. In some embodiments, the personal device is configured to cause a command to be carried out in a facility upon verification as to an identity of a user of the personal device, and actuation of the first facility management activator, and in some of those embodiments, the command is selected from among locking a door, unlocking a door, turning a camera on, turning a camera off, opening a barricade, closing a barricade, activating an alarm, turning on a sprinkler, and taking an action intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator.

[0202] In an embodiment of the invention, the personal device comprises a removable earpiece (or earpieces) that a user of the personal device can remove and insert in or near one Of the user's ears (or, in some embodiments, both ears) to allow the user to receive audible communications that are Of low enough volume that anyone near the personal device cannot hear the communications (or recognize that the user is receiving any audible communication), but the user can hear the communications.

[0203] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a control device, comprising: a wireless receiver, and a wireless transmitter; wherein the control device configured to: automatically turn on at least a first camera upon receiving a crisis alert signal from a first personal device that is assigned to a person to whom the first camera is assigned; and send signals to the first personal device upon receiving said crisis alert signal.

[0204] In an embodiment of the invention, the control device is configured to turn on any of one or more cameras upon receiving a crisis alert signal from any of one or more crisis alert actuators of a respective one or more personal devices assigned to a respective one or more people.

[0205] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to automatically send a signal to at least a second personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from thefirst personal device. In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to permit a user of the control device to send signals to at least a first personal device.

[0206] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to automatically cause a second personal device to vibrate upon receiving a vibration initiation signal from a first personal device.

[0207] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to turn on a camera only upon receiving a crisis alert signal. In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to permit a first camera to be turned on only upon receiving a crisis alert signal from a first personal device.

[0208] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to permit a user of the control device to deactivate a speaker on any personal device. In an embodiment of the invention

[0209] In an embodiment of the invention control device is configured to permit a user of the control device to deactivate a speaker on a first personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device. In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to automatically deactivate a speaker on any personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from that personal device.

[0210] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to permit only inaudible signals to be sent to a first personal device upon receiving a crisis alert signal from the first personal device.

[0211] In an embodiment of the invention the control device comprises a voice recognition element. In an embodiment of the invention the voice recognition element is configured to recognize at least one of a voice of at least a first person, convert sound into text, recognize at least one word or expression voiced.

[0212] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate sound in a first language into text and / or sound in a second language and / or the control device further comprises a language translation element that is configured to translate text in a first language into text and / or sound in a second language.

[0213] In an embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are separate components. In an embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver are both part of a transceiver.

[0214] In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to recognize available communication media and routes suitable for sending signals to a first personal devicethrough the wireless transmitter or receiving signals from the first personal device through the wireless receiver. In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to identify the most robust available communication medium and / or route and / or the control device is configured to identify strength-of-signal values for signals received from the first personal device through the wireless receiver.

[0215] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises a readable storage medium that is configured to store, for each of at least one person, to each of whom a personal device is assigned, at least a username, credential information regarding the user, and information regarding one or more locations assigned to the user.

[0216] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises a readable storage medium that is configured to store information regarding resources within at least a first facility.

[0217] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises a readable storage medium that is configured to store information regarding steps to follow for different types of crisis situations. In an embodiment of the invention said resources are selected from among people, weapons, defibrillators, medicines, fire extinguishers, and fire pulls.

[0218] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises a readable storage medium that is configured to store information selected from among personnel rosters, personnel attendance, and information as to personnel location at specific times (e.g., the locations in which particular people are expected to be in particular locations, such as classrooms).

[0219] In an embodiment of the invention the control device further comprises at least a first facility management activator. In an embodiment of the invention the control device is configured to cause a command to be carried out in a facility upon actuation of the first facility management activator, and in some of those embodiments, the command is selected from among locking a door, unlocking a door, turning a camera on, turning a camera off, opening a barricade, closing a barricade, activating an alarm, turning on a sprinkler, and taking an action intended to debilitate or confuse a perpetrator.

[0220] In an embodiment of the invention the control device comprises a crisis reaction element that is configured to one or more of cause release of gas (e.g., to reduce or eliminate visibility or to debilitate a perpetrator), control one or more lights, control one or more alarms, control one or more devices, debilitate or confuse a perpetrator, control one or more devices, produce jamming signals, send one or more communications to personnel, control one or more barricades and control one or more noise-makers.

[0221] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system, comprising: a plurality of personal devices, the plurality of personal devices comprising at least a first personal device and a second personal device; at least a first control device; and a plurality of cameras, the plurality of cameras comprising at least a first camera and a second camera; wherein each of the plurality of personal devices comprising a crisis alert actuator, a wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a display and a readable storage medium; the first personal device is configured for a first person; the second personal device configured for a second person, the readable storage medium of the first personal device configured to store identification information regarding the first person; the readable storage medium of the second personal device configured to store identification information regarding the second person; and the first control device configured to automatically initiate feed from at least the first camera upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device, said feed from the first camera received by the first control device.

[0222] In an embodiment of the invention the first control device is configured to automatically initiate feed from the second camera upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the second personal device, and said feed from the second camera is received by the first control device.

[0223] In an embodiment of the invention any of the features described above as optionally being provided in the crisis communication systems in accordance with the other embodiments of the invention can likewise be provided in the crisis communication systems in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.

[0224] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device, comprising: a crisis alert actuator; a wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver; a display; a removable earpiece, and a readable storage medium which is configured to store identification information regarding a person to whom the personal device is assigned.

[0225] In an embodiment of the invention any of the features described above as optionally being provided in respect of other personal devices, control devices or crisis communication systems us likewise provided in the personal device according to other embodiments of the invention.

[0226] In an embodiment of the invention, one or more elements described herein as being in a control device can instead be in a personal device.

[0227] In any device or component described herein, where a user makes a selection (including answering a question, initiating an action, or anything else), e.g., where a push button and / or a touchscreen is described, a user can instead (or additionally) make selections in any other way, e.g., by voice commands (for example, where the component or device has sound recognition capability), by moving any physical element and)or part of the user, e.g., a finger, to a particular location or region (e.g., along a line or curve, in a plane or surface, or in a three-dimensional space).

[0228] Referring to Figure 9 there is depicted a Personal Device 910 according to an embodiment of the invention in front and rear Views 900 A and 900B respectively. In front View 900A the Personal Device 910 comprises a first Display 920 and a series of Buttons 930(1) to 930(N) which provide specific functionality to the user of the Personal Device 910, such as trigger alert, cancel alert, non-crisis alert trigger etc. as described within this specification. Rear View 900B comprises a second Display 940, for example digital paper, which displays information relating to the user such as a Photograph 940(1), Facility Identifier 940(2) and QR Code 940(3) allowing a scanner to access the QR Code 940(3) for authentication, door opening etc. Accordingly, the Personal Device 910 performs the function of a personal identification badge but has the added functionality of buttons to trigger the crisis management system. Optionally, the first Display 920 may be larger and touch sensitive such that it can provide the functionality of the series of Buttons 930(1) to 930(N). The Personal Device 910 mat support a subset of the functionality / hardware / interfaces etc. as described with respect to Electronic Device 204 in Figure 2.

[0229] Accordingly, within embodiments of the invention the Personal Device 910 may comprise a crisis alert actuator (in the form of a push button or region of a touch sensitive display), a display that provides contextually relevant information to the user in a crisis or electronic content pushed to the Personal Device 910 from a control device. The Personal Device 910 also comprising wireless transceiver, a loudspeaker, a battery, a battery status indicator, an alarm indicator (e.g. a visual indicator) and a microprocessor. The Personal Device 910 microprocessor may include or may communicate with a location tracker and / or alocation determining element, a motion detector, a crisis alert cancellation actuator (in the form of another push button or another region of the touch sensitive display), a non-crisis alert actuator (in the form a further push button or further region of the touch sensitive display) and a facility management activator which may be yet another push button or yet another region of the touch sensitive display. Optionally, the crisis alert cancellation actuator may only be actuated once the crisis alert actuator has been activated.

[0230] Optionally the Personal Device 710 may include a removable earpiece or earpieces. Optionally, the Personal Device 710 may include a short range wireless transmitter such that the Personal Device 710 can transmit to an earpiece, earpieces or headphones of the user.

[0231] Referring to Figure 10 there is depicted a schematic of a Facility 1000 with a deployed communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted the Facility 1000 comprises a first Building 1050 wherein a first Personal Device 1052 is within one room of the Facility 1000, a second Personal Device 1053 is within another room of the Facility 1000, Also deployed within the Facility 1000 are first Camera 1054 and second Camera 1055. Also depicted are first Control Device 1056 (for example a PED in the form of a laptop computer) in a second Building 1057 of the Facility 1000 and a second Control Device 1058 in a third Building 1059 of the Facility 1000. As depicted in Figure 10 the first Camera 1054 may be a Camera Insert 1020 installed within a Switch Receptacle 1010 whilst second Camera 1055 is a Camera Insert 1020 installed within an Electrical Receptacle 1015.

[0232] Also depicted in Figure 10 within Facility 1000 are first to third Directional Lights 1030, 1032 and 1034 and first and second Doors 1040 and 1045. As discussed above with respect to embodiments of the invention a user associated with first Personal Device 1052 within first Building 1050 may be provided with directions to evacuate from second Control Device 1058 in response to a Crisis 1070 wherein the second Control Device 1058 configures the first Directional Lights 1030 to direct the user to first Door 1040. The second Control Device 1058 also configures the second Directional Lights 1032 to direct another user associated with second Personal Device 1053 to second Door 1045. The second Control Device 1058 may also configure third Directional Lights 1034 such that present a warning in either direction. Each of the first to third Directional Lights 1030, 1032 and 1034 may be Directional Light Insert 1060 which has first and second Lights 1062 and 1064 which are colour changeable LEDs such that they can be green, red, or any other colour or white for general illumination. Accordingly, by configuring each of the first and second Lights 1062 and 1064 the evacuating user may direct others to exit in the direction of the green lights. Optionally, each of first andsecond Lights 1062 and 1064 may be a colour changeable display or section of a colour changeable display such that colour coded arrow(s) may be rendered.

[0233] As outlined above an exemplary use case of a crisis management communications system is within a school. School shootings, knife attacks etc. have highlighted the need for heightened awareness, prevention and mitigation. Whilst, within the prior art security systems exist, these do not consider staff (user) communications nor provide for dynamic real-time information acquisition and dissemination from network elements disposed within the facility. As described a communication system according to an embodiment of the invention can acquire content from network elements, e.g. cameras, microphones, motion sensors etc. as well as from personal devices of users within the facility and based upon this acquired content direct communications to users within the facility, adjust elements of infrastructure within the facility and provide tactical information to responders including text, video, audio etc.

[0234] Embodiments of the invention facilitate staff communications in the event of an emergency where these communications may be routed through one or more networks including, but not limited to, cellular wireless, a Wi-Fi mesh network exploiting elements within the facility, a Bluetooth™ mesh network exploiting elements within the facility, etc. The embodiments of the invention support adaptation of the communications system to comply with jurisdictional regulations or personnel driven limitations such as those defined by a union of the users for example. Accordingly, content acquisition via audiovisual means may be disabled unless a crisis alert is triggered wherein they may be automatically enabled or only enabled based upon a signal from a command device. A control device provides responders to the incident with a centralized technology based command center wherein electronic content is acquired and may be processed automatically by algorithms of the communications system which are executed by software application(s) within the command device or within one or more remote servers processing the acquired electronic content and pushing filtered electronic content, metadata and decisions / assessments to the command device for rendering to a user of the command device or to other command devices, e.g. those associated with responders within or nearby the facility, or to a subset of the personal devices. Accordingly, as electronic content is acquired in real-time it can be processed and drive real-time informatics to users and decision making.

[0235] The communications system can also be based upon the processing of the acquired electronic content and / or decisions from users control aspects of the facility. For example, an initial action based upon a crisis alert identifying the crisis as a shooter may be to lock all doorswithin the facility to limit motion of the shooter and avoid individuals moving around. As the crisis progresses and additional electronic content is acquired then the system according to embodiments of the invention may provide indications to users to evacuate and provide visual indicators whilst releasing door locks in their path, which may optionally be locked after the users pass to maintain containment.

[0236] Within embodiments of the invention where audiovisual content is acquired after the crisis alert is triggered then processing of the audio may confirm the presence of an active shooter and potentially based upon further processing beyond that a gunshot has or gun shots have been detected provide further information as to a class of gun, e.g. rifle, handgun, shotgun etc.

[0237] In some embodiments of the invention, subject to legal and regulatory requirements / conditions being met, electronic content such as audiovisual content may be continuously acquired within the facility but unless a crisis alert is triggered then it is automatically deleted after a defined period of time, e.g. one hour. In this manner analysis can also be performed with respect to a time frame prior to the crisis alert being triggered but should no crisis trigger be triggered this is erased on a rolling basis.

[0238] Accordingly, an incident command response may be provided real-time data regarding alert location, audiovisual content, motion sensors, personnel counts, staff locations etc. and overall situational awareness. By exploiting mesh networks using network elements embedded into or installed within the facility issues over cellular network and cellular device reliability during an emergency situation can be bypassed. Further, such mesh networks using network elements embedded into or installed within the facility issues may access areas within which cellular coverage is lacking, e.g. within metal shelled buildings (e.g. sports buildings), basements etc.

[0239] A personal device according to embodiments of the invention provides a digital replacement of the conventional plastic identity badge such that additional elements may be integrated such as a digital display, biometric sensor(s), camera, microphone, physical buttons or touch screen interface, RFID or NFC interfaces, Wi-Fi / Bluetooth™ interfaces etc. Accordingly, the personal device provides a user with an ability to trigger an alert or upon an alert being triggered to receive information rather than being left absent critical information. As the crisis evolves users can be provided with updates and directions. Further, responders by being provided control devices may be updated and provided instructions.

[0240] Within embodiments of the invention audiovisual content etc. may be pushed to specific PEDs / FEDs not associated with control devices or personal devices such that police, fire, ambulance, paramedics etc. have information ranging from real-time audiovisual of regions of the facility they are about to enter through to head counts, injury listings etc. Optionally, specific PEDs of identified emergency personnel may be granted access to the system through digital handshakes, encrypted keys etc. as known in the art such that an emergency personnel PED becomes a temporary control device within the system. Such access may only be granted, for example, upon a crisis alert being triggered and may be automatically revoked a defined period of time after the crisis alert has been cancelled or cleared.

[0241] Within embodiments of the invention a triggered emergency (crisis alert being issued) may result in one of the following:• Notifications being sent to staff, with hierarchal notification trees being employed in some instances such that notifications adjust based upon the level of the notification tree a user is associated with;• -Notifications sent to first responders, e.g. fire, police, ambulance, paramedics, hazmat etc.;• Notifications sent to local and / or remote administrators associated with the facility at which the crisis alert is triggered.

[0242] The content of notifications may vary according to an identity of the recipient, e.g. users within the facility one set of information / notifications, first responders different notifications / information with potentially real-time audiovisual content, and administration receiving different notifications / content. Some notifications may require a verification response or initiate an electronic handshake between an electronic device of the recipient and a command device, e.g. a police officer may have their head mounted display (HMD) added as a control device or it may be added as an additional class rather than either a personal device or control device such that the HMD or their PED receives content and notifications relevant to their current location and activity.

[0243] Within embodiments of the invention a crisis alert may trigger a set of network elements within the vicinity of the location of the user initiating the crisis alert. Accordingly, the triggering of a crisis alert may trigger all network elements within a defined range or geofence of the user’s location triggering the alert such that all sensors and data acquisition elements, e.g. motion detectors, sensors, audiovisual elements such as cameras and microphones are activated such that the system receives data to process immediately withoutrequiring a user triggering this. The system automatically transmitting the necessary instructions upon receipt of the alert.

[0244] Within embodiments of the invention each personal device may have a unique electronic identity. This electronic identity may be automatically erased upon the personal device leaving a geofenced area associated with the facility or upon expiration of a time limit, e.g. 8 hours after the personal device associates with a network of the facility or enters the geofence. Optionally, the unique electronic identity is generated each time the personal device enters the geofence or associates with the facility network and subsequently erased so that the unique electronic identity is only valid one-time.

[0245] Optionally, the personal device may be designed such that it can be worn by a user on a lanyard or as part of a wrist band, belt etc.

[0246] Within embodiments of the invention the personal device and / or control device may be a software application in execution upon a user’ s PED or FED. Optionally, the software may be geofenced such that it will only execute within a defined geofence or it may have time and location conditions attached or other conditions that limit its execution to defined times / locations. In some embodiments of the invention a personal device or control device may have multiple geofences or multiple condition sets that define its ability to operate or not such that, for example, a user may move between facilities, e.g. from one school to another, and maintain functionality at each location but not between them.

[0247] Whilst within the preceding description Contextually Aware Communication (CAC) Systems, Applications and Platforms (CAC-SAPs) have been described and depicted with respect to networks employing Electronic Devices (EL-DEVs) such as EL-DEVs 100 in Figures 1 and 2 wherein an EL-DEV 100 may include, but not be limited to, an Electronic Device 204 as depicted in Figure 2, a FED, a PED or an electronic device with a subset of the functionality - elements described and depicted with respect to Electronic Device 204. Within embodiments of the invention an EL-DEV 100 may include, but not be limited to, an electrical receptable, switch receptable or an insert as described below with respect to configurable inwall devices such as described by the inventors within this specification such as described and depicted in respect to Figures 3, 4 and 6, configurable receptacles such as described and depicted in respect to Figure 5, Arbitrarily Configurable Sensor and Control (ACSC) modules and inserts such as described and depicted in respect to Figures 7 and 8. Accordingly, within embodiments of the invention described below a personal device and / or a control device may be instantiated as an EL-DEV 100 with all or a subset of the functionality described below with respect to these personal devices and / or control devices such that a user can access saidpersonal device and / or control device as a PED, FED or an installed element within a facility, for example.

[0248] As described above a facility may include one or more networks comprising one or more EL-DEVs which communicate with a network, with another EL-DEV via a network or interface protocol, and with remote electronics and / or servers via a further network or interface. Said EL-DEVs 100 may include sensors as described to provide additional information with respect to a remote device such as a control device when an alert is triggered by a user with a personal device. This additional electronic content from the EL-DEVs and / or sensors installed with said EL-DEVs, including but not limited to, chemical sensors, ambient environment sensors, audiovisual sensors, position sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, infrared sensors and visible sensors may be used to provide information to users to address the triggered alert or verify the triggered alert wherein a user with a control device may subsequently issue a cancellation of the triggered alert should they deem that the acquired electronic content from the EL-DEVs, sensors, other personal devices etc. does not support the alert being valid.

[0249] However, as described above the electronic content may be pushed to one or more remote servers within other embodiments of the invention wherein it is only accessible upon the triggering of an alert by a user of a personal device in a jurisdiction that places restrictions on accessing such electronic content or it may be accessible to a control device without an alert being triggered by a user of a personal device within other jurisdictions such as in an the instance of an alert being triggered by a CAC-SAP rather than by a personal device.

[0250] A CAC-SAP may trigger an alert based upon processing the acquired additional electronic content from the EL-DEVs and / or sensors installed with said EL-DEVs discretely or in combination with other electronic content from other sensors within the facility and / or third party sources providing further electronic content to the CAC-SAP. The CAC-SAP processing may exploit one or more artificial intelligence (Al) systems exploiting artificial intelligence and / or machine learning (AI / ML) processes. Accordingly, acquired electronic content is processed such that should one or more thresholds with respect to one or more conditions be met an alert is triggered. This alert may be pushed to all personal devices and / or control devices directly or it may be pushed to one or more control devices for a final decision as to whether the identified alert or alerts should be triggered. This final decision may be by one of the user of the control device discretely, by software in execution upon the personal device and a combination of the user and software.

[0251] For example, a third party source providing further electronic content to the CAC- SAP may be data from local emergency services, local new stations, local radio stations, localgovernment, external sensors etc. For example, the CAC-SAP may establish that an armed robbery or shooting has occurred within the vicinity of the facility and trigger a lockdown to prevent any externally accessing the facility and advising users via the personal devices of the lockdown discretely or in combination with summary data as to the reason for the lockdown. Accordingly, the CAC-SAP may acquire data from internal and external sensors to make a determination as to whether an alert should be triggered. For example, image detection of camera images may detect a weapon, audio detectors may detect a number of screams or raised voices etc.

[0252] However, within other embodiments of the invention the CAC-SAP may in executing these AI / ML based processes etc. perform a verification or validation of an alert whether triggered. Whilst in the description above this processing has been described with respect to providing control devices with content associated with an alert triggered by a user it may also provide information to control devices with respect to an alert triggered with respect to the facility, such as the “pulling” of a fire alarm, opening of a door which should be closed except in an emergency etc. Accordingly, in the first instance the pulling of an alarm in the absence of any detected smoke, fire, etc. may indicate a false alarm such that the alarm is then suppressed or if the CAC-SAP processing is quick enough before the alarm is actually raised. In the second instance the CAC-SAP can verify egress or ingress through motion sensors and provide captured images of the individuals entering or exiting the facility.

[0253] It would be evident that a CAC-SAP may be configured to process all data from every sensor within a facility and may exploit one or more mesh networks established within the facility through its infrastructure to transmit information to content feeds to the CAC-SAP.

[0254] Within embodiments of the invention where AI / ML processes have been described it would be evident that these may be, for example, generalized as a number of AI / ML processes each for a specific task where the number of AI / ML processes are dynamically established for the facility in dependence upon the defined functionality of the infrastructure and sensors, third-party sources etc. which are providing data to the CAC-SAP. Some AI / ML processes may be specific to a particular sensor whereas other AI / ML processes may fuse data from multiple sources and may be static or dynamic in that as other sources of content / data become available, e.g. emergency services or personnel responding to the alert, this is automatically fused into the AI / ML process.

[0255] Within embodiments of the invention where AI / ML processes have been described it would be evident that these may be, for example, generalized as a number of AI / ML processes where some of the AI / ML processes are pre-trained trained with training dataestablished with the sensors etc. providing content I data for the facility, some are pre-trained trained with training data established with the sensors etc. providing content / data for a number of other facilities, and some are untrained and develop based upon activities within the facility. For example, training an AI / ML process for motional dynamics of a large number of students within a school may vary according to a number of factors such as time of day, time of year, demographics, etc. such that it is easier to allow the AI / ML process to train using the real facility data on an evolving basis rather than pre-training it.

[0256] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system, comprising a plurality of personal devices where each of the plurality of personal devices comprises a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol, a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol, a display and a readable storage medium, a first control device comprising another wireless transmitter operating according to a third protocol and another wireless receiver operating according to a fourth protocol and a plurality of cameras each camera of the plurality of cameras at a defined location within a facility wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device, the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated and the first control device is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device to automatically determine a camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras and automatically determine a defined subset of the plurality of personal devices and transmit an alert signal to the defined subset of the plurality of personal devices.

[0257] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein initiating acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras comprising one of transmitting a control signal to the camera of the plurality of cameras to initiate transmittal of a feed to the first control device, retrieving other electronic content transmitted to a remote server by the camera of the plurality of cameras after the crisis alert was initiated and a defined period of time prior to the crisis alert being initiated, and where the camera of the plurality of cameras transmits the other electronic content to the remote serverthe remote server automatically erases the other electronic content after another period of time absent a request from the first control device to retrieve the other electronic content.

[0258] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device is determined in dependence upon one of actuation of a crisis alert actuator where the crisis alert actuator is one of a button forming part of the first personal device and a region of a touch sensitive region of the display and determination by the first personal device of one or more of a keyword, a code and a defined phrase within audio content acquired by the first personal device and processed by the first personal device to establish the one or more of the keyword, the code and the defined phrase and to verify the audio content as being generated by a user associated with the first personal device.

[0259] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the then-current location of the first personal device is established in dependence upon the identities of one or more network elements of the facility which the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is associated with.

[0260] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device to automatically turn on any audio element acquiring audio content of the surrounding environment and automatically turn off any other audio element currently generating or capable of generating other audio content for broadcast to the surrounding environment.

[0261] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein a second personal device of the plurality of personal devices upon receipt of the alert signal automatically transmits another location signal where the another location signal is indicative of indicative of a then-current location of the second personal device when the alert signal was received and the first control device is further configured upon receipt of the other location signal from the second personal device to automatically determine another camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the other location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the other camera of the plurality of cameras.

[0262] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the first control device is further configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of the facility, the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element receiving the command one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade,closes a barricade, activates an audible alarm, activates a light, activates a sprinkler and releases a gas.

[0263] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is only configured to enable the generation of the crisis alert when the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is one of within a defined geofence associated with the facility, associated with a network of the facility and within the defined geofence within a defined period of time.

[0264] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is further configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert to transmit a unique electronic identity to the control device.

[0265] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the first control device is further configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of the facility, the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade and closes a barricade, and the signal from the controller is generated in dependence upon the command being received from the first control device and verification of a unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices.

[0266] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility.

[0267] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility when the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meets a predetermined condition and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is deleted from the personal deviceof the plurality of personal devices upon the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meeting another predetermined condition.

[0268] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a crisis communication system wherein the predetermined condition is one of personal device of the plurality of personal devices being within a defined geofence associated with the facility and being within the defined geofence within a defined period of time and the other predetermined condition is one of personal device of the plurality of personal devices being outside the defined geofence associated with the facility, being within the defined geofence outside the defined period of time, and a current time being outside the defined period of time.

[0269] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device comprising a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol, a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol, a display and a readable storage medium wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device and the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated.

[0270] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the crisis alert is received by a first control device which comprises another wireless transmitter operating according to a third protocol and another wireless receiver operating according to a fourth protocol, the first personal device is associated with a facility having disposed within it a plurality of cameras where each camera of the plurality of cameras is at a defined location within the facility and the first control device is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device to automatically determine a camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras and automatically determine a defined subset of the plurality of personal devices and transmit an alert signal to the defined subset of the plurality of personal devices.

[0271] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device is determined in dependence upon one of actuation of a crisis alert actuator where the crisis alert actuator is one of a buttonforming part of the first personal device and a region of a touch sensitive region of the display and determination by the first personal device of one or more of a keyword, a code and a defined phrase within audio content acquired by the first personal device and processed by the first personal device to establish the one or more of the keyword, the code and the defined phrase and to verify the audio content as being generated by a user associated with the first personal device.

[0272] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the then-current location of the first personal device is established in dependence upon the identities of one or more network elements of the facility which the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is associated with.

[0273] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device to automatically turn on any audio element acquiring audio content of the surrounding environment and automatically turn off any other audio element currently generating or capable of generating other audio content for broadcast to the surrounding environment.

[0274] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is only configured to enable the generation of the crisis alert when the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is one of within a defined geofence associated with the facility, associated with a network of the facility and within the defined geofence within a defined period of time.

[0275] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is further configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert to transmit a unique electronic identity to the control device.

[0276] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the crisis alert is received by a first control device which is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of a facility associated with the location signal, the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade and closes a barricade, and the signal from the controller is generated in dependence upon the command being received from the first control device and verification of a unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices.

[0277] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility.

[0278] Within an embodiment of the invention there is provided a personal device wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility when the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meets a predetermined condition and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is deleted from the personal device of the plurality of personal devices upon the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meeting another predetermined condition.

[0279] Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits may be shown in block diagrams in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

[0280] Implementation of the techniques, blocks, steps and means described above may be done in various ways. For example, these techniques, blocks, steps and means may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the processing units may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described above and / or a combination thereof.

[0281] Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be rearranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed, but could have additional steps not included in the figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.

[0282] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, scripting languages, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages and / or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, scripting language and / or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a machine readable medium, such as a storage medium. A code segment or machine-executable instruction may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a script, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures and / or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters and / or memory content. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

[0283] For a firmware and / or software implementation, the methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For example, software codes may be stored in a memory. Memory may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor and may vary in implementation where the memory is employed in storing software codes for subsequent execution to that when the memory is employed in executing the software codes. As used herein the term “memory” refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile, or other storage medium and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

[0284] Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storage medium” may represent one or more devices for storing data, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, core memory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memory devices and / or other machine readable mediums for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” includes, but is not limited to portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, wireless channels and / or various other mediums capable of storing, containing or carrying instmction(s) and / or data.

[0285] The methodologies described herein are, in one or more embodiments, performable by a machine which includes one or more processors that accept code segments containing instructions. For any of the methods described herein, when the instructions are executed by the machine, the machine performs the method. Any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine are included. Thus, a typical machine may be exemplified by a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. Each processor may include one or more of a CPU, a graphicsprocessing unit, and a programmable DSP unit. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and / or a static RAM, and / or ROM. A bus subsystem may be included for communicating between the components. If the processing system requires a display, such a display may be included, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD). If manual data entry is required, the processing system also includes an input device such as one or more of an alphanumeric input unit such as a keyboard, a pointing control device such as a mouse, and so forth.

[0286] The memory includes machine-readable code segments (e.g. software or software code) including instructions for performing, when executed by the processing system, one of more of the methods described herein. The software may reside entirely in the memory, or may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the RAM and / or within the processor during execution thereof by the computer system. Thus, the memory and the processor also constitute a system comprising machine-readable code.

[0287] In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other machines, in a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The machine may be, for example, a computer, a server, a cluster of servers, a cluster of computers, a web appliance, a distributed computing environment, a cloud computing environment, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The term “machine” may also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

[0288] The foregoing disclosure of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light ofthe above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.

[0289] Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and / or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be constmed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and / or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A crisis communication system, comprising: a plurality of personal devices where each of the plurality of personal devices comprises a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol, a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol, a display and a readable storage medium; a first control device comprising another wireless transmitter operating according to a third protocol and another wireless receiver operating according to a fourth protocol; and a plurality of cameras each camera of the plurality of cameras at a defined location within a facility; wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device; the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated; and the first control device is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device to: automatically determine a camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras; and automatically determine a defined subset of the plurality of personal devices and transmit an alert signal to the defined subset of the plurality of personal devices.

2. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein initiating acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras comprising one of: transmitting a control signal to the camera of the plurality of cameras to initiate transmittal of a feed to the first control device; retrieving other electronic content transmitted to a remote server by the camera of the plurality of cameras after the crisis alert was initiated and a defined period of time prior to the crisis alert being initiated; and where the camera of the plurality of cameras transmits the other electronic content to the remote server the remote server automatically erases the other electronic content after another period of time absent a request from the first control device to retrieve the other electronic content.

3. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device is determined in dependence upon one of: actuation of a crisis alert actuator where the crisis alert actuator is one of a button forming part of the first personal device and a region of a touch sensitive region of the display; and determination by the first personal device of one or more of a keyword, a code and a defined phrase within audio content acquired by the first personal device and processed by the first personal device to establish the one or more of the keyword, the code and the defined phrase and to verify the audio content as being generated by a user associated with the first personal device.

4. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein the then-current location of the first personal device is established in dependence upon the identities of one or more network elements of the facility which the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is associated with.

5. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device to automatically turn on any audio element acquiring audio content of the surrounding environment and automatically turn off any otheraudio element currently generating or capable of generating other audio content for broadcast to the surrounding environment.

6. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein a second personal device of the plurality of personal devices upon receipt of the alert signal automatically transmits another location signal where the another location signal is indicative of a then-current location of the second personal device when the alert signal was received; and the first control device is further configured upon receipt of the other location signal from the second personal device to automatically determine another camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the other location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the other camera of the plurality of cameras.

7. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first control device is further configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of the facility; and the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element receiving the command one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade, closes a barricade, activates an audible alarm, activates a light, activates a sprinkler and releases a gas.

8. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is only configured to enable the generation of the crisis alert when the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is one of within a defined geofence associated with the facility, associated with a network of the facility and within the defined geofence within a defined period of time.

9. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is further configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert to transmit a unique electronic identity to the control device.

10. The crisis communication system according to claim 1, whereinthe first control device is further configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of the facility; the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade and closes a barricade; and the signal from the controller is generated in dependence upon the command being received from the first control device and verification of a unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices.

11. The crisis communication system according to claim 10, wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol; and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility.

12. The crisis communication system according to claim 10, wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol; and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility when the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meets a predetermined condition and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is deleted from the personal device of the plurality of personal devices upon the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meeting another predetermined condition.

13. The crisis communication system according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined condition is one of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices being within a defined geofence associated with the facility, being within the definedgeofence within a defined period of time and connected to and validated by a network; and the other predetermined condition is one of personal device of the plurality of personal devices being outside the defined geofence associated with the facility, being within the defined geofence outside the defined period of time, and a current time being outside the defined period of time.

14. A personal device forming part of a crisis communication system, comprising: a wireless transmitter operating according to a first protocol; a wireless receiver operating according to a second protocol; a display; and a readable storage medium; wherein the readable storage medium of a first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured to store identification information regarding a first person associated with the first personal device; and the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device to automatically transmit to the control device via one or more networks the crisis alert and a location signal where the crisis alert indicates actuation of the crisis alert actuator and the location signal is indicative of a then-current location of the first personal device when the crisis alert actuator was actuated.

15. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the crisis alert is received by a first control device which comprises another wireless transmitter operating according to a third protocol and another wireless receiver operating according to a fourth protocol; the first personal device is associated with a facility having disposed within it a plurality of cameras where each camera of the plurality of cameras is at a defined location within the facility; and the first control device is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device to: automatically determine a camera of the plurality of camera in dependence upon the location signal and initiate acquisition of electronic content from the camera of the plurality of cameras; andautomatically determine a defined subset of the plurality of personal devices and transmit an alert signal to the defined subset of the plurality of personal devices.

16. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein determining actuation of a crisis alert by the first personal device is determined in dependence upon one of: actuation of a crisis alert actuator where the crisis alert actuator is one of a button forming part of the first personal device and a region of a touch sensitive region of the display; and determination by the first personal device of one or more of a keyword, a code and a defined phrase within audio content acquired by the first personal device and processed by the first personal device to establish the one or more of the keyword, the code and the defined phrase and to verify the audio content as being generated by a user associated with the first personal device.

17. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the then-current location of the first personal device is established in dependence upon the identities of one or more network elements of the facility which the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is associated with.

18. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is configured upon actuation of the crisis alert actuator of the first personal device to automatically turn on any audio element capable of acquiring audio content of the surrounding environment or generating further audio content for broadcast to the surrounding environment and automatically turning off any other audio element currently generating or capable of generating other audio content for broadcast to the surrounding environment.

19. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is only configured to enable the generation of the crisis alert when the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is one of within a defined geofence associated with the facility, associated with a network of the facility and within the defined geofence within a defined period of time.

20. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices is further configured upon determining actuation of a crisis alert to transmit a unique electronic identity to the control device.

21. The personal device according to claim 14, wherein the crisis alert is received by a first control device which is configured upon receipt of the crisis alert from the first personal device of the plurality of personal devices to transmit a command to a physical element of a facility associated with the location signal; the physical element upon receipt of a signal from a controller associated with the physical element one of locks, unlocks, opens a barricade and closes a barricade; and the signal from the controller is generated in dependence upon the command being received from the first control device and verification of a unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices.

22. The personal device according to claim 21, wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol; and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility.

23. The personal device according to claim 21, wherein the unique electronic identity of a personal device of the plurality of personal devices is transmitted to the controller by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices via a short range wireless protocol; and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is acquired by the personal device of the plurality of personal devices from a network associated with the facility when the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meets a predetermined condition and the unique electronic identity of the personal device of the plurality of personal devices is deleted from the personal device of the- 1 -plurality of personal devices upon the personal device of the plurality of personal devices meeting another predetermined condition.

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