SERVICES

The present invention relates to a wireless network communication system for activating emergency services.

BACKGOUND

The use of wireless communication systems such as wifi and blue tooth routers are well known. Similarly, wireless communication devices which are enabled to report the occurrence of a notifiable event through the internet are well known. By example, a suitably enabled tracking device may be programmed to transmit a gps coordinate notification to an internet server upon a vehicle being involved a collision. The event is logged, stored on the server and the event data being individually transmitted as a report at a later point to a user, again through internet and GSM communication.

Of particular relevance to the invention is the ability to detect the unique identity of a wireless communication device by other wireless communication devices regardless of whether the devices are a known or affiliated with one another. In this regard, the invention pertains to the use of a BSSID (basic service set identifier) associated with wifi communication devices as a unique device identification means. As is known to those skilled in the prior art - every wifi engine is manufactured with a unique BSSID at time of manufacture and the BSSID is fixed and non-changeable. Accordingly, when the wifi engine of a wireless communication device broadcasts its identification data - the BSSID is broadcast and readable by any suitably enabled device. As the BSSID of a wifi engine is detectable without authentication - the unique BSSID can be even be detected by unaffiliated or unpaired wifi devices thus making identification possible. It would thus be beneficial to create a method and apparatus for using the BSSID of a wifi communication device for at least one of: securely communicating data; uniquely identifying and tracking the user of such device; authenticating the identity of a device user; enabling access of a device user; regulating use of electronic devices; regulating use of software; activating device or software functionality; use for emergency purposes.

The invention seeks to provide a suitable I/O devices for use with a wireless network communication system that at least partially ameliorates the abovementioned disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The term I/O refers to devices being input-output enabled, whereby they can transmit data and process instructional data received and transmitted.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor comprising a wifi BSSID combined with programmable SSID data, wherein the BSSID in combination with the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

Conveniently the programmable data comprises an instruction data set, wherein a computing device with enabling software for analysing and processing the data set causes an activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor. By example, the first three programmable characters of said programmable data when using enabling software to analyse and process the SSID data - result in the initiation of a message to be transmitted by the sensor. In the case of a tourist use - the activation of a sensor transmits a distress notification to the nearest appropriate emergency service provider.

Conveniently the sensor information is readable using a suitably enabled software application on a wireless communication device, wherein the software, once activated, searches for wifi networks resulting in sensors within wifi range being detected. The signal strength of the sensor relative to the wireless communication device is used to determine the location of the sensor, when using the enabling software.

Conveniently the software application, which when loaded on to a suitably enabled computing device, serves as the user interface to activate the sensor functionality. In particular, the software application may either pair with an external sensor, alternately, utilise its own hardware having BSSID and SSID and thereby enabling the computing device to act as a sensor of the invention.

Preferably, the software application enables the user to input and store personal identifying information on the user device, alternately on a remote server which has enabling software and hardware to interact with the software application and communicate the user information.

Conveniently the software application provides the user with a plurality of buttons, alternately tabs to activate a desired emergency service. By example, the software application display screen comprises a medical emergency tab; a security emergency tab; and an emergency contact tab.

Conveniently when the emergency service is activated, the software application utilises the sensor gps coordinates to transmit the appropriate distress notification to the nearest appropriate service provider. Relevant emergency service providers can be retrieved from a database of location based services providers. The database of service providers may be stored either on the user's computing device or a remote server which is accessible through an internet connection.

Conveniently the sensor comprises event triggered programmable data. Accordingly, the programmable data broadcast with the BSSID comprises sensor environment information. By example, a tourist whose sensor comprises an impact sensor will broadcast excessive g-force impact events. Accordingly, an emergency rescuer utilising suitably enabled software will be able to scan for wifi networks in range, identify the specific sensor and determine details associated with the emergency including patient details, patient image, time and severity of impact. When the sensor includes body vital sign functionality - the vital signs and the fluctuation can similarly be incorporated into the data broadcast.

Where a BSSID is known to a third party by virtue of the device being associated with a user or authorised follower, namely by authentication - then the authorised follower can ping all devices within an area to reveal BSSID interaction with the various wifi routers and suitably enabled devices. This enables the authorised follower to track the historic and real-time movement of the device.

Where a plurality of sensors are associated with or paired to a system - the system is enabled to transmit a group "find-me" request and whereby all associated sensors begin collaborating with the tracking of the targeted BSSID. This enables the exact location of a targeted BSSID to be tracked using wifi as and when the sensor comes in range of collaborating wifi active sensors (even without being connected to a router or other wireless communication devices). The wifi name displayed is modifiable and may be identical to other wifi devices while maintaining a unique BSSID, which is not modifiable and thereby enables sensor specific detection. Additionally, the system is enabled to transmit a group "find-me" request for any sensor broadcasting a emergency distress notification, whereby all associated sensors begin collaborating with the tracking of any sensor broadcasting an emergency distress signal. As will be appreciated, this would assist emergency rescue personnel in broadening their search area when looking for a plurality of missing persons, known to have been wearing a sensor, which is broadcasting an emergency distress notification.

Conveniently sensors having varying functionality may be paired and their combined functionality usable by each individual sensor.

Conveniently where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Alternately, in the case of tour groups, roll-call, employees, sporting event participants or the like - the proximity of paired individuals to one another and the recording of group data on each paired sensor enables the partial tracking of each individual whilst in contact with the group. By extension, alert notifications can be transmitted when a paired individual is no longer detectable, alternately when the individual sensor moves beyond an acceptable distance from the group of sensors by utilising sensor signal strength to monitor distance between sensors.

Conveniently, the wireless communication identification sensor comprises a sensor for detection of at least one of moisture, pressure, light, impact, temperature, biometrics, altitude, chemical composition, sound, wherein a predetermined sensor reading results in the activation, alternately deactivation of a sensor communication device function.

Conveniently, the sensor additionally comprises at least one of a gps device, a speaker, a light, a vibration generator or an electrical shock generator.

Conveniently a sensor notification is generated upon function criteria being met, wherein in addition to the sensor data being broadcast, a notification is sent to at least one of a predetermined telephone number, email or other communication destination (such as a whatsapp, website, hashtag, social media profile) using a suitably enabled communication device such as a phone, tablet or PC having GSM or wifi capabilities.

Conveniently, the sensor is enabled to operate as either

- a client via a suitably enabled wifi router, pc or suitable electronic communication device, whereby data stored on the device is accessible by a suitably enabled and linked wireless communication device; or

- a Webserver wherein the device comprise RAM for storage of user data and whereby the data is accessible by using a web browser of a paired wireless communication device.

Conveniently the sensor comprises a signal strength detector thereby enabling at least one of directional and distance tracking of the device while in range of one or more wifi routers. In this way, the device can activate predetermined notifications, alternately cause the activation of predetermined functions upon the movement pattern of the device. By example, a child wearing the device and heading towards a pool will result in the activation of a notification to the phone of a parent, alternately a siren being sounded near the pool, alternately the locking of a pool access gate, alternately the vibration of a wearable device which may be secured on the child and person responsible for supervising the child. Additionally, the notification may comprise a GPS location, visual details of the wearer and guardian being displayable / viewable on monitoring devices of emergency personal or access control, delivery of an electrical shock to the wearer. By example, a sensor activation due to removal from a house will result in access to or from premises being prevented. Accordingly, a device which has been removed from a user's house will result in the access gate to the house being prevented from opening upon the device being proximal with the access gate.

Conveniently the sensor comprises at least two modes of functionality, wherein the sensor "bleeps" or remains in a dormant sleep mode. The frequency of bleeps are variable in accordance with activation parameters. Conveniently the sensor comprises data fields which are editable and where data is uploadable onto the sensor and accessible through a web browser. Accordingly, a third party user does not require specialised software to interrogate, alternately edit the data on the device.

Conveniently the editable data comprises at least one of text, images or audio files which data evidences actions performed on the sensor, alternately for the user associated with the sensor. By example, the sensor of a user who receives medical treatment is populated with data pertaining to the treatment and drugs used in such treatment. The user data is thereafter viewable through a web browser of a third party who has paired their wireless communication device with that of the user's sensor.

Conveniently access to data or modification thereof is limited in accordance with user access criteria, which criteria are programmable.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable whilst operative, wherein programming instructions are transmitted to the sensor from a remote communication device such as a computer or phone having enabling software. This is typically transmitted using a wireless communication protocol such as wifi, Bluetooth or gsm.

Conveniently the sensor is programmable to switch at least part of its functionality on or off; and where the functionality is enabled or restricted for a limited duration.

Conveniently input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an cellular phone number, IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific sensor or virtual address where data can be transferred via the Internet or other wireless communication protocol. Conveniently a plurality of sensors may be paired, wherein sensor activity or a lack thereof of a paired sensor is communicated to other paired sensors. Accordingly, non-responsiveness of a paired sensor will result in a functioning paired sensor - transmitting a fault report in accordance with the sensor's fault detection transmission criteria.

Conveniently the sensor has 'store and forward' capability, wherein transmission of sensor based data results in deleting of the storage cache on the sensor, which is typically deleted on a first in/first out basis, although deletion criteria may be modified in accordance with user preferences.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a wireless communication identification sensor comprising a unique wireless identifier combined with programmable broadcast data, wherein the programmable data is configurable to identify the sensor.

Conveniently the sensor data comprises an instruction data set, wherein said data causes the activation, alternately deactivation of a function associated with the sensor.

Conveniently the wireless communication identification sensor having a unique identifier is enabled to perform functions and employ methods of use as they pertain to the aforementioned uses of a BSSID combined with programmable SSID data to identify the sensor

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A wifi router comprises a unique BSSID in conjunction with a SSID which typically has 31 bytes of programmable characters. Wifi devices simply scan for the name allocated to a wifi device and not the BSSID. Upon further interrogation, the BSSID may be revealed although the BSSID is not replicable. In accordance with the invention, the characters of the SSID are used to either transmit information, alternately control the activation a desired functionality. By example, the initial 3 characters of a SSID are allocated to sending a message type, the remaining characters pertain to information of the device affiliated with the user or information pertaining to the user. When used with a suitably enabled software application - the information contained in the SSID broadcast is processed in accordance with pre-programmed parameters and a desired function activated. A user scanning for wifi signals and having the software application of the invention installed onto their computing device - will be able to process and analyse the information contained in the SSID broadcast. The SSID broadcast and its analysis thereof is thus achieved without data transfer, rather via SSID broadcast and wifi receiver detecting the broadcast. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art - a lack of data availability or connectivity will still enable line-of-site communication between a sensor and a computing device having the software application of the invention installed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sensor comprises a housing having at least one button, which when pushed, activates an emergency distress signal. By example, the sensor comprises a wifi engine and gps functionality; alternately the sensor is paired to another communication device such as a cellular phone with such capabilities. When the emergency button of the sensor is pushed by a user - the sensor broadcasts distress data programmed into the SSID. Accordingly, the SSID may comprise varying information in accordance with the nature of the emergency. Additionally, the sequence and duration of pushing the sensor button will determine the type of emergency data broadcast. By illustration, a single push of the button results in a medical distress signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast; while a double button push results in a security distress signal being incorporated into the SSID broadcast.

In another embodiment, the sensor may scan whether a linked or associated sensor item is in proximity. By example, a fob key ring is activated to scan whether the user's phone is in close proximity or whether the user has potentially left a linked item behind. Where the linked item is not in wifi range, the fob can be used to trigger an alert via a gsm or other suitable wireless communication protocol, whereafter the device transmits a location request prompt and transmits gps coordinates, alternately its position relative a wifi routers proximal to it.

Alternately, in the case of tour groups, roll-call, employees, sporting event participants - the proximity of paired individuals to one another and the recording of group data on each paired sensor enables the partial tracking of each individual whilst in contact with the group. By extension, alert notifications can be transmitted when a paired individual is no longer detectable, alternately when the individual sensor moves beyond an acceptable distance from the group of sensors (ie by interrogating one device - all participants in the area with device are recorded including when the devices were within range - this allows for confirmation whether all known skiers are accounted for in the case of an accident)

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor is used for monitoring a tourist whose sensor comprises an impact sensor will broadcast excessive g-force impact events. Accordingly, an emergency rescuer utilising suitably enabled software will be able to scan for wifi networks in range, identify the specific sensor and determine details associated with the emergency including patient details, patient image, time and severity of impact. The sensor ideally includes body vital sign functionality to monitor the vital signs and the fluctuation thereof. Upon emergency activation - the SSID contains data about the user's vital signs. As will be appreciated, the sensor data broadcast may be recorded and transmitted to a server database for tracking the sensor. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor has a unique wifi tag which is programmable to correspond with an object or person. In doing so, the object or person status is monitorable in accordance with the sensor capabilities. Sensor events may be transmitted to local server, alternately a cloud based server or a combination thereof. A MySQL database would typically be used to track and record sensor events. The sensor selects the destination to where specific event data must be transmitted thereby maintaining data confidentiality and preventing unauthorised interception by a non-authorised reader. Accordingly, the sensor may broadcast both restricted and unrestricted data in addition to being able to transmitted restricted confidential data to a server.

Input and output data may be communicated to and from the sensor via a sensor specific data address such as an IP address, IPv6 address, MAC Address, or an equivalent address format that will identify a specific device or virtual address where data can be transferred to on the Internet. Accordingly, it is possible to dial into the closed-loop wifi network server and provide output instructions to a specific sensor which in turn will result in the object functioning. By example, the sensor may be attached to a light which will switch on or off depending on the instruction sent to the sensor.

The invention enables a mobile communication device to communicate with a wifi router without using data. This is enabled due to the BSSID and SSID being broadcast whilst the wifi engine is operational. Any suitably enabled wifi reader is able to detect the presence and potentially the proximity of the wifi engine based on signal strength. By example, a wifi network search would determine which wifi engines are within range. Said search is accomplished without the transfer of data. As will be appreciated, this ameliorates the problems associated with data transfer, which is dependent on a data availability and internet connectivity; and wifi devices without access to data usage, which are unable to transfer data.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, dormant wifi engines may be activated for a limited period of time as and when the sensor data is needed. Activation can be in response to a physical event which event is determined by a suitable sensor, such as an impact sensor, a time based event, proximity to a RFID type device resulting in the activation of the wifi engine from a sleep condition. This results in a prolonged battery life where the wifi engine does not utilise an external power supply.

The sensor comprises an independent battery power supply to enable the transmission of event notifications. The sensor may however be plugged into an external power supply source to charge the battery.

The sensor comprises at least one environmental variation sensor for detecting environmental changes. These may include at least one of a thermostat sensor, impact sensor, light sensor, audio sensor, chemical composition sensor, electrical magnetic sensor, gps sensor, altitude sensor or humidity sensor.

The sensor can itself directly communicate with a remote server data address and does not require a sensor login prior to receiving or transmitting data to and from the sensor.

The data transmitted by the sensor includes the sensor identification which may additionally include user information such as contact details, thereby allowing the recipient of the data transmitted from the sensor to contact the user.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, data generated from sensor activity may be stored at least partially on the sensor itself - the sensor having data storage capacity. Further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, storage of event data may be stored on one or more of the sensors thereby enabling sharing of data storage generated from sensor activity. Alternately, data stored may be duplicated on one or more connected sensors thereby serving as a data back-up means. Still further, where a plurality of sensors are connected, input and output data may be jointly processed by the sensors to improve data processing abilities.

In this invention, the term BSSID may extend to any unique identifier whose unique identifier can be broadcast and wirelessly detected by a suitably enabled device. Additionally, a wireless communication device having a unique identifier in addition to a BSSID - interacts with one or more electronic communication devices by virtue of the unique identifier and/or the interaction of the unique identifier with the BSSID of the wireless communication device. By example, the unique identifier may be a mobile phone number, or IMEA number affiliated with a mobile phone or GSM modem. The method of broadcast may be any wireless protocol including wifi, gsm, Bluetooth.

The Summary of Invention and Claims forms an integral aspect of the description of the invention.