Apple Patenting Ways to Facilitate Emergency Phone Calls

by Jody Mitoma on June 13, 2009 at 2:44 am

Apple’s got something here. They are attempting to patent something to safe-guard from accidentally disconnecting an emergency call whilst using an iPhone.

The patent application is entitled Method and system for prolonging emergency calls, and has been filed in December of 2007, disclosed on June 11th, 2009. The patent images and descriptions give the impression that this patent will be used recognize when a call is an emergency call, activating power-saving measures, and making use of additional confirmation buttons and tasks to decrease the chances of premature disconnection.

For example, if the user presses a button to disconnect an emergency call, emergency-mode processor 106 may query the user for confirmation before disconnecting the call. The confirmation may be in the form of a button, a code or password, a verbal acknowledgement, and/or other input by the user. Emergency-mode processor 106 may even disable the user’s ability to disconnect the call. As a result, the call may only be disconnected by someone (e.g., an emergency operator) on the other end of the emergency call. Further, the user may select settings to specify the level of difficulty and the methods of disconnecting emergency calls. The user may also select settings for each individual emergency number. For example, the user may disable the ability to disconnect a 911 call while activating a disconnect confirmation in other emergency calls.

The iPhone’s emergency mode could also enable a number of power-saving steps in order to preserve the device’s battery life. For example, Apple proposes such actions as dimming the display screen and turning off non-essential hardware components such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or camera sensors.

As if that wasn’t enough, they’ve even taken things further with this patent, with the addition of predetermined “phrase buttons” (ex: Current Location, Unable to Speak, Asthma Attack) so that you can send automated messages and information to the person on the other line, most likely a 911 dispatcher or otherwise, at the click of a button.

I find it excellent, that Apple has taken this one extra step in safety, to help prevent from accidentally disconnecting an emergency phone call. On that note, +1 for Apple Inc.

via Mac Rumors

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