US 9305450

US Patent 9305450: Concise Summary

Title: Interactive wireless life safety communications system
Current Assignee: Ricmic LLC
Inventors: Michael Halverson; Richard E. Knecht
Filing Date: August 26, 2014
Issue Date: April 5, 2016

Abstract:
An interactive wireless life safety communications system is disclosed. It comprises a central coordination server linked to a first network, which connects to at least one resident life safety device at a specific location or for a specific resident. This resident life safety device generates an alarm signal upon detecting an alarm condition and transmits it to the central coordination server. A caregiver communications device is also connected to the central coordination server via a second, different network. This caregiver device receives an alarm notification from the central coordination server in response to the alarm signal. It is also designed to receive caregiver user input, which generates an action status response to be transmitted back to the central coordination server.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes a system for life safety communication within an assisted care facility. It includes:

  • A first communications network and a central coordination server connected to it.
  • At least one resident life safety device (e.g., a motion detector, pull cord, smoke detector) that is linked to a specific location or resident. This device generates an alarm signal when it detects an alarm condition and sends it to the server over the first network.
  • A second communications network, different from the first, also linked to the central coordination server.
  • At least one caregiver communications device (e.g., a tablet or smartphone) assigned to a specific caregiver. This device connects to the server via the second network. It receives alarm notifications from the server and allows the caregiver to input a "caregiver user input." This input generates an "action status response" which tells other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm. All other caregiver devices are automatically updated with this status.
  • Crucially, resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal continues to be generated, and its escalating status is automatically communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is cleared, stopped, or reset.

• Claim 11 (Method Claim - Caregiver Perspective): This claim outlines a method for caregivers to coordinate their responses to alert events in an assisted care facility. The method involves:

  • A resident life safety device detecting an alert and generating an alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm signal from the resident device to a central coordination server over a first network.
  • The central coordination server then generates an alarm notification based on the received signal.
  • This alarm notification is sent to at least one caregiver communications device over a second network (different from the first).
  • A caregiver receives the notification and provides an input on their device, which forms an "action status response." This response indicates to other caregivers if the specific caregiver is acknowledging and responding to the alarm, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • This action status response is then transmitted to the central coordination server over the second network.
  • All other caregiver communications devices are updated automatically based on this action status response.
  • Similar to Claim 1, the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both networks. The alarm signal continues to generate with escalating status communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

• Claim 14 (Method Claim - Central Server Perspective): This claim details a method for coordinating caregiver responses from the perspective of the central coordination server in an assisted care facility. The method includes:

  • The central coordination server receiving an alarm signal from a resident life safety device, where the signal indicates an alert event detected by that device.
  • The server generating an alarm notification in response to the received alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device.
  • Receiving an "action status response" from one of the caregiver communications devices. This response is linked to the transmitted alarm notification and indicates to other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices based on these action status responses.
  • Again, the resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal and notification is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal continues with a progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No specific dockets for US Patent 9305450 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets based on the conducted search. The search results provided general information about patent litigation in various district courts and the Federal Circuit in 2026, but not specific cases involving patent 9305450.US Patent 9305450: Concise Summary

Title: Interactive wireless life safety communications system
Current Assignee: Ricmic LLC
Inventors: Michael Halverson; Richard E. Knecht
Filing Date: August 26, 2014
Issue Date: April 5, 2016

Abstract:
An interactive wireless life safety communications system is disclosed, featuring a central coordination server connected to a first network of resident life safety devices and a second network of caregiver communications devices. When a resident life safety device detects an alarm condition, it transmits an alarm signal to the central coordination server. The server then generates an alarm notification and sends it to at least one caregiver communications device. Caregivers can provide user input on their devices, generating an action status response (acknowledging, declining, or not yet responding to the alarm) that is transmitted back to the server. All caregiver communications devices are automatically updated with this action status. The system emphasizes that resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the caregiver's action status response and the communication networks, with progressive status escalation continually communicated until the resident device is cleared.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System Claim): This claim describes an interactive wireless life safety communication system. It includes:

  • A central coordination server.
  • A first network connecting the server to resident life safety devices (e.g., motion detectors, pull cords, smoke detectors) located in an assisted care facility or associated with a specific resident. These devices send an alarm signal to the server when an alarm condition is detected.
  • A second network, distinct from the first, connecting the server to caregiver communications devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones). Each caregiver device is assigned to a specific caregiver.
  • Caregiver devices receive alarm notifications from the server.
  • Caregivers can input responses into their devices, generating an "action status response." This response tells other caregivers whether the caregiver is acknowledging and responding to the alarm, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm. All other caregiver devices on the second network are automatically updated with this status.
  • A key feature is that the action of resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm is separate from the caregiver's response and the communication networks. The alarm signal continues to be generated, and its escalating status is automatically communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is cleared, stopped, or reset.

• Claim 11 (Method Claim - Caregiver Response): This claim details a method for coordinating caregiver responses to alerts in an assisted care facility. The steps involve:

  • A resident life safety device detecting an alert event and generating an alarm signal.
  • Transmitting this alarm signal over a first network to a central coordination server.
  • The central server generating an alarm notification in response to the signal.
  • Transmitting the alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device over a second network (which is different from the first).
  • A caregiver receiving input on their device, which corresponds to an "action status response" to the alarm notification. This response indicates to other caregivers if the specific caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Transmitting this action status response from the caregiver device to the central coordination server over the second network.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices on the second network based on this action status response.
  • Similar to Claim 1, the method specifies that resetting the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal is independent of the action status response and both communication networks. The alarm signal is continuously generated with progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

• Claim 14 (Method Claim - Central Server Coordination): This claim outlines a method for the central coordination server to manage caregiver responses to alert events. The steps include:

  • The central coordination server receiving an alarm signal from a resident life safety device, indicating an alert event.
  • Generating an alarm notification on the central server in response to this signal.
  • Transmitting the alarm notification to at least one caregiver communications device.
  • Receiving an "action status response" from a caregiver communications device. This response is linked to the transmitted alarm notification and indicates to other caregivers whether the originating caregiver is acknowledging and responding, acknowledging but unable to respond, or has not yet acknowledged the alarm.
  • Updating all caregiver communications devices based on these action status responses.
  • As with the other independent claims, resetting of the resident life safety device to stop the alarm signal and notification is independent of the action status response and the communication networks. The alarm signal is continually generated with a progressive status escalation communicated to all caregiver communications devices until the resident life safety device is stopped, cleared, or reset.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
No specific dockets for US Patent 9305450 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets based on the conducted search. The search results provided general information about patent litigation trends and notable cases in various district courts and the Federal Circuit in 2026, but did not specifically mention US Patent 9305450 in any listed dockets or case summaries.