US Patent 7982600 Hybrid communication terminal-alarm system

A hybrid communication terminal-alarm system is described, for individual use or for use in public facilities. A communication terminal, such as cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), fixed or mobile phone, etc, has one or more built-in alarm sensors. The sensors are capable of identifying various hazards and/or potentially dangerous events and appropriately warning the person(s) that may be affected, by the respective event. The alarm may be acoustic (e.g. a sound or a voice message) or optic (flashing light). The system also transmits automatically a distress message to a third party for help, as/if needed. The distress message may be transmitted over the public wireless or wireline network, or over a private network.