The a.OK solution is a panic button with a difference!

Instead of relying on your loved-one to actively invoke an emergency notification, a.OK intelligently takes certain configurable conditions into account and performs a notification on their behalf. In fact the a.OK solution can be thought of as a personal security guard who is always either standing “AT EASE” or “AT ATTENTION” – ready to notify you of your loved one’s possible distress.

The core of the solution is completely independent from the front-end and could therefore be interacted with by various means. The configuration will initially be performed via a simple mobile web (XHTML WAP) interface but could also be administered via SMS. Primary interaction with the system is proposed to take place via USSD requests since this service is available by default on any handset on any GSM network.

Scenario:
Thandi commutes daily between the Cape Town CBD and Kayelitsha. Her journey takes between 1 hour and 4 hours depending on traffic and weather. As a user of the service she would receive a push business card to her mobile phone upon registration. The USSD code attached to this newly received contact (e.g. *120*HELP# / *120*4357#) can be stored as a shortcut on the keypad of her phone.

Before Thandi can start using the service she would have to configure her default settings via WAP / SMS. During this customization she can choose which MSISDN numbers should receive emergency notifications from her, as well the period of time between calling her a.OK security guard to attention and the activation of her distress signal. Thandi’s journey usually takes less than 4 hours she would most likely configure a period of 5 hours before her distress signal is sent. Additionally the emergency messages will be composed in her language of choice.

In future, when Thandi starts her commute she will merely press the stored shortcut number on her phone and this will invoke the relevant USSD request. Her a.OK security guard will now be “AT ATTENTION” and commence the waiting period. When Thandi safely reaches her destination all she has to do is press the same shortcut key on her phone once more, allowing her a.OK security guard to stand “AT EASE”.

In the event that Thandi does not deactivate the emergency request she will receive an SMS informing her of the pending distress signal within 5 minutes of the period ending. If Thandi fails put the system “AT EASE” the emergency notification SMSs will be sent out to her chosen contacts containing her preconfigured message.

Although it is not provided in the initial solution additional features can be added. For example location based services could be used to invoke emergency messages. This could involve geo-fencing by which a geographical area is predefined and when this area is left or entered an emergency message can be invoked.