Social media modification of behavior and mobile screening for impairment

• US 10,045,096 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2015
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Briggs, Benjamin D., Clevenger, Lawrence A., Clevenger, Leigh Anne H., Connell, II, Jonathan H., Ratha, Nalini K., Rizzolo, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US14/934,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20170134832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 34087001, 340500, 3405391, 34053912, 34053922, 340540, 3405731, 340575, 340576, 3405737, 340 101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Techniques for modifying user behavior and screening for impairment using a mobile feedback controller, such as a smartwatch, are provided. In one aspect, a method for monitoring a user includes the steps of: collecting real-time data from the user, wherein the data is collected via a mobile feedback controller worn by the user; determining whether the data collected from the user indicates impairment; determining appropriate corrective actions to be taken if the data collected from the user indicates impairment, otherwise continuing to collect data from the user in real-time; determining whether any action is needed; and undertaking the appropriate corrective actions if action is needed, otherwise continuing to collect data from the user in real-time.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a user, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting real-time data from the user relating to a physical condition and surrounding environment of the user, a current location of the user, and whether the user is at home, wherein the real-time data is collected via a mobile feedback controller worn by the user;

determining the physical condition and a current location of the user by combining the real time data relating to the physical condition and surrounding environment of the user, and determining whether the current location of the user is a home of the user;

determining whether the real-time data collected from the user indicates impairment by analyzing the real-time data relating to the physical condition and surrounding environment of the user, the current location of the user, and whether the user is at home;

determining appropriate corrective actions to be taken if the real-time data collected from the user indicates impairment, otherwise continuing to collect data from the user in real-time;

determining whether any action is needed; and

undertaking the appropriate corrective actions if action is needed, otherwise continuing to collect data from the user in real-time, wherein the appropriate corrective action is based on a series of predetermined scenarios, and wherein the appropriate corrective actions comprise i) disabling a vehicle of the user so as to prevent the user from driving, and ii) sending a request for alternative transportation to at least one of a taxi service and friends of the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time data collected from the user comprises physiological data for the user selected from the group consisting of:

skin electrical characteristics, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, pulse, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time data collected from the user comprises trajectory data for the user selected from the group consisting of:

movement, speed, direction, orientation, location, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time data collected from the user comprises environmental data selected from the group consisting of:

air pressure, temperature, wind velocity, and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile feedback controller worn by the user comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, a pulse oximeter sensor, a heart rate sensor, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile feedback controller worn by the user comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a gyroscope sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, and combinations thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile feedback controller worn by the user comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a barometer, an air temperature sensor, a wind speed sensor, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile feedback controller worn by the user comprises a smartwatch.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether a behavior of the user is modifiable; and

interacting with the user to modify the behavior of the user if the behavior of the user is modifiable, otherwise determining whether further action is needed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of interacting with the user to modify the behavior of the user comprises the steps of:

generating an alert to the user on the mobile feedback controller worn by the user; and

increasing an intensity of the alert to catch an attention of the user until the real-time data collected from the user no longer indicates impairment.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the alert is selected from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alert, a vibrating alert, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the audible alarm comprises voice commands.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the visual alert comprises text on a display of the mobile feedback controller worn by the user.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the appropriate corrective actions comprise alerting third party contacts.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the third party contacts comprise medical personnel.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile feedback controller communicates with the vehicle by near field communication, and wherein disabling the vehicle comprises the step of:

sending a communication from the mobile feedback controller to the vehicle, when the user approaches the vehicle, that prevents the vehicle from being opened by the user.

17. A computer program product for monitoring a user, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a computer to cause the computer to:

collect real-time data from the user relating to a physical condition and surrounding environment of the user, a current location of the user, and whether the user is at home, wherein the real-time data is collected via a mobile feedback controller worn by the user;

determine whether the real-time data collected from the user indicates impairment by analyzing the real-time data relating to the physical condition and surrounding environment of the user, the current location of the user, and whether the user is at home;

determine appropriate corrective actions to be taken if the real-time data collected from the user indicates impairment, otherwise continue to collect data from the user in real-time;

determine whether any action is needed; and

undertake the appropriate corrective actions if action is needed, otherwise continue to collect data from the user in real-time, wherein the appropriate corrective action is based on a series of predetermined scenarios, and wherein the appropriate corrective actions comprise i) disabling a vehicle of the user so as to prevent the user from driving, and ii) sending a request for alternative transportation to at least one of a taxi service and friends of the user.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the program instructions further cause the computer to:

determine whether a behavior of the user is modifiable; and

interact with the user to modify the behavior of the user if the behavior of the user is modifiable, otherwise determining whether further action is needed.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein when interacting with the user to modify the behavior of the user the program instructions further cause the computer to:

generate an alert to the user on the mobile feedback controller worn by the user; and

increase an intensity of the alert to catch an attention of the user until the real-time data collected from the user no longer indicates impairment.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the alert is selected from the group consisting of:

an audible alarm, a visual alert, a vibrating alert, and combinations thereof.