Telephone system for impaired individuals

• US 10,425,518 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2017
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telecalm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Telecalm, Inc.
• Inventors: Schriefer, Tavis Dion
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung-Hoang J
• Application Number:
  US15/589,143
• Publication Number:
  US 20170244820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2474 Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people user interfaces for cordless or mobile telephones specially adapted for disabled users H04M1/72475; network based special services or facilities for hearing-impaired persons H04M3/42391; devices for conversing with the deaf-blind G09B21/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2477 for selecting a function from a menu display H04M1/2474 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/605 involving control of the receiver volume to provide a dual operational mode at close or far distance from the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72424 with manual activation of emergency-service functions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/255 comprising a personalized user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/20 : including a rotatable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 : including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 : including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42391 : where the subscribers are hearing-impaired persons, e.g. telephone devices for the deaf
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 : Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 : Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

An expandable or all-in-one telephone system is designed for seniors suffering from Alzheimer'"'"'s and other forms of dementia as well as other cognitively challenged individuals. The features and settings are managed by their caregivers through a web browser or a smartphone application. This phone system provides caregivers with peace of mind and care-receivers with an easy-to-use safe system customized to fit their individual abilities and adaptable as their needs change. Accordingly, the system may help seniors retain dignity and independence, while reducing daily stress points for caregivers.

Claims

1. A cloud service-based telephone system for a caregiver to remotely manage an impaired individual, the system comprising:

at least one desk phone associated with the impaired individual, the at least one desk phone having an uncluttered interface to simplify use of the at least one desk phone by the impaired individual and wherein the at least one desk phone is selected from the group comprising a desk phone, a handset and a base unit, and a speakerphone; and

at least one caregiver monitoring application external to the at least one desk phone that communicates with the at least one desk phone over the cloud service through one or more of the following;

a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network, a Bluetooth connection, and a wired connection to remotely selectively identify one or more functionalities for the at least one desk phone and remotely change available functionality of the at least one desk phone, and

wherein the cloud service contains a set of rules, database lists and available user features that permit the caregiver, using the at least one caregiver monitoring application, to both remotely provide and limit the one or more functionalities of the at least one desk phone in a customized manner to match cognitive capabilities of the impaired individual;

wherein the at least one desk phone includes a wireless communication technology that transforms the at least one desk phone into a hub to communicate with one or more devices within a defined perimeter of the at least one desk phone, the one or more devices selected from the group comprising;

fall detector/emergency pendants and wristbands, activity/heart monitors and wristbands, GPS tracking devices, medication monitors, video/audio monitors, motion detectors, light controls, electronic or wireless-enabled door locks, house lighting, bed monitors, cameras, motion sensors, scales, heartbeat sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, and blood pressure monitors.

2. The telephone system of claim 1 wherein the at least one caregiver monitoring application is a web application.

3. The telephone system of claim 1 wherein the at least one caregiver monitoring application is a smartphone application.

4. The telephone system of claim 1 wherein the at least one desk phone collects data for the at least one caregiver application, wherein the data is collected by the at least one desk phone through sensors or cameras, the sensors selected from the group comprising:

an accelerometer, orientation and motion sensors, infrared and other heat sensors, galvanic skin response sensors, heartbeat sensors, and light sensors.

5. The telephone system of claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless handset having at least one earpiece speaker and at least one microphone, wherein the wireless handset is in direct communication with the at least one desk phone to relay communications to and from the impaired individual.

6. The telephone system of claim 5 wherein each end of the wireless handset has an earpiece speaker and a microphone.

7. The telephone system of claim 6 wherein the wireless handset includes at least one sensor to determine which end is closest to the impaired individual'"'"'s ear to activate the proper speaker and microphone combination.

8. The telephone system of claim 7 wherein the at least one sensor is placed on a grip of the wireless handset to sense if the wireless handset is being held in a hand of the impaired individual, and wherein the at least one sensor is on a top portion of the wireless handset, a bottom portion of the wireless handset, or on both.

9. The telephone system of claim 1 wherein the at least one desk phone includes a large display.

10. The telephone system of claim 9 where the large display includes a plurality of transparent buttons associated with switches.

11. The telephone system of claim 9 wherein the large display includes a cover plate and a plurality of transparent buttons overlaid on the large display, the plurality of transparent buttons having an undersurface conducive to interaction with a touch panel of the large display when depressed.

12. The telephone system of claim 9 wherein the large display includes at least one quick-dial button, wherein the at least one quick-dial button is associated with at least one phone number and displays a photo or text associated with the at least one phone number.

13. The telephone system of claim 9 wherein the large display includes an information section, wherein the information section digitally displays an identification of a caller and time of call.

14. The telephone system of claim 1 wherein, using one or more sensors, the at least one desk phone monitors activities within a defined perimeter of the at least one desk phone and reports the activities to the at least one caregiver application via the cloud service.