Methods and Apparatus for Analyzing User Information to Identify Conditions Indicating a Need for Assistance for the User

• US 20100174572A1
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Joseph, Kurt M., Belz, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,458,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06398 Performance of employee with respect to a job function
• 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 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Systems and techniques for analyzing information relating to a user to determine whether the user requires assistance. Information for a user is received from sources selected to provide information relating to the user'"'"'s activities and analyzed to determine whether conditions exist indicating a possible need for assistance for the user. User location, motion, and activity information is received and analyzed against expected information stored in the user profile and analyzed to determine if assistance is needed. If a determination is made that the user'"'"'s behavior indicates that assistance may be needed, communication is initiated to summon appropriate assistance.

Claims

1. A data processing device comprising:

an interface for receiving information relating to a user'"'"'s behavior through wireless communication with one or more devices providing information relating to the behavior of the user; and

a processor operative to analyze the received information with respect to expected user behavior and to analyze deviations from the expected behavior based on stored information reflecting conditions indicated by such deviations, the processor being further operative to identify deviations from expected behavior indicating that the user may require assistance and to direct actions to summon assistance based on the nature of the deviation.

2. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the interface receives information from one or more electronic devices indicating user activities using the electronic devices.

3. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the information includes information relating to scheduled user activities and the user'"'"'s deviation from the schedule and wherein the processor evaluates deviations from the scheduled activities in light of expected user behavior.

4. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein expectations of user behavior are developed through observation of user activities and habits with respect to adherence to schedules over time.

5. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the processor signals the user upon identification of a deviation from expectations and initiates communications to summon assistance if the user fails to respond to the signal.

6. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the interface is operative to obtain information relating to the user'"'"'s current environment and wherein the processor takes the information relating to the user'"'"'s environment into account in determining whether the user'"'"'s activities indicate a need for assistance and in taking action to summon assistance.

7. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the user'"'"'s environment includes information relating to the user'"'"'s past experiences in the user'"'"'s current environment.

8. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the interface is operative to obtain information relating to the user'"'"'s movements and wherein the processor determines whether assistance is needed based on the user'"'"'s pattern of movements.

9. The data processing device of claim 1, wherein the interface receives information through wireless connections to a plurality of devices collecting information relating to the user and wherein the processor interprets and coordinates information from the different devices to determine and interpret the user'"'"'s behavior.

10. The data processing device of claim 8, wherein the processor determines that assistance may be needed when information is received indicating that the user arrived at a predetermined location but fails to engage in expected activities at the location.

11. A method of user monitoring, comprising the steps of:

receiving information relating to a user'"'"'s behavior through wireless communication with one or more devices providing information relating to the user; and

analyzing the received information to compare the user'"'"'s behavior with expectations relating to the user'"'"'s behavior and to analyze deviations from expectations to determine whether such deviations indicate a need for assistance for the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving information includes receiving information relating to the user'"'"'s participation or nonparticipation in scheduled activities and determining whether deviations from scheduled activities indicate a need for assistance.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of monitoring user behavior over time to develop and refine expectations relating to user behavior.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein monitoring user behavior over time includes monitoring user behavior with respect to adherence to schedules.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving information relating to the user'"'"'s behavior includes receiving information relating to the user'"'"'s pattern of movements and the step of analyzing the user'"'"'s behavior includes analyzing the user'"'"'s pattern of movements to determine whether the pattern of movements indicates a need for assistance.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein analyzing the user'"'"'s pattern of movements includes taking information relating to the user'"'"'s current environment into account.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the information relating to the user'"'"'s current environment includes information relating to historical patterns of accidents in the environment.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein expectations relating to user behavior are stored in a user profile.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of summoning assistance upon determination that assistance may be needed.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of summoning assistance comprises analyzing the deviations from the user'"'"'s behavior to identify a condition indicating a need for assistance and following procedures stored in a user profile for the identified condition.