System and method for automatic remote notification at predetermined times or events

• US 7,818,420 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Celeste Ann Taylor
• Original Assignee: Celeste Ann Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US11/845,034
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 709223-224, 709217-219, 709/207
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for automatic remote notification that includes eliciting and receiving, into a server, triggering information from a client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication, receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information, and conditionally sending the first communication from the server to the first destination based on occurrence of the first triggering event. The specification of the destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a person, the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines an amount of time, and the arming includes starting a timer that triggers upon elapse of the amount of time.

Claims

1. A computerized method for automatic sending of a first communication alert to a first destination, after a client arranges a near future meeting with a first partner, the method comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, first identifying information about the first partner, the first identifying information including a name and an address, wherein the address includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an electronic address of the first partner and a physical address of the first partner;

eliciting and receiving, into the server, triggering information from the client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of the first communication alert to be sent, the first destination for the first communication alert, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication alert, and wherein the first triggering event is selected from the group consisting of;

elapse of a first amount of time, receipt of a communication from the client, and receipt of a sensor signal from a sensor;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication alert to be sent based on the triggering information;

receiving disarming information from the client, and disabling the sending of the first communication alert based on the disarming information; and

conditionally sending the first communication alert and the first identifying information about the first partner from the server to the first destination based on;

an occurrence of the first triggering event after the receiving of the arming information from the client and the arming of the sending of the first communication alert, and

not yet having received the disarming information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of first identifying information and the receiving of triggering information occurs within a first information transfer from the client to the server, and wherein the receiving of arming information also occurs within the first information transfer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert includes eliciting and receiving an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person;

the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first triggering event includes eliciting and receiving information that defines the first amount of time;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and the arming includes starting a timer that triggers upon the elapse of the first amount of time; and

the sending of the first communication alert to the first destination is based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before the disarming information is received from the client.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert further includes eliciting and receiving an approval response from the first person having the first communications device, wherein the eliciting and receiving of the approval response includes receiving contact opt-out information from the first person if they are not interested in participating, and wherein the method further includes:

notifying the client that opt-out information for the first destination was received.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving rearming information from the client; and

extending the first amount of time for the triggering of the timer based on the rearming information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the eliciting and receiving of triggering information further includes eliciting and receiving client payment information, and charging an amount to an account based on the client payment information.

7. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the first identifying information includes

known descriptive physical stats of the first partner.

8. The computerized method of claim 7, wherein the first identifying information includes a chat log of internet communications between the first partner and the client.

9. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the first identifying information includes

known descriptive physical stats of the first partner, wherein

the arming information includes starting a timer that triggers upon the elapse of the first amount of time, wherein the sending of the first communication alert and the first identifying information about the first partner is based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before the disarming information is received from the client, and wherein the first destination for the first communication includes an emergency first-responder.

10. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising providing a remote-control device configured to perform a plurality of departure functions via a single click on the remote-control device including sending the arming information from the client to the server.

11. The computerized method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of departure functions further include closing a garage door, turning off lights of a residence, changing temperature settings of an air conditioning system, and arming a security system.

12. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising providing a remote-control device configured to perform a plurality of return-arrival functions via a single click on the remote-control device including sending the disarming information from the client to the server.

13. The computerized method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of return-arrival functions further include closing the garage door, turning on the lights of the residence, resetting the temperature settings of the air conditioning system, and disarming a security system.

14. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising providing a remote-control device configured to perform a plurality of departure functions via a first single click on the remote-control device including sending the arming information from the client to the server, closing a garage door, turning off lights of a residence, changing temperature settings of an air conditioning system, and arming a security system, wherein the remote-control device is further configured to perform a plurality of return-arrival functions via a second single click on the remote-control device including sending the disarming information from the client to the server, closing the garage door, turning on the lights of the residence, resetting the temperature settings of the air conditioning system, and disarming a security system.

15. A computerized method for automatic remote notification comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, triggering information from a client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

conditionally sending the first communication from the server to the first destination based on an occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein;

the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person such that the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device;

the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date;

the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time for the date;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and the arming includes enabling sending of the first communication upon an elapse of the first amount of time; and

the sending of the first communication to the first destination is based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before check-in information is received from the client,

and wherein the method further comprises;

receiving rearming information from the client;

extending the first amount of time based on the rearming information;

receiving check-in information from the client; and

disabling the sending of the first communication based on the check-in information.

16. A computerized method for automatic remote notification comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, triggering information from a client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

conditionally sending the first communication from the server to the first destination based on an occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein;

the triggering information includes specifications of;

a plurality of communications to be sent including the first communication and a second communication, wherein the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date and the specification of the second communication also includes an identification of the second person whom the client is to meet for the date;

a plurality of destinations including the first destination for the first communication and a second destination for the second communication, wherein the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person, such that the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device, and the specification of the second destination for the second communication includes an electronic address of a second communications device of a third person, such that the third person will receive the second communication via the second communications device; and

a plurality of triggering events including the first triggering event for sending the first communication and a second triggering event for sending the second communication, wherein the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time that must elapse before sending the first communication, and wherein the specification of the second triggering event includes information that defines a second amount of time that must elapse before sending the second communication;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and enabling both sending of the first communication to the first destination upon an elapse of the first amount of time and sending of the second communication to the second destination upon an elapse of the second amount of time based on the check-out information; and

wherein the method further comprises;

receiving disarming information from the client, and disabling both sending of the first communication and sending of the second communication based on the disarming information,

wherein the sending of the first communication to the first destination is based on elapse of the first amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client; and

wherein the sending of the second communication to the second destination is based on elapse of the second amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client.

17. An apparatus for automatic sending of a first communication alert to a first destination, after a client arranges a near future meeting with a first partner, the apparatus comprising:

a server, wherein the server is operatively coupled to an internet;

an information database operatively coupled to the server;

an identifier module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the identifier module is configured to elicit and receive first identification information about the first partner from the client over the internet, wherein the identifier module is configured to store the first identification information to the information database, wherein the first identification information includes a name and an address, and wherein the address includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an electronic address of the first partner and a physical address of the first partner;

a trigger module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the trigger module is configured to elicit and receive triggering information from a client over the internet, wherein the trigger module is configured to store the triggering information to the information database, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication alert to be sent, a first destination for the first communication alert, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication alert, and wherein the first triggering event is selected from the group consisting of;

elapse of a first amount of time, receipt of a communication from the client, and receipt of a sensor signal from a sensor;

an arm module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the arm module is configured to receive arming information related to the triggering information from the client, wherein the arm module is configured to store the received arming information to the information database, wherein the arm module is configured to arm the sending of the first communication alert to be sent based on the triggering information, wherein the arm module is configured to receive disarming information, wherein the arm module is configured to store the received disarming information to the information database, and wherein the arm module is configured to disable the sending of the first communication alert based on the disarming information; and

a communications unit operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the communications unit is configured to conditionally send the first communication alert and the first identification information from the server to the first destination based on;

an occurrence of the first triggering event after the arm module receives the arming information from the client and arms the sending of the first communication alert, and

the arm module not yet having received the disarming information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the identifier module is configured to receive the first identification information and the trigger module is configured to receive the triggering information within a first information transfer from the client to the server, and wherein the arm module is also configured to receive the arming information within the first information transfer.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person;

the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines the first amount of time;

the arming information includes check-out information from the client and the arm module is configured to start a timer that triggers upon the elapse of the first amount of time; and

the communications unit is configured to send the first communication alert to the first destination based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before the disarming information is received from the client.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert further includes an approval response from the first person having the first communications device, wherein the approval response includes contact opt-out information from the first person if they are not interested in participating, and wherein the communications unit is configured to notify the client that opt-out information for the first destination was received.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the arm module is configured to receive rearming information from the client, and wherein the arm module is configured to extend the first amount of time to an extended first amount of time based on the rearming information such that the timer is configured to trigger upon an elapse of the extended first amount of time.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the arm module is configured to disable the timer after the arm module receives the disarming information such that the communications unit cannot send the first communication.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the triggering information includes client payment information, and wherein the trigger module is configured to charge an amount to an account based on the client payment information.

24. An apparatus for automatic remote notification comprising:

a server, wherein the server is operatively coupled to an internet;

an information database operatively coupled to the server;

a trigger module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the trigger module is configured to elicit and receive triggering information from a client over the internet, wherein the trigger module is configured to store the triggering information to the information database, and wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

an arm module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the arm module is configured to receive arming information related to the triggering information from the client, wherein the arm module is configured to store the received arming information to the information database, and wherein the arm module is configured to arm the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

a communications unit operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the communications unit is configured to conditionally send the first communication from the server to the first destination based on occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein;

the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person, such that the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device;

the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date;

the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time for the date;

the arming information includes check-out information from the client and the arm module is configured to enable sending of the first communication upon an elapse of the first amount of time;

the communications unit is configured to send the first communication to the first destination based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before check-in information is received from the client;

the arm module is configured to receive rearming information from the client and the arm module is configured to extend the first amount of time based on the rearming information; and

the arm module is configured to receive check-in information from the client and the arm module is configured to disable the sending of the first communication based on the check-in information.

25. An apparatus for automatic remote notification comprising:

a server, wherein the server is operatively coupled to an internet;

an information database operatively coupled to the server;

a trigger module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the trigger module is configured to elicit and receive triggering information from a client over the internet, wherein the trigger module is configured to store the triggering information to the information database, and wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

an arm module operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the arm module is configured to receive arming information related to the triggering information from the client, wherein the arm module is configured to store the received arming information to the information database, and wherein the arm module is configured to arm the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

a communications unit operatively coupled to the information database, wherein the communications unit is configured to conditionally send the first communication from the server to the first destination based on occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein;

the triggering information includes specifications of;

a plurality of communications to be sent including the first communication and a second communication, wherein the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date and the specification of the second communication also includes an identification of the second person whom the client is to meet for the date;

a plurality of destinations including the first destination for the first communication and a second destination for the second communication, wherein the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person, such that the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device, and the specification of the second destination for the second communication includes an electronic address of a second communications device of a third person, such that the third person will receive the second communication via the second communications device; and

a plurality of triggering events including the first triggering event for sending the first communication and a second triggering event for sending the second communication, wherein the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time that must elapse before sending the first communication, and wherein the specification of the second triggering event includes information that defines a second amount of time that must elapse before sending the second communication;

the arm module is configured to enable, upon receipt of check-out information from the client, both sending of the first communication to the first destination upon an elapse of the first amount of time and sending of the second communication to the second destination upon an elapse of the second amount of time based on the check-out information;

the arm module is configured to disable, upon receipt of disarming information from the client, both sending of the first communication and sending of the second communication based on the disarming information, wherein;

the communications unit is configured to send the first communication to the first destination based on elapse of the first amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client; and

the communications unit is configured to send the second communication to the second destination based on elapse of the second amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably-programmed information processor to perform a method for automatic sending of a first communication alert to a first destination, after a client arranges a near future meeting with a first partner, the method comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, first identifying information about the first partner, the first identifying information including a name and an address, wherein the address includes at least one selected from the group consisting of an electronic address of the first partner and a physical address of the first partner;

eliciting and receiving, into the server, triggering information from the client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of the first communication alert to be sent, the first destination for the first communication alert, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication alert, and wherein the first triggering event is selected from the group consisting of;

elapse of a first amount of time, receipt of a communication from the client, and receipt of a sensor signal from a sensor;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication alert to be sent based on the triggering information;

receiving disarming information from the client, and disabling the sending of the first communication alert based on the disarming information; and

conditionally sending the first communication alert and the first identifying information about the first partner from the server to the first destination based on;

an occurrence of the first triggering event after the receiving of the arming information from the client and the arming of the sending of the first communication alert, and

not yet having received the disarming information.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the medium further comprises instructions such that the receiving of first identifying information and the receiving of triggering information occurs within a first information transfer from the client to the server, and wherein the receiving of arming information also occurs within the first information transfer.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein the medium further comprises instructions such that:

the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert includes eliciting and receiving an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person;

the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first triggering event includes eliciting and receiving information that defines the first amount of time;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and the arming includes starting a timer that triggers upon the elapse of the first amount of time; and

the sending of the first communication alert to the first destination is based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before the disarming information is received from the client.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the medium further comprises instructions such that the eliciting and receiving of the specification of the first destination for the first communication alert further includes eliciting and receiving an approval response from the first person having the first communications device, wherein the eliciting and receiving of the approval response includes receiving contact opt-out information from the first person if they are not interested in participating, and

wherein the medium further comprises instructions to cause the method to include notifying the client that opt-out information for the first destination was received.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the medium further comprises instructions to cause the method to include:

receiving rearming information from the client; and

extending the first amount of time for the triggering of the timer based on the rearming information.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably-programmed information processor to perform a method comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, triggering information from a client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

conditionally sending the first communication from the server to the first destination based on occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein the medium further comprises instructions such that;

the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person such that the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device;

the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date;

the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time for the date;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and the arming includes enabling sending of the first communication upon an elapse of the first amount of time; and

the sending of the first communication to the first destination is based on the elapse of the first amount of time occurring before check-in information is received from the client,

and wherein the medium further comprises instructions to cause the method to include;

receiving rearming information from the client;

extending the first amount of time based on the rearming information;

receiving check-in information from the client; and

disabling the sending of the first communication based on the check-in information.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for causing a suitably-programmed information processor to perform a method comprising:

eliciting and receiving, into a server, triggering information from a client, wherein the triggering information includes specifications of a first communication to be sent, a first destination for the first communication, and a first triggering event for sending the first communication;

receiving arming information from the client and arming the sending of the first communication to be sent based on the triggering information; and

conditionally sending the first communication from the server to the first destination based on occurrence of the first triggering event, wherein the medium further comprises instructions such that

the triggering information includes specifications of;

a plurality of communications to be sent including the first communication and a second communication, wherein the specification of the first communication includes an identification of a second person whom the client is to meet for a date and the specification of the second communication also includes an identification of the second person whom the client is to meet for the date;

a plurality of destinations including the first destination for the first communication and a second destination for the second communication, wherein the specification of the first destination for the first communication includes an electronic address of a first communications device of a first person, such that—

the first person will receive the first communication via the first communications device, and the specification of the second destination for the second communication includes an electronic address of a second communications device of a third person, such that the third person will receive the second communication via the second communications device; and

a plurality of triggering events including the first triggering event for sending the first communication and a second triggering event for sending the second communication, wherein the specification of the first triggering event includes information that defines a first amount of time that must elapse before sending the first communication, and wherein the specification of the second triggering event includes information that defines a second amount of time that must elapse before sending the second communication;

the receiving of arming information includes receiving check-out information from the client and enabling both sending of the first communication to the first destination upon an elapse of the first amount of time and sending of the second communication to the second destination upon an elapse of the second amount of time based on the check-out information, and wherein the medium further comprises instructions to cause the method to include;

receiving disarming information from the client, and disabling both sending of the first communication and sending of the second communication based on the disarming information,

wherein the sending of the first communication to the first destination is based on elapse of the first amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client; and

wherein the sending of the second communication to the second destination is based on elapse of the second amount of time occurring before disarming information is received from the client.