Systems and methods for controlling information and use of communications devices through a central server

• US 8,856,383 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2005
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SynKloud Technologies, LLC (SY Ventures)
• Original Assignee: Presto Services Inc.
• Inventors: Mazner, Martin, Beninato, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazaro, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): HENRY, MARIEGEORGES A
• Application Number:
  US11/134,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,428 Days
• Field of Search: 709/226, 709/229, 607/60
• US Class Current: 709/242
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• 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 1/2474 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 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42008 Systems for anonymous communication between parties, e.g. by use of disposal contact identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42178 by downloading data to substation equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Communication systems and methods for enhancing communication between users and caregivers, health care providers, and other users via a central processing center. The system comprises a central processing center, including a server, and communication devices such as telephones, pagers, and personal digital assistants. Information programmed into the server by the user can be transmitted to the user'"'"'s communication devices without requiring the user to input the information into each device separately. Through the system, other parties, such as adult child caregiver to a senior parent, can program information on the senior parent'"'"'s communication devices. The system also allows users to contact other users with similar interests.

Claims

1. A method of updating information on one or more of a first party'"'"'s plurality of communications devices comprising:

establishing an individual user account for the first party on a call-processing system, the call-processing system being operably coupled to the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

wherein updated information is processed by a central server;

granting a second party access to the first party'"'"'s account, wherein the second party comprises a caregiver associated with the first party and wherein access to the first party'"'"'s account is restricted to only persons granted authority by the first party or the second party;

receiving information from the second party at a central server of the call-processing system, wherein the information comprises device configuration parameters to be applied to current features of the one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

transmitting the information from the central server to one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices to update the information contained on one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

wherein the central server initiates an alert on all or some of the first party'"'"'s linked communication devices to notify the first party of the updated information made at the central server;

wherein the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices are selected from the group consisting of corded telephones, cordless telephones, answering machines, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, desktop computers, laptop computers, wristwatches, pagers, and clock radios; and

wherein the device configuration parameters are selected from the group consisting of information regarding contacts, calendar events, reminders, alerts, ring or alert tones, volumes, snooze parameters, speed dial keys, and outgoing answering messages.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting comprises accessing a website linked to the central server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting comprises the second party inputting a series of touch-tone commands on a communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting comprises the second party inputting a series of responses in response to voice prompts.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting information comprises the second party communicating with a help desk of the call-processing system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the help desk comprises a live operator.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the help desk comprises an automated system.

8. A method of updating information on one or more of a first party'"'"'s plurality of communications devices comprising:

establishing an individual user account for the first party on a call-processing system, the call-processing system being operably coupled to the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

granting a second party access to the first party'"'"'s account;

wherein the second party comprises a caregiver associated with the first party and wherein access to the first party'"'"'s account is restricted to only persons granted authority by the first party or the second party;

receiving information from the second party to a central server of the call-processing system; and

transmitting the information from the central server to one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices to update the information contained on one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

wherein the central server initiates an alert on all or some of the first party'"'"'s linked communication devices to notify the first party of the updated information made at the central server;

wherein the information comprises device configuration parameters to be applied to current features of the one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices, and wherein the step of transmitting the information includes transmitting the information to a first one of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices and transmitting the information to a second one of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices if confirmation is not received from the first party within a predetermined period of time;

wherein the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices are selected from the group consisting of corded telephones, cordless telephones, answering machines, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, desktop computers, laptop computers, wristwatches, pagers, and clock radios; and

wherein the information is selected from the group consisting of information regarding contacts, calendar events, reminders, alerts, ring or alert tones, volumes, snooze parameters, speed dial keys, and outgoing answering messages.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of sending an alert to a third party if confirmation is not received from the first party within a predetermined period of time.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of inputting comprises accessing a website linked to the central server.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of inputting comprises the second party inputting a series of touch-tone commands on a communication device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of inputting comprises the second party inputting a series of responses in response to voice prompts.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of inputting information comprises the second party communicating with a help desk of the call-processing system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the help desk comprises a live operator.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the help desk comprises an automated system.

16. A method for monitoring environmental conditions of a first party through one or more of a first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices comprising:

linking an environmental sensor to one of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

establishing an individual user account for the first party on a call-processing system, the call-processing system having a central server and being operably coupled to the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices;

granting a second party access to the first party'"'"'s account, wherein the second party comprises a caregiver associated with the first party and wherein access to the first party'"'"'s account is restricted to only persons granted authority by the first party or the second party;

receiving information from the second party at a central server of the call-processing system, wherein the information comprises configuration parameters to be applied to current features of the one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices or the environmental sensor;

transmitting the information from the central server to one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices or the environmental sensor to update the information contained on one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices or the environmental sensor;

wherein the first party'"'"'s user account includes information regarding one or more emergency contact parties;

inputting information from the environmental sensor to the central server of the call-processing system; and

sending an alert from the central server to one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices and to one or more of the emergency contact parties upon detection by the environmental sensor of an adverse event;

wherein the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices are selected from the group consisting of corded telephones, cordless telephones, answering machines, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, wristwatches, pagers, and clock radios.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

granting a primary emergency contact party access to the first party'"'"'s account; and

inputting information from primary emergency contact party to the central server, wherein said information includes parameters for receiving alerts.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein one of the emergency contact parties is a caregiver.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of sending comprises sending an alert to a first one of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices and sending the alert to a second one of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices if confirmation is not received from the first party within a predetermined period of time.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of transmitting an alert to a second party if confirmation is not received from the first party within a predetermined period of time.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a smoke detector.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a video camera.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a motion detector.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a carbon monoxide detector.