Telephone system for impaired individuals

• US 9,686,392 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2016
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telecalm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Telecalm, Inc.
• Inventors: Schriefer, Tavis Dion
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US15/200,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20170006145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 method of using a telephone system for a caregiver to remotely manage an impaired individual, the method comprising:

connecting at least one desk phone associated with the impaired individual with at least one caregiver monitoring application that selectively identifies one or more functionalities for the at least one desk phone; and

transmitting data between the at least one desk phone and the at least one caregiver monitoring application over a cloud service containing a set of rules, database lists and available user features that are defined and updated by the caregiver monitoring application to provide and limit functionality of the at least one desk phone in a customized manner to match physical and mental capabilities of the impaired individual.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein data includes health-related and activity data about the impaired individual wherein the health-related and activity data is transmitted to a cloud service for evaluation by a caregiver or other trusted party, and wherein the health-related and activity data is measured and collected by a plurality of sensors associated with the at least one desk phone.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

interfacing the at least one desk phone 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, activity/heart monitors, medication monitors, video/audio monitors, motion detectors, light controls, electronic or wireless-enabled door locks, house lighting, bed monitors, cameras, motion sensors, scales, and blood pressure monitors; and

transmitting data collected from the one or more devices to the cloud service or other trusted party.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more functionalities for the at least one desk phone are selected from the group comprising:

approved phone numbers, blocked phone numbers, times for when calls can be placed and received, rules for incoming calls from approved and unknown callers, rules for outgoing calls to approved and unknown callers, rules for repeated dialing, voicemail, and overrides of calling rules.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one desk phone includes a display that displays a caller ID name and number, a display name, or both when the impaired individual receives a call.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein partial phone numbers or old phone numbers may cross-reference to a contact when the impaired individual attempts to dial an approved phone number.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one desk phone includes a handset having volume control, volume leveling, sound amplifier and/or active noise reduction.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein volume control, volume leveling, sound amplifier and/or active noise reduction are controlled via the cloud service.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein attempts are made to deliver a voicemail to the impaired individual by periodically ringing the at least one desk phone and then playing the voicemail when the at least one desk phone is answered.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein data transmitted between the at least one desk phone and the at least one caregiver monitoring application includes the functionality for a paid caregiver to clock-in and clock-out when he/she arrives or leaves the impaired individual, and upon clocking-in or clocking-out, a notification is sent to a family caregiver and the paid caregiver'"'"'s employer.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the paid caregiver clocks-in and clocks-out by entering a code on a keypad of the at least one desk phone.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the paid caregiver clocks-in and clocks-out by calling a specified phone number and entering a code.