Systems and methods for communication platforms

• US 20050259641A1
• Filed: 05/19/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SynKloud Technologies, LLC (SY Ventures)
• Original Assignee: Sonata Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Beninato, Joseph M., Mazner, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,856,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/354
• 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;

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

inputting 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises configuration parameters to be applied to one or more the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises contact information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a calendar reminder.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises desired volume levels for one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises one or more snooze parameters for one or more of the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices.

7. The method of claim 1, 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.

8. The method claim 7, 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.

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

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the help desk comprises a live operator.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the help desk comprises an automated system.

15. 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 being operably coupled to the first party'"'"'s plurality of communication devices, wherein the first party'"'"'s user account includes information regarding one or more emergency contact parties;

inputting information from the environmental sensor to a 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.

16. The method of claim 15, 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.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein one of the emergency contact parties is a caregiver.

18. The method of claim 15, 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.

19. The method of claim 18, 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.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a smoke detector.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a video camera.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a motion detector.

23. The system of claim 15, wherein the environmental sensor comprises a carbon monoxide detector.

24. A method for transmitting information from a medical monitoring device to a medical provider comprising:

linking a medical monitoring device to a communication device;

inputting data derived from the medical monitoring device to a central server operably coupled to the communication device; and

transmitting the data from the central server to the medical provider.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical monitoring device comprises a blood pressure monitor.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical monitoring device comprises a pulse oximeter.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical monitoring device comprises a blood glucose monitor.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the medical monitoring device comprises a heart rate monitor.

29. A method for connecting a first party to a second party comprising:

inputting information regarding the first party and a plurality of other parties on a central server of a call linking-center, the central server being operably coupled to communication devices of the first party and the plurality of other parties;

receiving a request from a first party for connection to another party based on one or more parameters;

evaluating the information provided by the plurality of other parties based on the parameters; and

connecting the first party to a second party based on an evaluation of the second party'"'"'s information.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the information comprises topics of interest.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the information comprises geographic factors.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

storing information regarding the availability status of each of the plurality of other parties on the central server; and

verifying that the second party is available prior to connecting the first and second parties.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

displaying the availability status of one or more the plurality of other parties on the first party'"'"'s one or more communication devices.