Computer-automated system and method of assessing the orientation, awareness and responses of a person with reduced capacity

• US 20060066448A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kimberco, Inc.
• Inventors: Bradsher, Christopher Michael, Bradsher, Arthur Brown, Krienen, Carl Henry Jr., Berisford, Kimberley Price, Berisford, Audrey Elizabeth
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,121 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/504
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0423 detecting deviation from an expected pattern of behaviour or schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0476 Cameras to detect unsafe condition, e.g. video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0492 Sensor dual technology, i.e. two or more technologies collaborate to extract unsafe condition, e.g. video tracking and RFID tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A system and method for scheduling, and reminding people receiving care (PRC) about upcoming events uses a remote computer-based interface that allows a Caregiver at a remote location to schedule the events for the PRC. The PRC has in their residence (or other location) a device that prompts the PRC, by an audio and/or video prompt, so as to “nudge” the PRC, asking whether they intend to participate in a pre-scheduled event. A man-machine interface, such as a two input keypad containing one button labeled “yes” and another button labeled “no”, the remote Caregiver is able to monitor the responses of the electronic “nudges” offered by the system to the PRC. In turn, the device used by the remote Caregiver accumulates the responses and creates a history of the level of activity the person has indicated in which they wish to participate.

Claims

1. A system for reminding a person about an event, comprising:

a local interactive device configured to alert the person about an upcoming event and solicit feedback from the person regarding an intent of the person to participate in the event, said local interactive device including

an input/output device configured to receive a message containing data regarding the event from a remote interface device via a communication link,

an event reminder mechanism configured to generate an announcement signal at a predetermined time not later than said time for the event,

an announcement mechanism configured to present a query to the person regarding an intention of the person to participate in the event,

a local interaction device configured to convert an expression of interest by said person into a digital representation of said interest, and

a memory configured to store the digital representation of said expression of interest, wherein

said local interaction device is not either a conventional keyboard or a mouse for a personal computer, and

said input/output mechanism is configured to send data corresponding to said expression of interest to said remote interface device via said communication link.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said local interaction device includes a keypad having not more than three keys, said not more than three keys includes a first key indicative of an affirmative response, and a second key indicative of a negative response.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said not more than three keys includes a third key indicative of a request for additional information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said local interaction device includes a microphone configured to convert a spoken expression by said person into a first signal for an affirmative response, and a second spoken expression into a second signal for a negative response.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said local interaction device includes a camera configured to record as a first video file a first motion of said person indicative of an affirmative response, and a second video file as a second motion of said person indicative of a negative response.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said local interaction device further includes:

a local scheduler configured to receive data from a local peripheral device operatively coupled with said local interactive device, and provide said data to said event reminder mechanism.

7. The system of claim 1, said local interaction device further includes:

an electronic photo frame configured to display digital images thereon when said query is not being presented, and said local interaction device is configured to exchange data with said electronic photo frame.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

said remote interface device, said remote interface device comprising a scheduling mechanism configured to receive data about said event and prepare said message containing the data regarding the event, said data including data about the time for the event.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

said remote interface device, said remote interface device including a monitoring mechanism, said monitoring mechanism configured to receive said data regarding said expression of interest and compare said data against a predetermined threshold.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein:

said monitoring mechanism is further configured to remain in a monitoring mode of operation if the data is determined to be less than said predetermined threshold, and initiate a reporting process if the data is determined to be greater than said predetermined threshold.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein:

said reporting process includes sending an e-mail notification about an activity status of the person to a predetermined address.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein:

said reporting process is further configured to notify a third party when it is determined that the person has responded affirmatively to the event, and the event involves the third party.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein:

said event includes at least one of a therapy event, a time to take a medication, and a social activity.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the remote interface device, said remote interface device comprising a web server and a client computer, said web server configured to serve a web page to the client computer, said web page containing data fields to be completed by entry from a user at the client computer, said data fields including a data field for describing said event, including a time of said event.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein said local interaction device includes a touchscreen.

30. The system of claim 2, wherein said local interaction device includes a photo frame configured to have graphical content downloaded via said communication link and displayed thereon.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said graphical content being an advertisement.

32. The system of claim 1, where the local interaction mechanism includes a graduated interaction mechanism that sets a level of interaction required or permitted on the local interaction device.

15. A processor-implemented method for reminding a person about an event, comprising steps of:

alerting the person about an upcoming event from a local interactive device and soliciting feedback from the person regarding an intent of the person to participate in the event, said alerting step including

receiving from a remote interface device via a communication link a message containing data regarding the event,

generating an announcement signal at a predetermined time not later than said time for the event, and

presenting a query to the person regarding an intention of the person to participate in the event; and

receiving feedback from said person, including steps of

converting an expression of interest by said person into a digital representation of said interest, said converting step being performed by a local interaction device,

storing the digital representation of said expression of interest, and

sending data regarding said expression of interest to said remote interface device via said communication link, wherein

said local interaction device being different than a conventional keyboard or a mouse for a personal computer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said local interaction device includes a keypad having not more than three keys, said not more than three keys includes a first key indicative of an affirmative response, and a second key indicative of a negative response.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein:

said not more than three keys includes a third key indicative of a request for additional information.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said converting step includes converting a spoken expression by said person into a first signal for an affirmative response, and a second spoken expression into a second signal for a negative response.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said converting step includes recording as a first video file a first motion of said person indicative of an affirmative response, and a second video file as a second motion of said person indicative of a negative response.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving data from a local peripheral device operatively coupled with said local interactive device, and providing said data to an event reminder mechanism.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

displaying digital images on an electronic photo frame when said query is not being displayed and exchanging data between a local interface device and said electronic photo frame.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving at said remote interface device data about said event and preparing said message containing the data regarding the event, said data including data about the time for the event.

23. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving at said remote interface device data regarding said expression of interest and comparing said data against a predetermined threshold.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

remaining in a monitoring mode of operation if the data is determined to be less than said predetermined threshold; and

initiating a reporting process if the data is determined to be greater than said predetermined threshold.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

said reporting process includes sending an e-mail notification about an activity status of the person to a predetermined address.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein:

said reporting process includes a step of notifying a third party when it is determined that the person has responded affirmatively to the event, and the event involves the third party.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein:

said event includes at least one of a therapy event, a time to take a medication, and a social activity.

28. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

serving a web page to a client computer, said web page containing blank data fields in which data from client computer is entered, said data fields including fields for describing said event, including a time of said event.

33. A system for reminding a person about an event, comprising:

means for alerting the person about an upcoming event from a local interactive device and soliciting feedback from the person regarding an intent of the person to participate in the event, said means for alerting including

means for receiving from a remote interface device via a communication link a message containing data regarding the event,

means for generating an announcement signal at a predetermined time not later than said time for the event, and

means for presenting a query to the person regarding an intention of the person to participate in the event; and

means for receiving feedback from said person, including

means for converting an expression of interest by said person into a digital representation of said interest,

a memory configured to store the digital representation of said expression of interest, and

an interface configured to send data regarding said expression of interest to said remote interface device via said communication link, wherein

said means for converting being different than a conventional keyboard or a mouse for a personal computer.

34. A system for reminding a person to perform an activity in response to an occurrence of an event, comprising:

a sensor configured to produce a signal when triggered by said event;

a local interactive device configured to remind the person about performing an activity when said sensor is triggered, and solicit feedback from the person regarding an intent of the person to perform the activity, said local interactive device including

an input/output device configured to receive the signal via a communication link,

an activity reminder mechanism configured to generate an announcement signal at a predetermined time after said signal is received,

an announcement mechanism configured to present a query to the person regarding an intention of the person to participate in the activity,

a local interaction device configured to convert an expression of interest by said person into a digital representation of said interest, and

a memory configured to store the digital representation of said expression of interest, wherein

said local interaction device is not either a conventional keyboard or a mouse for a personal computer.