Networked system for interactive communication and remote monitoring of individuals

• US 20060271404A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/905 Feedback to patient of biological signal other than brain electric signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual'"'"'s response to the questions.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a health related condition of a user with a server connectable to a communication network, comprising the steps of:

(A) generating one or more scripts corresponding to said user, at least one of said scripts comprising first electronic data representing a recorded voice that (i) asks a question about health information and (ii) states a plurality of possible answers;

(B) transmitting said scripts to an apparatus via said communication network, wherein said apparatus is (i) connectable to said communication network and (ii) located distant from said server; and

(C) receiving from said apparatus via said communication network a plurality of responses from said user for said scripts respectively.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first electronic data is transmitted using a voice over internet protocol.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said responses from said user comprises a button activation corresponding to one of said possible answers.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said responses from said user comprises second electronic data representing a voice of said user answering said question.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said second electronic data is received using a voice over internet protocol.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:

associating said at least one response with one of said possible answers by voice recognition of said voice of said user in said second electronic data.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

generating second electronic data representing a live voice; and

transmitting said second electronic data to said apparatus via said communication network in real time.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving a call from said apparatus via said communication network, said call comprising (i) an identification code of said user and (ii) second electronic data representing a live voice of said user.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of:

retrieving at least one previous response of said user from a database based on said identification code.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a storage medium storing a computer program comprising the steps of claim 1.

11. A method for monitoring a health related condition of a user with an apparatus connectable to a communication network, comprising the steps of:

(A) receiving one or more scripts for said user from said communication network, at least one of said scripts comprising first electronic data representing a recorded voice that (i) asks a question about health information and (ii) states a plurality of possible answers;

(B) causing audio reproduction of said recorded voice in said first electronic data;

(C) receiving from said user a plurality of responses for said scripts respectively; and

(D) transferring said responses to a server, wherein said server is (i) connectable to said communication network and (ii) located distant from said apparatus.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said first electronic data is received using a voice over internet protocol.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

generating at least one of said responses comprising a button activation corresponding to one of said possible answers.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

generating at least one of said responses as second electronic data representing a voice of said user answering said question.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said second electronic data is transmitted using a voice over internet protocol.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

executing said scripts in response to a verbal command received from said user.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

generating second electronic data representing a live voice of said user; and

transmitting said second electronic data via said communication network in real time.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of:

placing a call to an answering service via said communication network, said call comprising an identification code of said user.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a storage medium storing a computer program comprising the steps of claim 11.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store one or more scripts for a user received from a communication network, at least one of said scripts comprising first electronic data representing a recorded voice that (i) asks a question about health information and (ii) states a plurality of possible answers;

a speaker configured to audibly reproduce said recorded voice in said first electronic data;

at least one sensor configured to receive from said user a plurality of responses for said scripts respectively; and

a processor configured to transmit said responses to a server, wherein said server is (i) connectable to said communication network and (ii) located distant from said apparatus.