System and method of remotely monitoring a plurality of individuals

• US 8,299,919 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Messaging Services LLC (American Messaging Services LP)
• Original Assignee: American Messaging Services LLC (American Messaging Services LP)
• Inventors: Dayton, Douglas C., Park, Sung, Florence, Mark R
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US12/043,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20080238660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.1, 340/539.14, 340/539.15, 340/539.17
• US Class Current: 340/539.14
• 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: A61B 5/1113 Local tracking of patients, e.g. in a hospital or private home
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence
• 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: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods of remotely monitoring a plurality of individuals may include providing a plurality of monitoring objects, wherein each monitoring object is associated with the environment of one of the plurality of individuals. A sensor may be integrated into each monitoring object, wherein the sensor collects activity data for the individual associated with the monitoring object. The sensor data may be processed at each monitoring object to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual associated with the monitoring object. The monitoring information obtained with each monitoring object may be transmitted over a network to a receiving object, wherein the receiving object may display a picture associated with the particular individual being monitored at the time that it displays information about that individual.

Claims

1. A method of remotely monitoring a plurality of individuals, comprising:

integrating a sensor into each of a plurality of monitoring objects, wherein each monitoring object is associated with the environment of one of the plurality of individuals and wherein the sensor collects activity data for the individual associated with the monitoring object;

establishing a map of standard activities of the individual, wherein the monitoring object records a sample of an activity of the individual to establish the map of standard activities;

processing sensor data using the map of standard activities at each monitoring object to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual associated with the monitoring object; and

transmitting the monitoring information obtained with each monitoring object over a network to a receiving object, wherein the receiving object displays a picture associated with the particular individual being monitored along with an indication of activity of the particular individual based on the monitoring activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor is at least one of a motion-sensor, an infrared motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a thermostat, an audio sensor, and a vibration sensor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring object is configured as a household item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a telecommunications network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting comprises one-way paging.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring information comprises information regarding the cessation of activity.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein processing comprises determining if sensor inputs were obtained within a predetermined time interval.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein processing comprises comparing sensor inputs against the map of standard activities relating timing of events with either a clock or a calendar expectation.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, programming the monitoring object with the map of standard activities to facilitate processing.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising, calibrating the monitoring object with a sample of ambient signals in the monitored individual'"'"'s environment to establish the map of standard activities to facilitate processing.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising setting an amount of time within which the sensor must sense an activity.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving object is adapted to display at least one of a discrete green light, a discrete yellow light, and a discrete red light based on the monitoring information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving object is adapted to emit an audio signal based on the monitoring information.

16. A system of remotely monitoring a plurality of individuals, comprising:

a plurality of monitoring objects, wherein each monitoring object is associated with the environment of one of the plurality of individuals;

a map of standard activities of the individual, wherein the monitoring object records a sample of an activity of the individual to establish the map of standard activity;

a sensor integrated into each monitoring object, wherein the sensor collects activity data for the individual associated with the monitoring object;

a processor for processing sensor data using the map of standard activities at each monitoring object to obtain monitoring information for the activity of the individual associated with the monitoring object; and

a transmission facility for transmitting the monitoring information obtained with each monitoring object over a network to a receiving object, wherein the receiving object displays a picture associated with the particular individual being monitored along with an indication of activity of the particular individual based on the monitoring activity.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the monitoring object is configured as a household item.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising, a programming facility associated with the monitoring object for programming the monitoring object with the map of standard activities to facilitate processing.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising, a calibration facility associated with the monitoring object for collecting a sample of ambient signals in the monitored individual'"'"'s environment to establish the map of standard activities to facilitate processing.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a programming facility for setting an amount of time within which the sensor must sense an activity.