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The present disclosure relates to devices and methodologies for assisting caregivers or other interested parties in remotely monitoring elderly individuals living in their homes (i.e. in the elderly individual's homes). The monitoring system includes a communications device comprising a unit largely

The present disclosure relates to devices and methodologies for assisting caregivers or other interested parties in remotely monitoring elderly individuals living in their homes (i.e. in the elderly individual's homes). The monitoring system includes a communications device comprising a unit largely in the form of a traditional corded desk telephone accessible via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) but enhanced with a built-in HTTP/HTTPS web server. The web-server-enhanced telephone resides in the home of the elderly monitored individual and can passively collect various ongoing activity details, or lack thereof, from that individual, such as when calls are made or answered, or not answered, or when loud noises are detected at odd times, such as in the middle of the night. Interested and authorized parties (e.g. caregivers) can subsequently access this information remotely using any standard HTTP/HTTPS-based browser client by connecting to the elderly monitored individual's in-home enhanced telephone's built-in web server. The web-server part of the telephone can then generate and transmit any and all relevant collected activity or other requested information in the form of HTML web pages or other HTTP/HTTPS-compatible media that detail or summarize information relating to collected reports of activities from the elderly monitored individual.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A communications device comprising: a telephone having public switched telephone network connectability, the telephone comprising:a base unit;a handset having a microphone and a speaker operatively positioned therein and being capable of operatively interacting with the base unit;a first cord hav

1. A communications device comprising: a telephone having public switched telephone network connectability, the telephone comprising:a base unit;a handset having a microphone and a speaker operatively positioned therein and being capable of operatively interacting with the base unit;a first cord having two ends, the handset being operatively connected to one of the two ends of the first cord and the other of the two ends being operatively connected to the base unit; anda second cord having two ends, one end being operatively connectable to the base unit and the other end of the second cord being operatively connectable to a public switched telephone network telephone jack; anda web server operatively resident in the telephone wherein the web server further comprises:local permanent storage capability for storing information pertaining to the operation of the device or its monitored individual(s), some or all of which can be retracted remotely by remote interested parties, the locally stored information being capable of being backed up to a remote computer or a secondary server to facilitate its recovery if the telephone hardware should fail or otherwise become unusable to the caregiver or the monitored individual, or simply to facilitate retrieval of that information without requiring an explicit connection from the interested parties' browsing client to the monitored individual's telephone's web server when such a connection is not available. 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the web server is capable of being either a hardware implementation or software implementation or a combination thereof. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the web server contains a minimum capability of handling the HTTP/HTTPS protocol over an appropriate network, and is capable of, minimally, generating HTML or other HTTP/HTTPS-compatible media responses to client-originated HTTP/HTTPS requests. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the web server further comprises: capability to implement other server related protocols and functionality such as the SMTP protocol, for emailing, or the FTP protocol for file transfers. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the web server functionality of the telephone further comprises: local processing capabilities for running software applications. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the web server is capable of operating in two modes, those being always connected or intermittently connected to an appropriate network. 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the always connected mode applies when the telephone is connected to an always ON network via a RJ-45 LAN port or other port that is always on or a cellular network that supports IP connectivity and is always ON and accessible. 8. The device of claim 6 wherein the intermittently connected mode applies when an always-ON network connection is not available or accessible at any given point in time such as when only PSTN access is available, such intermittent network connectivity can be established proactively by the telephone when a function requires network connectivity or when an interval timer counts down and initiates the connection, or reactively when an explicit, possibly external, trigger is detected, which triggers the web server to go into HTTP/HTTPS service mode, or by explicit tones or any other mechanism by which the remote party indicates for the web server to initiate IP connectivity to the Internet, such calling in can require the current telephone call to be terminated to allow for a subsequent call to be made by the telephone to establish the IP connectivity. 9. The device of claim 6 wherein the web server is reachable from a connected network, either directly through an ongoing established network link or whenever the network link is established, on an intermittent fashion, such connection being triggered; A) by a timer or on a schedule or other trigger established by the remote caregiver or other parameter;B) explicitly by an external call into the telephone from a specific source, or by a special and detectable sequence of tones generated manually such as by a human remote caregiver or by another server that puts the web server into its connected mode operation. 10. The device of claim 6 operable in push mode. 11. The device of claim 6 operable in pull mode. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone further comprises: an integrated screen operatively connected to the telephone, the integrated screen being operatively connected to the base unit or the handset, and adjustable or moveable or detachable, for a better viewing angle or otherwise configured to work in conjunction with the telephone and the integrated screen being also able to act as an input device. 13. The device of claim 12 wherein the screen is capable of being operatively connected to the base unit by direct wire to the telephone or wirelessly to the telephone. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone further comprises: an operatively connected alphanumeric keyboard. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone further comprises: means to connect to a plurality of communications networks, via appropriate parts selected from the group consisting of modems, ports on the telephone, and RJ-45 ports/jacks for an IP network. 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the first and minimal network connectivity is the PSTN and connectivity can be established via a hardware or software implementation of a modem or other mechanism. 17. The device of claim 15 wherein the network connectivity can include: cellular networks such as CDMA or GSM network, IP networks such as local area network or the Internet, local wireless networks such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi network, or Zigbee®. 18. The device of claim 15 wherein the network connectivity hardware and/or software is operatively positioned in the handset or in the base of the telephone. 19. The device of claim 15 wherein connectivity to a plurality of networks can be established concurrently, such as a telephone call being placed on the PSTN, while IP connectivity is being established concurrently via a LAN port. 20. The communications device of claim 1, wherein the web server is capable of running a plurality of applications concurrently. 21. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an intermediary remote server connectable either via a network- or other means that is used to backup information from the telephone, in case of device failure and can also be accessed by interested parties to access device data without having to first connect directly to the monitored individual's device for those times when the device is functioning in a non-connected mode or not functioning at all. 22. The device of claim 1, further comprising: the ability to add additional information explicitly to the telephone's local storage, either directly via local input hardware, or remotely via an established network connection, or locally via a device operatively connected to the telephone. 23. The device of claim 22 wherein additional and explicit information can relate to the individual itself, or lifestyle related information including cooking recipes, pictures or videos of grand-children, daily prayers, or any other information not related to the individual. 24. The device of claim 1, further comprising: access ports and connectors for external peripherals selected from the group consisting of USB Thumb drives, temperature controls and humidity controls. 25. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one access slot for interacting with external peripherals or accessories or storage or encryption peripherals. 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the stored information is capable of being transported from the telephone to another telephone, device, or compatible computer such as when visiting a doctor to relate weekly or monthly status reports. 27. The device of claim 25 wherein the smartcards or other peripheral device's information can be accessed either with physical contact with the telephone such as via a built-in slot reader/writer for smartcards, or wirelessly for those devices that support wireless capability or over appropriate wireless (such as cellular or cordless) or wired network. 28. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a hardware or software implementation of a telephone answering service with optional call routing or auto-attendant or call distribution, with programmable menu or tone based functionality or voice actuated functionality. 29. The device of claim 1, further comprising: built-in capability to convert analog conversations, whether initiated at the telephone or in response to incoming calls, or otherwise activated and captured, such as via an operatively connected microphone or camera, to digital signals in order to use VoIP technologies and protocols to conduct voice or video calls over appropriate networks. 30. The device of claim 1 wherein the handset is not physically connected to the base unit but is working in conjunction with the telephone. 31. The device of claim 1 wherein the base unit further comprises: a speaker, or plurality of speakers, operatively associated therewith; anda microphone operatively associated therewith. 32. The device of claim 1 wherein the PSTN functionality still works even in the event of a power failure. 33. A communications system for remotely monitoring a monitored individual, the system comprising: a communications device comprising:a telephone, having a base unit and a handset, capable of recording direct or indirect interactions or activity and having a web server operatively positioned in the base unit or in the handset; andwherein the telephone is capable of monitoring for interactions or activity, and wherein when the telephone detects direct or indirect interaction or activity, the web server records the interaction or activity, and wherein thereafter the web server is capable of reporting such recorded activity to interested and authorized parties. 34. The communications system of claim 33, wherein the web server is capable of being programmed to ring the enclosing telephone, or otherwise notify the monitored individual as a reminder to perform some action, such as taking some medication or going grocery shopping or to keep an appointment or another activity or notify remote interested parties that some activity did not occur as specified. 35. The communications system of claim 34 wherein the web server is capable of recording, fully or partially, any or all incoming and outgoing telephone conversations in order to play them back, on demand by a remote caregiver in order to prevent fraud or as proof of conversation having taken place. 36. The communications system of claim 34, wherein the web server further comprises: voice recognition software operatively programmed on the web server for identifying individuals utilizing the telephone, locally or remotely, and acting or reacting on voice commands or sounds from these individuals. 37. The communications system of claim 34, wherein the web server is capable of running a plurality of applications including health related as well as non-health related applications such as text messaging, emailing, send and receive, recording of conversations for later review by remote interested parties. 38. A method for monitoring a monitored individual comprising: providing a communications system including a telephone capable of sounding a plurality of rings and/or tones, and/or other recorded sounds and/or voices and or generated messages; and a web server, operatively connected to the communications system, the web server having the capability of recording the plurality of rings and/or tones, and or other recorded sounds and/or voices and or generated messages; andreporting a frequency of failing to use the telephone, directly or indirectly, for any purpose by the monitored individual. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: reporting a number of rings required for the monitored individual to answer the telephone, or other detectable parameters (directly or indirectly, and detected or not detected) to a caregiver. 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising: recording whether the frequency of failing to use the telephone has increased in comparison to other failure to use data stored on the web server or as programmed by an administrator. 41. The method of claim 38, further comprising: if the monitored individual has failed to use the telephone for a predetermined amount of time, or other lack of activity triggers, or other abnormal activity such as a loud sound or thump in the middle of the night, the communications system is capable of notifying one or more interested party including (but not limited to) a remote caregiver, and/or the monitored individual's personal doctor and/or an emergency response unit of such failure, lack of activity or other specified abnormal detectable event, or perform other pre-specified actions. 42. The method of claim 38, further comprising: recording an amount of time for each use of the telephone. 43. A communications device comprising: a telephone having public switched telephone network connectability, the telephone comprising:a base unit;a handset having a microphone and a speaker operatively positioned therein and being capable of operatively interacting with the base unit;a first cord having two ends, the handset being operatively connected to one of the two ends of the first cord and the other of the two ends being operatively connected to the base unit; anda second cord having two ends, one end being operatively connectable to the base unit and the other end of the second cord being operatively connectable to a public switched telephone network telephone jack; anda web server operatively resident in the telephone wherein the web server is capable of operating in two modes, those being always connected or intermittently connected to an appropriate network, wherein the intermittently connected mode applies when an always-ON network connection is not available or accessible at any given point in time such as when only PSTN access is available, such intermittent network connectivity can be established proactively by the telephone when a function requires network connectivity or when an interval timer counts down and initiates the connection, or reactively when an explicit, possibly external, trigger is detected, which triggers the web server to go into HTTP/HTTPS service mode, or by explicit tones or any other mechanism by which the remote party indicates for the web server to initiate IP connectivity to the Internet, such calling in can require the current telephone call to be terminated to allow for a subsequent call to be made by the telephone to establish the IP connectivity. 44. A communications device comprising: a telephone having public switched telephone network connectability, the telephone comprising:a base unit;a handset having a microphone and a speaker operatively positioned therein and being capable of operatively interacting with the base unit;a first cord having two ends, the handset being operatively connected to one of the two ends of the first cord and the other of the two ends being operatively connected to the base unit; anda second cord having two ends, one end being operatively connectable to the base unit and the other end of the second cord being operatively connectable to a public switched telephone network telephone jack; anda web server operatively resident in the telephone wherein the web server is capable of operating in two modes, those being always connected or intermittently connected to an appropriate network, wherein the web server is reachable from a connected network, either directly through an ongoing established network link or whenever the network link is established, on an intermittent fashion, such connection being triggered:A) by a timer or on a schedule or other trigger established by the remote caregiver or other parameter; orB) explicitly by an external call into the telephone from a specific source or by a special and detectable sequence of tones generated manually such as by a human remote caregiver or by another server that puts the web server into its connected mode operation. 45. A communications device comprising: a telephone having public switched telephone network connectability, the telephone comprising:a base unit;a handset having a microphone and a speaker operatively positioned therein and being capable of operatively interacting with the base unit;a first cord having two ends, the handset being operatively connected to one of the two ends of the first cord and the other of the two ends being operatively connected to the base unit; anda second cord having two ends, one end being operatively connectable to the base unit and the other end of the second cord being operatively connectable to a public switched telephone network telephone jack;a web server operatively resident in the telephone wherein the web server is capable of operating in two modes, those being always connected or intermittently connected to an appropriate network; andan intermediary remote server connectable either via a network, such as the Internet, or other means, such as directly via PSTN, that is used to backup information from the telephone, in case of device failure and can also be accessed by interested parties, such as remote caregivers, to access device data without having to first connect directly to the monitored individual's device for those times when the device is functioning in a non-connected mode or not functioning at all. 46. A communications system for remotely monitoring a monitored individual, the system comprising: a communications device comprising:a telephone, having a base unit and a handset, capable of recording direct or indirect interactions or activity and having a web server operatively positioned in the base unit or in the handset; andwhen the telephone detects direct or indirect interaction or activity, the web server records the interaction or activity or the lack there of thereafter the web server is capable of reporting such recorded activity to interested and authorized parties, wherein the web server is capable of being programmed to ring the enclosing telephone, or otherwise notify the monitored individual as a reminder to perform some action, such as taking some medication or going grocery shopping or to keep an appointment or another activity or notify remote interested parties that some activity did not occur as specified. 47. A communications system for remotely monitoring a monitored individual, the system comprising: a communications device comprising:a telephone, having a base unit and a handset, capable of recording direct or indirect interactions or activity and having a web server operatively positioned in the base unit or in the handset; andwhen the telephone detects direct or indirect interaction or activity, the web server records the interaction or activity or the lack there of thereafter the web server is capable of reporting such recorded activity to interested and authorized parties;wherein the telephone is configured to report a frequency of failing to use the telephone, directly or indirectly, for any purpose by the monitored individual.