Abstract:
A system for monitoring health related parameters of an individual can determine the existence of one or more health related conditions that may need attention. Verbal messages, responsive to the determined condition, can be automatically transmitted via one or more communications networks to displaced recipients.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to systems for monitoring the health of an individual. More particularly, the invention pertains to such systems which can initiate and transmit verbal messages relative to a medical condition of the individual.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Known in-home resident or person monitoring systems often provide for the transmission of data to at least one location. This data is usually transmitted in a digital format. There is usually a computer at the receiving location that receives the digital information, decodes the information, stores the information, and compiles charts and displays for medical personnel to review.  
         [0003]     On-going monitoring may provide updated information on a scheduled basis, once or several times during a day. If there is an emergency situation at the resident&#39;s home, there may be a delay before the medical personnel review and recognize that emergency situation. The time of response to an emergency situation may determine the difference between life and death. It therefore is extremely desirable to have the system provide an emergency response. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0005]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.  
         [0006]     In one aspect of the invention an emergency response is facilitated by analyzing sensor inputs and determining the existence of a pre-defined condition. This determination may be made in the processor based upon pre-programmed information that has been approved or reviewed by medical personnel. In response, voice messages can be sent to other locations in addition to a central monitoring location.  
         [0007]     The other locations can include neighbors, relatives, friends, police, fire department, etc. However, these other locations are unlikely to have decryption or equipment that can interpret digital messages. Hence, voice messages that can be easily understood by any person who understands the specific language native to the area can be provided. It is within the scope of this invention that the language of the messages may be selectable or predetermined. It is also within the scope of this invention that the language selection may be dependent upon the location that the message is being sent to.  
         [0008]     The messages sent to a central monitoring location may be digital even though the messages sent to the other locations may be either voice or voice encoded. Voice encoded includes digitally encoding, transmitting the encoded voice to the other location in digital form, and then decoding at the other location back to audible voice to be heard by a person. One example using voice encoding would be voice over the internet protocol (VOIP).  
         [0009]     The primary benefit of transmitting message information relating to a resident is that others are informed of the situation and may be able to provide aid faster than the emergency response personnel sent to the residence. If it is an emergency situation, then one of the other locations may be a neighbor who can be the first responder.  
         [0010]     If the type of emergency is known to be likely to occur, then the system can be programmed and approved to provide instructions for the neighbor to follow in stabilizing the resident until medical personnel arrive. In addition, the system can alert relatives to the situation.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the messages will contain information regarding the situation so the other locations can determine the proper response. This can be accomplished by using the computer or other processor associated with the in-home monitoring system to analyze the sensor inputs and to then transmit one or more messages that relate to that analysis.  
         [0012]     For example, if a resident&#39;s cardiac or circulatory system sensor sends signals to the monitoring system indicating that the heart is not functioning within normal limits, the monitoring system can then form a message that describes the problem. That message can be sent to the other locations in addition to the central monitoring location. The message to the other locations may be sent in a verbal format while the message to the central monitoring location may be digital as well as verbal.  
         [0013]     The message sent to the other locations may be pre-programmed in its entirety. In this instance, the system selects the message based upon the situation.  
         [0014]     Alternatively, the message may be partially predetermined or in the form of stored words or verbal elements that the system can then combine to construct a message that represents the situation.  
         [0015]     The system can also include software that is capable of forming the proper voice or text message that is transmitted. If the situation is a heart attack, then the message sent will relate to a heart attack and the importance of responding. It is also within the scope of this invention that the message will include information as an action to be taken.  
         [0016]     Instructions could be provided as to how to obtain the stabilization procedures from the system or the stabilization procedures themselves. The system can enable the person receiving the message to select how the system will provide information to them. This makes the communication interactive.  
         [0017]     In one aspect of the invention, if the message is received by a cell phone, the person receiving the information may request that the stabilization procedure be sent after he/she sends a signal that indicates they are now with the resident and ready to carry out the stabilization or life saving action. If they want portions of the message repeated, then they can indicate that to the system. The system can construct specific messages to guide that person through the procedures based upon the situation.  
         [0018]     In addition to the voice signals, messages may be sent to other locations that include text decoding using equipment such as a computer or wired or wireless telephone. Text messaging is within the scope of this invention wherein the messages are formed by the system in response to the analysis of the situation by the system.  
         [0019]     In a further aspect of the invention, the messaging function may interact with the person administering aid. In this regard, instructions can be repeated or amended by providing new information to the system. For example, the person administering aid may recognize some bleeding or other condition of the resident and then send that information back into the system. The system can automatically forward that information to a central monitoring station and medical personnel.  
         [0020]     Verbal messaging in accordance with the invention is not limited to an emergency. The system can send routine verbal messages to other locations that are informative and represent the status of the resident.  
         [0021]     In yet another aspect of the invention, graphical and/or sensor information may be transmitted to the other locations if it is determined that the specific location has the proper receiving equipment such as a computer or telephone capable of displaying this information. In this way, it is possible for pre-approved persons, which may include relatives, to observe the status of the resident. In addition to the central monitoring location, these pre-approved persons can also monitor the daily routine of the resident to help insure compliance with a medication schedule and sensor data recording.  
         [0022]     In another aspect of the invention, the monitoring information in non-emergency messages may include graphical displays of the sensor values associated with the resident as well as the routines to be followed by the resident or person. The graphical displays may include upper and lower boundary limits for the sensor signals and trend information without limit. The system may analyze the situation and then select the specific graphical display or displays to transmit. The graphical display or displays can include projections of future changes as well as history information.  
         [0023]     Any transmission of medical information would require the pre-approval of the resident. The person receiving the message may be required to provide verification codes or verification information to assess that they are the pre-approved person to have this information. The verification information may be compared with stored information in the interface unit or local monitoring system at the residence or at any remote location where information may be accessed.  
         [0024]     In addition to providing status information regarding a person, the message(s) formed by the system may also include instructions including access information to contact a different remote location. In this way, the pre-authorized person receiving the message may obtain the information from a different remote location rather than directly from the in-residence monitoring devices.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a system  10  which embodies the present invention. The system  10  includes control device  12  which is coupled via interface circuitry  14  to a plurality of physiological sensors  18 . The sensors  18  could include temperature sensors, respiratory sensors, blood pressure sensor, other types of cardiac sensors, as well as other types of physiological sensors as would be known to those with skill in the art, all without limitation.  
         [0026]     A control device  12  also includes control circuitry which could be implemented, at least in part, with a programmable processor  22   a , and associated control software  22   b . Local input/output devices could include, without limitation, a printer  24   a , keyboard  24   b  and display device  24   c.    
         [0027]     Interface circuitry  14  also includes a circuitry for communicating via one or more communication links  20   a  which could include without limitation the public switch telephone network, one or more computer networks such as an intranet or an internet or combinations of the above. Software  22   b  in combination with the processor  22   a  can analyze outputs from one or more of the members of the plurality of sensors  18  and determine the presence of a condition requiring an immediate response. In responding thereto, the control device  12  can establish and forward one or more messages via network  20   a  to one or more remote receiving devices at a plurality of displaced locations such as device d 1 , d 2 , . . . dk. The devices di could correspond to inline telephones, cell phones, personal digital assistant, as well as one or more computers. Where the device is of the type to receive and present messages audibly such as inline telephone or cell phone, messages can be forwarded by control device  12  in an appropriate format. On the other hand, where the receiving device is a computer, pda or other type of device such as an expanded message capability, and is not limited to presenting audible messages, messages can be forwarded via the link  20   a  in a variety of formats including voice over internet protocol (VOYP) type format as desired. Devices receiving such messages can present same in an appropriate format to one or more persons in the vicinity of the respective device. For example, without limitation, the messaging function carried out by control device  12  can interact with a person local to the resident, concerning whom the sensors are providing information, who is administering aid. That person can communicate for example via cell phone, with the control device  12  to seek additional information and/or instructions as to how to assist the resident. Other information can be provided locally via display  24   c  to the individual present attempting to assist the resident.  
         [0028]     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.