Abstract:
The personal information manager system comprises a centralized information manager (CIM) and a personal information manager (PIM) device. The centralized information manager is encoded on a server and is accessable by the PIM device through Internet protocols over a wireless medium. The PIM, to be carried by a user, is connected to the CIM by a wireless transmitter, receives context-sensitive, customized, prioritized, filtered, and aggregated information from the CIM, and can directly receive GPS data and other sources of local information.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a Continuation application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/851,060 filed on Sep. 6, 2007, and now U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0070424 A1. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to methods for receiving information from multiple input streams and resending the information subject to a personalized priority based on characterization of information received. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Today&#39;s communication systems make vast amounts of information potentially available to individuals, but each information source associates with a particular type of device for receiving the information. While some devices will access multiple information streams such as Internet, phone, and email, no one device can access all of the disparate sources available. Even if such a device were available, a problem would arise in managing the volume of information that could potentially be received. For example, a person may receive cell phone messages from home, and email messages from work on a blackberry. In addition, Global Positioning System (GPS) information, traffic alerts, weather alerts, and stock alerts may also be received. Sensor information such as biometric monitoring, temperature information, outside wind level information, and security monitoring may also be accessed. Such information is transmitted on different media and received on different receiving devices. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a problem arises in management of multiple information streams. First, it would be desirable to receive information regarding all of the multiple streams through one device. Second, given the volume of messages coming to a user from a disparity of sources through such a single device, it would be desirable for a user to receive the information in a managed and non-disruptive way. Therefore, a need exists for a centralized information manager device to enable an individual to receive information regarding multiple streams through a single device. Further, a need arises for a system to control the flow of information to such a device in order to manage user disruption. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The personal information manager system comprises a centralized information manager (CIM) and a personal information manager device (PIM). The CIM is encoded on a server that is accessible from the PIM thru a wireless medium. The CIM aggregates source data by way of Internet-based information alerts. The Internet-based information alerts are generated from a variety of sources. These sources include subscription services or other freely available data banks, software agents that proactively troll the Internet for relevant insights, and messages sent from the PIM (for example, a GPS locator to inform the CIM of the user&#39;s locale (the PIM location)). The personal information manager device, to be carried by a user, communicates with the CIM by way of wireless protocols. A key aspect of the PIM is the ability of the PIM to automatically detect the current location of the user, which is best accomplished through the receipt of GPS data from the satellite. The CIM comprises a medium interface library, a rule formation program, a buffer program, and a transmission program. The personal information manager device comprises a processor, a power supply, a memory, a GPS receiver, a cellular transceiver, a user interface device, and a display. The personal information manager device may also have an in-ear device to alert the user to received data. The medium interface library contains an application interface for each medium in the system. Each application interface receives and formats information from the incoming data and sends the formatted information to the buffer program. The data is formatted in accordance with four characteristics: medium, originator, content, and external factors. The buffer program uses the formatted data to access a rule from the rules file and to apply the rule to determine a transmission time for the data and place the data in a queue within the buffer. The transmission program continuously checks the queue for transmission times that need to be increased or decreased based upon external sensor data or other factors and transmits the data when the transmission time for the data is reached. The queue in the buffer may be reordered based on a dynamic priority weighting of the information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of the personal information manager system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the configuration of the personal information manager device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the configuration of the personal information manager in-ear device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the files and programs encoded in the server memory, 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the logic of the rule formation program; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the logic of the buffer program; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the logic of the transmission program. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of centralized information manager system  100 . As used herein, the term “centralized information manager system” shall mean a centralized information manager connected to a personal information manager device and adapted to receive data from multiple media streams and from external sensors. Centralized information manager system  100  comprises personal information manager device  14 , in-ear device  12 , server  28 , database  27 , Internet  20 , and wireless transmitter  35 . Centralized information manager system  100  receives data from external factor sensor  30 , computer  26 , cell phone  24 , and satellite  22 . Computer  26 , cell phone  24 , and satellite  22  are merely representative of the type of information media by which information can be received. Persons skilled in the art will be aware of numerous information media streams that can be connected to server  28  by Internet  20 . As used herein, the term “external factor sensor” shall mean a sensor device adapted for communication with the centralized information manager and/or the personal information manager device. External factor sensor  30  is representative of a sensor incorporated into centralized information manager system  100 . Persons skilled in the art are aware of many different sensors that can be incorporated to provide data to centralized information manager system  100 . 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts personal information manger device internal configuration  200  illustrating one embodiment of an internal configuration for personal information manager device  14 . As used herein, the term “personal information manager device” shall mean a programmable device to be worn by a user and adapted to receive data from a centralized information manager system. Personal information manager device internal configuration  200  comprises processor  212  electrically connected to power supply  218 , memory  240 , GPS receiver  220 , cellular transceiver  210 , user interface device  214  and display  216 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts in-ear device internal configuration  300  illustrating one embodiment of an internal configuration for in-ear device  12 . In-ear device internal configuration  300  comprises receiver  310  electrically connected to power supply  318  and audio output  320 . Receiver  310  is adapted to communicate with user interface  214  of personal information manger device internal configuration  200 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts centralized information manager  400  encoded on a computer readable medium of server  28  (see  FIG. 1 ). As used herein, the term “centralized information manager” shall mean one or more programs encoded in a server memory adapted to format and send data regarding multiple media streams to a personal information manager device based upon user configured priorities. Centralized information manager  400  comprises medium interface library  440 , rule formation program  500 , buffer program  600 , and transmission program  700 . Centralized information manager  400  also contains communications protocol  470 , rules file  460 , and buffer  480 . Medium interface library  440  contains pager application interface  441 , email application interface  442 , cell phone application interface  443 , telephone application interface  444 , and other application interface  445 . Other application interface  445  is representative of any other application interface known to a person skilled in the art. Communications protocol  470  enables centralized information manager  400  to receive unformatted data from multiple media and to send formatted data to personal information manager device  14 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts the logic of rule formation program  500 . Rule formation program  500  starts ( 502 ) when a user accesses centralized information manager in order to establish personalized priorities. The user selects a medium ( 510 ). As used herein, the term “medium” shall mean a designation of the type of transmission medium. The user does not need to select “content” because when a medium is selected, the appropriate interface application will be associated with the selection. In accordance with communication protocol  470  (See  FIG. 4 ), the interface application will receive data from the medium and send the formatted data to the personal information device. Formatting will be provided by the appropriate application interface, and will include the content. As used herein, the term “content” shall mean a description of the type of information contained in the medium The user then selects an originator ( 520 ). As used herein, the term “originator” shall mean the person, service, or device sending data to the user. The user selects external factors ( 530 ). As used herein, the term “external factors” shall mean a designation of a condition independent of the type of data transmitted, the originator, or the content. For example, an external factor may be the time of day, the user&#39;s location, the weather, or a user&#39;s computerized calendar entry. The user selects a priority ( 540 ) based upon the medium, the originator, the content, and the external factors. Rule formation program  500  creates a rule based upon the user&#39;s selections and priority ( 550 ) and displays the rule ( 560 ). As used herein, the term “rule” shall mean an encoded instruction applied to data received and analyzed by the centralized information manager in order to assign a transmission time determinative of a queue order in a buffer. The user reviews the rule and rule formation program  500  prompts the user to decide whether to accept or reject the rule ( 570 ). If the user rejects the rule, the user modifies the rule ( 572 ) and rule formation program  500  goes back to step  560 , displays the rule ( 560 ) and prompts the user to decide whether to accept or reject the rule ( 570 ). If the user accepts the rule at step  570 , rule formation program  500  goes to step  580 . The process continues until the user receives a satisfactory rule. At step  580 , rule formation program determines whether another rule is to be made. If so, rule formation program goes to step  510  and repeats the entire process. If not, rule formation program  500  ends ( 590 ). 
         [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts the logic of buffer program  600 . Buffer program  600  starts ( 602 ) when a message is received by centralized information manager  400  ( 610 ). Buffer program examines the format of the data ( 620 ) and accesses rules file  460  (see  FIG. 4 ) to locate a rule ( 630 ) to apply to the format ( 620 ). The format of the data has been created by the appropriate application interface from medium interface library  440  (see  FIG. 4 ). The applicable rule is applied to the message ( 640 ), and a priority and transmission time are assigned by buffer program  600  to the data ( 650 ). The message is placed in queue in the buffer ( 660 ) and buffer program  600  stops ( 670 ). Examples of formatted data are as follows: 
         [0000]                                                            External       Queue       Medium   Originator   Content   Factors   Priority   Position                   Pager   Spouse   Call Home   5:00 p.m.   High   2       Heart   Heart   High Heart   Location:   High   1       Monitor       Rate   insite       Email   Traffic   Traffic   Location:   High   3           Service   Alert   on road       Email   Weather   Severe   Location:   Medium   4           Service   Weather   on road               tomorrow       Email   Stock   XYZ   5:00 p.m   Medium   5           Service   Corporation   Stock               Stock move   Exchange                   closed                    
Persons skilled in the art are aware of multiple additional examples of types of data that can be formatted according to the characteristics of medium, originator, content, and external factors.
 
         [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts the logic of transmission program  700 . Transmission program  700  starts ( 702 ) when centralized information manager  400  is activated. Transmission program  700  determines a user location using GPS coordinates from personal information manager device  14  ( 710 ). Transmission program  700  determines the time ( 712 ) and also determines any other factor which may be applied ( 714 ). Transmission program  700  examines the first item in queue ( 716 ), and determines whether a new rule needs to be applied based upon the user location, the time, or another external factor ( 718 ). If a new rule is to be applied, then transmission program applies the rule ( 720 ) and determines whether a change in buffer position is required ( 722 ). If a change in buffer position is required, transmission program  700  assigns a new priority and transmission time ( 724 ). In this manner, transmission program  700  increases or decreases the rate at which information is sent to a user. If at step  722  no change in buffer position was indicated, or after changing the buffer queue position, transmission program  700  goes to step  730 . Next, transmission program  700  determines whether it is time to transmit the data ( 726 ), and if so, transmits the data ( 730 ) or goes to step  728  and examines the next item in queue ( 728 ). If it is not time to transmit the data, transmission program  700  examines the next item in queue ( 728 ). After transmitting the data, transmission program  700  determines whether the item was the last item in queue ( 732 ). If not, transmission program  700  goes to step  728  to examine the next item in queue. When transmission program  700  reaches the last item in queue, a determination is made whether to end the program or continue ( 734 ). If the determination is to continue, transmission program  700  returns to step  710  and begins the cycle over again. If the determination is to end the program, transmission program  700  stops ( 736 ). 
         [0021]    With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. The present invention encompasses all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification. The novel spirit of the present invention is still embodied by reordering or deleting some of the steps contained in this disclosure. The spirit of the invention is not meant to be limited in any way except by proper construction of the following claims.