Patent Publication Number: US-11044364-B2

Title: System, method, and apparatus for providing help

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/656,774 filed on Oct. 18, 2019 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/292,458 filed on Mar. 5, 2019 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,492,054 issued Nov. 26, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/643,487 filed on Mar. 15, 2018, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of providing help to a user and more particularly to a system for requesting help for a medical or non-medical emergency by way of voice activation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, many companies have introduced devices that accept voice commands and take actions based upon those voice commands. Some such devices operate on smart phone, but lately, many companies are producing what is known a digital assistants which are typically stand-alone, smart speaker devices that are connected to a network (e.g. the Internet), listen for voice commands, and act on those voice commands through the network. Often, such devices utilize a keyword to initiate action. For example, one device from Amazon® is Alexa®. In order to issue a command to this device, the user must first say the keyword, “Alexa”, or other optional Wake words, followed by the command. For example, “Alexa, what is the weather in Aruba today?” This keyword is important so the digital assistant does not overhear normal conversation and act on what is heard. For example, if you were on the phone and said, “did you turn off the lights,” without this keyword, the digital assistant might just turn off the lights in your house. There are many uses for these digital assistants such as, reading/answering email or texts, operating connected appliances within the home, controlling the playing of music, looking up information/trivia, etc. 
     Unrelated to these digital assistants are medical emergencies, predicaments, or medical alerts. Many people of all ages, though concentrated on those in their golden years, run into situations in which they need help, for example, after a fall, getting stuck in a home elevator, or the onslaught of a serious medical condition such as a stroke or heart attack. If another person is in the same home or nearby, the person having the medical emergency or other hazard can shout to get that person&#39;s attention, but what about those who are alone, perhaps because others that live with them are out of the home, or they live alone. Shouting will not solicit help. 
     A medical alarm is an alarm system designed to signal the presence of such an event that requires urgent attention and, if needed, to summon emergency medical personnel. Other terms for a medical alarm are Personal Emergency Response System (“PERS”) or medical alert. Elderly people and disabled people who live alone commonly use/require medical alarms. 
     Typical medical alarm systems in use today have a wireless pendant or transmitter that is activated after an event has occurred. When the transmitter is activated, a signal is transmitted and relayed to an alarm monitoring company&#39;s central station. The central station is staffed with trained personnel to assess the situation and contact other emergency agency or other programmed phone numbers. In some cases, personnel are dispatched to the site where the alarm was activated. 
     Such medical alarm systems work well when properly installed, when the batteries have sufficient charge and when the user remembers or agrees to wear them. However, since traditional medical alarm systems are, at least in part, user operated, there are problematic drawbacks. For example, if a user gets up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom without their device, and falls or becomes ill and cannot reach their emergency device, or telephone; then they cannot get the emergency help they need, rendering the medical alert useless. Often, users have complications during the night, when trying to reach the bathroom. Often such users are not in possession of their medical alert device. 
     Furthermore, such medical alarm systems rely on user operations that requires users to change their behavior, making current medical alarm systems inherently susceptible to users&#39; personal limitations, proclivities, and flaws—putting reliance on the user to remember to recharge the battery and consistently wear a pendant, wrist band, panic button, or other device for the entire day and night. Some users, however, do not want to wear the alarm pendant or wrist band because of aesthetics and/or inconvenience and/or privacy, rendering the device useless when needed. Also, some users forget to don or wear the device and the device may not be within reach when they need it most. Additionally, some users forget to charge the device regularly and the device simply shuts down and ceases to operate until recharged. In fact, approximately 30% of all users of such devices cancel medical alert service annually, possibly due to the fact that they no longer wear or use the device, despite the fact that the user is still in need of a medical monitoring. In an independent research study, 83% of subscribers to medical alert services did not have their medical alert wearable device within reach in a slip and fall at home and resulted in five (5) minutes or longer stranded on the floor and unable to get up without assistance. 
     Additionally, as of this writing, both Amazon® Alexa® and Google Assistant® and other digital personal assistants (DPA) are not permitted to dial 911 by operating system programming. If a voice command is given to “Call for Police,” “Call for a Doctor,” “Call for an Ambulance,” fire or other emergency is given, those commands are blocked by the other digital personal assistant, by design. One of the issues with issuing calls directly to 911 is that greater than 90% of all issued alarms from electronic alarm systems in the United States are deemed false alarms. This is a significant problem in the industry, and thus, any types of digital personal assistants are currently disabled form making unverified calls to 911. 
     Privacy is also of the utmost importance. In the United States, there is a set of laws commonly called HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. HIPAA provides for stiff penalties for offenses in which medical personnel divulge any private medical information regarding a patient. Therefore, anyone involved with providing any part of a medical alarm system must be thoroughly trained and monitored to treat any information confidentially, as release of any health-related information is a possible violation of the law related to HIPAA. 
     What is needed is a system that provides help to a user that is monitored by a private, commercial system and activated by voice command thereby not requiring a personal panic button or device of any type that has to be worn by the users. Further, the system for providing help needs to install easily, provide client privacy for Protected Medical Information (“PHI”), and alert medical staff should an emergency arise. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to digital assistants and emergency communications and, more particularly, to a system for installation, configuration, and operation of a digital assistant connected to a private, commercial system. The system for providing help is activated by voice command. In some embodiments, this triggers 2-way voice communication between agents (staff) and the user and requires no panic button or device that needs to be worn by the users. 
     The system for providing help includes keywords for a user to say/yell when help is needed, by simply using the appropriate voice command specified for the digital assistant, such as “Alexa, call for help.” Thereby, the system for providing help enables a hands-free solution independent of any battery operated, worn electronic device. In some embodiments, the digital assistants are powered by household power, e.g. from a wall outlet, eliminating the need for a user to initiate recharging. 
     In other embodiments, the digital assistants are powered by a continuously recharged battery-backup base unit which gives the user several hours of battery back-up in the instance of a power outage. The battery-backup base units are powered by household power, e.g. from a wall outlet continuously eliminating the need for the user to remember to recharge them. 
     In other words, the system for providing help monitors and waits for a user&#39;s call for help from anywhere in their home within listening distance of one or more digital assistants. The user is not required to change their normal behavior by wearing an electronic device or worry about battery charge levels in such electronic device. 
     Additionally, the system for providing help is 911-non-compliant, as an agent (e.g. trained emergency professional) within the process assesses what is needed so as to facilitate the 911 call after the extent of the situation is known. 
     In one embodiment, a system for providing help is disclosed including a preprogrammed kit for deployment to a premise. The preprogrammed kit includes a digital assistant that is preprogrammed with account information and at least one skill for recognizing a preprogrammed specific utterance. The kit also includes a virtual private network repeater that has a wired connection for connecting to an existing modem and a wireless transceiver, whereas communications between the wireless transceiver and the digital assistant are preprogrammed including addresses and passwords. The system further includes a plurality of agent computers, each connected to a server by a data network. The digital assistant is preprogrammed to transmit a request for help through the virtual private network repeater to the server upon the digital assistant recognizing the specific utterance and after receiving the request for the help, the server assigns one of the agent computers and forwards the request for the help to the one of the agent computers. 
     In another embodiment, a method of providing help is disclosed including generating a unique user email address, creating a user account and assigning the unique user email address to the user account, and creating a provider account with a provider using the unique user email. A preprogrammed kit is provided (to a user) comprising a virtual private network repeater and at least one digital assistant. Each digital assistant preprogrammed with an address of the virtual private network repeater, a password for accessing the virtual private network repeater, and the user account, preprogramming a skill into each of the digital assistant(s) for recognizing a specific utterance. Connectivity is provided between each of the digital assistant(s) and a server through the virtual private network repeater. Each of the digital assistant(s) listen for the specific utterance and, upon recognizing the specific utterance by any of the digital assistant(s), that digital assistant sends a request for help to the server through the virtual private network repeater. Upon receiving the request for the help, the server forwards the request for help to an agent computer. 
     In another embodiment, a system for providing help is disclosed including a unique user phone number generated for a user of the system for providing help for protecting privacy of the user, a provider account created using the unique user phone number to protect the privacy of the user, and an account for the user created in the system for providing help, the account having information regarding the user and the account having the unique user phone number. A preprogrammed kit is provided comprising a virtual private network repeater for connecting to an existing modem and a digital assistant. The digital assistant is preprogrammed with a skill recognizing a specific utterance and the digital assistant is pre-configured to connect with the virtual private network repeater. After the preprogrammed specific utterance is detected by the digital assistant, the digital assistant initiates a request for help and a call is made to the server having a caller-id of the unique user phone number, the server answers the call, recognizes the unique user phone number, assigns an agent computer, and forwards the request for help to the agent computer. 
     Further embodiments include using digital assistants in Adult Living Facilities. In recent years, Adult Living Facilities have been developed with three primary levels of care: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities. In some instances, there have been additional designations for Memory Care facilities. As of this writing Roughly one million Americans reside in senior care facilities. This number is expected to almost double by 2030. 
     The assisted living industry is made up of a variety of senior care services, including assisted living facilities. The Census divides the assisted living facilities industry into two major categories: continuing care retirement communities (NAICS 623311) and homes for the elderly (NAICS 623312). The primary distinction between the two is the presence of nursing care: continuing care retirement communities provide on-site nursing facilities, while homes for the elderly do not or are not required to have on-site nurses. 
     Assisted living facilities provide excellent services for seniors who wish to remain independent but still need some assistance with daily living. Types of assistance offered in assisted living facilities include help with bathing, dressing, eating, grooming and getting around. There are a variety of options available in the assisted living facilities industry, making them popular with seniors. 
     Future industry growth will be spurred by the 77 million Baby Boomers planning to retire over the next two decades. With life expectancy continuing to increase in the U.S., many individuals who retire at 65 will have to decide where to spend the remaining twenty or more years. This is expected to increase demand for assisted living services, therefore the need for Adult Living Facilities and supporting technologies to provide support for residents and staff is well established and provides for the increased social good. 
     In such Adult Living Facilities, a digital assistant is placed in each resident&#39;s room, or if occupied by multiple residents in the same shared-room environment with the option of providing a digital assistant next to each resident with a different preprogrammed specific utterance for each user-resident. 
     Also, at the Adult Living Facility&#39;s location, a digital assistant is positioned at each staff station (e.g. nurses&#39; station), and at one or more desks of administrative staff. One or more digital assistants are positioned strategically around common areas, living areas or shared recreation areas. Having digital assistants deployed across the Adult Living Facilities facility also provides most or all of the occupied space with an effective paging system. In such, broadcast announcements are provided for a nurse or staff member to make facility-wide, non-emergency announcements such as, meal-time reminders, invitation to join activities in the recreation area, or any other event. This is especially useful in Memory Care facilities. In some embodiments, automatic, non-emergency announcements are distributed to all or selected digital assistants such as, meal-time reminders, reminders of activities in the recreation area, or any other similar calendar items. This is especially useful in alleviating staff workload in the automation of redundant tasks. 
     In an emergency, residents speak the preprogrammed specific utterance (e.g. “Alexa, Call for Help”) which will quickly connect them by two-way voice to the staff/nurse&#39;s station which is preferably staffed 24/7. If the call for help is unanswered by the staff/nurse, the digital assistant that is reporting the emergency is connected by two-way voice to an urgent response center which is staffed with agents 24 hours of each and every day. This provides for overflow of emergency calls when the Staff/nurse is otherwise occupied or momentarily away from the Staff/nurses station. 
     Having digital assistants in many rooms, in some embodiments, intercom communication is available by the residents and/or the staff/nurses. In the past, residents pressed a call-button to page a nurse, requiring the nurse to walk to answer each resident&#39;s request, which may or may not be urgent. Connecting all residents to other residents and to staff/nursing by two-way voice increases efficiency and often shortens response times to residents&#39; requests. 
     For memory care residents, often the same questions is asked repeatedly because the patient does not recall just having asked the same question moments ago, such as “what time is it?” Digital assistants will answer these questions without becoming frustrated or annoyed with the resident. In some cases, these types of memory care resident questions are stressful to staff and have been cited as one of the causes for high turnover of Adult Living Facility&#39;s or Memory Care staff. The digital assistant&#39;s interaction with residents will reduce isolation, depression and loneliness which has been cited by the Journal of the American Medical Association as a negative health impact equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day, often resulting in a reduction of the individual&#39;s life expectancy by as much as 8 years. 
     It has been reported by adult living facilities and memory care operators that residents go missing from their rooms for prolonged periods requiring an impromptu search for the resident, utilizing several staff members time. The system of facility-wide digital assistant deployment provides for paging of a resident and allowing two-way communication with the staff/nurses&#39; station which reduces the need for a further search for the resident. 
     By deploying digital assistants in each patients&#39; room, in some embodiments, each patient will have the ability to make and receive phone calls just by voice command as well as the ability to send and receive voice or text (SMS) messages. In some embodiments, the digital assistants provide smart voice assistance for control of lights, thermostats, television and other devices. Such features will increase safety for residents who have mobility issues and reduce isolation for residents while decreasing work-load on nurses and staff to do basic task such as turning lights on and off. 
     The disclosed system and method anonymizes each resident and protects sensitive health information as required under HIPAA compliance, a necessary feature for the deployment of digital assistants in assisted living facilities or memory care facilities. Absent of such security protocols, the assisted living facilities or memory care facilities owner/operators would be at risk for significant HIPAA violations and fines making the use of digital assistants, and their many stated benefits, a high risk. 
     As lifeline functionality is needed during a power outage, the disclosed system deploys internet (e.g. Wi-Fi) access points to provide sufficient coverage of the facility, with added universal power supplies powering each access point and digital assistants in each room, staff/nurse stations, administrative desks, and digital assistants located in common areas. In some embodiments, each resident&#39;s digital assistant will be anonymized and assigned on the network by room number, or in the case of shared rooms as room 101-A, 101-B, etc. Through use of an encrypted secure database, only staff members or urgent response operators at an offsite call center have access to the secure data including the name of the resident and other private health information, per HIPAA compliance standards. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 1A  illustrate data connection diagrams of system for providing help. 
         FIGS. 2 and 2A  illustrate alternate data connection diagrams of system for providing help. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of a digital assistant of the system for providing help. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic view of a typical computer system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic view of a typical hotspot. 
         FIGS. 6 and 6A  illustrate views of typical home configurations. 
         FIGS. 7-10  illustrate exemplary user database data. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates an exemplary digital assistant provider database. 
         FIGS. 11 and 11A  illustrate exemplary system for providing help having multiple digital assistants connected to the call server. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary user database for translating between user accounts and unique addresses of the mobile hotspot. 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate exemplary program flows of the system for requesting help. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary floor plan showing a facility having multiple digital assistants. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a battery-backed digital assistant. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a digital assistant with an integrated battery backup and hotspot. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a schematic view of the integrated battery backup and hotspot. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Throughout this description, the term, “computer,” refers to any system that has a processor and runs software. One example of such is a personal computer. The term, “digital assistant,” refers to any device that interprets voice commands and takes action or responds to those commands, for example, but not limited to, the Alexa® device from Amazon®, the Google® Home device, smartphones, etc. The term, “user,” refers to a human that interfaces with the digital assistant through voice commands. The term, “agent,” refers to a person who receives notice of an issue with the user and determines the appropriate next step, for example, sending help or calling emergency services (e.g. 911 or direct dispatch of emergency services from the appropriate nearby first responder agency on behalf of the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , data connection diagrams of the exemplary system for providing help are shown. In this example, agent computers  10  (e.g., personal computers) communicates through a first network  506 A (e.g. the Internet, local area network, etc.) to a call server computer  500 . The agent computers  10  are staffed with agents; people who have tools for dealing with medical or non-medical emergencies such as a user falling, having a severe medical condition (e.g. stroke or heart attack), or being stuck in an elevator. 
     The call server computer  500  (e.g. a computer, a server or an array of servers or computers) provides access security, allowing only those agents that are authorized to access the call server computer  500 , and therefore, to process incoming calls. 
     Although one path between the agent computers  10  and the call server  500  is through the first network  506 A as shown, though any known data path is anticipated. For example, a local area network, Wi-Fi combined with a wide area network, which includes the Internet. 
     The call server computer  500  transacts with the agent computers  10  through the first network(s)  506 A, presenting information regarding incoming requests for help, as permitted by privacy rules. In some embodiments, a two-way voice communication is set up between the agent computer  10  and the digital assistant  12  that initiated the request for help. In some embodiments, the agent computers  10  and/or the call server  500  are equipped with tools to facilitate obtaining the proper help in response to the request for help including dispatch of private staff to the residence and escalation contacts up to and including a connection to emergency services (e.g. 911). 
     The call server computer  500  (and/or the agent computers  10 ) has access to data storage  502 . In some embodiments, the data storage includes a database, or managed account database, that contains data for each user and, preferably, anonymizes the user&#39;s identity to the digital assistant providers as well as to potential hackers of the digital assistants  12 . The database contains data used in routing from the digital assistants  12  to the agent computers  10 , historical data such as information regarding prior requests from the same location (digital assistants  12 ), call logging such as dates, times, durations, content, etc., and security to the users of the digital assistants  12  and access controls. 
     Any number of digital assistants  12  is anticipated. The digital assistants  12  monitor sound and analyze the sound for specific utterances. Of interest to the system for providing help is specific utterances that are configured to request help such as “Alexa, Call for help” or similar. In the embodiment shown, the digital assistants communicate through the second network  506 B to the call server  500 , typically when and after the specific utterances  5  (see  FIGS. 6 and 6A ) that request help are detected. The second network  506 B is any single or combination of network technologies, including, but not limited to local area networks (e.g. Ethernet), wireless networks (e.g. Wi-Fi or 802.11x), cellular data networks (e.g. GSM, CDMA, TDMA, LTE), of any type and configuration of network(s). 
     As many homes already have a very capable second network  506 B, often having a modem  15  (see  FIG. 11A ) such as a cable modem or fiber access modem, and a wireless router (e.g. a Wi-Fi router); in some embodiments, the digital assistants  12  connect directly to the existing second network  506 B. This requires that each digital assistant be configured to connect to the existing second network  506 B which requires administration by way of another device that is connected to the second network  506 B and providing credentials so that each digital assistant  12  is able to connect to the second network  506 B. Often, homeowners have forgotten their credentials (e.g. password) and/or are not wanting to provide their passwords to other people/organizations, making installation difficult. Further, as the technical capabilities of many individuals that might need the help and features of the disclosed system for providing help are often minimal, installing one or more digital assistants  12  in a home will require an installer to visit the home, for example, a professional installer or a family member of the individual in need. As evident in today&#39;s environment and current virus situation, many individuals do not want a strange person in their home. 
     To totally alleviate the need for an installer, the configuration of  FIG. 1A  includes a virtual private network repeater  506 D that is preconfigured to communicate with one or more of the digital assistants  12  that are provided at the time of purchase or additional digital assistants that are later programmed with security codes to access the virtual private network repeater  506 D. The virtual private network repeater  506 D plugs directly into the modem  15  (e.g. cable modem, fiber modem) of the second network  506 B, for example, using a provided Ethernet cable. In this way, the individual in need simply unpacks the virtual private network repeater  506 D and digital assistants  12 , connects power to such, and plugs in the provided cable, connecting the virtual private network repeater  506 D and the existing modem  15 , without the need to administer any devices in the home as everything is pre-configured. Not only are the digital assistants  12  pre-programmed to communicate directly to the virtual private network repeater  506 D over wireless connections using pre-programmed credentials of which there is no need for the individual in need to know or understand, each digital assistant  12  is protected by the virtual private network repeater  506 D by enhanced encryption and firewall protection. Therefore, even it the modem  15  and any existing wireless routers are poorly installed (e.g. with weak encryption, simple passwords, lack of firewall protection), the digital assistants  12  are virtualized by the virtual private network repeater  506 D, protecting confidential medical information that may be shared between the agents  10  and the individual serviced by the digital assistants  12 . This being said, the individuals serviced by the digital assistants  12  are still free to use any other feature of the digital assistants  12  (e.g. asking the time or weather or playing music). 
     It is known in the industry that a virtual private network (VPN) creates a connection between devices. In this disclosure, the virtual private network repeater  506 D is a self-contained device that provides secure connections between one or more digital assistants  12  and the call server  500 . In this way, the IP address and the actual location of all digital assistants  12  are hidden and instead, the IP addresses of the virtual private network repeater  506 D and a virtual location is presented to the Internet. Websites that are visited by the digital assistants  12  do not have visibility and/or access to the IP address of the digital assistants  12 . In this way, a hacker looking to steal the user&#39;s information is stopped. Data passing through the virtual private network repeater  506 D is encrypted and hidden so hackers cannot gain access to sensitive information such as medical information. 
     The modem  15  and internet service provider will only see encrypted information. Further, the virtual private network repeater  506 D prevent marketers from tracking activity by the digital assistants  12 . Marketers who would track user&#39;s activity to target their advertisements will no longer be able to track because a new IP address is issued for each connection. 
     In some embodiments, a preprogrammed kit  7  is provided to the user/premise/home. This preprogrammed kit  7  includes the virtual private network repeater  506 D with cable for connecting to an existing modem  15  and one or more digital assistants  12  that are preprogrammed with the needed skills and with preprogrammed connections (addresses and passwords) for connection to the virtual private network repeater  506 D. In this way, the user  4  receives the preprogrammed kit  7 , the user need only connect the virtual private network repeater  506 D an existing modem  15  (potentially using the cable provided in the preprogrammed kit  7 ) and plug in each of the one or more digital assistants  12 . Being that the virtual private network repeater  506 D is physically connected to the modem  15 , there is no need to program a password and, because the digital assistant(s)  12  are already programmed with credentials and addresses for accessing the virtual private network repeater  506 D as well as account information and skills, once powered, the digital assistant(s)  12  will correctly connect to the call server  500  when the specific utterance is spoken. 
     In some embodiments, the digital assistant(s)  12  respond to the specific utterances  5  (e.g. “Alexa, Call for help”) by interfacing with a provider server  400 , a server owned and maintained by the provider of the digital assistant  12  to initiate the call. The provider server  400  has provider accounts stored in a provider data storage  402 . The provider server  400  receives the request for the call from the digital assistant  12  and initiates a phone call, e.g. by Voice over IP through the network  506 B to the call server  500 . The call server  500  receives the call from the provider server  400  and uses a caller-id of the call access user records (e.g. from data storage  502 ) to determine the name, phone number, and location of the user  4 ; history of this user&#39;s  4  issues; medical information regarding the user  4  (e.g. heart conditions, medications, mobility); local support staff locations and contact information (e.g. roaming staff, staff in assisted living); etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , data connection diagrams of the exemplary system for providing help using mobile hotspots  14  which are part of the centrally programmed and managed system are shown. In this example, agent computers  10  (e.g., personal computers) communicate (as in  FIG. 1 ) through a first network  506 A (e.g. the Internet, local area network, etc.) to a call server computer  500 . Although one path between the agent computers  10  and the call server  500  is through the first network  506 A as shown, though any known data path is anticipated. For example, a local area network, Wi-Fi combined with a wide area network, which includes the Internet. 
     To totally alleviate the need for an installer, the configuration of  FIG. 2A  includes a virtual private network repeater  506 D that is preconfigured to communicate with one or more of the digital assistants  12  that are provided at the time of purchase or additional digital assistants that are later programmed with security codes to access the virtual private network repeater  506 D. The virtual private network repeater  506 D plugs directly into the mobile hotspots  14 , for example, using a provided Ethernet cable. In this way, the individual in need simply unpacks the virtual private network repeater  506 D, hotspot  14 , and digital assistant(s)  12 , connects power to such, and plugs the provided cable into the mobile hotspots  14  and not administration need be performed in the home. Not only are the digital assistants  12  pre-programmed to communicate directly to the virtual private network repeater  506 D over wireless connections using pre-programmed credentials of which there is no need for the individual in need to know or understand, each digital assistant  12  is protected by the virtual private network repeater  506 D by enhanced encryption and firewall protection. Therefore, even if any other existing wireless routers within the facility/home are poorly installed (e.g. with weak encryption, simple passwords, lack of firewall protection), the digital assistants  12  are virtualized by the virtual private network repeater  506 D, protecting confidential medical information that may be shared between the agents  10  and the individual serviced by the digital assistants  12 . This being said, the individuals serviced by the digital assistants  12  are still free to use any other feature of the digital assistants  12  (e.g. asking the time or weather or playing music). 
     Although any number of digital assistants  12  is anticipated, three are shown for brevity reasons. The digital assistants  12  monitor sound and analyze the sound for specific utterances. Of interest to the system for providing help is specific utterances that are configured to request help such as “Alexa, Call for help,” or similar. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , two of the digital assistants connect to a first one of the mobile hotspots  14  and a single other of the digital assistants connects to a second of the mobile hotspots  14 . It is anticipated that in a smaller location (e.g. home or office), a single mobile hotspot  14  is sufficient to provide connectivity to all digital assistants  12  within that location (including a single digital assistant  12 ), while in larger locations more than one mobile hotspot  14 , connected as a repeater using the same SSID and access code, may be required to provide adequate local wireless coverage. 
     Each mobile hotspot  14  communicates through the cellular network  506 C to the call server  500 , typically when and after the specific utterances that request help are detected. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , two of the digital assistants connect to a first one of the mobile hotspots  14  through a first virtual private network repeater  506 D and the other of the digital assistants  12  connects to a second of the mobile hotspots  14  through a second virtual private network repeater  506 D. It is anticipated that in a smaller location (e.g. home or office), a single mobile hotspot  14  is sufficient to provide connectivity to all digital assistants  12  within that location (including a single digital assistant  12 ), while in larger locations more than one mobile hotspot  14 , in some embodiments connected as a repeater using the same SSID and access code, may be required to provide adequate local wireless coverage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a schematic view of an exemplary digital assistant  12  is shown as used as an end-point device in the system for providing help. The exemplary digital assistant  12  is a processor-based device for providing voice recognition and command execution. The present invention is in no way limited to any particular digital assistant  12  and many other devices are anticipated that offer similar voice recognition and command execution. Such other processor-based devices that are equally anticipated include, but are not limited to, Google® Assistant series of smart speaker digital assistants, Apple&#39;s® Siri® series of smart speaker digital assistants, other smart speakers which have embodied a similar or licensed artificial intelligence powered digital assistant of any type, smart phones, cellular phones, thermostats, fitness devices, etc. 
     The exemplary digital assistant  12  represents a typical device used for accessing user interfaces of the system for providing help. This exemplary digital assistant  12  is shown in its simplest form. Different architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion, and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular system architecture or implementation. In this exemplary digital assistant  12 , a processor  70  executes or runs programs in a random access memory  75 . The programs are generally stored within a persistent memory  74  and loaded into the random access memory  75  when needed. In some digital assistants  12 , a removable storage  88  (e.g., compact flash, SD) offers removable persistent storage. The processor  70  is any processor, typically a processor designed for phones. The persistent memory  74 , random access memory  75 , and removable storage slot are connected to the processor by, for example, a memory bus  72 . The random access memory  75  is any memory suitable for connection and operation with the selected processor  70 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. The persistent memory  74  is any type, configuration, capacity of memory suitable for persistently storing data, for example, flash memory, read only memory, battery-backed memory, etc. In some agent computers  10 , the persistent memory  74  is removable, in the form of a memory card of appropriate format such as SD (secure digital) cards, micro SD cards, compact flash, etc. 
     Also connected to the processor  70  is a system bus  82  for connecting to peripheral subsystems such as a wireless network interface  80  (e.g. Wi-Fi), an output port  84  for driving indicators  86 , and an input port  83  for reading switch inputs  85 , though there is no restriction on inputs and outputs. 
     In general, some portion of the persistent memory  74  and/or the removable storage  88  is used to store programs, executable code, and data, etc. 
     The peripherals are examples, and other devices are known in the industry such as Global Positioning Subsystems  91 , the details of which are not shown for brevity and clarity reasons. 
     The wireless network interface  80  connects the exemplary digital assistant  12  to the second network  506 B or cellular network  506 C through any known or future protocol such as Ethernet, WI-FI, GSM, TDMA, LTE, etc., through a wired or wireless medium  78 . There is no limitation on the type of connection used. The wireless network interface  80  provides data and messaging connections between the exemplary digital assistant  12  and the call server  500  through the second network  506 B. 
     For receiving voice commands from a user, the digital assistant  12  has an audio input device such as a microphone or microphone array  92 . 
     For providing responses and information, the digital assistant  12  has a transducer device or speaker  93 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a schematic view of a typical call server computer system (e.g., call server  500 ) is shown. The example call server  500  represents a typical server computer system used as in the system for remote computer control. This exemplary call server  500  is shown in its simplest form. Different architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular computer system architecture or implementation. In this exemplary computer system, a processor  570  executes or runs programs in a random access memory  575 . The programs are generally stored within a persistent memory  574  and loaded into the random access memory  575  when needed. The processor  570  is any processor, typically a processor designed for computer systems with any number of core processing elements, etc. The random access memory  575  is connected to the processor by, for example, a memory bus  572 . The random access memory  575  is any memory suitable for connection and operation with the selected processor  570 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. The persistent memory  574  is any type, configuration, capacity of memory suitable for persistently storing data, for example, magnetic storage, flash memory, read only memory, battery-backed memory, magnetic memory, etc. The persistent memory  574  is typically interfaced to the processor  570  through a system bus  582 , or any other interface as known in the industry. 
     Also shown connected to the system bus  582  is a network interface  580  (e.g., for connecting to a data network  506 X—e.g. first network  506 A and/or second network  506 B and/or cellular network  506 C), a graphics adapter  584  and a keyboard interface  592  (e.g., Universal Serial Bus—USB). The graphics adapter  584  receives information from the processor  570  and controls what is depicted on a display  586 . The keyboard interface  592  provides navigation, data entry, and selection features. 
     In general, some portion of the persistent memory  574  is used to store programs, executable code, data, contacts, and other data, etc. 
     The peripherals are examples and other devices are known in the industry such as pointing devices, touch-screen interfaces, speakers, microphones, USB interfaces, Bluetooth transceivers, Wi-Fi transceivers, image sensors, temperature sensors, etc., the details of which are not shown for brevity and clarity reasons. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a schematic view of an exemplary mobile hotspot  14  is shown as used in the system for providing help. The exemplary mobile hotspot  14  is a processor-based device for providing data connectivity through the cellular network  506 C. The present invention is in no way limited to any particular mobile hotspot  14  and many other devices are anticipated that offer similar connectivity. 
     The exemplary mobile hotspot  14  represents a typical device used for providing data connectivity using the cellular network  506 C (any cellular data network is anticipated including, but not limited to, CDMA, GSM, TDMA, LTE, etc. This exemplary mobile hotspot  14  is shown in its simplest form. Different architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion, and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular system architecture or implementation. In this exemplary mobile hotspot  14 , a processor  970  executes or runs programs in a random access memory  975 . The programs are generally stored within a persistent memory  974  and loaded into the random access memory  975  when executed. A subscriber identity module  988  (SIM or SIM card) securely stores an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on the cellular network  506 C. The processor  970  is any processor, typically a processor designed for data communications. The persistent memory  974 , random access memory  975 , and subscriber identity module  988  are connected to the processor by, for example, a memory bus  972 . The random access memory  975  is any memory suitable for connection and operation with the selected processor  970 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. The persistent memory  974  is any type, configuration, capacity of memory suitable for persistently storing data, for example, flash memory, read only memory, battery-backed memory, etc. 
     Also connected to the processor  970  is a system bus  982  for connecting to peripheral subsystems such as a cellular network interface  980  (e.g. cellular interface) and a local wireless network interface  981  (e.g. Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, an output port  984  is provided for driving indicators  986 , and an input port  983  is provided for reading switch inputs  985 , though there is no restriction on inputs and outputs. 
     In general, some portion of the persistent memory  974  is used to store programs, executable code, and data, etc. 
     The peripherals are examples, and other devices are known in the industry are anticipated, the details of which are not shown for brevity and clarity reasons. 
     The cellular network interface  980  connects the mobile hotspot  14  to the cellular network  506 C through any known or future protocol such as GSM, TDMA, LTE, etc. There is no limitation on the type of cellular connection used. The cellular network interface  980  provides data and messaging between the exemplary mobile hotspot  14  and the cellular network  506 C. 
     The local wireless network interface  981  connects the mobile hotspot  14  to a local wireless network through any known or future protocol such as Wi-Fi (802.11x), Bluetooth, etc. There is no limitation on the type of local wireless connection used. The local wireless network interface  981  provides data and messaging between the mobile hotspot  14  and the digital assistants  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 6A , views of a typical turn-key, home configuration are shown. Within the home  1  (or office or any area), a digital assistant  12  is powered, for example, by a wall transformer  3  plugged into a standard AC outlet  2 . The digital assistant  12  communicates wirelessly (e.g. by Wi-Fi) with a mobile hotspot  14 , shown in this example as being powered by the same wall transformer  3 . It is anticipated that the components within the home  1  of  FIG. 6  (except the standard AC outlet  2 ) be provided as a turn-key solution, each pre-configured to function properly with each other. 
     The mobile hotspot  14  communicates with the call server  500  through a wide area wireless network such as a cellular network  506 C (a single cell tower  8  is shown as a representation of such). 
     In this example, a user  4  has fallen and utters the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  (e.g., “Alexa, Call for help” or similar). that is received by the microphone array  92  of the digital assistant  12 . The digital assistant  12 , recognizing the utterance as the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  communicates with the mobile hotspot  14  (e.g. via Wi-Fi). After receiving the communication, the mobile hotspot  14  contacts the call center server  500  through the cellular network  506 C (and/or any other networks) as represented by the cell tower  8 . 
     In some embodiments, the call center server  500  assigns an agent computer  10  and associated call center agent, connecting to that agent computer  10  and displaying information related to the user  4 , by associating the caller ID number associated with the smart speaker system to the database of the provider centrally managed system, so that the agent is able to identify the name and exact location of the caller, and is able to understand the issue and determine the extent of the emergency, should an emergency exist. 
     In some embodiments, the agent computer  10  is placed in voice communication with the digital assistant  12  and, as the agent speaks, digitized speech is sent from the agent computer  10  to the digital assistant  12  and the user  4  hears what the agent is saying through one or more speakers  93  of the digital assistant  12 . Likewise, when the user  4  speaks, digitized speech is sent from the digital assistant  12  to the agent computer  10  and the agent hears what the user  4  is saying through one or more speakers of agent computer  10 . In this way, the agent is capable of determining the identity of the caller from the centrally managed database, and determine the extent of the emergency and able to determine what course of action is needed, for example, verbal help, sending private responders (e.g. at an assisted living location), contacting an emergency response resource (e.g. calling 911 in the USA), etc. 
     As many users  4  that may need emergency help often lack technical skills, those users  4  that are in greatest need of the system for providing help, it is desired to provide a “turn-key” system for providing help, in that, the user  4  need not be concerned with configuring wireless networks, home internet services, phone services, smartphone app downloading, and programming a digital assistant etc. The desire is that the user  4  only need to plug in the system for providing help to a wall power outlet and the system for providing help self-configures and operates. As many users  4  have no wireless internet access, one such pre-configuration includes one or more digital assistants  12  and one or more mobile hotspots  14 , pre-configured to communicate with each other to provide services of the system for providing help (in addition to other services available from the digital assistant  12  such as answering questions, playing music, etc.). In this, the digital assistant(s)  12  is/are pre-configured to connect with the mobile hotspot(s)  14 , the digital assistant(s)  12  is/are preprogrammed with the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , and the digital assistant(s)  12  have a private identity  102  (see  FIG. 7 ) that is unique and known to the call server  500  based on the proprietary centrally managed program database. By having a private identity  102  such as 1112223333@gmail.com, the digital assistant(s)  12  do not disclose the identity of the user  4  in outside communications unless the user  4  explicitly discloses such information. Therefore, until an emergency is determined, the agent might only be provided with a first name of the user  4  for polite addressing, thereby not releasing any private information until it is determined that an emergency exists. Such identity hiding is important for HIPAA compliance. 
     Note that many available digital assistants  12  have a wake-up work such as “Alexa,” and such has been included in the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , for example, “Alexa, Call for help.” The main reason is that should someone on the radio or television say, “send help,” the system for providing help need not interpret this as an emergency. 
     When it is determined that an emergency exists, the private identity  102  is used by the call server  500  to access user records (e.g. from data storage  502 ) to determine the name, phone number, and location of the user  4 ; history of this user&#39;s  4  issues; medical information regarding the user  4  (e.g. heart conditions, medications, mobility); local support staff locations and contact information (e.g. roaming staff, staff in assisted living); etc. 
     Although it is preferred to use a digital assistant  12  as a portal into the system for providing help, parallel systems are also anticipated including by phone in which the DNIS (Dialed Number Identification System) or caller ID methodology is used to determine the identity of the user, by matching the DNIS (caller ID) with the proprietary centrally managed system database, or through programming one or more phone numbers of the system for providing help into a user&#39;s smart phone. 
     After installation and configuration, the user  4  typically makes an initial test call using system, by saying the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , for example: “Alexa, Call For Help” or similar. Note that in this preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , the first word, “Alexa,” wakes up the digital assistant  12 ; the second word, “Call,” is a command to instruct the digital assistant  12  to initiate a digital call; and the remaining words, “for help” identify the called party, which is that of a monitored security number (e.g. the call server  500 ). 
     The system for providing help maintains a monitoring center (UL approved) with trained operators preferably providing continual operation with redundant back up. The system for providing help maintains an account for each user  4 , with their address, emergency contacts such as neighbors, friends, family and physicians contact numbers, and a limited medical history and specialized instructions (Protected Medical Information or “PHI”). In some embodiments, the system for providing help offers additional services and solutions to maintain contact with a user  4  on a daily basis, verify their wellbeing and operation of their digital assistant(s)  12 . By removing a need for any industry standard PERS base station (which may broadcast a customer account identification number) or a PERS (mobile cellular pendant or wrist band) improved security and privacy is provided. When a phone or smartphone is used to access the system for providing help, the DNIS (Dialed Number Identification System) or Caller ID is used as a unique index into account information from a database each time a call is received from a registered user. 
     If a user  4  desires a body-worn device (not shown for brevity and clarity) such as a personal panic button, a pendant or a wrist band, it is anticipated that the digital assistant  12  and/or mobile hotspot  14  be configured to interface with the body-worn device and initiate an interaction with the call server  500 . An agent of the system for providing help, interfaced to the call server  500 , determines if the user  4  needs assistance, and, if so, summons assistance by contacting friends, neighbors or family who can help; or an ambulance if needed, fire rescue if needed, police if needed or other emergency response as warranted. 
     In  FIG. 6A , the hot spot  14  is connected to a virtual private network repeater  506 D and the virtual private network repeater  506 D communicates wirelessly to the one or more digital assistants  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 , exemplary user databases  100  are shown. In  FIG. 7 , each user  4  has a private identity  102  that is unique. When a request is received by the server computer  500 , the call is assigned to one of the agent computers  10  and an agent associated with that agent computer  10 . As needed and allowed under privacy laws for PHI (HIPAA), the agent is provided other information regarding the user  4  who has made the request, including the name  103  of the user  4 , the address  104  of the user  4 , the phone number  105  of the user  4 , and a date of the last request/call  106  made by the user  4 . 
     When it is determined that an emergency exists, the private identity  102  is used by the call server  500  to access user records (e.g. from data storage  502 ) to determine the name, phone number, and location of the user  4 . If the agent requires further information and such is needed and allowed under privacy laws, the agent gains access to medical information  114  regarding the user  4  (e.g. heart conditions, medications, mobility) as shown in  FIG. 8 , indexed by the private identity  102 . If the agent needs further information regarding prior requests/calls and such is needed and allowed under privacy laws, the agent gains access to a history  124  of the user  4  which includes, for example, history of prior calls or other related information such as important medical events and diagnosis (e.g. hip replacement, knee scope operation, diagnosed with cancer). 
     If it is determined that the user  4  needs help, there is contact information  134  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The contact information  134  includes, for example, global contacts, local contacts, and personal contacts that are made available to the agent. Global contacts such as E911 are less effective in a distributed environment, as it is anticipated that the agent is not in the same location as the user  4 , and therefore, dialing of 911 or emergency first responders by the agent will not solicit help at the location of the user  4 . Local contacts as shown in  FIG. 10  provide contact information (e.g. phone numbers) for emergency services that are local to the user  4  (e.g. in the same town, zip code, etc.). Local contacts also include local support staff at the location of the user  4  (e.g. roaming staff, staff in assisted living). Personal contacts (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) include contacts of care givers and loved ones specific to the user  4  (e.g. family members, clergy, and neighbors). Note that the contact information  134  includes any way known to contact another including, but not limited to, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, social media addresses, voice-over-IP addresses, Ai powered digital assistants (Alexa to Alexa messaging or calling or similar), etc. 
     In some embodiments, the private identity  102  is, or is part of, an email address, as some digital assistants  12  require an email address at registration and, most digital assistants  12  allow for multiple digital assistants  12  to be associated with a single email address used in creating the centrally managed system. Therefore, although the private identity  102  of the users  4  is shown as a 10 digit number, it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the private identity  102  is an email address such as 1112223333@gmail.com or 1112223333@aol.com or an alpha-numeric combination such as CC1112223333, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the private identity  102  is, or is part of, a phone number, as some digital assistants  12  require a phone number be provided at registration and, most digital assistants  12  allow for multiple digital assistants  12  to be associated with a phone number that is used in creating a provider account used by the provider server  400 . Therefore, although the private identity  102  of the users  4  is shown as a 10 digit number, it is anticipated that, in some embodiments, the private identity  102  is phone number such as 1112223333 or 1112223333 etc. In such, when the specific utterance  5  (e.g. “Alexa, Call for help”) is detected by the digital assistant  12 , the digital assistant  12  contacts the provider server  400  to make the call to a contact, in this example, “for help.” The phone number associated with “for help” in the user&#39;s  4  contact list is the phone number of the service and the call is made by the provider server  400  to the call server  500 . The provider server  400  accesses the provider account  410  of the user from the provider data storage  402  (see  FIG. 10A ). The call server then calls the call server  500  with the caller-id  434  from the provider account  410 . The call server  500  then uses the caller-id  434  to recognize which user  4  is associated with this incoming call. Note that the provider account  410  is abbreviated for clarity reasons. 
     Configuration and installation of one or more digital assistants  12  in a home is a daunting task, even for the technical literate. Many intended users of the system for providing help are low on the technical literacy scale or have an ailment/disability that makes it almost impossible to setup, configure, and install the digital assistants  12  in their facility (e.g. home). Further, many users  4  live in locations where there is no wireless local area network coverage (e.g. Wi-Fi), further requiring each user  4  to arrange Internet access and a wireless local area network coverage, for example, from a cable or fiber optic provider. 
     Now, assuming the user  4  arranges for installation of Internet access as well as a wireless local area network within their facility, the user  4  must activate “Phone Skills” for the digital assistant  12  and/or update a contact list to include a contact that connects with the call server. For example, if the phone skills for the digital assistant  12  require the initiation word, “call”, the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  will start with “Alexa, call” or “Hey XX, call.” Now the user  4  associates the remainder of the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  with an address/phone-number of the call server  500 . For example, the user adds a contact of “for help” in their address book and provides the phone number (or IP address) of the server  500  as the primary contact for this contact. Therefore, the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  is, for example, “Alexa, call for help,” or “Hey XX, call for help.” Now the user  4  must try to initiate a request for help by saying, for example, “Alexa, call for help,” or “Hey XX, call for help,” and if an agent answers, they are all set. Simple? Not really. Further, the above provides for a one-way initiation of connectivity—from the digital assistant (s)  12  of the user to the call server  500 . There is no way for the call server  500  to initiate contact with any equipment (e.g. Internet infrastructure and digital assistant(s)  12  within the facility of the user  4 ). In some embodiments, it is important to provide “heartbeat” monitoring of the digital assistant(s)  12 , as should a digital assistants  12  fail, some subset of the users  4  will not know about the failure until it is too late as some users will not use their digital assistant(s)  12  for any other purpose other than requesting help. 
     Although examples of the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  have been in English with a known wake-up word, for example, “Alexa, call for help,” or “Hey XX, call for help,” it is fully anticipated that other languages as well as custom wake-up words will be deployed. Note that because the digital assistant  12  is typically listening for utterances all day long, it is wise to use a wake-up word that is uncommon. For example, if the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  is simplified to “Get Help,” false alarms might arise when watching television and an actor on the television says, “Get Help.” 
     Some users  4  are capable if executing the steps of installing and configuring of one or more digital assistants  12 . For users  4  that are not capable or desire improved coverage, a preprogrammed system is provided upon purchase or activation of a service agreement with the monitoring company. The preprogrammed system is ready to use upon activation by a user simply plugging the digital assistants  12  into an available power outlet. 
     It is also anticipated that the system for requesting help be implemented using a smartphone instead of or in addition to a digital assistant  12 , as voice recognition is often included in many android, Microsoft® and Apple® smartphones. Three limitations are present with smartphones is that: they require recharging, in some instances must be woken by a physical activity (e.g. pressing a wake button) and most users  4  will not want to deploy a plugged-in cellphone in each room of the facility (e.g. home). Further, as each will be a fully functional smartphone, cellular providers might not offer low-cost plans for emergency use only. 
     To use the system for requesting help an emergency, such as the onset of symptoms of a serious illness (chest pains in the case of a heart-attack) or other, the user  4  says the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , for example, “Alexa, call for help,” or “Hey XX, call for help,” loudly and clearly once. In a preferred embodiment, the digital assistant  12  will respond, “Calling for Help Now”. The request will be received by the call server  500  and the request will be forwarded to one of the agent computer  10  along with information of the user&#39;s  4  name and location from the centrally managed system database. A two-way voice connection is made between the agent computer  10  and the digital assistant  12  that requested help (and, in some embodiments, with other digital assistants  12  with the same facility). As an example, the agent at the agent computer  10  will ask the nature of the emergency. If the user  4  is unable to speak further, perhaps incapacitation due to the emergency or illness, the security call center detects that you made the request for help and, if unable to gain a response, will either call E911 or local emergency first responders directly with your emergency or follow other agreed upon protocol for this user  4  (as per their account) such as contacting a private duty help agent (e.g. a roaming agent local to the user  4 ), assisted living staff, neighbors, etc. 
     In some cases, the user has fallen and is having trouble getting back up on their bed or chair etc. in this case, the user does not need E911 help, and instead, help is requested of a neighbor, friend or family member that is local to the user  4  and able to assist the user  4 . 
     Having one or more digital assistants  12  within a facility, other uses for the digital assistants  12  are anticipated such as to remind the users  4  when it is time to take medicines, to call for a ride share service, and to access a host of other resources available with each digital assistant  12  that will enhance the quality of life and safety and well-being of the users  4 . 
     Although disclosed for use in a facility such as a home or office, it is fully anticipated that the system for requesting help be deployed in a hospital, medical complex, group home, adult living facility or nursing home. In such, the system for requesting help is capable of replacing the Panic Button (typically tethered to the bed and useless if the user  4  falls away from the bed). In such, the user  4  of such a facility is able to initiate a request for help using the preprogrammed specific utterance  5  from anywhere local to the digital assistant  12  and, after assessing the issue, the agent will call a person at the monitoring station (e.g. nurse, orderly) or a Central Monitoring station. Further, it is fully anticipated that the system for requesting help be deployed in hotels. In guest rooms equipped with the system for requesting help, in addition to summoning help should the guest have a medical emergency, sees a fire, or is being assaulted or robbed, the digital assistant  12  will control televisions, music players, wake alarms, thermostats, etc. In such, each digital assistant  12  is associated with a room number. Likewise, it is fully anticipated that the system for requesting help be deployed in commercial or business environments providing higher security and safety, distributed throughout buildings, elevators, restrooms, etc. In some embodiments, the digital assistant  12  will identify the person speaking, as well as the location of the device, using voice recognition technology. With such, a call for local, internal building security or E911 emergency help is provided by the agent as needed. It is fully anticipated that the system for requesting help be deployed in schools and universities having digital assistants  12  in classrooms and public spaces so that teachers or students are able to call for help if an active shooter is present or medical emergency occurs. In such, the digital assistant  12  is associated with the classroom number and/or location. It is also fully anticipated that the system for requesting help be deployed in vehicles of any type (e.g., cars, buses, airplanes, cruise ships) and such include GPS location capability. This provides help to a user  4  during, for example, a car-jacking, medical emergency, sinking vessel, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , an exemplary system for providing help having multiple digital assistants  12  connected to the call server  500  using a mobile hotspot  14  is shown. There exists a large population of potential users of the system for providing help that have limited technical abilities and, often, no Internet access or smartphone. This subset of users likely cannot setup and install the digital assistant(s)  12 , even if wireless internet is available. Further, the typical setup of a digital assistant  12  often requires a smartphone, an active email address, Wi-Fi internet access, and a service account from the digital assistant provider (e.g. Amazon® or Google®). Further, a greater level of security is desired as this subset of users often is vulnerable to various intrusions. The centrally managed service described in the system and methodology provides all the required resource in pre-programmed solution which requires no installation by the user except for plugging the system into an available power outlet(s). 
     Digital assistant providers require a user account and an email address. To reduce the possibility of divulging private health information, an account and email address is created and both the account name and email address is randomized as part of the centrally managed system. For example, the account name is AZ111222333 and the unique user email address is AZ111222333@provider.com. In this way, there is no disclosure of a name, social security number, address, or any other identifying information to the digital assistant provider and, therefore, even if there is a security breach and information is made available to/by the digital assistant provider, it will not be associated with an identified person. For example, if a communication is intercepted and disclosed, it will be that user account AZ111222333 requested help due to chest pain, with no way for the digital assistant provider of perpetrator to know the identity of the user associated with the user account of AZ111222333. 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 11 , each digital assistant  12  in the same facility (e.g. the home of J. Smith), has been pre-registered with the same digital assistant provider account  152  (e.g. AZ111222333). 
     In this, if the user  4  already has wireless data access (e.g. Wi-Fi), one anticipated option is to provide one or more digital assistants  12  that are preprogrammed and setup with that user&#39;s account (e.g. AZ111222333). This still requires each digital assistant  12  to recognize the user&#39;s  4  private wireless network, typically requiring a smartphone to provide a network access password to each digital assistant  12 . 
     To further simplify both operation and installation, an improved anticipated option is to provide a turn-key system for providing help as shown in  FIG. 11 , having one or more digital assistants  12  pre-configured and pre-connected to a mobile hotspot  14 . In this, each digital assistant  12  is associated with a digital assistant provider account  152 , each digital assistant  12  is preprogrammed with the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , and each digital assistant is pre-configured to connect to the call server  500  through the mobile hotspot  14 . In addition, the mobile hotspot  14  has a unique address  150 , typically known as a MAC address. When a request is received by the call server  500 , the call server  500  is aware of the unique address  150  and, for example, using a translation table as shown in  FIG. 12 , the call server  500  is able to determine to source of the request (e.g. name  103  of requester and the account number  102  of the requester. 
     Further, by having the unique address  150  of each mobile hotspot  14  assigned to the user  4 , additional features are enabled. One feature that is anticipated is a polling feature to make sure each mobile hotspot  14  and associated digital assistants  12  are functioning properly. For example, once per day or once per hour, the call server  500  establishes a connection to each digital assistant  12 , enabled by the centrally managed system. If the connection fails, this signals a potential hardware problem and service is performed. Another feature anticipated is outward calling to each user  4 . In this, the call server  500  makes an unsolicited call to the digital assistants  12  and solicits a verbal answer (e.g., “Hello J. Smith, is everything OK?”). If the appropriate verbal answer (e.g. “Yes,” or “Alexa Yes”) is not received within a predetermined time period, appropriate action takes place such as calling the user  4  by phone, dispatching private staff, contacting loved ones or neighbors, etc. 
     It is further anticipated that some portion of the user&#39;s  4  address is programmed into the user&#39;s account to enable digital assistant features that are location specific (e.g., “what is the weather?” or “what is playing at nearby movie theatres?”). It is also anticipated that if the user  4  has a smartphone, the user&#39;s smartphone be programmed with the user&#39;s account information so that the user has the ability to adjust the digital assistant, for example, by adding skills, contacts, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11A , an exemplary system for providing help having multiple digital assistants  12  connected to the call server  500  using a existing modem  15  is shown. There exists a large population of potential users of the system for providing help that have limited technical abilities and, often, no Internet access or smartphone. This subset of users likely cannot setup and install the digital assistant(s)  12 , even though they already have a wireless internet connected by a modem  15  (e.g. a cable modem or fiber modem). Further, the typical setup of a digital assistant  12  often requires a smartphone, an active email address, Wi-Fi internet access, and a service account from the digital assistant provider (e.g. Amazon® or Google®). Further, a greater level of security is desired as this subset of users often is vulnerable to various intrusions. The centrally managed service described in the system and methodology provides all the required resource in pre-programmed solution which requires no installation by the user except for plugging the system into an available power outlet(s). 
     Digital assistant providers require a user account and an email address. To reduce the possibility of divulging private health information, an account and email address is created and both the account name and email address is randomized as part of the centrally managed system. For example, the account name is AZ111222333 and the unique user email address is AZ111222333@provider.com. In this way, there is no disclosure of a name, social security number, address, or any other identifying information to the digital assistant provider and, therefore, even if there is a security breach and information is made available to/by the digital assistant provider, it will not be associated with an identified person. For example, if a communication is intercepted and disclosed, it will be that user account AZ111222333 requested help due to chest pain, with no way for the digital assistant provider of perpetrator to know the identity of the user associated with the user account of AZ111222333. 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 11A , each digital assistant  12  in the same facility (e.g. the home of J. Smith), has been pre-registered with the same digital assistant provider account  152  (e.g. AZ111222333). 
     In  FIG. 11A , the user  4  already has wireless data access (e.g. Wi-Fi), provided by a modem  15  (e.g. cable modem or fiber modem), typically used by one or more devices  17  within the user&#39;s home. In this embodiment, one or more digital assistants  12  are provided that are preprogrammed and setup with that user&#39;s account (e.g. AZ111222333). Each digital assistant  12  is preprogrammed with credentials to connect to the virtual private network repeater  506 D, providing a turn-key system for providing help as shown in  FIG. 11A . In this, each digital assistant  12  is associated with a digital assistant provider account  152 , each digital assistant  12  is preprogrammed with the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , and each digital assistant is pre-configured to connect to the call server  500  through the virtual private network repeater  506 D and, subsequently though the user&#39;s modem  15 . Note that the virtual private network repeater  506 D is connected to the modem  15  by a wire  506 E (e.g. an Ethernet cable), thereby not requiring any credentials (e.g. passwords) regarding the modem  15 . In addition, the virtual private network repeater  506 D has a unique address  150 , typically known as a MAC address. When a request is received by the call server  500 , the call server  500  is aware of the unique address  150  and, for example, using a translation table as shown in  FIG. 12 , the call server  500  is able to determine to source of the request (e.g. name  103  of requester and the account number  102  of the requester. 
     Further, by having the unique address  150  of each mobile virtual private network repeater  506 D assigned to the user  4 , additional features are enabled. One feature that is anticipated is a polling feature to make sure each virtual private network repeater  506 D and associated digital assistants  12  are functioning properly. For example, once per day or once per hour, the call server  500  establishes a connection to each digital assistant  12 , enabled by the centrally managed system. If the connection fails, this signals a potential hardware problem and service is performed. Another feature anticipated is outward calling to each user  4 . In this, the call server  500  makes an unsolicited call to the digital assistants  12  and solicits a verbal answer (e.g., “Hello J. Smith, is everything OK?”). If the appropriate verbal answer (e.g. “Yes,” or “Alexa Yes”) is not received within a predetermined time period, appropriate action takes place such as calling the user  4  by phone, dispatching private staff, contacting loved ones or neighbors, etc. 
     It is further anticipated that some portion of the user&#39;s  4  address is programmed into the user&#39;s account to enable digital assistant features that are location specific (e.g., “what is the weather?” or “what is playing at nearby movie theatres?”). It is also anticipated that if the user  4  has a smartphone, the user&#39;s smartphone be programmed with the user&#39;s account information so that the virtual private network repeater  506 D user has the ability to adjust the digital assistant, for example, by adding skills, contacts, etc. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , exemplary program flows of the system for requesting help are shown. In  FIG. 13 , a new digital assistant  12  and mobile hotspot  14  are being programmed. The first step is to get  200  a digital assistant(s)  12  and mobile hotspot  14 . Now a new account is generated  202  (e.g. in the data storage  502  of the call server  500 ), creating the private identity  102  of the user  4  and adding user information such as the name  103  of the user  4 , address  104 , phone number  105 , medical situations and medication information  114 , and contact information  134  (e.g. local emergency contacts, neighbors, dedicated staff, private staff, etc. 
     Now the account is created  204  at the provider of the digital assistant  12  using private identity  102  of the user  4  and other information, for example, including minimal identifying information of the user  4  such as zip code or possibly street name, but not street number. 
     The mobile hotspot  14  is associated  206  with the new account, adding a unique identifier/address of the mobile hotspot  14  (e.g., MAC address and/or phone number) to the new account and, therefore, associating the mobile hotspot  14  with the new account of the user  4 . Note that each mobile hotspot  14  has a unique address to the cellular network  506 C, typically a phone number to which the call server  500  is able to address uniquely, for example, by sending a text message to this phone number. 
     Next, each digital assistant  12  is configured to communicate with the mobile hotspot  14  and to include the skills needed to provide the system for requesting help (e.g. at a minimum, the skill to recognize the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 , for example, “Alexa, call for help,” or “Hey XX, call for help”). As it is anticipated that a single user have one or more digital assistants  12 , likely depending upon the size and layout of the facility of the user  4  (e.g. home), a loop begins with the first  210  digital assistant  12 . The digital assistant  12  is programmed to be centrally managed by the provider and associated  212  with the mobile hotspot  14 . The programming includes adding the skills needed to provide the system for requesting help (e.g. at a minimum, the skill to recognize the preprogrammed specific utterance  5 ). The association includes setting up the digital assistant  12  to properly communicate with the mobile hotspot  14 . If this is the last  214  digital assistant  12  for the user  4 , the digital assistant(s)  12  and mobile hotspot(s)  14  are delivered/sold  220  to the user  4  and the process is complete. If this is not the last  214  digital assistant  12 , the next  216  digital assistant  12  is selected and the above steps  212 / 214  repeat. 
     In  FIG. 14 , a polling loop is shown, as the system for requesting help is enabled to provide monitoring of the premise equipment (e.g. digital assistant(s)  12  and mobile hotspot(s)  14 ). In order to provide such monitoring, the call server  500  (or other computer) needs the ability to connect to the premise equipment. In prior systems, this ability was not present, so there was no ubiquitous way to check and make sure each user&#39;s premise equipment was functioning. Now, using the mobile hotspots  14  and maintaining an address of each mobile hotspot  14 , the system for requesting help is enabled to periodically reach out and make sure the premise equipment is functioning and/or make sure the user  4  is responsive. 
     Testing of the mobile hotspots  14  is easily performed by sending a text message to the phone number associated with each mobile hotspot  14 , but this does not address each digital assistant  12 . 
     For fully end-to-end testing, each digital assistant  12  associated with an account establishes a connection with the call server  500  (or other computer in the system) during initialization (power-up). Therefore, a user  4  that has three digital assistants  12  will have three active connections to the call server  500 . 
     Polling of each digital assistant  12  on a list of digital assistants to poll is performed at a selected time or times of each day, for example, every day at 2:00 PM. At that time, the account on the list  240  is selected and a loop begins selecting the first  242  digital assistant  12  for the account. The account is accessed in the database to get the connection handle (e.g. connection id) and the connection is checked  244  to make sure there was no disconnect. If the digital assistant  12  is not connected  246 , an escalation  248  is performed and the loop continues. The escalation  248  is, for example, an agent determines if other digital assistants  12  at the user&#39;s  4  premise are working, calls the user  4  by phone, contacts a neighbor of the user  4 , contacts a provider local to the user  4 , etc. 
     If the digital assistant  12  is connected  246 , a flag is checked in the account to determine if the user  4  is configured to receive a voice prompt  250 . If the user  4  is configured to receive a voice prompt  250 , the voice prompt is made  252  (e.g. a verbal request such as “Good afternoon Mr. Smith. Please respond with a yes.”). If the user  4  does not respond  254  with a verbal answer “yes,” (perhaps within a given time allotment, the above escalation  248  is performed and the loop continues. 
     If the user  4  responds  254  with a verbal “yes,” or “Alexa yes,” the loop continues with determining if this digital assistant  12  is the last  256  digital assistant. If this digital assistant  12  is the last  256  digital assistant, the polling for this account is performed (e.g., polling for the next account is now performed, if any). If this digital assistant  12  is not the last  256  digital assistant, the next digital assistant  258  is selected and the loop continues. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , an exemplary floor plan  300  within a facility (e.g. an assisted living facility) is shown having multiple battery-backed digital assistants  12 A. As it is important that the battery-backed digital assistants  12 A operate and communicate during power outages, each battery-backed digital assistant  12 A includes a battery backup  302  (see  FIG. 16 ) to provide operation during a power outage. Further, as a Wi-Fi hotspot  14  is not needed for each battery-backed digital assistant  12 A, several battery-backed Wi-Fi transceivers/repeaters  314  are located within the facility along with at least one battery-backed hotspot  14 A. Note that during a power outage, many terrestrial communications links (e.g. cable, copper, fiber) will cease communicating, but cellular systems are likely to continue working. Therefore, even though the Wi-Fi transceivers  314  typically communicate through a terrestrial based communications link, during power outages, they will switch over to the battery-backed hotspot  14 A that communicates through cellular technology. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a battery-backed digital assistant  12 A is shown. In this, the digital assistant  12  is connected to a battery backup module  302  that, in some embodiments, is of similar shape and provides a docking-like interface on which the digital assistant  12  rests. In this example, the battery backup module  302  is powered by a wall transformer  3  and a wired connection  303  is made to the digital assistant  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a battery-backed home digital assistant  12 B is shown. In the home, it is equally important for the disclosed system to continue working even when there is a power outage. Many Wi-Fi hotspots  14  provide battery backup for short periods of time, but most digital assistants  12  do not. Therefore, in some situations, it is important to provide ample battery backup power during such power outages. The battery-backed home digital assistant  12 B therefore includes a digital assistant  12 , a Wi-Fi hotspot  14 , and the battery backup module  302  as discussed above. In some embodiments, the Wi-Fi hotspot  14 , and the battery backup module  302  are integrated into a common housing, and as above, in some such embodiments, the housing serves as a base or docking station for the digital assistant  12  which is connected to the battery backup module  302  by a wired connection  303  for power. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a schematic of the battery-backed home digital assistant  12 B is shown. The battery-backed home digital assistant  12 B includes a digital assistant  12  (not shown in  FIG. 18 ), a Wi-Fi hotspot  14 , and the battery backup module  302 . In some embodiments, the Wi-Fi hotspot  14 , and the battery backup module  302  are integrated into a common housing, and as above, in some such embodiments, the housing serves as a base or docking station for the digital assistant  12  which is connected to the battery backup module  302  by a wired connection  303  for power. 
     The battery backup module includes charge control and power conditioning  307  that manages charging of the one or more internal batteries  305  and provides DC power to the digital assistant  12  through wires  303  as well as provides DC power to the hot spot  14 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.