# Exploring Digital Technologies for Addressing Risk Factors of Solitary Death in South Korea
## 6 Conclusions  
In this study, we collected textual data on patents and applied social network analysis techniques to analyze digital technologies for solitary death prevention. The findings of this study are as follows:  
First, by examining trends in patents related to solitary death prevention through the IPC, we found a high rate of patent applications in data processing or coefficients, signaling, medicine and hygiene, and information and communication technologies. This suggests that integrated technologies for data processing and analysis, data transmission, and reception have been developed to prevent solitary deaths, with a particularly important role in the medical field. Second, by examining the IPC main classification code of patents related to solitary death prevention, we found that G08B 21/04 (response to inactivity) was the most common classification. This implies that among the technologies for solitary death prevention, those that detect and respond to inactivity are the most important. They featured a convergence of alarm technologies and machine learning. Subsequently, G06Q 50/22 (social services or social welfare) was the second most common classification. This finding implies that technologies for solitary death prevention are closely related to social services and welfare. These technologies play an important role in providing individuals at risk of solitary death with social and emotional support in connection with social support systems. They featured the convergence of patient data management and diagnostic technologies. Third, by examining the centrality based on patent content, we found that systems, communication, and data play a central role in the structural network of digital technologies to prevent solitary deaths. Fourth, the CONCOR analysis showed the eight main areas for digital technologies for solitary death prevention: data and communication, advanced monitoring, smart environ mental control, remote control, multimedia, AI, XR, and learning-type surveillance. These technologies have contributed to solitary death prevention by enabling the prediction of solitary death risks, real-time monitoring, remote control of residential environments, increased interactions and social connections, pattern analysis and prediction, lower isolation through VR and AR, and the detection of abnormal behavior. Based on the findings of this study, the implications of digital technology in preventing solitary deaths are as follows. This study is significant in that it explores in depth how various aspects of digital technologies for solitary death prevention have been developed through patent analysis. Digital technologies for the prevention of solitary deaths have two objectives: risk detection and reducing isolation. Accordingly, diverse technology fields such as data collection and analysis, vital sign monitoring, smart home control, multimedia interfaces, AI, and XR have converged. Furthermore, environmental control technologies have been developed to construct environments that provide users with psychological relief and lower risks and to enhance the convenience of users with limited mobility. This provides basic information for technology development, policies, and relevant studies to facilitate the development of technologies that fit the purpose and are more effective. Despite the significance of this study, there are several limitations to acknowledge. First, as this research relies on patent data, it has inherent limitations in demonstrating the actual effectiveness of the identified digital technologies in preventing solitary deaths. Future studies should address this limitation by conducting in-depth evaluations of the applicability of these technologies through field validation and case studies. Specifically, exploring and validating digital technologies that can be tailored to more specific aspects of solitary death prevention, such as health monitoring, elderly care, and management of single-person households, could lead to more practical and effective solutions.