Abstract:
A method of two-way data and voice communication with a user utilizing a portable device having a cellular transceiver module, GPS module, an emergency call button, and a base station comprising the steps of storing a first user profile and at least a second user profile. The user profile includes a user identification, a contact person and a first location data, storing a second user profile having at least a second contact person and a second location data, powering the GPS module. The user profile collecting GPS location data from the GPS module and storing location into a memory location, causing at least one of the portable device and said base station to communicate with a response center and transmitting the GPS location data to the response center. The response center selecting a response as a function of the GPS location data, first location data, and second location data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/322,566 entitled “Communications Method” filed on Feb. 3, 2009 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a communications method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of efficiently providing communication with and monitoring the location of an individual utilizing a unique blend of various technologies. 
         [0003]    A variety of prior art systems have been proposed for the tracking of patients or other objects. Examples of some of such devices and systems are described below. 
         [0004]    Hawkins et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,751 sets off an alarm when the signal strength of a transmitted signal falls below a predetermined level. Narcisse, U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,273 provides a similar out of range alarm system. These patents deal with a simple strap on transmitter. In that regard, these devices are more akin to the traditional house arrest system that transmits periodically to a fixed receiver. In this case, instead of an auto dialer, it sounds an audible alarm. The present invention, by contrast, incorporates both a receiver and transmitter that can communicate with multiple base stations. This allows the unit itself to communicate in both directions and in conjunction with other short range RF devices such as Zigbee can be used to track the unit without use of the GPS or transmitter. 
         [0005]    Ross et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,275 discloses a movement monitoring system having a wrist band 22 including a receiver 30, a battery and switch 32 and a transmitter 34. The receiver is continuously activated and the transmitter is normally deactivated unless activated by the receiver in response to a signal from a detector. This patent specifically identifies the problems of bulky batteries and of the need to recharge such a device if it is left in transmit mode all of the time. 
         [0006]    Beetz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,171 discloses a system for patient monitoring which includes a body sensor for measuring a physiological parameter. This device utilizes a cellular mobile radiotelephone system for tracking purposes. The unit in this patent uses a dedicated sensor device. 
         [0007]    Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,397 discloses a self-contained tracking unit and GPS tracking system. This device utilizes solar power to address power consumption issues. 
         [0008]    Werb et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,533 discloses an asset and personnel tagging system utilizing GPS. Werb et al. primarily use a local area LAN, like WiFi, or RFID, to relay GPS data to a server. To use the Werb et al. device, a mobile unit needs to be deployed in the area the tag is to be used and Werb et al. illustrate a truck being used on a construction yard with RFID relaying GPS data to it. 
         [0009]    Schwartz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,916 discloses a computerized system which provides a method to inventory articles, to locate lost or stolen articles and to recover a lost or stolen article. The system applies an electronic tag to each article of a multiplicity of articles or only to a valuable article and employs a computer to maintain an inventory of all articles. Use is made of a global positioning system to locate a lost or stolen article as well as to track movements of the article. A history of the movement of the article may also be plotted on a map. An electronic geographic boundary area may also be placed around an article that can be used to emit a signal indicative of the article leaving the area. This patent is used for asset tracking and its programming was unique, setting it apart from other devices of this type. 
         [0010]    Holtzman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,272 discloses a method of communicating with a RFID tag in which a signal is received from a RFID tag, the tag is identified and a request is sent to the tag for additional data based upon the identified tag type. 
         [0011]    Maier et al., United States Patent Application Pub. No. US 2007/0270164A1 dated Nov. 22, 2007 discloses a system and method for an emergency location information service which provides current geographic location for a mobile and non-mobile device (buildings etc.). The method may be used with a communications network  18  of a variety of specified types and allows signals from a first mobile network device to be sent to plural other network devices which includes geographical location information regarding the first device to initiate an emergency communication. 
         [0012]    Wang, United States Patent Application Pub. No. US 2006/0182076A1, dated Aug. 17, 2006, discloses a method and system for mesh network embedded devices and relates to a method of managing such networks. The mesh network device wirelessly exchanges information with other mesh network devices on a wireless mesh network or wireless partial mesh network and uses wireless base band connector of various specified types (such as Bluetooth, IEEE, 802.11(a)(b) or (g), 802.11.15 and 802.11.5.4-ZigBee). 
         [0013]    Scannell, J R., United States Patent Application Pub. No. US 2006/0154642A1, dated Jul. 13, 2006, discloses a medication and health, environmental, and security monitoring, alert, intervention, information and networking system with associated and supporting apparatus. The system can be used with a variety of wireless protocols (such as WiFi and ZigBee) and utilizes a wireless communication interface in combination with a processor for activities such as tracking patient progress, creating reminder alerts and monitoring medication dosage. 
         [0014]    Various devices and methods have been proposed but all of such known devices and methods still provide less than ideal results. Thus, there remains a need for an improved communications method which solves a number of problems with the prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention, in its simplest form, provides a system for 2-way data and voice communication with a user. A base station communicates with a response center. A portable device has a cellular transceiver module, a GPS module and an emergency call button, and is in two-way communication with a response center for communicating the location of the portable device to the response center in response to activation of the emergency call button when the portable device is not in proximity to the base station. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention a first user profile is stored, the user profile including a user identification, a contact person and a first location data. A second profile having at least a second contact person and a second location data is stored. At least one of the portable device and base station to communicate with a response center and transmits the GPS location data to the response center. The response center accesses the first and second profiles and selects a response as a function of the GPS location data with the first location data and second location data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of the base station and other components of the communications method of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of the components of the present invention with a user pendant and portable device within proximity to the base station. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of the components of the present invention with the portable device not in proximity to the base station. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the base station utilized with the method of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the portable device utilized with the method of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing the process steps of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing the process steps of alternative embodiments of the method of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing the process steps of still further embodiments of the method of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart showing the process steps of a still further embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing the process steps of yet another embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the basic components utilized with the methods of the present invention are illustrated. These major components include a base station  400 , a portable device  500 , GPS satellite  20 , a cellular tower  30 , response center/call center  40 ,  42 , the Internet  46 , a remote caregiver  60 , and the remote caregiver&#39;s computer  50 . In  FIG. 1 , the base station  400  is aware that the user is outside the home when the cellular device  500  is no longer in communication with the base station. A signal can be sent to the response center  40 ,  42  to log that the user  10  is no longer at home, The GPS satellite  20  receives a GPS signal  22  from the portable device  500  when the portable device  500  is outside the range of the home base station  400 . The portable device  500  logs data and periodically sends data to the response center  40 ,  42  via a cellular data connection. A GSM GPRS communication link  32  with voice and data provides communication with the cell tower  30 . When activated, the portable device  500  will dial a predetermined number and be connected to the response center  40 ,  42  through line  34 . A GPS location will be sent via the data link while the call is taking place. In addition, the portable device  500  will periodically send location data via the cellular data link at predetermined intervals. As can be seen, the response center  40  is connected to the base station  400  by means of a PSTN connection  404 . The response center  40  is connected to the internet  46  by line  44  which also provides a link to a computer  50  located at the location of a remote caregiver  60 . The response center  40  is manned by terminals or PCs  42  at the center. In  FIG. 1 , the RFID pendant  12  is shown to be in proximity to the base station  400 . Further, in  FIG. 1 , the remote caregiver  60  can log into the system with PC  50  to determine the location of the user  10 . A mapping feature allows the user  10  to be located and to track their movements. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the same basic components as  FIG. 1  but in  FIG. 2  a simple RF connection  14  is established between the base station  400  and the RF pendant  12 . In this case, the user  10  switches to the RE pendant  12  and places the cellular device  500  (portable device) in the charging cradle on the base station  400 . In this mode of operation GPS data is not required and the GPS module is placed in a standby mode. Further, in this mode, the GSM GPRS communications link in not required and this module is also placed in a standby mode. The base station  400  is aware that the user  10  is inside the home when the portable cellular device  500  is in communication with the base station  400  and/or the portable cellular device  500  is charging in the cradle. A signal can be sent to the response center  40  to log that the user  10  is at home. If the user  10  depresses the panic button on the RF pendant  12  when the pendant is out of range of the base station  400 , the RF pendant  12  will transmit a simple RF signal to the base station  400 . In this mode the remote caregiver  60  can log into the system to determine if the user  10  is at home or out of range of the base station  400 . In this standard mode, location data will not be provided on a routine basis. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3  again the same basic components are shown. In this mode the base station  400  is aware that the user  10  is outside the home when the cellular device  500  is no longer in communication with the base station  400 . This signaling is accomplished via standard RF protocol from the base station  400  to the portable device  500 . The base station  400  is sending a ping on regular intervals to determine if the portable device  500  is in range. A signal can be sent to the response center  40  to log that the user  10  is no longer at home. The GPS signal  22  is received by the portable device  500  when the portable device  500  is outside the range of the home base station  400  from the GPS satellite  20 . A GSM GPRS communication link with both voice and data  32  is provided and when activated the portable device  500  will dial a predetermined number and will be connected to the response center  40 . Upon connection to the response center  40 , the portable device  500  will send a DTMF signal in a 4×2 format to indicate the user  10  ID. The GPS location will be sent via the data link while the call is taking place. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, RF Pendant  12  is in 1-way communication with both base station  400  and mobile device  500 . Mobile device  500  is in 2-way communication with base station  400  and is also capable of directly communicating with response center  40 . 
         [0031]    During operation depression of the panic button RF Pendant  12  causes a 1-way panic signal to be produced. When RF Pendant is in proximity of base station  400 , base station  400  will initiate a call as discussed above and signal to mobile device  500  that a call has been made so that mobile device  500  does not make a simultaneous call wasting assets and confusing any remote caregiver. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4  the base station includes a CPU Module  410  is provided which is connected by line  462  to a RS232/USB Converter  460 . This converter  460  is connected via line  452  to a USB/B Connector  450  and to external power. A power regulator  442  is connected by line  441  to an outlet  440 . A battery charging circuit  444  is provided and is connected by line  445  to battery  446 . Optionally, a 1-10 MB Serial Storage device  414  can be connected to the CPU Module  410  via line  412 . Further, an optional Ethernet connection  416  having a RJ-45 port  418  connected by line  417  may be provided. CPU Module  410  is connected by line  422  to a Modem  420 . The Modem  420  is connected by line  423  to an RJ-11 port  424 . The CPU Module  410  is connected by line  432  to a RFID Mesh Network Receiver  430  which is in turn connected by line  433  to an RFID Antenna  434 . 
         [0033]    It should be understood, that base station  400  may also be a wireless communication device making use of cellular telephone or radio frequency technologies. In this way, base station  400  is also somewhat portable capable of travel to hotels, vacation and second homes and the like. In this way, base station  400  need not be reinitialized, set up, or wired each time a user changes their domicile. Additionally, it is well within the scope of the invention that base station  400  is incorporated into the security system of the home and may be part of the installed alarm box. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the portable device  500  includes a cellular phone mobile  510 . A USB connector  512  is connected to a RS232/USB Converter  514 . The Module  510  is connected to a power source  530  and is also connected to battery  534 . A first LED  520  and a second LED  522  are provided. Module  510  is also connected to a GPS Preamp  540  which has a GPS Antenna  542 . A plug-in socket  545  may be utilized to connect various components including an Audio Board  550 , a Display Board  560 , an RFID Board  570 , a Bluetooth Module  580  and a simple RF board  590 . 
         [0035]    Referring to the flow chart of  FIG. 6  the following steps in the method are shown: 
         [0036]      600 —User is wearing portable device  500 . 
         [0037]      602 —Is user in proximity to base station  400 . 
         [0038]      604 —Portable Device  500  activates cellular components as well as GPS module. 
         [0039]      606 —Portable Device  500  begins to collect and store into memory location data collected by GPS receiver. 
         [0040]      608 —Portable Device  500  goes into a lower power configuration, sending occasional location, monitoring cellular network and emergency button. 
         [0041]      610 —Emergency button on portable device  500  is depressed. 
         [0042]      612 —Portable Device  500  initiates auto dial call sequence to emergency response center. 
         [0043]      614 —Emergency response  40 ,  42  center begins conversation with user to determine issue and response 
         [0044]      616 —Emergency response center  40 ,  42  receives location data from portable device which is displayed on a web based mapping system such as Google Maps. 
         [0045]      618 —GPS location data stored for later use. 
         [0046]      620 —Portable Device powers down the GPS, puts cell in sleep mode, and sends a signal to the base station indicating that it is in proximity, 
         [0047]      622 —The Base Station  400  dials response center and transmits a code indicating that the Portable device  500  is in range. 
         [0048]      624 —Emergency response center,  40 ,  42  receives the code and logs it in the system database. 
         [0049]      626 —Portable device  500  continues to monitor proximity of base station  400  via RF communication. 
         [0050]      628 —Emergency button on portable device  500  depressed. 
         [0051]      630 —Portable Device  500  sends RF signal to Base Station to initiate emergency call. Also activates cellular radio and sends redundant signal. 
         [0052]      632 —Base Station  400  receives emergency signal and initiates auto dial sequence to response center. 
         [0053]      634 —Emergency response center  40 ,  42  begins conversation with user to determine issue and response. 
         [0054]      636 —Portable Device  500  Out of Range. 
         [0055]    Referring to the flow chart of  FIG. 7  the following steps in the method are shown: 
         [0056]      700 —User is Wearing RF Pendant  12   
         [0057]      702 —Is User in Proximity of Base Station  400   
         [0058]      704 —Is User wearing portable device  500   
         [0059]      706 —Emergency button on RF Pendant  12  depressed. 
         [0060]      708 —RF Pendant  12  sends RF signal to portable device  500  to initiate emergency call. 
         [0061]      710 —Portable Device  500  receives emergency signal and initiates location sequence to response center  40 ,  42 . 
         [0062]      712 —Emergency response center  40 ,  42  begins conversation with user to determine issue and response. 
         [0063]      714 —RF Pendant  12  does not function outside the range of the Base Station  400  and mobile device  500 . 
         [0064]      716 —Emergency button on pendant  12  is depressed. 
         [0065]      718 —Portable Device  500  sends RF signal to Base Station to initiate emergency call. 
         [0066]      720 —Base Station  400  receives emergency signal and initiates auto dial sequence to response center. 
         [0067]      722 —Emergency response center  40 ,  42  begins conversation with user to determine issue and response. 
         [0068]    Referring to the flow chart of  FIG. 8  the following steps in the method are shown: 
         [0069]      800 —Location Request Initiated by Caregiver  60  via the Internet  46 . 
         [0070]      802 —Database lookup initiated based on user ID and password authentication. 
         [0071]      804 —Database indicates that User  10  is home. 
         [0072]      806 —Portable device  500  is sent a signal to indicate its current location. 
         [0073]      808 —Is GPS locked? 
         [0074]      810 —Is there existing GPS data? 
         [0075]      812 —Portable Device  500  receives last known location from memory and sends to system. 
         [0076]      814 —GPS location data stored for later use. 
         [0077]      816 —Caregiver  60  given the “at home” indication by system  40 ,  42 . 
         [0078]      818 —Portable device sends the latest received coordinates to the system. 
         [0079]      820 —Send cell tower  30  information for triangulation. 
         [0080]    Referring to the flow chart of  FIG. 9  the following steps in the method are shown: 
         [0081]      900 —Portable Device  500  Out of Range. 
         [0082]      902 —Portable Device  500  determines that it is no longer in range of the Base Station  400 . 
         [0083]      904 —Portable device  500  sends a signal via GPRS to the emergency response center  40 ,  42  indicating it is no longer in range of the Base Station  400 . 
         [0084]      906 —Emergency response center  40 ,  42  receives the code and logs it in the system database. 
         [0085]    Referring to the flow chart of  FIG. 10  the following steps in the method are shown: 
         [0086]      1000 —Voice Request Initiated by Caregiver  60  via the Internet  46 . 
         [0087]      1002 —Database lookup initiated based on User ID and password authentication. 
         [0088]      1004 —Database indicates that User  10  is home. 
         [0089]      1006 —Portable Device  500  is sent a signal to dial a number sent to it. 
         [0090]      1008 —Is GPS locked? 
         [0091]      1010 —Portable Device  500  retrieves the last know location from memory and sends to system  40 ,  42 . 
         [0092]      1012 —GPS location data stored for later use. 
         [0093]      1014 —Caregiver  60  the “at home” indication by system, and uses conventional communications to contact patient. 
         [0094]      1016 —Portable device  500  sends the latest received coordinates to the System. 
         [0095]      1018 —Portable device  500  dials the caregiver number, and auto connects, Caregiver  60  speaks to patient via speakerphone. 
         [0096]    The method of the present invention is designed to have a use model which includes the following features and functions. The Portable  500  device will primarily be used when the subscriber leaves the home and is no longer in range of the Base Station  400 . When the subscriber is at home, the Portable Device  500  will be in proximity to the Base Station  400  and will be reduced to low power mode in which the cellular components are turned to hibernate and the GPS and RF receivers are turned off. Ideally, the Portable Device  500  will be placed in a charging base which is integrated into the Base Station. The Portable Device  500  will also have an RF communicator so that the device can send an alert to base station  400  if depressed. When the Portable Device  500  is in the charging cradle, the device is placed into low power mode. The charging cradle is built into the base station  400 . The base station  400  is capable of sending a signal via auto-dialer to indicate that the Portable Device  500  is at home. 
         [0097]    When the Portable Device  500  is at home (as a preferred optional service), once you leave the proximity of the Base Station  400  the cellular device is turned on and the GPS is instructed to get a fix. Once the initial location is acquired, the GPS will be placed into a low power mode which acquires a fix at specified intervals which will be set to optimize battery life. The device will be in listening mode to detect instructions from potential inquiries. If the user has an emergency, the button of mobile device  500  is depressed and the device automatically dials a predetermined number to the response center. The call is received by the monitoring station and a DTMF code (6 digits in a 4 by 2 format) is sent to identify the user and held until an operator answers, A two-way voice communication is used to determine the issue. As the call is initiated, the location data and user data is being sent via a cellular data protocol such as GPRS to the back end system. 
         [0098]    The RF Pendant  12 , utilized with the present method is used as follows: When the user is in the home, the RF Pendant  12  is used as the communicator to the Base Station  400 . If a button on RF Pendant  12  is depressed the RF module will send a simple data stream to be processed by the Base Station indicating an alarm is being initiated. 
         [0099]    In terms of the general around standard response center technology. The software will be licensed from a current manufacturer of response center software. Location data will need to be added along with a presentation layer. 
         [0100]    A database is maintained at response center/emergency response center  40 ,  42 . The database includes a profile associated with each user  10 . The profile may include, a user identification, a caregiver contact which includes the identity and contact information of a caregiver, emergency response information to contact local first responders, or the like. The database is accessed at the emergency response center  40 ,  42  to determine an appropriate action to be taken such as notify caregiver  60 . In some situations caregiver  60  may be a relative, a neighbor or an individual who knows user  10  and will respond appropriately. It should be understood that with the advent of cloud technology the profile may be stored anywhere. 
         [0101]    It is known that a user  10  may have one or more domiciles such as a vacation home, a winter home, or a summer home. As a result, a neighbor for a winter home may not also be a neighbor for a user  10 &#39;s summer home. Accordingly, a user may have two or more profiles as a function of location, i.e., each location may have a different profile associated with the user. Therefore, each profile is mapped to a geographic location corresponding to that home. In this way, when base station  400  reports the location, the computers  42  at the emergency response center locates the file as a function of user ID and automatically select the appropriate contact information as a function of the geographic information sent from base station  400 . The same process is performed when the call to the response center is from mobile device  500 . 
         [0102]    It is envisioned that the first devices utilized with the present methods would use existing modules. As a CPU module, a Rabbit Core Modules, RCM3700, can be used for this feature. The Rabbit modules come with a built in Ethernet connection, and libraries that already can use the Xbee module, MultiTech Modem, Ethernet, BlueTooth and other communication protocols. The RCM4000 comes with expanded memory, which can be used for data logging. For the modem, the MultiTech MT5600SMI-L-34.R2-SP is a plug in device that will allow dial-up on a POT&#39;s line. For RFID, the MaxStream Xbee module can be used to communicate with the remote devices. A standard plug-in pack power supply will connect to a wall outlet. An onboard power supply will convert this power into what is needed to power the base station, and charge the plug-in devices. 1.2V Ni-Cad cells can be used to provide short term power in the event of a power failure. 
         [0103]    It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.