Patent ID: 7966378

Claim:
A computer based system for remotely monitoring responses of a person to invitations to participate in activities that include an event, comprising: a local interactive device configured to invite the person to participate in an upcoming event and solicit feedback from the person regarding an intent of the person to participate in the event, said local interactive device including an input/output device configured to receive a message containing data regarding the event from a remote interface device via a communication link, an event reminder mechanism configured to generate an announcement signal at a predetermined time not later than said time for the event, an announcement mechanism configured to present an invitation query in audio, and visual form to the person regarding an intention of the person to participate in the event, a local interaction device having a first tactile actuator that when actuated only once by the person generates an affirmative response to the invitation and a second tactile actuator that when actuated only once by the person generates a negative response to the invitation, said local interaction device configured to convert an expression of interest by said person into a digital representation of said interest, and a memory configured to store the digital representation of said expression of interest, wherein said local interaction device is not either a conventional keyboard or a mouse for a personal computer, said local interaction device being a self-contained portable device with a keypad having not more than three keys, said first tactile actuator includes a first key of said keypad, and said second tactile actuator includes a second key of said keypad, said input/output device is configured to send data corresponding to said expression of interest to said remote interface device via said communication link, and said remote interface device including a monitoring mechanism, said monitoring mechanism configured to produce cumulative data by combining said data regarding said expression of interest with other data received regarding expressions of interest for participating in different upcoming events, compare said cumulative data against a predetermined threshold, and generate an alarm when said cumulative data drops below said predetermined threshold, said first tactile actuator having a label indicative of an affirmative response, and said second tactile actuator having a label indicative of a negative response.