Background of the Invention

[001] Early detection of a decline in health, especially cognitive health, in an older adult can be critical for effective treatment. Checkups at medical facilities can be useful for early detection, but are sometimes too infrequent to provide immediate detection of a decline in health, especially cognitive health where declines can happen rapidly and without being easily noticed by friends and family.

[002] Systems for monitoring health remotely with respect to the medical facilities, for example monitoring health in the home, do exist. Some of these existing systems fail to make adequate use of resources that may already be available in the home of the older adult, which can result in these existing systems being prohibitively expensive and/or difficult to deploy. The disclosure that follows solves these and other problems.

[003] Many devices and services have been provided to consumers that aim to decrease complexity and increase safety and security for the older adult. Such devices are often single- purpose, push button devices that may be worn, carried, or otherwise situated hopefully within reach of an older adult who may need assistance. Such devices transmit basic information such as a device identifier to a central monitoring station or terminal, which then passes the information on to a caregiver or appropriate authorities such as police, fire, medical, or 911 call takers. In life-or-death situations, such a "middle man" can cost the user precious time that could make the difference between life and death. Summary of the Invention

[004] As mobile device manufacturers, i.e. manufactures of mobile phones, tablet PCs, handheld GPS devices, and other mobile electronic devices, continue to race toward the largest, highest resolution, most intuitive user interfaces, we propose that non-mobile device

manufacturers may supply value-added computing devices (or "compute stations") that are not restricted to native displays, although they may have one, but in any case are capable of utilizing the displays that are native in mobile computing devices. In addition, mobile computing devices include various user input mechanisms, for example a keyboard, microphone, touch screen or any combination thereof. We further propose utilizing one or more user input mechanisms of a mobile device, such as a touch screen, to provide a user input interface to a compute station.

[005] Others have introduced limited "tethering" solutions in which a mobile device internet connection can be shared (e.g., via Bluetooth® or USB) with a computer. We use "computer" in the broad sense, in no way intended to be limited to a conventional PC or laptop computer.

[006] In an embodiment, we propose a solution for utilizing mobile displays as pass-through devices for domain-specific hardware devices within a common and closed network

infrastructure (i.e., the native device and the mobile display). In one aspect, we disclose a compute station, which may be operate as a stationary docking station for any number of mobile device(s) in a health monitoring system. We use a health monitoring system as the compute station by way of illustration and not limitation. We disclose a network connection in the compute station allowing transfer of open data to the mobile display. The network connection may employ a dock/cable connection (for example, USB), or any short-range wireless technology such as Bluetooth®. [007] In an embodiment, the compute station is intended to be a stand-alone device. It may or may not have an integrated output display screen. The compute station may contain standard computer hardware (CPU, memory, etc.) and may have various input methods for gathering information. Input mechanisms may include sensor receivers, internet connections, the mobile display device itself, or other wireless communication tools, such as Bluetooth®. The input gathered by the compute station is then processed by the onboard operating system and software programs.

Mobile device having panic button

[008] In one example, a mobile device having a panic button is provided. The mobile device having the panic button may or may not be the same mobile device utilized for displaying by the compute station.

[009] The mobile device having the panic button includes a long range wireless interface (such as radios used in cellular telephones). The mobile device having the panic button is configured to wirelessly transmit an alert using the long range wireless interface responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0010] The compute station can operate as an intelligent docking station for the mobile device having the panic button. In one example, the compute station includes a surface structured to engage with the mobile device having the panic button. The compute station includes a wired or short range wireless interface configured to communicatively couple the compute station to the mobile device having the panic button at least when the surfaces are engaged.

[0011] The compute station operating as an intelligent docking station may also include a processing device configured to connect to a remote caregiver computing device using the long range wireless interface of the mobile device having the panic button, responsive to the surfaces being engaged (in the case of a wired connection), or responsive to the mobile device having the panic button coming in range (in the case of a short range wireless connection). The processing device is configured to send or receive information to or from the remote caregiver computing device related to monitoring the health of the mobile device user.

[0012] The processing device may also be configured to synchronize the mobile device having the panic button with some or all of the information sent to or from the remote caregiver computing device during the message exchange. In one example, the information synchronized to the mobile device having the panic button can include a value for a target address setting of the mobile device having the panic button. The target address setting controls which remote caregiver device(s) the mobile device having the panic button notifies responsive to actuation of the panic button. For example, the target address may specify an SMS-capable wireless device telephone number, a land-line telephone number, an email address, etc.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] FIG. 1 A illustrates a portable patient computing device (a compute station) having a mobile device user interface.

[0014] FIG. IB illustrates a daily activity trend detection and notification process 101 that may be performed, in part, by the compute station shown in FIG. 1A.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified perspective view of one embodiment showing a mobile device tethered to a base computing system— for example, a portable patient computing device - - for health care monitoring and related applications.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates the compute station communicating with a caregiver computing device through the mobile device. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a compute station communicating with a remote caregiver computing device through a mobile device having a panic button.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a process of using interactive electronic game results as health indicators that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a process of tagging text messages for health monitoring that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a process of activity trend detection for health monitoring that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a process of aided construction of SMS messages to caregivers that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a process of collecting electronic device usage information for health monitoring that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0023] Health monitoring systems can be used to help older adults or other persons who have physical impairments or limitations to live independently in their homes while facilitating important communications with remote caregivers. For example, such systems can send and receive messages, track normal activity patterns, and warn of any changes. They may also provide medication and appointment reminders, and call 911 in an emergency.

[0024] In an example health monitoring system, patient activities are detected or monitored by a variety of electronic input sources. Data representing the activities are transmitted to a central device (on site or remote) where the data are archived, i.e., accumulated over time. A software process analyzes the input data from a given source and detects changes over time, for example by use of a moving average or other statistical metrics. Significant results or changes in those metrics trigger notification to a caregiver or other designated party. In another embodiment, the input data from multiple sources is analyzed against previous data.

[0025] In one example, a process used by the health monitoring system includes receiving a plurality of first communications and a plurality of second communications, each first communication capturing activity of a patient using a first device at a different time and each second communication capturing activity of the patient using a second device at a different time. The process includes identifying a macro trend for all monitored activity of the patient based on data taken from the first and second communications. The process includes comparing data taken from a new communication from at least one of the first and second devices to the identified macro trend. A caregiver may be notified according to the comparison.

[0026] FIG. 1 A illustrates a portable patient computing device (a compute device) having a mobile device user interface. In one embodiment, a health system 100 includes a caregiver computing device 6 which is typically situated remotely from a compute station 8, which may be powered by a battery 24. The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 101 shown in FIG. IB, which is described in more detail in commonly- owned U.S. patent application no. 13/104,371 filed on May 10, 2011 entitled "ACTIVITY TREND DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION TO A CAREGIVER". The devices from which the information can be collected can include a sensor of the compute station 8 and/or remote devices (including but not limited to the mobile device 30).

[0027] Referring again to FIG. 1 A, communications between the devices 6 and 8 may use SMS/text messaging, email, and/or other forms of communication. The storage 23 can be used to store extracted data between transmissions. Other networked devices 7 may communicate with compute station 8 via a wired or wireless network 19. The compute station 8 includes a network interface 20 for connection to the network 19. The compute station 8 typically includes a processor 11 and a memory 12 storing instructions 1. External I/O interfaces 17 may include, without limitation, keyboard, microphone, speaker, etc., each of which may be wired (cabled) or wireless connections. Other illustrative interfaces are listed in the drawing FIG. 1 A.

[0028] A network connection 40 (not to be confused with the network interface 20) is an embedded system within the compute station 8 that acts as the interface to a mobile device 30, including without limitation interfacing to the display 32 of the mobile device 30. The network connection 40 may implement any of various known network protocols for interfacing with the mobile device 30 and its display 32, including for example USB, Bluetooth®, Ethernet, SSL, SSH, and so on. A dock 42 connected to the network connection 40 may be used for convenient connection of the compute station 8 to the mobile device 30. Alternatively or in addition, the network connection 40 may implement or use a short-range wireless connection (e.g. BT 44) for communication with the mobile device 30. The network connection may be used for network access (internet, telecom etc) when available instead of the network interface 20.

[0029] The compute station 8 utilizes the network connection 40 to send information when the mobile device 30 is either physically docked 42 or within communication range. This information can include, for example:

1. An application required to provide a framework for the compute station 8 to utilize interface features of the mobile device.

2. Application specific display parameters (sent after the compute station 8 is aware of the mobile device 30 currently on the network). 3. Application specific processed information gathered from the stationary platform inputs.

[0030] After docking (pairing), the mobile device display 32 may use either a preloaded application, or the application downloaded from the compute station 8, to display information to a user, thus allowing for a seamless communication between the compute station 8 and the display device 32 of the mobile device 30, without requiring user action. In addition, the mobile device 30 may implement user input mechanisms, as noted above. For example, the display screen 32 may be an interactive display such as a touch screen. Input data can be passed from the interactive display to the compute station 8 using the various interfaces and protocols summarized above.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified perspective view of one embodiment showing a mobile device 30 tethered to a base computing system, for example, a compute station 8 for health care monitoring and related applications.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the compute device communicating with the caregiver computing device through the mobile device. In the system 300, the compute station 8 is connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 18. Other networked computing devices 7, as well as the mobile device 30, may interface directly with the LAN 18. The caregiver computing device 6 is accessible over a Wide Area Network (WAN) 16. By the term "WAN" we mean to include any network that covers a broad area, including but not limited to, cellular networks; satellite-based networks; the Publicly Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and other circuit switched networks; packet switched networks, etc.

[0033] The processing device 11 is configured to detect a physical coupling (via the dock 42 or other wired connection such as USB) or a wireless coupling (for example BT 44) of the mobile device 30 to the compute station 8 as previously discussed. The processing device 11 may be configured to establish the logical connection 301 responsive to the detection. The logical connection 301 is established through the mobile device 30 using the physical connection between the mobile device 30 and the compute station 8, as well as another physical connection extending from the mobile device 30 (which may be, for example, data service connection to a cell tower).

[0034] When the mobile device 30 is not coupled to the compute station 8, the processing device 11 may attempt to communicate with the caregiver computing device 6 independently of the mobile device 30 (for example over a publicly switched telephone line or a DSL/cable connection available via the LAN 18). In some cases, one type of health monitoring

communication (such as a health alert) can be sent on demand (through the mobile device 30 if available or another mechanism if the mobile device 30 is not available), while another type of health monitoring communication (such as a synchronization messages between the compute station 8 and the caregiver computing device 6) can be buffered on the compute station 8 until the next detection of the mobile device 30 coupling to the compute station 8.

Mobile device having panic button

[0035] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to provide users with a simple and easy way of contacting both caregivers and governmental authorities or other emergency responders with, for example, a push of a button. In a preferred embodiment, my system would include a docking station, which may be a PC or a custom hardware device. For example, a docking station for this purpose may be a compute station of the type described above, with greater or lesser interfaces and capabilities as appropriate or desired.

[0036] The docking station gathers information and provides analysis on the most recent data available for the patient, including medication monitoring, movement through the household, healthcare information, and other variables further described herein. A simple handheld device (clamshell style or otherwise) docks into the intelligent docking station and is made aware of the most recent data, including for example appropriate contacts (agencies, caregivers, emergency call takers, etc), health trends, etc. The handheld device in a presently preferred embodiment may have the following features:

• Mobile communication enabled;

• A central processing unit;

• GPS functionality or other location capability;

• A single, preferably protected (from unintended use), "panic" button;

• Logic card;

• Software for interpreting data from the docking station and optimizing panic output data; and/or

• A hoop, clip, pin, button, etc. for securing the mobile device to a mobile device user or an article of clothing.

[0037] In one example, a handheld device having the above components may be significantly smaller than the typical cellular telephone. With regard to user input/output interfaces, the handheld device may have less extensive user input/output interfaces than the docking station. For example, the docking station may have a screen display, whereas the handheld device may have a more limited visual user output interface such as an indicator light, or even no light driven visual output.

[0038] The following scenario is illustrative: [0039] Jane had been using a stationary healthcare monitoring device for several months. One morning, Jane forgets to take her medication (which is noted by the docking station) and goes out to pick up groceries. On her way out, Jane picks up her handheld device, which has all of her latest information, including that she forgot (or declined) to take her morning medication.

[0040] At the grocery store, Jane falls ill and presses the panic button on her handheld device. The device, using its mobile network connection, sends a message (e.g., pre-recorded voice, realtime voice, SMS text, etc) to both the primary caregiver (e.g. Jane's daughter), and the doctor that had been loaded into Jane's stationary device at home. The message may include most recent health updates, such as the failure to take medication that morning. Jane is rescued in time, which may not have been possible using present solutions.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates the compute station 8 communicating with the caregiver computing device 6 through a mobile device 430 having a panic button 431. The processing device 11 of the compute station 8 is configured to detect a physical coupling (via a dock or other wired connection such as USB) or a short range wireless coupling (for example Bluetooth) of the mobile device 430 to the compute station 8. The processing device 11 may be configured to establish the logical connection 4301 over the Wide Area Network (WAN) 16 responsive to the detection. The logical connection 4301 is established through the mobile device 430 using the connection between the mobile device 430 and the portable patient computing device 8, as well as another connection extending from the mobile device 430 (which may be, for example, data service connection to a cell tower).

[0042] Having established the logical connection 4301, the processing device 11 synchronizes with the remote computing device 6 via the logical connection 4301. Synchronization can include sending information to the remote computing device 6, or receiving information from the remote computing device 6. The transmitted information can include medication monitoring information, information on movement of the mobile device user through the home, healthcare information, or any of the information handled by the portable patient computing device described in co -pending U.S. Patent applications 13/151,528, 13/151,034, 13/104,371,

13/102,300, 13/151,572, and 13/217,649.

[0043] Before, after, or in parallel with the remote caregiver computing device synchronization, the processing device 11 synchronizes with the mobile device 430. This mobile device synchronization can include sending information to the mobile device 430. Such transmitted information can include any portion of the information exchanged during the remote caregiver computing device synchronization, i.e. all or only selected portions of the information exchanged during the remote caregiver computing device synchronization.

[0044] In one example, during the mobile device synchronization, the processing device 11 updates a target address setting of the mobile device by, for example, transmitting a value indicating an address of a destination device(s). The target address setting controls which remote device(s) the mobile device notifies responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0045] In another example, during the mobile device synchronization, the processing device 11 transmits information gleaned from patient monitoring, such as data indicating that the mobile device user skipped a dosage of medication. Such transmitted information can be stored on the mobile device 430 for later use, including but not limited to insertion in an emergency message transmitted by the mobile device 430 responsive to actuation of the panic button 431 and or passive storage on the mobile device 430 to be extracted from the mobile device 430 by emergency personnel (or any other caregiver). [0046] FIG. 5 illustrates a process that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4.

Briefly, this process pertains to capturing data in response to a patient activity, such as playing an electronic game, and analyzing that data to infer changes in the patient's condition.

[0047] The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 501 shown in FIG. 5, which is described in more detail in US patent application no. 13/151,528 filed on June 2, 2011 entitled "INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC GAME RESULTS AS HEALTH INDICATORS". Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 501 may be synchronized to the mobile device 430 of FIG. 4, in one example. Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 501, or data derived therefrom thereof (such as a code representative of the information), may be inserted by the mobile device 430 into an emergency response message responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates another process that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4. Briefly, this process pertains to extracting and analyzing data contained in multiple SMS or "text messages" received by a processor such as a remote caregiver device.

[0049] The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 601 shown in FIG. 6, which is described in more detail in US patent application no. 13/151,034 filed on June 1 , 2011 entitled "META SMS/TEXT DATA EXTRACTION". Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 601 may be synchronized to the mobile device 430 of FIG. 4, in one example. Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 601, or data derived therefrom (such as a code representative of the information), may be inserted by the mobile device 430 into an emergency response message responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0050] FIG. 7 illustrates another process that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4. Briefly, this process relates to trend analysis of a patient's daily activity and notifications to caregivers as may be indicated.

[0051] The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 701 shown in FIG. 7, which is described in more detail in US patent application no. 13/104,371 filed on May 10, 2011 entitled "ACTIVITY TREND DETECTION AND NOTIFICATION TO A CAREGIVER". Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 701 may be synchronized to the mobile device 430 of FIG. 4, in one example. Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 701, or data derived therefrom thereof (such as a code representative of the information) , may be inserted by the mobile device 430 into an emergency response message responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates another process that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4. Briefly, this process pertains to aided construction of SMS status messages to caregivers.

[0053] The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 801 shown in FIG. 8, which is described in more detail in US patent application no. 13/102,300 filed on May 6, 2011 entitled "AIDED CONSTRUCTION OF SMS STATUS MESSAGES TO CAREGIVERS". Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 801 may be synchronized to the mobile device 430 of FIG. 4, in one example. Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 801, or data derived therefrom thereof (such as a code representative of the information), may be inserted by the mobile device 430 into an emergency response message responsive to actuation of the panic button.

[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates another process that may be performed by the compute station of FIG. 4. Briefly, this process pertains to collecting information from electronic devices, such as multimedia capable entertainment devices, for detecting a change in health of a patient.

[0055] The processor 11 of compute station 8 may be configured to, alone or in combination with processing performed by a processor of caregiver computing device 6, perform the process 901 shown in FIG. 9, which is described in more detail in US patent application no. 13/151,572 filed on June 2, 2011 entitled "MONITORING ELECTRONIC DEVICE USAGE IN A

MANAGED HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT". Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 901 may be synchronized to the mobile device 430 of FIG. 4, in one example. Any of the information gathered, transmitted, or stored according to process 901, or data derived therefrom thereof (such as a code representative of the information), may be inserted by the mobile device 30 into an emergency response message responsive to actuation of the panic button.

Health monitoring system with compute station and mobile device having panic button

[0056] It should be apparent from the above that a compute station that operates with at least one mobile device can be provided, in one example. For example, the compute station may include a processing device configured to operate with a first mobile device having a display in a similar fashion as described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The first mobile device can be a cell phone, PDA, smart phone, or any other general purpose mobile device with a display. The processing device of the compute station may also be configured to operate with a second different mobile device in a similar fashion as described with reference to FIGS. 4-9. The second mobile device can be a specialized mobile device with a panic button. In another example, the processing device of the compute station operates with a single mobile device having both a display and a panic button, instead of the first mobile device with a display and the second mobile device with a panic button.

[0057] Most of the equipment discussed above comprises hardware and associated

software. For example, the typical portable device is likely to include one or more processors and software executable on those processors to carry out the operations described. We use the term software herein in its commonly understood sense to refer to programs or routines

(subroutines, objects, plug-ins, etc.), as well as data, usable by a machine or processor. As is well known, computer programs generally comprise instructions that are stored in machine- readable or computer-readable storage media. Some embodiments of the present invention may include executable programs or instructions that are stored in machine-readable or computer- readable storage media, such as a digital memory. We do not imply that a "computer" in the conventional sense is required in any particular embodiment. For example, various processors, embedded or otherwise, may be used in equipment such as the components described herein.

[0058] Memory for storing software again is well known. In some embodiments, memory associated with a given processor may be stored in the same physical device as the processor ("on-board" memory); for example, RAM or FLASH memory disposed within an integrated circuit microprocessor or the like. In other examples, the memory comprises an independent device, such as an external disk drive, storage array, or portable FLASH key fob. In such cases, the memory becomes "associated" with the digital processor when the two are operatively coupled together, or in communication with each other, for example by an I/O port, network connection, etc. such that the processor can read a file stored on the memory. Associated memory may be "read only" by design (ROM) or by virtue of permission settings, or not. Other examples include but are not limited to WORM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, etc. Those technologies often are implemented in solid state semiconductor devices. Other memories may comprise moving parts, such as a conventional rotating disk drive. All such memories are "machine readable" or "computer-readable" and may be used to store executable instructions for implementing the functions described herein.

[0059] A "software product" refers to a memory device in which a series of executable instructions are stored in a machine-readable form so that a suitable machine or processor, with appropriate access to the software product, can execute the instructions to carry out a process implemented by the instructions. Software products are sometimes used to distribute software. Any type of machine-readable memory, including without limitation those

summarized above, may be used to make a software product. That said, it is also known that software can be distributed via electronic transmission ("download"), in which case there typically will be a corresponding software product at the transmitting end of the transmission, or the receiving end, or both.

[0060] In this application and the claims, we use the term "patient" broadly to mean any individual person whose activities are monitored consistent with the present disclosure. We use the term "caregiver" broadly to mean any person who receives notifications related to patient activities consistent with the present disclosure. "Caregiver" thus may include but is not limited to a doctor, nurse, other healthcare professional, friend, neighbor, family member, etc.

[0061] Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred

embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.