IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,558,703
Granted Patent B2
US 8,558,703 · App. 13/695,072 · Granted Oct 15, 2013

Method for monitoring an individual

Inventors: Mikael Edlund (Sodertalje, SE); Fredrik Bjorklund (Tyreso, SE)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,558,703
App. No.
13/695,072
Granted
Oct 15, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An individual is monitored by providing a monitoring system having a control device in communication with appliances. A routine usage of the appliance by an individual is determined. A deviation from the routine usage of the appliance is detected. An alarm signal is sent to a remote communication device of a third party. The third party remotely manipulates the appliance via the control device to remove the deviation from the routine usage, such as turning off an iron or closing a refrigerator door, without involving the individual.

Claims (19)

1. A method for monitoring an individual, comprising:

providing a monitoring system having a control device in communication with appliances;

determining a routine usage of the appliance by an individual;

prior to an alarm situation, alerting a first third party that the individual is using the appliance by displaying, in real time, the individual's use of the appliance on a display, the control device measuring and determining a maximum allowed time of usage of the appliance,

the control device detecting a deviation from the routine usage of the appliance;

the monitoring system broadcasting a verbal reminder to the individual about a pending alarm situation and displaying a picture of the appliance on a communication device of the individual and calling a telephone of the individual with a voice instruction to turn off the appliance,

the individual failing to turn off the appliance within a time period, the control device automatically sending an alarm signal to a remote communication device of the first third party;

when the first third party fails to respond within a limited time period, sending an alarm signal to a second third party,

when the first third party responds within the limited time period, the third party remotely manipulating the appliance in real time by sending a manipulation signal from the remote communication device to the control device; and

the control device receiving the manipulation signal and verifying a number of the communication device as being registered before sending a turning off signal to the appliance to remove the deviation from the routine usage without involving the individual.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the third party turning off the appliances in real time from a mobile telephone.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises sending a notification signal to the individual prior to sending the alarm signal to the third party.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the control device being in communication with the appliances to sense a status of the appliances.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises the control device measuring a time period the appliances have been turned on.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises determining a behavioral pattern of the individual's usage of the appliances to determine a maximum allowed time the appliances are permitted to be turned on.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises sending the alarm signal only after a predetermined time after a notification signal has not affected a status of the appliances.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises displaying the status of the appliances in a display.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises displaying events associated with a calendar.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the control device turning off an appliance prior to sending an action signal to the third party and the individual.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61332213 · May 7, 2010
Related Publication 20130043998A1 · Feb 21, 2013