System and method for remote care and monitoring using a mobile device

Abstract

A system and method for remote care and monitoring of the user of a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and for simplifying use of the mobile device by the user. The system and method comprises software, operable on the mobile device and/or a remote device (such as another smartphone, a computer (including, for example, a web-based application system) or other device), for facilitating the use of a mobile smartphone device while also enabling authorized users (e.g. care providers) to remotely interact with the mobile user, provide them medical care information, daily care instruction, immediate connectivity, mobile phone control and tracking functions, general assistance as well as remotely updating and maintaining the mobile user's mobile device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for remote care and monitoring, comprising:
 a first mobile device for use by a first user;   a second device for use by a second user; and   a server, the server configured to communicate with the first mobile device and the second device;   wherein the first mobile device further comprises: a monitoring processes engine, the monitoring processes engine configured to monitor the first user and the first mobile device; and, an intelligent event identification engine in communication with the monitoring processes engine, the intelligent event identification engine configured to automatically activate at least one feature of the first mobile device based on information received from the monitoring processes engine and/or automatically generate at least one notification based on the information received from the monitoring processes engine.   
     
     
         2 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring processes engine is further configured to detect and log information about the activity and inactivity of the first user, the activity and inactivity of the first user being determined by at least one of: at least one location of the first mobile device, at least one movement of the first mobile device, at least one picture automatically captured by the first mobile device, at least one video automatically captured by the first mobile device, at least one intended destination of the first mobile device, at least one response by the first user to at least one wellness check-in, at least one call of the first mobile device, at least one response by the first user to at least one medication reminder, at least one response by the first user to at least one alert, at least one fall detection of the first device, at least one idleness check of the first device, or at least one violation of a medical profile of the first user. 
     
     
         3 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the first mobile device is configured to automatically establish a live telephonic and/or voice-over-IP (VOIP) call comprising audio and/or video communications between the first user and the second user, the call being initiated by the second user through the second device and/or the server, and the call being automatically established without interaction by the first user with the first mobile device after the first mobile device authenticates the second user and validates that the second user has initiated the call. 
     
     
         4 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the at least one feature comprises generating a recording of video and/or audio. 
     
     
         5 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 4  wherein the first mobile device is configured to transmit the recording to the second user after the first mobile device authenticates the second user. 
     
     
         6 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the first mobile device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         7 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the second device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         8 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the second device is a computer. 
     
     
         9 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the at least one notification comprises a notification sent to the second user. 
     
     
         10 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the at least one notification comprises a notification sent to a third party. 
     
     
         11 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the at least one feature of the mobile device comprises a camera, a microphone, a speakerphone, a global positioning system, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a wireless radio, a cellular system, a Bluetooth radio, a touch screen, an internal clock, a messaging system, or a calendar system 
     
     
         12 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring processes engine is further configured to monitor an operational status of the first mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the intelligent event identification engine is further configured to recognize patterns in the information received from the monitoring processes engine and make inferences based on the information. 
     
     
         14 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the first mobile device and the second device are configured to switch between cellular-based audio-only communications between the first user and the second user and Internet-based audio or audio-visual communications between the first user and the second user, the switch occurring during an existing call between the first user and the second user. 
     
     
         15 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the second device is configured to communicate with the first mobile device to allow the second user to customize a user interface for the first user on the first mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  wherein the information received from the monitoring processes engine comprises at least one of: data received from sensors of the first mobile device, a time, a result of a wellness check on the first user, a result of a safety check on the first user, or a configuration change of the first mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The system for remote care and monitoring of  claim 1  further comprising a radio alert connectivity device configured to communicate with the first mobile device. 
     
     
         18 . A system for remote care and monitoring, comprising:
 a first mobile device for use by a first user;   a second device for use by a second user; and   a server, the server configured to communicate with the first mobile device and the second device;   wherein the first mobile device is configured to automatically establish a live telephonic and/or voice-over-IP (VOIP) call comprising audio and/or video communications between the first user and the second user, the call being initiated by the second user through the second device and/or the server, and the call being automatically established without interaction by the first user with the first mobile device after the first mobile device authenticates the second user and validates that the second user has initiated the call.