Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, devices, and systems to monitor activity. One method to monitor activity includes monitoring activity of an individual including detecting a sensor activated by an individual during the individual's daily activities. The embodiment also includes comparing the sensor activation to a predetermined sensor activation timeframe, determining whether to initiate an alert based upon the comparison, and checking for at least one other sensor activation to confirm whether an alert should be initiated.

Abstract: Communications devices such as cellular telephones share resources, for example to conserve battery capacity or to enable a device to perform a function not available to another one of the devices. Such devices may find particular utility in a mobile personal emergency response (MPERS) environment, and may enable clients of an MPERS service to take better advantage of the service. The devices communicate over a local wireless communications system to determine which device may perform a particular function. Other resources that may be shared include cellular connectivity and global positioning capability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, devices, and systems to monitor activity. One method to monitor activity includes monitoring activity of an individual including detecting a sensor activated by an individual during the individual's daily activities. The embodiment also includes comparing the sensor activation to a predetermined sensor activation timeframe, determining whether to initiate an alert based upon the comparison, and checking for at least one other sensor activation to confirm whether an alert should be initiated.

Abstract: Communications devices such as cellular telephones share resources, for example to conserve battery capacity or to enable a device to perform a function not available to another one of the devices. Such devices may find particular utility in a mobile personal emergency response (MPERS) environment, and may enable clients of an MPERS service to take better advantage of the service. The devices communicate over a local wireless communications system to determine which device may perform a particular function. Other resources that may be shared include cellular connectivity and global positioning capability.

Abstract: A method of operating a communications device to maintain a position fix of the communications device includes obtaining a position fix using a position determination capability of the device, such as a global positioning system capability. The method further includes emitting a first acoustic signal, and recording a baseline acoustic signature in response to the emission of the first acoustic signal. The method further includes emitting an additional acoustic signal and recording an additional acoustic signature resulting from the emission of the additional acoustic signal, comparing the baseline acoustic signature with the additional acoustic signature, and estimating, based at least in part on the comparison of the baseline and additional acoustic signatures, whether the communications device has moved between the recordings of the baseline and additional acoustic signatures.

Abstract: A method of operating a communications device to maintain a position fix of the communications device includes obtaining a position fix using a position determination capability of the device, such as a global positioning system capability. The method further includes emitting a first acoustic signal, and recording a baseline acoustic signature in response to the emission of the first acoustic signal. The method further includes emitting an additional acoustic signal and recording an additional acoustic signature resulting from the emission of the additional acoustic signal, comparing the baseline acoustic signature with the additional acoustic signature, and estimating, based at least in part on the comparison of the baseline and additional acoustic signatures, whether the communications device has moved between the recordings of the baseline and additional acoustic signatures.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a processor, a memory holding data and instructions, a simplified user input interface for manually initiating functions of the portable communication device, a mobile telephone transceiver, and a short-range wireless communication transceiver. The devices uses the short-range transceiver to retrieve information from an external data storage device such as an NFC tag, and based on the received data, initiate a function of the portable communication device. Functions that may be initiated include pairing with another device, downloading and installing application software, and receiving and forwarding data from a health monitoring device.

Abstract: Methods for operating a call center. In one example implementation, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients of a service provided by the call center. At least some of the personal profiles include contact information for one or more entities designated by the respective clients for receiving information about the respective clients. A text-based electronic emergency notification message is received via an electronic network from a communication device associated with a particular one of the clients. The personal profile of the particular client includes contact information for one or more entities designated by the particular client for receiving information about the particular client from the call center. A notification that the communication device associated with the particular client received the text-based electronic emergency notification message is forwarded to one or more of the entities designated in the personal profile of the particular client.

Abstract: Among other features, a communications device includes a wide area communications transceiver and a local wireless communications transceiver. The device is configured to recognize, via the local wireless communications transceiver, the presence of one or more peripheral wireless devices available for transferring data to the communications device. The device transmits to a remote site a list of the one or more recognized peripheral devices, and receives from the remote site an instruction to establish communications with a particular one of the one or more recognized peripheral devices. The device establishes communications with the particular recognized peripheral device in response to the received instruction, for example by pairing.

Abstract: Among other features, a communications device includes a wide area communications transceiver and a local wireless communications transceiver. The device is configured to recognize, via the local wireless communications transceiver, the presence of one or more peripheral wireless devices available for transferring data to the communications device. The device transmits to a remote site a list of the one or more recognized peripheral devices, and receives from the remote site an instruction to establish communications with a particular one of the one or more recognized peripheral devices. The device establishes communications with the particular recognized peripheral device in response to the received instruction, for example by pairing.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a computer system comprises a processor, memory, and an interface to an electronic communication network. The memory holds instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to maintain in electronic storage personal profiles of a number of clients of a service. At least one of the personal profiles includes identification of one or more entities authorized by the respective client to receive information about the client. The instructions further cause the system to produce a log associated with the client including information about the client. The information included in the log is filtered so that not all available information about the client is included in the log. The log is further made accessible via the electronic communication network to at least some of the one or more entities authorized by the client to receive information about the client.

Abstract: Systems and methods of conserving power in a mobile emergency communication device. After placing a telephone call, the calling device communicates information to the call recipient, for example a response center, usable to estimate the remaining talk time of the calling device. The call recipient sends instructions to the calling device to turn off, disable, or suspend certain device capabilities to conserve battery power in the calling device. For example, if it is determined that the device is not moving, a geographical location capability of the device may be turned off to conserve power. Other capabilities may also be turned off, for example a secondary radio transceiver, a display screen or other visual indicator, certain software applications executing on the device, or other capabilities.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting unintentional calls placed to a call center. In some implementations, a device with telephone capability recognizes that it is being used to place a call, and automatically collects information usable to estimate whether the call is intentional or unintentional. The device may make the estimate, or may send the collected information to the recipient of the call. When a call is estimated to be unintentional, the device may signal the user of the device, or may inform the recipient of the call that the call is suspected to be unintentional, or both. The collected information may include outputs from one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, a microphone, a camera, or a biometric sensor. A button press initiating a call may be considered in the context of other usage of the device to estimate whether the call was intentional or unintentional.

Abstract: A user interface for a portable electronic device. In an example implementation, a first screen presents selections for launching applications executable by the portable device, the selections being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions, and a second screen presents selections related to stored contacts, these selections also being presented in a plurality of horizontal screen regions. Each of the first and second screens is accessible from the other by actuating a respective tab. A selection on the first screen may include an icon representing an application, and a textual description of the application, and the textual description may be prominent in relation to the icon. Actuating a selection on the second screen may access an individual contact screen that presents a chronological history of communications with the corresponding contact.

Abstract: Methods for operating a call center. In one example implementation, a call center maintains personal profiles of a number of clients of a service provided by the call center. At least some of the personal profiles include contact information for one or more entities designated by the respective clients for receiving information about the respective clients. A text-based electronic emergency notification message is received via an electronic network from a communication device associated with a particular one of the clients. The personal profile of the particular client includes contact information for one or more entities designated by the particular client for receiving information about the particular client from the call center. A notification that the communication device associated with the particular client received the text-based electronic emergency notification message is forwarded to one or more of the entities designated in the personal profile of the particular client.

Abstract: A communications terminal facilitates signaling emergency alerts and monitoring. The terminal is operative in response to user input to generate emergency messages which are transmitted to one or more predetermined recipients via one or more mediums of communication. This user input to generate an emergency is designed such that it takes advantage of the facilities of available common user terminals (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants) and may be augmented by short-range wireless “panic button” devices carried or worn by the user to allow triggering an alarm more effectively and/or conveniently. In response to either direct input from a user or remote input from another, the terminal also transmits audio, video, still image, and other available data that facilitates situation monitoring. The user may also indicate the nature and severity of the situation. Further, the terminal may suppress indications of the established communications such that the terminal appears to be in a dormant state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling emergency notification messages. In an example scenario, a call center identifies a text-based message sent from a mobile communication device, detects that the text-based message is an emergency notification message, determines the geographical location of the mobile communication device, and sends at least some of the information contained in the text-based message to one or more other communication devices in proximity to the geographical location of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a computer system comprises a processor, memory, and an interface to an electronic communication network. The memory holds instructions that when executed by the processor cause the computer system to maintain in electronic storage personal profiles of a number of clients of a service. At least one of the personal profiles includes identification of one or more entities authorized by the respective client to receive information about the client. The instructions further cause the system to produce a log associated with the client including information about the client. The information included in the log is filtered so that not all available information about the client is included in the log. The log is further made accessible via the electronic communication network to at least some of the one or more entities authorized by the client to receive information about the client.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling communication between a service provider and a telephone user in conjunction with a call placed by the user. A call from the user to a particular telephone number, for example an emergency services number, is detected, and a notification is sent to a preselected recipient indicating that the call has been placed. The preselected recipient may be, for example, a private response center operated by a provider of personal health or other services to the user. A predetermined delay time may be allowed to elapse before the preselected recipient is notified of the call to the emergency services number. The preselected recipient may place a second call in reaction to the notification, for example the preselected recipient may call the user on his or her telephone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for connecting a caller to an alternate telephone number, such as 9-1-1, when a call to a private response center does not result in immediate assistance, or when it is recognized by the private response center that emergency services are needed at the caller's location. In one example, when the call to the private response center does not connect, the private response center may explicitly reject the call, causing the calling device to take action to call an emergency services telephone number, if needed. In another example, the call to the private response center may reach a customer service representative who recognizes that emergency services are needed. A signal is then sent to the calling device causing the device to call 9-1-1 directly.