Abstract: A two-way wireless communications system for permitting the control, monitoring and collection of data from electrical apparatus includes a host computer, control and monitoring units remotely located from the host computer, and subscriber software for establishing communication protocol with each unit. The host computer includes a customer interface gateway which handles communications from the subscriber software to the host system, a wireless service gateway which handles all communications with the remotely located units, and a product data processor for processing data obtained from either a customer via the subscriber software or a particular remote unit. The subscriber software permits customers to have desktop control of their electrical apparatus associated with a remote unit. Each remote unit contains a motherhood, power supply, and modem. Each unit is capable of real-time monitoring and control of the electrical apparatus associated with the unit.

Abstract: A control system for remotely controlling the application of electric power to a plurality of electric apparatuses includes a radio transmitting device at a central location, and a radio receiving device and a control unit at each electrical apparatus location. Programming signals designating the operating protocol or mode and the location of the electrical apparatus are transmitted by a radio programming signal to the control unit associated with each electrical apparatus. Subsequently, timing reference signals are transmitted to the control units of all electrical apparatus. Each control unit interprets and responds to the timing signals in accordance with previously received programming signals to control the application of electric power to the electrical apparatus in accordance with a predetermined operating protocol.

Abstract: A control system for remotely controlling the application of electric power to a plurality of electrical apparatuses (10) includes a radio transmitting device (20) at a central location, and a radio receiving device (22) and a control unit (16) at each electrical apparatus location. During set-up of an electrical apparatus, programming signals designating the operating protocol or mode and the location of the electrical apparatus are transmitted by a radio programming signal to the control unit (16) associated with each electrical apparatus. Subsequently, timing reference signals containing a multiple-digit computer generated code designating the time of day and the time of sunrise and sunset on a particular day within particular latitudinal zones are transmitted by radio to the control units (16) of all electrical apparatus (10).

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring computer which generates and sends an address-specific medication prompting message in accordance with a prescribed medication dispensing schedule over a two-way paging system to a communicator carried by a patient. The communicator includes receiver circuitry which responds to the prompt message to generate a display and audible alarm to alert the patient. Upon the patient acknowledging the message by actuating a switch on the communicator transmitter circuitry within the pager sends a reply message to the monitoring computer. In the event that a reply message is not received within a predetermined time period following the dispensing event, the computer initiates an alternative communication procedure which includes telephone calls to 1) the patient, 2) his doctor, 3) his care provider, or 4) an emergency contact.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring computer which generates and sends a periodic time reference message over a two-way paging system to a plurality of patient communicators carried by respective patients. Each communicator includes sufficient memory to store the individual medication schedule of the particular patient, and processing circuitry which utilizes the time reference to interrogate the memory and generate a display and audible alarm to alert the patient when medication is to be taken. Upon the patient acknowledging the prompt, the communicator sends a reply message over the paging network to the central monitoring computer. Only in the event that a reply message is not received by the monitoring computer within a predetermined time period following the dispensing event, the computer initiates a procedure which includes an address-specific follow-up prompt message to the particular patient communicator.

Abstract: A medication dispensing and timing system includes a central monitoring facility and a plurality of patient communicators, each containing sufficient memory for storing the medication schedule of a respective patient, and a clock circuit providing time and date information utilized in conjunction with the stored schedule to provide visual and aural prompts to the patient as medication is to be taken. Upon receiving a prompt the patient actuates a switch which causes transmitter means within the communicator to send a reply signal back to a computer at the monitoring facility, which includes a memory containing the same medication schedule and a clock circuit providing date and time information, whereby a follow-up procedure is initiated, including a follow-up message sent to the communicator, in the event a reply message is not received within a predetermined time following a scheduled medication event.