Abstract: A system and method for assessing a functional or medical ability of an actor in a environment. The method includes providing a plurality of data sources in the environment. One or more of the data sources are designated as providing information relating to a functional or medical ability. Data from the designated data sources is retrieved and forms the basis of a functional or medical ability evaluation. In one embodiment, a plurality of baseline function categories are established, with information from one or more of the data sources being assigned to at least one of the baseline function categories.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of human skin including an illuminator source for providing a first IR band and a second IR band. The first IR band is capable of being reflected from skin and the second IR band is capable of being absorbed by skin. A detector receives the first and second IR band after the bands have contacted the skin and provides a signal indicating the presence or absence of each of the first and second IR bands. A processing unit processes the signal and indicates the presence of skin when the first IR band is present and the second IR band is absent. The preferred first IR band is about 0.8 to about 1.4 ?m and the second IR band is about 1.4 to about 2.2 ?m. Preferably one illuminator interacts with two detectors, one for each of the two IR bands.

Abstract: An automated monitoring and response system includes sensors for monitoring an actor and the actor's environment, and an alert module interfaced with the sensors and adapted to identify an existence of an emergency situation relating to the actor or the environment. The alert module is adapted to generate an alert message for one or more responders, the alert message including a primary alert message component and a supplemental alert message component. The supplemental alert message component includes non-primary supplemental information relating to the actor and/or the environment and giving context to the at least one emergency situation, including, for example, sensor data relevant to the emergency situation.

Abstract: An automated monitoring and response system includes sensors for monitoring an actor and the actor's environment, and an alert module interfaced with the sensors and adapted to identify an existence of an emergency situation relating to the actor or the environment. The alert module is adapted to generate an alert message for one or more responders, the alert message including a primary alert message component and a supplemental alert message component. The supplemental alert message component includes non-primary supplemental information relating to the actor and/or the environment and giving context to the at least one emergency situation, including, for example, sensor data relevant to the emergency situation.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing a functional or medical ability of an actor in a environment. The method includes providing a plurality of data sources in the environment. One or more of the data sources are designated as providing information relating to a functional or medical ability. Data from the designated data sources is retrieved and forms the basis of a functional or medical ability evaluation. In one embodiment, a plurality of baseline function categories are established, with information from one or more of the data sources being assigned to at least one of the baseline function categories.

Abstract: An automated system and method for monitoring and supporting and actor in an environment, such as a daily living environment. The system includes at least one sensor, at least one effector and a controller adapted to provide monitoring, situation assessment, response planning, and plan execution functions. In one preferred embodiment, the controller provides a layered architecture allowing multiple modules to interact and perform the desired monitoring and support functions.