Abstract: An apparatus in communication with a network having a tool for tracking connect time to the network. The apparatus may be communications device, a wireless handset, a personal digital assistant, a computer laptop, a portable communications device, a wired communications terminal, and/or a calling card. The tool for tracking connect time includes a periodic alarm having an onset and a duration time. Moreover, the tool for tracking connect time also includes means for varying the onset and the duration time of at least one period of the alarm with a variable arbitration offset.

Abstract: A portable device includes a location detector, a time detector, and an alarm module to generate alarms based on both time-based and location-based criteria. A current time provided by the time detector is compared to a time-based criterion, and a current geographical location provided by the location detector (e.g., global positioning system or GPS receiver) is compared to a location-based criterion to determine whether or not to generate an alarm.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the persistent problems encountered when a medicine is prescribed to be used at specific intervals. A device explicitly designed to function in conjunction with a designated container of medicine emits signals. This in turn, serves as a reminder of the exact times established.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home monitoring system is provided. The home monitoring system may include a command console for monitoring and processing the output of sensors. The processing of the sensors includes (1) providing a history of the sensor as an indicator to the operator of the sensor output over time; (2) analyzing the trends of the sensor to increase the effectiveness of the sensor beyond simply the current sensor output; and (3) analyzing the output of one sensor which may impact interpretation of a second sensor's output. The monitoring system may also be a prescription reminder system. The prescription reminder system may be used in homes or institutional medical facilities (assisted living or nursing homes) to provide patients with a manner to remind them to take pharmaceutical drugs at prescribed times.

Abstract: An electronic organizer and storage device has a plurality of compartments for storing tablets or capsules, a plurality of preprogrammed prescription cycles, a compliance verification function unit, a prescription cycle verification unit, a multi-color-multi-function indicator for confirming operation functions, a light for each compartment, and an alarm unit, the light unit and the alarm unit being formed so that a light flashes by the light unit adjacent to a corresponding tablet chamber when tablets or capsules are to be taken and at the same time an audible alarm is activated by the alarm unit so as to provide an audible alarm and at the same time visually identify which tablets or capsules to take next; a unit for storing information on missed alarms; a unit for displaying information on missed alarms using a light means and an audible means; and a unit to queue and transfer information on missed alarms to an external computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for automatically alerting a user to electronic communication, such as an email message, that is related to a scheduled event such as an upcoming meeting. The method includes automatically scanning a user's calendar for a scheduled event, scanning the user's electronic inbox to find email messages related to the scheduled event, determining if the user requires notification of the incoming email and notifying the user of the incoming email by appropriate mechanisms. The method is enabled to determine the urgency of the email and its relative importance to the user by subjecting the email to a set of user-selected rules. These rules can be based on time constraints, relative importance of the scheduled event, or virtually any other criteria that can be assessed by reference to the subject header, body, or sender of the message.

Abstract: Apparatus for reminding a person to perform a plurality of periodically repeating tasks includes a first and a second user-accessible interface each having at one least task switch. A first and a second signal device each correspond to the respective first and second user-accessible interfaces. A surface supported by the apparatus can be imprinted with first and second task identifications which are aligned proximate to the corresponding signal devices and user interfaces. The apparatus includes an electronic processor configured to set a first alarm interval and a second alarm interval in response to the at least one task switch of the respective first or second user-accessible interface being accessed by a user a single time. The processor measures the passage of time using an electronic timing device and activates the first or second signal device when the measured passage of time exceeds the respective first or second alarm interval.