U.S. patent application number 12/547587 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-10 for use of coaching messages in a closed communication service.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARINGFAMILY, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Davost, Paul S. Hudnut, Michael David Williams.
Application Number | 20100145719 12/547587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549317 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100145719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Michael David ; et
al. |
June 10, 2010 |
USE OF COACHING MESSAGES IN A CLOSED COMMUNICATION SERVICE
Abstract
Methods and systems for use of member-to-member,
member-to-target and automatically generated coaching messages in a
closed communication service are provided. According to one
embodiment, a closed communication service is provided which is
configured to facilitate and encourage communications among members
of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup. The target of the
caregroup uses a hardcopy-based communication appliance associated
with the caregroup to transmit and receive electronic
communications via the closed communication service to and from the
members of the caregroup. Identification, creation and delivery of
appropriate member-to-member and member-to-target coaching messages
are facilitated by allowing one or more administrating caregivers
of the members of the caregroup to view metrics relating to
electronic communications exchanged via the closed communication
service.
Inventors: |
Williams; Michael David;
(Boulder, CO) ; Hudnut; Paul S.; (Fort Collins,
CO) ; Davost; Paul; (Louisville, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL A DESANCTIS;HAMILTON DESANCTIS & CHA LLP
FINANCIAL PLAZA AT UNION SQUARE, 225 UNION BOULEVARD, SUITE 305
LAKEWOOD
CO
80228
US
|
Assignee: |
CARINGFAMILY, LLC
Louisville
CO
|
Family ID: |
34549317 |
Appl. No.: |
12/547587 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10971916 |
Oct 23, 2004 |
|
|
|
12547587 |
|
|
|
|
60514172 |
Oct 24, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/2 ; 370/260;
705/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/107 20130101;
G16H 80/00 20180101; G06Q 30/0282 20130101; G06Q 10/10 20130101;
G16H 40/67 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/2 ; 705/347;
370/260 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 50/00 20060101
G06Q050/00; H04L 12/16 20060101 H04L012/16 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: providing a closed communication service
configured to facilitate and encourage communications among a
plurality of members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup,
the target of the caregroup using a hardcopy-based communication
appliance associated with the caregroup to transmit and receive
electronic communications via the closed communication service to
and from the plurality of members of the caregroup; one or more
coaching tool routines facilitating identification, creation and
delivery of appropriate member-to-member and member-to-target
coaching messages by allowing one or more administrating caregivers
of the plurality of members of the caregroup to view metrics
relating to electronic communications exchanged via the closed
communication service; and wherein the one or more coaching tool
routines are implemented in one or more processors and one or more
computer-readable media of one or more server computer systems that
are part of the closed communication service, the one or more
computer-readable media having instructions tangibly embodied
therein representing the one or more coaching tool routines that
are executable by the one or more processors.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing within the
closed communication service one or more digital gift suggestion
routines operable to allow the one or more administrating
caregivers to include within the coaching messages suggestions
regarding appropriate types of digital gifts that may be sent via
the closed communication service.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing within the
closed communication service one or more tools that provide
information to healthcare providing caregivers to assess and
diagnose the condition of the target and to make prognoses
regarding the condition of the target and to deliver and receive
private communications with a patient, primary caregiver, or
administrating caregiver.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the metrics include one or more
of: a rating regarding an affective-emotional value of electronic
communications received by the target of the caregroup; a rating
regarding an intellectual stimulus value of the electronic
communications received by the target of the caregroup; a rating
regarding activity induced value of the electronic communications
received by the target of the caregroup; information provided by
caregivers or target to the closed communication service or
healthcare providing caregivers; information interpreted by
healthcare providing caregivers; information regarding historical
norms of electronic communications frequencies with the target of
the caregroup by individual members of the plurality of members of
the caregroup.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising ameliorating or
slowing progression of Alzheimer's disease or symptoms associated
with Alzheimer's disease in a subject with Alzheimer's disease as a
result of enrolling the subject and a family support network
associated with the subject in the closed communication service and
participation in the closed communication service by the subject
and members of the family support network.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising decreasing an at risk
subject's risk of developing a condition including one or more of
Alzheimer's disease, depression, stress, physical illness, cancer,
a geriatric cognitive disorder, and heart disease as a result of
enrolling the at risk subject and a family support network
associated with the at risk subject and participation in the closed
communication service by the at risk subject and members of the
family support network.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein participation in the closed
communication service decreases the subject's risk of developing
the condition, reduces the severity of the condition or delays the
onset of the condition.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising slowing progression of
a chronic condition of an elder subject as a result of enrolling
the elder subject and a family support network associated with the
elder subject in the closed communication service and participation
by the elder subject and members of the family support network in
the closed communication service.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising improving health and
well-being of an elder subject or improving the elder subject's
compliance with one or more of a drug therapy regimen and a
physical therapy regimen as a result of enrolling the elder subject
and a family support network associated with the elder subject in
the closed communication service and participation in the closed
communication service by the elder subject and members of the
family support network.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising improving health and
well-being of one or more members of the family support network as
a result of participation in the closed communication service.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising ameliorating symptoms
associated with dementia for a subject with dementia as a result of
enrolling the subject and a family support network associated with
the subject in the closed communication service and participation
by the subject and members of the family support network in the
closed communication service.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the hard-copy based
communication appliance comprises a digital mailbox appliance.
13. A method comprising: providing a closed communication service
configured to facilitate and encourage communications among a
plurality of members of a caregroup and a subject that is a target
of the caregroup, the subject using a hard-copy based communication
appliance associated with the caregroup to transmit and receive
electronic communications via the closed communication service to
and from the plurality of members of the caregroup; one or more
metric tracking routines capturing information regarding
communications among the plurality of members of the caregroup and
the subject via the closed communication service; one or more
metric communication routines providing information to healthcare
providing caregivers to assess and diagnose the condition of the
subject and to make prognoses regarding the condition of the
subject; and wherein the one or more metric tracking routines and
the one or more metric communication routines are implemented in
one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media of
one or more server computer systems that are part of the closed
communication service, the one or more computer-readable media
having instructions tangibly embodied therein representing the one
or more metric tracking routines and the one or more metric
communication routines that are executable by the one or more
processors.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hard-copy based
communication appliance comprises a digital mailbox appliance.
15. A method comprising: providing a closed communication service
configured to facilitate and encourage communications among a
plurality of members of a caregroup and a subject that is a target
of the caregroup, the subject using a hardcopy-based communication
appliance associated with the caregroup to transmit and receive
electronic communications via the closed communication service to
or from the plurality of members of the caregroup; one or more
metric tracking routines, capturing information regarding
communications exchanged among the plurality of members of the
caregroup and the subject via the closed communication service; the
one or more metric tracking routines calculating one or more
metrics based on the captured information; one or more coaching
message generation routines, based on the one or more metrics, the
closed communication service automatically generating and
delivering coaching messages in an effort to encourage a set of
goals, including one or more of (i) frequent communications among
the plurality of members of the caregroup and the subject, (ii)
affective communications, (iii) stimulating or activity inducing
communications; and (iv) communications with ex officio caregivers
who are professional healthcare providers; and wherein the one or
more metric tracking routines and the one or more coaching message
generation routines are implemented in one or more processors and
one or more computer-readable media of one or more server computer
systems that are part of the closed communication service, the one
or more computer-readable media having instructions tangibly
embodied therein representing the one or more metric tracking
routines and the one or more coaching message generation routines
that are executable by the one or more processors.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the coaching messages include
suggestions regarding use of appropriate digital gifts consistent
with the set of goals.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the metrics include one or more
of: a rating regarding an affective-emotional value of
communications received by the subject; a rating regarding an
intellectual stimulus value of communications received by the
subject; a rating regarding activity induced value of the
communications received by the subject; information provided by
caregivers or the subject to the closed communication service or
healthcare providing caregivers; information interpreted by
healthcare providing caregivers; information regarding historical
norms of communications frequencies with the subject by individual
members of the plurality of members of the caregroup.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the hard-copy based
communication appliance comprises a digital mailbox appliance.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/971,916, filed Oct. 23, 2004, which claims the benefit
of Provisional Application No. 60/514,172, filed Oct. 24, 2003 both
of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for
all purposes.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] Contained herein is material that is subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction of the patent disclosure by any person as it appears
in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but
otherwise reserves all rights to the copyright whatsoever.
Copyright .COPYRGT. 2003-2009 CaringFamily, LLC.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 1. Field
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
closed communication service for members of caregroups and subjects
that are the targets of the caregroups, and in particular to the
use of member-to-member, member-to-target and automatically
generated coaching messages in a closed communication service that
facilitates and encourages generation and delivery of digital gifts
among the members of caregroups and the associated subjects to,
among other things, decrease subjects' risk of developing various
physical and/or psychological conditions.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Medical research suggests increased social interaction may
(i) decrease the risk of developing a physical or mental condition,
disorder, disability or illness, or a chronic condition; and (ii)
have a profound effect on the longevity and well-being of an elder
in decline.
[0007] Faber, A., & Wasserman, S. (2001). Social support and
social networks: Synthesis and review. In Levy, J., and
Pescosolido, B. (eds.) Social Networks and Health. Advances in
Medical Sociology, 8, 29-72. Stamford, Conn.: JAI Press. [0008]
"Research has shown that lack of social interaction leads to
disabilities, depression, and even death for the elderly."
[0009] Glass, Thomas: Population based study of social and
productive activities as predictors of survival among elderly
Americans, August 1999 in the British Medical Journal [0010]
"Social and productive activities that involve little or no
enhancement of physical fitness lower the risk of all causes of
death as much as exercise does," [0011] "Social engagement was as
strong as anything we found in determining longevity. It was
stronger than things like blood pressure, cholesterol, or other
measures of health." [0012] "Physical fitness is important, but
social engagement is turning out to be just as critical to
longevity. What I tell people is, `Find something you really like
doing that involves other people, whether it's playing cards or
walking in the mall.` Social engagement adds a sense of purpose to
people's lives. It also seems to add years to those lives." [0013]
"Conclusions Social and productive activities that involve little
or no enhancement of fitness lower the risk of all causes of
mortality as much as fitness activities do. This suggests that in
addition to increased cardiopulmonary fitness, activity may confer
survival benefits through psychosocial pathways. Social and
productive activities that require less physical exertion may
complement exercise programmes and may constitute alternative
interventions for frail elderly people."
[0014] Social Isolation and Social Loneliness by Madelyn Hall and
Betty Havens
(http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/seniors-aines/naca/writings_gerontology/wr-
it18/writ18.sub.--3_e.htm) [0015] Social isolation and social
loneliness are situations that tend to increase as people age, and
as family and friend-networks become smaller. Social contacts
generally decrease after retirement, and may continue to decline
with the deaths of family members and friends, and changes in
residence following widowhood, mobility difficulties, and ill
health [0016] Social isolation and social loneliness have
consistently been found to be associated with health. Social
isolation and loneliness negatively influence health; and,
conversely, declining health status may also lead to increased
social isolation and accompanying feelings of loneliness. Perceived
loneliness has been found to be one of the strongest predictors of
health status among institutionalized seniors, and numerous studies
have demonstrated that health is related to the emotional
well-being of people in their later years. A greater use of health
care services, such as physician visits and prescription
medications, have also been found to be related to higher levels of
loneliness. In addition, self-rated health is related to feelings
of loneliness, in that there appears to be a relationship between
higher levels of loneliness and lower self-ratings of health.
[0017] On the possibility of communications providing important
intellectual stimulus:
[0018] Verghese, J., Lipton, R. B., et al. (2003). Leisure
Activities and the Risk of Dementia in the Elderly. New England
Journal of Medicine. 348; 25. 2508-2516. [0019] " . . . elderly
persons who did crossword puzzles four days a week had a risk of
dementia that was 47 percent lower than among subjects who did
puzzles once a week."
[0020] Yapko, Michael D. Originally published by Psychology Today:
May/June 97 [0021] "We've known for decades that relationships
serve as buffers against illness and emotional disorders. The
people who are at the greatest risk for depression are those who
are most lonely."
[0022] Ellen McGrath--Originally published by Psychology Today:
July/August 2003 [0023] "Checking in on people's well-being and not
just on their activity schedule contributes to a sense of
connectedness that is a major buffer against depression at every
stage of life. Paying as much attention to family feelings as
family activities is one of the best protections you can use to
combat family depression."
[0024] NIMH Depression research: [0025] "Depression frequently
co-occurs with a variety of other physical illnesses, including
heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, and also can increase
the risk for subsequent physical illness, disability, and premature
death." [0026] "recent NIMH studies show that 13 to 27 percent of
older adults have subclinical depressions that do not meet the
diagnostic criteria for major depression or dysthymia but are
associated with increased risk of major depression, physical
disability, medical illness, and high use of health services.
Subclinical depressions cause considerable suffering, and some
clinicians are now beginning to recognize and treat them."
[0027] Surgeon General Report on Depression--"Psychosocial
Treatment of Depression": [0028] Most research to date on
psychosocial treatment of mental disorders has concentrated on
depression. These studies suggest that several forms of
psychotherapy are effective for the treatment of late-life
depression, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal
psychotherapy, problem-solving therapy, brief psychodynamic
psychotherapy, and reminiscence therapy, an intervention developed
specifically for older adults on the premise that reflection upon
positive and negative past life experiences enables the individual
to overcome feelings of depression and despair (Butler, 1974;
Butler et al., 1991). Group and individual formats have been used
successfully."
[0029] From The Effect Of Social Isolation And Loneliness On The
Health Of Older Women
(http://www.pwhce.ca/effectSocialIsolation.htm) [0030] "The odds of
being lonely were more than double for those who lived alone versus
those who lived with others, and about 1.4 times greater for those
who felt their health was poor, who were widowed, or who had few
social contacts. Having more than four chronic illnesses was also a
significant influence, as was evidence of limited functioning.
Because these factors are independent, they are additive. The
result, then, is that a widow who lives alone, sees few other
people and feels her health is poor would be almost six-and-a-half
times more likely to be lonely than a married individual who lives
with a spouse, sees many people on a regular basis, and is in good
health." [0031] "The odds of being socially isolated (having fewer
contacts) were 1.7 times greater for women than men, 1.3 times
greater among those who were older with poor self-rated health, and
1.1 times greater for those with more chronic illness. An
accumulation of these effects would mean that a woman over age 80
and in poor health would be almost five-and-a-half times more
likely to be socially isolated than men younger than age 80 and in
better health."
[0032] From: John W. Rowe, M.D. and Robert L. Kahn, PhD,
"Successful Aging: The MacArthur Foundation Study," Random House,
1998 [0033] "Active engagement with life is achieved by close
personal relationships with family and friends, and with continued
involvement in productive activities." [0034] "As a rule, people
whose connections with others--family, spouse, and members of a
organization--are relatively strong tend to live longer."
[0035] From: Jon F. Nussbaum Pennsylvania State University Loretta
L. Pecchioni Louisiana State University James D. Robinson
University of Dayton Teresa L. Thompson University of Dayton
Communication and Aging (Lea's Communication Series). LAWRENCE
ERLBAUM ASSOCIATES, PUBLISHERS 2000 Mahwah, N.J. London [0036]
"people without close interpersonal ties are more than twice as
likely to die than their counterparts with close interpersonal ties
. . . . Not only does communication play an important role in
determining people's mental and physical health, but, in addition,
after they become ill, their communicative relationships seem to
influence how quickly they get well."
[0037] From: "Cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, and
functional decline in older people," by Kala M. Mehta, D. Sc.,
Kristine Yaffe, M. D., and Dr. Covinsky, in the June 2002 Journal
of the American Geriatrics Society 50, pp. 1045-1050. [0038] " . .
. the relative risk of 2-year functional decline doubles for those
with cognitive impairment and/or depressive symptoms."
[0039] From: UC Davis Health Article on Depression: [0040] "A
strong network of social support is both important for prevention
and recovery from depression."
[0041] Regarding risks to caregivers: From
http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc31.html [0042]
"Studies show that caregivers of physically or mentally disabled
family members are at risk for chronic stress." [0043] "Spouses
caring for a disabled partner are particularly vulnerable to a
range of stress-related health threats including influenza,
depression, heart disease, and even poorer survival rates. Caring
for a spouse with even minor disabilities can induce severe
stress." [0044] "Intervention programs that are aimed at helping
the caregiver approach the situation positively can be very helpful
at reducing stress and helping the caregiver maintain a positive
attitude." [0045] "Wives experience significantly greater stress
from caregiving than husbands, and, according to a 2000 study, tend
to feel more negative about their husbands than caregiving husbands
feel about their wives." [0046] "Specific risk factors that put
caregivers at higher risk for severe stress or stress-related
illnesses include the following: [0047] Having a low income. [0048]
Being African American. (African Americans tend to be in poorer
physical health than Caucasians and so face greater stress as
caregivers to their spouses than their Caucasian counterparts.)
[0049] Living alone with the patient. [0050] Helping a highly
dependent patient. [0051] Having a difficult relationship with the
patient."
[0052] From: Helpguide,
http:www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_dementias_caring_caregive-
rs.htm [0053] "Seven out of every ten Alzheimer's patients live at
home. Family and friends provide more than 75% of home care. Paid
caregivers provide the remaining 25% of home care." [0054]
"Depression is more common in those giving care to patients with
Alzheimer's Disease than it is in the patients themselves. 15% of
all people over age 65 are depressed. 20% of those with Alzheimer's
Disease are depressed. 50% of the caregivers for Alzheimer's
patients are depressed." [0055] "The elder with Alzheimer's Disease
or other dementia may decline so much that they no longer seem like
the same person. The caregiver is relating to a vestige of the
former human being. The caregiver may get no rewards for their
daily efforts, and they may feel isolated from the outer world and
deeply depressed. Depression is the most common ailment of the
caregiver: depression from the isolation, depression because of the
unrelenting caregiving, depression because they are unable to
relieve the elder's pain and misery. The caregiver may find
themselves wishing that the elder would die, not only to end the
elder's miserable state of life, but also to end the caregiving."
[0056] "The range of emotional and physical problems that the
caregiver may develop are: [0057] increased stress and tension
[0058] depression, often continuing for several years after the
patient has died [0059] anxiety [0060] anger [0061] guilt [0062]
grief [0063] frustration [0064] decreased overall life satisfaction
[0065] decreased satisfaction with social networks [0066] strained
family relationships that may result from resentment and
miscommunication about caring for the elder [0067] increased health
problems and greater use of healthcare services [0068] increased
use of psychotropic medications [0069] isolation" [0070] "In
addition to increased mental and physical stress, the caregiver for
an elder with Alzheimer's or other dementia may become physically
abusive to the elder. This physical abuse sometimes is in response
to the patient's physical aggression toward the caregiver." [0071]
"The caregiver must always guard their own mental and physical
state. Two avenues of self-care are: [0072] Take care of your own
health so that you can care better for the elder with dementia.
[0073] Avoid isolation: seek support and relief."
[0074] This site also suggests the following existing support and
relief mechanisms for caregivers: [0075] "Join a formal caregiver
support group. This reduces your depression and distress, and it
ends up improving life for the patient. [0076] Meet with other
family caregivers, away from the elder, to support each other.
[0077] Join a computer support network. [0078] Get professional
individual counseling and support. Research has shown that this,
above all, can relieve the strain of caring for the Alzheimer's
patient. [0079] Maintain a sense of humor. [0080] Accept or ask for
help from others. [0081] Consider respite care to temporarily
relieve you from your caregiving duties."
[0082] From: Family Caregiver Alliance
http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=393
[0083] "Caregiving is the backbone of the American long-term care
system: the value of the services provided by informal caregivers
(family or friends of seriously ill loved ones) is estimated at
$257 billion annually."
[0084] Consequently, a need exists for methods and systems for
managing and influencing the quantity, quality, effect and
timeliness of communications to one or more target(s) of a social
support network, such as one or more elder(s) or their resident
caregiver, from their social support network.
SUMMARY
[0085] Methods and systems are described for use of
member-to-member, member-to-target and automatically generated
coaching messages in a closed communication service. According to
one embodiment, a closed communication service is provided which is
configured to facilitate and encourage communications among members
of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup. The target of the
caregroup uses a hardcopy-based communication appliance associated
with the caregroup to transmit and receive electronic
communications via the closed communication service to and from the
members of the caregroup. Identification, creation and delivery of
appropriate member-to-member and member-to-target coaching messages
are facilitated by allowing one or more administrating caregivers
of the members of the caregroup to view metrics relating to
electronic communications exchanged via the closed communication
service.
[0086] Other features of embodiments of the present invention will
be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed
description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0087] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way
of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the
accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to
similar elements and in which:
[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical cycle of decline that may be
experienced by an elder family member.
[0089] FIG. 2A is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a
high-level architectural view of a communications system in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 2B is a block diagram conceptually illustrating various
collections of functionality packages and their relation to the
communication system platform according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0091] FIG. 3A conceptually illustrates communication flow among a
social support network.
[0092] FIG. 3B illustrates increased communication with the
targeted recipient as well as among the social support network
resulting from use of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0093] FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a
communication architecture according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0094] FIG. 5 is an example of a computer system with which
embodiments of the present invention may be utilized.
[0095] FIG. 6A illustrates a member login user interface screen
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0096] FIG. 6B illustrates a caregroup selection user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0097] FIG. 7 illustrates a caregroup home page user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0098] FIG. 8 illustrates a member registration user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention used by
caregroup administrators to register a new member to their
caregroup.
[0099] FIG. 9 is a software architecture block diagram conceptually
illustrating application-level software components of the
distribution server, web server, and internal components of the
digital mailbox according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0100] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing content derived addressing according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0101] FIG. 11 illustrates a sample completed routing form and
resulting email message delivered to the addressee according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0102] FIG. 12 illustrates a sample completed return-reply
requested form that may be created and delivered to a digital
mailbox appliance responsive to a caregroup member request
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0103] FIG. 13 illustrates another sample completed return-reply
requested form that may be created and delivered to a digital
mailbox appliance responsive to a caregroup member request
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0104] FIG. 14 illustrates another sample completed routing form
that may be provided by the communication service provider to a
digital mailbox appliance user and customized for the user
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0105] FIG. 15 illustrates a sample coaching message and associated
form that may be directed to a digital mailbox appliance user
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0106] FIG. 16 illustrates a sample completed greeting card form,
eCard form, originated at a digital mailbox appliance and a
resulting eCard generated responsive thereto according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0107] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing automated dispatch according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0108] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing coaching and monitoring analysis according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0109] FIG. 19 illustrates a user interface screen depicting a
coaching message editor for a weekly summary according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0110] FIG. 20 illustrates a review coaching message user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0111] FIG. 21 illustrates a member activity user interface screen
summarizing information regarding communications by members of a
particular caregroup according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0112] FIG. 22 illustrates a drill down member activity user
interface screen listing communications by a specific member of a
caregroup according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0113] FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
for effects of communications delivered to a particular elder that
may be displayed within a user interface screen according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
of communications delivered to a particular elder by caregroup
member that may be displayed within a user interface screen
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0115] FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
of digital gifts by category delivered to a particular elder that
may be displayed within a user interface screen according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0116] FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing good guessing according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0117] FIG. 27 illustrates a member personal information user
interface screen according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0118] FIG. 28 illustrates an elder's schedule user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0119] FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a user interface screen
depicting a photo essay type digital gift according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0120] FIG. 30 illustrates a user interface screen depicting an
initial (blank) photo essay (or photo journal) type of digital gift
with embedded edit stimulus markers according to one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0121] FIG. 31 illustrates a user interface screen depicting a
personalizable ready made eCard type of digital gift resulting from
good guessing according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0122] FIG. 32 illustrates various user interface screen shots,
selection from a collection of digital gifts and good guessing
defaults according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0123] FIG. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
interacting with pop-up forms according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0124] FIG. 34 illustrates customization and re-rendering of a
pop-up in the context of a note editor according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0125] FIG. 35 illustrates examples of various pop-ups according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0126] FIG. 36 illustrates examples of various digital gifts
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0127] FIG. 37 is a graph illustrating a sample plot of an elder's
response rate over time.
[0128] FIG. 38 illustrates a specific example of a Halloween card
3800 sent during a field test implemented by the assignee of the
present invention.
[0129] FIG. 39 illustrates examples of various samples of coaching
or therapeutic digital gifts according to one embodiment of the
present invention in the form of a collage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0130] Methods and systems are described for improving the
well-being or reducing stress of a primary caregiver of an elder
subject. According to one embodiment, a digital mailbox system
facilitates receipt and transmission of electronic communications
without requiring the end user to have a personal computer. The
digital mailbox system includes a novel architecture through which
the various interacting parties may use an electronic communication
access system that suits their particular needs and technological
comfort level thereby adding grace back to the lives of both the
elder and their social support network. The novel architecture may
provide various tools and applications to promote communications
among members of a social support network. For example, according
to one embodiment, collaborative and/or individual publishing tools
are provided via a website interface to enable collaborative and/or
individual development of a daily delivery of a digital
publication, such as a newsletter-like publication or the like, for
communication to elders by friends, caregivers, family and
volunteers. In one embodiment, members of a social support network
may select and/or customize content for inclusion in the digital
publication from various predefined data streams (e.g., jokes,
business news, global news, local news, health and wellness news,
sports news, puzzles, cartoons, weather, etc.) based upon
interests, hobbies and/or cognitive needs (e.g., intellectual
stimulation) of the intended recipient. For example, the kinds of
material typical of newspaper syndicated features can be provided,
such as horoscope, literary quote of the day, "on this day in
history", "health tip of the day", and the like, selected by the
members of the elder's social support network to be appropriate to
the elder's interests. In one embodiment, members of a social
support network may create or harvest existing family content, such
as digitized photos, daily deliveries, digitized art created by
children (a/k/a "kid art"), and use it to create various
compositions to share among one another and/or the digital mailbox
appliance user. In one embodiment, ex-officio members, such as
physicians or other professional caregivers, may monitor an elder's
health status and send/receive confidential communication with the
family, the elder or the caregiver, through the digital mailbox
appliance.
[0131] Meanwhile, an elder may make use of a dedicated hardcopy
device for sending and receiving electronic communications without
the need for a computer, keyboard or mouse. In this manner, the
novel architecture acts as a communications transformer by
receiving electronic communications in one form from the originator
of the communication and outputting the electronic communication in
a form suitable for access by an intended recipient thereby
facilitating communication to and from those disinclined or unable
to use computers, the internet, and/or home networks.
[0132] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of
embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,
to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention
may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other
instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block
diagram form.
[0133] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps,
which will be described below. The steps may be performed by
hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable
instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or
special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to
perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may be performed by a
combination of hardware, software, customer service personnel
associated with a communication service provider, caregroup members
serving in a customer service role and/or firmware.
[0134] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a
computer program product, which may include a machine-readable
medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to
program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a
process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not
limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only
memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, random access
memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs),
electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs),
magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other type of
media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic
instructions. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may
also be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the
program may be transferred from a remote computer to a requesting
computer by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other
propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or
network connection).
[0135] While according to one embodiment, a digital mailbox system
is described as a communication mechanism among families and
elders, other embodiments of the digital mailbox system are equally
applicable to facilitating electronic communications to and from
other groups of individuals, such as developmentally disabled
adults. Furthermore, the communications may include unrelated
individuals within a common social support network.
[0136] While, for convenience, embodiments of the present invention
are described with reference to an Application Service Provider
(ASP) model, embodiments of the present invention are equally
applicable to various other operational models. For example, the
systems and methods described herein may be deployed in accordance
with a model in which the application is hosted internally by a
organization and made accessible to various distributed locations
of the organization.
[0137] Terminology
[0138] Brief definitions of terms used throughout this application
are given below.
[0139] The phrase "administrating caregiver" generally refers to a
member of a caregroup that has certain administrative privileges
within the communication system platform. In one embodiment,
administrating caregivers have access and permissions to operate a
communications service dashboard. Administrating caregivers may
have the ability to add or remove members to the caregroup, update
family data, manage member viewing, editing and notification
permissions, originate coaching prompts, configure many of the VPN
and digital mailbox appliance behaviors like time of elder's daily
delivery, default printing font, etc. Caregroups may have one or
more administrating caregivers.
[0140] The term "caregroup" and the phrases "social support
network" and "family support network" generally refer to a
collection of individuals, including family, friends, caregivers,
volunteers and/or service providers, who are registered members of
a VPN associated with a user of communication appliance, such as a
digital mailbox appliance. An individual may be a member of
multiple caregroups. Members may have different viewing, editing
and notification permissions independently associated with each
caregroup in which they participate. For example, administrative
caregiver permissions described above are one such set of
permissions.
[0141] The term "carousel" generally refers to a software
implemented content buffering mechanism that may receive and store
content at one rate and output the stored content at another rate.
In one embodiment, one or more carousels are provided by a
communication service provider that allow members of a family
support network to collect material, such as family photos, items
of information, articles, personalized messages, jokes, etc., that
will be incorporated over time in a periodic digital publication
delivered to an elder. In this manner, a family member can
automatically direct selected data feed content to a carousel or
manually place original and/or personalized content into a
carousel, whenever he or she has time to do so. Then, content from
the carousel may be included in various periodic digital
publications intended for the elder, such as a daily delivery, when
space permits and as needed to provide content in such periodic
digital publications. The buffering provided by use of one or more
carousels, e.g., photo carousels or personalized content carousels,
may be used to smooth the resulting communication over variations
in how much time the members of the family support network have to
devote to communication or contribution of content or photos. Like
photos, items of information from data feeds may also be collected
in carousels for use over time. A predetermined or customizable
delay may be established before buffered carousel content can be
used in the periodic digital publication. This allows members of
the family support network to examine, filter, edit, personalize
and/or delete unwanted items before they are delivered to the
elder. A brief, personal note on a cartoon or joke can add to its
affective impact by pointing out a special meaning of the item for
the elder or the family.
[0142] The phrase "coaching message" generally refers to a message
intended to directly or indirectly encourage activity. According to
one embodiment coaching messages are messages originated internal
to a caregroup VPN either from the communication service provider
or a caregroup member or the user of a communication appliance
associated with the caregroup VPN that encourages or "prompts" the
generation of a new message within the caregroup. For example, a
coaching message may directly or indirectly encourage communication
with the user(s) of a digital mailbox appliance or encourage the
use of new or under used content types available within the
communication system platform. Coaching messages may be originated
by staff members and/or administrators of the communication service
provider, administrating caregivers, or even the user (e.g., an
elder) of a digital mailbox appliance. According to one embodiment,
various coaching editors are provided within the communication
system platform to assist administrating caregiver(s) with the task
of creating and sending coaching messages. According to another
embodiment, an ex officio professional healthcare provider may send
private coaching messages to a patient, or to the administrative
caregiver(s).
[0143] In one embodiment, the communication system provider may
detect a behavior (or an individual user or a family) and generate
a coaching message to one or more family members in response to
what is detected. For example, a coaching message may simply
encourage a family member to check in by logging onto the family
VPN. Certain automatically generated coaching messages may also
encourage use of new or under used content types, boost
personalization or even add to the member's personal data to
enhance the overall experience. Other types of coaching messages
may supply intellectual stimulation to the elder, recognize family
"days of note," encourage an increase in the affective content of
correspondence directed to the elder, encourage wider group
participation, require specific responses from the elder, and the
like.
[0144] The terms "connected" or "coupled" and related terms are
used in an operational sense and are not necessarily limited to a
direct connection or coupling.
[0145] The phrase "content derived addressing" generally refers to
a process that permits a user of a communication appliance, such as
a hardcopy-based communication appliance or a hardcopy-based email
appliance, to send a message to one or more caregroup members
without having to specify an email address, phone number or the
like. Rather, the message itself contains sufficient information to
allow a communication service provider to determine the intended
addressee(s). According to one embodiment, with a single press of a
button on a hardcopy-based communication appliance an elder may
have a message delivered electronically to any caregroup member as
part of an email message.
[0146] The phrase "digital gift" generally refers to an
electronically delivered communication sent by a participant in a
social support network or by the individual(s) that are the focus
of the social support network. Examples of digital gifts include
collages of digital photos, simple text messages, email messages,
photo essays, eCards, ready made communications, FamilyWeather,
customized/customizable Health and Wellness tips, Kid Art and
personalized ready made communications. According to one
embodiment, certain ready made digital gifts for delivery to (or
from) an elder can be personalized within a few seconds to a few
minutes and electronically delivered message (to or from an elder).
Digital gifts may be responses to queries, created in digital gift
editors, parsed out of standard email formats, or derived from
paper forms supplied to the user of a hardcopy communication
appliance. Digital gifts often have attractive and emotive
decoration and layout. Digital gifts may also contain customized
health and wellness status indicators (including, but not limited
to mood, sleep, eating, measurements of body fluids or status).
According to one embodiment, the printed form of digital gifts that
are deliverable to a digital mailbox appliance may be adapted for
an elder's personal requirements (e.g., large fonts, high contrast
presentation, even adaptation for color blindness).
[0147] The phrase "digital mailbox appliance" generally refers to a
communication appliance or component configured to be associated
with a caregroup VPN through a closed communication service. In one
embodiment, a digital mailbox appliance is a hardcopy-based
communication appliance that (i) accepts hardcopy input, e.g.,
paper-based messages, and creates a digital representation of the
hardcopy input for electronic delivery, e.g., email delivery of
such digital representation or digital gifts based on such digital
representation, to one or more members of the caregroup associated
with the digital mailbox appliance; and (ii) creates hardcopy
output, e.g., paper-based messages, responsive to electronic
delivery of communications from caregroup members that are directed
to the user of the digital mailbox appliance. According to one
embodiment, digital mailbox appliances are remotely maintained by a
communication service provider responsive to calls to the
communication service provider initiated by the digital mailbox
appliances. Depending upon the particular embodiment, a digital
mailbox appliance is both simpler than a multifunction printer
(MFP) and more functional than an MFP. According to one embodiment,
a digital mailbox appliance is simpler than an MFP in that it
excludes many MFP features, such as a copier, a universal serial
bus (USB) connection to and operation with a PC (or network of
PC's), local control of quality (print and scan). According to one
embodiment, a digital mailbox appliance is more functional than a
MFP in that it connects to and depends on a closed communication
service, in that it schedules daily printing, in that it connects
to the closed communication service at a time of it's choosing
(modem management based on local configuration). It is envisioned
that a digital mailbox appliance may be embedded within other
consumer devices, such as printers, fax machines, or the like.
Also, in embodiments in which hardcopy output is not desired or
needed, the digital mailbox appliance may comprise or be part of a
cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or other current or
future handheld wireless devices.
[0148] The term "eCard" generally refers to an generally refers to
an electronically delivered communication in the form of a card,
such as a greeting card.
[0149] The term "elder" generally refers to an aging family member,
such as a parent or grand parent. Typically, the elder is the user
of a digital mailbox appliance and a center of focus of a social
support network, such as a caregroup, and a target recipient of
communication services. An elder might also be an isolated or
disabled family member.
[0150] The phrase "ex-officio member" generally refers to a member
of a caregroup that has been granted access because of some
commercial or support group relationship to the caregroup. Without
limitation, examples include the entity or organization that
provides the communication service, church groups (e.g., the
elder's shut-in committee of their church), an "attending" home
care agency, supporting personnel in an assisted living situation,
physician, nurse, physician's assistant, insurance provider . . .
etc. Ex-officio members typically have access to specialized
customer support tools (though a communication service provider
customer services website). The tools available and access to
information within them may be configured for each
caregroup-ex-officio role.
[0151] The phrase "helper member" generally refers to a volunteer
or commercial caregiver with member status within a caregroup
permitted by the administrating caregiver. Examples of helper
members include members of a church group, employees of a home care
agency, a geriatric consultant, or members of a specialized
supporting group (e.g., for Alzheimer's care).
[0152] The phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one
embodiment," and the like generally mean the particular feature,
structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at
least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included
in more than one embodiment of the present invention. Importantly,
such phases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
[0153] If the specification states a component or feature "may",
"can", "could", or "might" be included or have a characteristic,
that particular component or feature is not required to be included
or have the characteristic.
[0154] The phrase "photo essay" generally refers to a story
accompanied by one or more photos. Photo essays are typically about
an event or adventure and typically include a paragraph or two
about each photo and may include several pages of annotated photos.
Examples of photo essays include, without limitation, a story about
a trip to Belize by the great granddaughter, stories about diving
trips, a photo home tour of a recently purchased condo, pet essays,
a retirement party, a classroom party, a Tahiti cruise in planning,
participation in a major running race, several local parades, kids
climbing a rock wall, and fishing trips. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, a photo essay digital gift
editor is provided that makes it easy to format and create this
kind of content.
[0155] The phrase "presentation components" generally refer to
editable elements of a digital gift in a digital gift editor.
[0156] The term "project" generally refers to multi-day and/or
multi-person communication activities, such as the joint creation
of an archive of family recipes, an annotated collection of old
family photos, a turn taking game (e.g. scrabble, chess, checkers,
. . . ) etc.
[0157] The term "responsive" includes completely or partially
responsive.
[0158] The term "scan," when used as a noun, generally refers to a
digital representation of a page of correspondence originated at a
digital mailbox appliance.
[0159] Overview
[0160] Social isolation and loneliness are problems for many
elders, and such conditions are strongly associated with health
problems and reduced feelings of well-being. To address this
problem, the methods and systems described herein seek to promote
what Liechti and Ichikawa (1999) call affective awareness: "a
general sense of being in touch with one's family and friends."
According to various embodiments of the present invention,
communications from a social support network to the individual(s)
that are the focus of the social support network are designed to
carry not only an informational message but also, more importantly,
a message of engagement and caring.
[0161] Studies of family communication have shown that the actual
content or information exchanged during or in a communication is
not the most important aspect of a communication. Rather, it is the
expression of interest in the relationship that is of importance as
a result of the initiation of a call or sending of a card or email
message. Patrick and Metcalf {Patrick, E. and Metcalf, C. (nd)
Mediated communication between extended family and friends: A case
study. Motorola Labs User Research Report at
http://internet2.motlabs.com/user/vmc-study/.} have indicated, "The
most striking implication . . . is that communication for shared
experience, so important in maintaining distance relationships, is
not adequately supported by the communication media available
today." Embodiments of the present invention also attempt to
address this need.
[0162] Meanwhile, not only elders but also family caregivers need
support that increased and better communication can provide. Biegel
and Schultz (1999), in their introduction to a special issue of
Family Relations devoted to family caregivers, note both the
prevalence of family caregiving and the burdens it creates. These
can include lack of support and assistance from other family
members. Picot and Lowell (2001) estimate that there are more than
25 million family caregivers in the United States, and that many
feel a significant burden. In the extreme, family caregivers can
suffer caregiver burnout (Lee et al. 2001). The Family Caregiver
Alliance estimates that "the value of the services provided by
informal caregivers (family or friends of seriously ill loved ones)
is estimated at $257 billion annually." And, the Center for Health
Aging has found that "Depression is more common in those giving
care to patients with Alzheimer's Disease than it is in the
patients themselves. 15% of all people over age 65 are depressed.
20% of those with Alzheimer's Disease are depressed. 50% of the
caregivers for Alzheimer's patients are depressed."
[0163] Embodiments of the present invention seek to manage and
influence the quantity, quality, effect and timeliness of
communications to a target of a social support network, such as an
elder, from their social support network to create a large and
consistent communications channel to disrupt and/or break the cycle
of isolation that leads to decline and death. Use of the
communications systems and methods described herein are thought to
greatly improve communications among isolated elders and their
social support networks (primarily their families) and such
improved communications are expected to provide a palliative
effect. Embodiments of the present invention seek to manage and
influence the quantity, quality, effect and timeliness of
communications to a target of a social support network, such as an
elder's primary caregiver(s), from their social support network to
create a large and consistent communications channel to disrupt
and/or break the cycle depression that often leads to health
problems and a decline in the level of care for the elder. Use of
the communications systems and methods described herein are thought
to greatly improve communications among primary caregivers and
their social support networks (primarily their extended families)
and such improved communications are expected to provide a
supportive and healthy effect.
[0164] Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and
systems for creating a virtual private network (VPN) connecting
non-computer users with their social support networks who do use
computers, camera phones, and/or email appliances. In one
embodiment, coaching techniques are employed to influence the
quantity, quality, effectiveness and timeliness of electronic
communications to and from individuals frequently isolated from
family and friends.
[0165] Information technology methods and systems are described
herein that seek to empower participants in a social support
network by simplifying the task of creating and initiating
communications. In the context of various embodiments described
herein the methods and systems seek to allow family members to
provide more effective support to an elder living independently.
For example, various communications tools make it easier for family
caregivers to provide stimulating and useful information to the
elder, helping to sustain health, activity and engagement.
[0166] Embodiments of the present invention operate as a
communication transformer making it possible for family members to
communicate with elders using the Internet, without requiring the
elders to operate or maintain a computer. It is contemplated that
the methods and systems described herein will make it easier for
family caregivers to share information and ideas among themselves,
and increase the general level of communication within the family
generally as well as to and from the elder.
[0167] In one embodiment, a proprietary device or set of devices
referred to as a "digital mailbox" allows electronic communication
with elders. The digital mailbox provides a much simpler user
interface for the elder than email or other existing computer
applications. The digital mailbox may incorporate features of a fax
machine, a photo printer, and a scanner, backed by servers operated
by a communication service provider. A member of a social support
network is able to generate email or create a digital gift or
contribute to a periodic publication which is delivered to the
elder as a high-quality hardcopy with no intervention required by
the elder via the communication service provider. According to one
embodiment, the elder can send correspondence to a member of
his/her social support network from his/her digital mailbox by
simply placing it on a flat scanner bed and pressing a single
button. No typing or dialing is required. As described further
below with respect to content derived addressing, addressing the
correspondence may accomplished by checking off address information
on a routing form provided by the communication service provider
and customized for the elder. In another case described below the
addressing the correspondence is automatic because the form being
used is an explicit reply to a prior communication. Thus, elders
can receive and send electronic messages, including images, with no
use of a computer and with an extremely simple interface.
[0168] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
communication system in which the digital mailbox operates provides
an online interface, such as a password protected portion of a web
portal, into which participants in a social support group my login.
The communication system may include various automated
communication tools that allow family members or others in an
elder's social support network to send engaging, interesting and
useful information to the elder. In view of empirical evidence
suggesting elders specifically value predictable communication,
versus just getting emails every now and then, embodiments of the
present invention facilitate the delivery of information to the
elder on a predictable schedule, even when the schedules of the
participants in the social support network do not permit such
regular communications. The communication system may also provide
tools that help family members support one another in their various
caregiver roles.
[0169] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
digital mailbox appliance provides an unattended printing feature.
This unattended printing aspect of the digital mailbox appliance
has significant impact. In one embodiment, to receive messages and
digital gifts the elder does not have to turn anything on, to
login, to use a keyboard, or mouse, or even a TV-like remote
control. Gifts and messages simply appear at a regular time of day
much as does the mail delivered by the US Post Office.
[0170] The communication system may also gather information about
the communications exchanged within participating social support
networks to allow assessment of the impact of the communications on
elders and/or caregivers. Impact metrics may then be viewed and
analyzed in graphical form by a social support network
administrator, such as a family representative or other
administrating caregiver. Exemplary impact metrics may include
simple counts, assessed value or other measures of effects,
communications and gift categories by member, by type, and/or
during a specified time period. Effect monitoring may include
calculating an assessed value of affective communications,
communications that induce intellectual stimulus and/or
communications that induce activity. Communication monitoring may
include a simple count of digital gifts originated by participants
in a social support network and/or the individual(s) that are the
focus of the social support network. Digital gift monitoring and
analysis may include categorization of digital gifts and tracking
of the number of digital gifts in the categories (e.g., collages,
simple text messages, email messages, photo essays, ready made
communications, and personalized ready made communications).
[0171] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical cycle of decline that may be
experienced by an elder family member. Isolation may begin in any
of a number of ways, e.g., death of a spouse, kids moving away,
restrictions to mobility. Isolation usually leads to a sense of
loneliness. Loneliness often causes or amplifies depression
(clinical or sub-clinical). Depression is strongly linked with both
physical and mental decline. Physical and/or mental decline may
lead to further loss of mobility and/or less frequent interactions
with others. This in turn increases isolation and the downward
spiral continues. Family communications can interrupt the isolation
slowing and even reversing the decline.
[0172] FIG. 2A is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a
high-level architectural view of a communications system 200 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the
embodiment depicted, the communications system includes a
communication service provider 215, services 225, digital mailbox
appliances 240 and 241 used by elders 235 and 236, respectively and
family, friends, and volunteers 230 communicatively coupled through
a network 210.
[0173] According to one embodiment, the network 140 is a public
communications network, such as the Internet; however, it is
contemplated that smaller scale communication systems may be
implemented within a private communications network, such as a
local area network (LAN) (e.g., an Ethernet LAN or a token ring
LAN), an Intranet, an Extranet, a wide area network (WAN)
comprising multiple inter-linked LANs and/or leased lines or any
other communication structure designed to carry data between a
plurality of computers associated with a particular enterprise or
organization.
[0174] While for simplicity, in this example, only two elders 235
and 236 are discussed as being subscribers of communication service
provider 215, it is to be understood that the communications
service provider 215 may scale to serve any number of elders and
associated caregroup members. Additionally, as mentioned above,
while various embodiments of the present invention are described in
the context of the communication service provider 215 serving as a
communications transformer between elders and their family and
friends, the concepts described herein are broadly applicable to
other social support networks caring for or looking after one or
more individuals that are cognitively or physically unable to use a
computer system or simply disinclined to use a computer system to
send and receive email.
[0175] Furthermore, for sake of illustration, embodiments of the
present invention are described in the context of a configuration
of a communication system in which there is a one-to-one-to-one
relationship between digital mailbox appliances, elders, and
caregroups and messages are exchanged among the elder associated
with a particular digital mailbox appliance and the corresponding
caregroup members. However, it is contemplated that multiple
individuals, such as an elder dyad (say man and wife), could share
a digital mailbox appliance and caregroup. Additionally, digital
mailbox appliance to digital mailbox appliance messages may be sent
in scenarios in which an elder using one digital mailbox appliance
is a member of the caregroup of another elder using another digital
mailbox appliance.
[0176] In one embodiment, elders 235 and 236 are able to
participate in exchanges of messages with their families and
friends via digital mailbox appliances 240 and 241 using familiar
paper-based communications. The digital mailbox appliances 240 and
241 preferably reside in the elders' residence and connect to the
communication service provider 215 via a residential phone line.
According to one embodiment the digital mailbox appliances 240 and
241 comprise multi-function photo quality printers (e.g., color or
grayscale, inkjet or laser) with flatbed scanners and modems and
are operated by local software configured and managed remotely by
the communication service provider 215. To accommodate single phone
line residences, the digital mailbox appliances 240 and 241 may be
specifically designed to effectively share a single phone line with
the elders' normal phone usage. In alternative embodiments, the
digital mailbox appliances 240 and 241 may be configured to
interface with the communication service provider through digital
subscriber line (DSL) service, cable modem, integrated services
digital network (ISDN) service, or other broadband or narrow band
service. In alternative embodiments, the digital mailbox appliances
240 and 241 may include one or more other forms of output devices
in addition to or instead of a printer, such as a video monitor or
a text-to-speech conversion apparatus.
[0177] In the present example, elders 235 and 236 represent
individuals participating in and having access to a communication
service provided by the communication service provider 215. While
the participants or users of the digital mailbox appliances, e.g.,
elders 235 and 236, are the focus of the communication service,
typically, the subscriber to the communication service (i.e., the
payer) is one or more members of a participant's caregroup.
[0178] The communication service may include communications
transformation and management services to facilitate electronic
communications among the participants and their social support
networks. For example, as described in further detail below,
members of the elders' social support networks may access and use
tools and templates for formatting and creating various types of
digital gifts and for creating collaborative publications for the
elders 235 and 236.
[0179] According to the present example, the communication service
provider 215 comprises automated components 220 and a central
database 217. Automated components 220 may include multiple
websites supporting family members, customer service operations for
the communication service provider 215, research team service
tools, coaching and communications management systems and tools,
mailbox configuration management systems, publication and delivery
systems, email services customized to caregroup management and
digital mailbox appliance publication services, etc. The central
database 217 is a central repository for all systems programs and
manages data on caregroups, elders, individual members, family
photos, digital gifts and their component parts, specific delivery
information for each communication, digital mailbox log histories,
configuration information, etc. Further details regarding the
hardware and software infrastructure of an exemplary communication
service provider are provided below.
[0180] Services 225 may represent pre-screened service providers
selected to meet various needs of the subscriber base (e.g.,
digital mailbox appliance users) of the communication service
provider 215.
[0181] In one embodiment, a unique identifier is assigned to each
digital mailbox appliance that is permanently stored in a
non-volatile memory of the digital mailbox appliance. This digital
mailbox appliance identifier may be used for initial connection and
registration of the end user, e.g., elder, into their supporting
VPN. The digital mailbox appliance identifier may also be used to
validate the digital mailbox appliance each time it attempts to
connect to the communication service provider 215. Further, the
identifier permits the elder to move their digital mailbox
appliance to a new location (e.g., a convalescent home, a
relative's home, etc.) and maintain seamless service. The digital
mailbox appliance identifier may also be used by the communication
service provider 215 to facilitate interpretation of problem
reports, logged events, etc.
[0182] FIG. 2B is a block diagram conceptually illustrating various
collections of functionality packages 240-243 and their relation to
the communication system platform 250 according to one embodiment
of the present invention. In the example depicted, the
communication system platform 250 includes a unified relational
database 251, the digital mailbox appliances associated with
particular elder(s) and corresponding caregroup, a publication and
distribution server, customer service personnel, and basic web and
email services.
[0183] In the present example, for purposes of explanation, the
digital mailbox service is described as a number of functionality
packages 240-243. Each functionality package 240-243 interacts with
the unified relational database 251 of the communication service
platform. These functionality packages 240-243 provide services
variously to family members, elders, communication service provider
personnel and ex-officio caregroup members. The services provided
typically have some automated components, some specialized website
elements for family members and/or customer support personnel of
the communication service provider, as well as some specialized
elements of the unified relational database 251. Some software and
system components are common to more than one functionality
package. For example, digital mailbox logging may be used by
several of the functionality packages in slightly different ways.
Similarly, an email parsing component may be utilized by multiple
functionality packages.
[0184] According to one embodiment, a family website functionality
package 240 is unique for each caregroup and thereby supports
individual family VPNs into which members login. Because the
digital mailbox appliances are associated with and embedded in a
family VPN, the communication service provider is able to prevent
SPAM and viruses from invading the elder's environment. While, due
to the appliance environment, elders are largely immune to viruses,
the communication service provider may whitelist (e.g., expressly
define) all potential senders for the elder and automatically
filter all deliveries for viruses. According to one embodiment,
whitelist-based filtering involves creating a list of addresses of
people that are authorized to send communications to the user of
the digital mailbox appliance and caregroup members and filtering
communications that are not on the authorized list. Meanwhile,
because all web pages delivered to the elder go through custom
rendering engines and because the digital mailbox appliance is not
a standard PC using a standard operating system, worms are
prevented from accessing the elder's side of the communication
system.
[0185] The primary purpose of the family website service is to
facilitate communication between family members and the target
elder(s). The family website functionality package 240 interacts
with a distribution server (not shown) of the communication system
platform to deliver family communications to the elder's digital
mailbox appliance. The family website functionality package 240
also facilitates the creation of communications by providing
various digital gift editors that simplify the task of
customization and personalization, suggesting ready made digital
gifts, and allowing members to view what other members have sent to
the elder.
[0186] A return loop functionality package 241 manages traffic sent
from the digital mailbox appliances. Missives received from a
digital mailbox appliance are typically originated by the elder.
However, it is contemplated that various support and service
personnel working in the elder's environment may occasionally send
communications via the elder's digital mailbox appliance. According
to one embodiment, the return loop functionality package 241
includes dispatcher workbench websites for both family dispatcher
volunteers and customer service personnel of the communication
service provider. Further discussion of manual and automated
dispatching of traffic sent from digital mailbox appliances is
provided below.
[0187] A dashboard and coaching functionality package 242 performs
communications assessment, monitoring, and provides the coaching
environment used to influence and manage electronic family
communications to and from the elder through the communication
system platform 250. The dashboard and coaching functionality
package 242 may include various monitoring charts, tables, and
instruments described further below. The dashboard and coaching
functionality package 242 may also provide a collection of coaching
editors to help administrating caregiver(s) in creating and sending
coaching messages (also called "prompts") to other caregroup
members and/or the target elder(s).
[0188] A customer service functionality package 243 serves as an
access point for customer support personnel of the communication
service provider. The customer service functionality package 243
may also provide a range of traditional services to the
communication service platform 250, other services, or other of the
functionality packages 240-242. For example, in one embodiment, one
or more of online (or phone) purchase and registration, testing,
responding to bugs, recovering data, identifying the frequency of
problems, and repairing communications flow problems may be
supported via the customer service functionality package 243.
[0189] Additional custom interfaces (not shown) for services can
also be provided to restricted sets of the database permitting
ex-officio membership (as granted by the family) to home care
agencies, geriatric consultants, assisted living personnel, support
groups, etc.
[0190] One or more research service interface functionality
packages (not shown) may also be provided. Such specialized service
interfaces may be used to support specific scientific research
projects funded by the government or foundations. The various
different research service interface functionality packages may
create specialized links into the VPNs associated with families
supporting elders in various circumstances (e.g. Alzheimer's dyads,
elder alone, assisted living, etc.). The interfaces may limit
access in accordance with the corresponding research plan. For
example, some interfaces may allow access to detailed data on a
subset of the caregroups represented within the communication
service provider's subscriber base while limiting access to
statistical data regarding other caregroups.
[0191] A digital mailbox operation and management functionality
package (not shown) may serve as a network operations center (NOC)
for the communication service provider's collection of VPNs.
According to one embodiment, the digital mailbox operation and
management functionality package may include web-based tools for
the communication service provider's customer service personnel and
various software programs to remotely monitor and/or manage the
digital mailbox appliances' (ink levels, logging, mailbox behavior
configuration, software updates, heartbeat, error and error
recovery . . . etc.). The digital mailbox operation and management
functionality package also includes software components that
support final stage publication and delivery of family digital
gifts and missives originated by the elder.
[0192] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate before and after
communication flows, respectively, among a social support network
based on the findings of various pilot studies. While
communications are complex and varied (there is no single channel,
there is no simple uniform effect on participants), increases in
communication between the elder and family members, as shown by
heavier arrows, and also increased or newly-established
communication among other family members have been observed.
Notably, communications increases to and from the elder through the
communication service provider as well as outside the service
(e.g., phone). Communication also increases among members of the
social support network (again within the service provided by the
communication service provider as well as outside). Within the
context of family communications sending a communication often
provokes one or more responses, which in turn create more responses
establishing complex dialogs binding families into a shared
experience.
[0193] FIG. 4 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a
communication architecture of a communication system platform 400
according to one embodiment of the present invention. This highly
simplified description of major conceptual blocks is intended
primarily to illustrate the major flows of information from the
caregroup members, e.g., family and friends 420, using various
appliances to the elder 401 (through the elder's digital mailbox
appliance 410) with the communication service provider and other
service personal participating as necessary.
[0194] In this simplified illustration, the communication system
platform 400 provides interfaces for the elder 401 via digital
mailbox appliance 410, family and friends 420 of the elder 401, and
communication service provider services 440. In this example, the
communication service provider may provide various services, such
as monitoring, tracking, and analysis of family communications, to
support the administrating caregiver in his/her coaching role.
[0195] Given the personal and potentially sensitive nature of
communications that are contemplated to be exchanged through the
communication system platform 400, participants should expect any
entity serving in the capacity of a communication service provider
to implement and enforce strict privacy policies. This is
particularly important in the context of communications between
healthcare professionals and the elder, the primary resident
caregiver or the administrative caregiver in view of various
national and state standards to protect the privacy of personal
health information, such as the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA).
[0196] In one embodiment the closed nature of the communication
service seeks to protect families and their elders from the
familiar risks of Internet communication including spam, viruses,
spyware, unsolicited commercial offers, and more. While the
communication service provider may collect personal information
during the course of use by members of caregroups and the targets
of the caregroups with the goal of establishing and maintaining
caregroup VPNs, this information may be used to protect and empower
the participants in various ways, including limiting access to
caregroup VPNs, allowing families to share the caregiving load, and
prohibiting advertising and/or solicitation by external commercial
entities. In one embodiment, admission to caregroups may be limited
to family, friends, and other approved caregivers and/or service
providers designated by the elder and the family. Furthermore,
privileges within the caregroup may be defined by the elder and/or
an administrating caregiver. In one embodiment, an ex-officio
healthcare provider may collect information on a participant
patient's health and send private digital gifts to such patient. By
way of the closed communication service enabling wide, but
exclusive, membership in an elder's caregroup and by aggregating
information about the types and frequency of communication within
these groups, families are empowered to share the caregiving load
and are able to work together in new and more efficient, effective
ways to support their elders.
[0197] According to the present example, the communication system
platform 400 provides a communications transformer that emphasizes
familiar paper output for elders and leverages the increasing use
of computer technology by their families and friends. In this
manner, a solution is provided to address the disparate
technologies used for communication and styles of communication
among various members of a family support network. Each member of
the family support network may use a system adapted to their
individual lifestyles. As will be described further below, the
communication system platform 400 exploits the power of
collaboration and community to share the load of creating
personalized communications for aging loved ones.
[0198] The communication system platform 400 includes a web server
420, a distribution server 430, and a central service database 450.
Participating family members may send emails, digital gifts, or
camera phone messages to the elder 401 through traditional email
and/or the web server 420, which hosts the family VPN websites.
Communications, such as email, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
messages from camera phones, and digital gifts are stored in the
central service database 450 and forwarded to the distribution
server 430 for processing into an appropriate printable format and
stored for delivery to the elder's digital mailbox appliance 410 by
the communication service provider services 440, which delivery may
be automated or may include manual intervention by a customer
service representative or an administrating caregiver as described
further below.
[0199] According to one embodiment, the digital mailbox appliance
410, which would typically reside in the elders' home, has two
functions. It provides for unattended printing (e.g., periodic
digital publications to which various members of the caregroup have
contributed) and permits the elder to scan self addressing content
for delivery as email to one or more of the members of her
caregroup.
[0200] According to one embodiment, the quality of the hardcopy
output of the digital mailbox appliance 410 and the color scan
input is such that color snapshots can readily be incorporated into
the digital gifts sent to or from the elder 401, respectively.
[0201] In a preferred embodiment, the digital mailbox appliance 410
comprises a new multi-function device priced at about $250 (or
less) retail and provides .gtoreq.300 dpi color printing, flatbed
scanning, scheduled polling, a large status display, a
single-button control panel, a hidden auxiliary control panel, a
high-output speaker, a proprietary communications interface,
physical forms storage, remote connectivity over an analog phone
line, as well as remote monitoring and management.
[0202] Design trade-offs for a digital mailbox appliance 410
targeted for elders and similarly situated individuals are
atypical. For example, print speed is not perceived to be a key
issue. However, the speed of the communications link is perceived
to be relatively important. In one embodiment, personal printing
features, such as low-cost inkjet technology are mixed with
enterprise features, such as remote monitoring and management.
According to one embodiment, copying will not be offered despite
the presence of all of the necessary hardware to provide copying
capabilities. In one embodiment, the digital mailbox appliance 410
includes no standard computer interface and functions solely as a
standalone appliance rather than as a computer peripheral.
[0203] According to various embodiments of the present invention,
instead of the frustration of a personal computer, a digital
mailbox appliance provides to elders or other digital mailbox
appliance users the welcome familiarity of simple paper-based
communications. The elders' digital mail arrives automatically.
Deliveries to the digital mailbox appliance 410 may be configured
to occur every day on a pre-set schedule. To send a handwritten
note seniors press a single button to initiate scanning and
delivery of the note. Various benefits of the digital mailbox
appliance 410 include its simplicity, security, robustness,
low-maintenance, remote supportability by the family or
communication service provider personnel. Additionally, paper-based
communications having configurable font size tailored to the
recipient accommodates visual impairments. Because the printed
output can be customized on the level of an individual digital
mailbox user numerous needs and preferences can be accommodated
(consider color-blindness, contrast requirements, . . . etc.).
[0204] Note that in this description, in order to facilitate
explanation, the web server 420, distribution server 430, central
service database 450 and communication service provider services
440 are generally discussed as if they each reside on or are part
of a single computer system. However, it is contemplated that such
servers, databases and services may each actually comprise multiple
physical and/or logical devices connected in a distributed
architecture. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, the
functions performed and the data stored may be consolidated and/or
distributed differently than as described.
[0205] FIG. 5 is an example of a computer system 500 with which
embodiments of the present invention may be utilized. The computer
system 500 may represent a web server, presentation server, a
distribution server and/or other computer systems involved in the
communication system platform. According to FIG. 5, the computer
system 500 includes one or more processors 505, one or more
communication ports 510, main memory 515, read only memory 520,
mass storage 525, a bus 530, and removable storage media 540.
[0206] The processor(s) 505 may be Intel.RTM. Itanium.RTM. or
Itanium 2.RTM. processor(s), AMD.RTM. Opteron.RTM. or Athlon
MP.RTM. processor(s) or other processors known in the art.
Communication port(s) 510 can be any of an RS-232 port for use with
a modem based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, or a
Gigabit port using copper or fiber. Communication port(s) 510 may
be chosen depending on the network environment in which the
computer system 500 operates, such as the Internet, a Local Area
Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which the
computer system 500 connects.
[0207] Main memory 515 may be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any
other dynamic storage device(s) commonly known in the art.
[0208] Read only memory 520 may be any static storage device(s)
such as Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) chips for storing
static information such as instructions for processors 505.
[0209] Mass storage 525 may be used to store information and
instructions. For example, hard disks such as the Adaptec.RTM.
family of SCSI drives, an optical disc, an array of disks such as
RAID, such as the Adaptec family of RAID drives, or any other mass
storage devices may be used.
[0210] Bus 530 communicatively couples processor(s) 505 with the
other memory, storage and communication blocks. Bus 530 may be a
PCI/PCI-X or SCSI based system bus depending on the storage devices
used.
[0211] Optional removable storage media 540 may be any kind of
external hard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA.RTM. Zip Drives,
Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc-Re-Writable
(CD-RW), Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM).
[0212] FIG. 6A illustrates a member login user interface screen 600
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this
example depicted, if an individual is a member of only a single
caregroup, the member logins to the caregroup VPN by entering
his/her email address into an email address field 605 and entering
his/her password into a password field 610 of the member login user
interface screen 600. If, however, the individual is a member of
multiple caregroups, then a caregroup selection user interface
screen, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6B may be used to solicit
information regarding the desired caregroup VPN into which the
member would like to login.
[0213] FIG. 6B illustrates a caregroup selection user interface
screen according to one embodiment of the present invention in
which the user is a member of multiple caregroups. According to one
embodiment of the present invention, each digital mailbox appliance
has one and only one caregroup. Caregroup members are typically
family and friends of the elder using the digital mailbox
appliance. After logging in via a member login user interface
screen, such as that illustrated in FIG. 6A, if the member
participates in more than one caregroup they are asked to select
the caregroup VPN into which they want to be placed.
[0214] FIG. 7 illustrates a caregroup home page user interface
screen 700 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
According to one embodiment, once logged in members work within a
website that encapsulates the VPN of the social support network of
a particular elder with a digital mailbox appliance. In the present
example, the home page includes a list 710 of various upcoming
events, such as birth dates of various family members. The home
page also includes an area 720 depicting thumbnail representations
of recent "Daily Deliveries" thereby allowing members to review
digital gifts that have been sent to the elder.
[0215] FIG. 8 illustrates a member registration user interface
screen 800 according to one embodiment of the present invention
used by caregroup administrators to register a new member to their
caregroup. In one embodiment, an administrating caregiver is
provided with the ability to register new caregroup members. The
administrating caregiver(s) have administrative privileges and may
therefore add members through a pop-up editor in the website as
shown by member registration user interface screen 850.
[0216] If the communication service provider already has
information regarding the member by way of the member being part of
another caregroup, for example, then the member is simply added to
this caregroup with all their existing directory information. If
not, additional initial information is requested. According to one
embodiment, new members are sent an email requesting that they
opt-in and directing them to a registration page and further
training (as appropriate).
[0217] In the present example, to add a new member to a family
support network, the administrating caregiver navigates to a member
directory user interface screen 800, selects the "Add Member" link,
and then enters the new member information on the member
registration user interface screen 850.
[0218] In alternative embodiments, phone to a customer service
representative of the communications service provider or to an
automated telephone system or other web interfaces may be provided
to the administrating caregiver to add new caregroup members.
Furthermore, administrating caregivers may act as recruiters and
provide a list of desired members to the communication service
provider. Subsequently, the communication service provider may send
an email introduction to each of the individuals listed by the
administrating caregiver and allow the individual family members to
opt-in.
[0219] FIG. 9 is a software architecture block diagram conceptually
illustrating application-level software components of a
distribution server 920, a web server 910, and internal components
of a digital mailbox appliance 900 according to one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0220] According to the software architecture depicted, the web
server 910 includes a publication scheduler 911 that gathers up
digital gifts and publishes them to the delivery generator 926
based on a schedule configurable by the administrating
caregiver(s), a centralized database 912 holding all caregroup
data, and a web server 913 providing the web site services to the
caregroup members, to the customer service groups, to the digital
mailbox network operators and managers, and to the research team
running clinical trials.
[0221] In the example depicted, the distribution server 920
includes a log upload server 921, a configuration server 922, a
scan upload server 923, a time server 924 a print job server 925,
an edition generator 926 and an email processor 927.
[0222] According to one embodiment, communications to and from any
digital mailbox appliance 900 occurs only when initiated by the
digital mailbox appliance 900. The scheduler 915 notifies the task
manager 916 which launches the modem controller 917 which
establishes contact with the distribution server 920. An
alternative method of connection occurs when the user puts an item
(form, reply requested, paper clipping, anything . . . ) on the
scanner and presses the send button (part of the User interface
907). The send button initiates execution of a scan through the
scan controller 906 which puts a compressed digital representation
of an image of the item on the scan queue 903 and then establishes
a connection to the distribution server 920 by notifying the task
manager 916 which directs the modem controller 917.
[0223] Once connection is established a number of communications
processes take place between elements of the distribution server
920 and the digital mailbox appliance 900. In one embodiment, the
processes that occur during a connection fall into three major
categories: 1) delivery of print jobs to the digital mailbox
appliance 900, receipt of the scan jobs from the digital mailbox
appliance 900, and remote maintenance of the digital mailbox
appliance 900.
[0224] In one embodiment, remote maintenance consists of 1)
tracking logged mailbox events (e.g., print and scan events,
problem occurrences, program operation histories, heartbeat
history, . . . etc.), 2) time synchronization, 3) configuration
update (e.g. phone numbers for the modem to call under various
conditions, contact schedules, software version information), 4)
digital mailbox status information (e.g., ink levels) and 5)
applications software updates.
[0225] The log upload server 921 collects logging reports from each
digital mailbox appliance logger 901 and records them in the
database 912 appropriately indexed to the corresponding digital
mailbox appliance 900 (using the mailbox's unique ID, for example).
Recognized digital mailbox appliance errors are specially noted and
appropriate alerts are sent to representatives of the
communications service provider.
[0226] The configuration server 922 maintains and transmits
configuration changes to the configuration manager 902 of each
digital mailbox appliance 900 (recognized by its unique ID, for
example). Configuration changes (such as the scheduled time of
printing the elder's regular delivery) from a variety of sources
(such as the administrating caregiver through the caregroup's VPN)
are registered in the database 912 and updated into the
configuration manager 902 with each contact with the appropriate
digital mailbox appliance 900.
[0227] According to one embodiment, scans are initiated by the
elder pressing a single "Send" button. The scan controller 906
launches a scan process, compresses the scan into JPEG format and
places the scan in the local scan queue 903. The scan queue 903
holds the image(s) accumulated until they are transferred to the
scan upload server 923. The scan upload server 923 gathers scans
sent from each digital mailbox appliance 900 and registers the
scans in the database 912. These scans are then delivered to the
intended recipient(s) via automated dispatch processes that are
launched as described below.
[0228] The time server 924 updates the local clocks of each digital
mailbox appliance 900. According to one embodiment, each time a
digital mailbox appliance 900 contacts the distribution server 920,
the time server 924 updates the digital mailbox appliance's local
clock through the Time Synchronization process 904. In alternative
embodiments, in which the digital mailbox appliance 900 is
configured to receive calls, the time server 924 may periodically
push time updates to the digital mailbox appliance 900. In other
embodiment, the time server 924 may provide time information to the
digital mailbox appliance 900 responsive to explicit requests by a
digital mailbox appliance.
[0229] The print job server 925 collects and sends print jobs to
the appropriate digital mailbox appliance 900. According to one
embodiment, each time a digital mailbox appliance 900 contacts the
distribution server 920, the print job server 925 updates the
digital mailbox appliance's local print queue 905.
[0230] The delivery generator 926 periodically creates a print job
for each digital mailbox appliance. The print job is formatted as
specified by preferences stored in the database 912 and includes
each of the digital gifts defined in the database 912 that are
scheduled for the next delivery to the digital mailbox appliance
900. According to one embodiment, the publication of the
caregroup's digital gifts, the timing of publication, the timing of
scheduled contact from the digital mailbox appliance 900 and the
timing of printing at the digital mailbox appliance 900 is set by
the administrating caregiver(s).
[0231] At the time schedule for delivery, the scheduler 915
notifies the task manager 916 which launches the print controller
908 to print the print jobs on the print queue 905. According to
one embodiment, some print jobs are specially marked for immediate
delivery. Such print jobs are printed at the first available
opportunity, such as (1) upon completion of the next send
operation, (2) upon completion of the digital mailbox appliance's
initial connection after being powered up, or (3) at the next
scheduled delivery time(s), whichever is first.
[0232] The email processor 927 provides traditional email services
and parses and manages email transmissions, Short Message Service
(SMS) messages, instant messages via ICQ, AIM, MSN, Jabber, Yahoo,
Gadu-Gadu, Tlen, Netsend and other IM protocols, and/or MMS
messages. Such transmissions and messages may be translated into
digital gifts and stored in the database 912 for later batch
delivery with a daily delivery, for example. Email messages are
also transmitted to members of caregroups on behalf of a user of a
digital mailbox appliance, for example when self addressing
messages are received and parsed from the digital mailbox
appliance. According to one embodiment, handwritten missives
originated at a digital mailbox appliance are transmitted by email
as attached images or embedded images. Alternatively, a Universal
Resource Locator (URL) or other hypertext link may be transmitted
to the recipient(s) to allow more efficient delivery and provide
the recipient control over when the images are retrieved and
displayed.
[0233] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing content derived addressing according to one embodiment
of the present invention. This process begins as items are scanned
into the digital mailbox appliance by the user of the digital
mailbox appliance. In one embodiment, an elder may initiate
delivery of a correspondence to a member of his/her caregroup by
simply placing it on a flat scanner bed and pressing a single
button. No typing or dialing is required. Additionally, the elder
need not be aware of the individual intended recipients' preferred
electronic communications delivery mechanism (e.g., email device,
facsimile, digital mailbox appliance, computer system, wireless
handheld, etc.) or their "addresses" (e.g., email address, fax
number, unique digital mailbox appliance ID, cell phone number, IM
username, etc.).
[0234] At block 1010, responsive to an indication that a page of a
correspondence is present on the flatbed scanner, the digital
mailbox appliance "scans" the page to create a digitized version in
the form of an image file having a particular graphic, raster or
image file format, e.g., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG),
JPEF File Interchange Format (JFIF), Tag(ged) Image File Format
(TIFF), PostScript, Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), Computer
Graphics Metafile (CGM), PICT, Graphics Interchange Format (GIF),
Bitmap (BMP), Portable Document Format (PDF) or the like.
[0235] At block 1020, the digital mailbox appliance may perform
various limited local processing, such as scan conversion, storing
of the scan, error recognition and reporting, time stamping and
logging the scan, local transaction processing, buffering multiple
scans, contacting the distribution server of the communication
service provider and forwarding the scan(s) and re-tuning scan
parameters of the digital mailbox appliance flatbed scanner as
appropriate. According to one embodiment, the scan resolution, file
type and compression specification are managed as a part of the
digital mailbox appliance configuration definition and are
updateable from the distribution server.
[0236] According to one embodiment, when the scan of the document
by the digital mailbox appliance scanner is complete, the raw
bitmap is converted into a JPEG image file that is then saved in an
internal upload message queue in a file system local to the digital
mailbox appliance. This file system may be either in persistent
(non-volatile) memory or RAM, depending upon how the digital
mailbox appliance is configured. If the local file system is in
persistent memory, then if there is a power failure, the document
will not be lost and may be sent upon restoration of power.
[0237] According to one embodiment, the digital mailbox appliance
may initiate a connection with the communication service provider
via an internal modem concurrently with the initiation of a scan.
Once the digital mailbox appliance has connected to the Internet,
it may look for the existence of any scanned images in its internal
upload message queue. The digital mailbox appliance may then upload
any files that are in the upload queue. Each time the digital
mailbox appliance successfully uploads a file to the distribution
server, it may delete the file from the upload queue.
[0238] In one embodiment, if there are no files in the upload queue
once the modem has connected. If the scanner is still in the
process of scanning, the digital mailbox appliance may remain
connected to the Internet, wait until the scan is complete, and
then upload the scanned message to the distribution server. This
process may be repeated until the upload queue is empty and the
scanner is no longer scanning. In this manner, the elder may scan
multiple documents during one connected session to the
Internet.
[0239] According to one embodiment of the present invention,
various locally detectable errors, such as recognition of blank
pages, empty scanner, backside-down pages (i.e., form facing away
from scanner as determined by bleed through sensing), duplicate
pages, etc., may be resolved locally or reported to the elder
(e.g., in the form of an error notification, such as a buzz, screen
update, etc.).
[0240] According to one embodiment, custom forms are provided to
the elder for use in generating correspondence. "Decorations" on
any given form may be designed to have a minimum scan compression
size (e.g., on the order of 40K bytes to 150K bytes) that exceed a
typical blank page (e.g., scan size of between approximately 5K
bytes and approximately 15K bytes) or upside-down scan. Pages
scanned upside-down typically result in a larger scan size (e.g.,
>=15K bytes, but less than 40K bytes) than blank pages as a
result of bleed through. In this manner, a simple evaluation of the
size of the resulting scan may be performed to categorize the scan
as one resulting from a legitimate and acceptable page of
correspondence, an empty scanner, a blank page, or an upside-down
page.
[0241] At block 1030, the distribution server performs processing
of sets of scan(s) (i.e., one or more uploaded messages originated
by the digital mailbox appliance). According to one embodiment,
once a scanned image is uploaded, it is saved to the central
service database of the communication service provider within a
scan data structure along with additional data extracted from the
scan (e.g., scanned image file name, date and time information,
sizing, etc.) and a scan. For purposes of facilitating coaching by
the administrative caregiver, for example, the scan may also be
registered in the central service database as having been
originated by the particular digital mailbox appliance using the
unique digital mailbox ID, for example.
[0242] After the set of scans has been successfully stored in the
central service database, a notification may be sent to the
automated dispatch processing to initiate the automated dispatch
processing of block 1040 where automated dispatching software may
examine the set of scans for item identification marks, such as a
barcode, a MaxiCode (i.e., a two dimensional barcode used by United
Parcel Service (UPS) on packing slips for package sorting and
addressing), or other identification marks sufficiently
identifiable by linear barcode scanning, 2D barcode scanning or
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) techniques, to facilitate
automated dispatch of the set of scan(s) as described further
below.
[0243] At decision block 1045, a determination is made whether
automated dispatch was successful. If automated dispatch is
successful and a particular set of scans is capable of automated
dispatch without manual intervention, then processing continues
with block 1070. Otherwise, processing branches to block 1050.
[0244] According to various embodiments, one or more assisted
dispatch processes may be provided as a fallback strategy if
automated dispatch processing cannot be successfully completed. In
one embodiment, partial processing by the automated dispatch
process is preserved and supplied to the assisted dispatch
processes to minimize human time and effort.
[0245] In one embodiment, if a set of scans cannot be automatically
dispatched by the automated dispatch processing of block 1040, the
set of scans are placed on an inbound queue for family dispatch
processing. When sets of scans are placed on the inbound queue for
family dispatch processing, they may be time stamped to ensure
timely handling. If a time threshold is exceeded for a particular
set of scans, they may be dequeued and placed on an inbound queue
for dispatch processing by the communication service provider.
[0246] At block 1050, a family dispatch process is performed. At
this point in the distribution cycle, image, core data (from,
date/time, sizing, . . . etc.), and partial automated dispatch
processing (e.g., form identification, resolution of zero or more
addressee(s), component parsing (subimage, original), etc.) has
already been completed. According to one embodiment, the family
dispatch process comprises a manual process of determining the
intended recipient(s) of the set of scans.
[0247] The responsibility for performing the family dispatch
process may be shared or rotated among individuals in the caregroup
or may be performed by the administrating caregiver. Regardless,
the individual(s) serving in the role of family dispatcher is
preferably both capable of interpreting the desires of the elder
based on familiarity and specific knowledge and motivated to serve
the elder.
[0248] At decision block 1055, a determination is made whether
family dispatch was successful. If family dispatch is successful,
meaning the family dispatcher has handled and a particular set of
scans within an acceptable timeframe by identifying one or more
members of the caregroup as intended recipients of the set of
scans, and marking the set of scans for delivery to the intended
recipients (e.g., by including appropriate address information in a
distribution list associated with the set of scans), then the
distribution of the set of scans continues with block 1070.
Otherwise, processing branches to block 1060. The family dispatcher
may also manually pass the set of scans and current dispatch state
on to the communication service provider dispatcher. Forwarding to
the communication service provider dispatcher may also be automated
with a vacation setting, for example.
[0249] At block 1060, a communication service provider dispatch
process is performed. According to one embodiment, the
communication service provider dispatch process comprises a manual
process of determining the intended recipient(s) of the set of
scans and tagging, labeling or otherwise marking the set of scans
accordingly.
[0250] At decision block 1065, a determination is made whether
communication service provider dispatch was successful. Assuming
the communication service provider dispatcher is capable of
identifying one or more members of the caregroup as intended
recipients of the set of scans, then the dispatcher fills in the
proper address information for the one or more addressees and the
distribution of the set of scans continues with block 1070.
Otherwise, at block 1080, the intended addressee(s) may be
solicited from the elder via in-band or out of band
communications.
[0251] According to one embodiment, a workbench application and
tools are provided to the dispatchers (e.g., the family
dispatcher(s) and/or the communication service provider
dispatcher(s)) to facilitate review and analysis of incoming sets
of scans for dispatch. For example, a tool for quick orientation
flipping may be provided, such as a website "reader" with one click
rotation. As a last resort, a family or communication service
provider dispatcher may initiate a query to the elder through a
communication delivered to the elder's digital mailbox appliance,
by phone, or otherwise.
[0252] FIG. 11 illustrates a sample completed routing form 1100 and
resulting email message 1150 delivered to the addressee according
to one embodiment of the present invention. According to the
present example, the user of the digital mailbox appliance is
supplied with pre-formatted routing forms that allow the user to
"address" correspondence by simply checking off address information
on a routing form. The pre-formatted routing forms may be
periodically mailed to the digital mailbox user or printed on
his/her digital mailbox appliance.
[0253] The routing form 1100 of the present example includes a form
identification barcode 1110 and various information segments, such
as an addressing sector 1120 and a handwriting sector 1130. As will
be described further below, based upon the content and location of
the various sectors as identified by the form type, the forms may
be parsed by image processing routines running on the distribution
server.
[0254] In the example depicted, the user of the digital mailbox
appliance has marked one of the members 1121 of his/her caregroup
as the intended recipient of a brief handwritten message provided
in the handwriting sector 1130. If automated dispatch is desired,
the intended addressee 1121 may be determined by applying various
image processing algorithms to the address sector 1120 as described
further below. For example, in one embodiment, an original version
of the address sector 1120 of the routing form 1100 may be compared
to the completed (marked) version of the address sector 1120 of the
routing form 1100 to determine whether one or more addressees have
been marked.
[0255] According to alternative embodiments, the user of the
digital mailbox appliance may be provided with preprinted addressee
identification labels containing the names and/or photos of the
members of the user's caregroup and identification marks, such as a
barcode, data matrix, semicode, MaxiCode, or the like, uniquely
associated with individual members of the caregroup. The elder
might be encouraged to think of them as addressing "stamps." The
user then "addresses" correspondence prior to scanning by affixing
one or more preprinted labels in a specified area of the routing
form. Identification labels may also be created to represent
certain subgroups of the caregroup members, such as grandkids,
nieces, nephews, children, and everyone. In this manner, the user
of the digital mailbox appliance may easily direct correspondence
to appropriate subgroups of his/her caregroup when appropriate.
According to another alternative embodiment, the user has reusable
addressing card(s) that they lay down on the flatbed along with the
correspondence, photo or clippings they intend to send. Addressing
card variations include, (1) a "to card" for each possible
recipient (and one for everybody--the aggregate) and (2) a single
plasticized card with check boxes for the desired addressee(s).
[0256] Yet another way to simplify addressing of correspondence for
users of digital mailbox appliances is to provide preprinted forms
that are recognized by the communication service provider as being
destined to a specific member of the caregroup or a specific
subgroup. Again, identification marks may be used, such as barcodes
and the like to communicate the information regarding the intended
addressee(s), but in this case the identification marks would be
part of the routing form rather than supplied as preprinted labels.
According to another embodiment, the digital mailbox appliance user
uses any previously received message or digital gift from a
caregroup member as a routing form to identify that caregroup
member as the intended addressee, jots a note (or not) and then
sends the optionally annotated previously received message or
digital gift optionally followed by photos, clippings, or any
number of additional pages. All the scans are gathered up by the
communication service provider and delivered to the original sender
of the message or digital gift. Thus, an elder can send off a quick
thank you note on any digital gift (or even items from the
communication service provider).
[0257] In one embodiment, in order to send an electronic
communication to the indicated addressee(s), the digital mailbox
appliance user places the completed routing form on the flatbed
scanner of the digital mailbox appliance and presses the "Send"
button. In the present example, the result of the user sending the
routing form 1100 is delivery of message 1150 to June. Upon
receiving the scanned image of the routing form 1100, the
communication service provider's infrastructure takes care of the
rest, as described below, for example, by extracting the
handwriting sector 1120 from the scanned image of the routing form
1100 and including the extracted image of the handwriting sector
1120 as an inline image within a standard email message.
Alternatively, the extracted image may be sent as an attachment or
a URL to the extracted image may be sent.
[0258] FIG. 12 illustrates a sample completed return-reply
requested form 1200 that may be created and delivered to a digital
mailbox appliance responsive to a caregroup member request
according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to
the present example, a caregroup member may provide a photo journal
form 1200 to an elder and/or other members of the caregroup to
allow reprints to be ordered of one or more photos or allow the
recipient(s) to vote for a favorite.
[0259] In this example, the photo journal form 1200 includes a form
identification barcode 1210 to allow the communication service
provider to identify and parse the form, a photo sector 1220
depicting a photo and a corresponding selection sector 1230. In
alternative embodiments, one or more pairs of photo sectors 1220
and selection sectors 1230 may be include on a single form. In any
event, the originator of the completed photo journal form 1200 has
marked a "Hard Copy Please" selection from the check-off list to
request a hard copy of the photo depicted in the photo sector 1220.
Various alternative selections are contemplated. For example, the
digital mailbox appliance user, may be provided with the option of
having a digital version of the photo stored as an eCard image
and/or in his/her photo shoebox for future use.
[0260] FIG. 13 illustrates another sample completed return-reply
requested form 1300 that may be created and delivered to a digital
mailbox appliance responsive to a caregroup member request
according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to
the present example, a caregroup member may send a life harvest
album form 1300 to an elder to solicit input regarding one or more
photos as part of a family or caregroup project. The life harvest
form 1300 includes a form identification barcode 1310 in one or
more locations to allow the communication service provider to
identify and parse the form, a photo query sector 1320 which may
include one or more photos for discussion and corresponding
handwritten response sectors 1330 for elder feedback.
[0261] FIG. 14 illustrates another sample completed routing form
1400 that may be provided by the communication service provider to
a digital mailbox appliance user and customized for the user
according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to
the present example, the routing form 1400 includes a form
identification barcode 1410 in one or more locations to allow the
communication service provider to identify and parse the form, an
addressing sector 1420, a handwriting sector 1430, and a check-box
1440 to indicate additional pages will follow.
[0262] In the example depicted, the user of the digital mailbox
appliance has specified broadcast distribution of the written
message in the handwriting sector 1430 message by marking check-box
1421 in the addressing sector 1420 corresponding to distribution to
"everybody" listed in the addressing sector 1420. According to the
present example, if the user of the digital mailbox appliance
intended to scan additional pages to be included as part of the
distribution, then her/she would simply mark check-box 1440. As
described further below, multiple page or continuous communications
may be recognized in various other ways.
[0263] FIG. 15 illustrates a sample coaching message 1500 and
associated form 1510 that may be directed to a digital mailbox
appliance user according to one embodiment of the present
invention. In the present example, a caregroup member, Mike, has
sent coaching message 1500 containing a sample Halloween eCard and
directions to encouraging an elder, Gertrude, to send a Halloween
card to the elder's nephews. The caregroup member has also provided
the elder with an eCard selection form 1510 to further simplify the
task.
[0264] FIG. 16 illustrates a sample completed eCard form 1600
originated at a digital mailbox appliance and a resulting eCard
1650 generated responsive thereto according to one embodiment of
the present invention. In the present example, an elder, Gramps
Ted, has completed eCard form 1600 by marking a desired image 1621
in the selection sector 1620 and providing a personalized message
in the handwriting sector 1630. As will be described further below,
by simply checking boxes a user of a digital mailbox is able to
specify the composition of a customized eCard, such as the
resulting eCard 1650. In the present example, responsive to receipt
and processing of eCard form 1600 by the communication service
provider, the resulting eCard 1650 may be composed by retrieving
the desired image 1621 from the central service database and
combining the retrieved image with handwritten materials extracted
from handwriting sector 1630 of eCard form 1600.
[0265] While the examples of FIGS. 15 and 16 are explained with
reference to a manually initiated coaching message and a specific
holiday, similar coaching messages may be automatically generated
for various other holidays or family "days of note," such as
birthdays, anniversaries, or the like, such as any condition when a
traditional greeting card would be appropriate.
[0266] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing automated dispatch according to one embodiment of the
present invention. In the present example, responsive to a set of
scans uploaded from a digital mailbox appliance, the distribution
server of the communication service provider initiates image
processing at block 1710 to identify the type of predefined form
employed for this particular missive. Typically, the first page of
an elder missive will include form identification marks that allows
a determination to be made regarding which of a predefined set of
forms is represented by the first page of the elder missive. For
example, in one embodiment, the form identification marks are a
barcode that is included on each form in the upper right-hand
corner of the form and the lower left-hand corner of the form.
Various other identification marks and locations may be employed.
For example, barcodes (code 128, code 39, Interleaved, EAN, . . .
etc), data matrix, MaxiCode, OCR (A or B) and other machine
readable codes. Depending upon the particular implementation, there
are certain tradeoffs among identification mark density,
resolution, transmission time, software
availability/price/programmability, etc. that would typically be
evaluated.
[0267] Certain simplifying assumptions made in the automated
dispatch techniques described below include an assumption that
blank page, empty scanner and backside-down page errors are
resolved local to the digital mailbox appliance or at least prior
to execution of this automated dispatch processing. Additionally,
it is assumed that certain physical page placement restrictions are
implemented at the digital mailbox appliance resulting in only
three possible orientations of a scanned version of a form (i.e.,
rightside-up, upside-down and backside-down). Finally, it is
assumed that the item or form identification marks are included at
one or more predetermined locations on each type of form of the set
of predetermined forms. According to one embodiment, the
communication service provider may supply special paper for use
with the digital mailbox appliance to force a specific orientation
in the flatbed scanner. For example, the bottom right hand corner
of the supplied paper may be clipped off to match a feature of the
flatbed scanner and/or the input tray to require a specific
orientation of the paper at scan time.
[0268] Given the above simplifying assumptions, the form
recognition and identification processing need only examine one or
two general locations of the scan (one assuming the form is
rightside-up and one assuming the form is upside-down) for purposes
of locating form identification marks. If a form identification
mark, such as a MaxiCode barcode, is located, then the information
conveyed thereby may then be used to retrieve information regarding
the corresponding form type. For example, the characters of
information represented by a barcode (e.g., the barcode value) may
be used as part of a query to retrieve information from the central
service database of the communication service provider.
[0269] If, at block 1710, no form identification marks are located,
the form type identification process has failed and further
analysis is performed to determine if the current scan is a second
or subsequent page of a multipage message. If form identification
marks are located, however, then as a result of each value defining
a specific form of a set of predefined forms, information regarding
the characteristics of the form now identified may be retrieved. As
described above, each form type may have a set of defined form
segments, such as zero or more address sectors or areas, selection
sectors or areas, and/or handwriting sectors or areas. After having
failed in determining the type of form or having succeeded in
determining the type of form represented by the current scan and
retrieving information regarding the form's characteristics (e.g.,
the number, type and locations of the various included segments),
automated dispatch processing continues with decision block
1720.
[0270] At decision block 1720, a determination is made regarding
the successful identification of a form type associated with the
current scan. If a form type was successfully identified in block
1710, then processing continues with block 1730; otherwise
processing branches to decision block 1725.
[0271] At decision block 1725, it is known that no form
identification marks were located within the current scan. In view
of the simplifying assumptions summarized above, it can be
appropriately deduced that either (1) the current scan "page" was
intended by the originator to be part of a continuing
correspondence and should therefore should be dispatched in
accordance with the prior scan page; or (2) the page of
correspondence represented by the current scan page did not employ
a recognized form.
[0272] A determination is made at decision block 1725 whether the
current scan is intended to be part of a continuing communication.
According to one embodiment of the invention, if additional scanned
images are received within a predefined period of time of a prior
scan, those images are assumed to be included with the previous
image and are sent to the recipients identified in or associated
with the previous image. The communication service provider may
infer that received scans are 2.sup.nd or subsequent pages of a
continuing communication (collectively or individually "follow-on"
pages) based on the timing of the scans and a lack of
identification markings. barcode. In one embodiment, scans are
considered follow-on pages only if they are originally scanned
within a short duration, e.g., seconds to minutes, after the 1st
page form (e.g., a routing form). The duration may be a
configurable parameter set by the communication service provider
and/or an administrating caregiver. If subsequent scans have
different recipient information, however, then the automated
dispatch process will treat such subsequent scans as a new message
to be sent to a new set of recipients identifiable by information
contained within such subsequent scans. In this manner, the elder
is able to send multiple pages to a set of recipients without
having to identify the set of recipients on each page.
[0273] As described earlier, in alternative embodiments, the elder
may check a box on the first page of a correspondence to indicate
whether one or more pages follow. Alternatively, a check box may be
included on follow-on form pages to allow them to be marked by the
user of the digital mailbox appliance as being associated with an
earlier scanned "address" or routing page. Regardless of the
mechanism or algorithm use to make the determination, if, at
decision block 1725, it is determined the current scan is part of a
continuing communication, then processing continues with block
1726. Otherwise, processing continues with block 1755.
[0274] At block 1726, the current scan is marked as a follow-on
page (e.g., a 2.sup.nd or subsequent page of a continuing
communication). According to one embodiment, this marking process
includes modifying information stored in the corresponding scan
data structure in the central service database. As discussed
further below, the composition process notes the existence of
follow-on pages and appends them to the basic missive to be emailed
to the addressee(s).
[0275] At block 1755, the current scan is forwarded to a dispatcher
for manual resolution, e.g., determination of missing information,
such as addressee(s) and/or choices, and/or determination regarding
the current scan's association with earlier scanned pages.
[0276] At block 1730, the form represented by the current scan is
parsed in accordance with the type of form previously identified
and the characteristics thereof. Information typically sought,
identified and/or extracted during form parsing includes one or
more of addressee(s), choices, images spaces, such as handwritten
material, drawings, photos, clippings, etc., and 2.sup.nd or
following pages. According to one embodiment, addressee(s) and
choices may be determined using various image processing
techniques, such as XORing the original sector of the form with the
marked version. In this manner, checked boxes, filled-in boxes and
boxes marked in other ways may be interpreted as a selection of the
addressee or choice associated with the marked box.
[0277] Some information is optionally defaulted within the scan
data structure based upon the barcode value. For example, in the
case of an eCard resulting from a coaching message, the
communication service provider may know a priori the addressee(s)
and need only determine one or more choices and an image region
containing a handwritten message to complete composition of the
missive.
[0278] In one embodiment, information extracted from a form filled
in by the elder may be used to build a digital gift for one or more
addressees. For example, a one-page form, such as eCard form 1600
of FIG. 16, may be used by an elder to select a type of Halloween
eCard for delivery to one or more members of the elder's caregroup.
The form may include an area for selecting one or more addressees
(or the addressees may be determined based on the form
identification barcode 1610), an area for the elder to provide a
hand-written note (e.g., handwriting sector 1630), and a selection
area to indicate choices made, such as a check-off list for
selection of a desired image to be used for the Halloween eCard
(e.g., selection sector 1620). Continuing with the present
Halloween eCard example of FIG. 16, upon receipt of the scanned
image of the eCard form, the form type is determined from the form
identification barcode 1610, the originator may be determined based
upon the form identification barcode 1610 or the unique ID
associated with the digital mailbox appliance, and the addressees
(e.g., the two nephews and an appropriate email address (or
addresses) for delivery, such as their mother's email account) may
be determined based upon information marked by the elder in an
address segment of the form or based upon the form identification
barcode 1610, which may associated the form with a particular
coaching message concerning the nephews. Additionally, a
determination can be made regarding the image the elder has
selected to send (e.g., from a marking in a check box associated
with the desired image 1621). Finally, an image of writing and/or
any additional drawings may be extracted from the handwriting
sector 1630 to form the inside of the eCard being sent.
[0279] According to one embodiment, instructions for composition of
the elder missive based upon the particular form employed are
retrieved from the central service database. The instructions from
the central service database may then be used to compose a
completed missive from the parsed components. This includes
appending follow-on page images to the core document (for example
an embedded handwritten note appended to a birthday card).
[0280] At decision block 1745, a determination is made regarding
the completeness of the missive. If insufficient data is available
to construct the missive (e.g., no marking in a selection section
of the form), then composition cannot be completed, the processing
state is marked in the central service database, a notification is
sent to the dispatcher and processing continues with block 1755. If
sufficient data is available to construct the missive, then
processing continues with block 1750.
[0281] At block 1750, the missive is sent (e.g., emailed) to the
appropriate addressee(s) by the methods specified in their
respective personal information stored in the central service
database. Typically, the specified method is defaulted to the
primary email address.
[0282] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing coaching and monitoring analysis according to one
embodiment of the present invention. While making the interfaces to
the communication service provider for both the caregroup members
and the target of the caregroup exceptionally easy is one mechanism
to influence the quality, quantity, effect and timeliness of
communications; a variety of monitoring and assessment techniques
are also provided according to various embodiments to allow the
administrating caregiver(s) and other authorized family members to
influence communications to and from the elder.
[0283] According to various embodiments, the communication service
provider may be provided limited access to communications exchanged
between members of caregroups and corresponding caregroup targets
for the purpose of facilitating the monitoring of usage of various
technologies and features provided by the communication service
platform and then taking or suggesting actions to administrating
caregivers in response to various observed usage patterns. In one
embodiment, such actions suggested or taken by the communication
service platform are designed to seek to enhance the effectiveness
of the communication system platform in supporting elders, for
example, by stimulating increased communication with the elder if a
drop in communication rate is detected.
[0284] In one embodiment, the communication service provider may be
provided limited access to data that spans multiple caregroups. For
example, while the communication service provider and/or affiliated
researchers may derive statistical baseline data that can be used
to analyze behavior of an elder within a single caregroup, it is
anticipated that data collection and analysis may be performed
across a type of community of caregroups where the associated
elders are demographically or psychographically similar.
[0285] The coaching features may employ a supporting technology
referred to as project templates. An example of a project template
is a user tool that (1) makes it easy for a family member to
initiate a project, such as building a family recipe collection, or
creating a cryptogram puzzle with text of interest to the elder, or
providing a Health Tip of the Week, while (2) allowing the
communication service platform to recognize and track that the
activity is taking place. By monitoring the use of such project
templates, the communication service platform can determine which
system features are being used and which are not, and suggest new
projects and/or activities, if appropriate, in response to a drop
in communication with the elder. Additionally, the communication
service platform may provide guidance and/or direction regarding
potentially useful features of the system that are not being used
spontaneously by members. For example, coaching messages may be
delivered to caregroup members regarding content types they have
not yet used (e.g., eCards, crossword puzzles, family recipes,
carousels for supplying commercial and/or family data streams,
health advice, amusing news, entertainment topics, such as
celebrity gossip and TV and/or movie reviews, special interest
etc.). According to various embodiments of the present invention,
each content type is supported by a corresponding project template
that may act both as a tool to make it easier for caregroup members
to use the associated feature, and as a marker, enabling the
communication system platform to recognize and track the features
being utilized.
[0286] According to one embodiment, administrating caregiver(s),
other authorized family members and personnel associated with the
communication service provider (if desired and authorized by the
caregroup) may be provided with access to a communications
dashboard that presents communication history (under a variety of
novel analyses) and a wide variety of coaching tools that can be
used to influence communications to and from the elder. These
coaching tools may be coupled with subtle (often indirect) coaching
techniques to encourage the creation of digital gifts and other
communications to and/or from the elder.
[0287] At block 1810, various information is measured regarding the
communications exchanged between members of a caregroup and the
target of the caregroup. In one embodiment, information measured
and/or tracked includes number of digital gifts exchanged, time,
date, sources and types of digital gifts and the content employed
(e.g., component images embedded in the digital gifts), the level
of personalization of digital gifts, and key words indicative of
affectiveness of the communication.
[0288] At block 1820, various analyses are performed based upon the
information measured. For example, analysis may be performed to
produce one or more of an affectiveness rating, a rating regarding
intellectual stimulus, and a rating regarding activity inducement.
Digital gifts often include family annotated images. These
annotations allow metrics to be generated regarding the emotional
content of the digital gifts. For example, a digital gift including
an annotated photo that refers to the name or nickname of
grandchildren and/or includes affective terms (e.g., smiling,
happy, . . . etc.) may have a higher affective value rating than a
digital gift including a stock photo. Lexical Semantic Indexing
(LSI) and Lexical Semantic Analysis (LSA) may also be used as one
measure of the similarity between images. Other specific
information available for analysis includes names, nicknames,
kinship, elder ratings of information received (from, for example,
best-of ratings that may occasionally be requested from the elder),
family events from the schedule (birthdays, valentine's day, . . .
etc.).
[0289] Simplistic analysis may involve a count of digital gifts
delivered by member, by type, by time. More complex analysis may
involve rating various parameters, such as affective-emotional
value (A) of communications, intellectual stimulus value (IS) of
communications, and activity induced value (AI) of communications,
based on the content of the communications, e.g., digital gifts and
associated images and text.
[0290] According to one embodiment, digital gifts may be scored
based on the sum of items plus an individual weighting for various
digital gift types. For example, digital gifts may have associated
base rating value tuplets (A, IS, AI) with enhanced points
available for specific content analysis (e.g., use of a family
photo of the grand-daughter over a stock photo, a new stock image
was selected as opposed to using the system supplied first guess,
whether personalized text was added, . . . etc.).
[0291] Scoring a crossword puzzle might proceed as follows. If
delivered as a personalized digital gift from a member of the
caregroup, base gift value of (5, 10, 5). If delivered in stock
form (not personalized), base gift value of (1, 3, 2). Puzzles also
might include associated rating value tuplets (A, IS, AI) based on
difficulty, complexity, number of words, length, subject matter,
etc. Puzzles might have IS ratings of 1 to 10 and AI ratings of 1
to 10. A particular puzzle might have a rating value tuplet of (0,
5, 5). According to the present example, when this particular
puzzle is delivered as a personalized digital gift the total score
would be (5+0, 10+5, 5+5)=(5, 15, 10). In contrast, when this
particular puzzle is delivered without personalization, the total
score would be (1+0, 3+5, 2+5)=(1, 8, 7).
[0292] Scoring a photo essay might proceed as follows. Base gift
value of (5, 2, 0), plus an author bonus of 1 to 10 points (A)
depending on age and kinship, plus a per item bonus of 1 to 10
point (A) for each image included in the photo essay depending upon
the subject matter depicted.
[0293] According to one embodiment, intellectual stimulus of
content from various information feeds and from the central service
database of the communication service provider that are delivered
to elders, such as crossword puzzles, interest based items, . . .
etc., may be rated by the communication service provider based on
the content source or by explicit ratings stored within the central
service database by a content management team associated with the
communication service provider.
[0294] At block 1830, responsive to a selection of a coaching tool
from the dashboard of the communication service provider website
interface by an appropriate caregroup member, the corresponding
coaching editor is displayed. The dashboard may support a number of
coaching and reminding tools and editors available both to the
appropriate family member(s) and the communication service provider
(human-driven and/or automated). Various forms of indirect coaching
and prompting have been found to have a significant impact on the
quantity and quality of communications. According to various
embodiments, authorized family members may use coaching
tools/editors to perform one or more of the following: [0295]
annotate a weekly summary of digital gifts (and in particular their
family photos) sent widely throughout the family, [0296] launch
reminders of upcoming family events (birthdays, father's day, . . .
etc.) with embedded digital gifts ready for immediate sending or
editing (to the elder or other family members), [0297] follow up to
doctor's appointments or physical therapy sessions (could
triangulate with message from doctor or therapist), [0298] send
projects of varying sizes to the elder (e.g., a return-reply
requested form, such as a photo journal (see FIG. 12), a life
harvest album (see FIG. 13), or an eCard form for sending a
birthday card or holiday card to a specific family member (see FIG.
15 and FIG. 16)). Furthermore, these items can be directed through
other family members to broaden the base of communications. [0299]
welcome new members to the caregroup, [0300] notify members of the
availability of new digital gift editors or new content enhancing
existing digital gift editors, [0301] create best-of selections,
[0302] remind members of digital gifts that they have not tried, or
not tried for a significant length of time (this function is
typically automated based upon parameters set by the dashboard
operator), [0303] request additional personal information from
members for the directory and the family schedule (such as birthday
information),
[0304] Examples of various coaching editors are described below. At
block 1840, the coaching editor composes the coaching message
responsive to user input. At block 1850, the coaching editor
receives a list of one or more addressees to which the coaching
message is to be distributed. At block 1860, the coaching message
is distributed to the addressees.
[0305] The dashboard may also enable the user to specify
notifications and/or reminders to be sent to him/herself on
specific conditions (e.g., low levels on specified content
carousels, lack of personalized communications to the elder, lack
of intellectual stimulus items, . . . etc.).
[0306] Similar and/or additional dashboard capabilities may also be
made available to communication service provider operated services.
Thus, the communication service provider may automate various
coaching methodologies for a newly formed caregroup until one or
more family members take responsibility for various services (e.g.,
providing a weekly update of elder deliveries to the caregroup,
notification of new editors of content, event reminders, . . .
etc.).
[0307] Simple coaching (automated and/or manual) is based on use or
nonuse of specific features, or on overall usage levels. But, more
sophisticated coaching may also encourage particular categories of
use as described further below. For example, by examining the
assessed value of communications between caregroup members and the
target of the caregroup and/or usage of various project templates
across a family, the communication service platform may detect that
the family is making little use of features that emphasize
affective content (for example, family photos), or features that
promote cognitive stimulation (for example, puzzles or projects),
and suggest features in these categories. Similarly, if a family is
not using any features that direct health or lifestyle information
to the elders, coaching messages may be used to encourage doing
so.
[0308] According to an alternative embodiment, digital gifts can be
gathered into a daily delivery or "Daily Edition", rather like a
family newsletter. Typically, a cover photo and a table of contents
are used as a cover page. The Digital Edition also plays a useful
role in encouraging communication among family members: when family
members know what the elder is seeing in the Digital Edition, it
stimulates them to communicate more with the elder, and with one
another. That is, one family member's communication prompts
communication by others. According to one embodiment, the
communication service supports this implicit coaching effect by
making Digital Edition contents available to family members on the
Web via the family VPN website, for example.
[0309] FIG. 19 illustrates a user interface screen 1900 depicting a
coaching message editor for a weekly summary according to one
embodiment of the present invention. According to the present
example, the administrating caregiver(s) may periodically, e.g.,
weekly, provide an update or summary to the caregroup regarding
communications among the caregroup members and the user of the
digital mailbox appliance corresponding to the caregroup.
[0310] If the administrating caregiver(s) participate in more than
one caregroup, they initially select the caregroup via a user
interface input object, such as a caregroup dropdown list 1910. The
administrating caregiver may also select the caregroup members to
which this coaching message is to be sent by using user interface
input objects, such as the "Send To" radio buttons 1920 and/or
corresponding dropdown Caregroup member email list.
[0311] According to various embodiments, some types of coaching
message pre-filter (or at least suggest a filtering) of member
addressees. For example: ex-officio members may be filtered from
certain types of coaching messages as appropriate. A welcome
coaching message suggests inclusion of only caregroup members who
have not been introduced to the communication service or website,
or who have not responded to an earlier welcome coaching message.
The weekly summary email newsletter coaching message may filter
caregroup members who have opt-ed out. A coaching message relating
to encouraging the use of a particular digital gift type would
presumably filters any caregroup members who have tried the
particular digital gift type within a specified time period.
Coaching messages requesting personal information may filter
caregroup members who are current with regard to their personal
data.
[0312] Returning to the present example, an "Editions Count"
numeric display field 1930 may provide an indication of the number
of daily deliveries that were sent to the digital mailbox appliance
user during the corresponding period being summarized. The
administrating caregiver may provide text commentary in an "Initial
Text" text input field 1940 explaining the newsletter or pointing
our items of particular interest. Finally, before distributing the
newsletter, the administrating caregiver may preview the newsletter
by selecting the "Preview Newsletter" button 1950. Responsive to
selection of the "Preview Newsletter" button 1950 a user interface
screen may be presented to the administrating caregiver to allow
the newsletter to be viewed in the form in which it will be
distributed according to currently selected parameters, such as
timeframe, recipients, etc.
[0313] FIG. 20 illustrates a review coaching message user interface
screen 2000 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In the present example, the administrating caregiver is provided an
opportunity to review the newsletter prior to distribution to the
list of recipients. The text message entered within the "Initial
Text" text input field 1940 is displayed as introductory text 2020.
A link 2015 is provided to facilitate easy access to the caregroup'
s website and encourage caregroup members to visit the website. The
preview also includes a set of thumbnail image links 2030 to the
various daily deliveries sent to the digital mailbox appliance user
during the period at issue.
[0314] FIG. 21 illustrates a member activity user interface screen
2100 summarizing information regarding communications by members of
a particular caregroup according to one embodiment of the present
invention. In the present example, if the administrating caregiver
participates in more than one caregroup, he/she may select one of
the caregroups via a user interface input object, such as a
caregroup dropdown list 2110.
[0315] Responsive to selection of the caregroup of interest, a
member activity report 2120 may be displayed. In the present
example, the member activity report 2120 includes a name column
2121, a last login column 2122, a number of articles column 2123, a
last article column 2124, a number of items column 2125, and a last
item column 2126. More or fewer columns may be provided depending
upon predetermined or configurable settings associated with the
member activity report 2120. For example, columns may be included
for the individual rating values described above, e.g.,
affectiveness rating, intellectual stimulus rating, and activity
inducement rating.
[0316] The member activity report 2120 may be used by
administrating caregivers and/or customer service representatives
of the communication service provider to make decisions regarding
the types of coaching messages they would like to send and the
targets of such coaching messages. In one embodiment, the
administrating caregiver may sort the various columns 2121-2126 in
ascending or descending order to assist processing of the
information presented in the member activity report 2120. The
administrating caregiver may also select an individual caregroup
member from the member activity report 2120 to obtain detailed
information concerning the selected caregroup member's
communications and activities within the communication system. As
described further below various other charts, meters, tables, and
reports may be provided to the administrating caregiver(s) and/or
customer service operators of the communication service provider.
Such tools may be used to analyze the communications being
exchanged among the caregroup members and the digital mailbox
appliance user corresponding to the caregroup.
[0317] After having used various communications analysis tools, the
administrating caregiver may select a coaching messages tab from
his/her dashboard to choose from a collection of prompt editors.
The administrating caregiver may create special coaching messages
or edit the configurations of automated prompts (e.g. weekly
summary, new gifts, . . . etc.).
[0318] Returning to the present example, the name column 2121 of
the member activity report 2120 lists the members of the selected
caregroup and the digital mailbox appliance user associated with
the selected caregroup. The last login column 2122 indicates the
time and date of the last caregroup website login by the
corresponding caregroup member. The number of articles column 2123
indicates the number of articles that have been contributed to the
daily delivery by the corresponding caregroup member allowing the
administrating caregiver to evaluate the relative participation of
the caregroup members. The last article column 2124 provides
information regarding the date and time of the last article
contributed to the daily delivery by the corresponding caregroup
member allowing the administrating caregiver to see how current the
particular caregroup members' participation in the daily delivery
is. The number of items column 2125 provides information regarding
the number of digital gifts delivered to the user of the digital
mailbox appliance by the corresponding caregroup member. The last
item column 2126 provides information regarding the date and time
of the last digital gift sent by the corresponding caregroup
member.
[0319] FIG. 22 illustrates a drill down member activity user
interface screen 2200 listing communications by a specific member
of a caregroup according to one embodiment of the present
invention. In the present example, the drill down member activity
user interface screen 2200 is presented responsive to selection of
a particular caregroup member by the administrating caregiver from
the member activity report 2120. According to one embodiment the
drill down member activity user interface screen 2200 may display a
drill down member activity report 2210 including a title column
2211, a last updated column 2212 and a view column 2213. As above,
more or fewer columns may be provided depending upon predetermined
or configurable settings associated with the drill down member
activity report 2220. For example, columns may be included for one
or more of individual affectiveness, intellectual stimulus and
activity inducement rating values. Additionally, a column may be
included relating to the various digital gifts sent by the
caregroup member. Alternatively, a separate drill down member
activity report relating to digital gifts may be included among the
communication analysis tools provided to administrating
caregivers.
[0320] In the present example, the title column 2211 of the drill
down member activity report 2210 lists the titles of the various
articles contributed by the selected caregroup member. The last
updated column 2212 indicates the date and time the corresponding
article was last updated. Finally, the view column 2213 provides a
link to the corresponding article to allow the administrating
caregiver to quickly review contributions by the selected caregroup
member.
[0321] FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
2300 for effects of communications delivered to a particular elder
that may be displayed within a user interface screen according to
one embodiment of the present invention. According to the example
illustrated, the effects chart 2300 visually depicts cumulative
assessed rating values in the form of a bar chart for three
exemplary categories of effects, i.e., activity induced 2310,
intellectual stimulus 2320, and affectiveness 2330, by month.
Various other charting formats may be used, e.g., histogram, pie
chart, etc., and differing aggregation timeframes may be used,
e.g., day, week, year, etc. Charting and/or timeframe parameters
may be predefined and user selectable or configurable by the
administrating caregiver.
[0322] FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
2400 of communications delivered to a particular elder by caregroup
member that may be displayed within a user interface screen
according to one embodiment of the present invention. According to
the example illustrated, the communications chart 2300 visually
depicts the cumulative number of communications delivered to the
particular elder in the form of a bar chart by caregroup member
2410-2490 and by month. Various other charting formats may be used,
e.g., histogram, pie chart, etc., and differing aggregation
timeframes may be used, e.g., day, week, year, etc. Charting and/or
timeframe parameters may be predefined and user selectable or
configurable by the administrating caregiver.
[0323] FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary chart or dashboard monitor
2500 of digital gifts by category delivered to a particular elder
that may be displayed within a user interface screen according to
one embodiment of the present invention. According to the example
illustrated, the gift categories chart 2500 visually depicts the
cumulative number of digital gifts delivered to the particular
elder in the form of a bar chart by digital gift category 2510-2560
and by month. Various other charting formats may be used, e.g.,
histogram, pie chart, etc., and differing aggregation timeframes
may be used, e.g., day, week, year, etc. Charting and/or timeframe
parameters may be predefined and user selectable or configurable by
the administrating caregiver.
[0324] FIG. 26 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
performing good guessing according to one embodiment of the present
invention. According to various embodiments of the present
invention, the communication system platform, via caregroup
websites, for example, may provide distinct editors for each
digital gift type. In one embodiment, in order to facilitate the
creation of digital gifts and encourage caregroup members to
participate in digital gift giving to the digital mailbox appliance
user associated with the caregroup, techniques are employed to
establish intelligent defaults for content fields of digital gifts.
These techniques are referred to herein as "good guessing."
[0325] Examples of content fields include an eCard image, the
greeting title text, and the `interior` sentiment and signature
text. According to one embodiment, good guessing is predicated on
data collected by the communication service provider about the
family or caregroup and/or context of the communication or the type
of communication. For example, various information that may be used
during good guessing processing includes one or more of the
following: the caregroup member's biographic information;
information regarding communications history between one or more
members of the caregroup and the focus of the caregroup, such as
the caregroup's specific communications activities, the specific
communication history between the caregroup member and the user of
the digital mailbox appliance; ascertained preferences of the
target of the caregroup, the content created by the caregroup
and/or the particular caregroup member, the type of the digital
gift, and/or any survey data collected regarding their "out of band
communications" (e.g., phone calls, emails between caregroup
members that are not though the communication service provider,
physical visits, etc.). Additionally, images and text included in
digital gifts have associated keywords that may be used in
categorization schemes for specific editors, such as a birthday
card editor. Content supplied by the communication service provider
and used by caregroup members may also have value in a search for a
good guess.
[0326] According to the present example, each content-containing
component of a digital gift has an associated query that is used to
select from content items. Content items have fields for the image
URL, subtitle text, commenting text, source (e.g., caregroup
member, communication service provider staff), date, key-words
(used for categories, etc.), seen (date) over which the queries are
run. At block 2610, the data collected and maintained in the
communication service provider's central service data base is
queried to retrieve potential datum for use in filling the current
content containing digital gift field. For example, the query may
be against the caregroup member's information and communications
history with the user of the digital mailbox appliance and/or with
others. Various other examples of specific data that may be
collected for use in good guessing are described further below.
[0327] At block 2620, a sorting methodology is applied to the
retrieved datum to select a specific retrieved datum for inclusion
in the current content-containing component of the digital gift.
Various sorting techniques may be employed, such as goodness of fit
to various numerical assessments, least recently used,
randomization, etc.
[0328] At decision block 2630, a determination is made whether more
content-containing components remain that have not been assigned a
good guessing default. If so, then processing continues with block
2610; otherwise, processing proceeds to block 2640.
[0329] At block 2640, the selected digital gift is displayed within
the corresponding digital gift editor and each content-containing
field of the digital gift is filled-in with the previously guessed
content.
[0330] As indicated above, good guessing relies upon data collected
and maintained by the communications service provider. Examples of
specific data collected includes information about caregroup
members (such as that entered into a member personal information
user interface screen 2700 like that depicted in FIG. 27), about
the elder/family schedule (such as that entered into an elder's
schedule user interface screen 2800 like that depicted in FIG. 28),
about specific communications (such as a photo essay 2900 like that
depicted in FIG. 29), from occasional surveys that might be
conducted. Data from such surveys might include recollection of
phone calls, recollection of member-member emailing outside of the
communication system platform and recent visits to the elder,
including, duration, topics discussed, . . . etc.
[0331] FIG. 27 illustrates a member personal information user
interface screen 2700 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. Caregroup members or administrating caregivers may enter
various information, such as name, address, phone numbers, email
addresses (including camera phone addresses), birthdate (the year
is recorded but may not be posted), ID photo(s), opt-in coaching
permissions, editing privileges, . . . etc.), nick names, . . .
etc., via a pop-up editor (or pop-ups) as shown 2710 and as
described further below.
[0332] FIG. 28 illustrates an elder's schedule user interface
screen 2800 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In one embodiment, information regarding the elder's and/or the
family's schedule may be provided via user interface screen 2800.
Examples of information that might be entered and maintained on
behalf of a family caregroup include family recognized holidays,
birthdays (from the core member data), events (e.g., a Thanksgiving
reunion), doctor's appointments, . . . etc. Information here can be
used to drive various coaching opportunities to both the elder and
caregroup members.
[0333] FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a user interface screen
2900 depicting a photo essay type digital gift according to one
embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment,
the communication service provider collects and maintains
information about specific communications in order to facilitate
charting and reporting to the administrating caregiver(s) and to
support good guessing.
[0334] Such information collection is simplified by the fact that
all digital gifts delivered are generated from a database record
created by the caregroup member's interactions with a specific
digital gift editor, or parsing of a traditional email. The more
precise the records, the more helpful the coaching and good
guessing will be.
[0335] Information that may be collected regarding a particular
digital gift includes the type of message (e.g., digital gift),
header information (such as source, recipient(s), date, title,
etc.), gift type (e.g., photo essay), creation date, delivery date,
images used (both family content and content supplied by the
communication service provider), various categories of text (such
as that associated with specific images), . . . etc. Images
typically have subtitle and body text associated with them. This
text often contains information that can be correlated and used in
good guessing.
[0336] FIG. 30 illustrates a user interface screen 3000 depicting
an initial (blank) photo essay 3010 (or photo journal) type of
digital gift with embedded edit stimulus markers 3011-3115
according to one embodiment of the present invention. Using the
popup editor mechanism, each field presents (one or more)
presentation components. Thus, responsive to selection of an
editable field, such as 3014, by the end user, an image editor 3016
might present a light table with image content supplied by the
communication service provider, or family images or an image
uploading tool.
[0337] FIG. 31 illustrates a user interface screen depicting a
personalizable ready made eCard type of digital gift resulting from
good guessing according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Within the basic eCard editor 3100 the system has guessed that a
Halloween card is what is likely to be appropriate and in
particular a colorful image of Halloween gourds has been guessed.
It is highlighted yellow because the user has passed the mouse over
the image. Selecting the image brings up a light table of likely
alternative images 3110. Selecting and image from the light table
of likely alternative images 3110 would replace the current eCard
image.
[0338] FIG. 32 illustrates various user interface screen shots,
selection from a collection of digital gifts and good guessing
defaults according to one embodiment of the present invention.
According to the present example, a caregiver has logged into a
caregroup VPN and is taken to a home page 3200 for the caregroup
website, e.g., the "What's new?" page. Here the caregroup member
may be presented with cover photo thumbnails 3211 from the last
week's daily deliveries that have already been delivered to the
elder. Selecting one of the thumbnails 3211 retrieves and presents
an electronic rendering of the corresponding daily delivery.
Selecting a digital gifts button 3210 (2nd from the left on the
navigation bar) the caregroup member is presented with a list of
possible digital gifts 3220 to send the elder (or another member of
the caregroup).
[0339] Upon selecting a digital gift type, a custom editor for the
selected digital gift type is opened. For example, if the caregroup
member indicates he/she would like to send a thank you note by
selecting the "Thank you note" hyper link 3221, then a thank you
note editor 3230 is presented with a thank you note 3240 containing
good guessing defaults for the title 3241, picture 3242, and
sentiment 3243 as described earlier. The good guessing defaults may
be changed by the caregroup member by selecting the particular
content containing element and replacing it with personalized
content. Alternatively, if the caregroup member indicates he/she
would like to send a photo collage by selecting the "Photo collage"
hypertext link 3222, then a photo collage editor 3250 is presented
with recently uploaded photos from the caregroup member's camera
phone. Again, the caregroup member may edit the digital gift before
sending it by adding, deleting and/or replacing photos, for
example.
[0340] FIG. 33 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of
interacting with pop-up forms according to one embodiment of the
present invention. In the example depicted, pop-up form processing
begins at block 3310 responsive to selection of a field or group of
fields by a caregroup member from within an editor, such as a
digital gift editor. At block 3310, an indication of the selected
field or group of fields is received. At block 3320, a pop-up form
corresponding to the selected field or group of fields is presented
to the caregroup member. After the caregroup member has made the
appropriate choices and/or provided the requested information and
submitted the pop-up form, at block 3330, an indication is received
by the originating editor that the pop-up form has been completed.
Then, at block 3340, the originating editor is re-rendered based
upon the information submitted via the pop-up editor thereby giving
the caregroup member real-time feedback regarding the effects
his/her decisions/selections have on a digital gift being created,
for example.
[0341] FIG. 34 illustrates customization and re-rendering of a
pop-up in the context of a note editor according to one embodiment
of the present invention. Continuing with the example discussed
with reference to FIG. 32, upon receiving an indication by a
caregroup member that he/she would like to create a thank you note,
the "thank you note" editor 3230 is presented with "good guesses"
regarding appropriate content for fields, such as a likely image
for picture field 3232, within the thank you note 3240. Note the
"Send it!" button 3270 in the lower right hand corner of the thank
you note editor 3230. The thank you note 3240 is ready to go if the
caregroup member is satisfied with the defaults selected by the
good guessing process. If the caregroup member likes what they see
they can send the thank you note 3240 immediately.
[0342] As described earlier, the thank you note editor 3230 employs
good guessing to supply the likely image, text for the title, and
even a draft sentiment (derived from the message type,
communications histories of both the caregiver and the elder, and
numbers of other parameters). If the caregroup member would like to
revise one of the editable components, such as the image for
picture field 3232, they are highlighted in some manner to indicate
their editability, for example, by being bordered with a dashed red
outline. In the present example, the caregroup member has selected
the picture field 3232 to choose a different image. Selecting the
picture field 3232 brings up a pop-up window 3400 providing a table
of options 3410. Choosing a personal picture of the grand daughter
3415 from the table of options 3410 causes the thank you note
editor 3230 to re-render the revised thank you note 3260 (which now
includes the selected image 3415 in the picture field 3232) to send
or modify further.
[0343] FIG. 35 illustrates examples of various pop-ups 3510-3560
according to one embodiment of the present invention. Pop-up 3510
is an example of a pop-up window that may be used to change the
title and text associated with a picture in the caregroup member's
shoebox. Pop-up 3520 is an example of a pop-up window that may be
used to change the delivery date of an article submitted by a
caregroup member for publication in a daily delivery. Pop-up 3530
is an example of a pop-up window that may be used to allow a
caregroup member to select a picture from the caregroup member's
shoebox. Pop-up 3540 is an example of a pop-up window that may be
used to provide an administrative caregiver with mutually exclusive
options from which to select for configuring various parameters
within the caregroup VPN. Pop-up 3550 is an example of a pop-up
window that may be used to edit groups of related fields, such as
biographic information and contact information. Pop-up 3560 is an
example of a pop-up window that may be used to change text
associated with a picture in the context of a photo essay or photo
journal digital gift, for example.
[0344] FIG. 36 illustrates examples of various digital gifts
according to one embodiment of the present invention in the form of
a collage including a personalized weekly calendar digital gift
3610, an astronomy picture of the day digital gift 3615, a daily
delivery publication digital gift 3620, an orchid of the day
digital gift 3625, an annotated cartoon digital gift 3630, a
personalized (eCard) birthday card digital gift 3635, a crossword
puzzle digital gift 3640, a daily jokes digital gift 3645, a kid
art digital gift 3650, a photo essay digital gift 3655, a photo
collage digital gift 3660, a family weather digital gift 3665, a
web clipping digital gift 3670.
[0345] As should be appreciated, various art and projects from the
elder's grand children or other relatives serve as particularly
valued contributions to the daily delivery. In pilot studies, both
the elder and all the adult caregroup members remarked in surveys
on their particular pleasure in these occasional contributions.
[0346] A favorite family photo with the next week's schedule of
events, maintained as part of the Discussion site, for example, may
serve as the raw material. Any family member can use the calendar
Digital Gift to provide a calendar that the elder can print out and
post. The weekly calendar is of particular interest because it may
serve as a mechanism for family members to coach the elder for
upcoming events such as doctor's appointments, family visits, the
monthly hair appointment, physical therapy, . . . etc.
[0347] FIG. 38 illustrates a specific example of a Halloween card
3800 sent during a field test implemented by the assignee of the
present invention. In this specific example, the family "knew he
was back to his old self' when the elder decorated the Halloween
card 3800 he was sending with his old "mustachioed Portuguese guy"
logo humorously adapted as a pumpkin face 3810.
[0348] FIG. 39 illustrates examples of various samples of coaching
or therapeutic digital gifts according to one embodiment of the
present invention in the form of a collage. Family members may find
a myriad of ways to exploit digital mailbox communications to
encourage, to coach, to stimulate, to facilitate, to remind, to
test, to strengthen the spirit of their loved ones. According to
the present example, the coaching or therapeutic digital gifts
include, a typical cheerful get well card 3900, a weekly schedule
3910: reminders of appointments, therapy, . . . coupled with a
favorite family picture encouraging putting the schedule on the
refrigerator door, Information on an AARP safe driver program--a
web clipping that a niece gathered upon request 3920, a crossword
puzzle sent to provide intellectual stimulus, or to help pass the
time while convalescing 3930, Just a quick sharing-life pick-me-up
of a CameraPhone collage 3950, an actual clinical screening test
for depression (clipped from the web) 3940. There are similar tests
for Addictive behaviors, anxiety, chronic fatigue, abuse, alcohol
assessment, nutrition assessments, geriatric depression, stress, .
. . etc.
EXAMPLES
[0349] As a result of the flexibility provided by the various
embodiments of the communication system and methods described
herein, it should be appreciated that it is not feasible to
comprehensively describe all possible usage scenarios and
interactions between or among the participants. Consequently, while
various treatment and diagnosis examples are provided below in
order to facilitate understanding of the flexible nature of the
described communication system, the examples should not be
considered to be all-inclusive or static. Furthermore, the examples
should not be considered mutually exclusive.
Example #1
Coaching Physical Therapy
[0350] The assignee of the present invention observed during a
field trial that one of Elder A's daughters was sending him bawdy
barroom style jokes. This had not been a previous characteristic of
their interactions so it was investigated. It turns out that she
was sending the jokes for Elder A to use with his fellow `senior
guys` at Physical Therapy sessions. Elder A had become `mister joke
man.` Interviewing the daughter, it turns out she was doing this to
remotely encourage (and monitor) Elder A's attendance at physical
therapy. The jokes not only gave Elder A a kind of social currency
and status at physical therapy but also gave his daughter an excuse
to find out how the `boys` liked it thereby checking in on Elder
A's attendance at an activity that heretofore he had eschewed. The
daughter was both enabling and coaching Elder A's attendance in a
socially acceptable manner without appearing to nag. The precursor
communication system made the finding and delivery of the jokes a
minimal task for the daughter. In this case, the monitoring was
typically done during weekly or bi-weekly phone calls in which the
jokes were a regular source of conversation.
Example #2
Alertment
[0351] FIG. 37 is a graph illustrating a sample plot of an elder's
response rate over time. Within one embodiment of the closed
communication system, family members are provided with the ability
to observe both the frequency of elder responses to various types
of inquires as well as the quality of the responses (both the
handwriting as well as the substance of the missive--humor, with, .
. . etc.). Because the missives are archived, they are easy to
count over time as well as permitting specific examination. So,
observations regarding increases in the micrographic nature of the
elder's handwriting might be indicative of onset or worsening of
Parkinson's disease. Decreases in the number of responses as shown
in the response rate graph 3800 or a "flattening" of the content
might warn family members of the approach of a depressive state or
cycle. Consequently, a drop off in responses (quantity and quality)
with respect to one individual or in the aggregate may indicate the
onset or worsening of a particular physical or mental condition,
disorder, disability or illness, injury, or chronic condition of
the elder.
Example #3
Engendering a Purpose
[0352] Imagine a mother and daughters having a joint project to
collect, present, and publish to the family mom's recipes. Various
embodiments of the communication system platform described herein
support and amplify such an effort even though it might involve
multiple members of a caregroup spread across the continent.
Imagine the daughters doing test preparations of each of the
recipes with their children and taking pictures of the activity as
well as the results. These materials can then be gathered into a
publication (online or in book form) to be shared though-out the
family. This kind of activity not only provides a shared activity
between a mother and her distant daughters but it actually can
define a purpose for the elder. These kinds of purposeful
activities are known to extend the health and well-being of
participating elders.
Example #4
Putting Granny in-the-Flow of Complex Family Life
[0353] In days gone by multi-generation living meant that as Granny
aged she sat on a rocker by the hearth. From here she watched the
kids running in and out, gave occasional advice, and told stories.
GrannySnap seeks to reintroduce a significant part of that
activity. In one embodiment, GrannySnap is a CameraPhone
application that caregroup members can configure online and
download from the family's website. In turns the CameraPhone into a
direct pipeline from camera to a digital gift scheduled for the
next delivery to grandma. In alternative embodiments, GrannySnap
functionality may be configured on the CameraPhone too, plus it may
be loaded from places other than the family's website. In a
preferred embodiment, GrannySnap allows "one button" routing of
content from a CameraPhone to a predefined online area.
[0354] Say the kids are going to the zoo (in St. Louis, Granny is
in San Diego). Turning on GrannySnap, dad takes pictures of the
kids watching the elephant, mocking the apes, and petting the
llama. The pictures are automatically sent to a collage for 8 AM
delivery to Granny. This provokes a response from Granny commenting
on her experiences with her favorite horse when she was growing up.
This provokes a phone call from the granddaughter, Maria, because
she is writing a report on rural living for her social studies
class. These kinds of interactions give Granny her place across the
generations, give her specific activities, and stimulate her memory
and social interaction skills. These are exactly they types of
social and productive activities that Thomas Glass and the
MacArthur Foundation have show to improve the quality and extend
the life of the elderly. This example not only shows putting the
elder into the flow of the family, it shows how digital gifts
provoke both return gifts but also engender positive activity on
the part of the elder.
Example #5
Reawakening Thoughts
[0355] Fifteen years ago, one of the elders involved in a field
test administered by the assignee of the present invention was an
active orchid fancier. He owned a greenhouse, bought, sold,
collected and traded specimens, and actively attended orchid shows.
This interest was moribund. An orchid of the day digital gift
stimulated this dormant interest. Orchids are once again a subject
of interest for the elder, and a positive topic of communication
between the elder and family members. The elder explains to family
members (who can share the daily content over the web) his personal
knowledge of particularly interesting specimens and reminisces of
the days when he collected specimens in Costa Rica.
Example #6
Intellectual Stimulus I
[0356] Verghese, et al. (2003). Asserts " . . . elderly persons who
did crossword puzzles four days a week had a risk of dementia that
was 47 percent lower than among subjects who did puzzles once a
week." Different elders have different preferences: for example
crosswords, jumbles, chess, brain teasers, . . . etc. Caregroups
are encouraged to pick and choose intellectual stimulus that the
elder is interested in. Various embodiments of the communication
service described herein may automate, monitor, and notify
interested members in the stimuli provided. The communication
service may also provide answer tools and monitor elder
performance. The sociology of what degree of monitoring and
notification is desirable varies from caregroup to caregroup
depending on family sociology, elder preferences and the specific
circumstances of the elder. The communication system may leave
these issues as configurable parameters by the caregroup.
[0357] Doug's father, Jack (age 90), used to be a crossword puzzle
fiend, but has stopped doing puzzles in the last few years. Jack
and Doug have always enjoyed father-son friendly competitions:
golf, fishing, etc. but due to Jack's age and Doug now living
several hours away, these outings have stopped. Using the a
communication service in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, Doug arranges to send Jack a crossword puzzle 3
times per week. It's just a digital gift that he sets for automatic
delivery Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Saturday is "challenge
day" since Doug just doesn't have the time to do the challenge
during the work week. Jack and Doug compare answers by phone on
Saturday afternoon. Jack tells his physician that he "feels great
getting his brained exercised, and loves having a weekly challenge
with his son, now that they can't play golf or fish anymore."
Example #7
Intellectual Stimulus II
[0358] A variety of games, such as family turn taking games, can be
integrated into the communication service platform. For example,
Scrabble can be played with 0 to 3 other family members. Note that
the communication service platform may automate one or more
players, thus filling in for a family member who misses a day. Some
will prefer to play a day-a-move chess game with a favorite
grand-niece. These activities provide several purposes. They
provide: 1) significant intellectual stimulus, 2) daily connection
with family members, 3) a tool for the other gamers to monitor the
elder's behaviors, 4) an anticipated activity for the elder to fill
an otherwise lonely day.
Example #8
Affective Communications I (Kid Art)
[0359] One of the strongest effects in sustaining or recovering
well-being is interest and love being expressed by the youngest
members of an elder's social network. In a large percentage of
Alzheimer's cases the primary caregiver is an aging spouse. The
incidence of high stress and depression in such cases is high.
Attendant with the ever accelerating responsibilities to the
resident caregiver is a sense of isolation and a feeling of caring
the burden alone. Various embodiments of the communication system
platform described herein permit family members from across the
country to not only send items to the ailing elder but also the
burdened spouse. Everyday family members are checking in, buoying
the spirits with news of grandchildren, just showing that they are
thinking of the caregiver. Family members may also monitor the
spirit of the elder on an almost everyday basis. All of the
observations made about being able to have earlier recognition of
depressive behaviors hold for the caregiver as well as the
Alzheimer's patient.
Example #9
Coaching II
[0360] There are several barriers to increasing the amount and
effectiveness of communications with the elderly.
[0361] Lack of Awareness: With our busy lives even our dearest
family members drop off our day-to-day radar. Various embodiments
of the present invention address that in several ways: [0362]
Receipt of weekly updates regarding various digital gifts to and
from the elder. Seeing the photos or greeting cards or other
missives going to grandma reminds each of the members in the
caregroup of their impulse to tell her they care. [0363] Receipt of
simple direct hand-written messages from Grandma directly to the
members of her caregroup delivered to their electronic world (e.g.,
email or cell phone). [0364] Automated and/or member-to-member
coaching messages and/or self notifications providing regular
reminders of easy, fun and novel digital gifts to send.
[0365] Lack of Time: None of us has a lot of time in our busy
lives. Embodiments of the present invention, respects the caregroup
members' time by: [0366] Providing a large number of specialized
editors designed to suggest and speedily compose a wide variety of
evocative and stimulating digital gifts that can be created and
sent in as little as 10 seconds.
Example #10
Diagnosis I
[0367] In June, Elder A is able to complete a reasonably complex
crossword puzzle and is proud of the accomplishment. In September,
Elder A is unable to complete a similar level of crossword puzzle
and expresses frustration to caregiver who sent puzzle. The
communication system flags this and also has monitored other signs
of decline (use of the digital mailbox appliance), level of
communications, handwriting, etc. To support this use, the family
caregiver could use the communication system to administer periodic
checks/tests to monitor the status of the elder. The communication
system prompts the administrator to check to see if there has been
any change in treatment, such as new medications, with any of the
primary caregiver, the elder, or the ex officio healthcare
professional.
Example #11
Diagnosis II
[0368] Based on significant experience with widely disseminated
supported communications networks, it is determined that, once a
network has been established, a level of elder activity sending at
least 5 messages a week and completing one puzzle or game per week
indicates a healthy status for a certain user demographic (e.g.,
female, widowed, age 75-78). When variations from this level of
usage occur, a caregiver is notified. Patterns of communication are
determined, so that it is possible to have a better prognosis of
the progression of a condition, such as Alzheimer's disease. For
instance, if the number of messages, length of message or number of
network members contacted decline over a period of time, it may be
possible, based on studying large numbers of elders, to predict
when certain stages of disease may be reached. This may be useful
to provide additional time to caregivers to determine additional
health care requirements (for instance, arrange for long term care
facility, move elder to a different place). Another potential
measure might be the rate of elder response to explicit coached
replies, such as return-reply requested forms, eCard order forms, .
. . etc.
Example #12
Diagnosis III
[0369] Various embodiments of the communication system monitor
usage by primary caregiver(s) to see if data or communication
pattern changes could signal stress, depression or decline for this
person. As an example, over time the system may establish that as
communication by an elder declines, communication from a resident
relative caregiver increases. In the event of Elder Y, as
communication decreases, the communication from Elder Y's spouse,
X, decreases at an even faster rate. The system could notify other
caregivers, which might suggest a visit by another family member,
or that the spouse see their physician or generate health tip
coaching for the caregiver.
Example #13
Recovery from an Injury
[0370] Gertrude, age 84, breaks her hip in a fall in her home. Oven
the next months she is taken to the emergency room, has hip
replacement surgery, goes from the hospital to a convalescence
facility for several weeks and for a final recovery two months with
her daughter whole lives 5 miles from her home. All during this
time from the hospital until she is back at home her digital
mailbox is moved along with her: anywhere she has a phone line she
remains connected. Better still her mailbox only requires paper and
pencil. Her support group uses it not only to send her messages of
concern and pleasant missives but also: [0371] Digital gifts
keeping her up to date on the Halloween season with the kids she
missed and the Thanksgiving with her son John's family in North
Carolina she had to forgo, [0372] Sally, her daughter, notified all
the family (including the cousins in Newark) ("It's so nice that
they all either called or send a get well card".), [0373] Puzzles
and entertainment to keep her occupied and her mind alert ("that TV
can be so deadening if you look at it all day"), [0374] Information
from web clippings on typical recovery processes for her age group,
[0375] Resumed the running scrabble game she was playing on a daily
basis with the kids in Omaha, [0376] Continued gathering of her
comments on the compilation of family recipes that her daughter
Mary has been conducting with her over the previous 6 months,
[0377] Reconnected with her niece in Wisconsin ("isn't it nice how
even a disaster can bring us all back together again"), [0378]
Coordinating her various moves (e.g. to the convalescence home)
with her daughter, [0379] Getting encouragement from several
members in her support group on the 6 day a week physical therapy
sessions ("including those weird Ballard Street cartoons from
Jenny--what is that about anyway?"), [0380] Arranging for regular
delivery of the prescription medications that her doctors want her
to use during recovery (Sally sent her that data showing her the
benefits of this new pain medication and assuring her that it has
no addictive effects. "Who trusts doctors anyway?"), [0381] Letting
the room therapist in the hospital keep the family up to date on
Gertrude's early progress,
[0382] This example extends to virtually any long term care,
recovery or convalescence--cancer, heart operation, back surgery,
diabetes, . . . etc. It also shows the richness of purpose and
effect that the many members of Gertrude's social support network
can have, each helping just a little to accumulate to a great
effect on Gertrude. Speeding her recovery, keeping her on track
with her therapy regimens, keeping her spirits up in a situation
that threatens isolation, loneliness and depression, helping with
life's minor problems made impossible by being immobile, monitoring
her progress without being pests.
Example #14
Injury (Memory) and Physical Therapy Compliance
[0383] John, age 36, is recovering from brain surgery which
occurred after he was injured when a rock came through his
windshield. He has had difficulty recalling events prior to the
accident and has twice weekly physical therapy sessions as well as
daily exercises he is supposed to do. By using the a communication
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
John's family support network is able to send him pictures of past
events, along with descriptions of the event. For example, his
sister Beth sent him pictures from a camping trip they had taken
several years earlier and this triggered memories of fly-fishing
for John. In addition, John's digital mailbox appliance prints out
a daily schedule, including physical therapy appointments and
reminders to perform his exercises. In time, John recovered most of
his memories and completes his physical therapy. John's physician
felt that there had been noticeable improvement in John after the
communication system was put in use, and that the communication
system had assisted John's recovery in several aspects: a)
assisting memory recall; b) noticeable improvement in physical
therapy compliance and c) general feeling of well-being due to the
feelings of support and affection he received from his family.
Example #15
Reducing the Risk of Substance Abuse
[0384] Rex, age 70, is a caregiver for Ethel, who is suffering from
Alzheimer's disease. Their closest family members live several
hundred miles away. Rex has a history of alcohol abuse, although he
has been sober for 2 years, and the family is concerned that with
the additional stresses of caring for Ethel, Rex may start drinking
again. By using a communication system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention to communicate with Rex and
Ethel, the family is able to reduce caregiving stress and
associated likelihood of depression for Rex by supporting Ethel and
reducing Rex's sense of isolation. In addition, by targeting
specific coaching and support messages for Rex, such as
encouragement to attend church, exercise and play cards with some
friends who don't drink, the likelihood or Rex abusing alcohol is
reduced. Finally, the family is able to monitor Rex's behavior and
can intervene if they detect he has started drinking again.
Example #16
Drug Therapy Compliance
[0385] Jane is a widow, age 79, who suffered from diabetes, high
cholesterol and early stage Alzheimer's disease. Jane, like many
elderly patients, was taking 4 different prescription drugs, which
had different pills, different doses (number of pills) and
different dosing schedules. As Jane aged, she found it increasingly
difficult to properly comply with her various drug regimens and her
physician was concerned that this would compromise her health and
ability to live independently. Using a communication system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Jane's
physician and daughter customized a Digital Gift that provided Jane
with a simple daily schedule and checklist for her prescriptions,
which she used to check off and send back to the daughter and the
physician's office each day. The problem was resolved for almost 18
months and Jane was able to continue to live independently until
she was involved in a car accident, at which time she was placed in
a resident care facility.
Example #17
System Generated Healthcare Provider Alert
[0386] Using the drug therapy compliance example above, during the
18 month period of system use, during month 7, the physician
prescribed a drug to help Jane sleep better. In the following week,
Jane's communications with family members dropped significantly,
and she failed to return 1 of her daily prescription checklists.
The system alerted the administrating caregiver (daughter) and
physician, who had earlier set up the system to alert them to
changes in communication volume and for missed daily reports. The
daughter phoned Jane, who complained that she was feeling "tired
and drowsy" and the physician adjusted the dose to resolve the
problem. Jane's system usage then returned to prior levels.
Example #18
Reduced Stress, Depression and Risk of Disease in Elder and Primary
Caregiver
[0387] A controlled study comparing 30 families with elders
suffering from Alzheimer's disease who used a prototype
communication system to 30 families with elders suffering from
Alzheimer's disease who did not use such a system is being
conducted. After the first year of this five-year study,
researchers have concluded: [0388] i) that the amount of family
communication with the elder has increased by 35%; [0389] ii) that
in the communication system using families, the elder is twice as
likely to receive a daily communication from a family member than
the non-user elders; [0390] iii) that elders in the communication
system group reported a higher level of well being, lower levels of
depression and stress, and fewer new health problems than the
control group; [0391] iv) that compliance with drug and physical
therapy regimens was significantly higher in the communication
system using group of elders; [0392] v) that primary caregivers in
the communication system using group reported significantly lower
levels of stress, depression and new health problems than the
control group. [0393] vi) that participating family members of the
communication system using group reported a higher level of well
being and involvement and lower levels of stress and depression
over elder care than family members in the control group.
[0394] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to
these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes,
variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to
those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention, as described in the claims.
* * * * *
References