Home management and personal assistance using a mobile communication device

Abstract

A method of home management and personal assistance using a mobile communication device can include detecting a home protection event. The method can also include wirelessly conveying the event to the mobile communication device through a data connection via a proxy. The method can further include presenting an indication of the home protection event upon the mobile communication device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 486,018, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 10, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 490,717 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 29, 2003, the entirety of both applications is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to the field of mobile communications and, more particularly, to the use of a mobile communication device to provide home management and personal assistance functions. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Home automation systems, or smart homes, have been available to consumers for many years and offer a wide variety of functions. For example, a smart home can provide automatic timed control of lights and appliances. Additionally, a smart home can allow a homeowner to remotely monitor and / or control househol...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention provides a method, system, and apparatus for providing remote management and personal assistance functions using a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone. More specifically, a mobile communication device can facilitate mobile communication with a home automation system in order to provide remote control and monitoring of household devices, as well as notify the user of emergency household events. Additionally, the mobile communication device can present real-time weather information to the user. Further, the mobile communication device can provide weather advice, such as how to protect oneself from the weather outside the home.

Problems solved by technology

However, the operator interface devices used to control smart homes are typically intended for the technically-savvy, and can be intimidating to persons who are mentally or physically challenged, such as the elderly.

For example, it can be difficult for elderly individuals to ascertain the weather when they need to leave their homes.

Current methods for checking weather include the Internet, which can be intimidating for elders to access, or radio and television.

Further, exposure to direct sunlight and other environmental factors can cause an externally-mounted thermometer to render inaccurate readings.

Moreover, an elderly person may need to venture outside in inclement weather in order to read a thermometer mounted outside of the home.

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