Medical safety monitor system

• US 20090121863A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rich Prior
• Original Assignee: Rich Prior
• Inventors: Prior, Rich
• Application Number:
  US11/985,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20090121863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.120
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/04 responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons G08B21/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A medical alert system is presented. The system includes a remote control unit wearable by an individual. A motion sensor outputs a signal indicative of motion of the individual where an absence of signal indicates a potential need for medical assistance. A low power circuitry processes the signal to determine the absence of signal. The circuitry outputs a first signal after a first period of time when the absence of signal has been detected and a second signal after a second period of time when the absence of signal has been detected. A transmitter is responsive to the first and second signal transmits an alert signal indicating need for the medical assistance. The alert signal is repeated at intervals of the first period of time. An alert signal receiver module is configured to receive the transmitted alert signal and notify proper authorities of a medical or situation.

Claims

1. A wearable medical alert apparatus comprising:

a housing for containing the apparatus wearable by an individual;

a motion sensor contained within said housing, said motion sensor outputting a signal indicative of motion of said individual where an absence of signal indicates a potential need for medical assistance for said individual;

low power circuitry, contained in said housing, for processing said signal to determine said absence of signal, said circuitry outputting a first signal after a first period of time when said absence of signal has been detected for a duration of said first period of time, said circuitry outputting a second signal after a second period of time, said second period of time being substantially longer than said first period of time, when said absence of signal has been detected for a duration of said second period of time; and

a transmitter, contained in said housing, responsive to said first and second signal for transmitting an alert signal indicating need for said medical assistance when said first signal and said second signal is output by said circuitry and said alert signal is repeated at intervals of said first period of time.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first switch, contained in said housing, operable to cancel transmission of said alert signal when activated.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising a second switch, contained in said housing, operable to enable said transmitter to transmit said alert signal when activated.

4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said motion sensor further outputs a large signal indicative that said individual has fallen and potentially needs medical assistance, said circuitry processes said signal to determine said large signal and outputs a third signal in response thereof and said transmitter responsive to said third signal for outputting said alert signal.

5. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a threshold for detection of said absence of signal.

6. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting said duration of said second period of time.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said circuitry comprises discrete analog and logic components to minimize the power requirements.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said transmitter is configured for short-range transmission to a dedicated receiver.

9. A wearable medical alert apparatus comprising:

means for containing the apparatus wearable by an individual;

means for outputting a signal indicative of motion of said individual where an absence of signal indicates a potential need for medical assistance for said individual;

means for processing said signal to determine said absence of signal and outputting a trigger signal indicating that said absence of signal has been detected for a duration; and

means for transmitting an alert signal in response to said trigger signal.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for canceling transmission of said alert signal.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for manually triggering said transmitter to transmit said alert signal.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for detecting a large signal indicative that said individual has fallen and potentially needs medical assistance and triggering said transmitter to output said alert signal.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting a threshold for detection of said absence of signal.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising means for adjusting said duration.

15. A medical alert system comprising:

a remote control unit comprising;

a housing for containing said unit wearable by an individual;

a motion sensor contained within said housing, said motion sensor outputting a signal indicative of motion of said individual where an absence of signal indicates a potential need for medical assistance for said individual;

low power circuitry, contained in said housing, for processing said signal to determine said absence of signal, said circuitry outputting a first signal after a first period of time when said absence of signal has been detected for a duration of said first period of time, said circuitry outputting a second signal after a second period of time, said second period of time being substantially longer than said first period of time, when said absence of signal has been detected for a duration of said second period of time;

a transmitter, contained in said housing, responsive to said first and second signal for transmitting an alert signal indicating need for said medical assistance when said first signal and said second signal is output by said circuitry and said alert signal is repeated at intervals of said first period of time; and

a first switch, contained in said housing, operable to cancel transmission of said alert signal when activated; and

an alert signal receiver module comprising;

a receiver configured to receive said transmitted alert signal; and

an alert module for notifying proper authorities of a medical or situation.

16. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a second switch, contained in said housing, operable to enable said transmitter to transmit said alert signal when activated.

17. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said motion sensor further outputs a large signal indicative that said individual has fallen and potentially needs medical assistance, said circuitry processes said signal to determine said large signal and outputs a third signal in response thereof and said transmitter responsive to said third signal outputs said alert signal.

18. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising means for adjusting a threshold for detection of said absence of signal.

19. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising means for adjusting said duration of said second period of time.

20. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein said circuitry comprises discrete analog and logic components to minimize the power requirements.