REMOTE MOTION MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20090273444A1
• Filed: 03/13/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,344,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/47 using RFID associated with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for motion monitoring. In an embodiment, a plurality of self-powered active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transmitters are each configured to intermittently transmit radio frequency pulse at a rate proportional to motion, containing identification information. The pulse produced by each of the RFID transmitters are received and analyzed at a receiver. The analysis results in the identification of pattern of activity, which is used to produce meaningful data regarding the motion of a user. The RFID transmitters may be provided on a wearable tag.

Claims

1. A motion monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of self-powered active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transmitters each configured to intermittently transmit RF pulses at a rate proportional to motion of a user wearing said RFID transmitters, wherein each RFID transmitter comprises identification information pertaining to a pattern of activity being performed by a user; and

a receiver adapted to receive and analyze said RF pulses produced by each of said RFID transmitters to identify said pattern of activity and produce meaningful data characterizing said pattern of activity.

2. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of RFID transmitters are positioned on various parts of a body of said user.

3. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said pattern of activity comprises physical movements being performed by said user.

4. The motion monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said RFID transmitters positioned on a first user comprise unique said RF pulses differentiated over RF pulses transmitted by RFID transmitters positioned on a second user.

5. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said RFID transmitters are configured on a wearable tag.

6. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is adapted to record said RF pulses for future analysis.

7. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is adapted to qualitatively differentiate between different patterns of activity.

8. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said receiver is adapted to calibrate and re-calibrate said motion.

9. The motion monitoring system of claim 8, wherein said receiver is calibrated based on said pattern of activity.

10. The motion monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a server adapted to receive said meaningful data from said receiver.

11. The motion monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said server is adapted to store and analyze said meaningful data over a period of time to produce reports.

12. A self-powered active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag worn by a user performing various types of motion, wherein the tag is adapted to transmit information pertaining to said motion, said tag comprising:

an accelerometer adapted to sense motion to produce an electric charge;

a charge storage element adapted to store said electric charge up to a predefined threshold;

a discharging element adapted to discharge the stored electric charge upon reaching said predefined threshold; and

an RFID device adapted to produce a wireless RF pulse with identification information and motion information upon receiving said stored electric charge.

13. The tag of claim 12, wherein said accelerometer comprises a triaxial piezoelectric accelerometer.

14. The tag of claim 12, wherein said electric charge produced is proportional to said motion.

15. The tag of claim 12, wherein said charge storage element comprises a capacitor.

16. The tag of claim 12, wherein said discharging element comprises any of a switch and a gate.

17. A method for monitoring physical motion of a user, said method comprising:

attaching at least one Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transmitter on said user;

converting physical motion of said user into electric charge at the RFID transmitter;

charging a charge storage element from said electric charge;

discharging said charge storage element based on a predefined threshold;

activating an RFID device using said electric charge to produce an RF pulse containing identification information and motion information; and

transmitting said RF pulse from said RFID transmitter to a receiver to analyze a pattern of said physical motion of said user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

producing meaningful data at said receiver, wherein said meaningful data characterizes said pattern of activity;

transmitting said meaningful data to a server; and

storing and analyzing said meaningful data to produce reports.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said RFID transmitter comprises a triaxial piezoelectric accelerometer adapted to sense said physical motion.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the accelerometer is adapted to charge said charge storage element at a level proportional to said physical motion.