Motion Sensing Necklace System

• US 20150123785A1
• Filed: 11/05/2013
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NICE North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Linear LLC (Melrose Industries Plc)
• Inventors: HAFLINGER, James J., SWEENEY, Jeffrey M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,805,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait

Abstract

A motion sensing necklace comprising includes a pendant attached to lower ends of two lanyards. The pendant includes a help button for a user to generate a signal for help, and a battery to power the motion sensing necklace. A neck strap is attached to upper ends of the first and second lanyards. Two motion sensors are located within opposing ends of the neck strap. A microprocessor located within the neck strap processes signals from the motion sensors to determine whether motion has occurred. A transmitter or transceiver located within the neck strap transmits motion detection signals and alerts generated by the microprocessor.

Claims

1. A motion sensing necklace comprising:

a pendant attached to lower ends of first and second lanyards, the pendant including a help button for a user to generate a signal for help, and a battery to power the motion sensing necklace;

a neck strap attached to upper ends of the first and second lanyards;

at least two motion sensors located within the neck strap;

a microprocessor located within the neck strap that processes signals from the motion sensors to determine whether motion has occurred; and

a transmitter located within the neck strap that transmits motion detection signals and alerts generated by the microprocessor.

2. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, wherein there are two motion sensors located at opposing ends of the neck strap, such that when the motion sensing necklace is worn by the user, the motion sensors are configured to be located on opposing and offsetting sides of a neck of the user or near an upper region of a collar bone of the user.

3. The motion sensing necklace of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor and the transmitter are located within the neck strap between the microprocessor and the transmitter.

4. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, wherein the neck strap comprises a casing that is hardened to protect the motion sensors, microprocessor and transmitter contained therein, and that is contoured to fit comfortably around the neck of the user.

5. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, further comprising conductive wiring extending through the first lanyard between the pendant and the neck strap, such that the help button and battery are conductively connected to the motion sensor, microprocessor and transmitter.

6. The motion sensing necklace of claim 5, further comprising an antenna embedded within the second lanyard and extending from the neck strap towards the pendant.

7. The motion sensing necklace of claim 5, further comprising a breakaway safety clasp between the second lanyard and the pendant.

8. The motion sensing necklace of claim 7, wherein connectors of the breakaway safety clasp include a conductive material so as to form a continuous electrical circuit between all components of the motion sensing necklace.

9. The motion sensing necklace of claim 8, wherein an automatic alarm is generated by the microprocessor and transmitted by the transmitter upon separation of the breakaway safety clasp.

10. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, wherein the motion sensors are selected from a group consisting of accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers and altimeters.

11. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, and further comprising additional biometric sensors embedded in the neck strap.

12. The motion sensing necklace of claim 11, wherein the biometric sensors measure body temperature, pulse rate, oxygen saturation level and blood pressure.

13. The motion sensing necklace of claim 12, wherein alerts are generated based on predetermined biometric data thresholds or measurements made by the biometric sensors.

14. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, and further comprising contacts in the neck strap or the pendant to determine whether the necklace is being worn by the user.

15. The motion sensing necklace of claim 1, and further comprising a receiver located within the neck strap.

16. A motion sensing necklace comprising:

a pendant attached to lower ends of first and second lanyards, the pendant including a help button for a user to generate a signal for help, and a battery to power the motion sensing necklace;

a neck strap attached to upper ends of the first and second lanyards;

a motion sensor located within the neck strap;

a microprocessor located within the neck strap that processes signals from the motion sensors to determine whether motion has occurred;

a transmitter located within the neck strap that transmits motion detection signals and alerts generated by the microprocessor;

conductive wiring extending through the first lanyard between the pendant and the neck strap, such that the help button and battery are conductively connected to the motion sensor, microprocessor and transmitter; and

an antenna embedded within the second lanyard and extending from the neck strap towards the pendant.

17. The motion sensing necklace of claim 16, further comprising a breakaway safety clasp between the second lanyard and the pendant, wherein connectors of the breakaway safety clasp include a conductive material so as to form a continuous electrical circuit between all components of the motion sensing necklace.

18. The motion sensing necklace of claim 17, wherein there are two motion sensors located at opposing ends of the neck strap, such that when the motion sensing necklace is worn by the user, the motion sensors are configured to be located on opposing and offsetting sides of a neck of the user or near an upper region of a collar bone of the user.