FALL DETECTOR AND ALERT SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A fall detection system comprising:
- a right footwear item and a left footwear item, each of the right and left footwear items including;
at least two foot pressure sensors;
communications circuitry configured to transmit foot pressure signals from the at least two pressure sensors to a mobile device; and
a power source connected to the communications circuitry, the power source providing power to the communications circuitry; and
a mobile device executing an application that causes the mobile device to;
receive transmitted foot pressure signals from the communications circuitry of the footwear;
analyze the foot pressure signals to determine whether a wearer of the footwear items has fallen;
display a warning if it is determined that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen, along with an option to cancel the warning; and
send a signal to a caregiver if the warning has not been canceled within a predetermined period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fall detection and alert system and associated methods are described. The system includes a right footwear item and a left footwear item, each of which includes foot pressure sensors, communications circuitry configured to transmit foot pressure signals from the pressure sensors to a mobile device, such as a smartphone, and a power source. The system also includes an application for the mobile device that causes the mobile device to receive transmitted foot pressure signals from the communications circuitry of the footwear, analyze the foot pressure signals to determine whether a wearer of the footwear items has fallen, display a warning if it is determined that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen, along with an option to cancel the warning, and send a signal to a caregiver if the warning has not been canceled within a predetermined period of time.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fall detection system comprising:
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a right footwear item and a left footwear item, each of the right and left footwear items including; at least two foot pressure sensors; communications circuitry configured to transmit foot pressure signals from the at least two pressure sensors to a mobile device; and a power source connected to the communications circuitry, the power source providing power to the communications circuitry; and a mobile device executing an application that causes the mobile device to; receive transmitted foot pressure signals from the communications circuitry of the footwear; analyze the foot pressure signals to determine whether a wearer of the footwear items has fallen; display a warning if it is determined that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen, along with an option to cancel the warning; and send a signal to a caregiver if the warning has not been canceled within a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of detecting a fall, the method comprising:
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receiving transmitted foot pressure signals from at least two pressure sensors disposed in each of a right footwear item and a left footwear item; determining that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen if the foot pressure signals from both the right footwear item and the left footwear item indicate a drop to zero or nearly zero pressure; displaying a warning if it is determined that the wearer of the footwear items has fallen, along with an option to cancel the warning; and sending a signal to a caregiver if the warning has not been canceled within a predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A fall-detection footwear item comprising:
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at least two foot pressure sensors; communications circuitry configured to transmit foot pressure signals from the at least two pressure sensors to a mobile device; and a rechargeable power source connected to the communications circuitry, the power source providing power to the communications circuitry; wherein the at least two pressure sensors, the communication circuitry, and the rechargeable power source are contained within a flexible enclosure that is impervious to liquids.
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Specification