MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SMART MOBILITY AID DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20170172462A1
• Filed: 06/24/2015
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Can Mobilities, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ahmad Alsayed M. Alghazi
• Inventors: ALGHAZI, Ahmad AlSayed M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,136,841 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/05 Walking sticks
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/00 Sticks combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 3/08 with measuring or weighing appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 5/00 Walking sticks or umbrellas convertible into seats; Hunting sticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/08 Elderly
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/16 Touchpads
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/20 Displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/30 characterised by sensor means
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/36 for motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/42 for inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/10 : Parts, details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/006 : with forearm rests, i.e. for non-used arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0188 : Illumination related features
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5012 : using the internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5015 : using specific interfaces or standards, e.g. USB, serial, parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5043 : Displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5046 : Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5048 : Audio interfaces, e.g. voice or music controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5064 : Position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 : wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/04 : Heartbeat characteristics, e.g. E.G.C., blood pressure modulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/06 : Heartbeat rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/202 : Glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/207 : partial O2-value
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/30 : Blood pressure A61H2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/40 : Respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/42 : Rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/50 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/60 : Muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user, e.g. Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/65 : Impedance, e.g. skin conductivity; capacitance, e.g. galvanic skin response [GSR]
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/02 : Crutches
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/04 : Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0481 : working on a schedule basis
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/00 : Cycles with handlebars, equipped with three or more main road wheels cycle supports or stands equipped with additional wheels for ride stabilisation B62H1/12
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/025 : power-driven
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0461 : integrated or attached to an item closely associated with the person but not worn by the person, e.g. chair, walking stick, bed sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Embodiments of a smart mobility aid device may have sensors to collect, monitor, analyze and represent data including but not limited to activity tracking, biometrics and safety and emergency features. The activity tracking include number of steps, miles, and activity speed, user pressure on a device, activity types and analysis. The user biometric data includes but is not limited to blood work, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen level/rate, ECG, EMG, muscle strain, humidity, UV, body temperature. Additional features include an emergency button, fall detection, warnings, and user pattern analysis changes. The mobility aid device is connected to other smart electronic device and/or the Internet using but not limited to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and or/and SIM card. The device gives the user or/and caregiver live feedback about user health metrics and status using a data representation method.

Claims

1. A smart mobility device, comprising:

a handle adapted to be gripped by a user of the smart mobility device;

a display built into the handle wherein the display is visible to the user while the user is gripping the handle;

one or more activity tracking components carried by the smart mobility device for collecting information about the user'"'"'s daily activity;

an electronic memory for storing the collected information about the user'"'"'s data; and

one or more electronic communication components to transmit the user'"'"'s data from the electronic memory in the smart mobility device to the cloud, remote server, or to another electronic device.

2. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

3. The smart mobility device of claim 1 further comprising a GPS component and including turn-by-turn visual guidance on the display, by voice output on a speaker on the smart mobility device or by vibration output to the smart mobility device user.

4. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the handle includes a gripping sensor used to power on and power off the smart mobility device when the smart mobility device user grips the gripping sensor.

5. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the one or more electronic components is a SIM card, a Wi-Fi communications module or a Bluetooth communications module.

6. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the one or electronic communication components provides communication using a cellular network, an app push notification, a third party update or a website update.

7. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use the smart mobility device user receives applications and services from a cloud based software platform via the smart mobility device.

8. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use the smart mobility device user orders and receives services from a cloud based software platform via the smart mobility device.

9. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use the smart mobility device user orders and receives services from a cellular network via the smart mobility device.

10. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use the smart mobility device user receives applications and services from an application store via the smart mobility device.

11. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the one or electronic communication components provides for entering user data into the smart mobility device using a smart device.

12. The smart mobility device of claim 11 wherein the smart device is a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart glass, a tablet, a laptop or a computer.

13. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use, the display provides information about the user progress on a game based on user targets.

14. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein in use, the display provides information about the result of a social game wherein the user'"'"'s activity tracking is compared to another user.

15. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the memory contains information about a daily activity pattern of the smart mobility device user.

16. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein the daily activity pattern is a notification for the smart mobility device user'"'"'s medication schedule.

17. The smart mobility device of claim 16 wherein the notification is sent automatically from the smart mobility device to a caregiver, a doctor or an involved party.

19. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart mobility device is adapted and configured for wireless charging.

20. The smart mobility device of claim 1 wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart mobility device is adapted and configured for charging via a self-plugging magnetic plug.

22. The smart mobility device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for detecting a biometric measurement of the smart mobility device user selected from blood work, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen level/rate, ECG, EMG, muscle strain, humidity, UV or body temperature.

23. The smart mobility device of claim 1 further comprising one or more smart mobility device user activity tracking components selected from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a MEMS magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a microcontroller, a flash memory, a digital motion processor, a motion processing library or a Bluetooth low energy radio component.

24. The smart mobility device of claim 1 further comprising the functions of a linear acceleration, a heading, an altitude, a temperature, an angular velocity, or an angular position.

25. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-24 wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured as a cane.

26. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-24 wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured as a walker.

27. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-24 wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured as a crutch.

28. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-24 wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured as a scooter.

29. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-24 wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured as a wheelchair.

30. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-29 further comprising a fingerprint sensor.

31. The smart mobility device of any of claims 1-30 wherein the smart mobility device is used by the smart mobility device user as a payment method for services available from a software platform or an app store.

32. The smart mobility device of claim 31 wherein the smart mobility device is integrated with a mobile payment system.

33. The smart mobility device of any of the above claims further comprising an emergency button that when pressed establishes communications with one or more of a caregiver or an 911 emergency service.

171. A smart mobility aid device according to any of the above claims adapted and configured to alarm, notify, and/or remind a mobility aid device user or interested party about a smart mobility device user medication schedule using a voice reminder, a vibration reminder and/or an on screen reminder.

172. A smart mobility aid device according to any of the above claims wherein when a mobility aid device user takes a medication according to a medication schedule a caregiver or any involved parties are notified.

173. A smart mobility aid device according to any of the above claims wherein the medication schedule of a smart mobility aid device user made be modified, entered, managed, updated and/or tracked by the mobility aid device user, a caregiver or a doctor.

174. A smart mobility aid device according to any of the above claims adapted and configured to communicate and connect to a regular medicine container or a smart medication container.

18. The smart mobility device of claim I wherein the smart mobility device is adapted and configured for use with a mobile payment system.

21. The smart mobility device of claim I wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart mobility device is adapted and configured for wireless charging when a portion of the smart mobility aid device is placed on a charging pad configured to charge the smart mobility device.

34. A multifunctional smart cane, comprising:

a handle adapted to be gripped by a hand of a user;

a body having a base on one end and coupled to the handle on the other;

a screen built into the handle wherein the screen is visible to the user while gripping the handle;

one or more activity tracking components carried by the smart cane for collecting information about the user'"'"'s daily activity;

an electronic memory for storing the collected information about the user'"'"'s daily activity; and

one or more electronic communication components to transmit the user'"'"'s daily activity from the electronic memory in the smart cane to another electronic device.

35. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

36. The smart cane of claim 34 further comprising a GPS component and including turn-by-turn visual guidance on the display, by voice output on a speaker on the smart cane or by vibration output to the smart cane user.

37. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the handle includes a gripping sensor used to power on and power off the smart cane when the smart cane user grips the gripping sensor.

38. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the one or more electronic components is a SIM card, a Wi-Fi communications module or a Bluetooth communications module.

39. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the one or electronic communication components provides communication using a cellular network, an app push notification, a third party update or a website update.

40. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein in use the smart cane user receives applications and services from a cloud based software platform via the smart cane.

41. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein in use the smart cane user receives applications and services from an application store via the smart cane.

42. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the one or electronic communication components provides for entering user data into the smart cane using a smart device.

43. The smart cane of claim 42 wherein the smart device is a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart glass or a tablet.

44. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein in use, the display provides information about the user progress on a game based on user targets.

45. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein in use, the display provides information about the result of a social game wherein the user'"'"'s activity tracking is compared to another user.

46. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the memory contains information about a daily activity pattern of the smart cane user.

47. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the daily activity pattern is a notification for the smart cane user'"'"'s medication schedule.

48. The smart cane of claim 47 wherein the notification is sent automatically from the smart cane to a caregiver, a doctor or an involved party.

49. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein the smart cane is adapted and configured for use with a mobile payment system.

50. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart cane is adapted and configured for wireless charging.

51. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart cane is adapted and configured for charging via a self-plugging magnetic plug.

52. The smart cane of claim 34 wherein a rechargeable battery within the smart cane is adapted and configured for wireless charging when a portion of the smart mobility aid device is placed on a charging pad configured to charge the smart cane.

53. The smart cane of claim 34 further comprising a sensor for detecting a biometric measurement of the smart cane user selected from blood work, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen level/rate, ECG, EMG, muscle strain, humidity, UV or body temperature.

54. The smart cane of claim 34 further comprising one or more smart cane user activity tracking components selected from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a MEMS magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a microcontroller, a flash memory, a digital motion processor, a motion processing library or a Bluetooth low energy radio component.

55. The smart cane of claim 34 further comprising the functions of a linear acceleration, a heading, an altitude, a temperature, an angular velocity, or an angular position.

77. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 wherein the cane comprises a light operable by a light sensor.

78. The smart cane of claim 77 wherein the light comes on automatically when the light sensor detects darkness.

79. The smart cane of claim 77 or 78 wherein the cane includes a glowing color selected to aid in finding the cane in the dark.

80. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 wherein the cane is adapted and configured to be folded to reduce its size.

81. The smart cane of claim 80 the cane further comprising an unfolding button that will cause the cane to automatically fold or unfold.

82. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 wherein the cane is adapted and configured to generate a sound to aid in being located by the smart cane user.

83. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 wherein the cane is adapted and configured for being located using a GPS system working with a smart device.

84. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 the cane further comprising a base changing mechanism allowing for removal of one base type and replacement with another base type.

85. The smart cane of claim 84 wherein a user preference determines the removal of one base type and the replacement of another base type.

86. The smart cane of claim 84 wherein a smart cane advice determines the removal of one base type and the replacement of another base type.

87. The smart cane of claim 85 or 86 wherein the one base type and the another base type are selected from a basic base, a tripod base, a flexible base and an ice tip base.

88. The smart cane of any of claims 34-55 or claims 56-76 the cane further comprising an emergency button that when pressed establishes communications with one or more of a caregiver or an 911 emergency service.

56. A multifunctional smart cane, comprising:

a handle adapted to be gripped by a hand of the smart cane user;

a body having a base on one end and coupled to the handle on the other;

a fingerprint sensor on the handle configured for identification of a fingerprint of the smart cane user,

one or more activity tracking components carried by the smart cane for collecting information about the user'"'"'s daily activity; and

an electronic memory for storing the collected information about the user'"'"'s daily activity.

57. The smart cane of claim 56 further comprising a display on the handle wherein the display is visible to the user while gripping the handle.

58. The smart cane of claim 56 or 57 further comprising one or more electronic communication components to transmit the user'"'"'s daily activity from the electronic memory in the smart cane to another electronic device.

59. The smart cane of any of claims 56-58 wherein the fingerprint sensor is adapted and configured to permit smart cane user account access.

60. The smart cane of any of claims 56-59 wherein the fingerprint sensor is adapted and configured to permit smart cane user activity tracking.

61. The smart cane of claim 57 wherein the display comprises a touch screen.

62. The smart cane of any of claims 56-61 further comprising a GPS component and including turn-by-turn visual guidance on the display, by voice output on a speaker on the smart cane or by vibration output to the smart cane user.

63. The smart cane of claim 56 wherein the handle includes a gripping sensor used to power on and power off the smart cane when the smart cane user grips the gripping sensor.

64. The smart cane of claim 58 wherein the one or more electronic components is a SIM card, a Wi-Fi communications module or a Bluetooth communications module.

65. The smart cane of claim 58 wherein the one or more electronic communication components provides communication using a cellular network, an app push notification, a third party update or a website update.

66. The smart cane of any of claims 56-65 wherein in use the smart cane user receives applications and services from a cloud based software platform via the smart cane.

67. The smart cane of any of claims 56-66 wherein in use the smart cane user receives applications and services from an application store via the smart cane.

68. The smart cane of claim 64 or 65 wherein the one or more electronic communication components provides for entering user data into the smart cane using a smart device.

69. The smart cane of claim 68 wherein the smart device is a smartphone, a smart watch, a smart glass or a tablet.

70. The smart cane of claim 56 wherein the memory contains information about a daily activity pattern of the smart cane user.

71. The smart cane of claim 70 wherein the daily activity pattern is a notification for the smart cane user'"'"'s medication schedule.

72. The smart cane of claim 71 wherein the notification is sent automatically from the smart cane to a caregiver, a doctor or an involved party.

73. The smart cane of any of claims 56-72 wherein the smart cane is adapted and configured for use with a mobile payment system.

74. The smart cane of any of claims 56-73 further comprising a sensor for detecting a biometric measurement of the smart cane user selected from blood work, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate, oxygen level/rate, ECG, EMG, muscle strain, humidity, UV or body temperature.

75. The smart cane of claim 56 wherein the one or more smart cane user activity tracking components selected from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a MEMS magnetometer, a barometric pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a microcontroller, a flash memory, a digital motion processor, a motion processing library or a Bluetooth low energy radio component.

76. The smart cane of claim 56 further comprising the functions of a linear acceleration, a heading, an altitude, a temperature, an angular velocity, or an angular position.

89. A method of using a smart mobility assistance device for tracking the activity of a person using the smart mobility assistance device, comprising:

collecting data from one or more health monitoring sensors placed on the smart mobility assistance device for monitoring a health parameter of the person during a regular use of the smart mobility assistance device;

analyzing the data from the collecting step; and

representing a recommendation for the person or any involved party based on the analyzing step.

90. The method of claim 89 wherein the one or more health monitoring sensors includes a sensor for detecting one or more biometrics of the person using the smart mobility assistance device.

91. The method of claim 89 wherein the health parameter of the person is one or more of a blood pressure, a heart rate, an oxygen level, an oxygen rate, an ECG, an EMG, a muscle strain, or a body temperature.

92. The method of claim 89 wherein the regular use is walking, stepping, tapping, or using the smart mobility aid device for creating a daily pattern of activity.

93. The method of claim 89 wherein the regular use comprises an activity tracking of the smart mobility device user.

94. The method of claim 93, the activity tracking including counting the number of steps taken by the smart mobility aid user.

95. The method of claim 94, the activity tracking including recording an activity speed.

96. The method of claim 93 wherein the mobility assistance device is a smart cane and the activity tracking including monitoring a motion sensor and a pressure sensor on the cane.

97. The method of claim 89 the collecting step further comprising determining a current activity is initiated using a motion sensor.

98. The method of claim 97 providing a time when the current activity is initiated and recording the duration of the current activity.

99. The method of claim 97 wherein the current activity is walking, running, sitting, watching TV or going to the bathroom.

100. The method of claim 89 the collecting step further comprising entering information about the person using the smart assistive mobility aid device using a screen on the mobility aid device.

101. The method of claim 89 the collecting step further comprising entering information about the person using the smart assistive mobility aid device using one or more smart devices.

102. The method of claim 101 wherein the one or more smart devices is a smart phone, a smart watch, a pair of smart glasses or a tablet.

103. The method of claim 89 wherein the step of representing collected information and data is performed on a smart phone.

104. The method of claim 89 wherein representing includes recommendation to use a different smart mobility aid device.

105. The method of claim 104 wherein the recommendation includes transitioning a person using a smart mobility cane to using a smart mobility walker.

106. The method of claim 89 wherein the analyzing the data step is performed on the smart mobility aid device, on a smart device in communication with mobility device or on a remote server.

107. The method of claim 89 wherein the analyzing step includes performing a predictive analysis.

108. The method of claim 89 wherein the analyzing step includes using an artificial intelligence algorithm.

109. The method of claim 89 wherein the representing step includes providing the user or any involved party with live feedback on the user'"'"'s performance using the smart mobility aid device.

110. The method of claim 89 wherein the representing step includes providing the user with live motivational feedback based on performance towards activity targets.

111. The method of claim 89 wherein the representing step includes providing the user feedback based on comparison to other smart mobility aid device users via social gaming.

112. The method of claim 89 further comprising using an artificial intelligence algorithm with input from motion sensors to differentiate between a falling smart mobility aid user and a dropping smart mobility aid device.

113. The method of claim 112 wherein in the case of a falling smart mobility aid user there is a step of providing an emergency notification to caregiver or providing an alarm or calling an 911 emergency service provider.

114. The method of claim 89 further comprising creating a daily activity pattern of the smart mobility aid device user from collected information about the smart mobility aid device user'"'"'s activities with the smart mobility aid device.

115. The method of claim 89 further comprising detecting an input from a distance sensor, the representing step including warning the user of the object or obstacle detected by the distance sensor.

116. The method of claim 89 the representing further comprising providing turn by turn visual, voice or vibration guidance based on a GPS sensor provided by the smart mobility aid device.

117. The method of claim 89 the representing further comprising providing a health status indicator of the person using the smart mobility aid device.

118. The method of claim 117 wherein the indicator is provided in the form of a light, an LED light, a sound, a vibration, or a glyph.

119. The method of any of claims 89-118 wherein a portion of the collecting step, the analyzing step or the representing step further comprises communicating a portion of the collected data to another device using a communications module on the smart mobility aid device.

120. The method of claim 119 wherein the another device is a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet or a smart glasses.

121. The method of any of claims 89-118 further comprising communicating the collected information and data of the smart mobility aid device to the person using the smart mobility aid device using a built in screen on the mobility aid device, a touch screen, a voice command from a speaker on the smart mobility aid device, by a vibration generated by the mobility aid device, or using a different electronic device.

122. The method of claim 121 wherein the different electronic device includes a smart phone, a smart watch or a smart glasses.

123. The method of any of claims 89-122 further comprising using a fingerprint sensor for identifying the person using the smart mobility aid device.

124. The method of any of claims 89-123 further comprising using a fingerprint sensor for signing in or signing out of an account assigned to the person using the smart mobility aid device.

125. The method of any of claims 89-124 further comprising using a fingerprint sensor for tracking the activities of the person using the smart mobility aid device.

126. The method of any of claims 89-125 further comprising integrating the smart mobility aid device with a mobile payment system and using the smart mobility aid device as a payment method for services.

127. A smart mobility aid device having activity tracking and monitoring capabilities, comprising:

a first sensor configured to detect motion of the device corresponding to rotation, shake, linear acceleration, heading, angular velocity, or angular position while the mobility aid device is in contact with a person using the device;

a second sensor configured to detect at least one biometric parameter of the person using the device; and

a processor in communication with the first and second sensors that utilizes an algorithm to discriminate between the smart device user falling and the smart device falling based on data received from the first and second sensors.

128. The device of claim 127 further comprising a server in communication with the device and located remotely from the device.

129. The device of claim 127 wherein the first sensor is selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, gyroscope, and MEMS magnetometer.

130. The device of claim 127 wherein the smart mobility aid device is a smart cane and the first sensor is positioned within the cane.

131. The device of claim 130 wherein the second sensor is positioned within a handle of the cane such that in use the second sensor is in contact with the patient.

132. The device of claim 127 wherein the at least one biometric parameter is selected from the group consisting of blood pressure and heart rate.

133. The device of claim 127 wherein the second sensor is configured to detect a weight imparted by the patient upon the device.

134. The device of claim 127 wherein the motion detected by the first sensor is selected from the group consisting of walking, running, standing up, sitting down, and falling.

135. The device of claim 127 wherein the smart mobility aid device is configured as a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, a scooter, or a crutch.

136. The device of claim 127 wherein the device is configured to be in wireless communication with a remote party.

137. The device of claim 136 wherein the processor is programmed to initiate contact with the remote party when triggered by a predetermined parameter.

138. The device of claim 127 further comprising a third sensor in communication with the processor and which is configured to detect an audio signal from the patient.

139. The device of claim 127 further comprising a third sensor in communication with the processor and which is configured to detect an ambient light level and a light in communication with the third sensor.

140. The device of claim 127 further comprising a user interface in communication with the processor.

141. A method of monitoring a person using a smart mobility aid device, comprising:

detecting a motion of the person via a first sensor incorporated into the smart mobility device in use by the person, wherein the motion corresponds to one or more of rotation, shake, linear acceleration, heading, angular velocity, or angular position while the mobility aid device is in contact with a person using the device;

receiving an input via a second sensor incorporated into the smart mobility aid device;

determining if the person using the smart mobility aid device has fallen via a processor in communication with the first and second sensors based on data received from the first and second sensors; and

transmitting information relating to the fallen person to a server located remotely from the person using the smart mobility aid device.

142. The method of claim 141 wherein the step of detecting a motion is performed using a first sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, gyroscope, and MEMS magnetometer.

143. The method of claim 141 wherein receiving the input via a second sensor comprises detecting at least one biometric parameter of the person.

144. The method of claim 143 wherein detecting at least one biometric parameter comprises detecting blood pressure or heart rate.

145. The method of claim 141 wherein transmitting information comprises transmitting to a server in communication with the processor and located remotely from the housing.

146. The method of claim 141 wherein the first sensor is positioned within or carried by a smart mobility aid device configured as a cane configured to be held by the person.

147. The method of claim 146 wherein the second sensor is positioned within a handle of the cane such that in use the second sensor is in contact with the person using the smart mobility aid device.

148. The method of claim 143 wherein detecting at least one biometric parameter comprises detecting a weight imparted by the patient upon the smart mobility aid device.

149. The method of claim 141 wherein detecting a motion comprises detecting the motion selected from the group consisting of walking, running, standing up, sitting down, and falling.

150. The method of claim 141 wherein the smart mobility aid device is selected from the group consisting of a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, a scooter, or a crutch.

151. The method of claim 141 wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the information when triggered by a predetermined parameter.

152. The method of claim 141 further comprising detecting an audio signal from the patient via a third sensor in communication with the processor.

153. The method of claim 141 further comprising detecting an ambient light level via a third sensor in communication with the processor.

154. The method of claim 141 further comprising displaying the information via a user interface in communication with the processor.

155. A method of monitoring a person using a smart mobility aid device, comprising:

receiving an input via a first sensor incorporated into the smart mobility aid device;

determining if the person using the smart mobility aid device has fallen via a processor in communication with the first sensor based on data received from the first sensor; and

transmitting information relating to the fallen person to a server located remotely from the person using the smart mobility aid device.

156. The method of claim 155 further comprising:

detecting a motion of the person via a second sensor incorporated into the smart mobility device in use by the person, wherein the motion corresponds to one or more of rotation, shake, linear acceleration, heading, angular velocity, or angular position while the mobility aid device is in contact with a person using the device.

157. The method of claim 156 wherein the determining step includes input from the second sensor.

158. The method of claim 156 wherein the step of detecting a motion is performed using a second sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, gyroscope, and MEMS magnetometer.

159. The method of claim 155 wherein receiving the input via a first sensor comprises detecting at least one biometric parameter of the person.

160. The method of claim 159 wherein detecting at least one biometric parameter comprises detecting blood pressure or heart rate.

161. The method of claim 155 wherein transmitting information comprises transmitting to a server in communication with the processor and located remotely from the housing.

162. The method of claim 156 wherein the second sensor is positioned within or carried by a smart mobility aid device configured as a cane configured to be held by the person.

163. The method of claim 155 wherein the first sensor is positioned within a handle of the cane such that in use the second sensor is in contact with the person using the smart mobility aid device.

164. The method of claim 159 wherein detecting at least one biometric parameter comprises detecting a weight imparted by the patient upon the smart mobility aid device.

165. The method of claim 156 wherein detecting a motion comprises detecting the motion selected from the group consisting of walking, running, standing up, sitting down, and falling.

166. The method of claim 155 wherein the smart mobility aid device is selected from the group consisting of a cane, a walker, a wheelchair, a scooter, or a crutch.

167. The method of claim 155 wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the information when triggered by a predetermined parameter.

168. The method of claim 155 further comprising detecting an audio signal from the patient via a third sensor in communication with the processor.

169. The method of claim 155 further comprising detecting an ambient light level via a third sensor in communication with the processor.

170. The method of claim 155 further comprising displaying the information via a user interface in communication with the processor.