Programmable movement analyzer with a plurality of mercury switches

• US 4,899,133 A
• Filed: 02/08/1988
• Issued: 02/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Detex Corp.
• Original Assignee: Detex Corp.
• Inventors: Bartlett, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, JILL
• Application Number:
  US07/153,162
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/571, 340/572, 340/573, 340/689, 128/903, 200/153 J, 200/153 V, 200/DIG. 2, 200/61.47, 364/413.02, 364/559, 364/550
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0415 detecting absence of activity per se
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

An alert device is provided which initiates an alarm if a person wearing the device ceases normal movement. The device includes a movement sensor having at least one mercury switch which generates a signal when the mercury shifts in response to movement. The device also includes a microcomputer to receive the mercury switch input signals--the microcomputer being programmed to distinguish between inputs indicative of normal wearer movement and inputs which may represent a wearer in duress. Preferably, the motion sensor provides three mercury switches oriented to sense movement in three normal planes.

Claims

1. A device for warning when a person has ceased normal movement comprising:

a housing;

power supply means coupled to the housing;

means coupled to the housing and operably connected to the power supply means for selectably initiating a warning;

switch means operably connected to the power supply means; and

means connected to the power supply means and warning means for sensing and analyzing movement of a person wearing the device and for enabling operation of the warning means if normal movement ceases, including--

mercury switch means having at least two switches, each switch having structure defining an enclosure, at least a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the enclosure, and a pool of mercury shiftably disposed in the enclosure for electrically connecting and disconnecting the contacts upon motion of the person, the two switch enclosures being skewed relative to each other,

a microcomputer operably connected for receiving separate inputs from each of said two mercury switches, the microcomputer being programmed for determining normal movement from the switch inputs, normal movement being programmed as requiring at least two switches to connect and disconnect electrically within less than about a 30 second period.

2. The device according to claim 1, said movement sensing means being operable for enabling operation of the warning means unless the mercury switch means makes an electrical connect and disconnect within less than about a 30 second period.

3. The device according to claim 1, the warning means comprising a piezoelectric horn.

4. The device according to claim 1, the mercury switch means comprising three switches each having an axis of movement of mercury within an elongated enclosure, the three axes being disposed generally 90°

to each other.

5. The device according to claim 1, said switch means being operable between three positions--a first position to disconnect the power supply means;

a second position to immediately enable operation of the warning means to initiate a warning; and

a third position to enable the movement sensing means to selectably control operation of the warning means.

6. The device according to claim 1, the power supply means and movement sensing means being disposed within the housing and the housing being generally hermetically sealed.

7. The device according to claim 1, each enclosure defining a general plane of movement for the mercury between two ends.

8. The device according to claim 7, each enclosure being cylindrical and having a pair of contacts at each end.

9. The device according to claim 7, the plane of movement of each switch being skewed relative to each other to monitor movement in two planes.

10. The device according to claim 9, the two planes of movement being oriented about 90°

relative to each other.

11. In a safety device adapted for wearing by a person which initiates an alarm when the person ceases normal motion the improvement comprising:

a motion sensor having at least two mercury switches each comprising an enclosure, a pool of mercury shiftably received in the enclosure, and at least one pair of electrical contacts in the enclosure, the mercury being responsive to motion by shifting in the enclosure to electrically connect and disconnect the contacts, the motion sensor including a microcomputer coupled to each mercury switch for receiving a separate input from each mercury switch when the contacts of the respective switch are connected, the microcomputer being programmed for initiating the alarm if an input is not received from two switches within about a 30 second period.

12. The device according to claim 11, the microcomputer being programmed for initiating a first alarm if an input is not received from at least two mercury switches within about a 23 second period and for initiating a second alarm if an input is not received from at least one mercury switch within about a 7 second period following the 23 second period.

13. The device according to claim 11, each mercury switch having an elongated enclosure with a pair of electrical contacts at each end.

14. The improvement according to claim 11, the mercury switches each having a plane of movement of the mercury within the enclosures, the planes being skewed relative to each other.

15. The device according to claim 14, including a third mercury switch having a plane of movement, the three planes being oriented generally 90°

to each other for sensing motion in three normal planes.

16. In a safety device adapted for wearing by a person which initiates an alarm when the person ceases normal motion, the improvement for determining when normal motion ceases, comprising:

a pair of switches, each switch being operable to generate a signal in response to motion in a plane of movement, the two planes of movement being skewed to each other;

a microcomputer coupled to each switch for receiving separate signals from each switch, the microcomputer being programmed for initiating an alarm if signals are not received from each switch within a certain time period.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, including a third switch responsive in a plane of movement, the three planes of movement being oriented about 90°

to each other.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, each switch comprising a mercury switch having structure defining an enclosure, at least a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the enclosure, and a pool of mercury shiftably disposed in the enclosure for electrically connecting and disconnecting upon motion of the person.