Device and method for monitoring movement within a home

• US 7,242,305 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2004
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Cuddihy, Paul Edward, Saldin, Paul Glendenning, Kuhnly, Keith Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/822,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0415 detecting absence of activity per se
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0469 Presence detectors to detect unsafe condition, e.g. infrared sensor, microphone G08B21/0476 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

A device and method for monitoring whether a resident is away from home or inactive within the home. A sensor, which includes a transmitter, a processor, a timer, and a detector, watches for motion to occur within a home. Upon sensing motion, the sensor sends a first signal indicative of the motion if the timer is not currently running and waits for the motion to end. If the timer already is running, the timer is restarted at zero. Upon expiration of a predetermined timing period, the sensor transmits a second signal indicative of inactivity. By comparing the timing of the second signal and the predetermined timing period, with a third signal sent by an exterior door sensor, a determination can be made whether the resident has left the home or is inactive within the home.

Claims

1. A wireless monitoring system, comprising:

one or more motion sensors for determining when motion ceases, comprising,

a detector for detecting activity;

a transmitter for transmitting a first signal indicative of a first detection of activity to a monitoring center;

a processor for processing at least said first signal indicative of said first detection of activity; and

a timer which begins running upon a first detection of activity;

wherein upon the timer running to a set time period without detection of any subsequent activity after the first detection of activity, the transmitter transmits a second signal indicative of inactivity to a monitoring center; and

wherein said detector is adapted to continue watching for activity after said transmitter transmits said second signal indicative of inactivity; and

said monitoring center for monitoring said activity, comprising an activity report generator.

2. The wireless motion sensor of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is adapted for wirelessly transmitting the first and second signals.

3. The wireless motion sensor of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a signal processor and a sensing portion.

4. The wireless motion sensor of claim 3, wherein the sensing portion comprises at least one sensing mechanism utilizing a sensing technique from the group consisting of passive infrared, ultrasound, microwave, radar, infrared, and any combinations thereof.

5. The wireless motion sensor of claim 3, wherein the sensing portion includes a passive infrared detecting mechanism.

6. The wireless motion sensor of claim 1, wherein the set time period is no greater than five minutes.

7. The wireless motion sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect activity in the vicinity of one or more from the group consisting of interior doors, cabinet drawers, appliances, beds, couches or chairs.

8. The wireless motion sensor of claim 7, wherein the sensor comprises a pad for detecting activity.

9. A wireless monitoring system, comprising:

motion sensor for determining when motion ceases, comprising,

a detector for detecting activity, wherein the detector comprises a signal processor and a sensing portion;

a transmitter for transmitting a first signal indicative of a first detection of activity, wherein the transmitter is adapted for wirelessly transmitting the first signal and a signal to said monitoring center;

a processor; and

a timer which begins running upon a first detection of activity;

wherein upon the timer running to a set time period without detection of any subsequent activity after the first detection of activity, the transmitter transmits said second signal indicative of inactivity; and

wherein said detector is adapted to continue watching for activity after said transmitter transmits said second signal indicative of inactivity; and

said monitoring center for monitoring said activity, comprising an activity report generator.

10. The wireless motion sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensing portion comprises at least one sensing mechanism utilizing a sensing technique from the group consisting of passive infrared, ultrasound, microwave, radar, infrared, and any combinations thereof.

11. The wireless motion sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensing portion includes a passive infrared detecting mechanism.

12. The wireless motion sensor of claim 9, wherein the set time period is no greater than five minutes.

13. The wireless motion sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensor is configured to detect activity in the vicinity of one or more from the group consisting of interior doors, cabinet drawers, appliances, beds, couches or chairs.

14. The wireless motion sensor of claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises a pad for detecting activity on one or more from the group consisting of beds, couches or chairs.

15. A method for determining inactivity within a home, comprising the steps of:

watching for an indication of motion;

sensing motion;

wirelessly sending a first signal indicative of the motion via a transmitter to a monitoring center;

starting a timer for a set time period;

upon expiration of the set time period without sensing any further motion, wirelessly sending a second signal indicative of inactivity via said transmitter to said monitoring center;

continuing to watch for activity after said transmitter transmits said second signal indicative of inactivity; and

generating a report of said inactivity at said monitoring center.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the sending of the first and second signals is accomplished with a transmitter.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the watching is accomplished with a sensor utilizing a sensing technique from the group consisting of passive infra-red, ultrasound, microwave, radar, infra-red, and any combinations thereof.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the set time period is no greater than five minutes.

19. A method for determining inactivity within a home, comprising the steps of:

watching for an indication of motion;

sensing motion;

wirelessly sending a first signal indicative of the motion via a transmitter;

starting a timer for a set time period no greater than five minutes;

upon expiration of the set time period without sensing any further motion, wirelessly sending a second signal indicative of inactivity via a transmitter;

continuing to watch for activity after said transmitter transmits said second signal indicative of inactivity and

transmitting one or more signals, that are indicative of said inactivity, to a monitoring center, and

generating a report of said inactivity.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the watching for the indication of motion is accomplished with a sensor utilizing a sensing technique from the group consisting of passive infra-red, ultrasound, microwave, radar, infra-red, and any combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining a time actual inactivity occurs within the home based upon the time the second signal is sent and the length of the set time period.