Smart monitoring sensor system for monitoring mobility

• US 9,338,617 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2014
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffry Tola, Joel Douglas
• Original Assignee: Jeffry Tola, Joel Douglas
• Inventors: Douglas, Joel, Tola, Jeffry
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Daramola, Israel
• Application Number:
  US14/312,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20140375451A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.12, 340/539.22, 340/870.01, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for remotely alarming an intelligent hand held device when a sensor on a stair assist device is made thereby signaling an event which is of concern for a patient caregiver. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a remote transmitter for use with a smart phone or tablet connectable to sensors such as end of travel sensors for a stair climbing assist device or a mat, a photoelectric sensor, toilet or chair sensor and providing that information via wireless peer to peer communication to a smart phone or tablet so that a caregiver can react appropriately to the information. The remote transmitter device contains a conventional switch detection circuit and a peer to peer communications circuit such as Bluetooth.

Claims

1. A stair assist monitoring system comprising:

a) a top remote switch positioned at a top of a flight of stairs configured to provide a signal when a stair assist device is at the top of the stairs;

b) a bottom remote switch positioned at a bottom of the flight of stairs, configured to provide a signal when the stair assist device is at the bottom of the stairs;

c) an intermediate remote switch positioned between the top and bottom of the flight of stairs configured to provide a signal when the stair assist device is between the top and the bottom of the flight of stairs;

wherein the signals provided by the remote switches indicate a position of the stair assist device on the stairs; and

d) a plurality of portal monitor devices, wherein one or more of the portal monitor devices send signals based on location of a person attempting to use the stair assist device and said switches signals to a remote electronic device, which is configured to notify a caregiver of the location of the person relative to a location of the stair assist device as signaled by the remote switches.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprises an acceleration sensor on the stair assist device to provide a signal indicating the speed of the stair assist.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a timing circuit in communication with the top and bottom switches and configured to count the amount of time between the top and bottom positions.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the switches comprise transmitters to send the respective signals.

5. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the switches are contact switches.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the switches are non-contact magnetic switches.

7. The monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising a seat sensor to provide a signal indicating that a person is seated on the stair assist device.

8. The MO wring system of claim 1, further comprising a remote sensor distal from the stair assist device, wherein the remote sensor is selected from the group consisting of a bed sensor, a temperature sensor, a button sensor, a pulse sensor, and a portal sensor.

9. A ramp assist monitoring system comprising:

a) a top remote switch positioned at a top of a ramp configured to provide a signal when a ramp assist device is at the top of the stairs;

b) a bottom remote switch positioned at a bottom of the ramp, configured to provide a signal when the ramp assist device is at the bottom of the ramp;

c) an intermediate remote switch positioned between the top and bottom of the ramp configured to provide a signal when the ramp assist device is between the top and the bottom of the ramp;

wherein the signals provided by the remote switches indicate a position of the ramp assist device on the ramp; and

d) a plurality of portal monitor devices, wherein one or more of the portal monitor devices send signals based on location of a person attempting to use the stair assist device and send switches signals to a remote electronic device, which is configured to notify a caregiver of the location of the person relative to a location of the stair assist device as signaled by the remote switches.

10. The monitoring system of claim 9 further comprises an acceleration sensor on the ramp assist device to provide a signal indicating the speed of the ramp assist device.

11. The monitoring system of claim 9 further comprising a timing circuit in communication with the top and bottom switches and configured to count the amount of time between the top and bottom positions.

12. The monitoring system of claim 9 wherein the switches comprise transmitters to send the respective signals.

13. The monitoring system of claim 9 wherein the switches are contact switches.

14. The monitoring system of claim 9 wherein the switches are non-contact magnetic switches.

15. The monitoring system of claim 9 further comprising a seat sensor to provide a signal indicating that a person is seated on the ramp assist device.

16. The monitoring system of claim 9 further comprising a remote sensor distal from the ramp assist device, wherein the remote sensor is selected from the group consisting of a bed sensor, a temperature sensor, a button sensor, a puke sensor, and a portal sensor.

17. A stair assist monitoring system comprising:

a) a top remote switch positioned at a top of a flight of stairs configured to provide a signal when a stair assist device is at the top of the stairs;

b) a bottom remote switch positioned at a bottom of the flight of stairs, configured to provide a signal when the stair assist device is at the bottom of the stairs;

c) an intermediate remote switch positioned between the top and bottom of the flight of stairs configured to provide a signal when the stair assist device is between the top and the bottom of the flight of stairs;

d) a remote sensor distal from the ramp assist device, wherein the remote distal sensor is selected from the group consisting of a bed sensor, a temperature sensor, a button sensor, a pulse sensor, and a portal sensor;

wherein output signals provided by the remote sensor distal from the ramp assist device displays a notification on said stair assist monitoring system that the individual needs assistance; and

e) a plurality of portal monitor devices, wherein one or more of the portal monitor devices send signals based on location of a person attempting to use the stair assist device and said switches signals to a remote electronic device, which is configured to notify a caregiver of the location of the person relative to a location of the stair assist device as signaled by the remote switches.