Fall-Responsive Emergency Device, System, and Method

• US 20130122849A1
• Filed: 07/29/2010
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: J&M I.P. Holding Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: J&M I.P. Holding Company, LLC
• Inventors: Doezema, Mary, Thiel, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US13/812,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20130122849A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0446 worn on the body to detect changes of posture, e.g. a fall, inclination, acceleration, gait
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A device capable of being worn by a person includes a fall sensor responsive to the physical effect of a fall by a person wearing the device to generate a sensed-fall signal. A wireless transmitter can send a wireless alert signal in response to the sensed-fall signal without requiring participation by the person wearing the device. A base transmitter locatable on a premises where the device is to be worn can be enabled in response to the wireless alert signal to transmit a responder request to a remote responder. A two-way voice communicator separate from the wearable device can be located on the premises with the base transmitter. A remote responder can enable the two-way voice communicator for two-way voice communication with the person wearing the wearable device.

Claims

1. A system to send a wireless alert signal in response to a fall by a person, characterized by:

a device capable of being worn by a person, the device comprising a fall sensor responsive to a physical effect of a fall by a person wearing the device to generate a sensed-fall signal, the device further comprising a wireless transmitter capable of sending a wireless alert signal in response to the sensed-fall signal from the fall sensor without requiring participation of a person wearing the device;

a base transmitter adapted to be located on a premises where the device is to be worn, the base transmitter capable of being enabled in response to the wireless alert signal to transmit a responder request to a remote responder; and

a two-way voice communicator separate from the wearable device, the two-way voice communicator adapted to be located on a premises with the base transmitter, the two-way voice communicator capable of being enabled by a remote responder for independent two-way voice communication between a remote responder and a person wearing the wearable device.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, the fall sensor comprises a vibration sensor.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, the fall sensor comprises an acceleration sensor.

4. The wearable device of claim 1, the wearable device comprises a bracelet.

5. The system of claim 1, the two-way voice communicator further comprising a signal receiver for receiving the wireless alert signal from the wearable device and a signal transmitter for transmitting a fall notification signal to the base transmitter, and the base transmitter is capable of responding to the fall notification signal by transmitting a responder request to a remote responder.

6. On a premises where a person may fall, a safety system characterized by:

a device capable of being worn by a person, the device comprising a fall sensor responsive to a physical effect of a fall by a person wearing the device to generate a sensed-fall signal, the device further comprising a wireless transmitter capable of sending a wireless alert signal in response to the sensed-fall signal from the fall sensor without requiring participation of a person wearing the device;

a base transmitter located on the premises, the base transmitter capable of being enabled in response to the wireless alert signal to transmit a responder request to a remote responder; and

a two-way voice communicator on the premises in a stationary location within voice communication distance of a possible fall location, the two-way voice communicator separate from the wearable device and capable of being enabled by a remote responder for two-way independent voice communication between a remote responder and a person wearing the wearable device in the possible fall location.

7. The system of claim 6, the wearable device comprises a bracelet.

8. The system of claim 6, the two-way voice communicator is secured as a fixture on the premises.

9. The system of claim 6, the two-way voice communicator comprises a signal receiver for receiving the wireless alert signal from the wearable device and a signal transmitter for transmitting a fall notification signal to the base transmitter, and the base transmitter is capable of responding to the fall notification signal by transmitting a responder request to a remote responder.

10. A method for communicating a fall event on a premises to a remote responder off the premises, and for enabling a remote responder to communicate with a person who has suffered the fall event on the premises, characterized by:

providing a device comprising a fall sensor responsive to a physical effect of a fall by a person wearing the device to generate a sensed-fall signal, and further comprising a wireless transmitter capable of sending a wireless alert signal in response to the sensed-fall signal from the fall sensor without requiring participation of a person wearing the device;

providing a base transmitter on the premises, the base transmitter capable of being enabled in response to the wireless alert signal to transmit a responder request to a remote responder;

providing a two-way voice communicator on the premises in a location within voice communication distance of a possible fall location, the two-way voice communicator being stationary and separate from the wearable device and capable of being enabled by a remote responder for independent two-way voice communication between a remote responder and a person wearing the wearable device in the possible fall location.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising causing a person on the premises to wear the device.

12. On a premises where a person may fall, a response system characterized by:

wearable means for responding to a physical effect of a fall by a person wearing the wearable means, and for sending a wireless alert signal in response to the physical effect without requiring participation of a person wearing the wearable means;

base transmitter means located on the premises for responding to the wireless alert signal by transmitting a responder request to a remote responder;

two-way voice communicator means on the premises in a stationary location within voice communication distance of a possible fall location for independent two-way voice communication between a remote responder and a person wearing the wearable device in the possible fall location, the two-way voice communicator means separate from the wearable device.