Situation-based monitoring system
First Claim
1. A situation-based monitoring system comprising:
- fall sensor means for sensing a fall by a person within a predetermined area and for providing at least two sensed signals containing information indicative of the fall, wherein the sensor means comprises;
(i) motion sensing means for sensing any motion of the person within the predetermined area, wherein the motion sensing means comprises a pair of motion sensors arranged within the predetermined area;
(ii) wherein a first one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within the predetermined area within a first portion of the predetermined area extending from a first predetermined height to a second predetermined height and is disposed to provide a first motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the first portion of the predetermined area; and
(iii) wherein a second one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within a second portion of the predetermined area extending from a third predetermined height to a fourth predetermined height and is disposed to provide a second motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the second portion of the predetermined area;
signal processing means, responsive to both the first and second motion signals for determining the condition of distress of the person falling down within the predetermined area from, at least in part, a condition where the first motion signal is indicative of the presence of the person within the first portion of the predetermined area and where the second motion signal is indicative of the absence of the person within the second portion of the predetermined area, and for providing at least one condition signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress as determined by the signal processing means;
notification device means, responsive to the at least one condition signal, for providing an output signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area; and
output device means, responsive to the output signal, for providing a recognizable indication of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A situation-based monitoring system monitors various activities of persons in rooms of a home or residential care facility, determines when the person is in distress and communicates that fact to appropriate personnel. The system includes a programmable processor connected with sensors in the monitored area. The sensors detect various physical parameters associated with the monitored persons, such as motion or the identity of the persons themselves. From the sensed conditions, the processor determines when a distress situation or condition exists (e.g., a person has fallen) and communicates information about the distress condition to a notification device. Various situations may be configured differently for different people. The communication can either be an alarm indicating a condition requiring immediate attention, or may be information-only. The notification can be transmitted to a notification device, such as a computer or digital dialer via a modem or direct data exchange, which is accessed by emergency response personnel.
165 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A situation-based monitoring system comprising:
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fall sensor means for sensing a fall by a person within a predetermined area and for providing at least two sensed signals containing information indicative of the fall, wherein the sensor means comprises; (i) motion sensing means for sensing any motion of the person within the predetermined area, wherein the motion sensing means comprises a pair of motion sensors arranged within the predetermined area; (ii) wherein a first one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within the predetermined area within a first portion of the predetermined area extending from a first predetermined height to a second predetermined height and is disposed to provide a first motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the first portion of the predetermined area; and (iii) wherein a second one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within a second portion of the predetermined area extending from a third predetermined height to a fourth predetermined height and is disposed to provide a second motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the second portion of the predetermined area; signal processing means, responsive to both the first and second motion signals for determining the condition of distress of the person falling down within the predetermined area from, at least in part, a condition where the first motion signal is indicative of the presence of the person within the first portion of the predetermined area and where the second motion signal is indicative of the absence of the person within the second portion of the predetermined area, and for providing at least one condition signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress as determined by the signal processing means; notification device means, responsive to the at least one condition signal, for providing an output signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area; and output device means, responsive to the output signal, for providing a recognizable indication of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A situation-based monitoring system comprising:
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fall sensor means for sensing a fall by a person within a predetermined area and for providing at least one sensed signal containing information indicative of the fall wherein the sensor means comprises; (i) motion sensing means for sensing any motion of the person within the predetermined area, wherein the motion sensing means comprises at least a pair of motion sensors respectively arranged within upper and lower zones of the predetermined area such that a first one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within the lower zone and to provide a first motion signal indicative of the presence of the person within the lower zone, and wherein a second one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within the upper zone and to provide a second motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the upper zone; (ii) wherein the lower zone extends from a first predetermined height to a second predetermined height within the predetermined area; (iii) wherein the first one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed to sense motion of the person within the lower zone and to provide the first motion signal indicative of the presence of the person within the lower zone; (iv) wherein the upper zone extends from a third predetermined height to a fourth predetermined height within the predetermined area; and (v) wherein the second one of the motion sensors in the pair is disposed within the upper zone to provide the second motion signal indicative of the presence or absence of the person within the upper zone; signal processing means, responsive to the first and second motion signals, for determining the condition of distress of the person falling down within the predetermined area, at least in part, from a condition where the first motion signal is indicative of the presence of the person within the first portion of the predetermined area and where the second motion signal is indicative of the absence of the person within the second portion of the predetermined area, and for providing at least one condition signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress as determined by the signal processing means; notification device means, responsive to the at least one condition signal, for providing an output signal indicative of the existence of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area; and output device means, responsive to the output signal, for providing a recognizable indication of the condition of distress associated with the person within the predetermined area.
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Specification