Safety device system

• US 7,453,364 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ist International Security Technology Oy
• Original Assignee: Ist International Security Technology Oy
• Inventors: Särelā, Antti, Myllymāki, Marko
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/175,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20060011729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/545.4, 340/562
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0211 Combination with medical sensor, e.g. for measuring heart rate, temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety device system, comprising a wearable alarm device fastenable to the wrist or elsewhere in the body or an instrument measuring physiological signals or a combination thereof, and a data terminal (6) capable of receiving messages and information from a wearable device (1). The wearable device (1) has a measurement-based identification about the device being attached to a wearer, said identification being processed for status data. The data terminal (6) has a user interface for displaying the measured status data graphically.

Claims

1. A safety device system, comprising:

a freely-removable, wearable alarm device fastenable with a fastening device to a wrist or elsewhere on a human body or an instrument measuring physiological signals or a combination thereof;

a data terminal capable of receiving messages and information from the wearable alarm device; and

means for notifying the human to wear the wearable alarm device,

wherein the wearable alarm device has a measurement-based identification about the wearable alarm device being attached to a wearer, said identification being processed for status data of use and non-use of the wearable alarm device, and

wherein the data terminal has a user interface for displaying the measured status data of repeated periods of use and non-use graphically.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein an attachment identification for the wearable alarm device is effected by a capacitive measurement.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein an attachment identification for the wearable device is effected by measuring the impedance of a medium between contacts present in the device.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein an attachment identification for the wearable device is effected by indicating locking of a clasp present in a strap of the device.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein an attachment identification for the wearable device is effected during the transmission of an rf-transmitter present in the device by measuring a current inducing in a second antenna isolated from the transmitter.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein an attachment identification for the wearable device is effected by measuring the temperature of a part of the device which is in contact with the skin.

7. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable alarm device is a bracelet.

8. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable alarm device is attached by a strap to a wearer.

9. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wearable alarm device transmits status data wirelessly to a base station.

10. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the status data can be loaded from the wearable alarm device by means of a cable coupled thereto.

11. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal is a computer provided with a program for receiving and displaying status data.

12. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal is a mobile phone provided with a program for receiving and displaying status data.

13. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal is a PDA device (Personal Digital Assistant) provided with a program for receiving and displaying status data.

14. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal'"'"'s program displays status data graphically as a time segment.

15. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal'"'"'s program displays status data graphically in conjunction with physiological measurement data.

16. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal'"'"'s program displays status data as a variable symbol.

17. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal has a capability of displaying a using rate of the wearable device in percentage.

18. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the data terminal'"'"'s program has a capability of scanning status data back in time.

19. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said status data includes data for anticipating a period or periods of wearable alarm device non-use or removal using automatic identifier status data of repeated instances of removal or deactivation of the wearable alarm device.

20. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said status data includes data for distinguishing between occasions of intentional wearable alarm device non-use or removal and other occasions of non-use.

21. A method of advising a human subject to a wear a safety alarm device, the method comprising:

providing the human subject with the safety alarm device that includes an automatic identifier that indicates when the human subject is wearing and not wearing the safety alarm device, wherein the wearable alarm device has a measurement-based identification about the safety alarm device being attached to the human;

monitoring the safety alarm device for automatic identifier data using a data terminal, wherein the data terminal receives messages and information from the safety device;

determining a period or periods of non-use or removal of the safety alarm device by the human subject; and

notifying the human subject to wear the safety alarm device.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21, wherein the data terminal monitors automatic identifier data for at least one of a change in current flow, a change in rf-transmission strength, a change in impedance, a change in capacitance, and a change in body temperature.

23. A method as set forth in claim 21, the method further comprising displaying graphical representations of automatic identifier data on the data terminal.

24. A method as set forth in claim 21, the method further comprising determining a rate of use of the safety alarm device over a period of time.

25. A method as set forth in claim 21, the method further comprising providing an emergency button on the safety alarm device.

26. A method as set forth in claim 21, the method further comprising:

detecting periods or patterns of repeated non-use or removal of the safety alarm device using the automatic identifier data; and

notifying the human subject to wear the safety alarm device in anticipation of said detected periods or patterns of repeated non-use or removal.