Method and system for detecting a fall based on comparing data to criteria derived from multiple fall data sets
First Claim
1. A device for characterizing potential fall event data, comprising:
- a processor configured for;
loading a first acceleration magnitude threshold value from a memory;
loading a second acceleration magnitude threshold value from a memory;
sampling acceleration data received from an acceleration measuring means of the device;
storing the sampled acceleration data into a memory capable of storing a predetermined number of sampled acceleration data samples;
determining a calculated magnitude acceleration value from the acceleration data for each sample;
comparing the calculated magnitude acceleration value to the first acceleration magnitude threshold value for each sample;
comparing the calculated magnitude acceleration value to the second acceleration magnitude threshold value if the calculated magnitude acceleration value does not exceed the first acceleration magnitude threshold value, wherein the first acceleration magnitude threshold value corresponds to a first characteristic segmentation of fall event data sets and the second acceleration magnitude threshold value corresponds to a second characteristic segmentation of fall event data sets; and
outputting a signal indicating that a fall may have occurred if the calculated magnitude exceeds either the first or the second acceleration magnitude threshold values.
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Abstract
A device monitors sensor data generated by movement of a wearer and determines whether the data indicates a fall. The device may include accelerometers, barometer(s), and sensors that detect, light, sound, temperature, magnetic and electric fields, strain-force on the device, and other environmental conditions. A processor determines whether the data meets a first criterion for a parameter (i.e., exceeding an acceleration or barometric pressure maximum threshold). The first criterion corresponds to a first set of known-fall event data sets. If the first criterion is met, the processor generates a full indication. If the data does not meet the first criterion, the processor compares the data to a second criterion for the same, or different, parameter. If the second parameter is met, further processing confirms a fall determination by comparing the data to other criteria corresponding to known-fall event data sets that differ from the first set.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A device for characterizing potential fall event data, comprising:
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a processor configured for; loading a first acceleration magnitude threshold value from a memory; loading a second acceleration magnitude threshold value from a memory; sampling acceleration data received from an acceleration measuring means of the device; storing the sampled acceleration data into a memory capable of storing a predetermined number of sampled acceleration data samples; determining a calculated magnitude acceleration value from the acceleration data for each sample; comparing the calculated magnitude acceleration value to the first acceleration magnitude threshold value for each sample; comparing the calculated magnitude acceleration value to the second acceleration magnitude threshold value if the calculated magnitude acceleration value does not exceed the first acceleration magnitude threshold value, wherein the first acceleration magnitude threshold value corresponds to a first characteristic segmentation of fall event data sets and the second acceleration magnitude threshold value corresponds to a second characteristic segmentation of fall event data sets; and outputting a signal indicating that a fall may have occurred if the calculated magnitude exceeds either the first or the second acceleration magnitude threshold values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for characterizing potential fall event data, comprising:
a processor configured for; loading a first acceleration magnitude threshold value and a gravitational proxy value from a memory; sampling acceleration information from an acceleration measuring means of the device at a predetermined sample rate into sampled acceleration data; determining a calculated magnitude acceleration value from the sampled acceleration data for each sample; storing the calculated magnitude acceleration values into a memory capable of storing a predetermined number of calculated magnitude acceleration values corresponding to a predetermined number of samples of acceleration data; comparing each calculated magnitude acceleration value to the first acceleration magnitude threshold value; evaluating the predetermined number of calculated magnitude acceleration values to determine a number of samples composing a fall evaluation period, wherein a calculated magnitude acceleration value that drops below the gravitational proxy value indicates a beginning of the fall evaluation period, and wherein the predetermined number of calculated magnitude acceleration values corresponds to samples during the fall evaluation period occurring before a sample having a calculated magnitude acceleration value that exceeds the first acceleration magnitude threshold value; comparing the number of samples in the fall evaluation period to a fall evaluation period limit value, wherein the fall evaluation period limit value is determined from empirical fall data; and outputting a signal indicating that a fall may have occurred if the number of samples in the fall evaluation period does not exceed the fall evaluation period limit value. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device for characterizing potential fall event data, comprising:
a processor configured for; loading a first elevation change threshold value from a memory; loading a second elevation change threshold value from a memory; determining that data from one, or more, measurement sensor means, corresponding to one, or more, respective parameters, indicates that a trigger event has occurred; evaluating data generated, by at least one of the measurement sensor means that measures pressure, before the trigger event with data generated after the trigger event to result in an elevation chance value; comparing the elevation change value with the first elevation change threshold value; comparing data from one, or more, of the measurement sensor means to first criteria for the one, or more, corresponding parameters if the elevation change value exceeds the first elevation change threshold value, wherein the first criteria corresponds to the first elevation change threshold value; characterizing the potential fall event data as a fall event if the data from the one, or more, measurement sensor means satisfies the first criteria; if the data from the one, or more, measurement sensor means does not satisfy the first criteria, comparing data from one, or more, of the measurement sensor means to second criteria for the one, or more, corresponding parameters if the elevation change value exceeds the second elevation change threshold value, wherein the second criteria corresponds to the second elevation change threshold value; and characterizing the potential fall event data as a fall event if the data from the one, or more, measurement sensor means satisfies the second criteria. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification