TWI480838B - A system for real-time monitoring movement or location and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

System and method for instantly monitoring activity status or location

The present invention is a system and method for monitoring the activity state or location of a user or object in real time.

According to the ageing of the population, long-term care is very important for the solitary (old), demented (old) or bedridden patients. The establishment of today's home care and care institutions does solve some of the long-term care problems.

The current care organization is equipped with large monitoring instruments (such as electrocardiogram) to monitor physiological signals. However, the monitoring mode can only be used one-to-one, and it is impossible to monitor the physiological signal status of other patients at the same time. In addition, since it is now aging. In society, the resources of care institutions (such as the number of beds and caregivers) cannot take care of more and more elderly people, and the cost of care institutions is not affordable to most people.

On the other hand, the current home medical device combines the functions of communication and video, and can provide remote medical staff to deal with emergencies immediately through the network. However, the use of the home medical care equipment is quite complicated and costly for the elderly. Expensive, for the mentally ill, if the medical equipment is not carried, the remote medical staff can not monitor the activity status and location of the mentally disabled person.

With the advancement of network and communication technology, Zigbee technology has been used for home care and medical monitoring, and a home care positioning system has been developed using Wi-Fi identification and positioning functions. About Zigbee technology, its IEEE 802 network In the standard, compared to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is a more power-saving technology (Table 1); however, because the Zigbee system develops network application layers, such as star topology, mesh topology (mesh) Topology) or network communication architecture such as cluster-tree topology, and the systems that conform to the above network communication architecture can communicate with each other; in addition, there must be one between the network communication architectures. Coordinator (PAN coordinator), which maintains the operation of the entire network, all packet data must be distributed through the coordinator, and the packet data needs to be added to the coordinator's label. In the transmission process, due to the coordinator's existence, it is inefficient. Instantly detect the positioning of the user during the move.

In view of the fact that in the past, the care system could not immediately and effectively monitor the activity status and location of the solitary, demented or bedridden patients, high-cost monitoring devices and high power consumption. The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for monitoring an active state or location in real time, which allows A solitary, demented or bedridden patient immediately obtains the current state of activity, physiological signals, and location when an emergency occurs outdoors or indoors, and immediately informs the caregiver or manager of the necessary assistance.

In a physical architecture, the system for monitoring the state or location of an activity in real time includes: (a) at least one sensor comprising a three-axis sensing chip and a first radio frequency chip (Radio Frequency Chip). The sensor is configured to detect an activity status of at least one user or at least one object, and periodically send at least one parameter data through a Wireless Ad Hoc Network; (b) at least one receiver, A second RF chip is included, wherein the receiver is connected to the sensor through the Wireless Ad Hoc Network, and the second RF chip is used to measure the intensity of a signal sent by the sensor. Receiving parameter data of the user or the object, and periodically transmitting the parameter data and the signal to a network address through a regional network system; (c) a server unit for setting the user or the object At least one piece of information, the information is compared with parameter data received by the network address, and the parameter data and signal are converted into a signal data by an arithmetic unit of the server unit; and (d) a database unit connected to the server unit for storing the signal data of the user or the object, and editing the signal data by the server unit to an instant dynamic browser, and presenting through the instant dynamic browser The activity status or location of the user or object.

The "parameter data" described in the present invention is a state including the sensor number, the activity state measured by the three-axis sensing chip, the pulse signal state, and the state of the emergency button (not limited thereto).

The "signal strength" according to the present invention is a signal (intensity) of a wireless packet measured by the second radio frequency chip, which is defined as a Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI).

The "information" described in the present invention includes personal data, object name, activity status, pulse signal, signal value or location (not limited thereto).

The "user" of the present invention includes a solitary, demented or bedridden patient (not limited thereto).

The "receiver" of the present invention refers to a receiver having an automatic search signal storage location.

In a specific embodiment, the sensor of the present invention may further include a detachable pulse sensor for transmitting a pulse signal through the wireless Ad Hoc Network through the first RF chip. To the receiver.

In one embodiment, the sensor of the present invention further includes an emergency button for transmitting parameter data and signals of the user or the object through the first RF chip, by using the Wireless Ad Hoc Network. Transfer to the instant dynamic browser to alert the manager to the status of the user or the item.

In the above specific embodiment, the intensity of the signal according to the present invention can be transmitted through a power amplifier included in the sensor to increase the wireless transmission distance, so that the wireless transmission distance can be more than 100 meters.

In a specific embodiment, the receiver of the present invention comprises a wireless network receiving module and a regional network module, wherein the wireless network receiving module is a standard specification of IEEE802.15.4, which can achieve power saving effect, if Replaced by other wireless network systems, For example, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, there is no power saving effect; furthermore, since the architecture of the present invention utilizes a Wireless Ad Hoc Network to achieve a "many-to-one" transmission or " The effect of many-to-many transmission.

In a specific embodiment, the local area network (module) according to the present invention refers to a computer network covering a local area, such as a medical institution, an office or a floor, and the area network includes, but is not limited to, a token ring ( Token Ring), Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) and Ethernet. In a preferred embodiment, the local area network of the present invention uses Ethernet IEEE 802.3.

In a specific embodiment, the sensor of the present invention includes a first microprocessor and the receiver includes a second microprocessor, wherein the first microprocessor is configured to receive at least one analog signal of the sensor, And converting it to at least one digit signal and transmitting it to the wireless network receiving module, and the second microprocessor is configured to collect parameter data and signals received by the wireless network receiving module, and transmit the same To the regional network module.

In a specific embodiment, the server unit of the system of the present invention includes an emergency contact unit, and the value of the parameter data sent by the active state, the pulse state, and the emergency button state is lower or higher than a threshold set by the server. Or prohibited range, the emergency contact unit will proactively notify the manager to confirm the activity status or location of the user or object.

In a specific embodiment, the server unit and the database unit of the present invention can be a cloud computing device, and all parameter data and signals can be calculated and stored via the cloud server and the cloud database, and any abnormal situation can be performed by the cloud. The server sends a warning message to the administrator via the local area network.

The present invention further provides a method for monitoring activity and positioning in real time, comprising: (a) setting at least one information of a user or an object to a server unit; (b) detecting the user by using a sensor or An active state of the object, and periodically transmitting at least one parameter data by a first RF chip in a wireless Ad Hoc Network; (c) measuring the second RF chip by using one of the receivers The intensity of one of the signals sent by the sensor and receiving the parameter data of the user or the object; (d) the receiver periodically transmits the data parameters and signals of the sensor to a network through a regional network system Address (e) comparing the information of step (a) with the parameter data received by the network address; (f) converting the parameter data and the signal into a signal through an arithmetic unit of the server unit And (g) storing the signal data in a database unit and editing the signal data by the server unit to an instant dynamic browser, the activity status of the user or object presented through the instant dynamic browser or position.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments illustrated herein

In order to understand the technical features and practical effects of the present invention in detail, and in accordance with the contents of the specification, the following is further described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings:

Example 1: System Architecture of the Invention

1 and 2 show an application example of the instant monitoring activity and positioning system of the present invention. The system 10 of the present invention is a system for instantly monitoring a solitary, demented or bedridden patient, so that the nursing staff or the manager simultaneously Monitor a large number of solitary, demented or bedridden patients, especially when a solitary or demented person has an emergency outdoors to send an activity status signal or physiological signal. In the present example, the system of the present invention combines a wireless network system, particularly a Wireless Ad Hoc Network 1011 and a regional network system 1021, to achieve immediate monitoring activity and positioning.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the system 10 of the present invention comprises: (a) at least one sensor 101 ; (b) at least one receiver 102 ; (c) a server unit 103 ; and (d) a database Unit 104 . The functions of these components and their connection to the respective Internet networks are described below.

(a) Sensor 101:

In one example, when the user is equipped with a self-sensor, the sensor 101 includes a three-axis sensing chip 1012 that can sense the activity state of an outdoor or indoor user or object, in a wireless random network. Under the system 1011 architecture, the parameter data of the user or the object is transmitted periodically (3~10 seconds) through the first RF chip 1013 .

In another example, the sensor 101 provided by the user can be combined with a detachable pulse sensor 201 , which can monitor the pulse of the user at any time and periodically pulse the pulse signal through the first RF chip 1013 ( 3~5 seconds) is transmitted via the wireless random network system 1011. When the user's pulse value is abnormal, the manager can obtain the user's condition through the dynamic browser 105 and apply appropriate processing methods. In this example, the parameter data refers to the sensor serial number, the activity state of the user or the object, the pulse signal state, and the emergency button state.

(b) Receiver 102:

Under the wireless random network system 1011 , when the user is equipped with the sensor 101 , the receiver mounted outdoors or indoor can measure the wireless signal strength sent by the sensor through the second RF chip 1014 , and receive the The user or the parameter data of the object, which includes the parameter data of the triaxial sensing chip 1012 or the pulse sensor 201 ; on the other hand, since the receiver of the present invention includes the wireless network receiving module 601 and the regional network module 602 When the receiver receives the parameter data of the user or the object, the parameter data and the wireless signal strength are periodically sent to the network address through the area network module 602. In the example, the regional network system 1021 adopts the Ethernet. Internet (Ethernet Network).

In the above example, the "periodic" means that the interval at which the sensor transmits the parameter data (signal) can be 1 second, 2 seconds, or 15 seconds, and the shorter the interval, the consumed The more energy, the better the immediacy; on the other hand, as shown in Figure 3 In the example after the positioning calculation of the present invention, the positioning function of the present invention is that the receiver collects all the packet data of the specific sensor first, and then classifies and compares the receiver to receive the packet data according to the wireless packet number of the sensor, and when the receiver The stronger the signal sent by the receiving sensor, the more the location of the user or object is located. In this example, it is shown that if the set time exceeds 30 seconds, the positioning error will be caused.

In the above example, the “wireless signal strength” is a signal (intensity) of the wireless packet measured by the second radio frequency chip, which is defined as a Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), in this example. The wireless signal strength is sent to the server unit for calculation and storage together with the parameter data.

(c) server unit 103 and (d) database unit 104:

In this example, the server unit 103 and the database unit 104 can be connected through a wireless network system or a regional network system. In a preferred embodiment, the server unit 103 and the database unit 104 are a cloud computing device 902 .

During the implementation process, the information of the user or the object must be first set in the server unit 103. When the network address receives the parameter data and the signal, and compares the preset data of the user or the object, and the parameter data and The signal is converted into a signal data by an operation unit of the server unit 103 , and then the signal data is transmitted to the database unit 104 for storage, and the signal data is edited into an instant dynamic by the server unit 103 through the Internet 1022. browser 105 to the browser 105 presents real-time dynamic active or location of the user or object.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 2, since the server unit 103 is coupled to an emergency contact unit 901 , the value of the parameter data sent by the sensor 101 is lower or higher than a threshold set by the server unit 103 . The emergency contact unit 901 displays the message in the dynamic browser 105 or sends a notification of the voice. In addition, the manager 302 can also be notified by e-mail or newsletter.

In the above example, the “internet” means that the signal data is transmitted to the server unit by wire or wirelessly; wherein the access technology of the internet can be broadband or narrowband.

Broadband such as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Ultra High Speed Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), cable TV, fiber optic, wireless broadband, power line communication or satellite broadband (not limited to this).

Narrowband such as telephone dialing, Integrated Services Digital Network, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or third generation Mobile communication technology (3 ^rd -generation) (not limited to this).

Example 2: Method for processing parameter data and signal strength by first microprocessor and second microprocessor

As shown in FIG. 2, the first microprocessor 701 in the sensor 101 receives analog signals of the three-axis sensing chip 1012 , the pulse sensor 201 or the emergency button 301 , and converts the analog signals into digital signals. A specific value can be obtained after calculation. The data is transmitted to the wireless network receiving module of the first RF chip 1013 in a periodic manner, and the broadcast function of the RF chip is turned on, and the data is transmitted to the receiver 102 by a wireless network system (such as the wireless random network system 1011 ). Then turn off the broadcast function and turn it on again when the next cycle transmits the signal to achieve the power saving effect.

On the other hand, the second microprocessor 702 in the receiver collects the data and wireless signal strength of the wireless network receiving module, and transmits the data and wireless signal strength to the regional network module (such as the Ethernet system) 1021 to The data is sent to a specific network address (server unit 103 ) in a periodic manner.

Example 3: Testing the wireless random network system packet arrival rate

The signal transmission and transmission of the present invention is constructed under a Wireless Ad Hoc Network, in order to verify the transmission environment of 100 sensors to 1 receiver, in a 24-hour continuous test, There are still more than 90% of the packet arrival rate. In this example, the area network and the server are set indoors, the distance between the sensor and the receiver is about 5 meters, and the sensor sends the wireless every 3 seconds. Pack the packet and place it for 24 hours to read the data from the server and analyze it. Figure 4 shows that after 24 hours of testing, the packet arrival rate of 100 sensors is 93~99%, and the minimum packet arrival rate is still greater than 88% according to the hourly distribution. On the other hand, Figure 5 shows a single sense. The distribution of the packet arrival rate per hour of the detector, Figure 4 shows that the 95% packet arrival rate is 93%, and the 90% packet arrival rate is only 0.25%.

In the past experience, because the Bluetooth Master can only connect 7 clients, and the Wi-Fi system can only connect up to 30 clients, under the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi system architecture, The user needs to search for no signal when sending and receiving signals. Line network access point, this method is quite power-consuming; and the system of the present invention is similar to the Zigbee system, and Figures 3 and 4 show that the system of the present invention is constructed in a wireless random network system (Wireless Ad Hoc Network) Under the same, a mechanism similar to Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) is used to prevent packet collision, as shown in Figure 6, when a large number of sensors transmit a large amount of information. When the receiver is used, the packet rate of 93% or more can still be accumulated for 24 hours, so that the power of the sensor of the present invention can be maintained for half a year to one year under the battery of 550 milliampere hour (mAh) capacity, the present invention Compared with Zigbee, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi systems in the past, it is more energy efficient. In addition, the system can monitor the activity status and positioning of solitary, demented and bedridden patients on a large scale to improve the current situation of solitary people and mentors. And problems with bedridden patients.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any one of ordinary skill in the art can be utilized without departing from the technical features of the present invention. The equivalent embodiments of the local modification or modification made by the technical content disclosed in the present invention, and without departing from the technical features of the present invention, are still within the scope of the technical features of the present invention.

10‧‧‧System of the invention

101‧‧‧ sensor

1011‧‧‧Wireless random network system

102‧‧‧ Receiver

1021‧‧‧Regional Network System

103‧‧‧Server unit

104‧‧‧Database unit

1022‧‧‧Internet

105‧‧‧Instant Dynamic Browser

1012‧‧‧Three-axis sensing chip

1013‧‧‧First RF chip

1014‧‧‧second RF chip

201‧‧‧Removable pulse sensor

301‧‧‧Emergency button

302‧‧‧Managers

601‧‧‧Wireless network receiving module

602‧‧‧Regional Network Module

701‧‧‧First microprocessor

702‧‧‧second microprocessor

901‧‧‧Emergency contact unit

902‧‧‧Cloud computing device

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the system of the present invention.

2 is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the system of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an example of the positioning calculation of the present invention

Figure 4 shows that the system is built on a wireless random network system, in 100 sensors Under the 24-hour test, the average packet arrival rate per hour can reach over 97%.

Figure 5 shows the distribution of the packet arrival rate per hour for a single sensor under the wireless random network system.

Figure 6 shows the flow of the sensor of the system to send wireless packets.

10‧‧‧System of the invention

101‧‧‧ sensor

1011‧‧‧Wireless random network system

102‧‧‧ Receiver

1021‧‧‧Regional Network System

103‧‧‧Server unit

104‧‧‧Database unit

105‧‧‧Instant Dynamic Browser

Claims (21)

A system for monitoring an active state or position in real time, comprising: (a) at least one sensor comprising a triaxial sensing chip and a first radio frequency chip, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one user or at least one An activity state of the object, and periodically transmitting at least one parameter data through a Wireless Ad Hoc Network; (b) at least one receiver including a second RFIC RF chip, wherein the receiver transmits the A wireless Ad Hoc network is connected to the sensor, and the second RFIC radio frequency chip is used to measure the intensity of a signal sent by the sensor, and receive parameter data of the user or the object. When receiving the signal sent by the sensor, the stronger the intensity, the location of the user or the object is located, and the parameter data and the signal are periodically sent to a network address through a regional network system; (c) a server unit configured to set at least one information of the user or the object, the information is compared with the parameter data received by the network address, and the parameter data and the signal are transmitted through the server One of the units is converted into a signal data; and (d) a database unit connected to the server unit for storing the signal data of the user or the object, and the server unit Signal Data Editing An instant dynamic browser that presents the activity status or location of a user or object through the instant dynamic browser. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor further comprises a detachable pulse sensor, wherein the pulse signal is transmitted through the wireless via the first RF chip. A wireless system (Wireless Ad Hoc Network) is transmitted to the receiver. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor further comprises an emergency button for transmitting parameter data and signals of the user or the object through the first radio frequency chip, by using the The Wireless Ad Hoc Network is transmitted to the instant dynamic browser to alert the administrator to the status of the user or the object. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the parameter data includes a sensor serial number, an activity status measured by the three-axis sensing chip, a pulse signal status, or an emergency button status. . A system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor further comprises a power amplifier to increase the transmission distance of the strength of the signal. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the receiver further comprises a wireless network receiving module and a regional network module. A system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a first microprocessor and the receiver comprises a second microprocessor. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 7 , wherein the first microprocessor is configured to receive at least one analog signal of the sensor and convert the signal into at least one digital signal. And transmitting the data to the wireless network receiving module and the second microprocessor is configured to collect parameter data and signals received by the wireless network receiving module, and transmit the parameter data and signals to the regional network module. A system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the server unit includes an emergency contact unit, and when the value of the parameter data sent by the sensor is lower or higher than the server unit If one of the thresholds is set, the emergency contact unit will actively notify the manager to confirm the activity status or location of the user or object. A system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the regional network system is an Ethernet network. The system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 1 is wherein the server unit and the database unit are a cloud computing device. A system for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in item 1 of the patent application, wherein the information includes personal data, object name, activity status, pulse signal, signal value or location. A system for monitoring the state or location of an activity as described in claim 1, wherein the user is a solitary person, a mentally retarded person or a bedridden patient. A method of instantly monitoring an activity state or location, including: (a) setting at least one information of a user or an object to a server unit; (b) detecting the activity state of the user or the object by using a sensor, and using a first RF chip The Wireless Ad Hoc Network periodically transmits at least one parameter data; (c) measures the intensity of a signal sent by the sensor by using a second RF chip of a receiver, and receives the use Or the parameter data of the object, when the intensity of the signal sent by the sensor is received, the location of the user or the object is located; (d) the receiver periodically transmits the signal through a regional network system. The data parameter and signal of the sensor to a network address; (e) the information of the (a) step and the parameter data received by the network address; (f) an arithmetic unit through the server unit And converting the parameter information and the signal into a signal data; and (g) storing the signal data in a database unit, and editing the signal data into an instant dynamic browser through the server unit, through the instant dynamic The user or object that the browser renders Activity status or location. The method for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14 wherein the receiver further provides a wireless network receiving module and a regional network module. A method of monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14 wherein the sensor comprises a first microprocessor and the receiver comprises a second microprocessor. The method for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 16 wherein the first microprocessor is configured to receive at least one analog signal of the sensor and convert the signal to at least one digital signal. And transmitting the data to the wireless network receiving module, and the second microprocessor is configured to collect parameter data and signals received by the wireless network receiving module, and transmit the parameter data and signals to the regional network module. The method for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14 wherein the parameter data includes a sensor serial number, an activity status measured by the three-axis sensing chip, a pulse signal or an emergency button. status. A method for monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14 of the patent application, wherein the regional network system is an Ethernet network. A method for instantly monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14, wherein the information includes personal data, object name, activity status, pulse signal, signal value, or location. A method of monitoring the status or location of an activity as described in claim 14 of the patent application, wherein the user is a solitary person, a mentally retarded person or a bedridden patient.