FI114246B

FI114246B - Device for indicating recoil

Info

Publication number: FI114246B
Application number: FI20035106A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Ilkka Korhonen; Eelis Cederstroem
Original assignee: Ist Oy
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Also published as: WO2004114245A1; EP1642248A1; FI20035106A0; FI20035106D0; FI114246B1; DE602004005596D1; EP1642248B1; DE602004005596T2

Description

114246

Crash detection device

The invention relates to a device for detecting overturning, which device comprises a portable device which can be attached to the wrist or other body.

5

Rollover accidents in the elderly are common. Often, as a result of a fall, an elderly person is unable to get up and needs help. With the help of traditional security alarms, the elderly person can call for help by pressing the alarm button provided. The problem with the method is that when an elderly person falls 10, he or she may injure himself or herself without being able to call for help, for example because of unconsciousness. An automatic crash detection system could automatically trigger an alarm if the elderly person is unable to get up or make an alarm himself.

15 There are two fundamentally different methods to apply in the event of an automatic safety alarm that can alert you, even if the user is unable to do so.

The 1ST Vivago Wellness Wristband measures your user's wrist movements. If: 20 movements are not detected at all, or if the number of movements is small for a longer period of time, the device will automatically alert. The idea is that this mode is not • · · ·: ··: normal. The device is not directly able to detect crashes, but it can: •: *: detect any movement that may follow the crash and thus trigger · * · ': alarm. The problem with the method is that such an alarm is not very specific: '' *; 25 sifi, and to avoid false alarms, the alarm delay should be relatively long (30min-3h).

; : Crash detectors such as those described in, for example, patent applications GB GB 2323196, EP 0 877 346 A and EP 1 128 349 A1 are based on the measurement of body acceleration, velocity and posture, and by means of various algorithms for detecting an overturning incident. According to research, one of these:.:! the device is relatively reliable and has a long delay, but the problem with this • · 114246 2 and all similar methods is the usability of the device. In the method, motion is measured with a device that has to be worn attached to the body, for example in a belt. When placed in the limbs, such as the wrist, the device does not work.

In practice, a belt-based stand-alone device often remains idle, 5 whereby assistance is not available when needed. In practice, the best locations for long-term use are cufflinks and necklaces.

The optimal crash detector should be easy to carry, reliable and as fast as possible with an alarm delay.

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It is an object of the invention to provide a device for avoiding the problems of the above methods and devices.

This object is achieved by the invention by the features set forth in the appended claims 1 to 15. Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is based on the fact that a: 20 barometer (barometric pressure transducer) mounted on a sensitive security bracelet or similar portable alarm can detect differences in air pressure corresponding to a height shift of about 0.5m. The required measurement resolution: • is achieved by, for example, wristop computers for outdoor use, which • have an altimeter based on atmospheric pressure. Boiler; The detection of '': is, at its simplest, based on a rapid change of '1:25 measured air pressure.

»» · • '; When combined with motion measurement from the wrist, motion measurement can increase the reliability of the rollover alarm. Motion measurement can detect both the large movement caused by the rollover and the post-rollback I · · t I. T '.30 immobility state, eg due to unconsciousness.

• · • »» 1 1 • tl M t · • · • ♦ »· 114246 3

Changes in ambient barometric pressure due to door opening or air conditioning in the apartment can be compensated for by another fixed sensor installed in the apartment. Security alarms transmit alarms and any measurement data to a fixed base station in the apartment wirelessly via a short-range radio transmitter. Preferably, a second pressure sensor can be located in the base station to measure the air pressure in the apartment. When the portable alarm receives air pressure information from the base station, it can compare the change information with its own pressure sensor signal. If the same change is detected on both sensors at the same time, it is a change in ambient pressure and is not related to a fall.

Crash detection reliability can also be enhanced if the wristband or portable alarm automatically detects that it is properly present with the user. In the case of a bracelet, this can preferably be done, for example, by measuring the impedance of the skin on the wrist. If the device does not recognize itself in the hand, the pressure changes will not indicate a fall. In this way, error alarms, such as those caused by the device being dropped, can be eliminated.

:: ': 20 The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device according to the invention embedded in a turkey: and

Fig. 2 shows the behavior of the measurement signals measured by the device according to the invention in the event of a rollover.

Fig. 1 shows a user-worn security strap 1 in wireless communication with a base station 2 in the same state or in an apartment 14 with the user.

* *> · 4 114246

The safety bracelet 1 includes a sensitive pressure sensor 5 for measuring changes in air pressure, a motion sensor 6 for measuring changes (accelerations) in the movement state, and a sensor 7 for detecting hand hold. The operation of the sensor 7 may be based, for example, on the measurement of skin impedance. The measurement data of the sensors 5, 6, 7 is fed to a processor 3 which generates a fall detection from the measurement results or transmits the measurement results via a transmitter 4 to the base station 2 which uses the measurement data from the sensors 5, 6, 7 to analyze and detect a possible fall event. Alternatively, the analysis and detection can already be performed on the processor of the portable device 1.

10

Base station 2 includes a receiver 8 which transmits measurement data of device 1 to processor 9. Base station 2 has a second stationary pressure transducer 10, which acts as a reference pressure transducer and is connected to processor 9. An alarm for a possible fall event can be provided via modem 11 to another recipient.

One possible fall detection algorithm may be, for example: 20 1. Bracelet 1 recognizes that it is in the hand and detects rapid height: ·: decrease (> 0.5m) by measuring the change in air pressure. The change corresponds to moving from portrait to landscape.

• «· • t ·« · 1 ·

• I

• # · • »\ .2. Check if there is also a rapid movement of • · 25 amplitude associated with the change in air pressure.

• Mi: "': 3. Bracelet 1 sends measurement data to base station 2. Base station 2 checks. whether the atmospheric pressure has changed at the same time. If so, an alarm ·· 1. will not be sent.

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30 · »114246 5 4. Base station 2 expects that, based on the movement measurement of the bracelet 1, it can be determined that after the change, the user's movements have ceased sufficiently long (possible unconsciousness).

5 5. The base station alerts you of a possible crash.

The algorithm can be optimized using real measurement data. Figure 2 graphically illustrates the behavior of measurement signals in a rollover situation.

The basic idea is that the rapid change in the height of the bracelet 1 caused by the tipping is detected by the height difference sensor 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is an air pressure sensor. However, atmospheric pressure changes can occur for a variety of reasons: stair movements, room air pressure changes, etc. Ambient changes can advantageously be compensated by 15 other fixed reference sensors 10. Other normal altitude changes due to user movement can be distinguished by combining specific air pressure changes with stop moving. Position change measurement can also be used for the same purpose. Thus, instead of or in addition to the motion sensor 6, the bracelet 20 includes a position measuring sensor. The pressure changes due to the movement of the device 1 alone can be automatically compensated for by detecting whether the device is in hand or otherwise properly engaged.

The device can greatly improve and accelerate the detection of a crash compared to known crash alert devices.

A particular application of the device according to the invention is a boiler to be connected to special groups, in particular the elderly telephone or other security service »* ';;; 'Dark alarm.

30 i.i i Advantages of the device according to the invention: »· β 114246 ο - The required technology is easily implemented in an existing emergency telephone system with a portable bracelet and a home base access point.

5 - Sensing can be done on the bracelet, which is not possible with a position detection rollover alarm. Thus, the method does not require the wearing and carrying of a separate waist-mounted accessory.

10 - Applying the method to the bracelet, it is easy and inexpensive to make automatic recognition of whether the device is in the hand or not. This can be done, for example, by a well-known impedance measurement of the wrist skin. Authentication can prevent misidentifications when the device is not actually in use.

15 - The method improves the reliability of an alert based solely on motion or position detection and also allows for a shorter alert delay.

20 - The implementation does not require any additional equipment for the living environment, such as indoor * 1 ·, ·. spit-based rollover.

* · •, - The technology is based on utilizing existing sensors and combining information from them.

25 - The implementation is very advantageous because the required pressure sensor and its • measuring electronics are inexpensive and easy to connect with • »* ·; · * Portable alarm device electronics and processor. This also applies to: * ·· 30 sensors in the base station to compensate for pressure changes in the environment.

•> »•» · • · · »· * · • · 114246 7

The height difference sensor 5 may be other than a sensor for measuring changes in air pressure. It can be based, for example, on 3-D local positioning or generally using radio technology and time modulation to measure relative altitude changes.

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Claims

Device for indicating a case, said device (1, 2) consisting of a portable device (1) attached to the wrist or other body part, characterized in that the portable device (1) has a height difference measuring detector (5) and the case is indicated by a change in the relative height measured by the apparatus.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the altitude difference detector (5) is an air pressure measuring detector (5) and the case is indicated by a change in the air pressure measured by the device caused by the reduction of the portable device (1). height.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portable apparatus (1) has a detector (6) for measuring motion and the case is indicated, since the measured relative height changes simultaneously, as the motion detector (6) observes a of the case caused rapid movement of the male or body. >, '·· 20
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the apparatus (1, * v 2) has a data processing unit (3/9) which is arranged to indicate by means of measurement of relative height and motion a dl after the change in the relative height follows the user's continued state of immobility during a predetermined time. 25
Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the portable device (1) has a detector for position measurement and the case is indicated, since the measured relative height is changed and at the same time the position detector observes a case caused by the case. change of hand or position of body. · • · I t «a 114246
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the apparatus has a data processing unit (3/9) arranged to indicate the case by means of the measurement of relative height and position, following the relative height change for a predetermined time. a continuous state, where the user's position does not change.
Device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the portable device (1) on has a detector (7) for indicating hand pouring, by means of which the portable device (1) automatically identifies if it is of the user or not, and the case is indicated only where the portable device (1) identifies itself with the user.
Device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that in addition to the portable device (1) there is in the same space (14) as the user a stationary other device (2) with a reference detector (10) and the case is indicated. by comparing data from the reference detector and the portable device's height difference detector (5).
Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the reference detector (10) is a pressure detector (10) for measuring the change in ambient air pressure, and the case is indicated by the portable device (1). the measured air pressure changes and at the same time, the ambient air pressure measured by the stationary device (2) does not change.
Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the portable device (1) interferes with data transmission communication with the stationary; ; close to the other apparatus (2), which indicates the case on the basis of measurements.
Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the portable device (1) interferes in data transfer communication with the stationary second device (2), and the portable device (1) indicates the case of the basis of measurements. 13 114246
Device according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, based on the indication of a case, the apparatus (1, 2) triggers alarms transmitted by data transmission communication (12) to an alarm center (13) or other receiver of the alarm. 5
Device according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that the portable device (1) has an alarm button (15) which the user can press to self-trigger an alarm, which is transmitted to an alarm center (13) another receiver. * 1 · • · • »♦ ·» • k »· · • i I 1 t •