GB2409321A

GB2409321A - Fall alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2409321A
Application number: GB0418223A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Thomas Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-28
Filing date: 2004-08-16
Publication date: 2005-06-22
Also published as: GB0418223D0; GB0325115D0

Abstract

A life saving electronic warning and communication system for 'high-risk' personel prone to falls due to medical disorders or accidents associated with speech impairment eg. Epilepsy, syncope, stroke, elderly or covert mlitary ops. An electronic module interfaced with a mobile phone worn at waist level. Incorporating warning auditory and visual signals triggered by a horizontal or vertical activating switch with time. Delay and accelerometer switches to ensure the whole circuit is only activated by a very sudden fall and not by voluntary lydown. Manual overide and location devices such as pre-recorded voice mail/text or even GPS would be added safety features for dangerous and isolate venues.

Description

i, 240932 1 This invention relates to a two-way user friendly, mobile,

inexpensive electronic alerting and communication system. Life threatening falls or collapse can be proactively protected and minimized. Having relevance to accident prone elderly, medical disorders such as epilepsy, syncope, stroke and military/police operations where communication lapses.

Portable monitoring electronic devices have a long history of use in cardiac, and neurological clinics. Needing specialist supervision they are bulky, expensive and not adapted for the lay public.

They are also not adapted for warning of danger but merely monitor the episode for later analysis.

The inventor, a consultant physician specializing in epilepsy realized the public need and world wide market for such a portable, inexpensive, user friendly device.

Accordingly this invention consists of a 'module' which can be 'interfaced' to mobile phones terminals such as 'nokia', 'orange', 'motorola' etc. The module obtains power from the cellular phone base and incorporates circuitry for alerting sensors and signals, positional sensors and accelerometers activated when the wearer at risk falls to the horizontal body position and is unable to call for help.

Essentially this adapted mobile phone/module is worn at waist level secured vertically by a shock prooftransparent casing. This adapted phone/module transmitting system is also pre-programmed to a receiver phone/system held by a 'cater' or 'significant other' to also ring when the Isi device is activated by the horizontal position assumed after the fall.

Both auditory beeps and flashing light "help" buttons are also activated by the horizontal/vertical activating electronic switches. Incorporated time-delay switch and accelerometer ensures circuit closure only with a rapid, sudden fall after about half minute delay.

This eliminates false alarms due to voluntary lying down consciously. E.g. Leisure, sleep, non threatening falls etc. Any passer-by observing the danger and warning signals can press the flashing "help" button, this aborts the auditory and visual signals and by removing the phone can speak directly for medical or other advice from the cater holding the preprogrammed ringing receiver mobile phone also activated by the fall and modular activating switches.

Life-saving medical and operational advice can be given to the passer-by before arrival of the ambulance or even to the hospital A&E staff if there is lack of essential information. Later two additional safety features can be incorporated in the transmitting phone-module. If the 'person at risk' is about to enter an isolate or dangerous location such as in adventure sports or military operations the wearer can leave a 'voice mail or text' which is also automatically transmitted to the receiver phone with horizontal activation by a fall. Other more expensive global positional systems could be used in future prototypes.

Finally a manual overide switch is incorporated in the module for sleep or leisure positions in the horizontal or for recharging etc!

Claims

Claims 1) An electronic module interfaced with power terminals of an

adapted mobile phone. Providing warning auditory and visual signals and programmed to a receptor mobile phone; all triggered by a positional horizontal or vertical activating switch. A time delay and accelerometer is incorporated to ensure circuit activation only by a sudden fall of body to horizontal, after a short delay.
2) An electronic module interfaced with a mobile phone as in claim I wherein the transmitting phone if provided with a large help button in addition to the ok/talk button.
3) An electronic module interfaced with a mobile phone as in claims 1 or 2 providing a manual overide to the signals.
4) An electronic module interfaced with a mobile phone as in claims I or 2 or 3. incorporating a location device such as recorded voice mail/text or global systems.
5) An electronic module interfaced interfaced with a mobile phone as in claims 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 secured vertically or horizontally at waist level by a shockproof transparent casing and belt attachment.