GB2467563A

GB2467563A - Inactivity alarm using wireless sensors detecting electrical appliance use or toilet use

Info

Publication number: GB2467563A
Application number: GB0901909A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Henry Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-06
Filing date: 2009-02-06
Publication date: 2010-08-11
Also published as: GB0901909D0

Abstract

The inactivity alarm 10, suitable for monitoring; a person's domestic activity, comprises a base unit 12 having a user-adjustable timer 34 and at least one remote monitoring unit 14, 16 able to transmit 46 a wireless signal representing a usage status of a household appliance to the base unit 12. The base unit 12 outputs an emergency signal via an alarm transmitter 46 when an expected signal is not received from a remote monitor within the timer's 34 set period. One type of remote monitor 14, 74 (fig 3) may be able to sense use of an electrical appliance 88, and may comprise a device with a socket 78 to receive the appliance's mains power plug 86, the device also having plug means 76 to connect to a mains power socket 84. Another type of remote monitor 16,90 is able to detect use of a toilet by sensing (figs 4, 5) the drop in water level in a cistern when the toilet is flushed; this device may have a hook 96 for the edge of the cistern.

Description

Inactivity Warning Apparatus The present invention relates to inactivity warning apparatus, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for the elderly, invalid and/or infirm.

For older, invalid or infirm people living by themselves, either in their own home or in warden-assisted accommodation, it can be a cause of concern that they are out of contact with a carer or other person if an accident or other incident occurs.

Devices are already known which can alert a carer to an incident. For example, an emergency pull cord which is connected to a remote alert centre is widely used in care homes and warden-assisted accommodation. Another device, typically in the form of a necklace, can be worn by the user and again on activation sends a signal to a remote alert centre. However, these require the individual to initiate their use. If the individual is incapacitated, then these prior art arrangements will not work.

Furthermore, the prior art arrangements are not discreet, reinforcing the negative aspects of becoming old or infirm.

Additionally, any device which is intended to be worn or carried can be misplaced or forgotten, making the device useless.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided inactivity warning apparatus comprising a base unit having a user-adjustable timer, a wireless receiver, and a transmitter; and at least one remote monitoring unit having monitoring means for monitoring a status of a household appliance as hereinafter defined and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the base unit, the base unit outputting an emergency signal via its transmitter when a signal from the transmitter of the remote monitoring unit is not received within the user-set period of the timer.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 14, inclusive.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example oniy, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of inactivity warning apparatus, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a base unit of the apparatus, shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows one in use remote monitoring unit monitoring use of a kettle in the kitchen; and Figures 4 and 5 show another in use remote monitoring unit provided in a cistern to monitor use of a toilet.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown inactivity warning apparatus 10 which comprises a base unit 12 and, in this case, two remote monitoring units 14, 16. Although two remote monitoring units 14, 16 are provided and will be described in more detail below, only one remote monitoring unit or more than two remote monitoring units can be utilised as necessity dictates.

The base unit 12 is best shown in Figure 2 and comprises a base housing 18 having a bottom casing 20 and a top casing 22 defining a circuitry compartment 24 and battery compartment 26; a PCB 28 within the circuitry compartment 24; a, preferably rechargeable, battery 30 within the battery compartment 26; a cover plate 32 provided on an upper surface of the top casing 22; a user-adjustable timer 34; reset element 36; an emergency alarm element 38; pre-warning element 40; and emergency signal indicator 42.

The base housing 18 is preferably moulded plastics, and may convey the appearance of a computer mouse. The housing 18 is attachable to a wall surface, for example, via screws, or may simply rest on a horizontal surface. Although battery operable, the base unit 12 is also preferably connectable to a mains electricity power supply such that the battery 30 provides backup power in the event of a mains electricity outage.

A wireless receiver 44 and a wireless transmitter 46 are provided within the base housing 18, conveniently on the PCB 28. Although the transmitter 46 is wireless, it may be, additionally or alternatively, hard-wired to a landline. The base unit transmitter 46 is connectable to a telephone system, being wireless and/or hard-wired. As such, the transmitter 46 may output a wireless radiofrequency, preferably voice, signal to a local mobile phone base station, and/or a digital, preferably voice, signal to a landline. A dialling circuit 48 is included as part of the base unit transmitter 46, allowing the emergency voice signal to be outputted to a centralised alert centre, or directly to a carer or other responsible person.

The user-adjustable timer 34 includes a timer circuit 50 on the PCB 28 and a dial 52 or other suitable user-interface on the base housing 18. The timer circuit 50 can be selectively set to count specific periods, typically in hours. For example, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 24 hours can be set, and the dial 52 includes appropriate indicia therearound representing these values. The timer circuit 50 is set to activate the base unit transmitter 46 to output the emergency voice signal on expiry of the user-selected period.

The reset element 36 includes a first large button interface 54 provided on an upper surface of the base housing 18 which is connected to the timer circuit 50 for resetting the user-selected period. An upper surface of the first large button interface 54 includes a first display portion 56 for displaying RESET' in large letters.

The emergency alarm element 38 includes a second large button interface 58 provided on the upper surface of the base housing 18 and spaced from the first large button interface 54 of the reset element 36. The second large button interface 58 is connected to the timer circuit 50 to override the user-selected period and immediately activate the base unit transmitter 46 to output the emergency voice signal. An upper surface of the second large button interface 58 includes a second display portion 60 for displaying ALARM' in large letters.

The pre-warning element 40 comprises a pre-warning circuit 62 connected to the timer circuit 50 which outputs a pre-warning signal to the emergency signal indicator 42 at a predetermined time prior to the activation of the base unit transmitter 46. The predetermined pre-waming period may be, for example, 15 minutes. The predetermined pre-warning period may also be settable by the user.

The emergency signal indicator 42 includes a visual alert and an audible alert. The visual alert is provided by one or more light emitting elements 64 on the PCB 28 for emitting light through a transparent or translucent window 66 in the upper surface of the base housing 18, and a first driver circuit 68 for energising the light emitting elements 64 on receiving the pre-waming signal. The audible alert is provided by one or more speakers 70 in or on the base housing 18, and a second driver circuit 72 for energising the speakers 70 on receiving the pre-warning signal.

The emergency signal indicator 42 is also energised on activation of the base unit transmitter 46. In this case, a different visual alert and/or audible alert is preferably outputted.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the first remote monitoring unit 14 comprises a first housing 74 having electrical conducting prongs 76 projecting from one side and an electrical-plug housing socket 78 on the other side. A monitoring circuit and a wireless transmitter are provided within the housing 74. The monitoring circuit monitors an electricity supply between the prongs 76 and the housing socket 78, and energises the wireless transmitter to output a signal to the receiver 44 of the base unit 12 on detection of a current flowing to the housing socket 78.

The first remote monitoring unit 14 has the form of a removable adaptor which is removably pluggable into an electricity outlet wall socket 84. An electrical plug 86 of an appliance 88, such as a kettle, television or radio, can then be removably plugged into the housing socket 78.

Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5, the second remote monitoring unit 16 comprises a second, preferably water-tight, housing 90, a capacitive sensor 92, a monitoring circuit and a wireless transmitter. The second housing 90 includes a battery compartment for one or more batteries. The capacitive sensor 92 comprises two probe-like prong conductors 94 which project from one side of the second housing 90. When the monitoring circuit determines that the capacitance sensed by the sensor 92 has reached a predetermined level, the monitoring circuit energises the wireless transmitter to output a signal to the receiver 44 of the base unit 12. The second remote monitoring unit 16 includes a length-adjustable hook 96 on the second housing 90, allowing the second remote monitoring unit 16 to be hooked over an edge of a toilet cistern 98 so that, when the cistern 98 is in an unflushed state, the conductors 94 of the sensor 92 are submerged.

The predetermined level of capacitance is reached when the sensor 92 is out of the water, which is typically during a flush cycle.

In use, the user sets the timer circuit 50 via the dial 52 on the base unit 12. Providing that during the pre-set period, such as 12 hours, the appliance with the associated remote monitoring unit 14, 16, in this case being either the toilet or the kettle, is used, then a signal is outputted to the base unit 12 and the timer circuit 50 is automatically reset.

If the user is active, but for some reason does not use the monitored appliance during the pre-set period, the pre-warning element 40 activates, and the visual and audible alerts are outputted. The user then has a predetermined period in which to manually reset the timer circuit 50 via the reset element 36.

If the user is unable to use the monitored appliance during the pre-set period and cannot reset the timer circuit 50, for example, because the user has fallen or has been subjected to an incapacitating stroke, then no signal is received from the remote monitoring unit 14, 16, and following the pre-warning period the base unit transmitter 46 is activated to automatically contact a carer or responsible person for assistance.

If the user can still move, the emergency alarm element 38 can be manually used to contact a carer or responsible person for assistance.

Where batteries are utilised, a battery replacement signal may be outputted by the emergency signal indicator when a low battery signal is received.

To make the first remote monitoring unit even more discreet, it may be formed as an electrical plug provided as part of the appliance.

In the present invention, the term appliance' is defined as an instrument, apparatus, or device for a particular purpose or use, and as such includes a toilet.

It is thus possible to provide inactivity warning apparatus which is particularly beneficial for an elderly, infirm or invalid person. The apparatus operates discreetly, with little or no requirement for user intervention. As such, a user can feel confident that assistance will arrive reasonably promptly if an incident occurs, especially one that incapacitates or severely restricts the user's movement.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications wilt be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Tnactivity warning apparatus comprising a base unit having a user-adjustable timer, a wireless receiver, and a transmitter; and at least one remote monitoring unit having monitoring means for monitoring a status of a household appliance as hereinbefore defined and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal to the base unit, the base unit outputting an emergency signal via its transmitter when a signal from the transmitter of the remote monitoring unit is not received within the user-set period of the timer.
2. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a pre-waming device for outputting a pre-warning alert prior to the base unit transmitting the emergency signal.
3. Tnactivity warning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base unit includes a reset for resetting the timer.
4. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit transmitter is wireless.
5. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit transmitter is connectable to a remote telephone for sending an emergency voice signal thereto.
6. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring unit includes a plug adapted for removable engagement with a domestic electrical wall socket, and an electric socket for receiving an electrical plug of an electrically powered appliance.
7. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the monitoring unit includes a plug adapted for removable engagement with a domestic electrical wall socket, and is in electrical communication with an electrically powered appliance.
8. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monitoring unit is a removable electrical adaptor which is interposable between an electrical wall socket and an electric plug of an appliance.
9. Tnactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or a further said monitoring unit is positionable on or in a toilet, the monitoring unit having a sensor for detecting use of the toilet, a signal of the sensor being outputable to the wireless transmitter of the monitoring unit.
10. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said monitoring unit is locatable in a toilet cistern.
11. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the sensor includes a capacitive element for detecting a change in capacitance due to a change in water level.
12. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the said monitoring unit includes a length-adjustable hook for hanging the unit on an edge of the toilet.
13. Tnactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user-adjustable timer includes a dial for selectively setting an inactivity period.
14. Inactivity warning apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit further includes an emergency alarm user-interface for activating the transmitter of the base unit to immediately output the emergency signal.
15. Inactivity warning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.