GB2485972A

GB2485972A - Device for monitoring vulnerable individuals living alone

Info

Publication number: GB2485972A
Application number: GB1019815.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Kane
Original assignee: Internet Computer Bureau PLC
Current assignee: Internet Computer Bureau PLC
Priority date: 2010-11-23
Filing date: 2010-11-23
Publication date: 2012-06-06
Also published as: GB201019815D0

Abstract

A monitoring device 10 is arranged to monitor vulnerable individuals living alone. The monitoring device 10 determines one or more of: the presence or absence of a person in a predefined area; the presence or absence of a predefined substance; and/or, the change or absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity. The device 10 comprises a housing 20; a power supply connection means 90 for connecting it to a power supply; a monitoring means; a communication means for sending and/or receiving, signals; and a controller for controlling the device, and determining if and when to transmit a signal. The monitoring device 10 may include a PIR sensor; a temperature sensor; a carbon dioxide detector; and an electricity usage monitor. An appliance, such as a kettle, may be connected to a power supply via the device.

Description

A Monitoring Device The present invention relates generally to a monitoring device and a method of determining the presence or absence of a person in a predefined area and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in domestic homes for monitoring the welfare of people, and/or in monitoring such things as the security of boats.

Many people today live alone. For elderly, sick or infirm people this means if that they become incapacitated by whatever means, such as a fall, there is no one on hand to help them. It is therefore useful to be able to monitor their welfare in a discrete and non-invasive manner and to provide an alert to a carer, member of family, neighbour, or the emergency services in times of need.

Furthermore, property (such as houses or boats etc.) may he left unattended for periods of time and it is desirable to be able to remotely monitor their status.

Various monitoring devices to fulfil this need are known. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved, relatively inexpensive and simple to use monitoring device. This device may combine a number of existing services in a unique and innovative manner.

In one aspect, the invention provides a monitoring device for determining the presence and/or absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, and/or for determining the presence or absence of, or change in, at least one property of the immediate vicinity, comprising a housing, power supply connection means for connecting it to a power supply, a monitoring means, a communication means for sending, or sending and receiving, signals, and a controller for controlling the device and determining if and when to send a signal.

In this regard, the power supply may be domestic and include both 230V AC, 12 Volt DC supplies often found in boats, caravans and the like, or other supply types.

The "signal" may be considered an alerting signal.

The property may be a physical and/or chemical property, such as air temperature, air composition, and power supply characteristics.

The monitoring means may be arranged to determine temperature, and/or to detect the presence of carbon monoxide above a predetermined threshold, and/or to detect movement (or lack of movement) of a person, and/or to detect a signal from a remote transmitter, and/or to detect electricity usage above and/or below a predetermined threshold.

The monitoring means may include any one or more of a PIR sensor, a thermometer, a carbon dioxide monitor, a smoke detector, radio receiver, a radio transmitter, an electricity current monitor. The monitor may include a panic button or be arranged to receive a signal from a remote panic button.

The monitoring means may be a removably attachable module. In this case the device may include means for removably connecting a module to it.

The monitoring device may further comprise appliance connection means for connecting an electrical appliance to the power supply via the device. For instance, this may take the form of a standard 2 or 3 pin socket.

In one embodiment, the device may be plugged into the electricity supply in a property and a kettle, or other frequently used hut manually operated, domestic appliance, may he plugged into it. The device may then monitor the electricity supply passing through itself to the kettle and therefore monitor the usage of the appliance. If the appliance is not used within a predetermined period (say 4 hours) then the device may send a predetermined signal to a predefined recipient.

The device may also monitor for the presence of power failures.

The monitoring device may include communication connection means for removably connecting the communication means to the controller. This may take the form of a IJSB socket, or any other suitable connector. More than one socket or means may be provided.

The communication means may be any one of an RF radio, a mobile telephone network radio, a Wi-Fi radio, a telephone network controller, a port, and a Bluetooth RTM radio. A telephone network controller is taken to mean a device for connecting to a telephone land-line over which communications may be sent and/or received. The device may include a SIM card.

The communication means may be a removable dongle. Alternatively, it may be a removable SIM card. An advantage of this embodiment is that a user may switch between mobile telephone network providers at will as only the dongle or SIM needs to be changed. This is useful as prices for access to such services are constantly changing.

Alternatively, or additionally, the communication means may he integral with the device.

The monitoring device may include a cover means for physically isolating the communication connection means, and an interlock for electrically isolating the communication connection means when the cover means is open and no removable communication means is connected. The cover means may be a door.

The monitoring device may include a screen connected to the controller for displaying a controller interface. This screen may be used while programming and/or controlhng the device. However, other means are contemplated such as updating of the operating system from a computer via Wi-Fi, USB, or other means. The updating/configuration of the device maybe effected remotely.

The signals may he any one or more of an SMS, a predefined voice message, a predefined email, a predefined facsimile message, a predefined number of rings of a predefined telephone number, and a pager message. Other signals are contemplated.

The controller may be arranged to send a signal \vhen it determines one or more of: the presence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predefined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, possibly within a predefined time period. The signal may then provide an "all well" indication to the recipient. If no signal is received, possibly at a predefined time of day, then the usual recipient may be alerted to the fact that there may be a problem which needs investigating.

The property may he a physical and/or chemical property, such as air temperature, air composition, and power supply characteristics.

The substance may be a gas such as carbon monoxide, or a liquid such as water.

The determination of the presence or absence of the substance may be in a predefined area and/or in the vicinity of the controller.

The controller may be arranged to not send a signal when it determines one or more of the following: the presence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predefined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, within a predefined time period. The lack of signal may then provide an "all well" indication to the recipient. Only if a signal is received is there an indication that there may be a problem which needs investigating.

The substance may be a gas such as carbon monoxide, or a liquid such as water.

The monitoring device may further comprise at least one remote monitoring device, said remote monitoring device including communication means for communicating with said monitoring device. In one embodiment, the monitoring device may be a "master" monitor and the remote monitoring device may be a monitor. For example, a slave monitor may be installed in one room and the master in another. The slave may monitor for movement and the master for appliance usage.

The slave may communicate with the master via any or more means such as RF radio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth (RTM The master may determine whether or not to send a signal based on the at least one condition being monitored. Alternatively, it may base its determination on either or both of two separate conditions being monitored.

At least one remote monitoring means may include power supply connection means and the monitoring device and the at least one remote monitoring device may be arranged to communicate via the power supply connection means and local electricity supply installation apparatus.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of determining one or more of: the presence of a person in a predefined area, the absence of a person in a predefined area, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predetined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, and the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, comprising the steps of providing a monitoring device according to the first aspect, connecting the device to a electricity supply, and programming said device with appropriate predefined threshold values, settings and messages.

The substance may be a gas such as carbon monoxide, or a liquid such as water.

The determination of the presence or absence of the substance may be in a predetined area and/or in the vicinity of the controller.

The method may include the step of indicating to a predefined recipient when such a determination has been made.

The indication may be a predeftned signal. However, the indication may be the absence of a predeuined signal.

The term "in the vicinity of' may refer to the local environment such as the same space, building habitation etc. where the device is located.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the monitoring device; and Figure 2 is a sequence of steps of operation of the device in one embodiment.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

It is to be noticed that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to he interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, hut does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term "connected", used in the description, should not be interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device A connected to a device B" should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B \vhlch may he a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner, as would he apparent to one of ordinary skiil in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects he in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of several embodiments of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being hmited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In Figure 1, the monitoring device 10 comprises a housing 20 in the form of a relatively small box shape. It comprises 3-pin 30 and 2-pin 40 sockets on its front for the connection of electrical apparatus thereto.

A screen 50 is provided on the front of the device 10 as a user interface for programming and/or control. Such control is effected by a series of button 60 provided below the screen.

A TJSB socket 70 is provided on the upper surface for connection of USB mobile telephone network (and other) dongles. A door may be provided over this socket, although it is not shown in this drawing.

An aerial 80 is also provided on the upper surface of the device 10. This aerial may be used for Wi-Fi and other radio TX/RX equipment provided within the device.

Pins 90 (not shown) for connecting the device 10 to an electricity supply are provided on the rear of the device 10, although the device may also be powered by batteries.

A socket 100 is provided on the upper surface for interconnection of monitoring modules. For instance, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors may be connected here.

The device may only consume approximately SW.

A controller (not shown) is provided inside the housing 20 connected to all of the various components for controlling the operation of the device 10.

In Figure 2 a sequence of steps of the operation of the device in one embodiment are shown. In step 200, the device is provided and connected to an electricity supply. This might be plugging it into a power supply or connecting batteries thereto.

In step 210, the condition to monitor is chosen. This may occur through interaction with the screen 60 and user interface 60. If necessary the required monitoring module is connected in step 220. For instance, a smoke detector may he connected via means 100.

A method of communication is chosen in step 230. This may occur through interaction with the screen 60 and user interface 60. Options may include SMS over the mobile telephone network, a telephone call to a predefined number etc. In step 240 a USB dongle is connected if required. This is connected via the socket 70 on the upper surface of the device 10.

The recipient's details are then entered in step 250. This may occur through interaction with the screen 60 and user interface 60. Alternatively and/or additionally, it might be effected via a link with a computer or mobile telephone. Such details could be the telephone number of the recipient.

In step 260 a message is entered. This step also includes the format of the message. For instance, it might be a simple SMS message saying "All well".

Alternatively, it may be that the "message" is the ringing of the recipient's telephone number three times. Another possibility is that the format of the message or signal is that no message or signal is sent if all is well but one is sent if all is not \vell.

A specific example will now be described. The device is connected to an electricity supply. A kettle is connected to the device. The device is programmed to send an SMS message to the programmed recipient's mobile telephone number saving ccAll well" at the end of every 6 hours if the kettle has been used within the previous 6

S

hours. This monitoring and sending of message only occurs between the hours of 6am and midnight.

Another specific example will now be described. The device is connected to an electricity supply. A kettle is connected to the device. The device is programmed to send an SMS message to the programmed recipient's mobile telephone number saying "Kettle not used" if at the end of the previous 6 hours it has not been used. If the kettle has been used then no message is sent. This monitoring and sending of message only occurs between the hours of 6am and midnight. Other times of day and periods of monitoring may be chosen.

Alternatively, instead of a kettle a PIR sensor is he connected to the device.

This determines the movement of the person or persons in the property. As above, either a message saying "All is well" or one saying "No movement detected" is sent as appropriate.

These examples show how a method of determining the presence and/or absence of a person in a predefined area, and indicating this to a predefined recipient, may be put into practice.

In another embodiment, instead of a kettle or a PIR sensor, a carbon monoxide detector is connected to the device. This determines if the amount of carbon monoxide in the air adjacent the detector rises above a predetermined threshold value. As before, appropriate messages, such as "All is well" or one saying CCQ danger" may be sent as appropriate. In this instance, the device may only send a message when the carbon monoxide level rises above the predetermined threshold value and not at any other time.

This is an example of how a method of determining the presence or absence of, or change in, at least one property in a predefined area, and indicating this to a predefined recipient, may be put into practice.

The device may be arranged to monitor more than one property or physical condition at the same time and send, or not send, appropriate messages/indications as necessary.

Claims

Claims 1. A monitoring device for determining the presence and/or absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, and/or for determining the presence or absence of, or change in, at least one property of the immediate vicinity, comprising a housing, power supply connection means for connecting it to a power supply, a monitoring means, a communication means for sending, or sending and receiving, signals, and a controller for controlling the device and determining if and when to send a signal.
2. The monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is arranged to determine temperature, and/or to detect the presence of carbon monoxide above a predetermined threshold, and/or to detect movement (or lack of movement) of a person, and/or to detect a signal from a remote transmitter, and/or to detect electricity usage above and/or below a predetermined threshold.
3. The monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the monitoring means includes any one or more of a PIR sensor, a thermometer, a carbon dioxide monitor, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, an electricity current monitor.
4. The monitoring device of claim 3, \vherein the monitoring means is a removably attachable module.
5. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, further comprising appliance connection means for connecting an electrical appliance to the power supply via the device.
6. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, including communication connection means for removably connecting the communication means to the controller.
7. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, wherein the communication means is any one or more of an RF radio, a mobile telephone network radio, a Wi-hi radio, a telephone network controller, a port, and a Bluetooth (RTM) radio.
8. The monitoring device of claim 7, when dependent on claim 6, wherein the communication means is a removable dongle.
9. The monitoring device of claim 8, including a cover means for physically isolating the communication connection means and an interlock for electrically isolating the communication connection means when the cover means is open and no removable communication means is connected.
10. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, including a screen connected to the controller for displaying a controller interface.
11. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, wherein the signals are any one or more of an SMS, a data transmission, a predefined voice message, a predefined email, a predefined facsimile message, a predefined number of rings of a predefined telephone number, and a pager message.
12. The monitoring device of any preceding claim, wherein the controller is arranged to send a signal when it determines one or more of: the presence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predefined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, within a predefined time period.
13. The monitoring device of any one of claims I to 11, wherein the controller is arranged to not send a signal when it determines one or more of: the presence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the absence of a person in its immediate vicinity, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predetined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, within a predefined time period.
14. The monitoring device of any preceding claim further comprising at least one remote monitoring device, said remote monitoring device including communication means for communicating with said monitoring device.
15. The monitoring device of claim 14, \vherein the at least one remote monitoring means includes power supply connection means and the monitoring device and the at least one remote monitoring device are arranged to communicate via the power supply connection means and local electricity supply installation apparatus.
16. A method of determining one or more of: the presence of a person in a predefined area, the absence of a person in a predefined area, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predefined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, and the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, comprising the steps of providing a device according to any preceding claim, connecting the device to an electricity supply, and programming said device with appropriate predefined threshold values, settings and messages.
17. The method of claim 16, including the step of indicating to a predefined recipient when such a determination has been made.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication is a predefined signal.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication is the absence of a predefined signal.
20. A monitoring device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A method of determining one or more of the following: the presence of a person in a predefined area, the absence of a person in a predefined area, the presence of a predefined substance, the absence of a predefined substance, the change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity, and the absence of change in at least one property of the immediate vicinity substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.