GB2511921A

GB2511921A - Social alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2511921A
Application number: GB201401032A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffery Thompson
Original assignee: MULTI CHANNEL DIRECT Ltd
Current assignee: MULTI CHANNEL DIRECT Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-31
Filing date: 2014-01-22
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201401032D0

Abstract

A personal alarm unit 1 is provided for allowing an elderly person or patient to signal to a helper, carer or a nurse that the person needs assistance. The personal alarm unit 1 comprises a case 2 including a plurality of buttons 6,8,10,12, typically of a flexible membrane. The buttons include: a call button 6, via which the person can initiate a request for help; a cancel button 8 via which the helper can cancel a request for help; a further assistance button 10; and an emergency button 12. Each of buttons 8,10 & 12 are elongate and have two portions actuatable simultaneously in order to cancel a request for help , request further assistance, or indicate an emergency condition respectively. Each of the buttons 8,10 & 12 include a number of push switches (25,26,27,Fig.2) arranged below the flexible buttons and grouped together to form two groups (and thereby portions) per button/row, one group on the left (251,261,271,Fig.2) and one group on the right (252,262,272,Fig.2).

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1401032.6 RTM Date:10 July2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk

SOCIAL ALARM

The present invention relates to a social alarm.

A social alarm is one by means of which one person or user, typically an elderly person or patient. signals to a helper, typically a carer or a nurse, that the user needs help. Normally, social alarms have push-buttons for both the user to use in requesting help and the helper to use iii cancelling the request Often further emergency and assistance buttons are provided for the helper to use to summon a colleague to give additional help.

A problem is that the user may make inappropriate use of the further buttons.

To avoid such false alarms, the further buttons can he alTanged to operate only if pressed simultaneously with another button, such as the cancel button. In the heat of an emergency this is inconvenient.

As used herein, the term button means a part of a device to which manual pressure can be applied to cause a switch to be made in the alarm to initiate or terminate a request for help. Button has analogous meanings for other switches.

The object of the present invention is to provide an iniproved social alarm both with an improved button configuration and an improved programming facility.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a social alarm comprising; * means to communicate a request for help, * a user hutton via which the user can initiate a request for help and * a cancel button via which a helper can cancel a request, the cancel button having two or more portions actuatahle simultaneously to cancel the request.

In use, when the helper comes to cancel the request, he/she does so by pressing the portions simultaneously.

Normally there will he no discernible difference between the two portions of the cancel button, whereby there is no indication to the user that the two button portions require simultaneous pressing. Thus most uninformed users will not generate an unintentional cancellation of the request for help. Whilst an arrangement having a single switch, such as a see-saw member pivoting on a cennl switch, can be envisagcd; wc prcfcr to providc at least two switchcs corrcsponding to thc two cancel button portions.

Where the alarm has at least one ftrther button for a helper's use in summoning assistance in providing help, the furthcr button also has two button portions requiring simultaneous pressing.

Usually there will he two further buttons, one for lion-emergency use, such as might be used by a nurse in calling for help in lifting a patient and the other for emergency use such as in evcnt of cardiac arrest.

In the prefened embodiment, each cancel and further button is comprised of a single flexible skin, overlying a set of switches in arranged in two subsets for simultaneous operation According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a social alarm comprising; * at least a user button via which the user can initiate a request for help, * mcans to communicate a request for help. the communication means being adapted to: * transmit an indication of the identity of the alarm and a user's i-equest on operation of the user button and to * receive a setting for an indication of the alarm's identity and a code for a user's request and * means to switch the communication means between a transmission mode and reception mode.

Whilst the alarm could he a device worn around a user's neck, with a single hutton for raising an alarm; normally the alarm will he adapted tube installed in a room and provided with a cancel button via which a helper can cancel a request and the communication means will be adapted to transmit a helper's cancellation of the user's request and to receive a cancellation code. Indeed preferably a further button for helper's use in summoning assistance will bc provided, togethcr with adaptation of the communication ineans to receive a code foi-this and to ti-ansmit it According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for a social alarm comprising; * a device adapted to receive by a wired connection from another device an indication of an alarm situation, * means to communicate a signal indicative of the alarm situation, the conmmnication means being adapted to: * transmit an indication of the identity of the accessory and a wireless signal indicative of the alarm situation and to * receive a setting for the indication of the accessory s identity and a code for the alarm situation and * means to switch the conimunication means between a transmission mode and reception mode.

Typically the accessory will be provided with wiring for connection to a detector such as a mathess switch for indicating that a patient has got out of bed.

Equally the detector could be for detecting the opening of a door or window.

Whilst the switching means for the alarm or the accessory could he a manually operable switch, for instance a switch having a slidable button mounted on a housing of the alarm, in the preferred embodiment, the switching means is a magnetically operable reed switch and the alarm or the accessory is provided with means for audio and/or visual output confirmation of mode switching between transmission and reception.

Preferably the communication means is adapted to commumcate via POCSAG (Post Office Code Standai-disation Advisoi-y Group) protocol directly with a pager to be carried by a helper. Typically the alarm will be adapted to be programmed in its reception mode to transmit for pager display the identity of the alarm and the nature of the help called for.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a transmitter for transmitting settings and codes for the alarm of the second aspect and the accessory of the third aspect. the transmitter being provided with a key pad for inputting the settings and codes and means for transmitting them.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a social alarm of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a printed circuit board of the social alarm of figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an accessory for the social alarm of figure 1; and Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a social alarm of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, an alarm unit I comprises a closed plastic case 2 having a top face 3, a bottom face 4 and side faces 5. A plurality of buttons, typically of a tiexible membrane, extend through the top face 3. the buttons including a circular call button 6, via which a user can initiate a request for help, an elongate cancel button 8. via which a helper can cancel a request for help, an elongate further assistance button 10 and an elongate emergency button 12. The cancel button 8 is provided with a window 14 at one side for light from an LED inside the case.

An on/off switch 19 is provided on one side face 5 and two Ethernet sockets 18 extend through another side face for connection of the alarm unit to external transducers such as pressure sensors, moisture sensors or accelerometers or for connection to Pear push leads or the like.

A printed circuit hoard (PCB) 20 and a hattei-y 22 are mounted inside the case.

The PCB 20 houses a plurality of push switches extending from the PCB to the flexible buttons in the case. Five switches 24 al-c ananged in a cross formation below the call button 6, a first row of five switches 25 is arranged below the cancel hutton 8 and two further rows of six switches 26, 27 are alTanged below the further assistance hutton 10 and the emergency hutton 12 respectively. The push switches are arranged below the tiexible buttons such that pressure from a user on a flexible button directly above one of the switches will tiex the button membrane to operate that switch without operating the other switches in the row associated with that button unless pressure is also applied above those switches.

The sets of switches 25, 26 and 27 are grouped together into two groups per button/row, one group on the left hand side of the button/row and one group on the right hand side of the button/row. The cancel button 8 has a left hand group 251 of three switches and a right hand group 252 of two switches. The further assistance and emergency buttons each have left hand groups 261, 271 of three switches and right hand groups 262, 272 of three switches. The switches of each group are connected together and are separated from the other groups.

The groups of switches are connected to a logic circuit 28 adapted to indicate whether one of the buttons 8, 10 or 12 has been pressed.

Between each group of switches associated with a button is an arrangement of pin headers and adjustable shorting links 253, 263, 273. The shorting links arc adj ustable on the pins of the pin headers to alter the connection of the groups to the logic circuit.

In normal use, the links are adjusted such that both groups associated with a button/row are connected separately to the logic circuit. In this arrangement. the logic circuit will only indicate that a button has been pressed if a switch froni both the left hand group and the right hand group are pressed simultaneously, Alternatively the links may be adjusted such that both groups associated with a button are combined in their comiection to the logic circuit. Iii this alTangenlent, the logic circuit will indicate that a button has been pressed if any switch fiom either the left hand or the right hand group is pressed. The links may also be arranged such that neither group associated with a button/row is connected to the logic circuit. In this arrangement, operation of the button is disabled.

Switches 24 are also connected to the logic gate. however these switches are not divided into two groups and so the logic circuit will indicate that call hutton 8 has been pressed on switching of any of these switches An LED 29 is arranged below the widow 14 of cancel button 8 such that light from the LED can pass through the window.

An integrated circuit 30 and associated solid state memory 31 are also provided on the PCB 20. The logic circuit 28 is connected to the integrated circuit 30 and the intcated circuit is programmed o determine from the logic circuit whether a button has been pressed, A transceiver 36 and associated anteniia 38 are connected to the PCB 20. The IC 30, memory 31. transceiver 36 and antenna 38 can all be mounted on a piggy-back board (not shown as such) connected to the PCB 20 by a board-to-board header (also not shown).

The transceiver and antenna are adapted for transmitting and i-eceiving packets of data, or messages. using a standard pagillg protocol such as the Post Office Code Staidardization Advisory Group (POCSAG) protocol or other nursecall protocol.

The transceiver 36 is connected to the integrated circuit 30 for transmission of messages.

The integrated cii-cuit 30 is programmed to send and i-eceive messages via the transceiver aiid is tbrther programmed to switch the alarm unit 1 between two modes.

a transmitting mode and a receiving mode. The flnsrnitting mode is the normal operating mode of the alarm unit, whereby the integrated circuit can send a message via the ftansceiver 36 when a button is pressed. The receiving mode is a mode in which settings of the alarm unit may he programmed I changed In the receiving mode the integrated circuit can receive a message containing updated setting information via the transceiver and update the settings of the alarm unit according to the received message.

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Three magnetic reed switches 321, 322 and 323 are provided on the PCB 20 in connection with the integrated circuit 30-The reed switches are open in their noi-mal state until a magnet is moved close to the switches whereby the switches close The reed switches are also associated with a buzzer 34 to sound when the magnetic reed switches are closed.

The reed switch 321 is located between the switches 24, oriented widthways across the PCB, and is opeiahle to switch the alarm unit hetweeii the transmitting mode when the switch is open and the receiving mode when the switch is closed. The reed switch 322 is located between the two outermost right hand switches of group 252. oriented lengthways across the PCG. and is operable to indicate an activation of cancel button 8. The reed switch 323 is located between the two outermost left hand switches of group 261, oriented lengthways of the PCB, and is operable to isolate one of the Ethernet ports 18 A T-shaped magnetic key 330 is provided for operation of the reed switches.

To operate the reed switches the key is placed on the top face 3 of the case, directly above the reed switch, with the stern 331 in alignment with the reed switch.

In operation, the alarm unit 1 is switched ON at the switch 19 and operates in its normal transmitting mode. In a modification, the switch can be omitted, with the alarm being wired to be ON at all times that a battery is fitted. When a user of the alarm unit presses the call button 6. the integrated circuit 30 will register that the hutton has been pressed and will switch on the LED 29, causing it to flash, and send a message via the transceiver 36 to one or multiple destination transceivers, typically in pagers or displays, to alert a helper that the call button has been pressed.

The integrated eheuit 30 is programmed to send messages of various types and to various destinations depending on which button has been pressed. For example, a

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call message may he sent to a single destination pager with a call message including the alarm unit ID, a further assistance message may he sent to sevei-al other destination pagers with a different thrther assistance message and an emergency message may be sent to all available destination pagers with an emergency message.

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Depending on the settings of the alarm unit, messages can be sent from the alarm unit at regular intervals until a threshold number is reached or until the cancel hutton 8 is pressed. When the cancel hutton is pressed the LED 29 is switched off from flashing.

In normal use, if the alarm unit user accidentally presses on the elongate cancel, further assistance or emergency buttons, the integrated circuit will not register that a button has been pressed until both the left hand and right hand side of the button/row has been pressed simultaneously thereby activating both the left hand and right hand group of switches. Since there is no discernible difference between the two sides of the elongate buttons, there is no indication to an uninformed user that both sides of the buttons needs to be pressed in order for a button press to be registered.

This reduces the likelihood of the alarm unit user accidentally cancelling or escalating the importance of a call.

If the cancel button 8 has been disabled, by arrangement of the shorting link and pin header 253 such that the alarm unit user cannot manually cancel a call via the cancel hutton 8, the reed switch 253 is used to cancel a call, via use of the reset key 330. A helper places the magnetic key 330 on top face 3 of the alarm unit, on the right hand side of the cancel button with the stein 331 oriented lengthways of the alarm unit. On operation of the reed switch 253, the LED 29 will switch off from flashing to indicate that the call has been cancelled. If the alarm reaches the end of its repeats setting. the tlashing LED 25 and the pulsing sounder 34 will continue until a member of staff has pressed the cancel button 8 or presented the magnetic key to the cancel reed 322.

When external transducers or alarm devices are connected to the alarm unit via the Ethernet sockets 18, the integrated circuit may also be programmed to send alarm messages to destination pagers on receiving alarm signals from the transducers.

If a door sensor is connected to one of the ports 18. temporary isolation of that port may be required for a helper to be able to open the door to leave the room without triggering an alami call. Magnetic reed switch 323 is operable to isolate one of the ports 18 for this purpose. A helper places the magnetic key 330 on top face 3 of the alarm unit, over the left hand side of the further assistance button, with the stem 331 oriented Iengthways of the alai-m unit. On operation of the i-eed switch 323, the port 1 8 is isolated for a temporary period of 20 seconds so that the helper may open the door. The LED 29 tlashes and the pulsing buzzer 34 sounds continuously over this period to indicate that the port is isolated.

Referring to Figure 3, a programming unit 50 for programming the settings of the alarm unit I comprises a case 52 having a top face 53, a bottom face 54 and side faces 55. A screen 56 and a numeric keypad 57 are mounted to the top face 53 and a is PCB. having aniongst other components an integrated circuit, a battery and a transceiver are mounted inside the case. The components inside the case are not shown.

To progi-am an a1an unit I using the programming unit 50, the reed switch 321 is operated to switch the alarm unit from transmitting mode to receiving mode.

The magnetic key 330 is placed on the top face 3 of the alarm unit above the call button 8 and oriented widthways of the alarm unit. Switch 321 is closed and the alarm unit 1 switches from its transmission mode to its receiving mode. The buzzer 34 pulses and the LED 29 flashes to indicate that the a1an unit is ready to receive messages from the programming unit.

The desired settings are entered into the programming unit via the keypad 57 and on entering the correct code a message is sent from the programming unit to the alarm unit containing the new alarm unit setting information. The alarm unit receives the message and the integrated circuit 30 replaces the previous settings with the new settings. On receipt of the message from the progranrniing unit the buzzer sounds and the LED 29 flashes to indicate that the niessage has been received.

Settings of the alarm unit I which may be programmed in this way include: * call point location ID, such as a hospital patient's room number, typically as room type and a room identifying 2 or 3 digit number. e.g. BEDROOM 989, * text corresponding to which of buttons 10 and 12 have been pressed, e.g. ASSISTANCE BEDROOM 989 or EMERGENCY BEDROOM 989, * paged message, Just call it message, * pager frequency. Just call it frequency.

* pager Baud rate, Just call it Baud rate, * pager ID Just call it ID, * number of repetitions / repetition interval, * house code and * Over door lamp Uansrnission ON/OFF.

The settings of groups of alarm units 1 may be changed at the same time by placing magnetic keys on each of the alarm units and sending a single message to all of the units at the same time. Alternatively magnets may be provided in the programming unit 50 and the programming unit placed on top of the alarm unit to activate the reed switch 321, such that a magnetic key 330 is not required.

On removal of the programming unit or the magnets from the alarm unit 1, the magnetic reed switches open and the alarm unit will return within two seconds to operating in its transmitting mode.

Referring to Figure 4, in another ernhodinient of the invention, which comprises similar internal components to the first embodiment, the alarm unit 100 has a single button 101 and is suitable to be worn around the neck of a user on a lanyard 102, which also forms part of the aerial associated with the transceiver.

The button 101 is associated with a single switch and so is not split into a left hand and right hand side. To operate the unit 100 the button is pressed once to send a call message and three or more times to send an emergency message. To cancel a call the button is pressed twice in quick succession.

The invention is iiot intended to he i-estricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, the social alarm may he provided with a call and a cancel button only. or alternatively the social alarm may be provided with no call button and only connections for eternal devices and transducers. The magnetic reed switches may be replaced with physical switches or other switching devices. The social alarm may be adapted to send messages via other wireless protocols such as Bluetootft If other wireless protocols are used the alarm unit may operate in both a transniitting and receiving mode at the same time.

Claims

CLAIMS: * A social alarm comprising; * means to communicate a request for help, * a user button via which the user can initiate a request for help and * a cancel butt n via which a helper can cancel a request, the cancel button having two or more portions actuatable simultaneously to cancel the request.
2. A social alarm as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is no disceniihle difference between the two portions of the cancel button, whereby there is no indication to the user that the two button portions require simultaneous pressing.
3. A social alarm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cancel button is a single switch, preferably a see-saw member pivoting on a central switch
4. A social alarm as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cancel button comprises at least two switches corresponding to the two cancel button portions.
5. A social alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, including at least one further button for a helper's use in sununoning assistance in providing help, the further button also having two button portions requiring simultaneous pressing.
6, A social alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, including two further buttons, one for non-emergency use, preferably for use by a nurse in calling for help, and the other for emergency use.
7. A social alarm as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each cancel and further button is cornpnsed of a single flexible skin, overlying a set of switches in alTanged in two subsets for simultaneous operation.
8. A social alarm comprising; * at least one user button via which the user can initiate a request for help, * means to communicate a request for help, the communication means being adapted to: * transmit an indication of the identity of the alarm and a user's request on operation of the user button and to * receive a setting for an indication of the alarm's identity and a code for a user's request and * means to switch the communication means between a transmission mode and reception mode.
9. A social alarm as claimed in claim 8, including a necklace for wearing around the neck.
10. A social alarm as claimed in claim 8. wherein: * the alarm is adapted to be installed in a room and is provided with: * a cancel hutton and * the communication means is adapted to transmit a cancellation of a user's request and to receive a cancellation code.
11. A social alarm as claimed in claim 10. including a further button for use in summoning assistance, together with adaptation of the communication means to receive a code for this and to transmit it.
12. An accessory for a social alarm comprising: * a device adapted to receive by a wired connection from another device an indication of an alarm situation, * means to communicate a signal indicative of the alarm situation, the communication means being adapted to: * transmit an indication of the identity of the accessory and a wireless signal indicative of the alarm situation and to * receive a setting for the indication of the accessory's identity and a code for the alarm situation and * means to switch the communication means between a transmission mode and reception mode.
13. An accessory for a social alarm as claimed in claim 12, including wiring for connection to a detector such as a mattress switch for indicating that a patient action.
14. An accessory for a social alarm as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13. wherein the switching means for the alarm or the accessory is a manually operable switch, preferably a switch having a slidable button mounted on a housing of the alarm.
15. An accessory for a social alarm as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the switching means is a magnetically operable rted switch and the alarm or the accessory is provided with means for audio and/or visual output confirmation of mode switching between transmission and reception.
16. An accessory for a social alarm as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the communication means is adapted to conmiunicate via POCSAG (Post Office Code Standardisation Advisory Group) protocol directly with a portable pager.
17. An accessory for a social alarm as claimed in claim 12, wherein the alarm is adapted to he programmed in its reception mode to ti-ansmit for pager display the identity of the alarm and the nature of the help called for.
18. A transmitter for transmitting settings and codes for the alarm of claim 8 and an accessory of claim 12, the nnsmitter being provided with a key pad for inputting the settings and codes and means for transmitting them.
19. A social alarm substantially as hereinhefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. An accessory for a social alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21, A transmitter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.