KR20100098727A - Monitoring a daily living activity and analyzing data related thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for monitoring a user in a user's living space is provided. The system includes a system controller 110 and activity detection subsystems 112, 116, 120, 124, and 128. Activity detection subsystems 112, 116, 120, 124, and 128 monitor the user's daily activities and provide system controller 110 with information indicative of the daily activities. The system controller 110 includes a control circuit, which generates a control signal responsive to the daily activity information obtained by the activity detection subsystem 112, 116, 120, 124, and 128. Control information from system controller 110 is provided to activity detection subsystems 112, 116, 120, 124, and 128 and remote monitoring sites via a control information communication channel. Activity detection subsystems 112, 116, 120, 124, and 128 are used to determine problems related to the user's activity around the home, the user's medication compliance, the use of stoves or other potentially dangerous devices and selected assistive devices. It may be a system.

Description

MONITORING A DAILY LIVING ACTIVITY AND ANALYZING DATA RELATED THERETO}

The present invention relates to a system for providing monitoring and intervention in the home to assist individuals, especially those with disabilities in maintaining independent living.

Some known user monitoring systems are characterized by an immediate response. In a conventional system, if a user can't get up and fall, the user may press a button on a small radio frequency transmitter. Such a radio frequency transmitter may be worn by a user. For example, radio frequency transmitters may be worn on necklaces or key packs for convenience and to ensure availability when needed. Pressing the button activates the device in the user's house making a phone call to the user's remote monitoring site. People at remote monitoring sites may hear and talk through paging phones to communicate with the user. In addition, people at a user remote monitoring site may dispatch an ambulance or other assistance for that user.

There are numerous devices designed to enhance dosage compliance and monitor compliance. Devices available in the prior art include timers, medication containers, and combinations of timers and containers. In addition, a device available in the prior art is a multi-partition timed container that opens at timed intervals and beeps until the compartments are opened and closed. Devices available to researchers include bottle caps that record the specific container and its opening date and time. This information is provided in a machine transferable form that can be applied to a computer to adjust and analyze the degree of compliance with the dosage schedule and dosage.

Moreover, a variety of special dispensers are available that use drugs that are long, thinly cut and packed into foamed vinyl sheets. These vending machines are available from pharmacists, are adapted to provide accurate pills at coordinated time and to use a dosage loading method that is less costly than other prior art self-loading timed dispensers. Prior art systems, in particular in addition to local timer-memory systems, use a host computer system to control the distribution schedule. Other systems use color coded labels to help identify drugs by users.

Various home health monitoring systems are also known in the art. These systems fall into a broad category of devices that provide electronic monitoring in the home for health conditions ranging from fetal heartbeat to blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Some of these health monitoring systems send a log to the central unit if the monitored parameter is out of a predetermined range. Other systems monitor preset health related parameters under the user's environment.

The present invention includes a user monitoring system for monitoring and intervening selected activities of daily life for users requiring different levels of monitoring or supervision. The user monitoring system monitors four basic event domains and provides the associated interventions. These event areas include (1) movement around the home, (2) user compliance with medications, (3) problems with the use of stoves or other potentially hazardous devices, and (4) control of selected assistive devices. Areas of concern. Each event area corresponds to a detection subsystem of the user monitoring system. Each detection subsystem is linked with the user monitoring system by radio frequency signals transmitted from the subsystem sensors and received by the system controller device in the user monitoring system. In addition to making local decisions using information obtained by monitoring selected activities of daily life, the user monitoring system is configured with the remote case management monitoring system, with all monitored event areas and intervention activities, for further analysis and intervention. Produce, store and transmit relevant data. The remote case management monitoring system may use a knowledge base and an inference generator to make decisions about various forms and degrees of intervention. The user monitoring system may provide a reminder for the user to administer the drug. Near and remote reprogramming of event parameters to determine intervention and data recording is provided. The user monitoring system may not only perform a controlled shutdown of stoves and other electronics, but may also call a remote monitoring site in the event of a possible emergency. Data for monthly case monitoring reports, which may include event logs of problem occurrences, may be provided to enable cross-sectional and long-term trending of failures. This may be the basis for case management decisions to determine additional contact and intervention.

A system for monitoring a user in a user living area is provided. The system includes a system controller and an activity detection subsystem. The activity detection subsystem monitors the user's daily activities and provides information to the system controller indicative of the daily activities. The system controller includes control circuitry that generates a control signal in response to the daily living activity information obtained by the activity detection subsystem. Control information from the system controller is provided to the activity detection subsystem and the remote monitoring site via the control information communication channel.

The present invention provides a system for providing monitoring and intervention in the home to assist individuals, particularly those with disabilities in maintaining independent living.

1 is a block diagram showing a user monitoring system of the present invention;
2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a system controller device of FIG. 1;
3 is a block diagram illustrating a movement activity detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG. 1;
4A and 4B are side and top plan views of the medication self-management detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG. 1;
5 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the automatic medication management detection subsystem of FIGS. 4A and 4B;
6 is a block diagram showing a gas stove safety detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electric stove safety detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG. 1;
8 is a detailed diagram showing a current leakage monitor of the electric stove safety detection subsystem shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 illustrates a water overflow detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
10 is a block diagram showing an appliance detection subsystem of the user monitoring system shown in FIG. 1;
11A-11M are flow diagrams illustrating operations performed on various subsystems of the system shown in FIG. 1, and
12 is a block diagram illustrating the user monitoring system of FIG. 1 in which the Internet is used as the communication channel.

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention as well as the foregoing summary will be more fully understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In order to explain the invention, preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise configuration and means shown.

The figures use like reference numerals to refer to like elements throughout, referring to these figures firstly FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a user monitoring system 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Monitoring systems can also be used to help the elderly and the disabled in a short or long time. The user monitoring system 100 includes a microprocessor based system controller device 110 linked with various sensors provided within a number of activity detection subsystems 112-128. Activity detection subsystems 112-128 are adapted to monitor various daily activities of the user of the monitoring system 100. Also included are telephones 132 in the house and external telephone lines 144 disposed within the user living area being monitored.

Any number of everyday activity detection subsystems may be provided within the user monitoring system 100 of the present invention. The detection subsystems provided in one embodiment may include a movement detection subsystem 112, a medication automated management detection subsystem 116, and a stove safety detection subsystem 120. However, it will be appreciated that other types of monitors may be used to detect and detect certain other activities of daily life in the user monitoring system 100. In addition, user monitoring system 100 may be coupled to computer-based case monitoring system 148 via telephone line 144. Regular caregivers and irregular caregivers may be provided with information to determine if short and long term intervention is required using the data sent to case monitoring system 148. It will be appreciated that in addition to telephone line 144 or interactive television, any method of transmitting messages to system 148 may be used. For example, the messages may be sent by an add-on fiber optic cable box or a portable transmitter.

The user monitoring system 100 integrates sensor data from different activity areas to make a number of multiple decisions at preset times based on a 24 hour period. One activity area determination in user monitoring system 100 includes movement of the person being monitored. In this moving area, decisions as to whether a user is up and running are made by the movement detection subsystem 112. Detection information resulting from this determination by the movement detection subsystem 112 is transmitted to the system controller device 110.

Another activity area decision in the user monitoring system 100 is a decision of dosing automatic management. In this area of activity, decisions are made as to whether the user is following a predetermined dosage regimen. This determination is made by the automatic medication management detection subsystem 116 of the user monitoring system 100. Detection information resulting from this determination by the automated medication management system 116 is also transmitted to the system controller device 110.

Stove usage is another area of activity monitored by the user monitoring system 100. In this area of action, decisions are made as to whether the stove is improperly placed. Detection information according to this determination is transmitted to the system controller device 110. This determination may be made by other embodiments of the stove safety detection subsystem 120 depending on whether the stove being monitored by the detection subsystem 120 is a gas stove or an electric stove.

In a preferred embodiment of the user monitoring system 100, one or more auxiliary system subsystem 128 may also be used to monitor and control other designated electronic products. Such auxiliary systems may include potentially hazardous electronics such as, for example, iron or electric indoor heaters. The system controller device 110 also receives detection information indicative of the determination of the detection subsystem 116, 128.

2, a detailed block diagram of a system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 is shown. System controller device 110 includes a computer 208 and a radio frequency multichannel receiver 212. Computer 208 can be any type of computer capable of executing C ++ or any functionally similar object code. Provide multiple channels of the radio frequency receiver 212 in the system controller device 110 to transmit from the multiple detection subsystems 112-128 via detection system antennas provided in the multiple detection subsystems 112-128. Receive a radio frequency signal. It will be appreciated that the number of information channels required to accommodate the number of detectors must be sufficiently provided in the system 100. Such communication channels may be provided by, for example, multiple radio frequency channels in radio frequency receiver 212.

Thus, multiple channels of the radio frequency receiver 212 serve as detection information channels for receiving detection information in the monitoring system 100. However, any information channel or information conduit or means for applying information may be used to apply information from the detection subsystems 112-128 to the system controller 110. In addition, an AC power line transmitter 202 is provided to the system controller device 110 to apply control signals to the plurality of detection subsystems 112-128 and the remote monitoring site 148. Additionally, system controller modem 204 and telephone interfacing circuit 202 are provided within system controller 110.

In a preferred embodiment of the user monitoring system 100, a voice data storage device 210 may also be provided to the system controller device 110. The voice data storage device 210 may be used within the user monitoring system 100 to store various audio reminders and query messages that may be provided to a user being monitored at a given time.

The power supply of the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 includes a well regulated battery with battery backup to prevent loss of valuable user data stored in the user monitoring system 100. can do. The radio frequency multichannel receiver 212 of the system controller device 110 is a conventional multichannel radio frequency device with suitable interference prevention techniques that prevent interference between multiple subsystem channels and interference from external sources. The anti-interference technique can be, for example, broad spectrum modulation.

In a preferred embodiment of the system controller device 110, the radio frequency receiver 212 may be a pulsed radio frequency device. The power line transmitter 202 of the system controller device 110 is a conventional system for turning on and off a controlled home appliance. In a preferred embodiment of the user monitoring system 100, such control may be achieved by transmitting a pulsed radio frequency signal over an AC line in the living area of the user, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In order to provide any desired number of control information channels for applying control signals to the detection subsystems 112-128 by the system controller 110, different pulse signals that can be decoded by different detection subsystems may be used. It is effective to use. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable information channel may be used to transmit control information from system controller device 110 to multiple detection subsystems 112-128.

The controller modem 204 of the system controller device 110 may be a conventional modem capable of providing known incoming and outgoing modem protocols. The outgoing protocol of controller modem 204 may be used to transmit data over telephone line 144 from system controller device 110 to case monitoring site 148 or to another location. The incoming protocol of the system controller modem 204 can be used to reprogram the various monitoring and intervention parameters of the user monitoring system 100. Reprogramming may be performed by the remote case monitoring site 148 via the controller modem 204 or directly to the system controller device 110. In addition, the incoming protocol may be used for any type of communication with the user monitoring system 100.

The local telephone interface circuit 206 of the system controller device 110 provides some functionality within the user monitoring system 100. This transmits an incoming call received at the user monitoring system 100 via the telephone line 144 to the telephone 132 in the home. The telephone interface device 206 also connects the ringing voltage as well as the synchronized voice message from the voice data storage device 210 to the telephone 132 in the home by sending a message to the user via the telephone 132 in the home. To provide. It also makes some decisions regarding the state of the telephone 132 in the home. For example, when local telephone 132 is busy, local telephone interface circuit 206 can determine whether the telephone 132 is not busy and whether the number one on the telephone 132 in the home is pressed. Can be determined.

The user monitoring system 100 operates in home mode and away mode. The turn-on mode of the user monitoring system 100 may be selected by pressing a dedicated turn-on switch (not shown) located at a convenient location in the user's home. Additionally, the outgoing mode of the user monitoring system 100 can be set remotely from the case management monitoring host site 148. The home mode of the user monitoring system 100 can be set manually, for example, by opening the door when the user returns home.

In a preferred embodiment of the system controller device 110, the reprogrammable microprocessor receives the detection information and makes the determination as described herein to provide control information. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any type of control circuitry capable of performing the operations described herein may be used in the user monitoring system 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the mobile activity detection subsystem 112 of the user monitoring system 100 is shown. Within the user monitoring system 100, it is assumed that movement detected by the movement activity detection subsystem 112 indicates that the user being monitored is up and running.

The configuration of the movement detection subsystem 112 may vary depending on the different living areas being monitored by the user monitoring system 100. In general, however, the movement detection subsystem 112 may include at least one and preferably several motion sensors or sensor detectors 308, such as a motion sensor 304, spaced apart from each other in the home of the user. A conventional reed switch that opens a door such as A motion sensor 304 and a reed switch 308 are provided to determine if there is movement or activity in the living area being monitored by the user monitoring system 100.

In the most basic embodiment of the detection subsystem 112, only a single motion sensor 304 may be provided. In this case, a single motion sensor 304 is preferably located between the user's bed and the bathroom. If only one reed switch is provided in the movement detection subsystem 112, it is desirable to locate it in the door of the bathroom. Such a basic configuration of the movement detection subsystem 112 is valid for determining whether the user being monitored has left the bed or has gone to the bathroom after a predetermined time.

In case activity is detected by the motion sensor 304 or the door open sensor 308, the motion transmitter 306 of the motion detection subsystem 112 is via a motion antenna 302. Transmit radio frequency signals. This movement signal indicative of the activity of the user's daily life is received by the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100. Thus, it is an activity of daily living information indicating that the detected user movement has occurred within the home being monitored by the user monitoring system 100.

Similarly, a radio frequency door open transmitter 312 is provided in a conventional reed switch (not shown) or other type of switch in door open sensor 308. The door opening transmitter 312 transmits a door opening signal indicating the opening of a cabinet or door to which the sensor 308 is applied. The door open signal transmitted by the detection subsystem 112 is a radio frequency signal indicative of this activity. It is transmitted to the system controller device 110 via the motion detection antenna 310.

If the residence being monitored is large or complex, a more sophisticated configuration of movement and activity sensors 304, 308 may be required within the movement detection subsystem 112 of the user monitoring system 100. However, in a preferred embodiment of the user monitoring system 100, at least movement from the bed and movement into and out of the bathroom should be monitored by the movement detection subsystem 112. Inappropriate periods of inactivity of the user indicated by sensors 304, 308 or other sensors disposed at this location may indicate an emergency medical situation. It will be appreciated that there is no theoretical limit to the number of such devices that can be located at a location in the living area being monitored, such as a plurality of motion sensors or reed switches, and that can be used with the movement detection system 112.

When the movement detection subsystem 112 operates in the home mode, the user monitoring system 100 will cycle 24 hours. This 24 hour cycle includes information about the general wake up time of the user being monitored. Using the motion sensors 304, 308 of the motion detection subsystem 112, the user monitoring system 100 allows the user to stay in bed for a certain long time beyond the normal wake-up time or in the bed for a period of time. Determine if you did not go to. If the user monitoring system 100 determines that this is abnormal without user activity, it may enter a weather monitor state.

In the weather monitor state of the user monitoring system 100, the system controller device 110 may request a telephone call from the user through the phone 132 to determine if a problem has occurred with the user. If there is a response to the telephone call requested by the system controller device 110, the user is prompted by the system controller device 110 to press a predetermined key on the telephone 132 in the home. For example, a user may be prompted to press a phone key indicating the number day. If the user follows the stimulus from the system controller device 110, the weather monitor state of the user monitoring system 100 is complete. If the call requested by the system controller device 110 is not answered and the user monitoring system 100 is not in idle mode, or if the user answers the call but has not pressed the request key, the user monitoring system 100 Contact the case monitoring site 148 with an immediate status report indicating that the user has a potential problem.

Assuming everything went well, the mobile activity detection subsystem 112 of the user monitoring system 100 merely monitors all system state changes in the system 100. This involves monitoring and storing information from motion detectors 304 and 308 representing movement and door opening and closing, drug use, use of stoves and appliances and any other assistive devices that can be monitored by the user monitoring system 100. Include.

Each state change detected by the user monitoring system 100 is assumed to represent the activity of the user being monitored. If a period of inactivity is detected in excess of a predetermined time during the user's generally waking time, the user monitoring system 100 returns to the weather monitor state and requests the user to make a phone call as previously described. The period of inactivity required for the user monitoring system 100 to return to the weather monitor state is adjustable depending on the habit of the particular user but may be, for example, two hours thirty minutes.

When the user monitoring system 100 is in outgoing mode, no activity is recorded or reported. It only waits for an active or passive reset of the home mode, as previously described. Active resetting of the home mode of the user monitoring system 100 occurs when the user activates a dedicated home / away switch that can be mounted at any convenient location. Manual resetting of the mode of the user monitoring system 100 occurs when the user reverses and changes the state of any detection subsystem 112-128.

4A, 4B, and 5 show side, top, and schematic views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the automated medication management detection subsystem 116 of the user monitoring system 100 of the present invention. The dosing automated management detection subsystem 116 is a dosing that is a caddy or specialized portable holder for holding at least one dosage container 402 in a corresponding container opening 406. Holder 404.

In a preferred embodiment of the medication detection subsystem 116, the plurality of medication containers 402 may have a corresponding container opening 406 of the portable medication holder 404 when the user being monitored has not removed the medication from this container. It can be installed in). The container opening 406 and the dosage container 402 in the dosage holder 404 may be color coded. In this method, the colors of the selected medication container 402 and the container opening 406 match each other. As such, each container opening 406 of the medication holder 404 is provided with a matching colored indicator light 408. Colored lights 408 help the user return the removed medication container 402 to the correct container opening 406.

When the medication container 402 is placed in the container opening 406 of the medication holder 404, the medication container 402 closes the conventional normally open switch 416. Once the medication container 402 is removed from the opening 406 of the medication holder 404, release the normal open switch 416 to open it. When the switch 416 in the medication holder 404 is opened or closed in this manner by the medication container 402, the radio frequency medication transmitter 424 is activated. In this way, the automated medication detection system 116 communicates with the system controller device 110 about this daily activity information.

When activated by the switch 416, the radio frequency signal provided by the medication transmitter 424 is pulse code modulated by the pulse coder 420. Modulation of the pulse coder 420 is performed in a series of different ways, depending on which switch 416 in the medication holder 404 is open. The pulse coded signal selected from the medication transmitter 424 is received, decoded, and stored by the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100.

While the medication container 402 is removed from the medication holder 404, the matching colored indicator light 408 is activated. This causes the color code of the medication container 402 removed from the medication holder 404 to be displayed as described above. Once the medication container 402 is placed in the opening 406 of the medication holder 404 and the transmitter 424 is activated to transmit a corresponding pulse code modulated signal, the colored indicator light 408 is turned off, The transmission from the medication transmitter 424 to the system controller device 110 ends. The end of transmission by this medication transmitter 424 informs the system controller device 110 that the medication container 402 has been returned to the opening 406 in the medication holder 404.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of medication openings 406 may be provided within the container holder 404 of the medication auto-management detection subsystem 116. However, according to the current study, the needs for daily dosing management of the majority of users of the user monitoring system 100, although only three are shown for simplicity of the drawing, eight dosing openings 406 and eight corresponding ones. It is contemplated that this may be met by the dosing container 402. In addition, it will be appreciated that the opening 406 and the dosage container 402 of the container holder 404 may be provided with important properties such that only the correct dosage container 402 is placed in the opening 406 of the dosage holder 404. will be.

Although various features of the preferred embodiment of the automated medication management system 116 have been described above, it should be noted that various arrangements of medication holders and dispensers may be used. For example, medication in the medication holder 404 may be organized according to the time of day on which the medication was made. In this type of organization, medications made at the same time may be loaded together in a single compartment within the medication holder 404. A plurality of such compartments may be provided within the automated medication detection system 116. Opening and closing of this compartment may be monitored by the medication automatic management detection system 116 in substantially the same manner as described above for monitoring the removal of the medication container 402 from the opening of the medication holder 404. .

As mentioned above, the pulsed transmission from the medication transmitter 424 to the system controller device 110 carries a plurality of different codes corresponding to different plurality of medication containers 402. Each pulse code corresponds to an individual medication container 402, indicating that the corresponding container 402 is currently removed from the medication holder 404.

The system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 is programmed to record the time of removal and placement of each medication container 402 in the medication holder 404 in accordance with this transmission. It is also programmed to determine intentionally removing each medication container 402 from the medication holder 404 on time. Compliance data indicative of this determination following transmission from the medication automated management detection system 116 may be sent to the case monitoring site 148 for intervention determination.

The system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 may be programmed to determine when user compliance does not conform to a planned prescription plan. After a selected period of time, for example, after 30 minutes, the telephone in the home by the controller device 110 to remind the user that the voice data from the voice data storage device 224 is administered to the user, without the user's compliance. 132 may be applied. The system controller device 110 may also provide general and specific reminders and queries to the user with respect to medication after the user returns from the outside. Such reminders and queries may be made for the entire medication or for a particular medication. The system controller device 110 may also provide a reminder scheduled at a particular time for medication.

6 and 7 illustrate two embodiments of the stove safety detection subsystem 120, namely the gas stove safety detection subsystem 600 and the electric stove safety detection subsystem 700. The stove safety detection system 600, 700 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is a preferred alternative applied to monitor and control each of the gas stove and the electric stove.

Stove safety detection subsystems 600, 700 of user monitoring system 100 each include a suitable stove-in-use sensor that determines when the monitored stove is turned on. Each stove safety detection subsystem 600, 700 also includes a suitable shut-off receiver for receiving radio frequency transmissions from the system controller device 110 via the AC line to turn off the monitored stove and protect the user. (shut-off receiver). Stove usage sensors of the stove safety detection subsystem 600, 700 continuously provide information to the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 as to whether the monitored stove is currently on.

The stove usage sensor 604 of the gas stove safety detection subsystem 600 is a gas flow monitor 604. The gas flow monitor 604 is disposed in the gas line 602 which supplies the gas to the gas stove 610 for monitoring the gas supplied to the gas stove 610 through the gas line 602. Gas flow information from gas flow monitor 604 is pulse coded by pulse coder 612. The coded signal from the pulse coder 612 is transmitted by the gas stove transmitter 620 to the system controller device 110 via the gas stove antenna 616.

System controller device 110 determines whether gas stove 610 should be shut off in accordance with coded information from gas flow monitor 604. If this determination is made by the system controller device, the system controller device applies a control signal to the gas stove safety detection subsystem 600 via the AC line 630. A control signal from the system controller device 110 to the gas stove detection system 600 is generated and transmitted via the AC power line transmitter 202 as described above. This control signal is received by the controller receiver 628 of the gas stove safety detection subsystem 600. The controller receiver 628 instructs the gas shutoff valve 608 through the step down circuit 624 to terminate the gas flow through the gas line 602 to the gas stove 610 in accordance with the control signal. . This turns off the gas stove 610.

When the user monitoring system 100 monitors the electric stove 710, a current draw monitoring device 704 is provided for use with the electric stove safety detection system 700. The current monitoring device 704 is applied to the AC power line 706 that supplies power to the electric stove 710. By monitoring the AC power line 706, the detection subsystem 700 can indicate an on / off state of the burner of the electric stove 710. The on / off state information is coded by the pulse coder 712 and transmitted by the electric stove transmitter 720 to the system controller device 110 via the antenna 716.

The system controller device 110 can determine that the electric stove 710 should be shut off in accordance with the information coded from the current draw monitor 704 as described above with respect to the gas stove safety detection system 600. When the electric stove 710 is shut off, the system controller device 110 applies a control signal to the electric stove safety detection subsystem 700 by the AC line 30. This signal is received by the controller receiver 728 of the electric stove safety detection subsystem 700. The controller receiver 728 instructs the electrical trip relay 708 to interrupt the electricity to the electric stove 710 via the power line 702. This turns off the electric stove 710.

When the stove safety detection subsystem 600, 700 provides information indicating that the stove is on, a predetermined shutdown control algorithm is followed to determine if the stove 610, 710 should be turned off. This predetermined control algorithm is performed in the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100. In a preferred embodiment of the user monitoring system 100, this algorithm operates in the following manner on coded information sent from the movement detection subsystem 112 and the stove safety detection management subsystems 600 and 700, Other algorithms may be used if necessary.

(No movement for 30 minutes) or (when in run mode) and when the stove is on, (called by the stove reminder)

Initiate shutdown and log events (if there is no response to the call). (If 1 is pressed in response to a call), disables shutdown

Shutdown initiation and event recording when (stove on) and (smoke detector trip)

(If stove is on for [X] minutes), alert remote site host with an automatic phone message: "Your stove is on. Do you want it on? 1 if you want it, or it will be off." In response to a telephone message, press 1 to invalidate the shutdown sequence

The management subsystem 600, 700 may also include smoke detector sensor devices 632, 732 coupled to the radio frequency transmitters 620, 720. The smoke detection sensor device 632, 732 is modified to include a subsystem switching circuit (not shown) that is effective to provide a smoke detection control signal when smoke is detected by the sensor device 632, 732. It may be a detector. The radio frequency transmitters 620, 720 of the smoke detection subsystem are connected to the system switching circuits of the smoke detection sensor devices 632, 732 in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

When sensor devices 632 and 732 detect smoke in the user's home, a fire alarm sounds in a conventional manner. In addition, the smoke detection by the sensor devices 632 and 732 activates a subsystem switching circuit that activates each smoke detection transmitter 620 and 720. In response, the smoke detection transmitters 620 and 720 provide a pulsed radio frequency control signal via the antenna 616. This control signal transfers information to the system controller device 100 of the user monitoring system 100. Information transmitted by subsystems 600 and 700 in this manner indicates that smoke has been detected by sensor devices 632 and 732 in system controller device 100. In addition, when two or more sensor devices 632 and 732 are used in the subsystem 600 and 700, it may indicate which specific sensor device is triggered.

Referring to FIG. 8, the current draw monitor 704 of the electric stove detection subsystem 700 is shown in more detail. The current draw monitor 704 may include a passive clamp coil 730 disposed around an electrical supply line 706 that supplies electrical energy to the electric stove 710. Thus, the electromechanical generated from the current applied to the stove 710 by the electrical supply line 706 induces a current in the passive clamp coil 730. The current induced in the passive clamp coil 730 can be rectified by the bridge rectifier 734, amplified by the amplifier 738, and applied to the diode switch 742. Thereafter, the diode switch 742 may control the gate of the silicon control regulator 746 to supply energy to the pulse coder 712.

If the current induced in the passive clamp coil is used to toggle an electronic switch of a design suitable for controlling a pulsed radio frequency signal indicating the on / off state of the stove 710 to the system controller, the passive clamp coil 730 It will be appreciated that any method of detecting the electromechanical generated from the current applied to the stove by an electrical supply line that induces a current in () may be used. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that the pulse code 710 may be controlled by any other means of determining the state of the stove 710.

With reference to FIG. 9, a preferred embodiment of a water overflow detection subsystem 124 of the user monitoring system 100 is shown. The water overflow detection subsystem 124 may be installed on water facilities, such as sinks and bathtubs in a user's home that are being monitored by the user monitoring system 100. Within the water overflow detection subsystem 124, the water level detection device 1004 and the remote control shutoff device 1030 are provided in communication with the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100. do.

Looking at the principle of operation, the water overflow detection subsystem 124 is similar to the gas stove safety subsystem 600 described above. The level sensor 1004 or the level monitor 1004 transmits information to the system controller device 110 by the pulsed radio frequency level transmitter 1002. System controller device 110 is programmed to initiate shutoff of water in overflow detection subsystem 124 by radio frequency remote control signals. Radio frequency remote control signals are transmitted through the user's home by the AC line.

Control signals from the system controller device 110 are received by the controller receiver 1044 and stepped down by the step down circuit 1040. The stepped down signal is used to control the resettable electrically controlled water valves 1034 and 1038. The electrically controlled valve 1034 may control the flow of water from the inlet pipe 1026 to the bath supply pipe 1028. The electrically controlled valve 1038 may control the flow of water from the suction pipe 1026 to the sink suction pipe 1032.

The water level sensing device 1004 includes two water level detectors 1006 and 1012, and a siren module 1018 having a conventional timer. Siren transducers such as piezoelectric crystals are also provided. A three phase pulsed radio frequency transmitter 1002 may be provided within the water overflow detection subsystem 124.

When water is detected at the warning level by the water level detector 1006, the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 is notified that the water is reaching the warning level mark. If this is detected, the user monitoring system 100 calls the user to the telephone 132 in the home to remind them. When the water level detector 1012 determines that the water level has approached the highest level line, the siren 1024 sounds. The received radio frequency pulse data also informs the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 to lock the water. This event is logged in the system controller device 110. The water overflow detection subsystem 124 may be programmed to allow resetting of the valves 1034, 1038 from within the user monitoring system 100 or in response to a command from the case monitoring site 148.

Referring to FIG. 10, a block diagram of the assistive instrument detection subsystem 128 of the user monitoring system 100 is shown. The assist instrument detection subsystem 128 provides additional channels to the user monitoring system 100 to monitor and control additional instruments 1116 or devices 1116.

The on / off state of the further device 1116 is monitored and transmitted by the current draw detector 1108 to the system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100. The current draw detector 1108 monitors the current applied to the device 1116 by the AC power line 1114. The current draw detector 1108 is coupled to a radio frequency auxiliary transmitter 1112 which transmits two status signals indicating on and off. This information can be used by the system controller device 110 for both state change data and for generating daily activity data logs. Current draw sensor 1108 of auxiliary detection subsystem 128 operates with trickle draw when auxiliary device 1116 is a solid state device such as a television or clock radio. Be sensitive enough to distinguish between power sources.

In addition to monitoring the use of the auxiliary device 1116, automatic remote control of the device 1116 can be achieved. The system controller device 110 of the user monitoring system 100 may be programmed to control a controlled outlet or an acceptable adapter that energizes the AC line 1114. This control may be performed at certain times of the day or when certain circumstances have occurred. For example, when the user monitoring system 100 is in the outgoing mode, this feature is used to automatically turn off the assist mechanism 1116. More than one auxiliary subsystem 128 may be provided within the user monitoring system 100.

In addition, monitoring system 100 may be provided with an auxiliary detection system that is not monitored by current draw monitor 1108 or controller receiver 1104. For example, the multi-channel receiver 212 of the system controller 110 can be used to monitor the smoke detection subsystem 900 shown in FIG. 9.

It will be appreciated that many other combinations of auxiliary detection subsystems may be provided within the user monitoring system 100 of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that these combinations may be used in combination with automatic dialing systems in other locations. For example, automatic dialing systems have been developed that can call the residences of various users more than once a day. This gives the user the opportunity to return a predetermined signal if there is no problem and to return a different predetermined signal if there is a problem or not to signal.

These services can provide automatic contact to users up to six times a day. For example, an automatic dialing system suitable for use with the user monitoring system 100, which provides medication compliance reminders, has been field tested. In this automated reminder system, users are called or reminded daily to make their medication regimen.

11A-11M, a flow diagram illustrating operations of various subsystems of the user monitor system 100 is shown. 11A is a flow diagram illustrating a method for determining by the controller 110 which of various subsystems has initiated an event for processing. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining whether a user has occurred at a designated wake up time. This method may be performed in response to a signal from the motion sensor 304, for example. 11C illustrates a method of determining whether a user is following the dosing schedule as indicated by subsystem 116.

11D illustrates a method for determining whether the stove is turned on by the subsystem 600 and whether the smoke detector 732 is active. 11E is a flowchart illustrating a method of turning off the stoves 610 and 710. 11F is a flow diagram illustrating a method of controlling the flow of water by subsystem 124. Pseudocode indications for how to control the flow of water are given in Table I.

Is there a flow

If present

Is there a change in status

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Recycle to Flow Monitoring

If not

Is there a change in status

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Recycle to Flow Monitoring

Is there overflow of water

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Is there a warning about water

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Recirculation With Water Overflow

Table I

FIG. 11G is a flow diagram illustrating a method of alerting a user that the instrument is on, for example in accordance with bridge rectifier 734. 11H illustrates a method of calling a designated party when an alert is determined. 11I illustrates a method of recording the detection of movement, for example in response to a signal from motion sensor 304.

11J is a flow diagram illustrating a method of reading switches within the user monitoring system 100. A pseudocode indication of how to read the switches is shown in Table II.

Is the switch open

Open

Is there a change in status

If present

Send an event to turn off the light to the controller

If not

Recycle to Open Test

If not open

Is there a change in status

If present

Send an event to light the primary controller

If not

Recycle to Open Test

Table II

11K is a flow diagram illustrating an algorithm for determining either current flow or gas flow. 11L is a flow diagram illustrating an algorithm for detecting water overflow. 11M is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm for controlling the assist mechanism. The pseudo code representation for this method is shown in Table III.

Is an automatic timer set

If set

Is there a current draw

If present

Did the turnoff time exceed?

If exceeded

Turn off the appliance

Send event to the controller

If not exceeded

Recycle to AT Set

If not

Did the turn on time exceed?

If exceeded

Turn on the appliance

Send event to the controller

If not exceeded

Recycle to AT Set

If not set

Is there a current draw

If present

Is there a change in status

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Recycle to AT Set

If not

Is there a change in status

If present

Send event to main controller

If not

Circulate with AT set

TABLE III

As noted above, using the microprocessor-based system controller device 110 and the system of sensors, the user monitoring system 100 can, for example, find out if a user is up and running in his home and the user manages their medications. It may be determined whether there is a difficulty in doing so. In addition, it may be determined that the user did not wake up after a predetermined time has passed since the user accidentally turned on the stove or normally wakes up. If the user monitoring system 100 detects any of these or other problems, it can call the user at home phone 132 to remind them of medication, stoves, or other detected problems.

Using this data from the user monitoring system 100, the remote case monitoring system 148 can provide online case monitoring of each user by receiving the information designated as standard information and priority information and analyzing the received information. have. To do this, the remote case monitoring system 148 converts incoming data for each user into various summary reports that track the customer's activities. Thereby, summary reports of the daily life of specialized geriatrics can be distributed to users, family members, case managers, doctors and others. It is also possible to collect designated priority information that can point out immediate problems for the user and to act on that information. For example, if the user appears to have not happened yet, the problem will be displayed.

In addition, the collection of this kind of data by the remote case monitoring system 148 provides an aggregate database for identifying which users require private intervention and which users do not. In order to perform these functions, the remote case monitoring system 148 serves as a central hub for the collection, analysis and exchange of information with information that brings direct case management. It should be understood that in other embodiments of the inventive concept, different degrees of autonomy of the local system controller 110 associated with the remote system 148 are possible. In one embodiment, the local system controller 110 may be programmed to perform many of the functions performed by the remote case monitoring system 148 in another embodiment.

For example, calling and sending a voice message to a list of relatives and providers may be performed by the local system controller 110 or the remote case monitoring system 148. However, the primary function of the local system controller 110 is to provide a low level of case management for local observation and decision making, and the primary function of the remote case monitoring system 148 is to provide the data obtained from the user monitor system 100. It will be understood that it provides a high level of case management that enables intervention in terms of long term interpretation and long term interpretation.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user monitoring system 100 or the remote case management system 148 uses its electronic records based on information collected by the various subsystems of the user monitoring system 100. Allows you to generate planned periodic user activity reports. Such periodic reports will include the collection, editing and arrangement of information about any or all activities monitored within the user's living area. These electronic records can be used in combination with any other information to generate any form of periodic activity report required by the monitored user. These user activity reports can be used by professional case managers or by designated family members to determine whether a user is having problems with a particular activity of daily life. Therefore, these issues can be addressed before they threaten the user's continued well-being and their ability to live independently.

In addition to providing remote case monitoring and in-home reminders, the user monitoring system 100 can also be programmed to take actions to adjust if any problems are detected. For example, if the monitored user does not get out of bed until a predetermined time, the user monitoring system 100 can call the user to the phone 132. If there is no response to this telephone call, the user monitoring system 100 may be programmed to automatically send this information to the remote case monitoring site 148.

At the remote case monitoring site 148, a social worker, health professional, or designated family member may respond to this transmitted information according to a predetermined protocol. In addition to sending this information to the remote case monitoring site 148, the user monitoring system 100 may provide control signals inside the user's home. For example, if the user monitoring system 100 of the present invention determines that the stove is turned on, the user monitoring system 100 may turn off the stove by itself.

The remote case monitoring system 148 associated with the user monitoring system 100 may perform the functions of the case management site. In an example case management site function of the remote case monitoring system 148, the case management site may monitor about 50 distributed clients, each using a distributed user electronic monitoring system 100. Thus, these fifty clients have various subsystem sensors and system controllers 110 installed in their residences in a manner suitable for the particular configuration of their living area. For example, various subsystem sensors must fit different floor structures and furniture arrangements.

The remote case monitoring system 148 may receive information from the distributed user monitoring system 100 immediately or at predetermined time intervals. For example, the remote case monitoring system 148 can receive information hourly, daily, or weekly. If one of the clients does not wake up within a predetermined time and does not answer the phone, the local system controller 110 of the user monitoring system 100 at that client's home may call the case management site. At the case management site, such an event can bring immediate attention to the human case monitor, eg by computer screen. The remote case manager can examine the data records of individual cases and monitored clients to obtain a predetermined response to the monitored person when the reported event occurs.

Appropriate interventions required by staff at the case management site include calling local case managers, hospital social workers or nearby relatives. Other actions that can be performed by the remote case monitor include calling the user, downloading the last 24 hours or 48 hours of event summary information remotely from the local user monitoring system 100, and diagnosing the local user monitoring system 100. Remotely initiating the sequence can be included.

The protocol of the procedures for intervention by the remote case monitor 148 is different for each remote case monitoring system 148 and for each user. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention various intervention decisions, such as who is calling and what message should be delivered when a predetermined event occurs, are presented in a machine intelligence expert system (shown in remote case monitoring system 148). Or a human or a combination of the two. The local user monitoring system 100 may also be programmed to make decisions such as who is calling when it is in good standing. For example, user monitoring system 100 may have a list of contacts to contact in various emergencies.

In addition to receiving and interpreting data indicative of the need for intervention in case of an emergency, remote case monitoring system 148 periodically receives data downloaded from individual user monitoring system 100 at predetermined intervals. This data is interpreted on an individual and aggregate level by trend analysis software that detects deviations greater than statistical standard deviations in event pattern measurements. The remote case monitoring system 148 can use this analysis to generate a periodic summary report of events related to everyday tasks in the user's home environment. More specifically, these reports detect specific event classes, weight them in terms of their relative importance, and compare them with the criteria for performing the work. Events that are weighted for importance include weather, medication management, proper stove control, proper water flow control, and proper control of selected electronics. Based on the reports of these events, in the remote case monitoring system 148, a summary report of old age life for distribution to certain parties involved in the case management of the user of the user monitoring system 100 is presented in mechanical form and It may be prepared in paper form. These parties may include users themselves, relatives of users, case manager social workers, therapists, and other appropriate regular and irregular caregivers.

Two additional functions of remote case monitoring system 148 may be provided. These functions are (1) remote programming and reprogramming of user monitoring system 100, and (2) comprehensive and individual levels of data generation for a relatively large number of users. This data can serve as research data for further development of the user monitoring system 100, as well as a knowledge base based on experience driving decision protocols for both humans and machines.

Data must be transmitted between the user monitoring system 100 and the remote case monitoring system 148 in order for these functions to be performed. Information sent from the remote case monitoring system 148 to the system controller 110 of the local user monitoring system 100 includes three different types of commands: query, diagnosis, and configuration. The query command requests downloading specific information from the memory of the user monitoring system 100 to the remote case monitoring system 148. The requested information, along with the specific information needed for case monitoring by the remote system 148, forms the basis of a report of daily life events of old age. For example, the status of other subsystems of the user monitoring system 100 may be made available to the remote system 148 when the movement subsystem 112 indicates that the user did not wake up in the morning.

Diagnostic commands for the local user monitoring system 100 inhibit the system 100's ability to request intervention or to change the settings of any remotely controlled devices, while various kinds of problems may be presented to other subsystems. The other subsystems of the system 100 are tested by initiating a sequence of event codes indicating that there are various kinds of problems as shown by.

The setting command from the remote case management system 148 to the user monitoring system 100 may include parameters on a timer in the user monitoring system 100 as well as other variable values for decisions made in the decision trees described below. Reset. Such parameters include, but are not limited to, wake up time, time of taking different medications, and length of time that must elapse before turning off the stove.

The transfer information transmitted in the opposite direction from the system controller 110 of the user monitor system 100 to the remote case monitoring system 148 is in two forms: (1) specific data priority transfer and (2) standard data transfer. It includes. Certain data priority transfers must be detected, recorded, and acted upon by the remote case monitoring system 148 and by dialing the remote case monitoring system 148 via a telephone line 144 or other data link (not shown). It is initiated by the local system controller 110 by indicating the appearance of a problem.

Situations in which the local system controller 110 calls the remote case monitoring system 148 to inform the user that they have not yet got out of bed or that the stove is on are potential emergencies and, therefore, these situations may be associated with a particular data priority transfer. Examples are. Standard data transfer involves downloading event log information to each subsystem. This information is used to generate trend analysis reports that indicate the frequency of occurrence of different events over a predetermined time period, such as six months. Thus, the trend analysis report may indicate that over a six month course the user will become increasingly compliant with the medication and / or will be increasingly turning on the stove inappropriately. Using known trend analysis techniques, software driven reports can detect the increasing frequency of problems in daily activities.

The trend analysis report may be a monthly paper report or a mechanical report that provides various behavioral guidelines for different areas of daily life monitored by the user monitoring system 100. These areas may include weather and sleep, medication management, stove management, water flow management, and manipulation of additional instruments. The raw data for this report is based on event log data sent from the local system controller 110 remote system using standard data transfer and preferred specific modes. Raw data is used to provide a continuous baseline for successful and unsuccessful completion of the five work areas.

 For example, within a month, a user may use the stove 55 times and turn it on twice in violation of the programmed protocol. At that time, the monthly report line for the stove category may indicate 55 usage and 2 usage errors. Moreover, usage errors can be classified by importance level by weighting system. For example, errors that miss a dose can be weighted as significantly less serious than errors that leave the stove on for several hours. Accordingly, the trend analysis report of the system according to the present invention is intended to include a ranking system that not only records and plots errors for successive baselines over time, but also reflects the potential negative effects of different errors. do.

In addition to errors, trend analysis reports can plot deviations in behavior that show a change in plot trends. For example, the trend analysis report may plot weather and sleep times and the number of times a user goes to the bathroom. Though not originally present at all, sudden changes in the situation requiring intervention, such as sleep habits, bathroom use, and even the use of equipment, are physically required to require an in-person or case management social worker or physician to visit and interview the user. It may indicate a sudden change in health or mental health.

While any number of combinations of interpretation data can be used for any number of specialized reports, most case management sites and most of the in-laws have the frequency and severity of certain errors, the degree and accuracy of medication compliance, and the user's weather or You may want to know if your sleep pattern is changing radically. Trend analysis reports provide case managers and relatives with this information, detect sensitive changes in behavior patterns, monitor various kinds of potentially dangerous errors, and maintain a baseline of functions that function on monitored activities. To help users better.

In general, with respect to monitoring elderly patients, the operation of the monitoring system 100 is described, but the system 100 may be used to monitor any type of patient, such as an infant and a fire victim. In addition, using accurate sensors, the monitoring system 100 may monitor any parameters for such patients, such as ambient temperature, body temperature, and blood pressure. In general, what can be sensed by a sensor and converted into an electrical signal can be monitored by the monitoring system 100. In addition to this data being used to compile the report at the remote monitoring site 148, the data may be configured for use by a physician prior to an appointment with a regular physician. The system may be monitored by friends or relatives rather than by an expert at a remote monitoring site.

Local microprocessor based system controller 110 and its associated sensor system may determine any activity in a given daily life. For example, the system controller 110 can determine whether a user gets up and walks around the house. In addition, for example, it may be determined whether the user has difficulty managing medication, whether the user has failed to wake up within a predetermined time after a normal wake up time, and whether the user has turned on the stove. Can be. In addition, the system controller 110 can determine other detected problems.

As discussed above, various degrees of autonomy of the local system controller 110 from the remote monitoring system 148 may be obtained in various embodiments of the present invention. Thus, system controller 110 may be programmed to perform many of the functions performed by remote monitoring system 148 in another embodiment of the present invention. However, the main function of the local system controller 110 is to provide low level case management of local observation and determination, and the main function of the remote monitoring system 148 is to provide high level case management and to enable long-term interpretation of the data. .

Using the information sent from the local system controller, remote case monitoring system 148 provides on-line case monitoring for any number of users by receiving standard priority information or other information and analyzing the received information. can do. When performing this operation, remote case monitoring system 148 converts incoming data to each user into several summary reports that track the activities of individual users.

By monitoring and analyzing the information received in this manner, the remote case monitoring system 148 enables the distribution of specialized everyday living monitoring summaries (ELMS) reports to other parties. For example, reports obtained in this manner can be distributed to family members, doctors, case managers, and others.

In addition, monitoring and analysis by the system controller 110 and the remote case monitoring system 148 enables first to collect action information. For example, it may be determined when the user does not get out of bed. It is also possible to provide an aggregate database for identifying users requiring individual intervention. It may also provide a central hub for the collection and exchange of information with direct case management resources.

Local system controller 110 may be programmed to perform various functions related to database report generation and intervention decisions. In one embodiment of the invention, system controller 110 may be programmed to learn a user's activity pattern. Learning by the system controller 110 occurs through analyzing various sensor data and performing various operations that change various parameters of the user. For example, the timing and frequency parameters of the expected activity event can be changed based on a trend analysis of past timing, frequency, duration, and concomitance of the event. Trend analysis can be based on intervals of weeks, months, or other time periods in which data is stored internally.

Learning about user activity patterns by the system controller 110 or the remote case monitoring system 148 can be accomplished using various techniques. In most such techniques, the learning process involves a change in various values, parameter settings, and decision algorithms. The amount of change in this manner changes with respect to interpreting the data obtained by the sensors for the mechanical interventions and generations disclosed for the various reports.

The determination of the system according to the invention is based on the assumption that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and empirical knowledge of the relatively unchanging frequency, timing and duration of essential activities of daily life as part of the daily and weekly cycle. do. Using this base, various methods can be used to determine whether activities on a day are within or outside the statistically expected activity occurrences. In a preferred embodiment, the user monitoring system uses known algorithms to analyze continuous baseline data.

The variables obtained by the system controller 110 or the remote case monitoring system 148 may be in the form of time and dated event data or a variant thereof. For example, the variables may be the frequency of occurrence or weighting frequency of a predetermined measurement, such as the number of times a dosing has been performed or a toilet has been flushed within a predetermined time period.

Using programming and statistical techniques known and understood by those skilled in the art, the system controller 110 can be trained to learn not only the number of times a user typically uses the toilet, but also the typical timing and frequency at which the user takes each prescribed medication. It can work. Using these techniques, it is also possible to learn not only the normal wake-up time of the morning, but also the typical timing and frequency of opening and closing the refrigerator doors, cupboards, microwave ovens, and stoves.

For example, the general variable values used in the methods of the present invention for report generation and learning purposes can be understood in the general statistical sense of the measurement of concentration tendency paired with appropriate variance measures. Measurements of concentration tendencies of sensor events include measurements such as mean, median, and mode. The measure of variance can be measures such as standard deviation and quartile range.

There are various techniques for statistically determining the general value of a measured event and then using that value to predict the value of a future event. The common technique sets the conventional value equal to the measurement of the concentration tendency, which is limited by the confidence level (sigma) equal to the +/- appropriate value of the dispersion units in order to take into account an (normally) alpha level of 0.05. For each measurement in the activity or event domain, these standard statistical procedures apply in particular as used in connection with a continuous baseline or moving average. For example, the controller system 110 stores information such as moving out of bed, opening the refrigerator, taking medicines, and other well-known statistical methods to determine whether it is within or outside the general range. Can be used to compare similar events in the past.

For example, by determining whether the wake-up time deviates by more than two standard deviations from the arithmetic mean of the previous 30 wake-up times, the wake-up time can be compared with the previous 30 wake-up times. This is one kind of comparing individual data points with a baseline calculated as the moving average of past events.

Controller 110 may be programmed to make a decision based on the comparison of new event data with past event data, as such. For example, if a user appears to sleep by more than 2 standard deviations in past average wake-up times, machine initiated interventions and special data transfers or reports may be generated. In this case, the trigger event lacks a signal from the sensor configuration used to set the user out of bed. Therefore, the controller 110 need not remain programmed to expect the user to be awake at a given time. Rather, it may adjust and readjust the expected wake up time based on the user's past sleep and wake up patterns.

In a similar manner, system controller 110 may be programmed to allow calculation of average or general expected values for any sensor-based data or data derived from sensor-based information. The programming controller 110 needs to program it in this manner, storing and updating moving average and sigma values for the time, duration and frequency of the activity and comparing against the data points that retrieve the stored update values. Makes it possible to do

System controller 110 may be operable to change parameter settings for which variables are assigned. For example, the number of doses in the dosing regimen may increase from two to three daily. Using the additional position / compartment / switch provided on the medication monitor, the present invention determines the information for initializing a new variable associated with the new medication and starts recording the time and date stamped information for its use. Can be.

After a few days, while the user is taking the new medication, the average time and frequency baseline associated with the new medication is stabilized. At the same time, the sigma level (for example according to two standard deviations) tends to decrease with respect to the number of units measured as the number of observations increases. This makes it possible for the system controller 110 to detect an error such as taking too little or too much in the third dose on a given day.

Other changes in parameters that can be learned by the system controller 110 are those related to changes in meal preparation by the user. Individual users may have a pattern of preparing food twice a day. For example, a user can usually prepare a meal only in the morning and in the evening. The user may rarely prepare lunch. The timing, frequency, and duration of the sensor correlate with changes in food preparation.

In principle, it is possible for a system controller to learn any pattern of repetitive actions conveyed to it by a sensor that can signal the occurrence, nonoccurrence, time and duration of any activity event.

Activities of daily life: "ADLs"

Activities of Daily Living / Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) include these purpose-oriented activities that must be performed by or against a person to live independently in their residence. These include bathing, moving, dressing, eating, decorating, preparing food, doing light chores, washing, administering medication, and other necessary tasks related to personal health and housekeeping. We now turn to additional means to detect and monitor various activities closely related to the present invention.

Various sensor configurations can be used to monitor toilet use. In a preferred embodiment, the motion detector and the flush switch detector can be used in conjunction with the pressure sensor / position sensor combination on the toilet bowl. The motion detector is placed in the bathroom and indicates the presence of the individual (s) without considering specific activities.

Bed-wetting can present a problem that requires monitoring in a variety of situations. Nocturnal enuresis can be monitored by a moisture sensor placed on the surface of the undersheet pad on which the monitored individual lies.

Food preparation can be monitored by a combination of sensors indicating opening and closing of drawers, cabinets, and appliances commonly used by customers to prepare food. In one embodiment, the refrigerator door, tableware drawer, and microwave are monitored by a reed switch to determine the presence, timing, and duration of food preparation and corresponding use. In another embodiment, current flow detectors can be used to record the use of various electrical appliances (eg, coffee makers, toaster ovens, etc.) used for food preparation. Additional thermal sensor configurations can be used to inspect the stove. Pressure sensors with or without weight differentiating mean may be used in chairs and the like at the dining table.

In the present invention, various means have been developed for using small radio frequency transmitters, and movement detection triggers that can be attached directly to household objects to deliver to the system controller when they are manipulated. The preferred embodiment is such a compact, low current draw, inertial momentum sensing switch (mercury lamp or vibration) coupled to the transmitter with a timer / bounceless switch and timer reset that may be attached to the object. Object movement detector (OMD). When the object is moved / manipulated, a pulsed RF signal is identified and received by the local controller and displayed on the time and date. Such jiggle detectors can be attached to brooms and hairbrushes, electric shavers and auxiliary devices such as walkers and connecting rods.

Eating can be monitored through the use of pressure pad sensors on tables and chairs and, if necessary, by the use of OMDs on tableware. Housework can be monitored by placing the OMD on a broom, dustpan, and vacuum cleaner that responds to manipulation. In general, any ADL / IADL is monitored by the sensor's configuration and information sent to the local controller and can be integrated into a daily activity log for use by a care provider or for machine-initiated interventions such as reminders. . A current draw detector on a washing machine or dryer can be used to detect laundry activity. The electrical wire of the electronic product may be passively connected to a current draw detector configured to send signals to the local controller when they are in use to generate time date indications and period data to be logged.

Grooming generally consists of a variety of actions, including combing the hair (for women) and shaving (for men). This offers the possibility of attaching an object movement detector (OMD) to hair combs, razors, and other dressing instruments to signal the local controller when dressing behavior occurs.

Bathing can be monitored by several means. Various devices can be coupled to the irrigation to determine whether water is flowing into the bath / shower. The water / moisture detector may be placed in the bath or in the opening of the faucet / shower head that reacts to the presence of the flow of water without direct physical contact with the water pipe. The pressure sensitive switch in an insulated anti-slip mat at the bottom of the bath / shower can be adapted to the RF unit to allow information to be passed to the local controller as individuals walk or sit on the surface. Each or a combination of these methods may be used to determine bath / shower usage and send sensor data to a local controller.

Dressing consists of a complex overall harmony of tasks that require both recognition and manipulation functions. For this reason, experts in determining senile functioning consider dressing as a standard of overall functional health and the time it takes to dress as an indicator of the level of function sensitive to changes in ability. Dressing can be monitored by placing a reed switch on the wardrobe drawer and can indicate the presence, time and duration of the dressing activity by placing a sensor in the closet.

Non-ADL Activity Monitoring

In addition to task-oriented activities, important actions occur repeatedly both on the individual's lifestyle and on indicators of their usual behavioral routines. This behavior includes a range of sedentary leisure activities such as watching television, using radio or audio entertainment, using a computer, reading, sewing, and the like.

This activity can be monitored in several ways. These activities involving the use of electronic or electrical devices can be monitored by various means capable of determining when the device is on or off. For example, the television may trigger a current draw detector or photodiode mounted at the corner of the CRT display. The current draw detector may be configured to transmit data each time the television is turned on or off, making it possible to log time on and time off on a daily basis. Given the popularity of television and related regular broadcasts that many people see, it may be useful to use this data in various ways. For example, behavior in which change can be monitored may include fast and late television viewing. Similar techniques may be employed with regard to CDs, radios, VCRs, computers, etc. that may generate information indicative of normal daily activities.

For example, individuals may typically watch their favorite shows between 2 pm and 5 pm, Monday through Friday. This activity is not related to achieving functional performance goals, but may nevertheless be an important part of an individual's typical or routine daily routine. Changes in television viewing routine patterns, such as watching afternoon shows or watching television continuously for 14 hours, may indicate changes in activity that are caused by physical, mental, or other problems, and thus It can also provide very useful information for reporting an intervention. A preferred embodiment for the use of the monitoring system television is monitored by a current draw detector. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many commonly used means of determining whether a device is on or off can be used to send a signal to a monitoring system. Similar techniques may also be employed with respect to CDs, radios, VCR computers, etc. that may generate information indicative of normal daily activities.

Distinguishing between several individuals in a living unit

The invention also includes means for distinguishing the activities of individuals in a residential unit inhabiting several people. It may often be useful to separately record the activities of two or more individuals living in a house. In the case of medication adherence, this simply involves using a separate medication monitoring caddy for each individual, each signaling a local controller unit code unique to the individual being monitored. For other activities, such as moving, using the toilet, bathing, preparing meals, washing and housekeeping, it is necessary to introduce different methods to distinguish between different individuals and to generate individual activity logs for each individual. In the following, various methods are described that do not require a user to carry a special device and rely solely on the interaction of individuals with objects in their environment. Also described below are wear by individuals that emit a detectable very short range of signals that are used, for example, to detect specific individuals' access to objects in their environment used to perform monitored activities of daily living. It is described with respect to special devices such as transponders of any type. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a transponder or similar device is not required for the system to operate, but adds additional information to increase the effectiveness of determining which individual is performing what task and when.

For movement into or out of bed, the silver sensitive side of the bed, living room, mattress, or both can be equipped with pressure sensitive switch pads. Typically knowing who sleeps on the right and who sleeps on the left, it is possible to configure these pressure sensors to indicate whether person a or person b is out of bed.

For movement to a chair, a pressure sensitive sensor can be used that responds to relative weight with sufficient accuracy to distinguish between two individuals, for example a husband or a wife. You may also know which chairs usually occupy which chair, especially with respect to married couples.

For toilet use, the differential weight sensor described above is installed on the toilet seat with a tilt switch sensor to indicate when the seat is in an upright position (as is customary for men's urination) or in a downward direction. . The weight sensor pad may also be inserted into a "bath mat" in front of the bathroom to assess the differential weight. For example, when the water level in the tank drops below the threshold level, various techniques may be used to signal toilet flushing, such as a float switch connected to the signaling unit, so that the normally open float switch is closed.

For the bath, a waterproof version of the weight sensitive bath mat can be installed in the bath to determine the person's differential weight.

For differential weights, in most cases this is useful when there are two family members and the weight threshold should be adjusted to approximate the average of the two weights. It may be necessary to weigh the individuals repeatedly, considering the possibility that one of the two will lose weight (or rarely gain weight) over time and the weight of the two will be the same. This can be done carefully by reminding the individual of the weight in any known method or simply by wiring the scale and using some other means to distinguish their scale or transponder or weight. Can be.

Physiological Measures of Health

Monitoring the health status between individuals in their residential unit includes monitoring both their activity and their physiological function. A wide variety of physiological function measurement and monitoring devices are available at home using, but not limited to, body temperature, pulse rate, weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and oxygenation. All these devices, such as infrared temperature, blood glucose and pulse readers, are currently available with digital readouts and can be easily changed to convey information to the local controller, so that these physiological data are recorded along with activity data and family and professional care It can also be integrated into a single report that combines both the information for the provider and the type of information to trigger machine-initiated intervention. Many devices for the measurements available in accordance with the present invention are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,410,471 to Alyfuko, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the system of the present invention can help users under measurement. For example, to determine blood pressure, a user may be instructed by the system to sit down, wear a cuff and perform other required steps. If the measured reading is not within the preset range, the user may be instructed to repeat the measurement. This can be done via interactive software on the user's PC or via the Internet.

An example of a reading indicating intervention is when the individual indicates that the activity tends to decrease during the day and does not sleep at night. This may reflect signs of a heart attack (CHF). In this case, the reduced activity means less total movement around the house, less total movement into and out of the residential unit, less frequent or slower to climb stairs (if applicable) (average Longer duration), and / or longer sleep time. The local controller may be programmed to trigger an intervention taking into account reduced activity and / or not sleeping at night, which may involve a request / reminder for blood pressure readings for the next day. It is also possible to plot blood pressure against a continuous baseline of previously taken blood pressure, and if the systolic or diastolic pressure is outside the upper and lower thresholds (sigma level), the monitored individual, their physician and / or health Action may be taken to inform other appropriate persons who may change the condition. Instructions to conduct a checkup or contact a care provider may be the interventions indicated by the report of the present invention.

When doctors compare blood pressure data, activity log data and medication compliance data within an integrated health and functional report, very important information is provided to the doctor for prescription. In another example, frequent visits to the bathroom at night may indicate an infection. By combining information about going to the toilet and temperature readings within a single report, doctors or other caregivers can obtain evidence of infection and ensure that monitored individuals are quickly shown to the appropriate providers. It is also possible to program the local controller to take action based on behavioral changes, physiological changes, or a combination of both. For example, the local controller may be programmed to require a monitored individual to take body temperature and blood pressure or other measurements after using the toilet abnormally at night or after other activities. In principle, any combination of physiological measurement devices can be integrated into the system by having a compatible RF transmitter and making these devices software implementable.

In various embodiments, the monitored individual is required to participate in a periodic automated test during which they are reminded and prompted by a local controller to, for example, sit at a table and check body temperature and take blood pressure. The controller prompts them using synthesized or recorded voices that can be heard through a speaker connected to a personal computer, where there is a microprocessor of the local controller or a speaker phone connected to the local controller in the form of a standalone unit. The individual is thus instructed what to do during the examination. Data captured by the controller is analyzed for successive baseline averages and the results reported to the remote monitoring site. Accordingly, the present invention allows incorporating information about physiological and behavioral measures into a single report for human end user and / or machine initiated interventions.

Portability

Although the invention consists of several means for monitoring an individual user or users in a residential unit, a portable device may be incorporated into the system. For example, a portable medication monitoring device may be carried by a user outside the home. The device may allow an individual to record and / or remind their medication. Returning to the residential unit, the dosage unit can communicate by RF signal to the local controller and the information about the medication taken outside of the residential unit is integrated with the information about the medication collected at the residential unit. Thus, it is possible to unify information about the user's dosing behavior outside the resident unit with information obtained within the resident unit to develop a more complete picture of the individual's daily behaviors.

In addition to portable dosing monitoring, it is possible to have portable physiological monitoring (eg cardiac, respiratory, blood oxygenation, blood pressure, etc.) and / or activity movement monitoring (eg, tachographs, devices in the form of gait recordings, etc.). Do. Similarly, similar to the portable medication monitoring described above, data transmission channels and links can be created to integrate signal data collected from portable units within home-based local controllers and to serve as a basis for the generation of daily life reports for human and machine use. It is technically easy to use. Such reports and information generation may prove very useful for maintaining the health and function of the user.

Security and environmental monitoring

In addition to the goal-oriented functional activities and other actions that make up the daily activities of individuals, the monitoring system of the present invention can collect and analyze information relating to security, safety and the environment within the residential unit. As mentioned above, various embodiments of the monitoring and report generation system can be used to log activities related to hazardous appliances such as stoves, lock stoves, etc., as it has been determined that the stove has been left for too long. It is necessary to take an automated initial action in case of a problem or when a smoke or heat detector is activated.

In addition, the means and procedures for monitoring the overflow of the sink in the residential unit in a bath overflow and in a similar manner are described above. Both of these functions focus on detecting events that, if unchecked, can have a significant negative impact on the safety of the monitored individuals and / or the state of the resident unit. In addition to these functions, there are a wide range of additional events that affect the security and safety of individuals and their living units, which can prove very useful. For example, monitoring the locking and filling of front doors leading to the outdoors of a house or apartment reduces the risk of security issues for many individuals with reports and reminders. Forgotten or confused individuals can be particularly helped by these features. Monitoring door closing and locking is a basic magnetic lead that opens and closes circuits by sending signals to the local controller in conjunction with a switch configuration suitable for the locking mechanism in a way that allows detection of the state of the locking mechanism as either locked or unlocked. It can be achieved by a magnetic reed switch. This switch is then connected to the appropriate signaling device to send the information to the local controller, allowing the monitoring system to integrate this information into various reports and intervention decisions.

Atmospheric temperatures above and below healthy levels are a real threat to the health of particularly vulnerable seniors. Every year, sudden heat waves and cold waves result in some, if not millions, deaths of the elderly, who are physiologically incapable of properly judging extreme and dangerous fluctuations in atmospheric temperature. Many temperature sensing devices with electronic or mechanical thermostatic components are familiar to those skilled in the art of environmental control. These units are commercially available (usually) and routinely used for heating and cooling control and monitoring of buildings. By connecting the temperature sensor to the appropriate signaling system, room temperature data is transmitted to the local controller, recorded and analyzed, and serves as the basis for intervention as well as machine generated reports. In a preferred embodiment of the monitoring system, a temperature sensor is used for alerting and if necessary, communication is automatically initiated with the therapists if the temperature rises above or falls below a threshold. This function can save lives.

In principle, information from security and environmental sensors can be integrated with environmental data in the local controller or used in conjunction with environmental information to enable various interventions. For example, the system is configured and programmed to detect that there is no movement in the living unit because the door is closed and to detect that the door is not locked, thereby taking the action of automatically locking the door. Various algorithms are possible for intervening based on a combination of security and behavioral data.

Similarly, temperature data along with behavioral information can be used to inform analysis and intervention. For example, information that the temperature of a room has dropped below 50 degrees as the amount of time an individual stays in bed may be useful for family or professional volunteers who need to take action quickly to help the individual. With regard to door locking and physiological measurements, there is no reason for environmental variables such as temperature to be incorporated into the monitoring system's interventions and reports. Other environmental variables may include smoke and dust particulate detectors (measured by optical smoke detectors), noise and vibration, carbon monoxide, humidity, and the like. Any environmental condition that can be automatically detected using a sensor can be used in conjunction with the monitoring system described herein.

Internet

The use of the Internet as a means of communication between a local controller and a remote monitoring site is not only efficient and cost effective for information exchange, but also report information known as a website by the local controller to multiple users and various types of individual and institutional users. Provides the possibility to access. In one embodiment, a number of local controllers use a modem and automated dial-up software to deliver an activity log to a web site using email as a means of data transmission. The delivered email is interpreted post processing and converted into various summary reports for other users. For example, monitored individuals can access a web site in the form of a pin number or password, and report access daily activity by default. Or, a group of patients in a hospital can use the institutional portal to access a website and access reports on more detailed faithful dosing available to monitored individual family members. The remote monitoring station with its web site can also be programmed to store and process billing information related to access costs and report request transactions for various personal and institutional clients. For example, a family member may pay a relatively small monthly payment and a small transaction fee for each report accessed, but a health provider may pay a fairly large monthly payment and report fee. The charging can be done by the remote monitoring site computer having the above-described processing and send the activity information to the monitored client.

While the Internet provides an excellent means of exchanging information in non-emergency situations, it may be useful to access the pager to call the system to call for family and help in case of an alarm code. For example, if the monitored individual does not get out of bed before the critical time has elapsed, paging may be done in place of or in association with the telephone call. Using the alphabetic display technology common to pager systems, it is possible to represent possible emergencies using ASCII codes in place of the synthesized voice used in voice phones.

The Internet can be used as a means of transmitting information for some purpose between the local controller and the remote controller. For example, the local controller may dial in, log on, and send or receive data packets for purposes of analysis, intervention, report recording, reprogramming, and the like, to an Internet service provider (ISP). A remote monitoring site, structured as a web page, can store, analyze, and propagate a wide variety of different user reports in different ways. In one embodiment, the local controller is programmed to access the Internet periodically (eg, every 6, 12, 24 or other time units) and send data to a remote site in the form of a web server. Remote monitoring sites are made available to clients, families, health professionals, case managers, health care providers, etc. that can receive information and access it by logging in and entering secure portals using standard identification and password protocols. . This allows a variety of users to query, analyze and record queries based on monitored clients.

Furthermore, there are a number of user portals in which each client's information is intentionally accessed by the client (ie, monitored individuals), family members (temporary caregivers), health care providers, social support organizations (official caregivers), It can be used to automatically generate transaction records that can be used for tracking and billing purposes. 12 illustrates an embodiment of an internet web site with a multi-user portal below. In this way, clients and other subscribers can be tracked and billed for information accessed in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the client gets free access and the registered family member may later make the number of queries per month in an additive manner per query. The hospital can also be on a per-query charge basis.

In addition to putting client information on a web server and allowing registered users to access this information, it is useful to periodically send and report information to subscribers via email. Thus, family members, clinicians, case managers, and the like, may periodically (among daily, weekly, monthly) machines be delivered to the client via email that may be received by the user's computer or through any other device capable of receiving email messages. You can receive a generation report. In addition, connecting the Internet to a wide variety of wireless devices, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs) can result in urgent or quick response options for information transfer over the Internet. . For example, if the monitored individual does not get out of bed before the critical time has elapsed, paging may be performed instead of or in conjunction with the telephone call. Using the alphabetic display technology common to the pager system, it is possible to display the possible emergency attributes using the printed characters displayed instead of the synthesized voice used in the voice telephone. Connecting the local controller 100 and the remote monitoring site as a common channel through the Internet does not require changing the essential attributes of the local controller and the remote monitoring site. The local controller can be used to obtain, store, organize and analyze sensor based data in the residential unit of the monitored individual. As mentioned above, it becomes possible to configure and program the local controller to perform many of the functions of the remote monitoring site. Thus, various embodiments are possible in which different functions are distributed between the local controller and remote monitoring systems. In principle, all functions of report generation, automatic behavior and physiological profiling, machine initiated reminders and interventions can be performed by the local controller for individuals in one residential unit. Thus, as long as the end user receives information about the client from this site, the number and complexity of the functions of the remote monitoring site can be significantly reduced.

In one embodiment, the remote site is reduced to a pager, telephone or wireless receiver, which signals to care providers and the like as the client needs or reports information via synthesized voice or displayed text. In this case the functionality of the local controller is maximized and the remote monitoring site is minimized. On the other hand, it is possible to configure the monitoring system with a system in which sensors are located in the residential unit and the local controller collects its outputs into an available communication channel and is then processed by the remote monitoring site. This minimizes the local controller so that the data analysis functionality is almost entirely dependent on the remote monitoring site. In a preferred embodiment, high level functions of case management, including data collection and analysis of one or many individuals in one or many residential units, are performed by the remote monitoring system while local controllers are primarily responsible for sensor data in one residential unit. It functions to record, analyze, report and automate based inventions, and this local controller is in the residential unit but is not a remote monitoring system.

The ubiquity of the Internet makes the Internet a preferred communication link between local controllers and remote monitoring sites. Various means of data transfer from the Internet, over the Internet, to the Internet are known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment the communication link between local and remote monitoring sites can be established and maintained by email. Activity logs are simply uploaded as text files and mailed to the remote site that receives them, placed in the correct mailbox, processed and then automatically sent reports to end users via email or passwords to family and professionals Deliver the report to an accessible secure web site.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a preferred embodiment of an internet based remote monitoring site is configured in the form of a web page 1001. Web page 1001 allows clients to access information about individuals monitored by client portals. Two portals are shown. Personal portal 1007 allows the monitored individual and designated individuals (such as family members) to access behavior and other information that is accumulated and accumulated by the local controller and transmitted to the Internet by any of a variety of commonly used means. Institutional portal 1008 allows institutions (eg, health care providers, case management service units, insurers, etc.) to access information about the monitored client. In a preferred embodiment, these portals employ means that are conventionally employed for the security of information about clients' individuals, such as PIN numbers, encryption, firewalls, and the like. In principle, any number of portals can be used to accommodate groups of different clients that differ in access to information.

Report generator 1002, database of monitored information 1003, and incoming data portal 1004 form a means for generating a wide variety of reports from data accumulated by local controllers. Incoming data portal 1004 receives packets of information from any number of local controllers. In this embodiment, the email serves as a means for transmitting data, wherein the incoming data portal is configured to receive from monitored individuals. The database of monitored information 1003 includes a client background record of each monitored individual, including demographic, medical and functional needs, and billing information (eg, portal address, phone number, etc.).

For data coming from the incoming data portal 1004, the database of monitored information 1003 also sorts and stores files for each local controller, automatically updates the database with the newly received information, and Maintain a record of instructions that determine the type, content, and recipient of reports to be generated. These commands include the type and number of monitored events to be included in a given report, a summary of the specific types used in the report (count, sum, average, threshold level, verbal description of the event, graphical depiction of the event, etc.), the frequency of the reporting period ( Time, day, week, month, etc.), and information about the recipient of the report (name, relationship, email address, phone / pager number, postal address, etc.).

In this way, the database of monitored information 1003 includes additional information about the data accumulated by the local controller and the individual being monitored, the reports to be generated, and the sides to receive these reports. At the time intervals determined in the respective report commands contained within the database of monitored information, the data is processed through the report generator 1002 and the data collected by the local controller is numerical, graphical and written. Abbreviated as reports, various reports are generated. These reports are then stored and delivered to report transmitter 1006, which sorts and stores the reports, emails, automatic or real human phone calls, voice / alphanumeric paging (voice / alpha numeric paging), and mail the report to a variety of end users by means of mailing the report and actually mailing it to the appropriate customer. Single means or a combination of these means may be used that are commonly used to convey numerical, graphical, or written information.

Preferred embodiments use email for non-priority reports and paging and telephone messaging for priority reporting / alarms. Billing report generator 1010 and billing database 1005 together provide a means for tracking the use of billable reports and queries to the customer. For example, each query from a family member can be tracked, the total cost per query can be calculated, and a monthly usage statement generated that can be the basis of the bill. Similar procedures may be provided for institutional clients, for example, a hospital may contract for 1,000 queries per month, pay a set amount, and then add an additional amount per query when the contracted number is exceeded. You can pay The operation of the billing report generator 1010 and billing database 1005 requires a linkage to the monitored client database 1003 so that information about the form and content of the reports and customer and client information can be used to create a billing report. Can be used. In addition, the linkage with report transmitter 1006 would be useful as an essential means for printing and distributing invoices at the end of the billing cycle, especially since so far as mailed. Using means typically employed in automatic and semi-automatic billing systems, it is possible to configure databases by various methods with billing report generators to generate bills for provided services accurately and efficiently.

The Internet-based remote monitoring site described above also includes functions for reprogramming and maintenance of local controllers 110. The reprogramming function described above can reset parameters for data collection and intervention, and testing and status checking of the network of the local controller and its sensors. These functions may prove useful, if not necessary, for the development of various installations of the monitoring system.

Any of the functions described above implemented in the monitored client database 1003 may be located in the report generator 1010 in some embodiments, and any of the functions described above as the report transmitter 1006 may be the report generator 1002. Or may be physically located in the monitored database 1003. Most of the time, as long as such a function exists, there is no difference in where the functions are implemented in relation to the conceptual block diagram.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described embodiments can be changed without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but includes all modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

100: user monitoring system
110: system controller
112: movement detection subsystem
116: Dosing automated management detection subsystem
120: Stove Safety Detection Subsystem
124: water overflow detection subsystem
128: Auxiliary Instrument Detection Subsystem
132: telephone
144: telephone line
148: remote case monitoring system

Claims (30)

A remote monitoring site comprising an activity detection subsystem for monitoring a user having behavioral activity and physiological parameters in the user living area User monitoring system,
(a) a system controller;
(b) a first detector device that is activated in response to the occurrence of the behavioral activity to provide behavioral activity information to the system controller;
(c) a second detector device for determining a value of the physiological parameter in the user living area and providing physiological parameter information to the system controller;
(d) control circuitry for generating a first control signal in response to said behavioral activity information and a second control signal in response to said physiological parameter information;
(e) a control information communication channel for applying the first and second control signals to the remote monitoring site;
(f) a remote generator for generating an integrated report indicative of both the behavioral activity and the physiological parameter
User monitoring system comprising a. The system of claim 1, wherein the occurrence of the behavioral activity is determined independent of physiological measurements. 3. The user monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said occurrence of said behavioral activity is determined in said user living area. The user monitoring system of claim 1 including circuitry for intervening the user living area in accordance with the integrated report. The user monitoring system of claim 1, comprising a trend analysis report determined according to the consolidated report. 6. The user monitoring system of claim 5 including circuitry for intervening in the user living area in accordance with the trend analysis. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring system includes a plurality of programming instructions and the programming instructions are reprogrammed from a location outside the user living area. 8. The user monitoring system of claim 7, comprising circuitry for intervening the user living area in accordance with reprogrammed instructions. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the control information communication channel comprises the Internet. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the behavioral activity comprises meal preparation. The system of claim 1, wherein the behavioral activity comprises an activity level of the user. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the behavioral activity comprises an awakening activity of the user. The system of claim 1, wherein the behavioral activity comprises a sleeping activity of the user. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the behavioral activity comprises bathroom use by the user. The user monitoring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second detectors comprises an appliance. A system for monitoring a user in a user living area, including a remote monitoring site,
(a) a system controller;
(b) an activity detection subsystem for monitoring the daily life activity of the user, irrespective of physiological measurements, wherein the activity detection subsystem can be activated in response to the occurrence of the daily life activity and in the user living area At least one detector device capable of determining that an activity has occurred and providing the system controller with information indicative of the daily life activity, wherein the system controller generates a control signal in response to the information indicative of the daily life activity. An activity detection subsystem comprising control circuitry to cause the;
(c) a control information communication channel interfaced to the Internet for applying said control signal to said remote monitoring site via said Internet;
(d) a report generator for generating a scheduled periodic report for the daily living activity, the scheduled periodic report comprising a report generator having the collections of information indicative of a selected daily living activity;
(e) circuitry for intervening in the user living area in accordance with the scheduled periodic report
User monitoring system comprising a. The system of claim 16, wherein said occurrence of said daily living activity is determined irrespective of physiological measurements. 18. The user monitoring system of Claim 17, wherein said occurrence of said daily living activity is determined in said user living area. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an additional detector device for generating an additional control signal in response to the physiological parameters of the user determined in the user living area and for providing an integrated report indicative of both the daily living activity and the physiological parameters. User monitoring system. 20. The user monitoring system of claim 19, comprising a trend analysis report determined according to the consolidated report. 20. The user monitoring system of claim 19, comprising circuitry to intervene in the user living area in accordance with the integrated report. 17. The user monitoring system of claim 16, comprising a plurality of programming instructions, wherein the programming instructions are reprogrammed from a location outside of the user living area. 23. The user monitoring system of claim 22, comprising circuitry for intervening the user living area in accordance with reprogrammed instructions. 17. The user monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the control information communication channel comprises a plurality of internet portals. The user monitoring system of claim 16, wherein the daily living activity comprises meal preparation. The system of claim 16, wherein the daily living activity comprises an activity level of the user. The system of claim 16, wherein the daily living activity comprises weather activity of the user. The system of claim 16, wherein the daily living activity comprises sleep activity of the user. The system of claim 16, wherein the daily living activity comprises bathroom use by the user. 20. The user monitoring system of claim 19, wherein at least one of the detector devices comprises an instrument.

Images