WO2016170231A1

WO2016170231A1 - System and method for monitoring a person in one or more buildings

Info

Publication number: WO2016170231A1
Application number: PCT/FI2016/050260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ari PORKO; Markku PORKO
Original assignee: Viasec Oy
Priority date: 2015-04-20
Filing date: 2016-04-20
Publication date: 2016-10-27
Also published as: EP3286743A1; FI20150126A; EP3286743A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for monitoring a person in a building, in which there is at least one room (H1, H2, etc.) to be monitored. It comprises more than one detector (T1, T2) in the room for registering detection data and sending it by wireless or wired technology to an electronics unit (E) belonging to the system, the detectors are set on the walls of the room in their lower parts extending to the floor level, in such a way that some of them (T1 ) at least on one specific wall (S1 ) and some of them (T2) on a wall (S2) adjacent to the said specific wall, that is at a different direction to it, and each of them have a band to be monitored of a certain width and each of these bands is delimited horizontally by the bands adjacent to them, so that the detectors are able to detect detection data appearing in the horizontally penetrating bands crossing each other in the room, and a monitoring grid is thus formed in the room, the detection data appearing in each square of which is detected simultaneously by at least two detectors detecting in different directions, and the monitoring grid is formed to be a certain height (h) and the electronics unit (E) receives detection data sent from the room through the detectors and processes it itself, or sends it to a monitoring system (V) belonging to the said system to be processed.

Description

I

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A PERSON IN ONE OR MORE BUILDINGS

Object

The invention relates to a system and method for monitoring a person in a building or in buildings.

Background

The need for monitoring people suffering from memory loss and who have impaired mobility is continually increasing as the number of the elderly increases. As a result of the increase in the number of the elderly, the costs of care paid by society are growing due to the increasing number of places for institutional care. In addition, nearly everyone wishes to live at home for as long as possible. Existing monitoring methods generally require an elderly person to carry a device with them, which it is difficult for many to attach and, above all, to remember to take the device with them, while sufficiently reliable information cannot be obtained as to whether the device is with the person. In addition, both relatives and service and care personnel are employed in changing/recharging the batteries of wristbands and similar portable devices. The detection of a person, without using a portable device, exists, but even with its aid sufficiently comprehensive and reliable information is not available on the movements and activity of the person in a building, or the systems are difficult and time-consuming and expensive to purchase and install.

There is therefore a need to develop a more comprehensive, more easily installed and cheaper monitoring system and a related monitoring method.

Brief description

The invention is intended to develop an improved solution. The following advantages, among others, are gained by means of the device and method according to the invention: Notification and/or alarm of the person's intention to leave the monitored room, alarm when the person leaves the monitored room, confirmation when the person returns to the monitored room, registration of the activeness of the person in the monitored room, alarm if the level of activeness drops below/rises above a set level in the monitored room, confirmation when the person arrives in the monitored room, alarm if the person is passive in the monitored room, alarm if the person falls in the monitored room, alarm if the person leaves the monitored room, alarm if the person does not return from another monitored room, relatives and care personnel do not cause an alarm when arriving in or by being in the monitored room, unauthorized persons cause an alarm on arrival in the monitored room. The monitoring system consists of prefabricated detection panels, which are very easy to install and, if necessary, adjust. Start-up of the monitoring system is rapid.

List of figures

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which

Figure 1 shows an example of the monitoring system and the room H1 , in which are persons being monitored and detectors T1 , T2.

Figure 2 shows an example of the monitoring system and the rooms H2 and

H3.

The object being monitored is in the centre of the room. Monitoring takes place by means of detectors T1 , T2.

Figure 3 shows an example of the monitoring system and the room H1 , in which are persons being monitored and ceiling detectors KT, upper detectors YT and detectors T1 , T2.

Figure 4 shows an example of the monitoring system and the rooms H2 and

H3.

The object being monitored is in the centre of the room. In the monitoring are ceiling detectors KT, upper detectors YT and detectors T1 , T2.

Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the room H1 according to Figure 1 . Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the room H1 according to Figure 3.

Figure 7 shows an example of the setting of the monitoring limits and the display of alarms.

Figure 8 shows an example of a flow diagram of the method. Description

The monitoring system V is examined with the aid of Figure . The monitoring system, by means of which a person A can be monitored in an apartment H1 , comprises detectors T1 , T2, an electronics unit E, as well as a possible speech unit P. The electronics unit E can comprise one or more computers together with memories and can comprise one or more computer programs for analysing and controlling detection data. The unit E receives detection data from the detectors T1 , T2, a sufficient number of which are installed in each room, in such a way that the detectors T1 are on two opposite walls S1 and the detectors T2 are on the walls S2 adjacent to these walls. The number of detectors varies according to the room and requirements. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these. The aforementioned detectors and sensors and the timing of the alarms performed by them are, as such, known, but not in the ways in which they are used according to the present application. The electronics unit E processes the data received, in which there is also, if necessary, definition of room-specific settings If the rooms-specific settings are not defined in the electronics unit E, it sends the detection data of the detectors T directly to the monitoring system V, in which they are processed. The data of the detectors T can also be sent wirelessly directly to the unit E

With the aid of the detection of the detectorsTI , T2, a monitoring grid is formed in the room at the desired height h in the room H1 , on the basis of which the person A is monitored in the room H1. In the example room H1 of Figure 1 , H1 the detectors are located at a height of 0 - 30 cm from the floor. The monitoring grid is about 50-cm high. The room is monitored either over a desired area or over the entire room. According to Figure 1 , the example room H1 is monitored over the entire room. Each square is defined in such a way that the person A can be monitored in the room H1 according to the requirements programmed into the squares. With the aid of the squares, it is possible to define where in the room is a bed, the room's door, an armchair, a kitchen table, or some other object to be monitored in the room. In each square, a desired delay can be programmed, for example, an absence delay i.e. time can be set in the squares around the bed, armchair or other monitored object in the room H1 from the bed or other monitored object, or an exit delay from the room H1 to the outer door 2 of the room H

With the aid of the detectors T , T2, the electronics unit E detects the departure of the person A from a monitored object 1 if the person A sets foot in front of an object 1 in the room H1 , if necessary, the electronics unit E can send a notification or alarm of this. With the aid of the detection of the detectors T1 and T2 the electronics unit E detects the person A rising from an object 1 being monitored in the room H1 if the person A sets foot in front of a monitored object 1 in the room H1 , and the detectors T1 and T2 detect a detection in the squares adjacent to the monitoring squares of the monitored object 1 , with the aid of which a departure delay from the monitored object 1 of the room H1 is set. If the person A does not return to the monitored object 1 within the set time, or is more than the defined set time in the monitored object, the electronics unit E sends an alarm. If the person A returns to the object 1 being monitored within the set time, the detectors T detect with the aid of the squares adjacent to the monitored object that the person A is returning and when the person A arrives at the monitored object 1 the detectors T1 , T2 detect the return of the person in the squares of the monitored object and new squares adjacent to the monitored object are not detected within the set delay, so that the person has returned to the monitored object and the electronics unit E acknowledges the alarm delay and sets the room to a stand-by state. The activeness of the person A is registered by the detection of the detectors T1 , T2 in the monitored room H1. The electronics unit E sends an alarm if the set activeness value is exceeded or not met. When the person A moves in the room H1 , the detectors T1 , T2 detect their movements. If a detection of the person A is not detected within the set time, the unit E sends an alarm. If the person A falls in the room H1 , the detectors T1 , T2 detect the person A, and if the room-specifically set number of squares is simultaneously exceeded, the electronics unit E sends either a delayed or a direct alarm. If the person A falis from a monitored object 1 in the room H1 , the detectors T1 , T2 detect the person A, if a set number of squares in the monitored object is simultaneously exceeded, the electronics unit E sends a direct alarm. If the person A leaves the room H1 , the electronics unit E detects, with the aid of the detection of the squares on the inside of the door 2 of the room H1 by the detectors T1 , T2, and as a result of their deactivation that the person A has left the room. If the person A does not return to the room H1 within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm, if the person A returns to the room H1 within the set time, the electronics unit E detects the person A, with the aid of the detection of the squares inside the door 2 of the room H1 by the detectors T , T2, and acknowledges the alarm delay and sets the room H1 to a stand-by state.

When a person B, who is a relative or carer, comes into the room H1 , identification by means of an access-control identifier may be required, which is, as such, known, but not in the way it is used according to the present application, in addition, the detectors T1 , T2 in front of the door 2 detect the person B in front of the door 2, but do not detect movement in the other squares adjacent to the door of the room H1 , thus deciding that this is an authorized arrival in the room H1 , in addition, with the aid of the detection of the detectors T1 , T2 the room is set to a non-active state, so that the movements of the persons A and B do not activate an alarm, if access-control identification is required, and this is not obtained, and the detectors T1 , T2 in front of the door 2 detect movement, but do not detect movement In the other squares adjacent to the door of the room H1 , an alarm is sent, because the case is one of an unauthorized arrival. The presence in the room H1 of a member B of the care personnel is recorded in the electronics unit E or monitoring system V, from which the person's 1 need of care is determined. The direction of the need of care can be monitored at the start of the curve. The need of care can also be a basis for billing the person 1. An alarm curve can be made from the alarms made in the room H1 , on the basis of which the care personnel can evaluate, for example, whether the person 1 can live at home.

The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 2. The monitoring system, which is used to monitor a person A in a room H2_; in which there is also a room H3, comprises detectors T1 , T2, an electronics unit E, and a possible speech unit P. The monitoring system operates in the same way as in Figure , but in addition there is a second room H3 in the room, if the person A goes into the room H3, the detectors T of the room H2 detect, with the aid of the squares in front of the room H3, that person A is going into room H3. In room H3, there are also detectors T1 , T2 with the aid of the detection of which the arrival of person A in the room H3 is detected. If the person A falls in room H3, the detectors T 1 , T2 detect a number of

simultaneous squares set room-specifically, from which it is decided that the person A has fallen and a delayed or direct alarm is sent. If the person A fails from a monitored object 1 in room H2, the detectors T1 , T2 detect the person A, and if a set number of squares of the monitored object 1 is simultaneously exceeded the electronics unit E sends a direct alarm, if the person A does not return from room H3 to room H2 within a set time, an alarm is sent. If the person A returns from room H3 to room H2 within the set time, the return of the person A to room H2 is detected with the aid of the squares in front of room H3, when the alarm delay is acknowledged and room H2 is set to a stand-by state.

With the aid of the detection by the detectors T1 , T2, the electronics unit E detects the person A leaving a monitored object 1 in room H2 when person A sets foot in front of the monitored object 1 in room H2, if necessary, the electronics unit E can send a notification of this or an alarm. With the aid of detection by the detectors T, the electronics unit E detects the person rising from a monitored object 1 in room H2 when the person A set foot in front of the monitored object 1 in room H2 and the detectors T1 , T2 detect the detection of the squares adjacent to the monitoring squares of the monitored object 1 with the aid of which the exit delay from the monitored object 1 of room H2 is activated, !f the person A does not return to the monitored object 1 within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm, if the person A returns to the monitored object 1 within the set time, the detectors T1 , T2 detect with the aid of the squares adjacent to the monitored object 1 that person A is returning, and, when person A arrives at the monitored object, the detectors T1 , T2 detect the return of the person at squares of the monitored object and if new squares adjacent to the monitored object are not detected within the set time delay, it is decided that the person has returned to the monitored object, in which case the electronics unit E acknowledges the alarm delay and sets the room to a stand-by state.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 3. The monitoring system, by means of which the person A to be monitored in the room H1 is monitored, comprises ceiling detectors KT, upper detectors YT, and detectors T1 , T2, as well as a possible speech unit P. The electronics unit E, which can comprise one or more computers together with memories, can comprise on one or more computer programs for analysing and

controlling the detection data. The unit E receives detection data from the ceiling detectors KT, the upper detectors YT, and the detectors T1 , T2, of which the necessary number is installed in each room. The number of detectors varies according to the room and the need. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combination of these. The aforementioned detectors and sensors, and the timing of the alarms performed by them are, as such, known, but not in the ways in which they are used according to the present application. The electronics unit E processes the data obtained, in which there is also, when necessary, the definition of the room-specific settings. If there is not the definition of the room-specific settings in the electronics unit E, it sends the detection data of the ceiling detectors KT, the upper detectors YT, and the detectors T directly to the monitoring system V, where they are processed. The detectors' T data can also be sent wireiessly directly to the unit E. With the aid of the ceiling detectors KT, of which there are at least one, it is not only ensured that the person A is in the monitored object 1 of the room, but also measurements are taken of the person's A activeness, sleep rhythm, restlessness, temperature, speech, falling out of bed, starting to move and returning to bed or to another monitored object. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these.

The upper detectors YT are in the desired corners of the room, in such a way that one upper detector also covers the door into the room. With the aid of the upper detectors YT, a monitoring area about 50-cm high is made at the desired height, in room H1 , it is made at a height of 80 - 130 cm. With the aid of the detection by the upper detectors YT and the detectors T1 , T2, it is known when the person A leaves the room H1 , when the exit delay, and an arrival and stationary state is set for the room H1 , when the room-specific alarm delay is reset, and the room set to a stand-by state, in addition, by means of detection by the upper detectors YT, it is detected when the person A is in a monitored object 1 in the room, and the person's activeness, sleep rhythm, restlessness, temperature, speech, falling out of bed, beginning to move, and returning to bed are measured. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these.

With the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, a monitoring grid is formed in the room at the desired height in the room H1 , on the basis of which the person A is monitored in the room HI . in the example room H1 of Figure 1 , the detectors are located at a height of 0 - 30 cm from the floor. The monitoring grid is about 50-cm high. The room is monitored either over a desired area or over the entire room, According to Figure 1 , the example room H1 is monitored over the entire room. Each square is defined in such a way that the person A can be monitored in the room H1 according to the

requirements programmed into the squares. With the aid of the squares, it is possible to define where in the room is a bed, the door to the room, an armchair, a dining table, or some other monitored object in the room. A desired delay can be programmed into each square, for example, a desired absence delay from the bed or other monitored object in the room H1 can be set in the squares around the location of the bed, armchair, or other monitored object in the room, or an exit delay from the room H1 to the outer door 2 of the room H1. The detectors T , T2 can also monitor the room H1 without ceiling detectors KT and/or upper detectors YT, Departure from and arrival to the monitored room is then processed only according to the detection of the squares obtained from the detectors T1 , T2,

The unit E detects, with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, person A leaving the monitored object 1 when the person A sets foot in front of the monitored object of room H1 , in addition, an upper detector YT and/or a ceiling detector KT detects the person A in the monitored object 1 in room H1 , If necessary, the electronics unit E can send a notification or alarm of this. The electronics unit E detects the person A rising from a monitored object 1 in the room H1 , with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, when the person A sets foot in front of the monitored object 1 in room H1 , in addition, with the aid of a lack of detection by the upper detector YT and/or KT, a departure delay is set from the monitored object 1 in the room H1. If the person A does not return to the monitored object 1 within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm. If the person A returns to the monitored object 1 within the set time, the detectors T1 , T2 detect, with the aid of the squares adjacent to the monitored object, that the person A is returning and when the person A arrives at the monitored object the detectors T1 , T2 detect by means of the squares at the monitored object the return of the person and the ceiling detector KT and/or the upper detector YT detect the person, nor is there detection at new squares adjacent to the monitored object within the set delay time, so that the person has returned to the monitored object 1 , when the electronics unit E acknowledges the alarm delay and sets the room to the stand-by state.

The activeness of person A is registered by detection by the detectors T1 , T2, the upper detectors YT, and the ceiling detectors KT in the monriored room H1 and the electronics unit E sends an alarm if the activeness value is exceeded or not met. When the person A moves In the room H1 , the ceiling detector KT, the upper detectors YT, and the detectors T1 , T2 detect the movements. If detection of the person A does not take place within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm. If the person A falls in the room H1 , the detectors T1 , 12 detect person A, if the room-specifically set numbers of simultaneous squares if exceeded and if the upper detectors YT no longer detect the person A, the electronics unit E sends either a delayed or a direct alarm. If the person A falls from a monitored object 1 in room H the detectors T1 , T2 detect the person A, if the number of simultaneous squares set at the monitored object 1 is exceeded and if the ceiling detector KT and the upper detector YT do not detect the person A in the monitored object, the electronics unit E sends a direct alarm. If the person A leaves the room H1 , the electronics unit E detects, with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2 of the squares on the Inside of the door 2 of the room H1 , and as a result of the upper detectors YT and their

deactivation that person A has left the room. If the person A does not return to the room H1 within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm, li the person A returns to the room H1 within the set time, the unit E detects the person A with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 ,T2 and the squares on the inside of the door 2 of the room H1 and the upper detector YT and acknowledges the alarm delay and sets the room H1 to the stand-by state. When a relative or member of the care personnel B enters the room H1 , identification can be demanded by means of access-control identification, which, as such is known, but not in the way that this is used according to the present application, in addition, the upper detector YT and the detectors T1 , T2 in front of the door 2 detect the person B in front of door 2, but do not detect movement in squares other than those adjacent to the door of room H1 , a decision is made that the case is of an authorized arrival to room H1 , in addition, with the aid of detection by the upper detectors YT and detectors T1 , T2 the state is set to a non-active state, so that the movements of the persons A and B do not activate an alarm, if access-control identification Is demanded but not received, and both the upper detector YT and the detectors T1 , T2 in front of the door 2 detect the movement in front of the door 2 but do not detect movement in squares other than those adjacent to the door of room H1 ,an alarm is sent, because this is a case of an unauthorized arrival at the room. The presence of a member B of the care personnel in the room H1 is recorded in the unit E or the monitoring system V, from which the need for care of the person A is obtained. At the start of the curve the direction of the need for care can be monitored. The need for care can also be a basis for billing person A. An alarm curve is made from alarms made in room H1 , on the basis of which the care personnel evaluate, for example, person A's living at home. With the aid of the ceiling detectors KT and the upper detectors YT speech too is detected and, if a set value is exceeded an alarm is sent.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 4. The monitoring system, by means of which the person A to be monitored is monitored in room H2, in which there is also room H3, comprises ceiling detectors KT, upper detectors YT, detectors T1 , T2, an electronics unit E, and a possible speech unit P. The monitoring system operates as in Figure 3 but, in addition, in the room there is also another room H3. if the person A enters the room H3, the detectors T1 , T2 of the room H2 detect, with the aid of the squares in front of the room H3 that the person is going to room H3. In room H3, there are also detectors T1 , T2 and upper detectors YT, with the aid of detection by which the arrival of person A in room H3 is detected. If the person A fails in room H3, the detectors T1 , T2 detect the room-specifically set number of simultaneous squares, and the upper detectors YT no longer detect the person A, from which it is decided that the person A has fallen and either a delayed or a direct alarm is sent, if the person A does not return from room H3 to room H2 within the set time, an alarm is sent. If the person A returns from room H3 to room H2 within the set time, the person A's return to room H2 is detected with the aid of the squares in front of room H3, when the alarm delay is acknowledged and room H2 is set to a stand-by state.

The electronics unit E detects, with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, the person A leaving a monitored object 1 in room H2, when the person A sets foot in front of the monitored object 1 in room H2, in addition, the upper detector YT and/or the ceiling detector KT detects the person A in the monitored object 1 i room H2, if necessary, the electronics unit E can send notification of this or an alarm. The electronics unit E detects the person rising from a monitored object 1 in room H2, with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, when the person A sets foot in front of the monitored object 1 in room H2, in addition, with the aid of a lack of detection by the upper detector YT and/or KT a departure delay from the monitored object 1 in room H2 is set. if the person A does not return to the monitored object 1 within the set time, the electronics unit E sends an alarm, !f the person A returns to the monitored object 1 with the set time, the detectors T1 , T2 detect, with the aid of the squares adjacent to the monitored object that person A is returning and, when person A arrives at the monitored object, the detectors T1 , T2 detect by means of the squares of the monitored object, and both the ceiling detector KT and/or the upper detector YT defect by the squares of the monitored object the return of the person and both the ceiling detector KT and/or the upper detector YT detect the person and new squares adjacent to the monitored object are not detected within the set delay time, so that the person has returned to the monitored object 1 and the electronics unit E

acknowledges the alarm delay and set the room to a stand-by state.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 5. The figure shows a cross-section of the room H1 according to Figure 1.

With the aid of detection by the detectorsTI , T2, a monitoring grid is formed in the room HI at the desired height h, on the basis of which the person A is monitored in the room HI . In the example room H1 of Figure 1 , the detectors are located at a height of 0 - 30 cm from the floor. The monitoring grid is about 50-cm high. The room is monitored over either a desired area or over the entire room. According to Figure 1 , the example room H1 is monitored over the entire room. Each square is defined in such a way that the person A can be monitored in the room H1 according to the requirements programmed into the squares. With the aid of the squares, it is possible to define where in the room is a bed, the room door, an armchair, a dining table, or some other object to be monitored in the room. A desired delay, for example, a desired absence delay from the bed or other monitored object in the room H1 , or an exit delay from the room H1 to the outer door 2 of the room H1 , can be programmed into the squares around the location of, for example, the bed, armchair, or other monitored object.

The activeness of the person A is measured with the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2. An activity curve from the desired period of time can be obtained from the activeness of person A with the aid of the detection data of the electronics unit E, and can be printed out for later analysis, if the activeness value set for the person Is exceeded/not met, an alarm is sent. Activeness is measured with the aid of of common detection data from one or more rooms, in such a way that, for example, ail the rooms of the apartment of a person living at home form a totality, on the basis of which total activeness is obtained. Activeness is affected by data obtained with the aid of all the rooms of the home, in such a way that a specific daiiy rhythm can be defined, from a deviation from which the electronics unit E sends an alarm. For example, the resident should go at particular periods of time to the WC, the kitchen, and bed; if the set times are not followed, the electronics unit E sends an alarm.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 6. The figure shows a cross-section of the room H1 according to Figure 3. With the aid of the ceiling detectors KT, of which there is at least one, It is ensured that person A is in the monitored object 1 of the room, and the person's activeness, sleep rhythm, temperature, speech, failing from bed, starting moving, and return to bed are measured. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these. The upper detectors YT are in the desired corners of the room, in such a way that one upper detector also covers the door to the room, With the aid of detection by the upper detectors YT a monitoring area about 50-cm high is made at the desired height. In room H1 , it is made at a height of 80 - 130 cm. With the aid of detection by the upper detectors YT and the detectors T , T2, the person A's leaving the room H1 is known, when an exit delay set from the room H1 is set and an arrival and stationary state, when the room-specific alarm delay is reset and the room set to a stand-by state. In addition, with the aid of detection by the upper detectors YT, it is detected that the person is in the monitored object 1 of the room, and the person's activeness, sleep rhythm, restlessness, speech, falling from bed, beginning to move, and return to the monitored object in the room are measured. The detectors can be, for instance, motion detectors, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser detectors, ultrasound detectors, microwave detectors, or combinations of these.

With the aid of detection by the detectors T1 , T2, a monitoring grid is formed in the room at the desired height h in the room H1 , on the basis of which the person A is monitored in the room H1. In the example room H1 of Figure 3, the detectors are located at a height of 0 - 30 cm from the floor. The monitoring grid is about 50-cm high. The room is monitored over either a desired area or over the entire room. According to Figure 1 , the example room H1 is monitored over the entire room. Each square is defined in such a way that the person A can be monitored in the room H1 according to the requirements programmed into the squares. With the aid of the squares, it is possible to define where in the room is a bed, door of the room, armchair, dining table, or other object to be monitored in the room. A desired delay, for example, an exit delay from the desired bed or other monitored object in room H1 , set into the squares around the location of the bed, armchair or other monitoring object, or an exit delay from the room H1 to the outer door 2 of the room H1 , can be programmed into the squares.

The person's activeness is measured with the aid of detection by the ceiling detectors KT, the upper detectors YT, and the detectors T1 , T2. An activeness curve from a desired period of time can be obtained from the person's activeness with the aid of the detection data of the electronics unit E, and can be printed out for later analysis. If the activeness value set for the person is exceeded/not met, an alarm is sent. Activeness is measured with the aid of the joint detection data of one or more rooms, in such a way that, for example, ail the rooms of the apartment of a person living at home form a totality, on the basis of which total activeness is obtained. Activeness is affected by data obtained with the aid of all the rooms of the home, in such a way that a specific daily rhythm can be defined for the person, from deviation from which the electronics unit E sends an alarm. For example, the resident should go at certain periods of time to the WC, the kitchen, and bed; if the set times are not followed, the electronics unit E sends an alarm.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 7. Each room has a room-specific menu, from which the definitions for the person are made. All the different types of alarm are automatically switched on and off at desired times. The times determine when the alarms are sent, for example, if 21 :00 - 07:00 is selected, alarms are automatically sent after 9:00 p.m., and after 7:00 a.m. they are not sent. The times determine when the alarms are sent, for example, if 00:00 - 24:00 is selected, alarms are always sent, in a sound alarm, an alarm is sent when a set value is exceeded, the set value varies according to the person 1 . A temperature alarm is sent when the temperature set for the person 1 is exceeded and a hypothermia alarm is sent if the hypothermia value set for the person 1 is gone below. In ail alarms, a speech connection can be automatically opened for relatives or care personnel.

A graphical chart shows all the alarms room-specifically using a desired symbol and a desired colour. An event log records all the detection data in a daily log file, from which an activeness curve, a care-personnel presence curve, and an alarm curve can be be made room-specifically.

The presence of person B, who belongs to the care personnel, in room H1 is recorded in the electronics unit E or the monitoring system V, from which the person 1 's need for care is obtained. At the start of the curve the direction of the need for care can be monitored. The need for care can also be a basis for billing the person 1 . An alarm curve can be made from the alarms made in room H1 , on the basis of which the care personnel evaluates, for example, whether the person 1 can live at home. From the whole event log of the object, a joint presence curve is obtained for all the rooms, and an alarm curve from which the loading of the personnel is obtained at various times of day.

The monitoring system V will be examined with the aid of Figure 8. Ail the ceiling detectors KT, upper detectors YT, and detectors T1 , T2 are connected either directly or wlrelessly to the electronics unit E. The electronics unit E can be connected directly to the monitoring system V. If the electronics unit E is not connected as part of a larger totality, the electronics unit E acts as its own, for example, an individual home, when all the room-specific settings are made directly to the unit E through the unit G, from which alarms are directed to a home help or a relative, by text messages, a speech connected, and, if necessary, also to the monitoring system V. The monitoring system V processes the detection data obtained from the electronics unit E, if they come directly from the electronics unit E. On the basis of the detection data, the alarms of the person 1 are routed according to the set requirements.

Notifications or alarms can be routed to the speech unit P and/or to the display unit N. The display unit N can be, for instance, a graphical chart, which displays all the alarms. In addition, the alarms are routed, if necessary, to corridor displays, Dect /GSM telephones, and indicator-light guides.

If necessary, the GPS co-ordinates of an individual home can be attached to alarm messages, or a map image, in which the alarm object is shown, can be sent by email. The manner of connection depends on the desired operations and the available telecommunications technology.

Claims

iaims

System for monitoring a person in a building or in buildings, in each of which there is at least one room (HI , H2, etc.) to be monitored, characterized, in that;

a. it comprises more than one detector (T1 , 12), comprising an active sensor, in a room (H1 , H2, etc.), for registering detection data and sending it, using wireless or wired technology, to an electronics unit (E) belonging to the system,

b. detectors (T1 , T2) are installed on the walls of the room (H1 , H2, etc.) on their lower parts extending to the floor level, in such a way that some of them (T1 ) are located on at least one specific wall (S1 ) and some of them {12} on a wall (S2) at a different direction to and adjacent to the said specific wall, and that a band monitored by each of them is of a certain width and these bands are defimited by the bands adjacent to each horizontally, so that the detectors (T1 , 12) are able to detect detection data on the bands penetrating each other horizontally and crossing the room (H1 , H2, etc.), and a monitoring grid is thus formed in the room (H1 , H2, etc.), the detection data appearing on each square of which being detected simultaneously by at least two detectors (T1 , T2) that detect in different directions,

c the bands, and thus also the monitoring grid are formed to be a certain height (h), to extend essentially upwards from the floor-surface level of the room (H1 , H2, etc.),

d. the electronics unit (E) contains a programmed computer and it set to receive detection data from the room (H1 , H2, etc.) sent through the detectors (T1 , 12) and to process it itseif when there is in it a definition of room-specific settings, or to send it to a monitoring system (V), belonging to the said system, to be processed when there is not a definition of the room-specific setting in the said electronics unit (E), but it is in the monitoring system (V).

2. System according to Ciaim 1 , characterized in that it comprises at least one upper detector (YT), which is set in the room (H1 , H2, etc.) higher than the detectors (T1 , T2), and which is able to register the detection data appearing in the horizontal bands inside the room at a certain height and/or in conoidic areas in a certain direction, and send it to the electronics unit (E) connected to the said upper detector,

3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one ceiling detector (KT), which is set in the ceiling of the room (H1 , H2, etc. ), and which is able to register the detection data appearing in conoidic areas in a certain direction, and send it to the electronics unit (E) connected to the said ceiling detector.

4. System according to any of Claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the detectors (T1 , T2), the upper detector (YT), and the ceiling detector (KT) are motion, active infrared detectors, MEMS sensors, laser, ultrasound, microwave detectors, or combination of these.

5. System according to any of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the detection data is information reporting the normal movement of the person being monitored, their failing or movement due to their sudden movement, or information reporting the functioning of their body, such as body temperature, sound coming from the body, or restlessness of the body.

6. System according to any of Claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the electronics unit (E) is set to process detection data received by it from the detectors (T1 , T2), and/or the upper detector (YT), and/or the ceiling detector (KT), or to send it for processing to the monitoring unit (V), which contains a programmed computer, and that the electronics unit or monitoring unit is set to perform an alarm if the said detection data deviates from such default values fed to the system, which do not cause an alarm.

7. System according to any of Claims 1 - 8, characterized in that it comprises devices for registering the activeness of the person (A) being monitored in the monitored room (H1 , H2) and for analysing and displaying detection data relating to this activeness.

Method for monitoring a person (A) in a building or in building, in each of which there is at least one room (H1 , H2, etc.) to be monitored and in which said room, there is at least one object (1 , 2, etc) to be monitored characterized in that the person (A) in the room (H1 , H2, etc.) is monitored as follows:

a. detectors (T1 , T2) comprising an active sensor are set on the walls of the room (H1 , H2, etc.) in such a way that the detectors on adjacent walls (S1 , S2) are able together to register the movements, lack of movement, and/or detection data of the body of the person (A) being monitored taking place in the said room at the floor level and to a certain height (h) above it, in a grid-like area

b. when the detectors (T1 , T2) register the movements, lack of movements performed by the person (A) and/or detection data of their body, in a certain area, they then send the detection data, or information on their lack, to the electronics unit (E) using wireless or wired technology,

c. the programmed computer of the electronics unit (E) processes the said defection data/lack of it, or sends them using wireless or wired technology to the monitoring unit (V), the programmed computer of which processes the detection data or its lack,

d. the electronics unit (E) or monitoring unit (V) preforms an alarm if the said detection data deviates from such default values fed to the system that show the person (A) being in a normal functioning condition and/or moving or being stationary.

Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said grid-like areas cover the entire area to be monitored, which is either part of the room (H1 , H2, etc.) or its entirety.

Method according to Claim 8 or 9 characterized in that in it an upper detector (YT) and/or a ceiling detector (KT) set in the ceiling, are set higher up in the room (H1 , H2, etc.) than the detectors (T1 , T2) to detect the movements and their lack of the monitored person (A), or to collect and register detection data on the said person's body.

11. Method according to Claim 8, 8, or 10, characterized in that detection data is collected on a person (A) in an object (1 , 2, etc.), and/or adjacent to the object, from a specific area delimited by the object, or from another area in the room (H1 , H2, etc.).

12. Method according to any of Claims 8 - 1 1 , characterized in that, with the aid of the collected detection data, the length of the person's (A) presence in the room (H1 , H2, etc.), their departure and length of absence from the said room, and their return to the said room are monitored.

13. Method according to any of Claims 8 - 12 characterized in that, on the basis of detection data deviating from the default values set in the system, an automatic alarm is triggered, either immediately when this deviating data arrives at the electronics unit or monitoring unit, or within a certain time of the arrival of the said data.

14. Method according to any of Claims 8 - 13, characterized in that, in it, a control unit (G) is used to direct the alarm to a specific person, such a relative or carer.

15. Method according to any of Claims 8 - 14, characterized in that, in it, access-control is used, and with its aid an unauthorized person who has come or is coming to the room (H1 , H2, etc.) is identified and an alarm is performed, and an authorized person who has come or it coming to the room is identified, when an alarm is not performed.

16. Method according to any of Claims 8 - 15, characterized in that the alarm is directed to a display unit (N), a speech unit (P), a GSM telephone, an indicator-light guide, or more than one of these, using wireless and/or wired technology.