WO2017153128A1

WO2017153128A1 - Sensor housing and sensor comprising a pushbutton

Info

Publication number: WO2017153128A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/053195
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf King
Original assignee: Rudolf King
Priority date: 2016-03-07
Filing date: 2017-02-14
Publication date: 2017-09-14

Abstract

The invention relates to the design of a fall sensor or fall sensor housing (20) comprising a manual pushbutton (24). The pushbutton is located in the area of the sternum in order to make it easier to activate the pushbutton. In order to improve operability, a raised section or a spacer section is provided on at least one side next to the pushbutton. The sensor or the housing according to the invention is preferably suitable for decorations and hard and soft casings to be mounted thereon.

Description

Sensor housing and sensor with switch button

Description of the Prior Art

The aging of the population in Western culture has increased the number of people living alone or in old people's homes, nursing homes or palliative care facilities over 55 years of age. It is estimated that in 2030 every 5th German will be over 65 years old.

There are numerous applications, especially with connection to smartphones and also as stand-alone solutions with sensors for critical sizes, such as case sensors connected. Case sensors trigger an automatic alarm sequence in the event of a user crash. They are colloquially called panic button or technically PERS (personal emergency response systems) or mPERS (mobile PERS). The former are simultaneously referred to as the upper group of all security systems, but are regularly only stationary, ie in the house of the user application. The nomenclature is inconsistent.

Case sensors have not been widely used outside of the United States and England, as they are considered by the target group of seniors as meaningful, but at the same time as disturbing and as attributable to the health sector. However, falls at home and outdoors are one of the main causes of severe and severe, often immediate or medium term / indirect fatal accidents. The hardware described below solves this problem.

Case sensors 10 are regularly worn around the neck on a chain 16, for example with magnetic closure, to facilitate handling for seniors with athritis. Typical examples of the appearance are shown in Figs. 1a, 1b and 1c. The typical algorithm running in them provides that the acceleration to the center of the earth is measured by means of a built-in girometer, ie regularly 9.7 m / s 2. If the user-carried fall sensor 10 moves at high speed towards the center of the earth ("Fall") and then stops for a time of 5-20 seconds, an alarm is triggered, usually by wireless transmission to another device The longer the hold-up time, the greater the likelihood of excluding a false-positive signal.

Case sensors are reluctant to be worn because they are medically and technically executed and look and therefore have low acceptance among the typical customer groups. Typically, the front of the case sensor 10 is a - often red and usually round - pressure switch 14 is mounted, which triggers the same alarm sequence as a case by pressing with thumb 8 or index finger 4 (Figure ld, le). The sensor 10 itself is located with push button 14 away from the body pointing to the sternum (Fig. Lf).

First, it is noted that the decorating of case sensors 10 in the present form is done so that the switch button 14 remains accessible; Thus, the top is regularly where the switch 14 of the case sensor 10 should be, have a mostly round hole 14 (Fig la, lb), which is a free design in the way and immediately indicates that it is just a case sensor is.

In field studies it was found that the pressure from the front is more complicated than the method according to the invention described below. In order to press from the front onto the fall sensor 10 resting against the sternum, one has to, since one can not regularly see the button 14:

- lift the sensor 10 up to see it or

- aim exactly at the sternum with the thumb 8 (Fig. ld) or

- Hold the sides of the case sensor 10 with the thumb 8 and the middle finger 4, in order then to actuate the switch 14 with the index finger 4, whether right or left hand 2 (FIG. 1). This is useful if the fall sensor 10 is hidden as usual in men under shirt or T-shirt, in the case of a wide collar, like him, for example, women, even in old age, like to wear, but ugly to look at the same time too cumbersome serve.

Brief description of the invention

The present invention relates to the design of a case sensor or case sensor housing with manual switch button. The switch knob is attached to the sternum to allow easier operation of the switch knob. To improve the ease of use is provided at least one side adjacent to the switch button by an increase or a spacer section. Preferably, the sensor or the housing according to the present invention is suitable for the attachment of ornaments as well as hard and soft sheaths.

In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure, a housing for an alarm triggering sensor with alarm button, in particular a drop alarm sensor, is provided which includes a first side having at least one opening and at least one elevation adjacent the at least one opening. The housing also includes a second side opposite the first side and spaced therefrom. The housing also includes at least one third side connecting the first side and the second side, with a cavity formed between the first, second and third sides adapted to receive an alarm triggering sensor. In this case, two sides of the housing are connected by a hinge portion, so that the two sides can be opened.

In this case, the first side is chamfered in the area around the opening on the side facing away from the cavity.

The housing in one embodiment comprises a decorative element on the second side. In one embodiment, the decorative element is selected from the group consisting of a decorative panel, a decorative foil, a decorative coating, a decorative painting and a decorative stone.

In one embodiment, the opening in the first side is a through hole.

In one embodiment, the housing has a slight bend. In one embodiment, the housing has an eyelet so that it can either be worn as a pendant on a chain around a user's neck or on a bracelet, with the first side facing the user's body.

In one embodiment, the housing is at least partially or entirely made of a flexible material, such as e.g. Silicone, manufactured, wherein the housing is integrally formed.

In one embodiment, the housing may be attached to a user's clothing like a brooch via a needle or on a belt buckle. The present invention also provides an alarm triggering sensor device comprising a housing as described above. The sensor device also includes a sensor module adapted to continuously detect a measure and to trigger an alarm when a threshold value of the measurand is exceeded, an alarm button that triggers an alarm when actuated by a user of the sensor and a power supply module is coupled to the sensor module to power it, wherein the sensor module, the alarm button and the power supply module are arranged in the housing, so that the alarm button can be actuated through the opening in the first side of the housing. In an embodiment, the sensor module comprises a drop sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor module, the alarm button, and the power supply module are laterally inserted into the housing.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. La-le show conventional case sensors and options for pressing an alarm button.

FIGS. 2a-2h show embodiments of a sensor housing or a sensor according to the present invention.

Figures 3a and 3b show embodiments of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention.

Figures 5a and 5b show embodiments of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention. Figures 9a and 9b show embodiments of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention. 10a and 10b show embodiments of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention. Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a housing for a fall sensor according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, particular embodiments of the invention are disclosed, which should not, however, be construed as limiting the spirit of the present invention. In addition, special expressions are often mentioned in the description, which are not to be construed to limit the invention. For example, the reader should understand that other types of sensors (eg, sensors for heart rate, respiratory rate, blood glucose, etc.) are also suitable for practicing the invention Likewise, it should be noted that the described "sensor" and the described "sensor housing" are here shown to be equally similar and used as synonyms because the (sensor) housing is part of some embodiments Accordingly, reference numerals 14 and 24 and 25 often designate both the switch button 14/24 and the opening 25 in the housing 22 through which the switch button can be operated.

1. Attachment of the switch button 10 on the sternum and printed etc. decoration

Referring to FIGS. 2a-2f, 3a, 3b and 4, a sensor housing according to a preferred embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing 20 for an alarm trigger sensor 22 with alarm button 24, in particular a fall sensor 22 with alarm button 24, which has a first side at least one opening 25 and at least one elevation 28 adjacent to the at least one opening 25 comprises. The housing 20 also includes a second side opposite the first side and spaced therefrom. The housing 20 also includes at least one third side connecting the first side and the second side, with a cavity formed between the first, second and third sides adapted to receive an alarm triggering sensor 22. In Fig. 2a-2f, the sensor 22 is not shown explicitly, since it is already in the housing 20.

A switch 24 mounted on the back of the sensor 22 has been able to achieve better results in our experiments, in particular when it is provided with a slight bend, since the thumb sensor 8, which is subsequently also used for triggering, is placed under the fall sensor 22 from behind can press the switch 24, so there directly access where you feel the sensor 20 anyway (Fig. 2a). The user can now hold the case sensor 22 (or 20) regularly with index finger 4 and middle finger, or index finger 4, middle finger and Indexfmger at the top and press with the thumb 8 on the underside switch 24 (Fig. 2b). In this way, the housing 20 of the case sensor 22 may already be designed so that the function is not immediately recognizable.

2. Attachment of an increase / bridge 28 Um

- To further improve the gripping ability from behind and

to reduce the contact area between the breast / sternum and the fall sensor 20/22 and thus unpleasant sweat secretion, in a modification, at least one elevation 28 adjacent (FIG. 2c) or above or below the switch 24 (FIG. 2d) is applied, so that the Rear of the case sensor housing 20 rests on a kind of bridge 28 on the sternum (Fig. 2f) and / or punctually (Fig. 2e) is held. In a further essay, one side of the elevation 28 can be punched out so that the thumb 8 can more easily engage on the underside and at the same time in the right place is held (Fig. 2d).

Alternatively, the bridge 28 may be mounted on the area opposite the switch 24 to allow for conventional use with the button 24 on the body-facing side. In this case, the bridge 28 alone serves to minimize the formation of perspiration (FIGS. 2g, 2h).

3. Printings In a modification, the case sensor housing 20 can be designed to be decorative at least on the side now facing a third person, in particular by the design or printing of the plastic housing.

4. ornaments

In a modification, a decoration with decorative objects (Swarovski, rhinestones, metal, leather, semi-precious and full gemstones, etc.) can be firmly attached to the housing 20, especially in front of a viewer. 5. Inserting in a casing 20

In a preferred embodiment, the housing 20 may also be removably connected to the sensor 22 and function as a type of enclosure. Embodiments are described for covering the fall sensor 22. To coat the fall sensor, using the technique described above, a clip can be placed which either

- on one side at least in front (Fig. 3 a)

- in front and at the edges or

- surrounds the entire area (FIG. 3b), wherein the back 20a has at least the size of the switch 24 an opening 25. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 25 occupies substantially the entire back surface 20a and the elevation / bridge 28 is provided by rearward extensions of the third wall 20b (Figure 3a). The clip is preferably made of hard plastic and water-resistant for hygienic reasons.

An entire enclosing clip can

are introduced from the top to the bottom via the fall sensor 22 (FIG. 3b),

- from bottom to top, or

- of the page.

Preferably, in order to prevent the above-mentioned problem of seniors with arthritis, the clip is designed to be provided with a wide area by pressure on which the clip opens.

6. Insertion into the housing 22 in the form of a sheath

Alternatively, the fall sensor 22 may be inserted into the housing 20 which is provided as a shroud 20, which in this embodiment may and should also be of soft material and which conforms to the fall sensor 22 in a similar manner to a glove; In this embodiment, the fall sensor 22 will be inserted regularly from the side. In a soft sheath 20 can be dispensed with a recess for the switch button 24.

In a modification, the sheath 20 will have a recess 25 (FIG. 4) through which the switch button 24 can be operated unhindered. This can serve at the same time, especially when mounting a bridge 28 as described for fixing the case sensor 20. 7. Attaching a strap clasp In a variation of the invention, the fall sensor or case sensor housing 20 with the fall sensor 22 will be attached to a buckle which will be attached to a wristband or watch, whether on the case or body of the timepiece (Figures 5a, 5b). 8. Inserting an article with its own chain 26

In a modification of the invention, the fall sensor or the fall sensor housing 20 with the fall sensor 22 will be introduced into a larger, regularly decorated object which itself has a chain 26 of whatever length and whether the chain attached to the fall sensor 22 is removed or not (Figure 6).

9. Pushing the chain on eyelets of the decoration

Alternatively, the fall sensor or case housing 20 may be hidden with the fall sensor 22 behind a clip or decoration 30 by sliding the chain 26 through two eyelets attached to the decoration 30 so that the sensor 22 will be in front of, or preferably behind Ornament 30 hangs freely (Figure 7).

10. Cancel at the alarm unit

In a modification of the invention, the fall sensor or the fall sensor housing 20 can be attached to the fall sensor 22, also connected by a joint on the front or back of a smartphone 40 or else the alarm unit 40. Since the alarm unit 40 regularly carries itself the alarm button in itself, this serves to not forget the location of the sensor 20/22 when taking the sensor 20/22 (Fig. 8).

11. Insertion into a brooch

In a variation of the invention, the fall sensor housing 20 may be placed in a brooch ("pouch") worn on the garment with the fall sensor 22. In this case, the spacing is maintained by the attaching needle 26 '(FIG 9a) and the button 24 will periodically point to the user's chest. In a modification to this, the brooch may include another bridge as described (Figure 9b).

12. Insertion into a belt knob

In a variation of the invention, the fall sensor or housing 20 may be incorporated with the fall sensor 22 into a belt knob which includes a recess from above or from the side such that the alarm button can be pushed by sliding the thumb behind the button (Figures 10a, 10b). The case sensor 22 and switch may also be the belt knob itself in a modification.

13. Picking up the chain of the case sensor on the decoration

In a variation of the invention, a detachable or non-detachable chain 26 may be attached which, when in use, is removed behind the ornament.

14. Trigger the alarm by pushing the case sensor together

In a variation of the invention, instead of a triggering button, the housing 50 is configured to trigger the alarm by pushing together, pulling apart, rotating or otherwise altering the shape of the housing of the device. This saves the ugly button without affecting the usability of the device. An example is shown in FIG. Examples and test series

1. First, it should be made possible by hardware that the acceptance of users is increased.

2. The fall sensor should be versatile

3. Sensor-induced perspiration on the body should be minimized.

4. The cumbersome operation of the push button from the front should be simplified and 5. Finally, the female users are given a chance to attach optical ornaments and / or bring the case sensor in a jewelry-like piece, which does not immediately recognize the utility, even with widely cut collar.

Experienced research series

The present application is a test of 4 case sensors:

- the American company LifeAlert,

- the Belgian company Philips "Lifeline", both in versions delivered in November 2015,

- the American company Biosensic LLC from February 2016 and

- Chinese-Taiwanese company Shenzen Electronic King 1 Systems Ltd, November 2016

The test results are anonymized here.

test series

The test series were divided as follows:

Test series 1) At a height of 170 cm on a female dummy dummy dummy, the case sensors were mounted in the manner intended by the manufacturer, simulating about 700 falls and making the case as similar as possible put on a towel, on the feet were shown and pulled on the towel, the doll was not pushed.

Another 30 falls were carried out by a 179 cm tall male and 84 kg (dressed), wearing shoulder protection. He let himself fall aside, partly he was pushed by another person. He carried each fall sensor for an average of 6 hours in daily life and dropped it 3 times during that time.

Test series 2) The case sensors were then turned to the body with the button and provided with a clip, as described in 1. and 5. immediately. The same number of experiments was exercised.

Test Series 3) A bridge was attached to the case sensors as described in the first two modifications of FIG. A test series of a sensor was discontinued, because the significance of the random number of false negatives in all series of this sensor came close to randomness.

Test series 4) A bridge was attached as described in the 3rd modification in 2. A fall sensor was not further tested because the results were too poor in all experiments of this sensor and the sensor appeared to be non-commercial.

Results

The results were as follows:

conclusion

It could thus be shown that the results of 3 as altogether reliable case sensors were not significantly negatively influenced by the inversion, the possibility of decoration and the bridge. All values were in the range of the expected variance.

When divided into 7 blocks each of 100, the largest variance was 11% from best to worst result of a series of tests for each one sensor, and just under 17% from the best result of all series to the worst result of all rows of a sensor.

In summary, preferred embodiments can be described as follows:

A fall sensor with an alarm button that is hung around the user's neck with a chain that the alarm button rests against the sternum in such a way that the user can trigger it with the thumb, whereby the alarm button from third parties can not be seen when carrying.

In the above case sensor, the at least one elevation may be located adjacent to, above or below the alarm button, so that the case sensor rests only selectively or as on a bridge on the breastbone or is held pointy.

In the above case sensor, one side of the elevation may be punched out so that the thumb on the bottom can more easily engage and be held in place. A fall sensor with or without alarm button, in which at least one elevation on the back of the case sensor is attached so that the case sensor rests only selectively or as a bridge on the breastbone or is held pointy.

A case sensor with or without an alarm button according to the above description with decorative design or printing on at least on the side away from the user and third persons.

In the above case sensor, a decoration with decorative objects can be firmly attached to the housing, especially forward toward an observer.

A case sensor with alarm button according to the above description, in which a clip is attached to or around the drop sensor having an opening for the alarm button on the back. In the above case sensor, the fall sensor can be enclosed and the fall sensor inserted from top to bottom, from bottom to top, or from the side. A fall sensor with alarm button according to the above description in which the fall sensor is inserted into a preferably soft sheath. The above case sensor may have a recess for the alarm button.

A fall sensor with alarm button that can be attached and held with a clasp on a watch or bracelet. A fall sensor with alarm button according to the above description in which the fall sensor is inserted into a larger object, which itself has a chain, with or without removal of the chain of the fall sensor.

A case sensor with alarm button according to the above description in which the case sensor is hidden behind a clip or a decoration that the chain of the case sensor is pushed by 2 attached to the clip or decoration eyelets that the sensor in front of or behind the clip or the Free hanging ornament.

Attaching a fall sensor, directly or by a joint on the front or back of a smartphone or other alarm unit are attached.

Insertion of a fall sensor with alarm button into a pouch which can be worn on a dress with the alarm button pointing to the user's chest A fall sensor with alarm button as described above where the brooch includes a bridge or punctiform overlay.

Inserting a case sensor with an alarm button into a belt knob which contains a recess from above or from the side so that the alarm button can be pressed,

A case sensor with alarm button according to the above description in which the case sensor and Switch is the belt knob itself.

A fall sensor with alarm button according to the above description in which a detachable or non-detachable chain is mounted so that, in use, the chain behind the ornament is released.

A fall sensor with manual possibility to trigger an alarm, in which instead of a button to trigger the alarm, the housing is designed so that the alarm is triggered by pushing together, pulling apart, rotating or otherwise changing the shape of the housing.

Claims

claims

A housing (20) for an alarm triggering sensor (22) with an alarm button (24), in particular a case sensor with an alarm button (24), comprising:

a first side (20a) having at least one opening (25) and at least one

Elevation (28) adjacent to the at least one opening (25);

a second side opposite to and facing the first side (20a); and

at least one third side (20b) connecting the first side (20a) and the second side, wherein between the first (20a), second and third (20b) side there is formed a cavity adapted to be an alarm triggering sensor (22) record.

2. Housing (20) according to claim 1, wherein two sides of the housing are connected to each other via a hinge portion, so that the two sides can be opened.

3. housing (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side is chamfered in the region around the opening (25) around on the side facing away from the cavity.

4. housing (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side comprises a decorative element.

5. The housing (20) according to claim 4, wherein the decorative element is selected from the group consisting of a decorative panel, a decorative foil, a decorative coating, a decorative painting and a decorative stone.

A housing (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (25) in the first side (20a) is a through hole.

7. Housing (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) has a slight bend.

A housing (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) has an eyelet so that it may be worn either as a pendant on a chain (26) around the neck of a user or on a bracelet first side (20a) faces the body of the user.

A housing (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) is made partially or completely from a flexible material, such as a metal sheet. Silicone, is manufactured and wherein the housing (20) is integrally formed.

A housing (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (20) can be attached to a user's clothing like a brooch via a needle or on a belt buckle.

11. Alarm triggering sensor device comprising:

a housing (20) according to any one of claims 1-10;

a sensor module (22) which is adapted to continuously detect a measured variable and to trigger an alarm when a limit value of the measured variable is exceeded;

an alarm button (24) which triggers an alarm when actuated by a user of the sensor (22); and

a power supply module coupled to the sensor module (22) for powering the same, the sensor module (22), the alarm button (24), and the power supply module being located in the housing (20) such that the alarm button (24 ) can be actuated through the opening (25) in the first side (20a) of the housing (20).

The alarm triggering sensor device of claim 11, wherein the sensor module (22) comprises a drop sensor.

The alarm triggering sensor device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the sensor module (22), the alarm button (24), and the power supply module laterally into the

Housing (20) are inserted.