WO2019158443A1

WO2019158443A1 - Method and system for alerting in case of emergency

Info

Publication number: WO2019158443A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/053148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob ARNOULD
Original assignee: MyMedBot S.à.r.l.
Priority date: 2018-02-14
Filing date: 2019-02-08
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: LU100701B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for establishing an association (100) between a user (10) and at least a recipient (20), comprising the following steps: instancing a geographical area; automatically monitoring the entrance within said geographical area of a user (10) and establishing an association (100) between a mobile computer device (12) of the user (10) and a mobile computer device (22) of the recipient (20); and upon detection of a critical condition by a sensor (14) of a condition of the user, automatically alerting the recipient (20) accordingly, through the established association (100). The invention also relates to a system for performing such a method.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALERTING IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for alerting appropriate people or entities in case of an emergency, such as a critical condition of a diabetic.

Prior art

[0002] The document US 2015/0120317 A1 discloses a system for monitoring the glucose level of a diabetic which is connected to a network such that when the diabetic finds himself/herself in a critical condition, appropriate emergency services or family members can be alerted automatically. In this document, alerts can also be sent to“followers” who can be nearby strangers who are part of a community of users.

[0003] With such a system to be effective, it requires the community of“followers” to include a very high number of members in order for the probability for at least one of them to be in the vicinity of the user at the time of an emergency. Depending on the context or geographical situation of a diabetic, for instance in a venue or transportation means, some assistance can be foreseen (security teams, first aid personal, etc.). These designated people are the best hope for a patient in a critical condition. With the system of the document mentioned above, this nearby medical assistance is not made aware of a critical condition of the patient. The known system is furthermore only focused on alerting“followers” and does not provide the means for interacting with the helper or for transmitting useful information to him/her.

Summary of the invention

Technical problem

[0004] In this context, the present invention provides a system and a method for connecting a patient’s bio-sensor, for example a glucose sensor, to local health services of a pre-determ ined geographical area, improving thereby the existing system. Solution

[0005] The present invention relates to a method for establishing an association between a user and at least a recipient, comprising the following steps: instancing a geographical area; automatically monitoring the entrance within said geographical area of a user and establishing an association between a mobile computer device of the user and a mobile computer device of the recipient; and upon detection of a critical condition by a sensor of a condition of the user, automatically alerting the recipient accordingly, through the established association.

[0006] The instantiation of the geographical area can be performed in a central server by an authorized operator. A time frame of an event can accompany the geographical area to only perform the associations during a particular time frame (for instance a concert, a sport event, etc.).

[0007] The mobile computer device of the user can be integrated into the sensor as a wearable device (Internet of Things). The mobile computer device of the user can alternatively be his/her mobile phone in direct communication with the sensor.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the association is established according to the user settings. The user can opt for the associations to be made automatically without him/her being informed. The user can alternatively ask for a confirmation, such that (s)he is in charge of giving authorization for an association to be made. The user can select whether the associations are temporary or permanent. The latter could be for instance useful if a user often attends sport events in the same location or visits a train-station or commercial centre and does want to give a general authorization only for this particular location.

[0009] The user can have access to the history of all previously made associations and/or all current associations. (S)He can choose to terminate any of them.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the association is a connection between the sensor, potentially through the mobile computer device of the user, with the mobile computer device of the recipient, via a WiFi™ network, Bluetooth™ connection or instant messaging service or application.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor of the condition of the user is a glucose level patch or any other wearable bio-sensor, such as but not limited to glucose sensor, continuous glucose monitor, or pacemaker.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the geographical area is a venue and the at least one recipient is a staff of the venue, preferably first responder.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the geographical area is a vehicle of a public transportation service and the at least one recipient is a staff of the public transportation service.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the geographical area is all or part of a city and the at least one recipient is an emergency service of the city.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, after reception of the alert, the at least one recipient can interact with a chatbot hosted by the mobile computer device of the user.

[0016] Alternatively, the recipient may access some of the data of the user even if no critical condition occurs (i.e. before an alert).

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the interactions with the chatbot can be made in natural language.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the interactions with the chatbot can be made in FOCAL (Formulating On-Line Calculations in Algebraic Language).

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the alert comprises pre-determ ined information that is only available to the recipient upon occurrence of a critical condition of the user.

[0020] The alert may contain the location of the user in critical condition, together with his/her particulars, blood type, general practitioner, etc. These data can be pre-recorded by the user on his/her mobile device and they may only be communicated to the recipient in case of a critical condition occurring.

[0021] The data can be communicated in any appropriate language, i.e. local language, user language, recipient's language, universally recognisable symbols, etc.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the step of alerting comprises overriding the mute function of the mobile computer device of the at least one recipient.

[0023] Alternatively or complementarily, if the mobile computer device of the recipient is a phone, the ringtone of the phone can be replaced with a pre- recorded message of the user.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises a further step of monitoring the exit of the geographical area, and cancelation the established association when the user exits the geographical area.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the step of alerting is followed by the performance by the recipient (20) of first assistance to the user (10). The first assistance can be any assistance that would help the user in critical condition, such as assisting him/her to reach his/her medical kit in his/her bag, calling an emergency service, etc.

[0026] The invention also relates to a system for establishing an association between a user and at least a recipient preferably in accordance with the method as described above, the system comprising: a central server adapted to perform the instantiation of a geographical area; at least a mobile computer device of at least a recipient; at least a mobile computer device of a user; at least a sensor of a condition of a user; at least a detector for detecting the entrance in said geographical area of the sensor and/or of the mobile computer device of the user wearing the sensor of his/her condition; and processing means for performing and storing in a memory an association between the mobile computer device of the user and the mobile computer device of the recipient upon a detected entrance in the geographical area, the processing means being further programmed to send pre-determined data to the recipient upon detection of a critical condition by the sensor of the user.

[0027] The processing means can be part of one of the mobile computer devices, part of the server, or can be any external device.

[0028] The central server may optionally be the mobile phone of the recipient.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor of the condition of the user is a glucose level measuring patch, and/or a bio-sensor used to monitor a chronic disease.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the detector for detecting the entrance in the geographical area is a geofencing sensor.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the geofencing is performed by at least one of the technologies of the group: WiFi™, Bluetooth™, RFID, GPS, NFC.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the processing means is programmed to cancel the association upon detection of the user leaving the geographical area.

[0033] The invention may also be described according to the following systems / methods:

[0034] A system with a mobile phone connected to a biological activity sensor, the mobile phone hosting a chatbot using natural languages such that on occurrence of a critical condition detected by the sensor, pre-determined followers are alerted and can interact with the chatbot.

[0035] A method for determining a follower, wherein a follower (respectively a user) requests the association with a user (respectively a follower) through SMS, instant messaging app, dedicated app, the user being a chronic disease patient wearing a sensor of a biological activity, such that the follower is notified in case of a critical condition of the user. An example of a dedicated App can be MyMedBot®.

[0036] A method wherein the mute function of such a follower is overridden when a diabetic is in a critical condition. Definitions

[0037] A condition of the user is a data related to the biological activity of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the condition is the glucose level of the user. Alternatively, it may relate to his/her heart beat, blood pressure, brain waves activity and/or corporal temperature, or any condition detectable by a wearable bio-sensor.

[0038] An appropriate sensor can be worn by the user to continuously monitor the corresponding biological data.

[0039] The condition of the user becomes a critical condition when the value measured by the sensor is outside of a standard range of values.

[0040] The user in the context of the present invention may be a chronic disease patient. The user wears one or more sensor(s) monitoring his/her biological activity, in the form of a patch, a bracelet, a necklace, or any other non-invasive or invasive medical device. The user may be male or female. Although it is referred to as“he” or“she” in the present patent application, the user may also be an animal (“it”). In such a case, the settings of the mobile computer device of the user can be entered by a human (pet owner, veterinarian, park ranger, etc.).

[0041] The geographical area can be a stationary 2D zone, like a concert hall, a stadium, a train-station, a venue, or a set of streets in a city, a piece of land in the countryside, a floor of a building, a portion of a sea or an ocean. It can be identified by any suitable means, i.e. GPS coordinates, altitude, centre and radius, street names, cadastral identification, depth below sea level, etc.

[0042] The geographical area can also be dynamically moving, like for example a public transportation means (ship, bus, train, etc.).

[0043] There can be an overlap of geographical areas or one area can be included into another area. A geographical area can be made of several non-adjacent sub-areas. The entrance, presence or exit, of a user can also be monitored in the sub-areas: for instance, a school can be a geographical area and the classrooms (or hallway, playground, etc.) can form sub-areas. The invention allows to inform the first responder (nurse of the school or others) in which sub-area the user is present, potentially under the condition that an alert is triggered.

[0044] The instantiation of the geographical area can be made by an operator, by one of the recipients or any other third party.

[0045] An association is a prepared connection between two devices such that when a critical condition happens, the devices can interact with each other automatically and immediately. It can be carried out through an application on a mobile phone, similar to an instant messaging where both mobile devices (user’s and recipient’s) acknowledge each other and give each other the appropriate authorizations to communicate.

[0046] A recipient associated with a geographical area is an entity or a person that is alerted upon occurrence of a critical condition of an associated user.

[0047] The alert can comprise the nature of the critical condition, the current location of the user, the picture of the user, and/or any other pre- determined information set by the user (e.g. blood type, name of the general practitioner, etc.).

[0048] The monitoring of the entrance of the user into the geographical area is technically carried out by adapted and known detecting means. For instance, the tracking of the mobile phone of the user can be used. Any other geofencing means can be used.

[0049] The natural language can be used by the recipient to interact with the chatbot of the user. In the present context,“natural language” is used to depict every-day language, by opposition to specific words or codes or programming language which need to be learned by an operator before being used. Brief description of the drawings

[0050] Other benefits of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a system according to the invention;

Figure 2 depicts a method according to the invention;

Figures 3 to 8 show further method steps of the method of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0051] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention. A diabetic 10 wears a mobile computing device 12 and a glucose level sensor 14, which interact with each other.

[0052] The diabetic 10 is within a geographical area defined by the dotted line.

[0053] Dedicated staff 20 are equipped with mobile computing devices 22. These mobile computing devices 22 may be connected to a central server 30. The server 30 is connected to detectors 40 which detect the presence of the diabetic 10 or his/her mobile device 12 or his/her sensor 14 within the geographical area. A plurality of detectors 40 can be foreseen and can be connected through a network 50 to the server 30.

[0054] The central server 30 can be part of a mobile computing device 22.

[0055] Upon detection of the entrance of the diabetic in the geographical area, an association 100 is generated between the mobile devices 12 and 22.

[0056] Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0057] The first step 2000 is the instantiation of the geographical area. This can be done by a random operator, local authorities or one of the recipient. At step 2010, a user (diabetic) entering the area is detected. Depending on the preferences of the user, (s)he may be prompted (step 2020) a request for agreeing with the association, that is carried out in step 2030. Should a critical condition occur (step 2040), the recipient (venue first responder, bus driver, etc.) is alerted (step 2050) and he/she can perform assistance or interact with the Chatbot hosted in the mobile device of the user (step 2060). If no critical condition occurs (step 2070), no alert is triggered. In both cases, upon detection of the user leaving the area, the association is cancelled (step 2080).

[0058] Figure 3 shows another method relative to the present invention. When the glucose level of the diabetic falls below a threshold (for instance 75 mg/dl) at step 3000, the diabetic can suffer from unawareness (step 3010). The mobile phone, using a dedicated app can trigger an alarm. If at step 3020 the alarm is not disarmed (for instance if the diabetic is unconscious), the mobile device sends alerts to up to 5 groups (step 3030). If the diabetic however disarms the alarm (step 3040), it is considered that (s)he is made aware of his/her condition (step 3050). (S)He can therefore act accordingly, either by eating appropriate sweets or by manually activating an alert button (3060) on his/her mobile phone which will alert the appropriate people.

[0059] In this example, 5 groups of people may be alerted. Followers are people or entity who actively agreed to be notified in case of emergency of the user. Venue first responders or security services are dedicated staff of a venue who are trained medical staff. Bystanders are random people who are nearby the user at the moment of a critical condition. Emergency services are the local services which can be contacted through emergency number such as 112, 911 , 999, etc. Public transportation staff are dedicated staff of a public transportation means who are responsible of the health of the passengers. The diabetic can choose in the settings of a dedicated app on his/her mobile phone the priorities of the people of each group to be alerted. Also, depending on the context, some group will not be alerted.

[0060] Figure 4 shows the method used when a follower is alerted (step 4000).

The chatbot of the diabetic mobile phone can interact, through SMS or a dedicated app, with the mobile phone of a follower. For instance, a message such as“The Diabetic is low and needs your help!” can be sent in step 4010, together with the time of alert, geolocation, and picture of the Diabetic. The chatbot asks confirmation that the follower can go and assist the diabetic. If the follower answers“no” (step 4020), then the chatbot confirms to the follower that (s)he will contact other followers (step 4030). If the follower answers“yes” (step 4040), then the chatbot acknowledges receipt and asks regularly (for instance every 30 seconds) that the follower confirms when (s)he is nearby the diabetic. The chatbot can contact the emergency services in parallel or if after a predetermined amount of time the follower is not nearby the diabetic (step 4050). The chatbot is able to transmit to the emergency services a pre-determ ined set of information (location, condition and particulars of the diabetic). Once the follower confirms his/her arrival nearby the diabetic in step 4060, the chatbot informs other followers that their assistance is not required anymore. The follower who assists the diabetic can keep on interacting with the chatbot for helping the diabetic. The chatbot can for instance inform the follower where the diabetic emergency kit (DEK) can be found.

[0061] Figure 5 depicts an example of steps of a method where first responders of a venue are alerted (step 5000). This step happens after association between the phone of the diabetic and the central server or the mobile phones of the first responders. A message such as“The Diabetic is low and needs your help!” can be sent in step 5010, together with the time of alert, geolocation (for instance seat number, classroom, etc.), and picture of the Diabetic. The first responders can be tracked and directed towards the diabetic with the help of their mobile phone in step 5020. When the first responder reaches the diabetic, appropriate third parties (other responders, security services, emergency services) can be informed accordingly in step 5030.

[0062] Figure 6 depicts an example of steps of a method where bystanders are alerted (step 6000). A dedicated application on the phone of the diabetic can make it ring in step 6010, potentially overriding the mute function. The ringtone can be a pre-recorded message inviting random people around the diabetic to act. A message such as “Pick me up! I’m <diabetic’s name>’s <app’s name>. Fle/she is diabetic and needs help. Answer his/her mobile phone to start talking with me!”. The message could be in any appropriate language (local or diabetic’s language). Once the bystander takes the call in step 6020, (s)he can interact with the chatbot of the mobile phone inviting him/her to act according to the situation. The chatbot uses natural language. The bystander can perform appropriate action in step 6030, i.e. finding a sweet in the emergency kit of the diabetic, contacting emergency services, etc.

[0063] Figure 7 shows a situation where the diabetic is in a public transportation.

The appropriate staff of the public transportation company are alerted in step 7000. This procedure happens after the association of the mobile phone of the diabetic with the public transportation system. In step 7010, an appropriate message can be sent to the staff, such as“A diabetic passenger on your bus/train/tram is in crisis!” together with the geolocation (seat number, wagon, etc.) and any other useful information. The company itself can be informed that in this particular bus/train/tram, currently at this GPS position, a critical event is happening. In step 7020, the staff of the bus/train/tram interacts with the chatbot of the mobile phone of the diabetic. In step 7030, the appropriate parties are informed that the diabetic is currently being taken care of.

[0064] Figure 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of an assistance procedure. In step 8000, the chatbot asks the recipient of the alert (follower/first responder/bystander) whether the diabetic is conscious and able to swallow. If yes (step 8010), the chatbot informs the recipient that the diabetic needs to ingest some sugar. The message can be in the form “<name> needs sugar. Find something sugary to drink or eat.”;“Check his/her <diabetic bag> for sweets or glucose tablets.”;“Go find sweets if you can’t find anything on him/her.”

[0065] If the diabetic is unconscious (step 8030), the chatbot informs (step 8040) the recipient that they need to administer the diabetic with glucagon. The chatbot can indicate the location of the diabetic’s glucagon kit and a description or video with instructions.

[0066] In both cases, the recipient is invited to remain with the diabetic until first responders or emergency services, who have been contacted by the chatbot in parallel, arrive. [0067] The present invention is defined by the appended claims and is not limited by specific technical means or specific context. The various embodiments of the method can be combined and the teachings detailed above for each particular recipient of the alerts can be transferred to any other of the recipients. The messages illustrating the interaction with the chatbot are only given as examples.

Claims

1. Method for establishing an association (100) between a user (10) and at least a recipient (20), comprising the following steps:

- instancing (2000) a geographical area;

- automatically monitoring the entrance (2010) within said geographical area of a user and establishing an association (2030) between a mobile computer device (12) of the user (10) and a mobile computer device (22) of the recipient (20); and

- upon detection of a critical condition (2040) by a sensor (14) of a condition of the user (10), automatically alerting (2050) the recipient (20) accordingly, through the established association (100).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor (14) of the condition of the user (10) is a glucose level patch or any other wearable bio-sensor.

3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the association (100) is established according to the user’s (10) settings.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the association (100) is a connection between the sensor (14), potentially through the mobile computer device (12) of the user (10), with the mobile computer device (22) of the recipient (20), via a WiFi™ network, Bluetooth™ connection or instant messaging service or application.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the geographical area is a venue and the at least one recipient (20) is a staff of the venue, preferably first responder.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the geographical area is a vehicle of a public transportation service and the at least one recipient (20) is a staff of the public transportation service.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the geographical area is all or part of a city and the at least one recipient (20) is an emergency service of the city.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein after reception of the alert, the at least one recipient can interact with a chatbot hosted by the mobile computer device (12) of the user (10).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the interactions with the chatbot can be made in natural language.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the interactions with the chatbot can be made in FOCAL (Formulating On-Line Calculations in Algebraic Language).

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the alert comprises pre-determined information that are only available to the recipient (20) upon occurrence of a critical condition of the user (10).

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of alerting (2050) comprises overriding the mute function of the mobile computer device (22) of the at least one recipient (20).

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a further step of monitoring the exit (2080) of the geographical area, and cancelation the established association (100) when the user (10) exits the geographical area.

14. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the step of alerting is followed by the performance by the recipient (20) of first assistance to the user (10).

15. System for establishing an association between a user (10) and at least a recipient (20) preferably in accordance with the method of any of the claims 1 to 14, the system comprising:

- a central server (30) adapted to perform the instantiation of a geographical area;

- at least a mobile computer device (22) of at least a recipient (20);

- at least a mobile computer device (12) of a user (10);

- at least a sensor (14) of a condition of a user (10); - at least a detector (40) for detecting the entrance in said geographical area of the sensor (14) and/or of the mobile computer device (12) of the user (10) wearing the sensor (14) of his/her condition; and

- processing means (12, 22, 30) for performing and storing in a memory an association (100) between the mobile computer device (12) of the user (10) and the mobile computer device (22) of the recipient (20) upon a detected entrance in the geographical area, the processing means being further programmed to send pre-determined data to the recipient (20) upon detection of a critical condition by the sensor (14) of the user (10).

16. System according to claim 15, wherein the sensor (14) of the condition of the user (10) is a glucose level measuring patch and/or a bio-sensor used to monitor a chronic disease.

17. System according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the detector (40) for detecting the entrance in the geographical area is a geofencing sensor.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein the geofencing is performed by at least one of the technologies of the group: WiFi™, Bluetooth™, RFID, GPS, NFC.

19. System according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the processing means is programmed to cancel the association (100) upon detection of the user (10) leaving the geographical area.