Patent ID: 9427177
Filing Date: 2016-08-30
CPC Classification: A61B,G08B

Claim Text:
1. A method of using a device to detect a fall by a user, said method comprising: continuously receiving, from an orientation sensor that includes an accelerometer, inclination signals indicative of measurements of an inclination of the device relative to one or more different axes while the device is being worn by the user; saving said measurements for a predetermined time period; receiving, from a pressure sensor, pressure signals indicative of measurements of an atmospheric pressure at the device; determining an initial indication of a fall based on changes in the received pressure signals; responsive to determining the initial indication of the fall, determining, using said measurements from the orientation sensor in the device that includes the accelerometer, an inclination of the device worn by the user relative to one or more different axes at each of a first plurality of time instants in a first time period before the initial indication of the fall and an inclination of the device at each of a second plurality of time instants in a second time period, the second plurality of time instants occurring during a fixed time period of the second time period immediately preceding the initial indication of the fall and after the first plurality of time instants, the orientation sensor being distinct from the pressure sensor and with determining the inclinations of the device being performed in real time and while receiving the inclination signals from the orientation sensor; responsive to determining the initial indication of the fall, comparing the inclination of the device in the second time period to the inclination of the device in the first time period; and verifying that the fail has occurred based on said comparison.