Abstract:
An adaptive alert device permits a service animal, e.g., a trained service dog, to activate a standard auto-dialer pendant in an emergency situation. The auto-dialer pendant may be part of a pendant system. The adaptive alert device includes a housing and platform in the form of an enlarged activation button. The housing is designed to secure the pendant in a fixed position. When the service animal depresses the activation button, the button exerts pressure on the pendant and so activates the pendant in place of a human being doing so. The adaptive alert device therefore extends the usefulness of the pendant system. The housing may be further equipped to provide different modes of activation, for example, sound or light instead of pressure. The adaptive alert device can be operated by small children, other service animals such as trained primates, or by machines.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/246,496, entitled “ADAPTIVE ALERT DEVICE,” filed Oct. 26, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to placing emergency calls and alerts, and more specifically to devices for use in summoning assistance in an emergency. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Auto-dialers are devices that automatically dial a selected telephone number when activated. Typically, an auto-dialer for use in emergency situations is activated by an alert device in the form of a pendant that can be worn around a person&#39;s neck or wrist. The pendant may be suspended by a lanyard or a chain, for example. The pendant may be activated by pressing an external or internal button on the pendant, by activating a switch, or by otherwise engaging a sensor. In response, the pendant communicates wirelessly with a remote device, e.g., a remote telephonic base station, and causes the remote device to dial a pre-programmed number. The remote device can be, for example, a telephone, a mobile phone, a node on a 3G, 4G, or LTE wireless network, or a computing device equipped with Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP). Use of a dedicated auto-dialer facilitates contacting first responders such as police, fire, or medical personnel via 9-1-1. Alternatively, the auto-dialer can be pre-set to directly dial a hospital, a neighbor, a care-giver, a family member, or any other pre-selected entity. Multiple pendants may be provided as a pendant system for one individual or household, in which the pendants are connected to an auto-dialer that is programmed to call the same telephone number or different telephone numbers. For example, in addition to wearing a pendant on a lanyard, a person may also have a second pendant located in a bathroom in case they fall in the shower. Alternatively, a pendant system may be installed in a home for use as a home security system to alert police to the presence of an intruder. Many elderly and/or disabled people and their families derive peace of mind from a single auto-dialer pendant, or from a system of auto-dialer pendants. 
         [0004]    An adaptive alert device is disclosed herein for use with an existing auto-dialer pendant. The auto-dialer pendant may be part of a pendant system. The adaptive alert device permits a non-human entity such as a service animal, e.g., a trained service dog, to activate a standard pendant in an emergency situation. The adaptive alert device includes a housing and an enlarged activation button. The housing is designed to receive an auto-dialer pendant and hold the pendant in a fixed position. When the service animal depresses the activation button, the button exerts pressure on the pendant and so activates the pendant in place of a human being doing so. The pendant connects wirelessly with a remote auto-dialer that automatically dials one or more selected telephone numbers to obtain assistance. When a connection is made with a responder, the remote auto-dialer may deliver a pre-recorded message and a location of the alert device. The adaptive alert device therefore extends and enhances the usefulness of the pendant system. The housing may be further equipped to provide different modes of activation, for example, activation by sound or light instead of pressure. Furthermore, the adaptive alert device can be operated by small children, trained animals other than service dogs, or machines. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]    For a better understanding of the various described embodiments, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of an adaptive alert device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the adaptive alert device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the adaptive alert device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a back plan view of the adaptive alert device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the adaptive alert device as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a communication system that includes the adaptive alert device shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7-9  are plan views of a base of the adaptive alert device shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0013]      FIGS. 10-12  are plan views of a cover of the adaptive alert device shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of an actuator for use in an adaptive alert device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the actuator shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the actuator shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    The following description sets forth exemplary devices, methods, parameters, and the like. It should be recognized, however, that such description is not intended as a limitation on the scope of the present disclosure but is instead provided as a description of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0018]    Terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0019]    The term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
         [0020]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of the disclosed subject matter. However, the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and methods comprising embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the descriptions of other aspects of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]    Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments,” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment(s) is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments,” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects of the present disclosure. 
         [0022]    Specific embodiments are described herein with reference to adaptive alert devices that have been produced; however, the present disclosure and the reference to certain materials, dimensions, and the details and ordering of processing steps are exemplary and should not be limited to those shown. 
         [0023]    The terms “pendant” and “auto-dialer pendant” as used herein, refer to any device or set of devices configured to activate an auto-dialer. 
         [0024]    Turning now to the figures,  FIGS. 1-3  show top plan, perspective, and side elevation views, respectively, of an adaptive alert device  90 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The adaptive alert device  90  includes a housing  92  and an actuator  94 . The housing  92  forms an enclosure for containing and activating an existing alert device, for example, in the form of a conventional alert pendant. The housing  92  includes a base plate  100  ( FIGS. 7-9 ) and a cover  102  ( FIGS. 10-12 ). The cover  102  of the housing  92  may be made of a rigid material so as to protect components, e.g., electronic components, disposed within the housing  92 . The base plate  100  includes mounting tabs  106   a,b  having screw holes  107   a,b  that permit securing the base plate  100  to a wall, a floor, or any supporting object, using mounting screws  105   a,b . The cover  102  is secured to the base plate  100  by attachment bolts  109   a,b  that extend through bolt openings  108   a,b . The cover  102  has sides  110  of a depth  112 . 
         [0025]    The actuator  94  includes a platform  104  and a shaft  114 . In some embodiments, the platform  104  is in the form of a button designed so that a child, or a non-human entity, e.g., a trained animal, can depress the actuator  94  in an emergency. An upper surface of the platform  104  may be non-convex, e.g., a flat surface or a slightly concave surface, so that the animal can depress the platform  104  intentionally, but not accidentally. The platform  104  can be soft or rigid, and can be made from a variety of materials that can be painted or otherwise manufactured in various colors that service animals can see. For example, in some embodiments the platform  104  has a color that reflects light of a wavelength that is visible to dogs. Dogs are known to see violet, red, and grey, but not yellow. In some embodiments, an adaptive alert device  90  designed for a service dog may have an actuator  94  that is, for example, bright red or violet in color, while the housing  92  is white, to facilitate the service dog locating the alert device  90  easily and distinguishing the alert device  90  from its surroundings. The platform  104  may be 2-3 inches in diameter to provide a touch surface for dog paws of various sizes. The actuator  94  may come in different sizes and colors for use with different sizes or types of service animals. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a back view of the adaptive alert device  90 , from underneath the base plate  100 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The base plate  100  may include hex nuts  123   a,b  to secure the bolts  109   a,b  that attach the cover  102  to the base plate  100 . The base plate  100  has an opening  120  that allows a user to view the pendant  122  without having to remove the cover  102 . In some embodiments, the opening  120  has a regular shape, e.g., circular, while the pendant is elongated, e.g., oval-shaped. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of the adaptive alert device  90 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The cross-sectional view shown is along a vertical cut line through the center of the adaptive alert device  90 . In  FIG. 5 , a pendant  122  is shown installed in the housing  92 . The pendant  122  can be inserted into the housing  92  by removing the cover  102 . The pendant  122  is secured in a fixed position within the housing  92  by brackets  124   a,b  that permit the pendant to snap into the housing  92 . In some embodiments, the brackets  124   a,b  may be adjustable to facilitate use with a variety of pendant styles, of different dimensions. Motion of the pendant  122  is further constrained by stops  126   a,b.  A proximal end of the shaft  114  snaps into a position that holds the platform  104  spaced apart from the top surface of the cover  102 , while a distal end of the shaft  114  is in contact with the pendant  122 . The pendant  122  includes a sensor, typically a pressure sensor in the form of a spring or a component that exhibits spring tension. Alternatively, the pendant may include a light sensor or an audio sensor, or other types of sensors. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, relative dimensions of the various parts described above may be as follows: The distance between the upper and lower screw holes  107   a,b  is about 3.75 inches, while the platform  104  has a diameter of about 2.5 inches and the depth  112  of the cover  102  is about 1.2 inches. The opening  120  in the base plate  100  may be about 1 cm wide and 2 cm long. 
         [0029]    In operation, pressure applied in a direction transverse to the platform  104 , causes the distal end of the shaft  114  to contact the pendant  122 . The platform  104  may be provided in many different shapes and sizes. The platform  104  desirably has a surface area that is substantially larger, e.g., at least about three times larger, than the portion of the surface area of the pendant  122  that is in contact with the shaft  114 . Pressure applied to the platform  104  is thus efficiently transferred to the pendant  122 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows a communication system  125  that connects the adaptive alert device  90 , with a remote device  103  configured to contact responders  115 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The remote device  103  includes a wireless receiver  111 , a programmable memory  113 , and an auto-dialer  121 . The wireless transmitter  119  in the alert device  90  communicates with the remote device  103  via a wireless signal  117 . In response to engagement of the actuator  94 , the wireless transmitter  119  inside the pendant  122  sends the wireless signal  117  to the remote auto-dialer  121  of the remote device  103 , located at a remote destination. It is understood that the pendant  122  includes its own power supply and the radio frequency (RF) wireless transmitter  119  to support communication with the remote device  103 , and that these items need not be supplied as part of the housing  92 . However, some embodiments may provide power to the pendant  122 , and the housing  92  may be modified to accommodate a power cord or a connection to a battery re-charging device. The housing  92  is made of a non-conductive material that permits wireless communication between the alert device and an auto-dialer located at a remote destination. 
         [0031]    The remote device  103  is configured with the wireless receiver  111  that receives the wireless signal  117 . Upon receipt of the wireless signal  117  from the pendant  122 , the remote auto-dialer  121  identifies the pendant  122 , and then dials a selected telephone number associated with the pendant  122 . The selected telephone number may be stored in the programmable memory  113  e.g., a PROM or EPROM, of the remote auto-dialer  121 . The remote auto-dialer  121  can be programmed, for example, to dial one or more pre-selected telephone numbers in succession. Such pre-selected telephone numbers may be associated with responders  115  such as a first responder  115   a , e.g., an emergency crew or an ambulance service; a care-giver  115   b;  or a neighbor, or the like. When calls to the pre-selected telephone numbers are not answered, the remote auto-dialer  121  can be programmed to dial another telephone number, e.g., 9-1-1. When a call is answered, the remote auto-dialer  121  delivers a pre-recorded message, e.g., a digital recorded message, in order to direct assistance to the location of the pendant  122 . The pre- recorded message may include, for example, the following: “An emergency situation has been detected at the home of &lt;XYZ&gt;, located at &lt;ABC&gt;. Please send assistance immediately!” The remote auto-dialer  121  may also be programmed to determine the location of the pendant  122  from the received wireless signal  117 , and to relay the location of the pendant  122  in the recorded message. The location of the pendant  122 , e.g., a person&#39;s home address, may be stored in the programmable memory  113 . 
         [0032]    The communication system  125  thus described automatically summons assistance when an individual cannot call for help on their own, for example, when the individual is unconscious. In such instances, service animals are trained to detect the individual&#39;s distress, and to engage the actuator  94 . Similarly, a small child may asses the emergency situation and may be capable of engaging the actuator  94 . Likewise, the present inventor envisions that service machines currently under development may be programmed to engage the actuator  94 . The adaptive alert device and the communication system  125  described herein therefore extend the current capability of existing pendant systems that are not fully automatic and still rely on some level of input from the individual in distress. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  show back, side, and front views, respectively, of the housing  92  and, in particular, the base plate  100 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the side view of  FIG. 8 , the base plate  100  is shown alone, with the cover  102  and the actuator  94  removed. In  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the base plate  100  and portions of the cover  102  are shown, with the actuator  94  having been removed. The top side of the cover  102  has an opening  130 , into which the shaft  114  is inserted as described below in more detail. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 10, 11, and 12  show underside, side, and top views, respectively, of the cover  102  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The underside of the cover  102  shown in  FIG. 10  includes protrusions  132  that help to stabilize the pendant  122 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 13-15  show side elevation and bottom plan views of the actuator  94 , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The actuator  94  can be made of ABS plastic, optionally reinforced with fiberglass. The actuator  94  is removable and replaceable. The actuator  94  exemplified in  FIGS. 13-15  integrates the platform  104  and the shaft  114  as a one-piece unit. The shaft  114  is split and tapered along a shaft axis, so that the shaft  114  is wider at its proximal end, where the shaft  114  meets the platform  104 . The platform  104  is enlarged with respect to the size of the shaft  114 , and with respect to the size of the pendant  122 . In some embodiments, a diameter of the platform  104  is at least three times larger than the widest diameter of the shaft  114 . The tapered shaft  114  is held in place in the opening  130  by a friction fit that offers resistance to being depressed. However, when sufficient force is applied transverse to the surface of the platform  104 , the platform  104  and the shaft  114  move together with respect to the opening  130  so as to transfer pressure to the pendant  122  which is positioned directly underneath the opening  130 . In some embodiments, the shaft  114  has an outer portion that is inserted and rotated to lock in place, while an inner portion attached to the platform  104  slides with respect to the outer portion. In some embodiments, an outer portion of the shaft  114  can be depressed to lock in place, allowing an inner portion of the shaft  114 , attached to the platform  104 , to move with respect to the outer portion. 
         [0036]    Any other method of retaining the shaft  114  in the opening  130  can be used as long as the platform  104  is maintained at a proper distance from the top surface of the cover  102 , e.g., about 5 mm, so as to offer resistance to applied pressure, and to make contact with the pendant  122 . The actuator  94  operates as described above when an amount of pressure that can be reasonably supplied by a service animal is applied directly to the platform  104 . The actuator  94  returns to its initial position in response to spring tension of the pendant  122 . The pendant  122  may be made of a resilient material, or the pendant  122  may include one or more internal elements that provide spring tension. Existing alert system pendants  122  typically contain springs or similar devices that respond to pressure. In the embodiment shown, it is assumed that the pendant  122  is pressure-sensitive; however, the adaptive alert device  90  is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the sensing aspect of the adaptive alert device  90  may operate according to other principles. For example, motion of the actuator  94  may interrupt a beam of light that triggers a light sensor within the pendant. In some embodiments, applying pressure to the actuator may cause a sound that triggers an audio sensor within the pendant, and so on. 
         [0037]    The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been made with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0038]    Although the disclosure and examples have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure and examples as defined by the claims.