Electronic fall monitoring system

The present invention provides an improved electronic fall monitoring system comprising a device having multiple sensor ports for flexibly monitoring various sensors associated with a single patient without requiring repeated connections and disconnections of sensors. With several sensors simultaneously connected at different locations, a processor can execute to ensure that only one sensor, corresponding to one patient, is monitored at any given time, including by triggering an alarm when a second sensor is triggered while a first sensor is in use. In addition, operation of the device can be simplified with a single multi-color LED illuminating in different colors corresponding to different states of the system. Also, a power switch for turning the device on or off, such as for conserving power, can be placed in a recess of the device so that it is blocked when mounted, thereby avoiding being turned off when it should be monitoring.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a non-provisional patent application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/748,886, entitled “Electronic Fall Monitoring System,” filed Oct. 22, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of patient care, and more particularly, to electronic fall monitoring systems having sensor ports operable to connect to patient sensors for detecting activations indicating physical presence of a patient at a patient sensor and deactivations indicating loss of physical presence of the patient at the patient sensor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic fall monitoring systems are typically used in healthcare facilities to provide an early warning as to when a patient who is at risk for falling is attempting to get up without assistance. Although fall monitoring systems do not themselves prevent falls, they can provide advance notification to others that a patient is moving from the sensor so that assistance can be rendered.

Fall monitoring systems typically include a device connected to a pressure sensitive sensor or mat. When a patient rests on the sensor, which could be placed on a bed or chair, the sensor triggers the device to begin monitoring. When the patient later moves from the sensor, unless the device is suspended or powered down, the device can initiate an alarm. Possible alarms include an audible tone, playback of a recorded statement to return to the sensor and/or a message sent to a nurse call station. While fall monitoring systems are effective for providing early warning when a patient is moving, it is nevertheless desirable to increase their capability, robustness and ease of use where possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved electronic fall monitoring system comprising a device having multiple sensor ports for flexibly monitoring various sensors associated with a single patient without requiring repeated connections and disconnections of sensors. With several sensors simultaneously connected at different locations, a processor can execute to ensure that only one sensor, corresponding to one patient, is monitored at any given time, including by triggering an alarm when a second sensor is triggered while a first sensor is in use. In addition, operation of the device can be simplified with a single multi-color LED illuminating in different colors corresponding to different states of the system. Also, a power switch for turning the device on or off, such as for conserving power, can be placed in a recess of the device so that it is blocked when mounted, thereby avoiding being turned off when it should be monitoring.

Specifically then, one aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic fall monitoring system, including: multiple sensor ports, each sensor port being operable to connect to a patient sensor for detecting an activation indicating a physical presence at the patient sensor and a deactivation indicating a loss of physical presence at the patient sensor; a standby input; and a processor executing a program stored in a non-transient medium, the processor executing the program to: select a mode from among multiple modes, the modes including a monitor mode in which a sensor port connected to a patient sensor is monitored for a deactivation, an alarm mode in which an alarm is active following a deactivation detected in the monitor mode, and a standby mode in which the alarm is inactive, in which the standby mode is selected before an activation is detected at any sensor port, the monitor mode is selected when an activation is detected at a first sensor port, the alarm mode is selected when a deactivation is detected at the first sensor port following the activation, and selection of the standby input causes a temporary transition to the standby mode from either the monitor mode or the alarm mode

Another aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic fall monitoring system, including: multiple sensor ports, each sensor port being operable to connect to a patient sensor for detecting an activation indicating a physical presence at the patient sensor and a deactivation indicating a loss of physical presence at the patient sensor; a multi-color Light Emitting Diode (LED); and a processor executing a program stored in a non-transient medium, the processor executing the program to: select a mode from among multiple modes, the modes including a monitor mode in which a sensor port connected to a patient sensor is monitored for a deactivation, an alarm mode in which an alarm is active following a deactivation detected in the monitor mode, and a standby mode in which the alarm is inactive, and illuminate the multi-color LED in a given color for indicating a given mode of the plurality of modes.

Another aspect of the present invention can provide an electronic fall monitoring system, including: a housing enclosing electronics including a processor; multiple sensor ports accessible through the housing, each sensor port being operable to connect to a patient sensor for allowing the processor to detect an activation indicating a physical presence at the patient sensor and a deactivation indicating a loss of physical presence at the patient sensor; a power switch accessible through the housing for controlling power to the electronics; and a recess in the housing shaped for mounting the housing to a support mechanism, in which the power switch is disposed in the recess so that the power switch is inaccessible when the housing is mounted to the support mechanism.

These and other objects, advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. The particular objects and advantages described herein can apply to only some embodiments falling within the claims and thus do not define the scope of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention and reference is made, therefore, to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-4, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, in front, rear and first and second side views, respectively, an electronic fall monitoring system10can comprise a device12connected to multiple patient sensors (not shown) for providing an early warning as to when a patient who is at risk for falling is attempting to get up without assistance. As shown in the front view ofFIG. 1, the device12can include a microphone14, a speaker16, a multi-color LED18, also identified by “Status,” and a battery level indicator LED20. The microphone14can be used to record a statement which could be played back through the speaker16, such as a recorded statement played to a patient to return to the sensor when alarming. The speaker16can be used to create an alarm, such as an audible tone and/or playback of the recorded statement, and/or can be used to play audible cues, such as instructions for setting up the fall monitoring system10, instructions for resolving an alarm condition, and the like. The multi-color LED18can indicate by color various modes of operation of the fall monitoring system10, such as illuminating green to indicate a “monitor mode” in which a sensor port connected to a patient sensor is being monitored for a deactivation, illuminating red to indicate an “alarm mode” in which an alarm is active following a deactivation detected in the monitor mode and/or illuminating yellow to indicate a “standby mode” in which the alarm is inactive. The battery level indicator LED20can indicate a status or charge of batteries powering the device12, such as when disconnected from a wired power source, such as by flashing red when the batter is low (for example, below 20% charge). This essentially simplifies readability of the device.

As shown in the rear view ofFIG. 2, a back portion of an external housing22or enclosure of the device12can include a recess23for mounting the device12to a support mechanism. The support mechanism could be, for example, a bracket, clip, bar or other arrangement held to a structure, such as a wall or chair. A power switch24can be accessible through the housing22for controlling power to electronics of the device12, such as a processor, for turning the device12on or off. In one aspect, the electronics of the device12could be implemented on four-layer circuit board with a plurality of diodes providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection with respect to the various ports as described herein. The power switch24can be configured to allow actuation by hand, such as a finger sliding a manual electric switch, without requiring a tool. The power switch24can be disposed on the back of the device12, in the recess23, so that the power switch24is completely covered by a support mechanism, and therefore completely inaccessible, when mounted to the support mechanism. A battery cover26, positioned below the power switch24, for covering a battery compartment containing batteries for powering the device12, can also be disposed in the recess23, so that the batteries are also completely inaccessible when mounted to the support mechanism.

As shown in the first side view ofFIG. 3, the device12can include multiple wired and/or wireless connections or ports, including a power port30for connecting to a wired AC power source, a nurse call port32for connecting to a nurse's station (not shown), and multiple patient sensor ports34, such as first and second sensor ports34aand34b, also identified as “Sensor1” and “Sensor2,” respectively, for individually connecting to patient sensors. Each sensor port34can be operable to connect to a patient sensor for detecting an activation and/or deactivation of the patient sensor. An activation of a patient sensor could occur, for example, when a patient rests on the sensor indicating a physical presence at the sensor. A deactivation of a patient sensor could occur, for example, when a patient later moves from the sensor, indicating a loss of physical presence at the sensor. In addition to monitoring for such activations and/or deactivations, each sensor port34can also be monitored for connections and/or disconnections to sensors.

As shown in the second side view ofFIG. 4, the device12can include multiple configuration inputs for configuring the device12. A housing cover36can cover or shield the configuration inputs when not in use. The configuration inputs can include, among other things: a sliding manual electric nurse call switch40for configuring the nurse call port32to operate normally open (“NO”) or normally closed (“NC”); a sliding manual electric delay switch42for configuring a delay which must be met before a sensed deactivation at a patient sensor can cause an alarm, such as 0 (no delay), 1 second or 2 seconds; an alarm mode button44for configuring a type of alarm which occurs when a sensed deactivation at a patient sensor occurs, such as a playback of a recorded voice and an audible tone, playback of the recorded voice only, the audible tone only, or mute; a tone button46for configuring a different types of audible alarm tones, such as for distinguishing between different devices12; a volume button48for configuring a volume of the alarm, such as low, medium or high; and/or a record button50for recording a voiced statement for playback during an alarm.

As shown inFIG. 5, a detailed view52of the front of the device12, a standby input54can be prominently positioned proximal to the LED18. The standby input54can operate when pressed to temporary hold or suspend the device12, from either the monitor mode or the alarm mode, to the standby mode. The standby input54can keep the device12in the standby mode for a predetermined amount of time, such as 30 seconds, each time the standby input54is pressed.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-14, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, a processor of the device12can execute a program stored in a non-transient medium of the device12for accomplishing various modes of operation (apart from any particular alarm mode), including the aforementioned standby, monitor and alarm modes. In addition, the processor can control the LED18to illuminate a color corresponding to a given mode, which color and mode can change based on various conditions encountered, such as yellow for standby, green for monitor and red for alarm. The numerated steps in each figure are correspondingly highlighted to indicate the particular mode of the step (see “Status Light Key” shown inFIG. 6).

Referring toFIG. 6, a flow chart60illustrates an initial set up with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At60a, the device12can be installed in a support mechanism, such as a bracket, clip, bar or other arrangement, at the recess23. At60b-60c, batteries can be installed in the battery compartment, and/or AC power connected to the power port30, turning on the device12, bringing the device into the standby mode, and illuminating the LED18yellow. At60d, an audio cue can play summarizing a current, default state to the user, such as “power on, alarm muted, nurse call disconnected, 1 second delay.” At60e, a nurse call cable can optionally be connected to the nurse call port32with the audio-cue “Nurse Call Connected.” At60f, the user can select a desired alarm mode via the alarm mode button44(apart from any particular mode of operation). At60g, an audio cue can play summarizing the selected alarm mode, such as “voice and tone,” or “tone only.” Following60h, when voice and tone is selected, or when tone only is selected, at60ithe user can select a desired alarm tone via the tone button46, followed by an audio cue playing the specified tone at60j. Also, following60h, when voice and tone is selected, or when tone only is selected, at60kthe user can select a desired alarm volume via the volume button48, followed by an audio cue playing the tone at the specified volume60l. At60m, the user can select a desired delay which must be met before the alarm can activate, such as 0 (no delay), 1 second or 2 seconds, via the delay switch42, followed by an audio cue playing summarizing the delay at60n. Following60o, when voice is selected as the desired alarm mode, at60p-60u, the user can record a statement through the microphone14, which could be played back through the speaker16when the alarm is activated, using the record button50. At60s, a non-volatile memory retains each of the aforementioned user settings. The device12can be in the standby mode (with the LED18illuminated yellow) through each of the aforementioned steps. Although many configurations are discussed above, the user can skip certain configurations and accept default values where skipped. In addition, a reset function can be received to clear user selections and restore the system to default values.

Referring toFIG. 7, a flow chart62illustrates a single patient sensor set up with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. In the standby mode, at62athe user can check batter/power status, at62bthe user can check nurse cable connection status, at62cthe user can connect a first patient sensor to a first sensor port, such as first sensor port34a, and at62dan audio cue can play summarizing the sensor connection state, such as “first sensor connected.” At62e-62h, the user can configure the alarm settings to customize the alarm for the first patient sensor at the first sensor port. When additional patient sensors are connected, the user can similarly customize alarms for those sensors so as to distinguish alarms from among the sensors. The device12can be in the standby mode (with the LED18illuminated yellow) through each of the aforementioned steps. At62i, the processor of device12can detect an activation of the sensor, upon an application of pressure or closing of a belt sensor on the sensor by the patient, indicating a physical presence at the sensor. At62j, with the activation detected, the device12can transition to the monitor mode (with the LED18flashing yellow), and an audio cue can play summarizing the event and the current state, such as “sensor activation [beep], alarm muted, nurse call disconnected, 1 second delay.” If at62la deactivation is detected within a predetermined amount of time, such as less than 3 seconds, the device12can return to the standby mode (the LED18illuminated yellow) at62k, until another activation is detected at62i. This provides hysteresis control. However, if at62mthe activation is maintained for at least the predetermined amount of time, such 3 seconds or more, the device12can continue in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at62n. Then, if at62othe patient removes pressure from the sensor with a deactivation detected, the device12can transition to the alarm mode (with the LED18flashing red) at62p, with the selected alarm being active, until pressure is reapplied to the sensor at62qto silence the alarm and resume monitoring in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at62r.

Referring toFIG. 8, a flow chart64illustrates a wireless sensor set up with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. While in the standby mode (the LED18illuminated yellow) at64a-64e, a user can pair a wireless transmitter to wirelessly transmit the activation/deactivation events to a wireless receiver connected to a sensor port34of the device12. Then, similar to the flow chart62, the processor of device12can wirelessly detect an activation of the sensor, upon an application of pressure on the sensor by the patient, indicating a physical presence at the sensor, with active monitoring and hysteresis control.

Referring toFIG. 9, a flow chart66illustrates monitoring in with the electronic fall monitoring system10with a single sensor, by way of example, in accordance with an aspect of the invention. While in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at66a, a deactivation is detected at66b, the processor can determine with a delay has been set, via the delay switch42, at66c. If a delay has been set (Yes), at66d, the processor can determine whether a re-activation is detected (the patient promptly returns to the sensor) within the time period allowed by the delay. If the re-activation is detected, with the patient returning to the sensor within the time period allowed by the delay (Yes), the device12does not enter the alarm mode, but rather continues in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green). However, if at66ca delay was not set (No), or if at66dthe re-activation does not occur, with the patient failing to return to the sensor within the time period allowed by the delay (No), at66fthe device12can transition to the alarm mode (with the LED18flashing red). At66g, if a nurse cable is connected, the nurse call station will be notified for action at66h-66i(with the LED18flashing red). At66j, the processor can analyze several actions for proceeding. At66k, if a re-activation is detected, with the patient returning to the sensor, the device12can transition back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green). Alternatively, if at66jthe standby input54is pressed, the device12can transition to the standby mode (the LED18illuminated red) at66l, and with additional reference toFIG. 10A, when a re-activation is detected, with the patient returning to the sensor, the device12can transition back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at68a. If at66mthe device is powered off, such as by turning the power switch24off, the device12will be turned off completely with no monitoring or illumination of the LED18.

Referring toFIG. 10A, a flow chart68illustrates single sensor monitoring and hold with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. While in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at68a, a user can press the standby input54at68bfor a first duration, such as less than 3 seconds, to transition to the alert mode (the LED18illuminated red) at68cfor a predetermined amount of time, such as 30 seconds or less. In one aspect, while in the alert mode, the processor can analyze several actions for proceeding. At68d, if a deactivation is detected within the predetermined amount of time, such as less than the 30 seconds, the LED18can illuminate yellow, and the device12can move to the standby mode until returning to the monitor mode (seeFIG. 7). Also, at68e, if a deactivation is not detected within the predetermined amount of time, with the LED18remaining red, the user can press the standby input54again, to clear the delay as needed, returning to the monitor mode (seeFIG. 7). Regardless, at68f, if an activation (or re-activation) is detected when the predetermined amount of time expires, such as at the 30 seconds, the device12can return to the monitor mode (seeFIG. 7). Then, according to the flow chart62, the processor of device12can continue with active monitoring and hysteresis control.

Referring toFIG. 10B, a flow chart69illustrates single sensor monitoring and extended hold with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. While in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at69a, a user can press the standby input54at69bfor a second duration, such as more than 3 seconds, to transition to the alert mode (the LED18illuminated red) at69cfor an extended predetermined amount of time, such as 5 minutes or more. In one aspect, while in the alert mode, the processor can analyze several actions for proceeding. At69d, and referring again toFIG. 7, if a deactivation is detected within the extended predetermined amount of time, such as less than the 5 minutes, the LED18can illuminate yellow, and the device12can move to the standby mode until returning to the monitor mode (seeFIG. 7). Also, at69e, if a deactivation is not detected within the extended predetermined amount of time, with the LED18remaining red, the user can press the standby input54again, to clear the delay as needed, returning to the monitor mode at (seeFIG. 7). Regardless, at69f, if an activation (or re-activation) is detected when the extended predetermined amount of time expires, such as at the 5 minutes, the device12can return to the monitor mode at (seeFIG. 7). Then, according to the flow chart62, the processor of device12can continue with active monitoring and hysteresis control.

Referring toFIG. 11, a flow chart70illustrates a multi sensor set up with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At70a, in the standby mode, a user can connect a first patient sensor (such as to the first sensor port34a) with a first corresponding audio cue being played, and at70bthe user can connect a second patient sensor (such as to the second sensor port34b) with a second corresponding audio cue being played. At70c, the processor of device12can detect an activation of a sensor, either the first sensor or the second sensor, and correspondingly transition to62j(with the LED18flashing yellow) (seeFIG. 7), monitoring such first or second sensor. In other words, multiple sensors can be connected while in the standby mode, but not until one of the sensors is activated will the device12enter the monitor mode. In another path, at70ethe device12may already be in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green), actively monitoring the first patient sensor (which may be connected to the first sensor port34a). Then, at70f, a user can freely connect a second patient sensor (such as to the second sensor port34b) with a second corresponding audio cue being played, still in the monitor mode. To adjust the patient from one sensor to the other, at70ga user can press the standby input54(the LED18illuminated yellow), which can transition the device12to the alert mode (the LED18illuminated red) at70hfor the predetermined amount of time, such as 30 seconds. Still in the alert mode, at70i, the patient can apply pressure to either the first or second sensor, and at70jthe user can press the standby input54again, to clear the delay as needed. At70k, temporary transition to the alert mode can then expire, returning to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green). At70cand62j, monitoring resumes for the sensor on which pressure was applied at70i. In other words, using the standby input54, a patient can be transitioned from one sensor to the next.

Referring toFIG. 12, a flow chart72illustrates multi sensor monitoring with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At72a, a first patient sensor (which may be connected to the first sensor port34a) (also “sensor A” or “primary sensor”) can be monitored by the device12in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) while a second patient sensor (which may be connected to the first sensor port34b) (also “sensor B” or “secondary sensor”) is also connected. At72b, the second patient sensor can be disconnected. However, despite such disconnection, the device12continues monitoring the primary patient sensor at72cin the monitor mode without any impact. At72d, the processor can detect an activation of the second patient sensor. At72e, the device can transition to the standby mode (with the LED18flashing yellow) and an audio cue can play a warning with a countdown corresponding to a predetermined amount of time, such as “A second sensor will activate in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.” In one aspect, a signal can also be sent to the nurse call station at72e. At72f, upon detecting a deactivation at the second patient sensor within the predetermined amount of time, the device12can simply transition back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) and cease playing the warning at72g, while continuing to monitor the first patient sensor in the monitor mode at72h. In other words, multiple sensors can be connected while in the monitor mode, but only one sensor will be monitored, the one sensor being the sensor originally causing entry into the monitor mode. Alternatively, at72iupon detecting a deactivation at the first patient sensor within the predetermined amount of time, the device12can transition to the alert mode (with the LED18flashing red) at72juntil resolved. Alternatively, at72kupon expiration of the predetermined amount of time without any action, the device12can transition to the alert mode (with the LED18flashing red) at72k. This can continue until the standby input54is pressed to stop the alarm at72l, with the device12transitioning back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at68a. However, if at72keither the primary or secondary patient sensor is disconnected, the device12can transition to a fail-safe alarm at72n. This can continue until the disconnected sensor(s) is/are reconnected. The alarm mode can continue until the standby input54is pressed to stop the alarm at72p, with the device12transitioning back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at68a

Referring toFIG. 13, a flow chart74illustrates sensor error modes with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At74a, while actively monitoring a first patient sensor (which may be connected to the first sensor port34a) (also “sensor A” or “primary sensor”) in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green), a disconnection of the first patient sensor at74bcan cause a transition to the alarm mode (the LED18flashing red) at74c. In such an instance, at74d, the processor can analyze several actions for proceeding. At74e, a re-connection of the first sensor can transition back to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at74f. Alternatively, if at74gthe standby input54is pressed, the device12can play an audio cue while in the alarm mode, such as “re-connect sensor to continue.” Alternatively, if at74hthe device is powered off, such as by turning the power switch24off, the device12will be turned off completely with no monitoring or illumination of the LED18.

Referring toFIG. 14, a flow chart76illustrates nurse call error modes with the electronic fall monitoring system10in accordance with an aspect of the invention. At76a, while actively monitoring a patient sensor in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green), the processor of the device12can detect a disconnection of the nurse call port32from the device itself at76b. This can cause a transition to the alarm mode (the LED18flashing red) at76c. If the alarm is in mute, the device12can play a tone alarm at76d. The alarm mode will continue until the nurse call port32is re-connected at76e, at which point the device12will return to the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at76f. However, while actively monitoring the patient sensor in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at76a, if the processor of the device12instead detects a disconnection of the nurse call port32from the wall at76g(with a cable still attached to the device itself at the nurse call port32), the processor can determine whether the alarm is muted. If the alarm is not muted (“mute off”), the device12can continue to monitor the patient sensor in the monitor mode (with the LED18illuminated green) at76h. However, if the alarm is muted (“mute on”), the device12can transition to the alarm mode (the LED18flashing red) at76i. In addition, or alternatively, at76i, if the alarm is muted (“mute on”), the device12can play an audio cue warning indicating “nurse call detached,” and/or can cease muting (“mute off”).

Many different audio cues can advantageously be played to correspond with various states and modes of the system as described above, including with respect to steps ofFIGS. 6-14. Audio cues can include, for example: “ALARM RESET,” “POWER ON,” “BEGIN RECORD,” “END RECORD,” “VOLUME LOW,” “VOLUME MEDIUM,” “VOLUME HIGH,” “TONE MODE,” “VOICE MODE,” “VOICE AND TONE MODE,” “MUTE MODE,” “SENSOR ONE ATTACHED,” “SENSOR TWO ATTACHED,” “SENSOR ONE ACTIVATED,” “SENSOR TWO ACTIVATED,” “SENSOR DETACHED,” “TWO SENSORS IN USE,” “PLEASE DON'T GET UP, SIT BACK DOWN AND USE THE CALL,” “BUTTON TO CALL FOR HELP,” “ZERO DELAY,” “ONE SECOND DELAY,” “TWO SECOND DELAY,” “NURSE CALL ATTACHED,” “NURSE CALL DETACHED,” “LOW BATTERY,” “FAILED SELF TEST,” “AC ADAPTER CONNECTED,” “AC ADAPTER DISCONNECTED,” “PATIENT MONITORING RESUMED,” “YOU HAVE ACTIVATED A SECOND SENSOR, PLEASE REMOVE PRESSURE WITHIN 10 SECONDS,” and/or “ALARM SUSPEND.” A default alarm message could comprise the following audio cue: “PLEASE DON'T GET UP. SIT BACK DOWN AND USE THE CALL BUTTON TO CALL FOR HELP.” Such audio cues can be correspondingly played in the steps above as appropriate to give user guidance.

Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “above,” and “below” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “rear,” “bottom,” “side,” “left” and “right” describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first,” “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.