Systems and methods for monitoring use of rail on a footpath

A safety rail monitoring system, and associated methods of operation, for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath to help prevent injuries while the user traverses the footpath. The safety system includes a sensor system for detecting the presence of a user on the footpath and the presence of a contact by the user on the safety rail. A sensor observation system in communication with the sensor system receives signals indicating whether the user is present on the footpath and whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. If the user is not holding on to the safety rail, the sensor observation system generates an alert signal to the user to remind the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the safety system may include a barrier that prevents the user from continuing along the footpath without contacting the safety rail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

All subject matter of the Priority Applications and of any and all applications related to the Priority Applications by priority claims (directly or indirectly), including any priority claims made and subject matter incorporated by reference therein as of the filing date of the instant application, is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to safety systems for a footpath or pathway, and in particular, to such safety systems for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders the footpath to prevent injuries or falls while moving along the footpath.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes various embodiments for safety systems and methods of use for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath (such as a staircase, a ramp, a walkway, a hallway, or other pathway) to help a human user move along the footpath while avoiding potential injury. For example, in one embodiment, the safety system includes a sensor system operatively coupled with the safety rail and the footpath, where the sensor system is configured to detect a presence of the human user within an activation field of the sensor system. The sensor system converts the detected presence into a footpath presence signal. In addition, the sensor system (or a second sensor system) is further configured to detect the presence and/or absence of contact by the user on the safety rail and generate a safety rail contact signal in response to detection or lack of detection. The sensor system may include one or more sensors suitable for detecting the presence of the human user on the footpath and for detecting contact between the user and the safety rail, such as optical sensors, infrared sensors, acoustics sensors, pressure sensors or any other suitable sensor.

In some embodiments, the sensor system may include one or more sensors arranged and supported by the safety rail, where the sensors are configured to detect a touch and/or to detect a grip pressure between the human user and the safety rail. The rail sensors may help determine not only that the user is contacting the safety rail, but also that the user is gripping the safety rail with sufficient strength to properly support the user while walking on the footpath. In such embodiments, contact information detected by the sensors on the safety rail is communicated via the safety rail contact signal.

The footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal are communicated to a sensor observation system that is in operative communication with the sensor system. The sensor observation system receives both signals and generates a warning signal or alert signal when the signals indicate that the human is concurrently present on the footpath without contacting the safety rail, or without gripping the safety rail with sufficient grip force above a predetermined force threshold. For example, when the human user begins walking up or down a staircase without immediately (or shortly after entering the staircase) holding on to the safety rail, the warning signal is generated to warn or command the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the warning signal or alert signal may be a visual signal that the user may perceive or an audible signal or tone that the user may hear. For example, the alert signal may be an synthesized speech (such as a command), a buzzer sound, or a visible light, among other signals.

In some embodiments, the safety system may further include a physical barrier that is movable to block the footpath when the footpath presence and safety rail contact signals indicate that the user is present on the footpath without making contact with the safety rail. The barriers helps ensure that the user cannot walk along footpath (e.g., walk down the stairs) unless the user is contacting or holding on to the rail. When the user contacts the rail, the barrier may retract away to allow the user to continue walking along the footpath. In some embodiments, the barrier may be self-propelled and move along the footpath at a predetermined constant speed or at a speed calculated to match the moving speed of the user along the footpath. In such embodiments, the barrier may serve both as a block to remind the user to hold on to the safety rail before entering the footpath, and as an aid that may be used to physically support the user (e.g., the user may hold on to the barrier) as the user walks along the footpath.

Additional details of these and other embodiments are described further below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, this section describes particular embodiments of various safety systems and their detailed construction and operation. Throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in at least one embodiment of the safety system. Thus appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the described features, structures, and characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In view of the disclosure herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, or the like. In some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

In the following description, the terms “footpath” and “staircase” may be used interchangeably to refer to an example pathway for which the safety system may be used. In addition, the accompany drawings illustrate the footpath as being a staircase in some example embodiments. It should be understood that a staircase is only one example of a footpath that may be monitored with the safety system described below and is not intended to be limiting. The staircase is merely used for illustration purposes in the written description and the accompanying figures.

FIGS. 1-8collectively illustrate various embodiments of a safety rail monitoring system100for monitoring use of a safety rail105that borders a footpath110to help a user115travel along the footpath110and avoid tripping or falling while walking on or along the footpath110. As is discussed in further detail below, the safety rail monitoring system100includes a sensor system120that monitors the presence of the user115along the footpath110and determines whether the user115is holding on to or contacting a safety rail105arranged along the footpath110. If the sensor system120determines that the user115is present on the footpath110but is not holding or contacting the safety rail105, then a sensor observation system160generates an alert signal or warning to remind the user115to hold the safety rail105for the safety of the user115. Upon being alerted, the user115may hold the safety rail105and continue walking along the footpath110to avoid possible injury. As mentioned previously, it should be understood that while the footpath110is illustrated as a staircase in the figures, a staircase is only one example of a footpath110and not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments, the footpath110may be a ramp, a hallway, a walkway, balcony, escalator, overpass, walkway (such as near a fall or a waterway), or any other suitable pathway. The following section describes additional details of these and other embodiments of the safety rail monitoring system100.

With particular reference toFIG. 1, the safety rail monitoring system100includes a sensor system120operatively coupled with a safety rail105and a footpath110. The sensor system120is configured to detect the presence of the user115on the footpath110, and to detect a contact presence or absence between the user115and the safety rail105(e.g., to detect whether or not the user115is holding on to the safety rail105). In some embodiments, the sensor system120may include a first sensor subsystem125operatively coupled to or arranged along the footpath110, and a second sensor subsystem130operatively coupled to the safety rail105. Both the first and second sensor subsystems125,130may be in communication with one another and share various components, or they may be separate, independent systems.

With reference toFIG. 1, the first sensor subsystem125may be coupled to or arranged along the footpath110and may comprise one or more individual footpath presence sensors135. Preferably, at least one footpath presence sensor135is positioned near or adjacent an entry of the footpath110and at least one other footpath presence sensor135at an exit of the footpath110to detect the user's115approach from either side of the footpath110. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the footpath sensor135amay be positioned proximal to or at an entry apron140(e.g., at an initial step or beginning portion of the staircase), and another footpath presence sensor135bmay be positioned proximal to or at an exit apron145(e.g., a final step or exit portion) of the footpath110. In such embodiments, the first sensor subsystem125detects the user115as the user enters the footpath110near the entry apron140(e.g., the user begins walking down the staircase), and detects the user115at the exit apron145when leaving the footpath110(e.g., the user walks away from the staircase after reaching the lower level).

As mentioned previously, the first sensor subsystem125also includes a plurality of footpath presence sensors135positioned along the footpath110. The footpath presence sensors135may be arranged in a variety of configurations along the footpath110. For example, in one embodiment, the footpath110may be a staircase and each stair may include an individual footpath presence sensors135coupled to each stair (such as on the risers) or attached adjacent the stair. In some embodiments, a single footpath presence sensor135may monitor multiple stairs to reduce the number of total sensors135needed to monitor the footpath110. In other embodiments, the sensors135may be positioned underneath the footpath110so that they are activated when the user115walks on the sensors135(e.g., weight sensors). In still other embodiments, the sensors135may be arranged in a different configuration, such as distributed at specific distance intervals along a footpath110or arranged underneath sections of the footpath110(such as weight or pressure sensors). Collectively, these sensors135are configured to detect the presence of the user115along a travel route extending from the entry apron140to an exit apron145of the footpath110. In other words, the sensors135detect the user115while the user is traveling on the footpath110, such as when the user is walking up or down the stairs.

Any one of a variety of sensors capable of detecting the presence of the user115may be suitable for use. For example, in some embodiments, the footpath presence sensors135may include any of the following: optical sensors, acoustic sensors, infrared sensors, photocell sensors, ultrasonic sonar sensors, radar sensors, micro-impulse radar sensors, proximity sensors, pressure sensors/plates, weight sensors, microwave sensors, motion sensors, Doppler sensors, or any other active or passive sensors. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the sensors135of the sensor system120may not all be of the same kind or type of sensors. For example, the footpath presence sensors135near the entry apron140and the exit apron145may be optical sensors, and the footpath presence sensors135on or along the footpath110may each be pressure sensors.

In some embodiments, the footpath presence sensors135may include one or more light curtains235for monitoring the footpath110and detecting the presence of the human user115within the footpath110(seeFIG. 2). With reference toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, a light curtain235may be positioned on or near and traversing the entry apron140of the footpath110, and additional light curtains235may be on or adjacent individual steps of the footpath110and traversing those steps. Although light curtains235are illustrated only on portion of the footpath110, it should be understood that the light curtains235may be arranged on each step of the footpath110, including the exit apron145, so that each step has a corresponding light curtain. In other embodiments, the light curtains235may be arranged in different configurations.

With particular reference toFIG. 2, the light curtains235comprise one or more transmitters240and receivers (such as photoelectric cells), each of the transmitters240projecting one or more light beams245toward the receivers (not shown) so that the light beams245travel across a width of the footpath110. Preferably, the light beams245are infrared light beams so that they are not visible to the user115for aesthetic purposes, but may be other types of light beams. In some embodiments, the light curtains235may further include one or more reflectors (not shown) configured to reflect light from one of the transmitters240to one or more of the receivers; for example, the receivers and transmitters can both be located on the same side of the footpath, with reflectors placed on the opposite side. When the light curtains235are triggered (e.g., a user115traverses one or more light beams245), the sensor system120generates the footpath presence signal in response to the human user115triggering the light curtains235. Additional details of these and other embodiments are discussed below.

In some embodiments, the light curtains235may be capable of distinguishing between a human user115and any other mobile object (such as a pet, ball, toy, etc.) that may be present or moving on the footpath110by arranging the light beams245at different heights above the footpath110and monitoring the light beams245that are traversed or interrupted. For example, in one embodiment, the light beams245of the light curtain235may be arranged so that the topmost light beam245is at a height of at least two to three feet and up to eight feet or more above the surface level of the footpath110(e.g., as measured from a top surface of the corresponding step). In such embodiments, it is highly likely that when the topmost light beam245is interrupted, it signals that a human user115is moving in the pathway since a cat, a dog, or other pet likely are not tall enough to interrupt the topmost light beam245if it is set at two or three feet. In other embodiments, the topmost light beam245may be set at a height of at least three to four feet or higher to minimize the risk that a dog (or a dog's tail) may interrupt the topmost light beam245. In addition, by tracking and monitoring the interruption of light beams of successive light curtains235positioned throughout the footpath110, the safety rail monitoring system100may determine a position, a direction of motion, and a speed of motion of the human user115on the footpath110.

With reference toFIG. 2, the following section briefly describes an example operation process using the light curtains235. In one example, the sensor system120monitors the various light beams245of the light curtains235. When the topmost light beam245of the light curtain235on the entry apron140is triggered, this indicates that a human user115has entered the footpath110(e.g., a user115is going down the stairs). At this point, the sensor system120(or the light curtains235) generates the footpath presence signal indicating that the user115has entered the footpath110. However, if a pet or other object enters the footpath110, the pet or object may interrupt one or more beams245of the light curtains235, but will likely not interrupt the top most light beam245. Accordingly, since the topmost light beam245is not interrupted, the sensor system120will not generate any signal.

In other embodiments, the footpath presence sensors135may include or comprise an automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) system to automatically detect the user115as the user enters the footpath110. With reference toFIG. 3, the AIDC system may include a tag300, such as an radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a tag readable by a machine-vision system, and a tag reader305, such as an RFID reader configured to detect the RFID tag300or a machine-vision system for reading the tag300. The tag300may be carried by the user115(such as in a pants pocket, shirt pocket, embedded in clothing worn by the user, or embedded in an electronic device, such as a phone), wherein the tag reader305is configured to capture data from the tag300to detect the presence of the user115within the footpath110. Preferably, the tag300includes identification and other information for its wearer/carrier. For example, the tag300carried by the user115may include some or all of the following information: (a) the name of the user115; (b) physical issues or injuries that may impair the user's115ability to walk, such as the user's115impaired vision, blindness, leg injury, age, etc.; (c) preferences regarding preferred alert signal, such as auditory, visual, spoken commands, etc.; and (d) preferences regarding preferred system settings, such as whether the system should be operative for user115, what grip strength is required, what fraction of time or travel distance safety rail contact must be maintained, whether or how an existing physical barrier should be operated for user115, etc.

With reference toFIG. 3, one tag reader305may be positioned proximal to the entry apron140of the footpath110, and another tag reader (not shown) may be positioned proximal to the exit apron145of the footpath110to detect the presence of the tag300as the user115enters/exits the footpath110from either end. In some embodiments, the sensor system120may include a plurality of tag readers305arranged at various positions along the travel route of the footpath110to detect the presence of the tag300and position of the user115as the user moves along the footpath110between the entry and exit aprons135,140.

The tag300and tag reader305may be any one of a variety of suitable devices. For example, in one embodiment, the tag300may be a beacon emitting radiation and the tag reader305may be a detector for the radiation. The radiation may comprise at least one of ultrasonic radiation, radio frequency radiation, infrared radiation, visible radiation, or ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments, the tag300may be an RFID tag, such as an active RFID tag, and the tag reader305may be an RFID reader. The RFID tag may be an active or passive RFID tag, and the RFID reader may be an active or passive RFID reader. Preferably, the RFID reader has a reception range overlapping the footpath110.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag300may be an active RFID tag300and the tag reader305may be a passive RFID reader305configured to receive a signal from the active RFID tag300. In other embodiments, the RFID tag300may instead be a passive RFID tag300and the RFID reader305may instead be an active RFID reader305configured to transmit interrogatory signals and receive data from the passive RFID tag. In yet other embodiments, RFID tag300is an active RFID tag300and the tag reader305is an active reader305configured to transmit interrogatory signals, wherein the RFID tag300is activated in response to receiving the interrogatory signal.

In some embodiments, the RFID reader305may have a fixed interrogatory zone overlapping the footpath110, where the RFID reader305is configured to transmit interrogatory signals within the interrogatory zone and receive data from the RFID tag300when the RFID tag300is positioned within the interrogatory zone. In such embodiments, the RFID tag300may be carried by the human user115, and the sensor system120may generate the footpath presence signal in response to the RFID reader305receiving a signal from the RFID tag300indicating that the human user115is positioned within the interrogatory zone.

In other embodiments, the sensor system120may be in communication with smart apparel (e.g., apparel in communication with the sensors of the first sensor system) worn by the user115to detect the presence of the user115within the footpath110, and to also detect movement and position information of the user115. In still other embodiments, the sensor system120may be in communication with an electronic device (not shown), such as a mobile phone, personal data assistant (PDA), an electromagnetic transmitter, an ultrasonic transmitter, or other suitable device, carried by the user115. The electronic device may include a position determination system, such as a GPS or environmental tracking system, configured to generate position information and communicate the information to the first sensor system120. With this information, the first sensor system120may be able to detect the user115and track movement of the user115through the footpath110. As is further described in detail with respect to the sensor observation system160, motion and positional information may be communicated to the sensor observation system160to assess whether to provide an alert signal to the user115.

In still other embodiments, the sensor system120(or the footpath presence sensor) may be or include a camera system400having a field of view405overlapping the footpath110as illustrated inFIG. 4. With reference toFIG. 4, the camera system400is capable of detecting the presence of the user115on the entry apron140of the footpath110, the exit apron145of the footpath110, and at any other portion of the footpath110as the user115is traveling within the footpath110. Upon detecting the user115, the camera system400may generate the footpath presence signal indicating that the user115is located on the footpath110.

In some embodiments, upon detecting the presence of the user115, the camera system400may capture one or more images of the user115to identify the user115. The identity of the user115may determine whether the sensor observation system160(described in further detail below) will generate the alert signal notifying the user115to hold the safety rail105as the user115travels along the footpath110. Such embodiments may be useful in multiple-person households, where only one or two people may be sufficiently young, infirm, or elderly to require assistance by the safety rail monitoring system100.

In such embodiments, after the camera system400obtains the images, the images may be processed via an image processor (not shown) that may be integrated with the camera system400or may be part of a remote system (such as a computer) that is in communication with the camera system400. The image processor processes the images and identifies the user115based on the captured images. The camera system400may include a database having stored images of all known household members. In such embodiments, the image processor may compare the captured images with the stored images in the database to identify the user115. Upon identifying the user115, the camera system400communicates the information (such as via the footpath presence signal) to the sensor observation system160. Based on the information, such as whether the user115has been identified as requiring the use or assistance of the safety rail monitoring system100, the sensor observation system160may or may not generate the alert signal to the user115.

Although the camera system400is illustrated inFIG. 4adjacent the entry apron140with a field of view405facing generally down the footpath110, the camera system400may include a second camera (not shown) near the exit apron145of the footpath110having a field of view facing generally up the footpath110to ensure that the camera system400adequately monitors the entire footpath110.

In other embodiments, the camera system400may instead be a radar system (not shown). Similar to the camera system400, the radar system may have a field of view overlapping the footpath110and comprise at least one of the following: micro-impulse radar, a physically scanned radar, a continuous wave radar, a pulsed radar, a moving target indicator radar, a pulse Doppler radar, a frequency modulated radar, or a phased array radar. The radar system detects movement of the human user115within the footpath110and obtains images of the user115. In a similar manner as described previously, the images may be compared to a stored database of images to identify the user115.

In other embodiments, the sensor system120may further detect whether the user115is moving along the footpath110, and may detect the speed and direction of movement of the user115. For example, with reference toFIG. 1, the footpath110may include a plurality of presence sensors135as described previously. As the user115moves along the footpath110, the user115triggers subsequent sensors135along the footpath110, and based on the time that it takes the user115to trigger subsequent sensors135, the movement speed of the user115may be determined by the sensor system120. In such embodiments, the footpath presence signal generated by the sensors135includes an indication of whether the user115is in motion on the footpath110and the speed at which the user115is moving. In other embodiments, such as where the footpath presence sensors135include one or more light curtains235, the speed and/or the direction of motion of the user115along the footpath110may also be detected by monitoring the interruption of the light beams245. In still other embodiments, motion of the user115may be determined by monitoring a real-time position of the tag300(such as via a global positioning system) or by the camera system400. In some embodiments, the sensor system120may detect the direction of travel of the user115on the footpath110. In such embodiments, safety rail monitoring system100may employ different settings or alert criteria based on the direction of travel (e.g., whether user115is traveling up or down a staircase).

As described previously, the sensor system120may include a second sensor subsystem130operatively coupled to the safety rail105and configured to detect at least one of a contact presence or contact absence between the human and the safety rail105and generate a safety rail contact signal. With reference toFIG. 1, the second sensor subsystem130may be coupled to or arranged along the safety rail105and may comprise one or more individual safety rail sensors150. Preferably, at least one safety rail sensor150is positioned on the safety rail105near or adjacent the entry apron140of the footpath110and at least one other safety rail sensor150near or adjacent the exit apron145of the footpath110to detect the user's115approach from either side of the footpath110. In such embodiments, the second sensor subsystem130may detect the user115as the user enters the footpath110near the entry apron140(e.g., the user begins walking down the staircase), and detects the user115at the exit apron145when leaving the footpath110(e.g., the user walks away from the staircase after reaching the lower level).

As mentioned previously, the second sensor subsystem130also includes a plurality of safety rail sensors150positioned along the safety rail105at various points along the footpath110. The safety rail sensors150may be arranged in a variety of configurations along the safety rail105. For example, in one embodiment, the footpath110may be a staircase and the safety rail105may include an individual safety rail sensor150coupled to the safety rail105next to each step in the staircase110. In other embodiments, a single safety rail sensor150may be used for multiple stairs to reduce the number of total sensors150needed to monitor the safety rail105. In still other embodiments, the sensors150may be arranged in a different configuration, such as distributed at specific distance intervals along the safety rail105. Collectively, these sensors150are configured to detect the presence or absence of contact from the user115on the safety rail105, and to generate the safety rail contact signal based on whether contact is detected.

In some embodiments, the sensors150may be configured to detect the user115when the user115is in proximity to (e.g., hand hovering near the safety rail105), but not touching the safety rail105. In other words, the sensors150detect whether the user115is touching and/or holding on (or in close proximity) to the safety rail105as the user115walks along the footpath110. In other embodiments, the sensors150may be further be configured to detect a grip pressure exerted by the user115on the safety rail105to determine whether the user115is properly holding on to the safety rail105. In such embodiments, the sensors150may be able to distinguish between a mere touch or contact by the user115and a grip by the user115on the safety rail105.

Any one of a variety of sensors capable of detecting the presence or absence of the user's115contact with or proximity to the safety rail105may be suitable for use. For example, in some embodiments, the safety rail sensors150may include any of the following: optical sensors, acoustic sensors, infrared sensors, photocell sensors, ultrasonic sonar sensors, radar sensors, micro-impulse radar sensors, proximity sensors, pressure sensors/plates, weight sensors, microwave sensors, motion sensors, Doppler sensors, electrical resistivity sensors, capacitance sensors, or any other active or passive sensors. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the sensors150may not all be of the same kind or type of sensors.

In some embodiments, the footpath110may include more than one safety rail105. For example, with reference toFIG. 1, the footpath110may include a second safety rail155bordering an opposite side of the footpath110relative to the safety rail105. The second safety rail155may include a plurality of sensors180arranged in the same or similar manner as described previously with respect to the sensors150of the safety rail105. In such embodiments, the safety rail sensors180may be configured to determine whether the user115is contacting the second safety rail155. In such embodiments, the sensors180of the second safety rail155may be configured to convert a contact presence (or absence) by the user115and generate a second safety rail contact signal and indicate whether the user115is contacting the second safety rail155. If the sensor system120determines that the user is not contacting either of the safety rails105,155, the sensor observation system160may generate an alert signal.

In other embodiments, the sensor system120may be further configured to determine whether the user115is simultaneously contacting both safety rails105,155. In such embodiments, the safety rail105may be configured to generate the safety rail contact signal and the second safety rail155may be configured to generate a second safety rail contact signal. Based on both of the safety rail contact signals, the sensor observation system160may determine whether the user115is contacting both safety rails105,155simultaneously and generate an alert signal if the user115is not contacting the safety rails105,155. Further details regarding the sensor observation system160and the alert signal are described below.

In other embodiments, one or both safety rails105,155may include or support both the footpath presence sensors135and the safety rail sensors150,180to provide a fully integrated system for simple installation or retrofit. For example, as a person ages, the person may wish to install the safety rail monitoring system100in their home. By having both sets of sensors150,180coupled to or supported by the safety rails105,150, the person may need only install one or both of the safety rails105,150to border a selected footpath110, such as a staircase. In other embodiments, the safety rail105may be a contact strip that is simply attached to or otherwise coupled with an existing handrail.

Although the first and second sensor subsystems125,130of the sensor system120have been described as individual, standalone systems, these systems120may share various components and operate in a cooperative. For example, in one embodiment, both the first and second subsystems125,130may initially be in a sleep mode. When the first sensor subsystem125detects the presence of the user115within its activation field, the first sensor subsystem125sends an activation or wake-up signal to activate the second sensor subsystem130. Once activated, the second sensor subsystem130, via the safety rail sensors150, determines whether the user115is holding on or contacting the safety rail105.

As mentioned previously, the sensor system120detects whether the user115is present on the footpath110(via the footpath presence sensors135) and whether the user115is contacting or touching the safety rail105(via the safety rail sensors150). Upon detecting whether the user115is present on the footpath110, and detecting whether the user115is holding the safety rail105, the sensor system120generates a footpath presence signal with information about the user's presence on the footpath110, and a safety rail contact signal with information about whether the user115is contacting the safety rail105. These signals are received by the sensor observation system160, which is configured to generate an alert signal based on the footpath presence and safety rail contact signals indicating that the user115is concurrently present on the footpath110without contacting the safety rail105. Further details of the sensor observation system160are discussed below with particular reference toFIGS. 1 and 5.

As described previously, the sensor observation system160receives the signals from the sensor system120and if the user115is not holding the safety rail105, the sensor observation system160warns or alert signals the user115that the user115should grip or otherwise hold on to the safety rail105while walking along the footpath110. In some embodiments, the sensor observation system160will not generate an alert signal unless the footpath presence signals and/or the safety rail signals received from the sensor system120indicate that the user115is in motion on the footpath110without contacting the safety rail105. If the user115is not in motion (e.g., the user115walked up to the entry apron140but did not continue walking along the footpath110), the sensor observation system160may not generate alert signal.

With reference toFIG. 5, the warning signal or alert signal generated by the sensor observation system160may be any suitable signal that warns the user115to hold the safety rail105. For example, the alert signal may be (a) an audible signal or tone, such as a buzzer, beep, or an alarm; (b) synthesized speech or a spoken message (e.g., a command to stop, a command to hold the safety rail, or any other command), or (c) any other signal heard by the user delivered through a speaker system165. The warning signal may additionally, or alternatively include, a visual signal perceived by the user115, such as a person walking (when it is safe to travel on the footpath110) or a hand (when an object is present on the footpath110), or any other signals, including signals commonly seen on pedestrian crosswalks. The visual signal may be presented to the user115on a display screen170and may include a textual message175and/or a graphic image warning the user115to stop and hold on to the stair rail105before continuing to walk along the footpath110.

In some embodiments, the speaker system165and/or the display screen170may mounted near the entry apron140of the pathway110(e.g., on a top or beginning step of the staircase) for easy reference or viewing by the user115. Since injury may be more likely and/or more severe if one were to fall going down the stairs rather than fall while walking up the stairs, it is preferable that the sensor observation system160(and in particular the display screen170and/or speaker165) is positioned near the entry apron140of the staircase110. In other embodiments, the sensor observation system160may be positioned both at the entry apron140and the exit apron145(e.g., the bottom step) of the footpath110. In still other embodiments, the speaker165and the display screen170may be positioned at other points along the footpath110so that the sensor observation system160may still effectively warn the user115to hold the safety rail105at any point along the footpath110.

In other embodiments, the visual signal may simply be a visible light source that alert signals the user115to hold on to the safety rail105. With reference toFIG. 6, a light-emitting diode (LED)605or other light source may be mounted adjacent both the entry apron140and the exit apron145of the footpath110(and at various other positions along the footpath110). When the user115is contacting the safety rail105with an appropriate grip force that the sensor system120determines to be sufficient for supporting the user115, the LED605may be green, indicating that the user115may continue along the footpath110. If, on the other hand, the user115is not contacting the safety rail105, or is not exerting sufficient grip force on the safety rail105, the LED605may be red to warn the user115to touch and hold the safety rail105before continuing on the footpath110.

In some embodiments, the safety rail monitoring system100may include an output device (not shown), such as a small radio, a mobile phone, or other electronic device, that is carried or worn by the user115and is in wireless communication with the sensor observation system160. In such embodiments, the audible signal may be communicated from the sensor observation system160through the output device so that the user115can hear the signal. In some instances, the warning signal may include a vibratory signal where the output device (e.g., a mobile phone) vibrates so that the user115can feel it and remember to hold on to the safety rail105.

In other embodiments, the output device may include a phone, computer, or other device worn or carried by a caregiver tasked with caring for the user115. The alert signal may be transmitted to the output device to alert the caregiver that the user115is on the footpath110and not contacting the safety rail(s)105,155. The caregiver may thereafter approach the footpath110to ensure that the user115is safe and holding the safety rail(s)105,155.

In some embodiments, the safety rail monitoring system100may be in communication with an external device (not shown), such as a computer or other database. The safety rail monitoring system100may be further configured to transmit a progress signal to the external device to track statistics for the user's115regarding a number of times the user115travels along the footpath110and the propensity of the user115to contact and hold the safety rail(s)105,155. The progress signal may be one or a combination of: the footpath presence signal, the safety rail contact signal, the alert signal, or a different signal. With this information, the user115, the user's115family, or a caregiver may track the user's115progress and determine a corrective course of action for the user's115safety if needed. For example, if the user115is not consistently holding on to safety rail(s)105,155as the user115traverses the footpath110, then the caregiver or family members may discuss this with the user115and take additional steps to ensure the user's115safety (such as by implementing a barrier700discussed in further detail below with reference toFIG. 7).

In some embodiments, the alert signal generated by the sensor observation system160may be based on a time duration for which the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal(s) indicate that the human is concurrently present on the footpath110without making contact with one or both of the safety rails105,155. For example, if the sensor system120detects the user115within the footpath110for a predetermined amount of time (for example, five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen seconds, or any other suitable time period) without the user115making contact with one or both of the safety rails105,155, then the sensor system120may generate the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal and transmit the signals to the sensor observation system160to generate the alert signal. If the user115is present within the footpath110and contacts the safety rail(s)105,155within the predetermined amount of time, then no alert signal is generated. For example, the sensor observation system may permit user115to have short periods of no-or-poor safety rail contact as long as adequate contact is resumed within a specified time period.

In other embodiments, the alert signal generated by the sensor observation system160may be based on a travel distance and/or a travel direction of the user115(such as measured from the entry apron140or the exit apron145of the footpath110) for which the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal indicate that the user115is concurrently present on the footpath110without making contact with the safety rail(s)105,155. As mentioned previously, the sensor system120is configured to determine a location of the user115on the footpath110. In such embodiments, the sensor system120may further generate a user presence location signal to indicate a location of the user115on the footpath110, and transmit the user presence location signal to the sensor observation system160. In some embodiments, the safety rail sensors150may be further configured to detect a location of the contact between user and the safety rail(s)105,155and generate a safety rail contact location signal indicating a position along the safety rail(s)105,155at which the user115is making contact.

Based on one or both of the user presence location signal and the safety rail contact location signal, the sensor system120(or the observation system160or other system of the safety rail monitoring system100) may determine whether the user115has crossed a threshold distance relative to the entry and exit aprons140,145after which the sensor observation system160generates the alert signal if the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal(s) indicate that the user115is not contacting the safety rails105,155. In some embodiments, the sensor observation system160may generate the alert signal based on one or both of the travel distance and the travel direction of the user115on the footpath110(e.g., whether the user115is walking up or down the staircase110).

In other embodiments, the alert signal may be provided at a location on the footpath110based on the user presence location signal to optimize the likelihood that the user115will hear or see the alert signal as the user moves along the footpath110. For example, as described previously, a plurality of electronic or other devices (e.g., speakers, displays, illumination sources, etc.) may be distributed along the footpath110. In such embodiments, the alert signal may be delivered to the closest device relative to the user115based on a location of the user as determined by the user presence location signal.

In other embodiments, the sensor system120may be configured to distinguish between multiple users115on the footpath110and determine whether some or all of the users115are contacting the safety rail105. For example, the sensor system120may be configured to determine a location for each of the multiple users115on the footpath110and a location of one or more distinct contact points on the safety rail105corresponding to each user115. The sensor system120may be configured to generate the user presence location signal indicating a location of each user115on the footpath110, and a safety rail contact location signal indicating a location of one or more distinct contact points on the safety rail105by the users115. The sensor observation system160(or other system of the safety rail monitoring system100) receives the user presence location signal and the safety rail contact location signal and determines the number and location of users115present on the footpath110and the number and location of distinct contact points on the safety rail105. The sensor observation system160thereafter determines whether the location of each of the users115matches a corresponding location for a detected contact point on the safety rail105. If all the users115are contacting the safety rail105, the number of detected users115will be equal to the number of detected distinct contact points on the safety rail105, with the location of each contact point on the safety rail105matching a corresponding location of an individual user115on the footpath110. If the number of detected users115on the footpath110exceeds the number of detected contact points on the safety rail105, then the sensor observation system160generates an alert signal indicating that one or more users115is not contacting the safety rail105. Additional details regarding the sensor observation system160and the alert signals are described below in further detail.

In another embodiment, in addition to warning the user115to hold on to the safety rail105, the safety rail monitoring system100or the sensor observation system160may further be configured to prevent the user115from traveling on the footpath110without making contact with the safety rail105. For example, with reference toFIG. 7, the safety rail monitoring system100may further include a barrier700positioned proximal to the entry apron140to impede the progress of the user115on the footpath110. The barrier700may be a boom barrier or other physical structure that blocks the footpath110upon the sensor observation system160receiving the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signals that indicate that the user115is present on the footpath110without making contact with the safety rail105. Once the user115contacts the safety rail105, the barrier700may move out of position to allow the user115to move along the footpath110.

In some embodiments, the barrier700may be self-propelled and move along a track705extending next to the footpath110and the safety rail105. As mentioned previously, the sensor system120is configured to determine a movement speed of the user115along the pathway110. In such embodiments, the sensor system120may communicate the speed and movement information of the user115to the barrier700. With this information, the barrier700may then determine an appropriate movement speed (which may be approximately equal to the movement pace/speed of the user115or may be approximately 5-10% or more faster), at which to move along or next to the safety rail105. As long as the user115maintains contact with the safety rail105, the barrier700continues moving on the track705until reaching the exit apron140, at which point, the barrier700may pivot out of position to avoid blocking the footpath110. If the user115releases the safety rail105or fails to exert an adequate grip force thereon, the barrier700may stop and the sensor observation system160may alert or warn the user115to hold the safety rail105. The barrier700may remain stopped until the user115contacts the safety rail105.

In some embodiments, once the barrier700has reached the exit apron145, the barrier700may remain at that position until the user115once again walks on the footpath110, at which point the barrier700will move from the exit apron145toward the entry apron140ahead of the user115. In other embodiments, the barrier700may automatically return to the entry apron140after reaching the exit apron145and allowing the user115to exit the footpath110. For example, the barrier700may move only after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed to allow the user115to clear the footpath110. In still other embodiments, the barrier system750may include a call button710positioned next to one or both the entry apron140and the exit apron145so that the barrier700may be called from its position toward the user115. For example, in embodiments where multiple users may be using the safety rail monitoring system100, if a first user walks down the footpath (e.g., the staircase ofFIG. 7), the barrier700remains at the exit apron145. If a second user approaches the entry apron140, the second user may press the call button710to return the barrier700back up the stairs to support the second user. In still other embodiments, the sensor system120may sense the user115near the entry apron140or the exit apron145of the footpath110and automatically move the barrier700to the user's position.

In some embodiments, the safety rail monitoring system100may include an input system (not shown) configured to receive input or programming instructions from one or more users to program or control various parameters of the safety rail monitoring system100. For example, the input system may be used to activate or deactivate any of the sensors of the sensor system120, the barrier700, or any other components of the monitoring system100, as desired. In other embodiments, the input system may be used to program various aspects of the AIDC system, including the tag300and the tag reader305, such as identifying the number of users carrying a tag, assigning unique identification frequencies for each of the users so the system100can distinguish between the users, and/or defining the interrogatory zone of the tag reader.

The input system may also be used to allow the users to program the monitoring system100to best serve the needs of the various users, such as in a multiple-user household. The input system may receive user information, such as height, weight, age, or other parameters that may be used by the various sensors of the system100to identify the users while on the footpath110. In some cases, certain users may not need to hold on to the safety rails105,155or use the barrier700, such as for younger users in good physical condition. For those users, the input system may be used to program the monitoring system100to ignore when those users are in the footpath110or to automatically move the barrier700out of position to allow the user free access to the footpath110. As those users age, or if they suffer an injury or otherwise need the monitoring system100in the future, the input system may be used to reactivate those users as needed. In other embodiments, the input system may be used to control other features of the monitoring system100.

FIG. 8is a block diagram illustrating a method for monitoring use by a human of a safety rail that borders a footpath. It should be understood that the method described below is for illustration purposes and the order in which the steps are described is not meant to be limiting. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the steps may occur in a different order.

With particular reference toFIG. 8, at step802, the footpath presence sensor detects a presence of a user on the footpath. In some embodiments, the footpath presence sensor may also determine a movement speed and movement direction of the user along the footpath. In some embodiments, the presence of the user and the movement speed and direction may be determined by communication of the footpath presence sensor with an electronic device (such as a mobile phone) having a position determination system (e.g., GPS), where the electronic device is carried or worn by the user. At step804, the footpath presence sensor generates a footpath presence signal in response to detecting the presence of the user in the footpath.

At step806, the safety rail sensor detects a contact presence or contact absence of a contact between the user and a safety rail. In other words, the safety rail sensors detect whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. As mentioned previously, in some embodiments, the safety rail sensors may also determine a grip pressure that the user is exerting on the safety rail to determine whether the user has an adequate grip on the safety rail. Thereafter, at step808, the safety rail sensor generates a safety rail contact signal in response to the detected contact presence or absence on the safety rail.

At step810, the sensor observation system (or other system of the safety rail monitoring system) receives both the footpath presence signal and the safety rail contact signal and determines whether the user is concurrently present on the footpath without making contact with the safety rail. If the signals indicate that the user is not making contact with the safety rail, at step812, the sensor observation system generates a warning or alert signal communicating to the user that the user must hold on to the safety rail before continuing along the footpath. The alert signal may be an audible signal or tone, such as synthesized speech (e.g., a command to stop or to hold the safety rail) or a buzzer, or the alert signal may be a visual signal, such as a graphic image, text, or visible light. When the user receives the alert signal, the user may thereafter contact and hold the safety rail to continue walking along the footpath without receiving further warnings.

In some embodiments, the sensor observation system may be further configured to prevent the user from traveling on the footpath without making and maintaining contact with the safety rail. In such embodiments, after the sensor observation system generates and sends the warning signal to communicate to the user to hold the safety rail, the sensor observation system (or other system) at step814erects or positions a movable barrier to block the footpath upon concurrent receipt of footpath presence and safety rail contact signals that indicate that the human is present on the footpath without making contact with the safety rail. As described previously, in some embodiments, the movable barrier may be a self-propelled, boom barrier positioned proximal to the entry apron of the footpath. At step816, the movable barrier may be translated along the safety rail at a movement pace substantially matching the user's movement pace along the footpath. The movable barrier may continue moving along the safety rail as long as the user maintains continuous contact with the safety rail.

Other embodiments are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that subject matter disclosed in one portion herein can be combined with the subject matter of one or more of other portions herein as long as such combinations are not mutually exclusive or inoperable.

The terms and descriptions used above are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.