Abstract:
A locomotion safety and health assistant can utilize a quad cane and have integrated thereon a suite of sensors, microcontrollers, power sources, external communication devices, lights, tactile communication devices, alerts and activation sensors. A plurality of environment sensors can monitor the terrain ahead, watching for obstacles or changes in elevation. The assistant can provide communication with the user to warn of any obstacles or dangers. A switch can allow the user to turn on a light that is directed to the front of the assistant and lights up the terrain ahead. The assistant can include a programmable medication alert. Additionally, a pulse sensor or other health sensor can be incorporated therein. Measurements therefrom can be compared to ranges and warnings communicated when outside of a safe range; thereby providing warning that it may not be safe to stand and walk as fall susceptibility is unduly high at present.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/145,506 entitled “Locomotion Safety and Health Assistant” and filed on Apr. 9, 2015, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of canes/walking assistance and health maintenance devices, and more particularly to a locomotion safety and health assistant for the elderly and others. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Canes, crutches, walking sticks, and similar locomotion aides have been available to assist the elderly (and others) in walking and otherwise moving about since time immemorial. Relatively recently, canes have been designed to be self-standing, utilizing multiple legs and feet (or ferrules) to enhance the stability of the cane itself and also that of the user thereof For example, a common quad cane is designed with a small rectangular platform attached at the bottom of the shaft and has four ferrules, one at each corner, which extend downwards therefrom and contact the ground. 
         [0004]    However, traditional canes and even the newer enhanced canes (such as the quad cane mentioned above) have a number of limitations. Most canes are simple devices that provide only a supportive structure to help a user balance and/or to allow the user to support some of his or her weight with the arm/hand rather than via the legs/feet. Such simple canes address only one aspect of the locomotion/health care problem: that of unsteady walking. Yet there are many other aspects that can contribute to fall susceptibility for a given person: vision impairment, lessened sensitivity in the feet, lessened sense of balance, and increased susceptibility to changes in pulse rate and blood pressure. Traditional canes can not warn the vision impaired user of approaching obstacles, drop-offs, changes in elevation, etc. Nor do such traditional devices provide light to help the user navigate in dim, treacherous conditions. Additionally, prior art devices do not incorporate other health assistance devices that further facilitate safe locomotion, such as: a pulse rate sensor, logic to determine a safe pulse rate zone, warnings if the pulse rate is out of said zone, health data collection, alerts when it is time to take medication, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, or other enhancements. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a locomotion safety and health assistant device that can address the above deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One embodiment of the locomotion safety and health assistant comprises a light-weight quad cane having an integrated suite of sensor(s), microcontroller(s), power source(s), external communication device(s), light(s), tactile communication device(s), alert(s) and activation sensor(s). A plurality of ultrasonic or similar sensors can effectively monitor the terrain ahead of a user, watching for obstacles or changes in elevation. The assistant can provide tactile feedback (or communication via touch/vibration sensing) or other communication with the user to warn of any obstacles or changes in elevation that are sensed. For example, a single vibration of the assistant&#39;s handle can alert the user to an approaching drop in elevation of the floor such as a set of stairs leading downwards. Similarly, a double vibration can provide a different alert for an approaching obstacle such as a basketball, a wall, a set of stairs leading upwards, etc. A glow-in-the-dark (or not) switch or force sensor can be incorporated just below the handle of the assistant (or in another handy location) that allows the user to turn on (and off) a light that is directed to the front of the assistant and lights up the terrain ahead. The assistant can include a programmable medication alert which chimes or otherwise communicates with the user when one or more times to take medication(s) have arrived. Additionally, a pulse sensor can be incorporated in the handle of the assistant. The pulse sensor can utilize, as an example, a light sensor that shines into a user&#39;s fingertip and measures changes in the reflected light in order to determine changes in blood flow, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. Other types of sensors for measuring the health indicators of the user (e.g., blood oxygen, temperature, etc.) can be incorporated as well. Such measurements can be compared to safe ranges and the assistant can warn the user if one or more of the health indicators is in an unsafe range; thereby providing warning that it may not be safe to attempt to stand and walk as fall susceptibility is unduly high at present. A sharp three second vibration in the handle, three-pulse vibration, or other type of tactile or other communication (such as a flashing light, audio alarm, etc.) can be used to communicate the situation to the user. Advanced models can incorporate voice recognition and voice interaction to communicate with the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant sensing no nearby obstacles ahead; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant sensing an obstacle or change in elevation ahead and warning the user thereof; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant sensing level ground ahead; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant sensing a drop in elevation ahead and warning the user thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant  200 . The assistant  200  comprises a quad cane having a base  105 , a lower support  110 , a height adjustment  115 , an upper support  120 , a centering support  125  and a handle grip  130  Enhanced components of the assistant  200  can include a first handle communicator  10 , a second handle communicator  20 , a first force sensor  30 , a health sensor  40 , a second force sensor  50 , a light  60 , a first environment sensor  70 , a second environment sensor  80 , a microcontroller and associated electronics  90 , third force sensor  95 , and a plurality of legs with ferrules  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104 . In another embodiment, the base  105  attaches directly to a cane  100 , the cane comprising potentially one or more of the subcomponents  110 ,  115 ,  120 ,  125  described above. Basically, the cane  100  can comprise any components between the base and the handle grip. 
         [0014]    The assistant  200  can utilize a light-weight quad cane. The cane can have a plurality of legs  101 ,  102 ,  103 , and  104 . More or fewer legs are contemplated in other embodiments. Integrated into the assistant  200  can be a base  105  that can have therein a microcontroller, battery, Bluetooth (or other wireless technology for exchanging data) controller, and accompanying wires/electronics. These components communicate with the sensors and other components in order to create the ‘smart cane’ assistant of the present invention. They interpret signals from the sensors and initiate communications with the user, control alarms and notifications, power and control the light(s), etc. 
         [0015]    Towards the bottom of the assistant  200  can be integrated a light  60  which can be a bright white LED or other helpful lighting device that is pointed forwards and downwards to help light the terrain and other items ahead. The user can activate the light in various ways and the light switch or force sensor can be glow-in-the-dark to assist the user in locating the activator in dark conditions. In some embodiments, the angle of the light can be adjusted and/or additional lighting features can be integrated into the assistant  200 . 
         [0016]    Near (for example, just below) the handle can be a small button which can comprise the first force sensor  30 . When the first force sensor  30  is pushed, it can activate the health sensor  40 . Alternatively, the first force sensor can operate the light  60  or some other device. In yet another embodiment, a second force sensor  50  can operate the light. Alternatively, the second force sensor  50  can activate the health sensor  40  or some other device (especially in the case when the health sensor  40  is activated by touch or some other means). 
         [0017]    The handle grip  130  can incorporate vibration motors which can be the first handle communicator  10  and the second handle communicator  20 . A small health sensor  40  can be a pulse sensor or other similar sensor that can determine changes in the user&#39;s blood flow, pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. 
         [0018]    Two small, cylindrical sensors, about the size of large marbles can be located near the light  60 . They are the PING environment sensors  70  and  80 . These can be two ultrasonic sensors that effectively monitor for obstacles or changes in elevation ahead of their user. The ultrasonic sensors use sound, and its echo, to determine distances (other types of sensors are contemplated, e.g., lasers and light sensors that determine range, such as laser range finders could be used). Triggered by the third force sensor  95  located on the bottom of the assistant  200 , the ultrasonic sensors run every time the cane is placed on the floor (or at other intervals, or even continuously, if needed). One of the ultrasonic sensors points slightly downward, and is used to alert users of potential hazards ahead. The other sensor points straight forward (or even upwards, in some embodiments), measuring distances to larger bodies such as walls and beds. Data from this second ultrasonic sensor cancels any signal from the first, so that a user is not receiving constant warnings about approaching walls or other obvious objects. If approaching stairs, obstacles, or other hazards are imminent, vibration motors in the handle run for two seconds (other time periods are contemplated). Additional communication means and methods are contemplated in other embodiments. The environment sensors  70  and  80  can be set at different angles than described above in order to better sense particular things. For example, if a patient has problems with stairs going or other drops in elevation, then the environment sensors can be adjusted to better sense this particular type of danger. 
         [0019]    The health sensor  40  can be incorporated into the handle grip  130  and can be triggered by a first force sensor  30  that is activated when pressure is applied on the handle by the user&#39;s finger. In another embodiment, simply placing the thumb on the health sensor  40  causes activation. If a pulse sensor is used, it works by shining a light into the user&#39;s fingertip, and measuring changes in the reflected light. Because fall susceptibility due to changes in blood flow is most likely when an elderly person stands, the pulse sensor can be configured to run only upon initial pressure on the force sensor. If the sensor reads a pulse rate outside of normal parameters for an elderly adult (or for the particular user), the first handle communicator  10  and second handle communicator  20  can vibrate off and on for three seconds to alert their user of the change. Additional communication means and methods are contemplated. 
         [0020]    A Bluetooth connection or other external communicator can be used to record and communicate data gathered from the health sensor and other sensors to be later used by a doctor or caregiver. 
         [0021]    The cane can also incorporate a medication alert, tailored to the timing of the user, to alert them when it is time for them to take their medications. This can be integrated into the microcontroller and electronics  90  or can be inserted elsewhere in the supports  110  and  120  as desired. The microcontroller and associated electronics  90  can incorporate one or more power sources, which can be rechargeable and/or replaceable. 
         [0022]    The quad cane has a base  105  which connects the lower support  110  portion of the cane with the legs. The lower support  110  portion can attach to a height adjustment  115  portion which allows the cane to be lengthened or shortened depending on the needs of the user. An upper support  120  attaches between the adjustment  115  and the centering support  125 . The centering support  125  places the handle grip  130  more directly above the center of the base/legs. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant  200  sensing no nearby obstacles ahead. The assistant  200  utilizes one or more environment sensors  70  to send out a first sensing beam  72 A. This beam strikes an approaching obstacle wall  74 , but the assistant  200  measures the length of sensing beam  72 A and finds that the sensing beam  72 A is traveling beyond a set safety distance, so no threat is reported. Compare this to the shortened sensing beam  72 B in  FIG. 3 . Note that since the upcoming terrain contains no nearby obstacle, no warning is being provided to the user in  FIG. 2 . Compare this with  FIG. 3 , below, when a warning condition is sensed. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant  200  sensing an obstacle  74  or change in elevation ahead and warning  135  the user thereof. In this FIG., the obstacle  74  is a short wall and one or more of the first and second handle communicators in the handle  130  are vibrating warning  135  to communicate the danger to the user. The sensing beam  72 B can utilize ultrasound or other radiation, ambient light, etc. Furthermore, the beam  72 B can trigger when an obstacle is found within a certain distance from the assistant. For example, when an obstacle is found within  94  centimeters of the assistant  200 , a warning vibration  135  can be given. Compare the shortened length of  72 B in  FIG. 3  with the longer  72 A in  FIG. 2  and note that the length of  72 A is beyond the threat distance so no warning is communicated to the user in  FIG. 2 , while in  FIG. 3  a warning  135  is issued. Also note that the handle can contain more than one handle communicator. In this example, only the upper handle communicator  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) is activated. In  FIG. 5 , only the lower handle communicator  20  is activated. Other communications are contemplated. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant  200  sensing level ground ahead. In this case, the level ground is found within a set distance; for example, between 94 and 108 centimeters ahead. Compare this with  FIG. 5 , below, when a warning condition is sensed. In  FIG. 4 , a second sensing beam  82 A is used by the second environment sensor  80 . Since the ground ahead is level, the length of sensing beam  82 A remains approximately constant during each sensing session, so no threat or warning is communicated to the user in  FIG. 4 . However, the user is approaching a step down ahead and the assistant will warn of this soon, see  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locomotion safety and health assistant  200  sensing a drop in elevation ahead  86  and warning  145  the user thereof. In this FIG., the drop in elevation  86  is a down-step and at least one of the communicators in the handle  130  are vibrating a warning  145  to communicate the danger to the user. The sensing beam  82 B is longer in  FIG. 5  than  4 , and hence the assistant  200  can sense the drop. The second environment sensor  80  can utilize ultrasound or other radiation, ambient light, etc. Furthermore, the beam  82 B can trigger when the drop in elevation  86  is found within a certain distance from the assistant  200 . For example, when the drop is found beyond  108  centimeters of the assistant  200 , a warning vibration  145  can be given. 
         [0027]    While particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in the present application, it is clear that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0028]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter. 
         [0029]    The above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0030]    Any patents, applications and other references that may be listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
         [0031]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0032]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
         [0033]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.