Abstract:
A monitoring system for physically challenged clients can have a base hub unit, one or more sensor units, one or more repeater units, and a mobile unit for a client to wear in a residential setting. In an institutional setting, a mobile repeater can be used for monitoring outside premises. A three-axis accelerometer can be used to detect falls and to monitor for other life activities, such as sleeping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/491,487, filed Jul. 31, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Monitoring systems of the type used for elderly clients or other challenged clients should give caregivers or other family members peace of mind. Systems that rely on a wearer to push a panic button fall short of providing that comfort. A client could be unconscious or unable to press a panic button due to sudden accident or illness. An emergency situation could be overlooked, and consequently, a person&#39;s health or well-being could rapidly deteriorate more than if immediate medical attention was administered.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The invention includes an alert and detection system for elderly and physically challenged clients. In disclosed embodiments, the system can have a base hub unit, one or more sensor units, one or more repeater units, and a mobile unit for a client to wear in a residential setting. In an institutional setting, a mobile repeater can be used for monitoring outside premises.  
         [0004]     The system can integrate a number of features including a panic button, a fall detector with an accelerometer, client location monitoring with repeater nodes, client location monitoring with GPS, detection of room temperature and other ambient conditions, monitoring of appliances such as a refrigerator, toilet, or stove, and habit monitoring. When an alert is activated, a hub unit dials to a central monitoring service office or to an individual caretaker to establish a 2-way phone conversation. Multiple wireless transceivers can be provided to cover additional rooms and/or a distance from the base unit for ease of conversations.  
         [0005]     In an embodiment generally for institutional use (such as an assisted living facility), the system can use web software, Ethernet connectivity, and global positioning. In lieu of 2-way conversations, the alerts can notify specific pagers/cell phones based on client identification and location. This feature allows for more expedient attention to alerts and eliminates the need for a central monitoring station.  
         [0006]     Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIGS. 1, 2 , and  10  are block diagrams of embodiments of monitoring systems.  
         [0008]      FIGS. 3-9  are block diagrams of embodiments of nodes used in embodiments of monitoring systems.  
         [0009]      FIG. 11  shows a figure demonstrating the sensing of acceleration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a monitoring system  10  has a premises side and a network side. The premises side can include hub node  12 , one or more sensor nodes  14 , one or more repeater nodes  16 , and a mobile node  18 . While explained in more detail below, generally a mobile node is worn by a client, such as in a wrist wearable device; the one or more sensor nodes are stationary and designed to sense some condition, such as the temperature in a room, or activity, such a refrigerator being opened or closed or a toilet being flushed; the repeater nodes are typically stationary in a home environment and form an ad hoc mesh network of wireless transceivers; and the hub node is primarily a communications device to communicate remotely from the care zone  
         [0011]     Multiple uniquely identified client mobile nodes can be supported in a care zone by providing each node with a unique identifier to allow collocated client mobile nodes to be monitored independently. Repeater nodes can be correlated with their physical location a priori upon installation and are distributed throughout the care zone in such a manner as to provide sufficient communication coverage. Communication with the mobile node is thus maintained through an ad hoc mesh of repeater nodes distributed throughout a care zone. Direct communication (e.g., with wired connections) to the hub node from one or more mobile nodes and one or more sensor nodes is also possible. System synchronization is maintained through beacon messages transmitted from the hub node on a regular schedule.  
         [0012]     The hub node can communicate with the network side through the public switched telephone network (PSTN)  20  or some other remote communications method to provide a call or page directly to one or more family member, caregiver, emergency response system, and/or through an internet service provider and to the Internet. There can be a multiple party call list, e.g., to a medical practitioner and a family members, or to multiple family members.  
         [0013]     The PSTN can also be coupled through a computer network, such as through the public Internet. A family member or caregiver can monitor the status of the client using a personal computer or a Web-enabled cellphone to access the Internet and obtain status information from a website that would preferably have appropriate security, such as passwords and encryption.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an institutional setting, referred to here as an assisted living facility (although it need not technically be one), a monitoring system  40  can include monitoring outside the premises with a mobile node  44  and mobile repeater nodes  42  to extend the system range to cover movement outside of a building. Along with fall detection and panic alert information, mobile node  44  can detect location, such as with global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates, and transmit locational information via a WiFi back channel through a WiFi antenna  46 , and to a WiFi access point  48  to a hub node  50 . In a forward channel, out-of-range alerts can be sent to the mobile repeater node and mobile node. The forward channel can also convey paging and medication reminder notices.  
         [0015]     Inside the premises, the hub node, repeater node(s), sensor node(s), and mobile node can be similar to those for the home setting, along with the network communications shown in  FIG. 1 . The mobile node with the mobile repeater node can also be used inside the premises to provide data through a hub.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a mobile node preferably includes the following hardware and software in a portable, wearable battery powered device: a microprocessor and/or microcontroller, memory, a wireless communication port (transceiver), a user interface that can send information to and/or from a central office to the mobile node (e.g., panic button, alert indicator, beeper), sensors (e.g., multi-axis accelerometer), circuitry for sensors, and removal detection. Control software and algorithms are provided for duplex radio communication and time synchronization, battery monitoring, sensor signal conditioning and data storage, and user interface functions.  
         [0017]     The sensor can include an accelerometer  60 , such as a 3-axis model, or several accelerometers oriented to provide three-axis sensing. As shown in more detail in  FIG. 4 , a microprocessor continually monitors the output from the accelerometer. The data is filtered and stored until an associated repeater node polls the device. Upon polling, accelerometer data is transmitted to the hub node either directly or via the nearest repeater node. Based on the signal from the accelerometer, the system can determine whether there is a high possibility that the client fell. This determination can be made locally or remotely.  
         [0018]     The accelerometer is designed to sense inertia in any direction. The system constructs a reference plane normal to a gravitational force vector, and normalized X-Y vectors are calculated with respect to the reference plane to allow determination of absolute and relative location when combined with the locational function of the repeater nodes (described below).  
         [0019]     The sensor outputs are preferably filtered with a 2-pole Butterworth in a Salen-Key configuration. It may be desirable to have higher order filtering, and cascading filters can be used. A microcontroller  62  can be used as an intelligent 10 bit A/D converter with a 4-input multiplexer that allows round-robin sampling of the sensor data.  
         [0020]     In addition to sensing a fall, accelerometer data can be used for more general monitoring purposes. For example, the accelerometer data can be used to sense minor falls that can lead to medical intervention before a client has a more serious fall. In addition, activities can be monitored in a way that would be less invasive that others (such as use of a camera). For example, accelerometer data can be used to determine if the client is sleeping well. To do this, data can be collected to determine normal patters and deviations can be used to create an alert. Repeated episodes of getting out of bed during the night, or a lack of sleep in general, or a significant change in patterns during the night, may be indications of non-restful sleep, which may be indications of other problems. For example, increased visits to a bathroom at night for a man may be an indication of a possible prostate problem.  
         [0021]     The system thus can collect accelerometer to establish patterns of behavior, and later pieces of accelerometer data can be compared against thresholds or against prior behavior plus thresholds to determine if there should be an alert to look further into whether there is a problem. Other habits of motion can be detected and saved as learned habits; deviations from these habits as learned through the data can be used to create an alert. In addition, trends can be observed over time as an indicator that intervention may be desirable, e.g., a number of events that indicate an acceleration below the falling thresholds, but above some other threshold, or an increase in frequency in events that do not rise to the falling threshold.  
         [0022]     In these cases and in others, an alert can cause a call to be made, a pager alert top go out, or in some cases, an alert can be more minor and can be a flag to investigate further. In addition, there can be multiple levels of alerts, e.g., immediate attention, give attention when available, or look into a situation later. If the data indicates a hard fall, immediate attention would likely be given. A questionable fall might still attract attention when available. If data appears to show a bad night&#39;s sleep without other factors, it could provide information for an aide to call the client to see how he or she is feeling.  
         [0023]     A processor  64  is used to implement per channel FIFOs and a synchronous two-wire interface to the main control processor; this processor can be used to perform device timing, control, and radio interface through an internal USART at 19.2 Kbaud. This processor can perform low power shutdown on the radio and sensor between samples to reduce power consumption. The RF back channel is used for handshake and to send the mobile node “medication reminders” which will be annunciated to the client with a beeper. Two user switches can be used to signal “panic” and to reset a medication reminder alert.  
         [0024]     The repeater nodes can be used to sense location of the mobile node based on the strength signals received from the mobile node. This locational detection can be used to determine if a client is not where he/she should be, and can also be used in conjunction with the accelerometer to detect a fall. If the locational detection after a possible fall shows that the client has not moved, then an alert can be initiated. If the client does move, it is assumed that no client would call for help if needed. The mobile node is preferably worn on the wrist, but it could be at the waist or at some other location.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 5-7  show a combined mobile node and mobile repeater node, such as that shown in  FIG. 2 . The mobile repeater is designed node for use outside premises and preferably includes the following hardware and software in a portable wearable rechargeable battery powered device: processing and control  70 , memory, wireless communication port (transceiver)  72 , a GPS Receiver  74 , a WiFi Transceiver  76 , one or more sensors  78 , filtering circuits  80 , an A/D converter  82 , and a personal digital assistant  84 .  
         [0026]     A resident who is about to go to the outside premises of the ALF care zone uses the two nodes described here in tandem. The care zone is the coverage area of the ALF WiFi hotspot. For a client wearing a mobile node wristband or badge, the node acts as an RFID tag to uniquely identify the client to the system. A protocol can be established wherein a client validates a “sticky” association with a given mobile repeater node. This association remains for the duration of a session. When the client returns to the ALF the nodes are disassociated. This may be accomplished with simple heuristics. If the mobile node becomes “out of range” of the currently associated repeater node and the GPS location is an entry point to the building then the nodes are disassociated; otherwise an alert would be signaled.  
         [0027]     The device may be used in conjunction with a mobile node with the components described above. The mobile node is associated with the mobile repeater node, which relays mobile node data to the hub on a regular schedule. The mobile repeater node communicates with the hub via a commercial off-the-shelf WiFi radio system, and can provide GPS information on the location of the mobile node, and hence the client.  
         [0028]     The mobile node can freely associate the personal digital assistant (PDA) equipped with an RF transceiver. Such a PDA can be used by staff at a facility.  
         [0029]     GPS data is one example of position data that can be used. In confined outdoor premises or in an indoor environment, other types of position data can be used, such as time of arrival systems that use triangulation to positions within a building. For example, a patient monitor may use such time of arrival data through wireless RF links to identify a patient within a building, such as a nursing home or a hospital. Such a monitor can be combined with an accelerometer to provides fall detection information in addition to determining the location of the patient.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a sensor node  90  can have the following hardware and software in a stationary line powered or battery powered device: a microprocessor  92 , memory, a wireless communication port (transceiver)  94 , a sensor (temperature, vibration, et al.)  96 , and a secondary power source  98 . Control software and algorithms can perform duplex radio communication and time synchronization, battery monitoring, and sensor signal conditioning.  
         [0031]     The microprocessor monitors the sensor output from sensor nodes, e.g., on a regular schedule. These nodes are typically stationary in the care zone. The data from the sensors is filtered and stored until an associated repeater node or hub node polls the device. Upon polling, the data is transmitted to the hub node either directly or via the nearest repeater node. The date can be processed at the hub, or transmitted to a central office for processing.  
         [0032]     The sensing nodes can detect potentially dangerous situations, such as detecting that a stove is on for too long, temperature sensing in the room, elapsed time on/near a stove/oven. The system can also detect activity/inactivity as in indicator of wellbeing, such as by monitoring household appliances; for example, refrigerator being door opened or closed can serve as an indicator or proxy for food consumption, or toilet flushes can serve as a proxy for elimination.  
         [0033]     Cognitive software algorithms can combine sensor data and habit/routine data to determine client wellbeing. For example, the system can use facts like refrigerator usage, stove usage, and toilet usage, or any other appliance or device in the house to determine that the client is doing well. This data can also be combined with accelerometer data to show habits and wellbeing.  
         [0034]     Software algorithms can be used to set thresholds for alert conditions and severity based on client wellbeing and routine. The detection of appliance usage can include a learning function to determine typical use. For example, the system can look for patterns of behavior and provide a possible alert if there are deviations. If the user generally opens the refrigerator 10 times per day and the actual usage drops to once in the morning, an alert can be triggered. If the usage fluctuates widely over time, the system might look only for amounts well outside the normal usage. Sensing refrigerator usage or usage of some other accessible container can also be used to confirm that the client has likely missed taking a medication; if a medication is kept in the refrigerator and is supposed to be taken in the early evening, the system can detect that the refrigerator door was not opened in the early evening and the medication was likely not taken.  
         [0035]     As also shown in  FIG. 8 , repeater node  100  preferably has the following hardware and software in a stationary device (typically line powered): microprocessor  102 , memory, wireless communication port (transceiver)  104 , audio communication (speaker, microphone)  106 , and secondary power source  108 . In a mobile repeater node, there could also be a GPS receiver  110  and WiFi transceiver  112 .  
         [0036]     Control software and algorithms can perform duplex radio communication and time synchronization.  
         [0037]     These devices act as a relay station to provide communication coverage throughout the care zone. They also provide unique location information based on which repeater nodes receive a given signal. Because each has communications, the client can be in communication through the hub from any location, including if the client has set down the mobile node or the mobile node has become detached in an accident.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a hub node can have the following in a stationary, preferably line powered, device: a microprocessor, memory, a wired communication port (POTS, Ethernet), a wireless communication port (transceiver, WiFi), audio communication (speaker, microphone), and a secondary power source.  
         [0039]     Control software and algorithms can perform: duplex radio communication and time synchronization, maintenance of a census of mobile nodes, maintenance of a database of activity templates and thresholds, sensor data analysis to discriminate potential fall events and locomotion, emergency dialer function, and optional Ethernet communication.  
         [0040]     In examples of nodes, a mobile node can be a wrist band, with an appearance like a watch. Repeater nodes that are located in various rooms, such as the bedroom, living room, and bathroom, can be housed in small boxes that are plugged into outlets and can be about the size of remote timers. A mobile repeater node is a small device that has about the size of a portable radio or a pager with a chip. The hub node has the appearance of a telephone and can even be integrated within a telephone.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , another version of the device of  FIG. 2  is shown. The device  120  can operate on a 3.3v lithium coin cell  122  including the sensors and filters are powered with a regulated 3.3v supply that is generated by a single switched capacitor charge pump  124 . A radio chip  126  is a high integration device that includes an enhanced CPU core, an multi-channel A/D, RF transceiver and several other support peripherals. The radio chip operates from 1.9-3.6v directly from the battery. Program code for the CPU is stored in off-chip serial EEPROM and is loaded into on-chip RAM for execution at power-up. Multiple execution images may be stored in the EEPROM for upgrades and enhanced optional features.  
         [0042]     An accelerometer  130  used to sense movement is preferably a monolithic sensor with tri-orthogonal MEMS elements. Each channel outputs a voltage that is proportional to the sensed acceleration. The analog signal processing  128  performs anti-aliasing and band limiting. There are 3 dB corners at 25 Hz, 2.5 Hz for the low pass filter and 1.0 Hz for the high pass filter. A four pole multiple feedback filter with a Butterworth response is used, although many other configurations could work, although A/D SNR and anti-aliasing requirements should be met. This filter configuration yields accurate sensing of both impact forces (dynamic acceleration) and acceleration due to gravity (static acceleration). The CPU performs additional digital signal processing on the digital data. The A/D samples the data at or above the Nyquist rate.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the acceleration sensor outputs a voltage proportional to the sensed acceleration in each axis with some number of samples per second, e.g., 50 samples per second. Gravity acts on the accelerometer independent of its orientation, so the outer sphere  140  in  FIG. 11  below represents “1G” unit sphere of |n|, normal force with no contribution of sensor acceleration. 
 
| n |={square root}{square root over ( a   2   xs   +a   2   ys   +a   2   zs )}
 
         [0044]     The inner sphere  142  represents a threshold limit that the algorithm uses to determine if an accelerative event is a potential fall. If the sensor accelerates in opposition to the normal force the resulting magnitude is compared to a threshold to determine if this is a potential fall. A vertical fall is shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0045]     Once triggered, the algorithm computes an approximate velocity of the accelerometer (approximate because acceleration components orthogonal to the normal force vector are not included).  
         v   approximate     =     {           ∫       (          n        -     a   g       )     ⁢     ⅆ   t                 if   ⁢           ⁢        n          &lt;     a   threshold                   v   approximate     *     k   damping           else               
 
 If the threshold is not exceeded then a damping factor is applied to the approximate velocity to account for system noise offsets and quantization effects in the channel. 
 
         [0046]     A more accurate accelerometer velocity is computed using higher bandwidth data that has been high pass filtered to remove the static acceleration component. This velocity calculation will still be subject to quantization effects so integration is done over a finite window of time. The sample rate is adaptive depending on the filter used. 
 
 v   accurate ={square root}{square root over ((∫ a   xd   dt ) 2 +(∫ a   xd   dt ) 2 +(∫ a   xd   dt ) 2 )}
 
         [0047]     The “typical” fall occurs over a 500 ms-750 ms time period and is characterized by certain signature events, such as a sudden acceleration in opposition to the normal force, an accumulation of sufficient velocity which is dependent on the height of the fall, a sudden deceleration or rate of change in acceleration, and/or an impact force.  
         [0048]     Depending on severity of the fall, movement after the fall may not occur at all or for some time. These events occur on different places in time and frequency domain. The algorithm uses a combination of band filters, sampling rates and timers to capture these events. The algorithm&#39;s thresholds and event windows are tunable parameters and can be controlled and optimized for desired sensitivity and accuracy to try to prevent false positives and false negatives.  
         [0049]     Having described certain embodiments, it should be apparent that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims. While a number of specific microcontrollers are referred to, a processor for controlling some or all of the functions of a node can be a microprocessor, microcontroller, or any other general purpose or specific purpose programmable logic, and can be in one device or a combination of devices.