Abstract:
A system monitor real-time conditions to assess pre-event variations from the norm in order to alert appropriate care-givers to provide timely care for the individual in order to avoid costly and life-changing events, with minimal disruption of life, which may be supported by an integrated system of devices to monitor a patient, including data storage and transfer devices, and a data management engine for assessing and handling the data according to instructions, so as to provide continual, real-time assessment of the individual&#39;s condition to provide optimally timed care with minimal disruption of life, including a microphone and camera array to detect incidents and capture varied degrees of visual data, depending on the perceived circumstances, including the capacity to obscure the identity of individuals detected in the video feed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/164,527, filed on May 20, 2015, by the present inventors, entitled “Independence Enablement System,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/185,144, filed on Jun. 26, 2015, by the present inventors, entitled “Independence Enablement Network,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/200,801, filed on Aug. 4, 2015, by the present inventors, entitled “Incident Prevention System,” and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/201,022, filed on Aug. 4, 2015, by the present inventors, entitled “Non-Invasive Monitoring System,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all allowable purposes, including the incorporation and preservation of any and all rights to patentable subject matter of the inventors, such as features, elements, processes and process steps, and improvements that may supplement or relate to the subject matter described herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to the monitoring of physiological data specific to an individual, and more specifically to a system for collection, and remote monitoring, management and use of an individual&#39;s physiological data in order to detect changes in the individuals physiology of movement that indicate a likely future incident, in order to assess the reason for the change and address the reason in a manner that minimally disrupts the individual&#39;s life. 
         [0004]    The field of physiological monitoring is crowded with devices that capture particular physiological data, and provide that data to the user. The user is then able to use the data to determine their current status and observe changes over a period of use. However, such devices do little to address the needs of populations that may need assistance with the assessment of the data, or with activity warranted by the information the data provides. It is very common for the current aging population to live remotely from the balance of their family, and many want to continue to live such independent lives. Currently marketed wearable devices do not provide customizable, detailed information to medical professionals, or family and friends located elsewhere. Current networking systems, based on technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth® have limited range, creating a substantial expense to install a network to cover the likely places individuals want to go. Additionally, current systems do not assess the potential cause, determine the best entity to address the cause, and contact that entity to inform that entity of a change in the monitored individual. Alternatively, various cellular technologies require costly and complicated equipment and service plans many in the aging population do not want, and will resist using. 
         [0005]    It would be an improvement to the field of art to have an assortment of devices linkable within a system having data storage, management, assessment, and intelligent distribution capabilities. It would also be an improvement to the field of art to have a resilient and dynamic network that supports an integrated system of devices to monitor an individual so as to provide continual, real-time assessment of the individual&#39;s condition to provide optimally timed care with minimal disruption of life. It would also be an improvement for the system to assess collected data and assess how best to address the situation, and contact the appropriate entity. 
         [0006]    Such a network would improve a system that could assist in coordination of care for the individual with their medical professional, their immediate caregiver, and their family and friends, based on using real-time physiological data to anticipate likely incidents before they occur. Collected physiological data could include vital signs, such as pulse rate, cardiac pressure profile, oxygen concentration, and glucose levels, as well as location, body position, and any rapid movements that could indicate a stumble or miss-step. The network may help to enable the system assess the best entity to address the detected situation, and to selectively notify any desired combination of the individual, medical professional, immediate caregiver, and family and friends, as desired, once the devices indentify particular combinations of physical parameters, pre-events, or events. 
         [0007]    It would also be an improvement to the art to have a system that permitted selective use of the camera to address potential concerns, thereby saving power and privacy. Additionally, it would be an improvement to the art to offer an active video-feed obscurance, which anonymizes the video feed. It would also be an improvement to the field to provide a camera that can present a view of the perspective of the patient, since they are not always technically capable, allowing them to enable selected people to view what they are viewing. Additionally, it would also be an improvement to the art to have the system link to a local display, so the monitored individual can monitor the live video stream and the obscured video stream, and to receive incoming videos from the individuals they permit to access their monitoring system, in order to easily share photos. 
         [0008]    It would additionally be an improvement to the field for the network to easily identify and support communication with varied types of devices that may be employed as needed by the individual, to suit the individual&#39;s particular health and welfare concerns. Such a system and network would permit an individual to maintain a relatively independent life, while still monitoring and addressing their health and welfare needs. Such a system and network would also permit medical professional to better supervise the individual&#39;s care, and for friends and family members to stay informed on the status of their loved one, who may be remotely located. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary Incident Prevention System according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a movement chart showing an individual walking for 200 feet with a motion monitoring device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram of an Incident Prevention System; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an alternate flow diagram of an Incident Prevention System; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of the components of the audio/video device of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a depiction of a still shot of an obscured video feed; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a depiction of a still shot of an obscured MY VIEW™ feed. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    An exemplary incident prevention system  10  and process will now be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings. The embodiment of incident prevention system  10  (hereinafter “IP system”) is shown in  FIG. 1 , which include a patient  12 , at least one monitoring device  14 , a local server  16 , a network  22 , and an exemplary databank  30 . 
         [0017]    In the exemplary embodiment, the monitoring device  14  may sense conditions pertaining to the patient  12  or the patient&#39;s surroundings. The exemplary monitoring device  14  may have at least one sensor, storage capacity, and the communication capacity. Exemplary sensors may include those that collect physiological data including vital signs, such as pulse rate, cardiac pressure profile, oxygen concentration, and glucose levels, as well as location, body position, movement patterns, and any rapid movements that could indicate a stumble, miss-step, or fall. Additionally, sensors may include environmental sensors to detect medication access, access and use of appliances, security system status, ambient temperature, and smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detection, to name a few examples. In the exemplary embodiment, data from the sensors may be stored in the storage capacity inherent to the monitoring device  14 . The data may then be transferred to the local server  16  at appropriate times, though the storage capacity of the monitoring device  14  may be adequate to store over a day of data. In the exemplary embodiment, the communication capacity may be a variety of means, which may include Bluetooth®, WiFi, 802.11x wireless local area network, RF signals, GSM and 3G/4G, and next generation, telecommunication technology. 
         [0018]    A set of sensors in the exemplary embodiment of the monitoring device  14  may be a tri-axis acceleration sensor, a tri-axis gyroscope sensor, a tri-axis geomagnetic sensor and GPS. These combined location sensors may be able to track the individual for extended periods of movement without the sustained use of GPS, which uses substantial power. Once a precise position is established, which may be by GPS, the location sensors track the patient&#39;s  12  movement from that known point. Exemplary movement tracking may include altitude and elevations, as well as longitude and latitude. This may enable the monitoring device  14  to ascertain which floor of a building the patient  12  may be on. In addition to turning on a GPS within the monitoring device  14 , a GPS location may be transferred to the monitoring device  14  from a co-located cell phone or smartphone, the longitude and latitude may be entered manually, or RFID tags may be placed at known locations for the monitoring device  14  to detect, such as at the entrance of the patient&#39;s  12  room or domicile. 
         [0019]    The exemplary local server  16  may have server storage  18  in which to collect and hold the incoming data from the monitoring device  14 . The local server  16  may also have a server coordinator  20 , which includes a computer processor for receiving and executing computer readable instructions saved in server storage  18 . As such, the server coordinator  20  may accept and direct the flow of data from the monitoring device  14  into the server storage  18 . 
         [0020]    The exemplary server coordinator  20  may assemble and transfer data to the databank through network  22 . The exemplary server coordinator  20  may provide select information directly to the family/friend  24 , which information may include status and operational information on the device  14  and local server  16 , as well as other components of the IP system  10 . It may be envisioned that the family/friend  24  may be the person that administers the IP system  10  for the patient  12 . The exemplary server coordinator  20  may control security protocols and permit administration of the IP system  10 . Administration of the IP system  10  may include setting up the unit, programming preferences and instructions, and coordinating permissions and authorizations that may be required to appropriately maintain security of the patient&#39;s data and care. 
         [0021]    In the exemplary embodiment, the network  22  may primarily enable data transfer from the local server  16  to the databank  30 . Additionally, the network  22  may provide a link from the databank  30  to various individuals to whom the patient may want certain information to be sent, including loved-ones, family, and friend  24 , a caregiver  26 , and a medical professional  28 . Additionally, the network  22  may provide a link from the monitoring device  14  to the databank  30 . With a number of possible communication configurations, the monitoring device  14  may transmit a signal directly to a party who can act on the information the monitoring device  14  provides, including loved-ones, family, and friend  24 , a caregiver  26 , and a medical professional  28 . An appropriate network  22  may include the Internet and the World Wide Web, but also may include cellular telephone, radio, and other technology communication networks. 
         [0022]    In the exemplary embodiment, the databank  30  may host the data management engine  32  (hereinafter “DM engine”), which may accept, store, and execute instructions for the management and use of the data collected by each of the monitoring devices  14  for a particular patient  12 . The exemplary DM engine  32  may have a number of components, which may include an input/output module  34 , an information control engine  36 , a patient administrative profile  38 , a patient medical profile  40  and a patient&#39;s policy and procedures library  42 . In the exemplary embodiment, the information control engine  36  may be the primary component that coordinates the function and operation of the other components. The exemplary information control engine  36  may be a computer processor that can be programmed to store data, manage data, create information from the data, and controllably distribute data and information derived from the data. The exemplary information control engine  36  may affect distribution of data and information via the input/output module  34 , which may be the DM engine  32  component for receiving and transmitting data via the network  22 . 
         [0023]    The exemplary information control engine  36  may receive, store, and comply with instructions and authorizations established by the patient  12 , or their appropriately designated agent or legal authority. Once duly authorized, the information control engine  36  may accept information and instructions on how to use and manage the patient&#39;s data from those duly authorized users, which may include the patient  12 , a family member or friend  24 , a caregiver  26 , and a medical professional  28 . Data and information pertaining to the patient&#39;s administration of the system may be stored in the patient administrative profile  38 . Data and information pertaining to the patient&#39;s medical records and medical conditions may be stored in the patient medical profile  40 . Data and information that establishes the policies and procedures for appropriately handling the patients&#39; data and information may be stored in the patient policy and procedures library  42 . The exemplary information control engine  36  may use information held in the patient administrative profile  38 , and a patient&#39;s policy and procedures library  42  to appropriately handle, analyze, and distribute data and information held in the patient medical profile  40 . 
         [0024]    In the exemplary embodiment, the information control engine  36  may identify and segregate patient private data  44  and patient anonymous data  46  in the databank  30 . Patient private data  44  may include all the data collected about the patient  12  from which the patient  12  may be identified. As such, patient private data  44  may warrant special safeguards to ensure it is handled and secured from inappropriate release properly. Patient anonymous data  46  may include extensive amounts of the data collected about the patient  12 , but which data has been stripped of elements that would connect it to a specific patient  12 . As such, if the patient anonymous data  46  were to be captured outside the IP system  10 , no one would be able to relate the data back to a specific patient  12 . 
         [0025]    In the exemplary embodiment, the databank  30  may have the capability to collect and manage data for multiple patients  12 , individually maintaining each patient&#39;s data secure and apart from the others, and administering use of the particular patient&#39;s data according to the particular instructions for that particular patient  12 . 
         [0026]    The exemplary embodiment also includes a relay network  50 , which may be created by a local server  16  interfacing with at least one other local server  16 ′. The relay network  50  may be created by using a choice of communication means open and available to the local server  16  and the other local servers  16 ′, to include Bluetooth®, WiFi, 802.11x wireless local area network, RF signals, GSM and 3G/4G telecommunication signals. 
         [0027]    In the exemplary embodiment of relay network  50  RF signals may be used to create a network blanketing many square miles. A suitable network may be based on an RF signal in the 800-900 MHz ranges, which has shown to provide reliable communication over a mid-range distances (about 1 mile), in varied types of terrain. These UHF ranges, typically referred to as either the 900 MHz or 33-centimeter band, are highly effective in mid-range communication, require special no licensing, and are easily adaptable for signal repeater applications, where one narrower subset range of frequencies are dedicated to transmit (output) and receive (input). As long as the local server  16 , and any other local server  16 ′ is within that effective range of another local server  16 ′, effective communication may be achieved and maintained. 
         [0028]    In this fashion, data from a specific monitoring device  14  may be relayed to its respective local server  16  as long as the monitoring device  14  is linked to that local server  16  through the relay network  50  of mutually linked other local servers  16 ′. Each exemplary monitoring device  14  may be coded to identify and find the respective local server  16 . In the exemplary IP system  10 , a monitoring device  14  may be able to make urgent, high priority, or emergency transmissions directly from an other local server  16 ′ located near the monitoring device  14 . This relay network  50  may be especially useful in areas that lacks established Wifi network coverage. It is also useful that the relay network  50  may be on a dedicated network that avoids bandwidth competition with other systems. Additionally, various encryption and security means may be employed on the monitoring device  14 , various transmissions, local servers  16 , across the network  22 , and within databank  30 . 
         [0029]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 2 , movement chart  200  shows an exemplary walking motion of an individual, as monitored by a monitoring device  14 , and captured by a local server  16 . The movement chart  200  shows 200 feet of walking activity, separated at line A-A into the baseline section  202 , and the observation section  204 . During the baseline section  202  the individual is observed to exhibit a normal stride pattern  206 . However, the individual exhibits a stumble pattern  208  and then a recover pattern  210  early on in the observation section  204 . Shortly thereafter the individual experiences a more sustained stumble or miss-step pattern  212 , which is continued by an irregular stride pattern  214 . 
         [0030]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3 , a process flow diagram of an IP system  10  may include establishing a baseline  302 , identifying a variation  304 , assessing the cause  306 , and taking corrective action  306 . Establishing a baseline  302  may include the initial data collection from one or more monitoring devices  14 , such as the data collected in baseline section  202 . In the exemplary embodiment, the data on stride activity may be transferred to the local server  16 , captured in the server storage  18 , and reviewed and assessed by the server coordinator  20 . The review of the data may then identify a variation  304  that could indicate a likely future adverse incident by comparing a normal stride pattern  206  to the currently detected stride pattern. As data is compiled the system may be continually improved to better detect variations that indicate likely future events. A stumble pattern  208  could be identified as a variation, and the server coordinator  20  would follow its instructions to contact the appropriate entity likely to address the type of incident. In this example, a single stumble could be simply noted and communicated to a family member  24 , who could do a preliminary assessment of the cause  306 . But, if, for instance, this were a repeat occurrence, the IP system  10  could notify the individual&#39;s medical professional  28 . The medical professional  28  would assess the cause  306 . The assessment would then determine appropriate corrective action, and such corrective action could then be taken  308 . Examples of potentially suitable corrective action may include physical therapy, neurological assessment, assessment of the patient&#39;s eyewear, or assessment of the patient&#39;s footwear. The objective is to address and correct the irregular stride pattern  214  in order to avoid a likely future catastrophic incident. 
         [0031]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 4 , an alternate process flow diagram of an IP system  10  may include establishing a baseline  402 , identifying an indicative variation  404 , assessing the cause  406 , determining the best entity to address the cause  408 , contacting the appropriate entity  410 , and taking corrective action  412 . Establishing a baseline  402  includes the initial data collection from one or more monitoring devices  14 , such as the data collected in baseline section  202 . In the exemplary embodiment, the data on stride activity may be transferred to the local server  16 , captured in the server storage  18 , and reviewed and assessed by the server coordinator  20 . The review of the data may then identify a variation  404  that could indicate a likely future adverse incident by comparing a normal stride pattern  206 , as well as other historical stride patterns, to the currently detected stride pattern. As additional historic and experiential data is compiled the system may be continually improved to better detect variations that indicate likely future events. A stumble pattern  208  would be identified as a variation. The server coordinator  20  would then determine the best entity to address the cause  408 , which could include following the patient&#39;s  12  and medical professional&#39;s  28  instructions to contact the appropriate entity likely to address the type of incident. In this example, a single stumble could be simply noted and contacting the appropriate entity  410  could be communicated to a family member  24 , who could do a preliminary assessment of the cause  306 . But, if, for instance, this were a repeat occurrence, contacting the appropriate entity  410  for the IP system  10  could result in notifying the individual&#39;s medical professional  28 . The medical professional  28  would assess the cause and determine appropriate corrective action, and such corrective action could then be taken  412 . Examples of potentially suitable corrective action may include physical therapy, neurological assessment, assessment of the patient&#39;s eyewear, or assessment of the patient&#39;s footwear. The objective is to address and correct the irregular stride pattern  214  in order to avoid a likely future catastrophic incident. 
         [0032]    The IP system  10  may be employed in a care facility situation where a patient may begin monitoring prior to discharge. Establishment of a baseline  302  could then happen in a controlled environment. Identifying variations  304  could then be indicators of such things as whether the patient filled their prescription, is actively and appropriately taking their prescription, are attending subsequent follow-up appointments with their medical professional  28 , either their primary care physician or specialist, and whether their basic physiological readings are staying within the norms their medical professional  28  finds appropriate. By monitoring these things, the medical professional  28  may be able to substantially improve the patient&#39;s  12  likelihood of readmission to the medical care facility. 
         [0033]    The system could include an interface with the doctors scheduling system, so that appointments made with the patient  12  could be monitored and confirmed by the IP system  10 . Once an appointment is made the IP system  10  monitors the patient&#39;s  12  travel activity surrounding the time, and determines at what point the patient  12  may have likely forgotten or may not be able to make their appointment. Such monitoring could detect that the person has not gotten out of bed, or has not left their house in a timely manner for their appointment. Is such situation, the IP system  10  could notify the medical professional&#39;s office, and a prompting call could be made to the patient  12 . Similarly, monitoring device  14  may include a prescription monitoring device that documents the patient&#39;s  12  medication, assesses the appropriate consumption of those medications, reminding the patient  12 , to take medications, according to the patient&#39;s  12 , family/friend&#39;s  24 , caregiver&#39;s  26 , or medical professional&#39;s  28  instructions. 
         [0034]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary audio/video device  500  is shown to demonstrate the types of components a suitable device may have to support the current system. The A/V device  500  may have both a video system-on-a-chip (“V-SOC”)  502  and an audio system-on-a-chip (“A-SOC”)  504  to control the operation and function of the audio and video systems. The V-SOC may be linked to a variety of lenses in lens array  506 , including a 360° lens array  508  and a macro lens  510 . In the exemplary embodiment, the images from the lenses are processed through CMOS imager  512 . 
         [0035]    The A/V device  500  may be connectable to the local server or a display through the video out outlet  514 . The A/V device  500  may connect directly to a WiFi or 802.11x wireless network with the WiFi chipset  516 . The A/V device  500  may connect directly to an Ethernet with an Ethernet plug  518 . The A-SOC may have an independent or integral microphone  520 . And both the V-SOC and A-SOC may be supported by inherent memory  522 , which may be flash memory, such as NAND, or other suitable fast-response, stable memory. Additionally, the A/V device  500  may be powered by either a DC connection from a battery  524 , or an AC connection through the AC in plug  526 . 
         [0036]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 6 , an example is provided of a video feed output  600 . This video feed output  600  may be accessed over the Internet, by an authorized user, or it may be displayed by the patient  12  through an attached display. A display may receive the signal from the video out plug  514  on the A/V device  500 . The feed  600  is shown in obscure mode, though the patient  12  may be able to easily turn on the live feed without obscuration. 
         [0037]    In the exemplary embodiment, the patient is identified by the system and shown as a patient avatar  602 . The exemplary patient avatar  602  may be shown as colored green  608  to depict that a specified group of parameters monitored by the system are in acceptable ranges and levels. The avatar  602  color may be changed to depict varying degrees of the patient  12  being out of the norm or targets, which may include yellow, orange, and red. Two guest avatars  604  are shown in the picture. One may be shown as “ID Blocked,” while the other may be shown as unknown by the system with a “??” annotation. The “ID blocked” guest avatar may be depicted in a yellow color  610 . Color may be used to show the potential degree of threat or hostility the particular individual poses to the patient  12 , or the color may be used to depict their general health condition. The yellow color  610  in the example may be used to depict that this guest has been talking and gesturing in an elevated manner, and may pose a low degree of threat to the patient  12 . The monitoring system  10  identifies other individuals in the feed, and marks them with miscellaneous individual avatars  606 . In the exemplary embodiment the miscellaneous individual avatars  606  may have also been noted as unidentified. The system may be set to identify all individuals in the shot, or only those in a set proximity to the patient  12 . 
         [0038]    During the principle time of operation the V-SOC may operate on an extremely low frame rate, in order to save energy and memory, and to not be intrusive. However, upon the detection of an event, such as a loud noise, glass break, gun shot, unidentified dog bark, shout for “help,” or distressed sound, to name a few, the A/V device  500  may active in full definition mode, and coordinate with the local server  16  to determine if further action is suitable. 
         [0039]    The system permits the local server  16  to capture and analyze the A/V device  500  feed for supplemental physiological information. Software may be used to detect the patient&#39;s temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or other physiological vital signs. Additionally, the local server  16  may process the images for changes in the environment, such as furniture or photo being moved, and highlight those to an authorized user. Additionally, the computing power of the local server  16  may be used for other analysis of the video stream that becomes possible as software and sensor  16  technology improves. 
         [0040]    The A/V device  500  may be hardwired to the local server  16 , or may be battery powered and located places that would present a wiring challenge. In the exemplary embodiment, it may be envisioned that a small living area could be covered by a small number of cameras, potentially attached to the walls. Using a removable adhesive, such as 3M&#39;s Command™ brand damage-free hanging devices could permit installation in a wide variety of locations and surfaces, without causing damage to the surface. 
         [0041]    Referring now primarily to  FIG. 7 , an example is provided of a MY VIEW™ feed  700 . The A/V device may be attached to the chest of the patient  12 , or carried, in order to show others with authorized access what the patient  12  is viewing. In the exemplary feed  700  a guest  604  may be present. The obscuration function may be employed on the MY VIEW™ feed  700 , or a live, unobscured feed may be permitted. 
         [0042]    Similarly, authorized users may be permitted to load images in to either the local server storage  18  or the A/V device memory for display on a display the patient  12  can view. The system would allow the authorized user to control the viewing experience, in order to take the burden off the patient. 
         [0043]    The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. The examples contained in this specification are merely possible implementations of the current system, and alternatives to the particular features, elements and process steps, including scope and sequence of the steps may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition to those described, many additional monitoring devices may be enabled into the integrated system created by this IP system  10 . The present invention should only be limited by the examined and allowed claims, and their legal equivalents, since the provided exemplary embodiments are only examples of how the invention may be employed, and are not exhaustive.