Patent Publication Number: US-2022239323-A1

Title: Device for personal emergency response system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/140,844, filed Jan. 23, 2021, and titled, “A Rearward Triggered Wireless Assistance-Calling Button For Personal Emergency Response Systems With A Printable And Interchangeable Graphic Plate And Device Mount,” which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to device for personal emergency response system and more specifically to a device with a triggered wireless assistance-calling button on a rear side and a printable or interchangeable graphic plate on a front side. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In today&#39;s rapidly aging world we see a growing number of the U.S. population becoming 65 years of age or older. Devices called Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) are offered to seniors as a way to insure 24 hour, 7 day per week personal safety monitoring in the event of an unforeseen accident or health emergency. 
     With advancing technologies, many of these personal emergency response systems have become small enough to be wearable, or offer wireless transmitters that when worn can be used to trigger a personal emergency response system. Having a wearable device provides the freedom to move around with a peace of mind that one is protected anywhere they are located, and at any given time. While this provides unquestioned freedom, it does have its share of difficulties. 
     One issue facing providers of Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) is ensuring that users of these systems actually wear their wireless devices. It is a known fact that a high percentage of new PER&#39;s customers return their life-saving system within the first 30 days due to the aesthetics of the wireless wearable transmitter. Unfortunately, current PERS devices are generally unattractive and create a stigma for individuals wearing them. Users of PERS systems have expressed that the wearable devices and transmitters are a beacon that promotes personal insecurities of weakness or frailty. This stigma can actually cause catastrophic results when a sudden emergency occurs and the user isn&#39;t wearing their PERS device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a wearable device includes a wearable transmitter having a button and an enclosure having an enclosure body, an opening on a rear side of the wearable device, and a window on a front side of the wearable device. The wearable transmitter is secured into the enclosure and the button is configured to be pressed via the opening. 
     In some implementation, the wearable transmitter includes a wireless wearable transmitter configured to transmit data to and from the wearable transmitter via cellular, landline, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other communication method. 
     In some implementation, the wearable transmitter has a round shape such that it is configured to be inserted and fitted into the shape of the enclosure. 
     In some implementation, the wearable transmitter is made of elastic material comprising natural gum, rubber, elastomers, resilin, or nylon. 
     In some implementation, the wearable transmitter is configured to activate security systems for residential or commercial properties. 
     In some implementation, the wearable transmitter is configured to activate Bluetooth devices such as medical systems for testing biometric conditions including heart rate, blood pressure, or glucose readings. 
     In some implementation, compliance or regulatory codes or phrases are shown on the button or other surface of the wearable transmitter in the rear side of the wearable device. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure includes a stopper on the rear side of wearable device configured to hold the wearable transmitter in the enclosure. 
     In some implementation, the window includes a transparent or translucent material comprising glass, acrylic, thin fabrics, or plastics. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure further includes a bail coupled to the enclosure body such that the enclosure is configured to be connected to a rope via the bail. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure is designed to provide additional shock protection against accidental impact. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure further includes a watertight seal on the rear side of the wearable device. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure further includes an antenna signal booster coupled to the enclosure body. 
     In some implementation, the wearable device further includes an interchangeable graphic component secured into the enclosure between the window and the wearable transmitter, wherein the interchangeable graphic component comprises a graphic pattern. 
     In some implementation, the interchangeable graphic component includes paper, plastic, glass, acrylic, rubber, or any materials that is configured to have a graphic pattern thereon. 
     In some implementation, the interchangeable graphic component is configured to be a part of the wearable transmitter or a part of the enclosure. 
     In another aspect, an enclosure includes an enclosure body, an opening on a rear side of the enclosure, and a window on a front side of the enclosure. A wearable transmitter having a button is configured to be secured into the enclosure and the button is configured to be pressed via the opening. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure further includes a stopper on the rear side of enclosure configured to hold the wearable transmitter in the enclosure. 
     In some implementation, the window includes a transparent or translucent material comprising glass, acrylic, thin fabrics, or plastics. 
     In some implementation, the enclosure further includes a bail coupled to the enclosure body such that the enclosure is configured to be connected to a rope via the bail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wearable device in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2A-2D  are schematic diagrams illustrating how a wearable transmitter and an interchangeable graphical component being inserted into the example wearable device in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating how a user can trigger the wearable transmitter of the example wearable device in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are schematic diagrams illustrating how the example wearable device hangs on the user&#39;s neck in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The implementations disclosed herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Technologies relating to device for personal emergency response system and more specifically to device with a triggered wireless assistance-calling button on a rear side and a printable or interchangeable graphic plate on a front side are disclosed. The technologies described in the present disclosure may provide the following technical advantages. 
     First, a conventional wearable device with a wireless transmitter switch or button should be a part of the wearable device. Also, the conventional wearable device offers a static pattern due to the incredibly high cost to customize a limited product run, and thus the styles of the conventional wearable devices are limited to their initial appearances and cannot be modified according to user&#39;s preference. The present disclosure, according to some implementations, may include an enclosure structure/construction to be used as a housing, a case, a shell, or an outer covering of a wearable device. The enclosure structure disclosed herein offers interchangeable graphic components that are, for practical purposes, identical. Specifically, the interchangeable graphic components disclosed herein may be made to ensure that they fit into any assembly of the same/similar type. One of the key features of this unique enclosure structure is the ability to use graphic components that are capable of having individually unique graphics/patterns printed on them. These customized printable pieces of the graphic components address the problem of high cost for limited production runs by allowing the user to freely replace the graphic components in the enclosure. It is noted that the enclosure disclosed herein may include a housing, a case, a shell, an adaptor, an outer covering, or any construction that can be used of a wearable device. It is also noted that the wearable device herein may include a remote device, a pendant device, an ornament device that has an aesthetic appearance that a user may wear it. 
     Second, the construction method disclosed herein utilizes a principle where a wearable transmitter used to trigger a signal for emergency is positioned in such a manner that its triggering mechanism is positioned in an orientation such that plunging or actuating the device uses the strength of the thumb verses potentially weaker digits of the hand. This is particularly important for older individuals or those experiencing degenerative issues with their hands. In some embodiments, the wearable transmitter is constructed to be put into the enclosure in a way that causes a majority of users to intuitively position the trigger side facing the user by having a design pattern side on the opposing side of the wearable transmitter. This disclosure allows wearable transmitter to adapt to the enclosure without the need to have costly tooling enhancement or changes to the existing wearable transmitter. 
     Specifically, this disclosure provides advantageous aspects including the following: 
     First, it makes the user intuitively wear the button of the wearable transmitter in a reversed (backward) manner causing the lifesaving actuator button to be more accessible. In some embodiments, the wearable device contains a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is at an opposite side of the wearable device from the second side. The first side is constructed to have a graphic pattern and the second side is constructed to have the trigger (help requesting button) interface/trigger button. The construction of the wearable device makes a user naturally want to present the graphic pattern facing outward while positing the trigger button inward facing the body of the user. Such positioning provides advantageous features including i) ergonomically positions the trigger button to allow the user to more easily trigger the button with a thumb, ii) provides a flatter surface (e.g., user&#39;s body) and hides the trigger mechanism preventing unwanted trigger of the button by accidents. 
     Second, it enhances the aesthetics of the existing device without requiring a costly tooling change. 
     Regarding ergonomic design for elders, it is of critical importance to note that by placing the button of the wearable transmitter into the enclosure reversed or backward from its typical orientation, it delivers a critical value of intuitiveness for the elders as they will automatically wear the wearable transmitter with the printed interchangeable design facing outward thus making the wearable device much elder friendly and intuitive for the elderly wearer. This disclosure creates an intuitive and naturally way to ensure a life saving device is worn in a reversed more accessible orientation without any need for explanation to the elders. 
     In other words, the present disclosure provides a mechanism of causing a user to position a device in a predetermined orientation by invoking user&#39;s (e.g., human&#39;s) Pre-disposed Cognitive Triggering Process (hereinafter “PCTP”), including perceiving, judging, deciding, and triggering the user&#39;s action to perform/confine to a pre-set action of the device designer. 
     The physical and conceptual constructions disclosed herein with interchangeable and printable graphical component methodology promotes positive reinforcement through technically advanced interchangeable designs that generate a desirable or pleasant stimulus for the user. The desirable stimulus reinforces the users behavior to wear these unique safety wearable transmitters, making it more likely that the behavior reoccurs ensuring safer and healthier wearing preferences towards the acceptance of the life saving wireless devices. In addition, the enclosure uses a method where the wearable trigger mechanism is reversed such that a wearers thumb is used to activate the device. 
     In operation, identifying a way to produce a wearable device that promotes a positive emotional experience and developing better wearing habits while offering a construction that allows for better activation by using the strength of a user&#39;s thumb. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wearable device  10  in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , wearable device  10  may include a wearable transmitter  100  having a button  111  in the middle of wearable transmitter  100 . In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  includes a wireless wearable transmitter that is configured to transmit data (e.g., emergency signals) to and from wearable transmitter  100 . In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  has a round shape such that it can be inserted and fitted into the shape of the enclosure. It is noted that the shape of wearable transmitter  100  can include a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or polygon in a front view. In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  can be made of elastic material including natural gum, rubber, elastomers, resilin, or nylon, such that wearable transmitter  100  can be inserted into the enclosure by squishing or press wearable transmitter  100  into a flatter shape. In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  is configured to transmits a wireless radio frequency (RF) signal to a personal emergency response system (PERS). The PERS then communicates an emergency signal via cellular, landline, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any other communication method. In some embodiment, the enclosure is used with wearable transmitter  100  that transmits a wireless signal to a receiver such as a call center or an electronic receiver. In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  is configured to activate security systems for residential or commercial properties. In some implementations, wearable transmitter  100  is configured to activate Bluetooth devices such as medical systems for testing biometric conditions including heart rate, blood pressure, or glucose readings. In some implementations, compliance or regulatory codes or phrases are shown on the button  111  or other surface of wearable transmitter  100  in the rear side of wearable device  10 . 
     Wearable device  10  may further include an enclosure  101 . Enclosure  101  may include an enclosure body  117  having a stopper  119  on a rear side of enclosure  101  in order to keep wearable transmitter  100  in enclosure  101 . In some implementations, since enclosure  101  has a round shape, stopper  119  can be formed on entire edge of the round shape on the rear side of enclosure  101 . In some implementations, stopper  119  can be only formed on parts of the edge of the round shape (e.g., top edge and bottom edge of the round shape) such that stopper  119  can still hold wearable transmitter  100  in enclosure  101  while it makes it easier to insert wearable transmitter  100  into enclosure  101 . Enclosure  101  may include an opening  121  on the rear side of enclosure  101  such that the user may insert wearable transmitter  100  into enclosure  101  via opening  121 . In some implementations, enclosure body  117  has a socket structure configured to immobilize wearable transmitter  100  by a clipping motion. 
     Enclosure  101  may also include a window  115  coupled to enclosure body  117 . In some implementations, window  115  may be a transparent or translucent material including glass, acrylic, thin fabrics, or plastics, such that the graphic pattern of the interchangeable graphic component can be visually shown from the front side of enclosure  101 . In some implementations, since enclosure  101  has a round shape, window  115  can also be a round shape and can be formed coupled to the edge of stopper  119  on the front side of enclosure  101 . In some implementations, the entire enclosure  101  can be made by a single piece such that enclosure body  117 , stopper  119 , and window  115  can be seen as a single component. 
     Enclosure  101  further includes a bail or a hook hole  113  attached to or coupled to enclosure body  117  such that enclosure can be connected to a rope, cord, a chain, or a lanyard (not shown) via bail  113 . The rope is configured to hang around a user&#39;s neck or other parts of the body or clothes so that wearable device  10  can be seen as an accessory (e.g., a pendant) rather than a personal emergency response button. In some implementations, enclosure  101  further includes other attachments such that wearable device  10  may be attached to a user&#39;s wrist, waist, or anywhere on the user&#39;s body. 
     In some implementations, enclosure  101  is designed to provide additional shock protection (e.g., accidental triggering and device structural integrity) against accidental impact when wearable device  10  is dropped. In some implementations, enclosure  101  may further include a watertight seal on rear side of wearable device  10  to make wearable device  10  water resistant, or add an additional level of water resistance such that it protects wearable transmitter  100  from water damages. In some implementations, enclosure  101  is configured to serve to protect wearable transmitter  100  from outside contaminants including dirt, dust, or grease. 
     In some implementations, enclosure  101  may further include an antenna signal booster (not shown) coupled to enclosure body  117  such that it can improve signal transmission of wearable transmitter  100 . In some implementations, enclosure  101  may further contain at least an area (e.g., the entirety) that does not block RF signals, such as by using materials that does not block RF signals. 
     Wearable device  10  may further include an interchangeable graphic component  102 . Interchangeable graphic component  102  may include paper, plastic, glass, acrylic, rubber, or any materials that can have a graphic pattern thereon. Interchangeable graphic component  102  may have a graphic pattern on a front side. Interchangeable graphic component  102  may include a printable prints (or a printable) such that it allows the user to change interchangeable graphic component  102  as her wish. In some implementations, interchangeable graphic component  102  has a round shape such that it can be inserted and fitted into the shape of enclosure  101 . It is noted that the shape of interchangeable graphic component  102  can include a triangle, rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or polygon in a front view. In some implementations, interchangeable graphic component  102  can be a part of wearable transmitter  100  or a part of enclosure  101 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2D  are schematic diagrams illustrating how a wearable transmitter and an interchangeable graphical component being inserted into the example wearable device in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. First, as shown in  FIG. 2A , interchangeable graphic component  102  may be inserted into enclosure body  117  of enclosure  101  by pushing interchangeable graphic component  102  into a front end of enclosure body  117  until it contacts or attached to window  115  of enclosure  101 . Next, wearable transmitter  100  is then inserted into enclosure body  117  of enclosure  101  by pushing wearable transmitter  100  into the front end of enclosure body  117  until it contacts or attaches to interchangeable graphic component  102 . After both interchangeable graphic component  102  and wearable transmitter  100  being inserted,  FIG. 2C  shows the rear side view of wearable device  10  and  FIG. 2D  shows the front side view of wearable device  10 . As mentioned above, window  115  allows the graphic pattern of interchangeable graphic component  102  to be visually shown from the front side view of wearable device  10 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating how a user can trigger the wearable transmitter of the example wearable device in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a user may perform a precision thumb-finger pinch grip to activate the wearable transmitter  100  by holding wearable device  10  and pressing button  111  on the rear side of wearable device  10 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  are schematic diagrams illustrating how the example wearable device hangs on the user&#39;s neck in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 4A , wearable transmitter  100  has been inserted into enclosure  101 . The graphic patter of interchangeable graphic component  102  can be visually seen from window  115  of enclosure  101  on a front side  401  of wearable device  10 . Button  111  of wearable transmitter  100  can be pressed by a user during emergency from a rear side  403  of wearable device  10 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 4B , wearable device  10  can hang on a user having front side  401  (e.g., label side) facing away from the user and having rear side  403  (e.g., an alarm triggering button side  403 ) facing toward a body of the user. 
     Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. Finally, boundaries between various components, operations, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of the implementation(s). In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the implementation(s). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The foregoing description included example systems, methods, techniques, instruction sequences, and computing machine program products that embody illustrative implementations. For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide an understanding of various implementations of the inventive subject matter. It will be evident, however, to those skilled in the art that implementations of the inventive subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In general, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail. 
     The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific implementations. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The implementations were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the implementations and various implementations with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.