Personal care devices

Abstract

This personal care device detects the user's falls and physiological state, initiates an immediate voice call to check on and confirm the user's condition, immediately notifies medical caregivers and family members if the user is near death or has died, and provides emergency medical assistance. If immediate rescue is not possible, it plays religious music to provide mental comfort to the user. [Solution] The personal care device according to the present invention detects the user's activity signals in the daily living environment, determines the initial fall signal generated when the user falls, triggers a user fall confirmation alarm based on the initial fall signal, generates a first infrared thermal image signal related to the user's daily activities, generates the user's vital sign signal by analyzing the first infrared thermal image signal based on the initial fall signal, determines the user's current physiological state by analyzing the user's vital sign signal, and if it is determined that the user's vital signs are not within a safe range, an emergency rescue alarm is triggered, and religious music is played in the user's daily living environment by a religious music playback module for the user to listen to.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a personal device, and more particularly to a personal care device.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, the fall detection systems for the elderly on the market mainly judge the fall state by sensors or image technology and send an alarm to the user.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, due to the limitations in the detection performance and detection range of sensors, there is a possibility of false judgment, resulting in a decrease in user trust. In addition, the function of the sensor is limited to fall detection and cannot further assist in the physiological or psychological aspects or provide healing. Furthermore, many elderly people living alone cannot seek immediate rescue after a fall, especially in the situation of depopulated areas, the situation is even more serious, and there is also a possibility that the elderly will be hit by the tragedy of "dying alone" without being discovered for a long time.

[0004] From the above, in an era with a significant aging population, achieving personal care in both physiological and psychological aspects has become an issue that modern people should seriously address.

[0005] Therefore, the present inventor believes that the above-mentioned drawbacks can be improved, and as a result of repeated intensive studies, the present invention that effectively improves the above-mentioned problems through a reasonable design has been proposed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention, a personal care device, comprises a fall detection module, a fall data processing module, an alarm module, a first infrared thermal image detection module, a biometric information processing module, a life detection module, and a religious music playback module. The fall detection module detects one or more types of activity signals of the user's daily activities in the daily living environment. The fall data processing module analyzes and processes one or more types of activity signals and determines the initial fall signal generated when the user falls. The alarm module is connected to the fall data processing module and triggers a user fall confirmation alarm based on the initial fall signal. The first infrared thermal image detection module generates a first infrared thermal image signal related to the user's daily activities. The biometric information processing module is connected to the first infrared thermal image detection module and the fall data processing module and generates the user's vital sign signals by analyzing the first infrared thermal image signal based on the initial fall signal. The life detection module is connected to the biometric information processing module and the alarm module and determines the user's current physiological state by analyzing the user's vital sign signals. The religious music playback module is connected to the life detection module. When the life detection module determines that the user's vital signs are outside a safe range, the alarm module triggers an emergency medical alarm, and the religious music playback module plays religious music in the user's everyday environment for the user to hear.

[0007] The following information will become clear from the description in the specification and drawings described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a personal care device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing a personal care device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing a personal care device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the rescue monitoring and religious music playback method according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can take various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] First, an example of a specific embodiment of the personal care device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a personal care device according to the present invention. The personal care device may be installed in a fixed location in the user's daily living environment, such as a living room, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, or garden, or it may be installed on electronic equipment that moves freely in the daily living environment, such as a robot. Whether installed in a fixed location or on a freely moving robot, the personal care device according to the present invention and the rescue monitoring and religious music playback methods performed by the personal care device can be realized.

[0012] Based on medical rescue experience, even if an elderly person is normally in good physical condition, a single fall can rapidly worsen their physical condition, in addition to causing injury. In other words, for the elderly, the occurrence of a fall is an important indicator of a worsening physical condition. Therefore, the personal care device according to this invention monitors the user and detects whether a fall has occurred. For example, this invention can use wide-range or high-resolution infrared thermal imaging detection to determine whether the user's body temperature is within the normal range. If the user's body temperature is outside the normal range, a fall may have occurred, and their body temperature may have dropped. This invention may also use millimeter-wave detection to assess the likelihood of a fall based on the user's movement distance (e.g., significant movement or displacement within a few milliseconds). If there is significant movement or displacement, a fall may have occurred. This invention can use image detection to detect whether a user has fallen by analyzing the features of the image. By analyzing the features of the image, it is also possible to acquire the characteristics of the user's movements and directly determine whether a fall has occurred. If an accident is suspected, the personal care device issues a first-stage alarm. However, since each of the above situations may be a false positive, this invention, upon detecting a possible fall, further uses narrow-range or low-resolution infrared thermal imaging to further confirm the user's body temperature, or uses voiceprint recognition to perform high-speed background detection of the user's condition, such as whether there are groans or cries. Narrow-range or low-resolution infrared thermal imaging can quickly acquire numerical values ​​of the user's body temperature (high-precision temperature distribution or temperature range is not required), and voiceprint recognition can quickly compare the meaning of the sounds the user makes, allowing for very fast double-checking and eliminating situations of false positives. After double-checking, if it is determined that the user definitely needs rescue, the personal care device issues a second alarm, notifying medical caregivers or family members to rush to the scene immediately and rescue the user.Furthermore, if the user's death is confirmed before medical caregivers or family members arrive at the scene (see the evaluation mechanism for end-of-life signs in medical care), the personal care device according to this invention will play religious music to prevent the user from feeling lonely at the time of death, from feeling fear of death, and from suffering, allowing them to depart peacefully.

[0013] The personal care device according to this invention is divided into two detection and alarm stages. The first fall detection alarm is issued when the personal care device first detects that the user has fallen. In order to prevent unnecessary and incorrect notifications due to a false positive of the first fall detection alarm, the personal care device further checks the user's condition and decides whether to trigger the second fall detection alarm. A detailed explanation is provided below.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 1, the personal care device includes a fall detection module 110, a storage module 120, a fall data processing module 125, an alarm module 130, an audio input / output module 140, a communication module 150, a first infrared thermal image detection module 160, a biometric information processing module 170, a life detection module 180, and a religious music playback module 190.

[0015] The fall detection module 110 is connected to the storage module 120 and is used to detect one or more types of activity signals of the user's daily activities in the everyday environment. The activity signals detected by the fall detection module 110 are stored in the storage module 120, and the fall data processing module 125 accesses the data and analyzes the activity signals to detect whether the user has fallen, and generates an initial fall signal which serves as the first fall detection alarm.

[0016] The fall data processing module 125 is connected to the storage module 120, the alarm module 130, the voice input / output module 140, and the biometric information processing module 170. The fall data processing module 125 reads one or more types of activity signals from the storage module 120 and analyzes and processes the activity signals to determine the user's current physical or mental condition, for example, whether a fall has occurred. The types of activity signals are shown in detail in Figure 2.

[0017] (First embodiment: First fall detection alarm) The fall data processing module 125 uses activity signals stored in the storage module 120 to determine whether a user has fallen. When the fall data processing module 125 makes an initial determination that a user may have fallen and an initial fall signal is generated, the alarm module 130 triggers a user fall confirmation alarm based on the initial fall signal, the voice input / output module 140 receives the user's voice signal, and the communication module 150 transmits the user's on-site voice signal and the user fall confirmation alarm to an electronic device (not shown) or a remote control center (not shown). After the electronic device or remote control center receives the user fall confirmation alarm, the supervisor proactively makes inquiries to confirm the user's situation. The supervisor's voice signal is played back by the communication module 150 and the voice input / output module 140, allowing the supervisor to confirm whether the user actually fell or whether another accident occurred.

[0018] If the user has not fallen, the user will respond to and communicate with the supervisor via the voice input / output module 140, confirming that they are currently safe and reassuring the supervisor. If the user has fallen, is conscious (awake), and is experiencing pain, the user will respond to the supervisor via the voice input / output module 140, indicating their current situation and requesting the supervisor's cooperation.

[0019] (Second embodiment: Second detection and alarm stage) The first infrared thermal image detection module 160 is connected to the biological information processing module 170. The life detection module 180 is connected to the biological information processing module 170 and the religious music playback module 190.

[0020] The first infrared thermal image detection module 160 is used to generate a first infrared thermal image signal. The first infrared thermal image detection module 160 is an infrared thermal image sensor with a narrow viewing angle (e.g., 60° or less) and a low resolution (e.g., 60×80 pixels or less such as 8×8, 16×16, 32×32 pixels), and is used to detect an image with a narrow viewing angle or a low resolution.

[0021] The first infrared thermal image signal includes temperature, respiration, and heartbeat or pulse, etc., and is a signal with a narrow viewing angle or a low resolution. Temperature, respiration, and heartbeat or pulse are used to judge the physical condition of the user, for example, whether the body temperature is within the normal range, whether the respiration is within the normal frequency range, or whether the heartbeat or pulse is within the normal rhythm range, etc.

[0022] In the first detection warning stage, after the user's fall is detected by the first fall data processing module 125, an initial fall signal is transmitted to the biological information processing module 170. In this case, it proceeds to the second detection warning stage. When the biological information processing module 170 receives the initial fall signal, the biological information processing module 170 is triggered to start analyzing the first infrared thermal image signal and generate the user's vital sign signals such as temperature, respiration, and heartbeat or pulse. The vital sign signals analyzed by the biological information processing module 170 are transmitted to the life detection module 180.

[0023] The vital sign detection module 180 analyzes the user's vital sign signals and determines the user's current physiological state, such as the degree of vital signs (whether breathing, pulse, body temperature, etc. are in a range where medical or first aid is required). By analyzing the user's current physiological state with the vital sign detection module 180, it is possible to know whether the user's vital signs are normal or weak, which serves as the basis for whether the alarm module 130 triggers a first aid alarm.

[0024] When the vital sign detection module 180 determines that the user's vital signs are weak (for example, the vital signs are not within a safe range), the alarm module 130 triggers a first aid alarm, enabling medical caregivers and family members to understand the situation and grasp the golden time for saving lives.

[0025] The religious music playback module 190 is used to play religious music. In this embodiment, when the vital sign detection module 180 determines that the user's vital signs are weak or the user is already in a dying state, the religious music playback module 190 plays religious music such as Buddhist music, so that the user can obtain spiritual tranquility before being rescued after falling. The religious music can be, for example, sutras, requiems, etc., and can be played based on the religion that the user believes in.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a personal care device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with FIG. 1, the fall detection module 110 in FIG. 2 includes at least one of a second infrared thermal image detection module 112, a millimeter wave detection module 114, and an image / vision detection module 116.

[0027] The second infrared thermal image detection module 112 generates a second infrared thermal image signal. The second infrared thermal image detection module 112 is an infrared sensor with a wide viewing angle (for example, exceeding 60°) and high resolution (for example, exceeding 60×80 pixels), and is used to detect images with a wide viewing angle or high resolution.

[0028] The second infrared thermal imaging signal includes temperature, respiration, and heart rate or pulse, and is a wide-angle or high-resolution signal. Temperature, respiration, and heart rate or pulse can be used to determine the user's physical condition, for example, whether body temperature is within a normal range, whether respiration is within a normal frequency range, or whether heart rate or pulse is within a normal rhythmic range.

[0029] Compared to the first infrared thermal image detection module 160, the second infrared thermal image detection module 112 requires higher image processing resources to detect wide-area or high-resolution images.

[0030] The millimeter-wave detection module 114 transmits, receives, and processes millimeter-wave signals and calculates the user's distance traveled, allowing the fall data processing module 125 to determine whether or not the user has fallen. The millimeter-wave detection module 114 may also be a millimeter-wave radar.

[0031] The image / visual detection module 116 detects images in the user's daily life environment. The image / visual detection module 116 may be a camera or a module having an independent image processing device.

[0032] The one or more types of activity signals described above include a thermal image signal, a millimeter-wave signal, and a color image signal.

[0033] Incidentally, the signal generated by the second infrared thermal image detection module 112 has a wider range or higher resolution compared to the first infrared thermal image detection module 160, which may cause the fall data processing module 125 to make a false judgment in the first fall detection alarm. Also, the millimeter wave detection module 114 calculates distance, which may also cause the fall data processing module 125 to make a false judgment. The image / visual detection module 116 uses a color image signal, which requires the fall data processing module 125 to expend a high computational cost, and the detected color image cannot take user privacy into consideration, so the user must accept the discomfort of being monitored. The fall detection module 110 does not require the image / visual detection module 116, and can protect user privacy.

[0034] Furthermore, the judgment mechanism of the first fall detection alarm described above may misjudge the user's actions due to obstructions. For this reason, in order to prevent unnecessary and incorrect notifications due to misjudgment of the first fall detection alarm, the personal care device according to the present invention further checks the second fall detection alarm if a user fall confirmation alarm is triggered and it is not directly determined that a fall has occurred. In the second fall detection alarm, the first infrared thermal image signal is a thermal image signal with a narrow range or low resolution. In this case, the thermal image signal similarly analyzes the user's body temperature, respiration, and heart rate or pulse, but because the range is narrow or the resolution is low and the amount of data is small, it is possible to quickly determine whether the user's body temperature, respiration, heart rate, or pulse is normal. For example, in the second fall detection alarm, if the life detection module 180 determines that at least one of the values ​​of the user's body temperature, respiration, heart rate, or pulse is not within the normal range, it is determined that the user's current condition is not good (in many cases, this is due to the user falling) and that rescue by another person is necessary. In the second fall detection alarm, when the alarm module 130 triggers an emergency life-saving alarm, it means that the user is in a dangerous situation and requires immediate medical assistance to rescue the user.

[0035] This double-check mechanism allows the personal care device to verify the user's condition, thereby strengthening the judgment of the second fall detection alarm and significantly reducing false positives. By eliminating false positives in the first fall detection alarm, the personal care device prevents the user from experiencing embarrassment when the religious music playback module 190 plays religious music when the user is healthy. In this way, the life detection module 180 confirms that the user's vital signs are poor (e.g., near death or death), and if medical caregivers cannot intervene in time, the religious music playback module 190 plays religious music, allowing users with poor vital signs who cannot receive immediate medical assistance to face death peacefully, sending off their souls with great respect and human compassion.

[0036] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a personal care device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Compared with Figure 2, the personal care device in Figure 3 further comprises a sound wave detection module 165.

[0037] The sound wave detection module 165 is connected to the bio-information processing module 170. The sound wave detection module 165 is used to detect the user's sound waves and to compare the user's sound waves with bio-abnormal sound wave samples. The bio-abnormal sound wave samples may be pre-stored audio characteristics such as groans, cries of pain, or sounds that commonly occur in response to falls. By comparing the user's sound waves with the audio characteristics of the bio-abnormal sound wave samples, the sound wave detection module 165 can determine the user's current physical state.

[0038] The fall detection module 110 may be, for example, a processing device capable of detecting falls, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0039] The storage module 120 may be, for example, Random Access Memory (RAM), Flash Memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), SSD (Solid State Drive), Optical Storage, or a combination of the above elements, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0040] The fall data processing module 125 may be, for example, a processing device capable of performing analysis of fall data, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0041] The alarm module 130 is, for example, a loudspeaker and an audio signal playback device or a video playback device, and may be integrated with the audio input / output module 140 into a single module.

[0042] The audio input / output module 140 is, for example, a loudspeaker and an audio signal playback device or a video playback device.

[0043] The communication module 150 supports, for example, GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 5G network systems (fifth generation, 5G) or any subsequent advanced network systems, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth technology, wired network communication chips, or combinations of the elements described above, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0044] The sound wave detection module 165 is, for example, a processing device capable of performing sound wave detection, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0045] The bio-information processing module 170 is, for example, a processing device capable of analyzing bio-information, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0046] The life detection module 180 is, for example, a processing device capable of performing life detection analysis, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0047] The religious music playback module 190 is, for example, an audio signal playback device, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0048] The fall detection module 110, the fall data processing module 125, the sound wave detection module 165, and the life detection module 180 may be integrated into the same processing unit or processing unit array and perform the functions described above, respectively.

[0049] An application program is installed on the personal care device and the electronic device or remote control center that communicates with the personal care device, and the personal care device and the electronic device or remote control center that communicates with the personal care device are capable of performing the rescue monitoring and religious music playback method of the present invention in combination with the application program.

[0050] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the rescue monitoring and religious music playback method according to the present invention. The rescue monitoring and religious music playback method can be performed using any one of the personal care devices shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0051] In step S10, the fall detection module 110 detects one or more types of activity signals representing the user's daily activities in their living environment.

[0052] In step S11, the storage module 120 stores one or more types of activity signals detected by the fall detection module 110.

[0053] In step S12, the fall data processing module 125 analyzes and processes the activity signal to determine the user's current physical or mental state.

[0054] In step S13, the fall data processing module 125 determines whether there is any abnormality in the user's current physical or mental condition. If there is an abnormality, step S14 is executed; otherwise, the process returns to step S12.

[0055] In step S14, the alarm module 130 triggers a user fall confirmation alarm, the voice input / output module 140 receives the user's on-site voice signal, and the communication module 150 transmits the user's on-site voice signal and the user fall confirmation alarm to the electronic device.

[0056] In step S15, the bio-information processing module 170 receives the initial fall signal and analyzes the first infrared thermal image signal to generate the user's vital signs signal.

[0057] In step S16, the life detection module 180 analyzes the user's vital sign signals to determine the user's current physiological state.

[0058] In step S17, if the user's current physiological state is dangerous, step S18 is executed; otherwise, the previous step S14 was a false positive, in which case the process returns to step S12 and detection continues.

[0059] In step S18, if the user's current physiological state is dangerous, the alarm module 130 triggers an emergency medical alarm, and the religious music playback module 190 plays religious music, so that the user can find peace of mind by playing religious music after falling and before receiving help.

[0060] In summary, the personal care device, rescue monitoring, and religious music playback method according to this invention utilizes multiple types of detection modules to perform non-contact detection of the monitoring environment, detect falls and physiological states of the user, and immediately initiate voice communication to show concern for and confirm the user's situation. If the user is near death or has died, medical caregivers and family members are immediately notified to perform emergency medical care. If the user cannot be immediately rescued, religious music is played to provide mental comfort.

[0061] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that equivalents thereof are included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 110 Fall detection module 112 Second Infrared Thermal Imaging Detection Module 114 mm wave detection module 116 Image / Vision Detection Module 120 storage modules 125 Fall Data Processing Module 130 Alarm Module 140 Audio Input / Output Modules 150 Communication Modules 160 First Infrared Thermal Imaging Detection Module 165 Sound wave detection module 170 Biological Information Processing Module 180 Life Detection Module 190 Religious Music Playback Module S10~S18 Step

Claims

1. A fall detection module that detects one or more types of activity signals from a user's daily activities in their everyday environment, A fall data processing module that analyzes and processes one or more types of activity signals and determines an initial fall signal generated when the user falls, An alarm module connected to the aforementioned fall data processing module, which triggers a user fall confirmation alarm based on the initial fall signal, A first infrared thermal image detection module that generates a first infrared thermal image signal related to the user's daily activities, A bio-information processing module connected to the first infrared thermal image detection module and the fall data processing module, which analyzes the first infrared thermal image signal based on the initial fall signal and generates the user's vital sign signal, A life detection module connected to the aforementioned biometric information processing module and alarm module, which analyzes the user's vital sign signals to determine the user's current physiological state, A personal care device comprising: a religious music playback module connected to the life detection module, wherein when the life detection module determines that the user's vital signs are not within a safe range, the alarm module triggers an emergency rescue alarm, and the religious music playback module plays religious music in the user's daily living environment for the user to hear.

2. The system further comprises a sound wave detection module connected to the bio-information processing module, which detects the user's sound waves, compares the user's sound waves with a bio-abnormal sound wave sample to determine the user's current physical state, and transmits the user's current physical state to the life detection module. The personal care device according to claim 1, characterized in that the life detection module generates the user's vital sign signal based on at least one of the first infrared thermal image signal and the user's current physical state generated by the sound wave detection module.

3. The fall detection module comprises at least one of a second infrared thermal image detection module, a millimeter wave detection module, and an image / visual detection module, wherein the second infrared thermal image detection module generates a second infrared thermal image signal, the millimeter wave detection module calculates the user's distance traveled by transmitting, receiving, and processing millimeter wave signals, and the image / visual detection module detects images in the user's daily living environment, as described in claim 1.

4. The personal care device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first infrared thermal image detection module is an infrared thermal image sensor having a viewing angle of 60° or less and / or a resolution of 60 × 80 pixels or less, and the second infrared thermal image detection module is an infrared thermal image sensor having a viewing angle exceeding 60° and / or a resolution exceeding 60 × 80 pixels.

5. A storage module connected to the aforementioned fall detection module and the aforementioned fall data processing module, and which stores the one or more types of activity signals, A voice input / output module connected to the aforementioned tipping data processing module, which receives the user's voice signal and reproduces a remote voice signal from an electronic device, The personal care device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication module connected to the audio input / output module and for performing remote audio communication with the electronic device.

Images