Angle-Sensing Unit for Bed Departure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for detecting when a subject gets up from a bed or chair are costly, complex, and often require specialized beds with load sensors, or uncomfortable wearable sensors, posing challenges for widespread use in home and facility settings, and may inaccurately assume patient environments.

Innovation Solution

A low-cost, simple apparatus comprising a small angle-sensing unit worn by the subject, which measures body angle relative to gravity and wirelessly alerts caregivers when a predetermined change in angle is detected, allowing for reliable detection of getting up from a bed or chair without the need for complex setups or uncomfortable wearables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If load sensors are installed on beds to detect bed departure, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical load sensor systems with a simple accelerometer-based detection system. The accelerometer measures body movements and position changes to detect when a subject gets out of bed, eliminating the need for specialized beds with load sensors while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive, simple accelerometers instead of expensive load sensor systems. The accelerometer is a low-cost component that can be easily integrated into wearable devices or mobile phones, making the system affordable for widespread use without requiring specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If specialized beds with load sensors are used, then detection precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal detection system that works across multiple platforms - wearable devices, mobile phones, and tablets - without requiring specialized beds. The accelerometer-based system can be deployed in existing furniture and environments, making it easy to manufacture and implement without custom infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sensor socks are used to detect bed leaving, then detection reliability is improved, but comfort and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidcomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages devices that subjects already carry or wear naturally, such as mobile phones and tablets, for detection purposes. The accelerometer in these existing devices serves dual purposes - both the subject's communication needs and the fall detection function - eliminating the need for separate uncomfortable wearable sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If dynamic acceleration sensing is used to evaluate body movement, then detection capability is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic sampling of accelerometer data at optimized intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The system activates detection algorithms during periods when movement is likely (such as nighttime hours) and reduces sampling rates during stable periods, maintaining detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-rate sampling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively detects changes in body angle to alert caregivers before the subject leaves the bed or chair, reducing fall accidents and illness detection costs, while being easy to implement and operate, with low power consumption and minimal setup requirements.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a body angle using an angle sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9468399B2Detection of changes from a seated or lying body position by sensing body angle

Publication Date: 2016.10.18 SENSARX

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for detecting when a subject gets up out of bed or out of chair by detecting changes in body flexion angle with respect to a threshold. Also described herein are systems for monitoring one or more subjects each wearing an angle-sensing unit.