Indoor Slipper Sensor for Fall Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing footwear systems face challenges in consistently detecting health and comfort parameters across diverse life situations and are often costly due to the need for integration in multiple shoe pairs, with limited monitoring when only a few pairs are equipped with sensors.

Innovation Solution

Wireless connected indoor slippers equipped with sensors such as piezoresistive, pneumatic, optic, acceleration, or pressure sensors, along with a microprocessor for data pretreatment and Bluetooth Low Energy communication, allowing for continuous and accurate monitoring of health and comfort parameters like attitude, balance, heart rate, and fall risk detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors and processors are integrated in multiple pairs of shoes to ensure continuous monitoring, then the reliability of health parameter detection is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous monitoring coverageVSAvoidsystem integration cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides monitoring functions into two segments: basic sensors embedded in slippers for continuous monitoring, and advanced processing/analysis performed remotely or periodically. This segmentation allows continuous data collection without requiring full sensor suites in every shoe pair, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slipper-based sensor system serves multiple functions: it monitors health parameters continuously, detects falls, and provides baseline data for comparison. By making the slipper sensors multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate dedicated devices, thereby lowering overall device complexity and cost while improving continuous monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are integrated in all pairs of shoes to ensure comprehensive monitoring, then the measurement precision of health parameters is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehealth parameter detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring actions using simple, low-cost sensors in slippers that are worn during routine indoor activities. These preliminary measurements establish baseline health parameters and detect anomalies, reducing the need for expensive advanced sensors in all shoe pairs while maintaining overall measurement precision through the use of these preliminary data points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs inexpensive sensor elements in slippers that can be easily manufactured and replaced. These low-cost sensors provide sufficient measurement precision for continuous monitoring during typical indoor wear, making the system economically viable for widespread deployment without requiring expensive sensor integration in every shoe pair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If monitoring is performed in diverse life situations with various footwear, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the consistency and reliability of parameter detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage across activitiesVSAvoidparameter detection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses slippers worn during routine indoor activities to establish baseline health parameters and detection algorithms under controlled, consistent conditions. These preliminary calibrations from homogeneous slipper-wearing situations improve the reliability and consistency of parameter detection, which can then be applied across more diverse footwear and activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously compares current measurements against baseline data established during typical slipper-wearing activities. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain detection consistency across diverse life situations by referencing the reliable baseline data from homogeneous indoor conditions, thereby preserving reliability while expanding adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables consistent and cost-effective monitoring of health and comfort parameters in homogenous indoor situations, reducing false alarms and improving fall risk detection with minimal battery consumption, while allowing for remote alerts and data analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor which is a piezoresistive sensor or pneumatic sensor or an impedance sensor or an optic sensor or an acceleration sensor or a weight sensor or a pressure sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 2

both a pressure exerted on a sole of said slipper and an acceleration of said slipper are detected by one or more sensors located in an indoors slipper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3033958B1Method of detecting a fall of a footwear user

Publication Date: 2023.01.04 FEETME

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

This invention relates to a wireless connected indoors slipper comprising at least a sensor of at least a health or comfort parameter of said slipper user.