Multi-Zone Motion Sensor for Fall Detection in Dementia Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems for individuals with dementia or mental disorders struggle to accurately detect immobility and falls, often resulting in unnecessary alarms and interference with daily activities, due to limitations in motion detection and pressure sensor placement.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system utilizing multiple sensor types (infrared, ultrasound, microwave) with specific beam angles and detection zones to differentiate between motion above and below certain heights, and to detect arrival and departure from a sleeping place, with adjustable delays for alarm triggering, to improve accuracy and reduce false alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motion detectors are used to detect immobility, then the system can detect if a person is immobile for too long, but it is impossible to detect the actual instance of falling and causes unnecessary alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring space is segmented into multiple detection zones at different heights: a first detection zone for detecting motion above a first height threshold, and a second detection zone for detecting motion below a second height threshold. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between normal movement and fall events based on the vertical position where motion is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from detecting only horizontal motion to detecting motion in the vertical dimension as well. By detecting motion at different heights and comparing the sequence of detections, the system can identify the vertical trajectory characteristic of falls, thereby improving detection accuracy and reducing false alarms.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are placed in the bed to monitor dwelling, then the system can detect if a person is in the bed, but the sensor placement interferes with making and cleaning the bed and may impede the person's sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor is extracted from the bed structure and replaced with a motion detection system that monitors the space around and above the bed. The system detects bed occupancy by identifying motion patterns characteristic of a person getting into, staying in, or getting out of bed, thereby eliminating the need for physical sensors in the bed that would interfere with bed making and cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pressure sensing system is replaced with an optical or electromagnetic motion detection system. Instead of physically contacting the bed or person, the system uses detection zones and motion analysis to infer bed occupancy, eliminating mechanical interference while maintaining detection reliability.
3Reliability
If a large pressure sensor is used to monitor bed occupancy, then the system can detect person's dwelling in the bed, but the sensor may impede the person's sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The large pressure sensor is extracted from the bed and replaced with a remote motion detection system. The system detects bed occupancy by monitoring motion in the space above and around the bed, eliminating the need for large physical sensors that would disturb the person's sleep while maintaining accurate occupancy detection through spatial motion analysis.
4Loss of time
If motion detection is used to monitor a room, then the system can detect if a person is immobile, but it cannot detect the actual instance of falling and may cause too slow an alarm
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple zones at different heights with different detection parameters. The first detection zone monitors for motion above a certain height, while the second detection zone monitors for motion below that height. When motion is detected in sequence across these zones, the system immediately identifies this as a fall pattern and triggers an alarm, reducing response time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection by continuously monitoring motion in both detection zones and analyzing motion patterns. By detecting the sequence of motion events and comparing them against fall patterns in advance, the system can identify falls as they occur rather than waiting for a period of immobility, thereby reducing alarm response time while maintaining accurate fall detection.
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 system effectively detects problem situations with reduced false alarms and minimal disruption to daily activities, providing efficient and accurate alerts for immobility and potential falls.
Implementation Method 1
first sensor means for detecting a person's motion above a first predetermined height
Implementation Method 2
first sensor means for detecting a person's motion above a first predetermined height
Implementation Method 3
first sensor means for detecting a person's motion above a first predetermined height
Implementation Method 4
second sensor means for detecting motion on the floor
Implementation Method 5
second sensor means for detecting motion on the floor
Implementation Method 6
second sensor means for detecting motion on the floor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A monitoring device (100) of a monitoring system comprises control means (300), alarm means (302), first sensor means (102) for detecting motion higher than a first predetermined height (EK), second sensor means (104) for detecting, on a floor (110) of a building (90), motion lower than a second predetermined height (TK), and third sensor means (106) for detecting an arrival in a sleeping place (112) and a departure from the sleeping place (112). When the most recent motion detection fed by the third sensor means (106) to the control means (300) is the arrival in the sleeping place (112), the control means (300) control the alarm means (302) to give an alarm if a predetermined first delay, beginning at the arrival in the sleeping place (112), is filled before information about the departure from the sleeping place (112) has been received from the third sensor means (106). After the third sensor means (106) have detected the departure from the sleeping place (112), the control means (300) control the alarm means (302) to give an alarm if the control means (300) receive no motion detections from the first sensor means (102) and the second sensor means (104) during a predetermined second delay.