Wearable Help Button Gesture Check-In
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) face challenges in verifying the mobility and cognitive capacity of subscribers, particularly those with limited mobility, as current check-in methods require physical movement to a speakerphone console, leading to potential false failure reports and inconvenience when the subscriber is not at home.
Innovation Solution
A wearable personal help button with a transmitter, motion sensor, and electronic processor that performs a check-in process by detecting a designated motion using a gesture recognition algorithm, allowing for remote verification of subscriber capability and reducing the need for physical movement, and includes a remedial action if the check-in is not detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the subscriber must walk to the speakerphone console to perform check-in, then the system verifies subscriber mobility, but this causes inconvenience and potential false failure reports for patients with limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of walking to the speakerphone console with a wireless motion detection system. The wearable device contains motion sensors that detect designated motions (such as shaking or tapping) and transmit signals wirelessly to the base unit, eliminating the need for physical movement to a specific location while maintaining verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wearable device with motion sensors as an intermediary between the subscriber and the check-in system. This wearable device captures motion data and communicates it to the base unit, serving as a mediator that enables remote check-in verification without requiring the subscriber to physically reach the speakerphone console.
2Reliability
If the check-in button is located at the speakerphone console, then the system can detect check-in actions, but the subscriber must be physically present at the residence
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable device serves multiple functions: it acts as a motion sensor for check-in verification, a transmitter for wireless communication, and a portable interface for the subscriber. This multi-functional design enables the check-in system to operate both when the subscriber is at home and when away, increasing service adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the check-in interaction from a location-bound dimension (must be at the speakerphone console) to a wireless spatial dimension. The wearable device enables check-in actions to be performed anywhere within wireless communication range, adding spatial freedom to the check-in process.
3Productivity
If a timer issues check-in instructions at the speakerphone console, then the system provides periodic verification, but the subscriber may fail to respond if not present or unable to move
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base unit sends check-in reminders to the wearable device, which then prompts the subscriber. The wearable device provides feedback about detected motions to the base unit, creating a closed-loop verification system that adapts to the subscriber's response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The check-in system transitions from a static, location-fixed verification method to a dynamic, motion-based verification. The system can detect various types of motions (shaking, tapping, rotating) and adapts its detection criteria based on the subscriber's physical capabilities, making the verification process more flexible and reliable.
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 provides a more convenient and reliable check-in service for individuals with limited mobility, reduces false failure reports, and allows for verification without requiring the subscriber to be tethered to the speakerphone console, ensuring effective cognitive and physical capacity assessment.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor, and an electronic processor programmed to perform a check-in process comprising: detecting a check-in time; in response to detecting a check-in time, detecting whether a check-in action comprising a designated motion of the wearable personal help button is performed using a gesture recognition algorithm performed by the electronic processor that analyzes sensor data generated by the motion sensor to detect the designated motion
Implementation Method 2
a wearable personal help button including a call button and a transmitter or transceiver (24)... The speakerphone console is configured to detect a signal transmitted by the wearable personal help button in response to the call button being pressed
Data Source
AI summary
In a personal emergency response system (PERS), a subscriber wears a personal help button (PHB) (10) with a call button (12). A speakerphone console (30) detects a signal transmitted by the PHB when the call button is pressed and establishes a telephone call with a PERS center (8). The PHB, speakerphone console, or combination thereof also performs a check-in process including: detecting (50) a check-in time and outputting (52) a request to perform a check-in action and detecting (54) whether the check-in action is performed. The check-in action is logged (56) if it is detected. A remedial action (60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) is performed if the check-in action is not detected. The check-in action may be a designated motion of the PHB detected by gesture recognition algorithm performed by the PHB that analyzes sensor data generated by a motion sensor (22) of the PHB.