WO2016053192A1

WO2016053192A1 - An event detection method

Info

Publication number: WO2016053192A1
Application number: PCT/SG2015/050361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seow Loong TAN
Original assignee: Nextan Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-03
Filing date: 2015-10-01
Publication date: 2016-04-07
Also published as: SG10201406350UA

Abstract

Described herein is an event detection method for detecting absence of a person in a first zone and detecting presence of the person in a second zone spatially adjacent the first zone in response to the person being absent from the first zone. An alert event triggered in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable.

Description

AN EVENT DETECTION METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an event detection method. Background

Events and occurrences on a premise are often difficult to detect, especially for fall events. A fall can have a broad meaning and is described as an event that can be characterized by at least four particular features. The four features are sequentially: a quick or slow downward acceleration of the body; a decrease in altitude; an impact when the body hits the ground; and a change in orientation of the body, from being upright to lying down. There is a need for detector systems that can detect if a person has fallen badly and if the person requires medical assistance. Although many elderly people have personal help buttons (PHBs) that can be activated if they need urgent assistance, in situations of a bad fall, they may not be able to reach or push the PHB. This results in a significant delay from the fall taking place and assistance reaching the person.

Over the years, there are many systems which incorporates machine learning algorithms in order to train a specific classifier in determining if a fall has occurred or not. The difficulty in such systems is that the variations depending on the type of floor, type of clothes worn, the different types of falls and the impact forces generated are significant. As a result, it is difficult to determine whether an actual fall has taken place or not. Therefore, there exists a need for an event detection method for addressing the foregoing problems.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an event detection method comprising detecting transition from presence to absence of a person in a first zone by a first sensor assembly and detecting presence of the person in a second zone by a second sensor assembly in response to the transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone being detected. The second zone is spatially adjacent the first zone with the event detection method further comprising triggering an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an event detection system comprising a controller system, a first sensor assembly and a second sensor assembly. The first sensor assembly is in signal communication with the central controller and configured for detecting transition from presence to absence of a person in a first zone. The second sensor assembly is in signal communication with the central controller and configured for detecting presence of the person in a second zone in response to the transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone being detected. The second zone is spatially adjacent the first zone and the controller system triggers an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a process flow diagram of an event detection method according to an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a system diagram of an event detection system for applying the event detection method of FIG. 1. Detailed Description

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an event detection system 20 utilising an event detection method 100, is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The event detection system 20 comprises a controller system 22, a first sensor assembly 24 and a second sensor assembly 26. The first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 are in signal and data communication with the controller system 22. The first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 are for sensing one or more parameters. For example, each of the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 can be one of a motion sensor, a light sensor and a temperature sensor. It is preferred that at least one of the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 is a motion sensor. The first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 are preferably arranged for detection and sensing coverage of one or more defined areas. It is preferred that first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 are wireless electronic sensors that are wirelessly linked to the control system 22.

In an implementation of the event detection system 20, the event detection method 100 initiates with detecting transition from presence to absence of a person in a first zone 30 by the first sensor assembly 24 in a step 110. It is preferred that each of the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 comprises one or more passive IR (PIR) sensors. Alternatively, each of the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 comprises at least one of an active IR sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an RF sensor, an image capture device, a tracking system for tracking one or more transponders worn by the person and the like presence and/or motion detection sensor.

In response to the transition from presence to absence of the person in the first zone being detected, the event detection system initiates detection of presence of the person in a second zone 32 by the second sensor assembly 26 in a step 112. It is preferred that the first zone 30 be substantially spatially adjacent the second zone 32. Once step 112 has been initiated, an alert event will be triggered in response to the presence of the person being undetectable in the second zone 32 in a step 114.

It is preferred that the step 110 of detecting transition of the person in the first zone 30 comprises detecting initial presence of the person in the first zone 30 using the first sensor assembly 24 in a step 120, followed by detecting at least one of absence and departure of the person from the first zone 30 in response to presence of the person being detected therein in a step 122. Alternatively, the step 120 can be implemented by detecting presence of motion in the first zone 30, with step 122 being implemented by detecting absence of motion from the first zone 30 subsequent to the presence of motion being detected in the first zone 30.

It is preferred that the first zone 30 and the second zone 32 are defined by adjacent rooms interconnected for access therebetween. Alternatively, the first zone 30 can define one of the interconnected rooms while the second zone 32 can define the passageway between the two rooms. The passageway can be a walkway, a corridor, a doorway or stairs between the two rooms or areas. Further, the passageway between the two rooms can be a doorway with the second zone 32 being defined by a plane coinciding with the doorway. Each of the first zone 30 and the second zone 32 can be the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, the storeroom and the like rooms and areas on a typical premise. Should the second zone 32 be defined by the plane coinciding with the doorway, detection of presence of the person in the second zone 32 in the step 112 can be achieved by detecting passage of the person through the doorway or presence of the person at the doorway. Further alternatively, the first zone 30 and the second zone 32 can define two areas within a single room with each of these two areas being either empty areas or areas adapted with a facility or an equipment, for example a shower area, for use by the person. Further alternatively, the second zone 32 can define a doorway having a door. In this instance, detection of presence of the person in the second zone 32 in the step 112 can be achieved by detecting operation of the door. Nonetheless, the inclusion of the door at the doorway defining the second zone should not exclude detection of passage of the person through the doorway or presence of the person at the doorway in order to detect presence of the person in the second zone 32 in the step 112. In an application where the first zone 30 is defined as an area adapted for use with an equipment, the step 120 of detecting presence of the person in the first zone 30 further comprises a step 124 of detecting interaction of the person with the equipment in the first zone 30. Following the step 124, absence of the person from the first zone 30 is detected when interaction with the equipment in the first zone 30 is terminated. It is preferred that the second zone 32 is defined adjacent the equipment in the first zone 30, at least for this application.

Depending on types of sensors utilized by the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26, the step 110 of detecting transition from presence to absence of the person in the first zone 30 comprises step 130 of detecting presence of motion in the first zone, and step 132 of detecting absence of motion from the first zone 30 in response and subsequent to presence of motion being detected in the first zone 30 by the first sensor assembly 24. The step 112 of detecting presence of the person in a second zone 32 comprises initiating detection of the person in the second zone 32 after lapse of a predefined duration from when transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone is detected in the step 110. The predefined duration enables detection time lapse or detection handover delays between the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 to be accommodated to mitigate false alert event trigger in the step 114.

In addition or alternatively, the step 114 of triggering an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone 32 being undetectable comprises triggering the alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone 32 being undetectable for a predefined duration. Similarly, the predefined duration also enables detection time lapse or detection handover delays between the first sensor assembly 24 and the second sensor assembly 26 to be accommodated to mitigate false alert event trigger in the step 114. The nature of the alert event is preferably pre-determined based on a fixed sequence of events or can be dependent on addition situational data that is obtainable from one or both of the first zone 30 and the second zone 32. Upon the alert event being triggered by the control system 22 in the step 114, an alert may be sent to a control center 50 by the control system 22 in a step 200. In addition or alternative to the step 200, an audible and/or visibly prominent alarm may be initiated by the control system 20 and/or the control center 50 in a step 202. In addition or alternatively, the control system 22 may send a message to an administrator via a mobile communication device 52 of the administrator in a step 204. In addition or alternatively, the control system 22 may initiate alternative data capture means 54, for example sound transducers or image capture devices, to verify the alert event triggered in a step 204. The data and/or images captured by the data capture means 54 may be automatically analysed and/or sent to one or both of the control center 50 and the mobile communication device 52 for verifying the triggering of the alert event. When in use, the data capture means 54 is disposed in one or both of the first zone 30 and the second zone 32.

The alert events covers a variety of events that is indicative that the person requires assistance or is in danger. For example, the alert event triggered may be indicative of a potential fall event suffered by the person. In an example of application of the event detection method 100 by the event detection system 20, the person may be detected as using the shower facilities in a bathroom. In this instance, the shower facilities area is identified as the first zone 30 while the area next to the shower facilities but still within the bathroom is defined as the second zone 32. Upon detecting absence of activities in the first zone 30, it is assumed that the person has completed showering and will be stepping out of the shower and into the area, defined as the second zone 32, next to the shower (step 110). Should the person be absent from the second zone 32 after a predetermined duration (step 112), the alert event may be triggered to procure assistance or help for the person (step 114). Should presence of the person be detected in the second zone 32, the area next to the shower is redefined as the first zone 30. Subsequent to the area next to the shower facilities being redefined as the first zone 30, the transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone 30 may be detected as the person moves out of the newly redefined first zone 30. The person may move back into the showers, in which the area of the shower facilities is defined as the second zone 32, or may move out of the washroom, in which the door way or the area ourside the washroom is defined as the second zone 32. However, if presence of the person is not detectable in the second zone 32 after a predefined duration, the alert event 22 is then triggered by the control system 22 in the step 114. As the person physically commute through a defined premise, for example a house, the first zone 30 progresses and is assigned to the area accommodating the person with the areas around the first zone 30 being potentially defined as the second zone 32. For clarity, the status of being the first zone 30 is handed over from one defined area to another defined area within the house as the person moves through the house. As the person becomes absent from the first zone 30 at a particular instance, the person is assumed to be detectable in an area adjacent the first zone 30, also known as the second zone 32, failing which, the alert event will be triggered in the step 114 for procuring assistance for the person who may have just experienced a fall.

Aspects of particular embodiments of the present disclosure address at least one aspect, problem, limitation, and/or disadvantage associated with existing event detection methods and systems. While features, aspects, and/or advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the disclosure, other embodiments may also exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features, aspects, and/or advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that several of the above-disclosed structures, components, or alternatives thereof, can be desirably combined into alternative structures, components, and/or applications. In addition, various modifications, alterations, and/or improvements may be made to various embodiments that are disclosed by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. An event detection method comprising:

detecting transition from presence to absence of a person in a first zone by a first sensor assembly;

detecting presence of the person in a second zone by a second sensor assembly in response to the transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone being detected, the second zone being spatially adjacent the first zone; and

triggering an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable.

2. The event detection method as in claim 1 , at least one of the first sensor array and the second sensor array comprising at least one infra-red (IR) sensor.

The event detection method as in claim 1 , at least one of the first sensor array and the second sensor array comprising at least one of an infra-red (IR) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and an RF-based sensor.

The event detection method as in claim 1 , detecting presence of the person in a second zone comprising:

initiating detection of the person in the second zone after lapse of a predefined duration from when transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone is detected.

The event detection method as in claim 1, detecting transition from presence to absence of the person in the first zone comprising:

detecting presence of the person in the first zone; and

detecting at least one of absence and departure of the person from the first zone in response to presence being detected therein.

6. The event detection method as in claim 5, detecting presence of the person in the first zone comprising:

detecting interaction of the person with an equipment in the first zone, wherein absence of the person from the first zone is detected when interaction with the equipment in the first zone is terminated.

7. The event detection method as in claim 6, the second zone being defined adjacent the equipment in the first zone.

8. The event detection method as in claim 1, detecting transition from presence to absence of the person in the first zone comprising:

detecting presence of motion in the first zone; and

detecting absence of motion from the first zone in response to presence of motion being detected therein.

9. The event detection method as in claim 1, triggering an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable comprising:

triggering an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable for a predefined duration.

10. The event detection method as in claim 1, wherein the first zone and the second zone define inter-connecting rooms.

11. The event detection method as in claim 1, wherein the first zone define one of two inter-connecting rooms and the second zone defines a passage between the two interconnecting rooms.

12. The event detection method as in claim 11, the second sensor assembly being adapted for sensing interaction with a door at the passage. An event detection system comprising:

a controller system;

a first sensor assembly in signal communication with the central controller and configured for detecting transition from presence to absence of a person in a first zone; and

a second sensor assembly in signal communication with the central controller and configured for detecting presence of the person in a second zone in response to the transition from presence to absence of the person from the first zone being detected, the second zone being spatially adjacent the first zone,

wherein the controller system triggers an alert event in response to the presence of the person from the second zone being undetectable

The event detection system as in claim 13, at least one of the first sensor array and the second sensor array comprising at least one of an infra-red (IR) sensor, an ultrasonic sensor and an RF-based sensor.

The event detection system as in claim 13, wherein the first sensor assembly is further for detecting interaction of the person with an equipment in the first zone to enable the central controller to detecting absence of the person from the first zone when interaction with the equipment in the first zone is terminated.