Alert system

A fall detection apparatus comprising:

• an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal is within a first low acceleration range for a predetermined period of time and is followed by a second high acceleration signal in a second predetermined period of time a fall condition is determined by the processor.

A seizure detection apparatus comprising:

• an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal oscillates within a predetermined range for a predetermined period of time then a seizure event is determined and signalled.

A sleepwalk detection apparatus comprising:

• an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal indicates a walking movement during a predetermined period of time which exceeds a minimum walking time and which is determined to be a bed time of the user then a sleepwalk event is determined and signalled.

A method of detecting a fall event comprising:

• providing an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• providing a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal is within a first low acceleration range for a predetermined period of time and is followed by a second high acceleration signal in a second predetermined period of time a fall condition is determined by the processor.

A method of seizure detection comprising:

• providing an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• providing a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal oscillates within a predetermined range for a predetermined period of time then a seizure event is determined and signalled.

A method of detecting a sleepwalk event comprising:

• providing an accelerometer which communicates an acceleration signal to a processor;
• the acceleration signal quantifying acceleration on a substantially continuous basis relative to a reference frame;
• providing a timer which communicates a time reference signal to the processor;
• the processor monitoring the acceleration signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• the processor monitoring the timing signal on a substantially continuous basis;
• and whereby if the acceleration signal indicates a walking movement during a predetermined period of time which exceeds a minimum walking time and which is determined to be a bed time of the user then a sleepwalk event is determined and signalled.