Apparatus, method, and system for remote monitoring of need for assistance based on change in velocity

An apparatus for monitoring a human body as a unit of mass in order to determine need of assistance, the apparatus comprising:

• an accelerometer carried on or with the human body for measuring changes in velocity associated with a human body, the accelerometer capable of outputting a signal representing measured changes in velocity;
• a geographic location device carried on or with the human body;
• an intelligent control for receiving the signal from the accelerometer and determining if the measured change is indicative of a need for assistance;
• a transmitter electrically connected to the intelligent control, the transmitter capable of sending a message to a remote location indicative of a need for assistance, the message comprising a code from which possible need of assistance and geographic location can be derived.

An apparatus for monitoring a human body as a unit of mass in order to determine need of assistance, the apparatus comprising:

• a means for detecting changes in velocity carried on or with the human body;
• a means for determining a need for assistance based on the detected changes in velocity;
• a means for generating geographic position carried on or with the human body;
• a means for transmitting a signal comprising a code containing information from which possible need of assistance and geographic position can be derived.

A system for notifying third parties of a need for assistance of a human body based on changes of velocity of the human body comprising:

• a monitor unit having a means for detecting changes in velocity carried on or with the human body;
• a means for detecting changes in geographic position carried on or with the human body;
• a means for determining if changes in velocity indicate a need for assistance;
• and a means of transmitting a signal carrying a code containing information from which possible a need for assistance and geographic position can be derived;
• a communications network having a means for receiving the signal;
• and a means for forwarding the signal;
• a central control having a means of receiving the signal from the communications network;
• and a means of alerting a third party by telephone, pager, or electronic message of the need for assistance and geographic location.

An apparatus adapted for monitoring acceleration and deceleration of the user comprising:

• a sensor adapted to transduce the average acceleration of a user when operatively mounted on the user;
• a programmable processor operatively connected to the sensor;
• a transceiver operatively connected to the processor and/or sensor,
• a location sensing receiver operatively connected to the processor to provide location data;
• software operatively loaded on the memory of the processor and adapted to receive transduced information from the sensor, compare the transduced information to pre-defined parameters, and decide if any message should be transmitted in code form through the transceiver based on that comparison and containing geographic position of the sensor.

A method for remote monitoring of an accelerated state of a user comprising the steps of:

• transducing information related to this state at or near the location of the state;
• comparing the transduced information to pre-determined criteria at or near the location of the state;
• monitoring further motion or states of the user and comparing this to expected values;
• transducing geographic location of the state;
• transmitting code if indicated by the comparison, the code comprising information from which possible need of assistance and geographic location can be derived.

A system for remote monitoring of the accelerated state for a plurality of users comprising:

• a wearable remote unit including an accelerometer, a device for determining geographic location, and wireless transceiver all operatively in communication with a processor;
• a processing center including a wireless transceiver adapted for communication with the transceiver on the remote units;
• pre-programmable parameters stored in the processor of each remote unit customized for the user of each remote unit;
• software programmed in the processor of each remote unit adapted to compare a sensed acceleration with said customized parameters and causing transmission of a code to the processing center if indicated by the comparison, the code comprising information from which possible need of assistant in geographic location can be derived.