GB2531316A

GB2531316A - A room floor apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2531316A
Application number: GB1418358.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sanjay Mehalle Puri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-16
Filing date: 2014-10-16
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Also published as: GB201418358D0

Abstract

A room floor apparatus 10 comprises one or more tiles 11 for laying on a floor of a room. A detection element is arranged to register one or more pressure patterns on a said one or more tiles 11. The registered pressure patterns are transmitted to a processor 16 via a wire 17. The processor 16 is configured to discriminate between a plurality of pressure patterns and is capable of transmitting a signal to a receiver (18,fig.3) relating to the identified pressure pattern. The receiver (18,fig.3) has a screen (19,fig.3) for displaying a fall alert message. The detection element may be located between the tile and the floor, or embedded in the tile and/or the floor. The detection element may comprise two or more membrane layers functioning as a switch. The detection element may be made of, or include a quantum tunnelling composite pill. The processor 16 may discriminate between footsteps and a fall.

Description

A Room Floor Apparatus This invention relates to a room floor apparatus, for use in places such as bathrooms, kitchens, which is configured to alert that a fall has taken place.

Falls are a big problem in hospitals, nursing homes and patient homes. Falls can cause very serious injury and even death. They can lead to the need for a hospital stay or a longer than needed hospital stay, high costs to a patient, bone fractures, head injuries and other serious outcomes. Nursing assistants and other healthcare workers whenever possible must prevent falls and the harm that they can lead to. It is even more important to know when a fall has taken place so that immediate medical and or other assistance can be provided.

A concern in hospitals and nursing homes is knowing when a fall has occurred, especially at night when residents may use bathrooms on their own and there are no nursing assistants or workers nearby to provide any help. It is important to reach such a fallen person immediately and treat any injuries sustained.

It is possible to place pressure pads in the bathrooms which may detect movement on the pads but these pressure pads are not able to differentiate between normal footsteps and when a fall has taken place. This often leads to false alarms which causes unnecessary use of resources and divert the attention of nursing assistants away if a real need indeed arises.

Accelerometers may be attached to the clothing of residents of hospitals and nursing homes or via e.g. wristbands to detect movement, but this is an inconvenience to the person wearing the accelerometers. Furthermore such accelerometers are not accurate in determining when a fall has taken place.

It is not practicable to place cameras and detectors in bathrooms due to privacy reasons.

Furthermore having monitoring devices installed creates an intrusion to privacy that is not favoured by many.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a room floor apparatus comprising one or more tiles for laying on a floor; a detection element capable of registering one or more pressure patterns on a said tile and transmitting the pressure patterns to a processor, wherein the processor is configured to identify the said one or more pressure patterns and is capable S of transmitting a corresponding signal relating to the identified pressure pattern.

The invention therefore removes the need to have monitoring devices that compromises privacy and can be configured to differentiate between the pressure patterns of normal footfalls and when a fall has taken place.

Preferably the detection element is located between the or a said tile and the floor, or is embedded in the tile and/or in the floor.

Advantageously the detection element includes two or more membrane layers capable of functioning as a switch.

Alternatively the detection element could be made of or includes a Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) pill.

It is advantageous if the processor is capable of discriminating between a plurality of pressure patterns including (i) an indication of footsteps on the tiles and (ii) an indication that a fall has taken place on the tiles, and generating the signal accordingly.

Preferably the room floor apparatus further comprises a receiver capable of receiving the transmitted signal from the processor.

Further preferably the signal transmission between the processor and the receiver is by wired and/or wireless communication means.

The wireless communication means could be radio, mobile, wireless network, infrared and/or Bluetooth communication. The different communication means allow transmission of the signals over a range of distances at the option of a designer of a floor or meet needs of the user of specified space.

It is advantageous if the receiver comprises a screen and is configured to display on the screen a predetermined message corresponding to the transmitted signal from the processor. The display can also be expanded to show a grid format.

Preferably the receiver is connected to an alarm that is capable of alerting that a fall on one or more said tiles has taken place.

The receiver can be located in another room where a nursing worker is located or at a dedicated monitoring station, such that when a fall has taken place, the nursing worker is alerted.

Advantageously the alarm is integrated with a nurse alert system and is capable of automatic dialling.

The integration of the alarm enables expedites the receipt of help when someone has fallen, e.g. through automatically placing a telephone call to an ambulance service provider.

It is preferred if the or each pressure pattern registered by the detection element is transmitted as a voltage to the processor via one or more wires or independent signals.

It is an advantage if the one or more wires or signals extend along one or more walls adjacent the floor.

Preferably the or each tile is waterproof. This is useful when the invention is used in bathrooms to prevent water from seeping into the tile and affecting the transmission of voltage signals by the detection element to reduce need for higher cost alternate system, whenever it is practical to do so.

Another aspect of the invention is a room incorporating a room floor apparatus as described above.

Preferably the tile includes a detection element capable of registering one or more pressure patterns on a said tile and transmitting the pressure patterns to a processor. The detection element can also register pressure patterns of multiple tiles or a block of connected tiles.

Advantageously the detection element is located on the exterior of the tile or is embedded in the tile.

It is preferred if the detection element includes two or more membrane layers capable of functioning as a switch.

Alternatively the detection element is made of or includes a QTC pill.

There now follows a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference being made to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a room floor apparatus.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a detection element.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a receiver.

Preferences and options for a given aspect, feature or parameter of the invention should, unless the context indicates otherwise, be regarded as having been disclosed in combination with any and all preferences and options for all other aspects, features and parameters of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a room floor apparatus 10 comprising floor tiles 11 connected to each other e.g. using grouting or mortar (or another connection means such as but not limited to interlocking protrusions and recesses). In the figure, there are illustrated nine floor tiles 11 but the invention is not limited to this number or indeed to the layout shown.

The room floor apparatus 10 comprises a detection element that is capable of registering one or more pressure patterns on the tile 11.

The detection element can be located between the tile 11 and the floor, or embedded in the tile 11 and/or in the floor. Alternatively, there can be multiple detection elements in multiple tiles.

In a preferred embodiment, not depicted, the detection element comprises three layers wherein two of these are membrane layers containing conductive traces. These two membrane layers sandwich a center layer which acts as a spacer and keeps the two membrane layers apart. These layers function as a switch. Appropriate electrical connections may be made to the outer membrane layers in order to connect the switch as an electrical detection device.

Under normal conditions when there is no one walking on the tiles, the switch is open because current cannot cross the non-conductive gap between the traces on the membrane layers.

However, when the top membrane layer is pressed down due to pressure from footsteps or from a fall, it makes contact with the bottom membrane layer. The conductive traces on the underside of the top membrane layer can then bridge the gap, allowing current to flow. The switch is closed as a result and the detection element registers a pressure pattern. Voltage signals can then be transmitted to a processor 16 via a wire 17.

Referring to Figure 2, alternatively, the detection element 12 could be made of or includes a Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC) pill 13. The QTC pill 13 is located between a tile 11 and the floor. The resistance of the QIC pill 13 changes when it is compressed. When it is uncompressed, the QTC pill 13 acts as an electrical insulator. Thus when there is pressure on

S

the tile 11 due to footsteps or a fall, the QTC pill 13 compresses and conduction occurs between the QTC pill 13 and wires 14 embedded between the tile 11 and the floor. A voltage can then be transmitted to the processor 16 via the wire 17. Alternative detection elements could be (i) Piezo Crystal Force Transducer, (U) Strain Gauge Load Cells or similar.

One or more wires 17 could be used. These wires 17 typically extend along one or more walls that are adjacent to the floor.

The processor 16 is capable of discriminating between a plurality of pressure patterns including (i) an indication of footsteps on the tiles 11 and (U) an indication that a fall has taken place on the tiles 11. A signal will be generated accordingly that corresponds to the particular pressure pattern being detected.

Referring to Figure 3, the room floor apparatus 10 further comprises a receiver 18 capable of receiving a transmitted signal from the processor 16.

The signal transmission between the processor 16 and the receiver 18 is by wired or wireless communication means. Wireless communication means include radio, mobile, wireless network like Zigbee and Wifi, infrared and/or Bluetooth communication. The communication means chosen may depend in part on the distance between the processor 16 and the receiver 18.

The receiver 18 has a screen 19 and the receiver 18 is configured to display on the screen 19 a predetermined message corresponding to the transmitted signal from the processor 16 and can be expanded to show a grid format. If a fall has taken place, the predetermined message may indicate, for example, the wording "Fall Alert". Graphical representation indicating the location of the fall can also be displayed The receiver 18 can be connected to an alarm that is capable of alerting that a fall has taken place. The alarm could be integrated with a nurse alert system and is capable of automatic dialling.

In another broad aspect of the invention, as mentioned there is provided a room incorporating the room floor apparatus as described above. The room can be a bathroom or kitchen or living room but is not limited to these rooms.

Such a room may include an interlock or similar feature that deactivates the room floor apparatus unless e.g. a light is switched on in the room or another activation condition is satisfied. When used in combination with a timerthis can readily cause (for instance) activation of the room floor apparatus to detect footsteps and falls (a) during the hours of darkness and (b) when a person signifies a visit to the room through switching on of the light. In this regard switching of the light may be effected using a conventional electro-mechanical switch, or L: through use of a movement sensor such as (but not limited to) a passive infra-red device.

* : Residing in another aspect of the invention is a method of use of the room floor apparatus as described above. * S * **.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior published document or apparatus in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or apparatus is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

Key to drawings Symbol Figure No. Wording (i) I IC to process signal from wire and determine what variables to ________ ___________ transmit (ii) 1 This panel would be attached to bathroom wall (iii) 1 Main IC programmed to detect difference between fall and normal _______ ___________ force pattern (iv) 1 All tiles data processed by an IC in the floor (v) 1 Wire to go along wall, not floor (vi) 1 Nine clip-on tiles to demonstrate floor of bathroom (vii) 2 Four of these sensors for each tile (viii) 3 LCD to display if resident in bathroom as well as if a fall has been _______ __________ detected (ix) 3 Panel to be placed in corridor outside resident's room (x) 3 Buzzer to alert staff if fall detected a

Claims

CLAIMS1. A room floor apparatus comprising: one or more tiles for laying on a floor; a detection element capable of registering one or more pressure patterns on a said tile and transmitting the pressure patterns to a processor, wherein the processor is configured to identify the said one or more pressure patterns and is capable of transmitting a corresponding signal relating to the identified pressure pattern.
2. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the detection element is located between the or a said tile and the floor, or embedded in the tile and/or in the floor.
3. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the detection element includes two or more membrane layers capable of functioning as a switch.
4. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the detection element is made of or includes a Quantum Tunnelling Composite Pill.
5. A room floor apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the processor is capable of disciiminating between a plurality of pressure patterns including (i) an indication of footsteps on the tiles and (ii) an indication that a fall has taken place on the tiles and generating the signal accordingly.
6. A room floor apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a receiver capable of receiving the transmitted signal from the processor.
7. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the signal transmission between the processor and the receiver is by wired or wireless communication means.
8. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein the wireless communication means include radio, mobile, wireless network, infrared and/or Bluetooth communication.
9. A room floor apparatus according to any of Claims 6 to 8 wherein the receiver comprises a scieen and is configured to display on the screen a predetermined message corresponding to the transmitted signal from the processor and can be expanded to show a grid format.
10. A room floor apparatus according to any of Claims 6 to 9 wherein the receiver is connected to an alarm that is capable of alerting that a fall on one or more said tiles has taken place.
11. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the alarm is integrated with a nurse alert system and is capable of automatic dialling.
12. A room floor apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each pressure pattern registered by the detection element is transmitted as a voltage to the processor via one or more wires or independent signals.
13. A room floor apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the one or more wires or signals extend along one or more walls adjacent the floor.
14. A room floor apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each tile is waterproof.
15. A room floor apparatus generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. A room incorporating a room floor apparatus according to any preceding claim.
17. A room generally as herein described, with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
18. A tile of a room floor apparatus according to any of Claims ito 15, the tile including a detection element capable of registering one or more pressure patterns on a said tile and transmitting the pressure patterns to a processor.
19. A tile according to Claim i8 wherein the detection element is located on the exterior of the tile or is embedded in the tile.
20. A tile according to Claim i8 or Claim i9 wherein the detection element includes two or more membrane layers capable of functioning as a switch.
21. A tile according to any of Claims i8to 20 wherein the detection element is made of or includes a Quantum Tunnelling Composite Pill.
22. A tile generally as herein described, with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
23. A room according to Claim i6 including an interlock that deactivates the room floor apparatus unless an activation condition is satisfied.