Activity monitoring device

Abstract

A device for monitoring the inactivity of a user, wich device finds particular use in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers and other travellers. The device comprises a carrier ( 20 ) for positionig adjecent a user, a motion sensor ( 10 ) mounted on the carrier ( 20 ) and adapted to detect the user performing motion, a timer ( 12 ) connected to the motion sensor ( 10 ) and reset when the predefined motion is detected, and an alarm ( 14 ) operated should the timer ( 12 ) count a preset time period without being reset. The carrier ( 20 ) is preferably a small container that can be strapped around the limb of a wearer. Failure to undertake the required motion will cause the alarm ( 14 ) to be activited, thus notifying the wearer of the onmission.

1 . A device for monitoring the activity of a user, comprising a carrier for positioning adjacent a user, a motion sensor mounted on the carrier and adapted to detect the user performing a predefined type or amount of motion, a timer connected to the motion sensor so as to be reset should the predefined motion be detected, and an alarm connected to the timer for triggering thereby, should the timer count a preset time period without being reset.  
     
     
         2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the timer and alarm are also mounted on the carrier.  
     
     
         3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which the carrier includes attachment means to permit removable attachment of the device to a user.  
     
     
         4 . A device as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the attachment means comprise a strap that passes around a limb of a user.  
     
     
         5 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the strap is elasticated and is passed over the extremity of a limb.  
     
     
         6 . A device as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the strap is in two parts each part being provided with one part of a two part hook and loop fastener, and is attached around the limb.  
     
     
         7 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the type of predetermined motion that the motion senor is adapted to detect, and consequently reset the timer, may be adjusted.  
     
     
         8 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the preset time period that the timer counts to before operating the alarm is adjustable.  
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the alarm includes at least one of an audible signal generator, a light source, and a vibrator.  
     
     
         10 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the device includes a controller adapted to receive information from the timer and the motion sensor and to operate the alarm in response thereto.  
     
     
         11 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the sensor can detect predetermined patterns of movement over a time frame and will reset the timer only in response to a completed pattern.  
     
     
         12 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which also includes means for transmitting and receiving data which allow the device to be remotely monitored and/or controlled.  
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the timer, motion sensor, and alarm are included in or are controlled by a suitably programmed micro-controller.  
     
     
         14 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the carrier comprises a container formed from plastics material within which the timer, motion sensor, alarm, and controller if present, are located.  
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the carrier comprises a mattress and the sensor is therein to monitor the activity of a person lying thereon, and the alarm is located remotely from the mattress.  
     
     
         16 . A device as claimed in any of the  claims 1  to  14 , which is adapted for attachment to a leg of a passenger on a transportation vehicle, and the type of predetermined motion and the preset time period of the timer are set so that the alarm is triggered if the leg is not exercised often enough to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.  
     
     
         17 . A device as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  14 , which is adapted for attachment to a leg of a vehicle driver or to a pedal operated by a leg of the driver, and the type of predetermined motion and the preset time period of the timer are set so that the alarm is triggered if pedal is not operated by the driver's leg.  
     
     
         18 . A device as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  14 , adapted for attachment to person exercising, in which the type of predetermined motion is set to the pattern generated by the correct completion of a specified exercise routine, and the preset time period of the timer is set so that the alarm is triggered if the exercise is not correctly performed by the person wearing the device.  
     
     
         19 . A device as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  14 , which is adapted for attachment to an athlete and monitors and records movement data for later analysis.  
     
     
         20 . A device as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  14 , in which the device is adapted to be attached to the legs of an animal such as a racehorse, whereby monitoring of the movement of the legs is achieved by remote transmission of data from the device to a recorder on the saddle or other remote location.  
     
     
         21 . A device as claimed in  claim 20 , in which the data obtained from the device is analysed by software remotely located on a computer  
     
     
         22 . A device as claimed in any of the preceding, in which the device is controlled by a microcomputer embedded in the carrier, which microcomputer is reprogrammable to allow for multiple uses of the device