Movement and event systems and associated methods
View Patent ↗The invention provides a smart sensor ( 10 ) in the form of an adhesive bandage ( 32 ). The sensor ( 12 ) sticks to people and objects and wirelessly communicates with remote receivers ( 24 ). Internal detectors ( 12 ) sense conditions associated with movement or the environment of the sensor. Typically, sensors of the invention communicate by an RF transmitter or transceiver ( 16 ). Groups of sensors may be combined within a common canister that imparts date and time information and “power on” when dispensed.
1. A movement monitor device, comprising:
a real time clock
a first detector detecting only linear movement, for generating a first signal in response to a foot landing movement of the device and a foot lifting movement of the device, and for determining a duration associated with the movements using the real time clock;
a second detector operative to generate a second signal indicative of an angle of vertical climb;
a processor for:
processing the first signal to generate one or more foot movement events based on the generated foot landing and foot lifting signals; and
processing the second signal to generate a work function; and
a first communications port, wherein the first communications port wirelessly communicates events, the determined durations associated with each movement, and the generated work function to a receiver and wherein the first communications port communicates the events and generated work function to the receiver substantially continuously.
2. A movement monitor device, comprising:
a real time clock
a first detector detecting only linear movement, for generating a first signal in response to a foot landing movement of the device and a foot lifting movement of the device, and for determining a duration associated with the movements using the real time clock;
a second detector operative to generate a second signal indicative of an angle of vertical climb;
a processor for:
processing the first signal to generate one or more foot movement events; and
processing the second signal to generate a work function; and
a first communications port for communicating events, the determined durations associated with each movement, and the generated work function to a receiver remote from the device; and
wherein the receiver is selected from the group of MP3 players, electronic PDAs, digital watches, cell phones and pagers.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the receiver is operative to generate media signals suitable for display.
4. A device of claim 2 , wherein the receiver is operative to synthesize the events as voice data.
5. A movement monitor device, comprising:
a first detector comprising an accelerometer for generating only an acceleration signal in response to movement of the device;
a second detector operative to generate a climb signal indicative of an angle of vertical climb;
a real time clock;
a processor for:
processing the acceleration signal to detect and generate one or more impact events and for determining a duration associated with the events using the real time clock; and
processing the climb signal to generate a work function; and
a first communications port for automatically communicating events, the durations associated with the events, and the generated work function to a receiver remote from the device.
6. A movement monitor device, comprising:
a first detector comprising an accelerometer for generating only an acceleration signal in response to movement of the device;
a second detector operative to generate a climb signal indicative of an angle of vertical climb;
a real time clock;
a processor for:
processing the acceleration signal to detect and generate one or more power events and for determining a duration associated with the events using the real time clock; and
processing the climb signal to generate a work function; and
a first communications port for automatically communicating events, the durations associated with the events, and the generated work function to a receiver remote from the device.
7. A movement monitor device, comprising:
a first detector comprising an accelerometer for generating only an acceleration signal in response to movement of the device;
a second detector operative to generate a climb signal indicative of an angle of vertical climb;
a real time clock;
a processor for:
processing the acceleration signal to detect and generate one or more jarring events and for determining a duration associated with the events using the real time clock; and
processing the climb signal to generate a work function; and
a first communications port for automatically communicating events, the durations associated with the events, and the generated work function to a receiver remote from the device.