IP Library Granted Patent US 8,081,082
Granted Patent B2
US 8,081,082 · App. 12/473,181 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Monitoring patterns of motion

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,081,082
App. No.
12/473,181
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method, computer program product, and apparatus for monitoring patterns of motion are provided. A signal is received from a sensor on a user, wherein movement of the user causes the sensor to generate power to emit a signal indicative of the movement of the user. The signal is analyzed to form a current pattern of motion. The current pattern of motion is compared to a baseline pattern of motion associated with the user. A difference between the current pattern of motion and the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user is determined to form a difference. The difference is compared to a predetermined threshold. Responsive to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, an alert is sent.

Claims (52)

1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring patterns of motion, the computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving a signal from a sensor on a user, wherein movement of the user causes the sensor to generate power to emit a signal indicative of the movement of the user;

analyzing the signal to form a current pattern of motion;

comparing the current pattern of motion to a baseline pattern of motion associated with the user;

determining a difference between the current pattern of motion and the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user to form a difference;

comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold; and

responsive to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, sending an alert.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alert includes the specific location of the user within a predefined area.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alert includes a description of the detected problem.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alert is sent after a predetermined time during which the user can cancel the alert.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

configuring a monitoring unit for a type of activity to be monitored and for the user to be monitored; and

establishing the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user for the activity to be monitored.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the signal is a signal from a radio frequency identity tag.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing a baseline amount of strain for a user,

comparing a current amount of strain to the baseline amount of strain associated with the user;

determining a difference between the current amount of strain and the baseline amount of strain associated with the user to form a strain difference;

comparing the strain difference to a predetermined threshold; and

responsive to the strain difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, sending the alert.

8. A computer program product comprising:

computer recordable storage medium;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for receiving a signal from a sensor on a user, wherein movement of the user causes the sensor to generate power to emit a signal indicative of the movement of the user;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for analyzing the signal to form a current pattern of motion;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for comparing the current pattern of motion to a baseline pattern of motion associated with the user;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for determining a difference between the current pattern of motion and the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user to form a difference;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for comparing the difference to a predetermined threshold; and

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for, responsive to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, sending an alert.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the alert includes the specific location of the user within a predefined area.

10. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the alert includes a description of the detected problem.

11. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the alert is sent after a predetermined time during which the user can cancel the alert.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising:

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for configuring a monitoring unit for a type of activity to be monitored and for the user to be monitored; and

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for establishing the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user for the activity to be monitored.

13. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the signal is a signal from a radio frequency identity tag.

14. The computer program product of claim 8 , further comprising:

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for establishing a baseline amount of strain for a user,

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for comparing a current amount of strain to the baseline amount of strain associated with the user;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for determining a difference between the current amount of strain and the baseline amount of strain associated with the user to form a strain difference;

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for comparing the strain difference to a predetermined threshold; and

computer useable program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for, responsive to the strain difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, sending the alert.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a bus;

a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;

at least one managed device connected to the bus;

a communications unit connected to the bus; and

a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to receive a signal from a sensor on a user, wherein movement of the user causes the sensor to generate power to emit a signal indicative of the movement of the user; analyze the signal to form a current pattern of motion; compare the current pattern of motion to a baseline pattern of motion associated with the user; determine a difference between the current pattern of motion and the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user to form a difference; compare the difference to a predetermined threshold; and responsive to the difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, send an alert.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the alert includes the specific location of the user within a predefined area.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the alert includes a description of the detected problem.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the alert is sent after a predetermined time during which the user can cancel the alert.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable code to configure a monitoring unit for a type of activity to be monitored and for the user to be monitored; and establish the baseline pattern of motion associated with the user for the activity to be monitored.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable code to establish a baseline amount of strain for a user, compare a current amount of strain to the baseline amount of strain associated with the user; determine a difference between the current amount of strain and the baseline amount of strain associated with the user to form a strain difference; compare the strain difference to a predetermined threshold; and responsive to the strain difference exceeding the predetermined threshold, send the alert.

Assignments (20)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2022
From: GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061476/0745 →
AMALGAMATION Recorded Jul 25, 2022
From: 1339416 B.C. LTD.; ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: 1339416 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 060907/0090 →
CONTINUED - CHANGE OF JURISDICTION Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: ECOBEE INC.
To: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 059805/0101 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: 1339416 B.C. LTD.
To: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES ULC
Reel/Frame 059825/0668 →
AMALGAMATION Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: 1339416 B.C. LTD.; ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: 1339416 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 059825/0888 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2022
From: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES ULC
To: GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 059713/0780 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2022
From: GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.
To: GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059713/0799 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY FROM ECOBEE, INC. TO ECOBEE INC. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 058568 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 8, 2022
From: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC D/B/A AST TRUST COMPANY (CANADA)
To: ECOBEE INC.
Reel/Frame 058965/0106 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY NAME FROM ECOBEE, INC. TO ECOBEE INC. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 058521 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 7, 2022
From: STRUCTURED ALPHA LP, BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER THOMVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD.
To: ECOBEE INC.
Reel/Frame 059205/0822 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: 1339416 B.C. LTD.
To: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES ULC
Reel/Frame 058907/0363 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES ULC
To: GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 058917/0069 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.
To: GENERAC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058917/0161 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: 1339416 B.C. LTD.; ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: 1339416 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 061001/0949 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: ECOBEE INC.
To: ECOBEE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 058905/0211 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2021
From: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC D/B/A AST TRUST COMPANY (CANADA)
To: ECOBEE, INC.
Reel/Frame 058568/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2021
From: STRUCTURED ALPHA LP, BY ITS GENERAL PARTNER THOMVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD.
To: ECOBEE, INC.
Reel/Frame 058521/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2020
From: ECOBEE INC.
To: AST TRUST COMPANY (CANADA)
Reel/Frame 052704/0656 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2020
From: INC., ECOBEE
To: STRUCTURED ALPHA LP
Reel/Frame 052678/0864 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 2, 2019
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: ECOBEE INC.
Reel/Frame 048761/0261 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2009
From: MALIK, NADEEM; PEARSALL, KATHERINE JUNE; RUTLEDGE, ADRIAN; WOODWARD, ELIZABETH VERA
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022744/0496 →