Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Medical Systems 5/2011

01-10-2011 | Original Paper

An Environmental-Adaptive Fall Detection System on Mobile Device

Authors: Sung-Yen Chang, Chin-Feng Lai, Han-Chieh Josh Chao, Jong Hyuk Park, Yueh-Min Huang

Published in: Journal of Medical Systems | Issue 5/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

When facing damages caused by falls, a well designed smart sensor system to detect falls can be both medically and economically helpful. This research introduces a portable terrain adaptable fall detection system, by placing accelerometers and gyroscopes in parts of the body and transmit data through wireless transmitter modules to mobile devices to get the related information and combining it with the center of gravity clustering algorithm introduced in this research which computes the human body behavior patterns according the relationship between the center of gravity in the body and the feet portion of the body. Compared with the research in the past, this system is not only highly accurate and robust, but also able to adapt to different types of terrains, which solves the problems that other researches have for detection errors when the client is climbing the stairs or walking on a slant.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Gallagher, E. M., and Brunt, H., Head over heels: Impact of a health promotion program to reduce falls in the elderly. Canadian Journal on Aging 15(1):84–96, 1996.CrossRef Gallagher, E. M., and Brunt, H., Head over heels: Impact of a health promotion program to reduce falls in the elderly. Canadian Journal on Aging 15(1):84–96, 1996.CrossRef
2.
go back to reference Sixsmith, A., and Johnson, N., A smart sensor to detect the falls of the elderly. IEEE Pervasive Computing 3(2):42–47, 2004.CrossRef Sixsmith, A., and Johnson, N., A smart sensor to detect the falls of the elderly. IEEE Pervasive Computing 3(2):42–47, 2004.CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Elizabeth, T., Therese, D., Catherine, M., and Stephen, J., What works in preventing unintentional injuries in children and young adolescents? An updated systematic review. London Health Development Agency, 2001. Elizabeth, T., Therese, D., Catherine, M., and Stephen, J., What works in preventing unintentional injuries in children and young adolescents? An updated systematic review. London Health Development Agency, 2001.
4.
go back to reference Stevens, J. A., Corso, P. S., Finkelstein, E. A., and Miller T. R., The costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults. Inj. Prev. 12(5):290–295, 2006.CrossRef Stevens, J. A., Corso, P. S., Finkelstein, E. A., and Miller T. R., The costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults. Inj. Prev. 12(5):290–295, 2006.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Ullah, S., Higgins, H., Braem, B., Latre, B., Blondia, C., Moerman, I., Saleem, S., Rahman, Z., and Kwak, K. S., A comprehensive survey of wireless body area networks: On PHY, MAC, and network layers solutions. J. Med. Syst., 2010. doi:10.1007/s10916-010-9571-3. Ullah, S., Higgins, H., Braem, B., Latre, B., Blondia, C., Moerman, I., Saleem, S., Rahman, Z., and Kwak, K. S., A comprehensive survey of wireless body area networks: On PHY, MAC, and network layers solutions. J. Med. Syst., 2010. doi:10.​1007/​s10916-010-9571-3.
6.
go back to reference Jobs, M., Lantz, F., Lewin, B., Jansson, E., Antoni, J., Brunberg, K., Hallbjorner, P., and Rydberg, A., WBAN mass: A WBAN-based monitoring application system. In: Proc. Of IET Seminar on Antennas and Propagation for Body-Centric Wireless Communications. pp. 1–5. London, 2009. Jobs, M., Lantz, F., Lewin, B., Jansson, E., Antoni, J., Brunberg, K., Hallbjorner, P., and Rydberg, A., WBAN mass: A WBAN-based monitoring application system. In: Proc. Of IET Seminar on Antennas and Propagation for Body-Centric Wireless Communications. pp. 1–5. London, 2009.
7.
go back to reference Huang, Z., Zhao, Q., Tu, D., Wu, R., and Yang, H., A wireless network based multi-modal information perception framework and its application. Proc. of IET Conference on Wireless, Mobile and Sensor Networks. pp. 909–912. Shanghai, China, 2007. Huang, Z., Zhao, Q., Tu, D., Wu, R., and Yang, H., A wireless network based multi-modal information perception framework and its application. Proc. of IET Conference on Wireless, Mobile and Sensor Networks. pp. 909–912. Shanghai, China, 2007.
8.
9.
go back to reference Rougier, C., Meunier, J., St-Arnaud, A., and Rousseau, J., Monocular 3D head tracking to detect falls of elderly people. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS ’06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE pp. 6384. New York, 30 Aug.–3 Sept., 2006. Rougier, C., Meunier, J., St-Arnaud, A., and Rousseau, J., Monocular 3D head tracking to detect falls of elderly people. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS ’06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE pp. 6384. New York, 30 Aug.–3 Sept., 2006.
10.
go back to reference Na, H., Qin, S. F., and Wright, D., A Smart vision sensor for detecting risk factors of a toddler’s fall. In: Proc. of the 2007 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control. London UK, 15–17 Apr. 2007. Na, H., Qin, S. F., and Wright, D., A Smart vision sensor for detecting risk factors of a toddler’s fall. In: Proc. of the 2007 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control. London UK, 15–17 Apr. 2007.
11.
go back to reference Nait-Charif, H., and McKenna, S. J., Activity summarisation and fall detection in a supportive home environment. In: Proc. of the 17th International Conference on Pattern Recognition. Vol. 4, pp. 323. Cambridge UK, 23–26 Aug. 2004. Nait-Charif, H., and McKenna, S. J., Activity summarisation and fall detection in a supportive home environment. In: Proc. of the 17th International Conference on Pattern Recognition. Vol. 4, pp. 323. Cambridge UK, 23–26 Aug. 2004.
12.
go back to reference Huang, B., Tian, G., and Wu, H., A method for fast fall detection based on intelligent space. In: Proc. of Automation and Logistics, 2008. ICAL 2008. IEEE International Conference on. pp. 2260–2265. Qingdao, 1–3 Sept. 2008. Huang, B., Tian, G., and Wu, H., A method for fast fall detection based on intelligent space. In: Proc. of Automation and Logistics, 2008. ICAL 2008. IEEE International Conference on. pp. 2260–2265. Qingdao, 1–3 Sept. 2008.
13.
go back to reference Childs, R., Mobile health futures—extending body motion analysis into real time monitoring for chronic medical ailments. In: Proc. of 2007 3rd Institution of Engineering and Technology International Conference on Medical Electrical Devices and Technology. pp. 293–297. London, UK, Oct. 2007. Childs, R., Mobile health futures—extending body motion analysis into real time monitoring for chronic medical ailments. In: Proc. of 2007 3rd Institution of Engineering and Technology International Conference on Medical Electrical Devices and Technology. pp. 293–297. London, UK, Oct. 2007.
14.
go back to reference Kun, L.G, Homecare and disease prevention: Reviewing a decade of evolution—privacy still the biggest hurdle. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS ’06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE. pp. 4685–4685. New York, 30 Aug.–3 Sept., 2006. Kun, L.G, Homecare and disease prevention: Reviewing a decade of evolution—privacy still the biggest hurdle. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS ’06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE. pp. 4685–4685. New York, 30 Aug.–3 Sept., 2006.
15.
go back to reference Chan, V., Ray, P., and Parameswaran, N., Mobile e-Health monitoring: an agent-based approach. IET Communications 2(2):223–230, 2008.CrossRef Chan, V., Ray, P., and Parameswaran, N., Mobile e-Health monitoring: an agent-based approach. IET Communications 2(2):223–230, 2008.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Verhenneman, G., and Veys, A., My camera, my buddy? Legal and sociological assessment of the potential of video surveillance in eHomeCare. In: Proc. of Information Technology and Applications in Biomedicine, 2009. ITAB 2009. 9th International Conference on. pp. 1–6. Larnaca, 4–7 Nov. 2009. Verhenneman, G., and Veys, A., My camera, my buddy? Legal and sociological assessment of the potential of video surveillance in eHomeCare. In: Proc. of Information Technology and Applications in Biomedicine, 2009. ITAB 2009. 9th International Conference on. pp. 1–6. Larnaca, 4–7 Nov. 2009.
17.
go back to reference Lhotska, L., Aubrecht, P., Valls, A., and Gibert, K., Security recommendations for implementation in distributed healthcare systems. In: Proc. of Security Technology, 2008. ICCST 2008. 42nd Annual IEEE International Carnahan Conference on. pp. 76–83. Prague, 13–16 Oct. 2008. Lhotska, L., Aubrecht, P., Valls, A., and Gibert, K., Security recommendations for implementation in distributed healthcare systems. In: Proc. of Security Technology, 2008. ICCST 2008. 42nd Annual IEEE International Carnahan Conference on. pp. 76–83. Prague, 13–16 Oct. 2008.
18.
go back to reference Kun, L. G., The global health network in the 21st Century: “Telehealth, homecare, genetics, counter-bioterrorism, security and privacy of information, do we need it and are we ready for it?” In: Proc. of Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 1999. ITIS-ITAB ’99. 1999 IEEE EMBS International Conference on. pp. 19–21. Amsterdam, 12–13 Apr. 1999. Kun, L. G., The global health network in the 21st Century: “Telehealth, homecare, genetics, counter-bioterrorism, security and privacy of information, do we need it and are we ready for it?” In: Proc. of Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 1999. ITIS-ITAB ’99. 1999 IEEE EMBS International Conference on. pp. 19–21. Amsterdam, 12–13 Apr. 1999.
19.
go back to reference Dinh, A., Teng, D., Chen, L., Ko, S. B., Shi, Y., Basran, J., and Del Bello-Hass, V., Data acquisition system using six degree-of-freedom inertia sensor and Zigbee wireless link for fall detection and prevention. In: Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2008. EMBS 2008. 30th Annual International Conference of the IEEE. pp. 2353–2356. Vancouver BC, 20–25 Aug. 2008. Dinh, A., Teng, D., Chen, L., Ko, S. B., Shi, Y., Basran, J., and Del Bello-Hass, V., Data acquisition system using six degree-of-freedom inertia sensor and Zigbee wireless link for fall detection and prevention. In: Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2008. EMBS 2008. 30th Annual International Conference of the IEEE. pp. 2353–2356. Vancouver BC, 20–25 Aug. 2008.
20.
go back to reference Zheng, J., Zhang, G., and Wu, T., Design of automatic fall detector for elderly based on triaxial accelerometer. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, 2009. ICBBE 2009. 3rd International Conference on. pp. 1–4. Beijing, 11–13 June 2009. Zheng, J., Zhang, G., and Wu, T., Design of automatic fall detector for elderly based on triaxial accelerometer. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, 2009. ICBBE 2009. 3rd International Conference on. pp. 1–4. Beijing, 11–13 June 2009.
21.
go back to reference Bourke, A. K., van de Ven Pepijn, W. J., Chaya, A., O. L.aighin, G., and Nelson, J., Design and test of a long-term fall detection system incorporated into a custom vest for the elderly. In: Proc. of IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference. pp. 307–312. Galway, Ireland, 2008. Bourke, A. K., van de Ven Pepijn, W. J., Chaya, A., O. L.aighin, G., and Nelson, J., Design and test of a long-term fall detection system incorporated into a custom vest for the elderly. In: Proc. of IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference. pp. 307–312. Galway, Ireland, 2008.
22.
go back to reference Bourke, A. K., van de Ven Pepijn, Gamble, M., O’Connor, R., Murphy, K., Bogan, E., McQuade, E., Finucane, P., O. L.aighin, G., and Nelson, J., Applications of waist segment kinematic measurement using accelerometry for an autonomous fall-detection system during continuous activities. In: Proc. of IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference. pp. 198–203. Cork, 2010. Bourke, A. K., van de Ven Pepijn, Gamble, M., O’Connor, R., Murphy, K., Bogan, E., McQuade, E., Finucane, P., O. L.aighin, G., and Nelson, J., Applications of waist segment kinematic measurement using accelerometry for an autonomous fall-detection system during continuous activities. In: Proc. of IET Irish Signals and Systems Conference. pp. 198–203. Cork, 2010.
23.
go back to reference Casas, R., Marco, A., Plaza, I., Garrido, Y., and Falco, J., ZigBee-based alarm system for pervasive healthcare in rural areas. IET Communications 2(2):208–214, 2008.CrossRef Casas, R., Marco, A., Plaza, I., Garrido, Y., and Falco, J., ZigBee-based alarm system for pervasive healthcare in rural areas. IET Communications 2(2):208–214, 2008.CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Degen, T., Jaeckel, H., Rufer, M., and Wyss, S., SPEEDY: A fall detector in a wrist watch. In: Proc.of the 7th IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers. pp. 184–187. New York, USA, 21–23 Oct. 2003. Degen, T., Jaeckel, H., Rufer, M., and Wyss, S., SPEEDY: A fall detector in a wrist watch. In: Proc.of the 7th IEEE International Symposium on Wearable Computers. pp. 184–187. New York, USA, 21–23 Oct. 2003.
25.
go back to reference Lindemann, U., Hock, A., and Stuber, M., Evaluation of a fall detector based on accelerometers: A pilot study. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 43(5):548–551. doi:10.1007/BF02351026. Lindemann, U., Hock, A., and Stuber, M., Evaluation of a fall detector based on accelerometers: A pilot study. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 43(5):548–551. doi:10.​1007/​BF02351026.
26.
go back to reference Yang, C. C., and Hsu, Y. L., Development of a portable system for physical activity assessment in a home environment. In: Proc. of International Computer Symposium, Taipei Taiwan. pp. 1339–1344. 4–6 Dec. 2006 Yang, C. C., and Hsu, Y. L., Development of a portable system for physical activity assessment in a home environment. In: Proc. of International Computer Symposium, Taipei Taiwan. pp. 1339–1344. 4–6 Dec. 2006
27.
go back to reference Wang, C. C., Chiang, C. Y., Lin, P. Y., Chou, Y. C., Kuo, I. T., Huang, C. N., and Chan, C. T., Development of a fall detecting system for the elderly residents. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, 2008. ICBBE 2008. The 2nd International Conference on. pp. 1359–1362. Shanghai, 16–18 May 2008. Wang, C. C., Chiang, C. Y., Lin, P. Y., Chou, Y. C., Kuo, I. T., Huang, C. N., and Chan, C. T., Development of a fall detecting system for the elderly residents. In: Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering, 2008. ICBBE 2008. The 2nd International Conference on. pp. 1359–1362. Shanghai, 16–18 May 2008.
28.
go back to reference Jeon, A. Y., Kim, J. H., Kim, I. C., Jung, J. H., Ye, S. Y., Ro, J. H., Yoon, S. H., Son, J. M., Kim, B. C., Shin, B. J., and Jeon, G. R., Implementation of the personal emergency response system using a 3-axial accelerometer. In: Proc. of Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 2007. ITAB 2007. 6th International Special Topic Conference on. pp. 223–226. Tokyo, 8–11 Nov. 2007. Jeon, A. Y., Kim, J. H., Kim, I. C., Jung, J. H., Ye, S. Y., Ro, J. H., Yoon, S. H., Son, J. M., Kim, B. C., Shin, B. J., and Jeon, G. R., Implementation of the personal emergency response system using a 3-axial accelerometer. In: Proc. of Information Technology Applications in Biomedicine, 2007. ITAB 2007. 6th International Special Topic Conference on. pp. 223–226. Tokyo, 8–11 Nov. 2007.
29.
go back to reference Jeon, A. Y., Ye, S. Y., Park, J. M., Kim K. M., Kim, J. H., Jung, D. K., Jeon, G. R., and Ro, J. H., Emergency detection system using PDA based on self-response algorithm. In: Proc. of Convergence Information Technology, 2007. International Conference on. pp. 1207–1212. Gyeongju, 21–23 Nov. 2007. Jeon, A. Y., Ye, S. Y., Park, J. M., Kim K. M., Kim, J. H., Jung, D. K., Jeon, G. R., and Ro, J. H., Emergency detection system using PDA based on self-response algorithm. In: Proc. of Convergence Information Technology, 2007. International Conference on. pp. 1207–1212. Gyeongju, 21–23 Nov. 2007.
30.
go back to reference Li, Q., Stankovic, J. A., Hanson, M. A., Barth, A. T., Lach, J., and Zhou, G., Accurate, fast fall detection using gyroscopes and accelerometer-derived posture information. In: Proc. of Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks, 2009. BSN 2009. Sixth International Workshop on. pp. 138–143. Berkeley CA, 3–5 June 2009. Li, Q., Stankovic, J. A., Hanson, M. A., Barth, A. T., Lach, J., and Zhou, G., Accurate, fast fall detection using gyroscopes and accelerometer-derived posture information. In: Proc. of Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks, 2009. BSN 2009. Sixth International Workshop on. pp. 138–143. Berkeley CA, 3–5 June 2009.
31.
go back to reference Wu, G. E., and Xue, S., Portable preimpact fall detector with inertial sensors. IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 16(2):178, 2008.CrossRef Wu, G. E., and Xue, S., Portable preimpact fall detector with inertial sensors. IEEE Trans. Neural Syst. Rehabil. Eng. 16(2):178, 2008.CrossRef
32.
go back to reference Doukas, C., Maglogiannis, I., Katsarakis, N., and Pneumatikakis, A., Enhanced human body fall detection utilizing advanced classification of video and motion perceptual components. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology 296:185–193, 2009. doi:10.1007978-1-4419-0221-423.CrossRef Doukas, C., Maglogiannis, I., Katsarakis, N., and Pneumatikakis, A., Enhanced human body fall detection utilizing advanced classification of video and motion perceptual components. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology 296:185–193, 2009. doi:10.​1007978-1-4419-0221-423.CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Chen, J., Kwong, K., Chang, D., Luk, J., and Bajcsy, R., Wearable sensors for reliable fall detection. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2005. IEEE-EMBS 2005. 27th Annual International Conference of the. pp. 3551–3554. Shanghai, 17–18 Jan. 2006. Chen, J., Kwong, K., Chang, D., Luk, J., and Bajcsy, R., Wearable sensors for reliable fall detection. In: Proc. of Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2005. IEEE-EMBS 2005. 27th Annual International Conference of the. pp. 3551–3554. Shanghai, 17–18 Jan. 2006.
34.
go back to reference Guo, X. S., Wang, L., and Yang, X., Implementing a wireless portable healthcare monitoring system for physiological signals, In: Proc. of IET International Conference on Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks. pp. 1–4. Hangzhou, China, 2006. Guo, X. S., Wang, L., and Yang, X., Implementing a wireless portable healthcare monitoring system for physiological signals, In: Proc. of IET International Conference on Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks. pp. 1–4. Hangzhou, China, 2006.
35.
go back to reference Chiu, S. L., Extracting fuzzy rules from data for function approximation and pattern classification. In: Dubois, D., Prade, H., and Yager, R. R. (Eds.), Fuzzy Information Engineering: A. Guided Tour of Applications. pp. 149–162 (Chapter 9). New York: Wiley, 1997. Chiu, S. L., Extracting fuzzy rules from data for function approximation and pattern classification. In: Dubois, D., Prade, H., and Yager, R. R. (Eds.), Fuzzy Information Engineering: A. Guided Tour of Applications. pp. 149–162 (Chapter 9). New York: Wiley, 1997.
Metadata
Title
An Environmental-Adaptive Fall Detection System on Mobile Device
Authors
Sung-Yen Chang
Chin-Feng Lai
Han-Chieh Josh Chao
Jong Hyuk Park
Yueh-Min Huang
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Medical Systems / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0148-5598
Electronic ISSN: 1573-689X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-011-9677-2

Other articles of this Issue 5/2011

Journal of Medical Systems 5/2011 Go to the issue