Method for determining whether an individual enters a prescribed virtual zone using 3D blob detection

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally directed to patient monitoring systems and particularly to a system and method for monitoring patients in a manner which prevents or reduces patient falls.

BACKGROUND

According to recent studies, falls are a leading cause of death among people over the age of 65 years and 10% of the fatal falls for patients over 65 years of age occur in a hospital setting. For the general population, studies estimate that patient falls occur in 1.9 to 3% of all acute care hospitalizations. Of these hospital-based falls, approximately 30% will result in a serious injury with the cost to care for these injuries estimated to reach $54.9 billion per year by 2020. Current technologies that exist to assist in the prevention of falls are limited in their capabilities. These include pressure pads on the bed that trigger an alert when no pressure is detected on the pad, pressure pads on the floor and light beams that create a perimeter with alarms going off upon interruption of the beam. The pressure pads are ineffective as they do not prevent the fall but rather alert after the fact when it is too late. Additionally they are prone to false positive alerts. The light beams are also prone to false alerts when the patient or visitor simply reaches through it or the caregiver breaks the beam while delivering medication, food, drink or conducting a procedure on the patient. The present disclosure is directed to addressing these above-described shortcomings with current technology.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally disclosed is a novel method and system that allows healthcare providers, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other persons to monitor disabled, elderly or other high-risk individuals and utilize the described technology to prevent or reduce falls and/or mitigate the impact of a fall by delivering automated notification of“at risk” behavior and/or falls by such an individual being monitored, especially falls and/or behavior where assistance is required, using a virtual blob detection system.

With skeletal tracking (which is not the detection method used with the current disclosure) there can be factors affecting the cameras/image-video quality which effect the ability of the detection/monitoring system to detect a skeleton. Such factors, especially in a hospital, include, but are not limited to, sheets/blankets covering a patient, trays positioned over the bed hiding the patient and the patient blending into the bed and not having a skeleton recognized. The present disclosure use of a virtual blob detection system addresses or at lease reduces the issues of where a skeleton cannot be recognized. Virtual blob detection relies on a 3D object detection which doesn't matter how much of the person is viewable by the camera or if other objects are blocking the view of the camera. Even in poor lighting condition the virtual blob detection system can still capture and/or recognize movement as the system can use an IR Depth Map to do the blob detection which doesn't rely on lighting conditions.

The following non-limiting definitions are provided as aid in understanding the disclosed novel method and system:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a virtual blob detection zone configuration, monitoring and alerting system and method in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the centralizing monitoring and alerting system in accordance with the disclosure; and

FIGS. 3 through 15 illustrate various screen shots for configuring the system for operation including defining bed zone, virtual blob detection zone(s) and alert types; and

FIG. 16 is a non-limiting example of a centralized video monitoring system that can be used with the system and method shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for the virtual blob detection zone configuration, monitoring and alerting system and method of the disclosed system and method. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the workflow for monitoring an individual's status through the use of one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors.

At step F1a, one or more 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound sensors can be installed in the patient's or individual's room. At step F1b, the one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors can be configured to recognize the area being monitored using 3-Dimensional areas as defined by x, y, and z coordinates in relation to the 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensor. Based on the data sent/captured by the 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensor(s), the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system is programmed to recognize any 3D object within the configured area. The patient's body is recognized and tracked as one or more blobs. Virtual blob detection zones can also be calibrated at this time. At step F1c, data from the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors can be continuously sent to a Computerized Virtual Blob Detection Monitoring System preferably at all times while the system is being used for monitoring. At step F1d, a continuous video feed can be sent to the Central Monitoring Primary Display preferably at all times while the system is being used for monitoring.

At step F1e, if the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system does not detect that the patient or any part of the patient (i.e. presented as a blob object(s)) has crossed into the designated virtual blob detection zone, it will continue monitoring. As a non-limiting example, if both hands of the patient enter the blob detection zone, the system may display and/or track as two different blobs or possibly as a single blob depending on how close the hands are to each other. If the computerized virtual blob detection monitoring system detects that the patient or any part of the patient has crossed into the designated virtual blob detection zone, it will then proceed to step F1f to determine how large the portion of the patient's body that entered the blob detection zone is. If the size of the patient's body that entered the blob detection zone is less than the configured minimum size, it will continue to monitor. Configuration is preferably through the detection system's programmed software and similar to how the zones, trip wires, etc. are configured. However, if the size of the patient's body that is within the blob detection zone is above the minimum predetermined or preprogrammed threshold for the object size, it can then proceed to step F1g. At step F1g, the system determines how long the patient's body has remained within the blob detection zone. If the patient's body has not remained in the detection zone for greater then a configured amount of time, preferably no alert is generated and the system continues to monitor (though the system can also be programmed to issue/generate an alert based solely on the system detecting a large enough blob within the detection zone for any period of time and such is also considered within the scope of the disclosure). However, if at step F1g, the patient's body has remained within the blob detection zone for greater then the minimum configured time period, the monitoring system will alert the computerized communication system. A record can also be entered in a database to record the incident. If other individuals such as a caregiver are also detected within the patient's/monitored room at the time the virtual blob detection zone threshold is crossed, the system can be designed or programmed such that no alert is generated and it will continue to monitor the data being sent from the 3D camera, motion and sound sensor. In this situation, generating an alarm/alert could result in a false alarm, given that there are other individual(s) with the patient, and such person(s) may be responsible for monitoring the patient and/or (even if not responsible) can assist the patient who is falling. The person in the room will be in a better position to assist the patient as compared to the individual located at the central monitoring station. It is also within the scope of the disclosure to send alarm/alerts even if other individual(s) are in the room with the patient, as those individuals may not be the person responsible, may be elderly, may have a physical handicap preventing them from stopping a patient from falling, etc.

At step F1h the computerized communication system preferably can first issue a verbal warning to the patient that they have entered the virtual blob detection zone. This verbal warning can be a pre-recorded message, including, but not limited to, a pre-recorded message from any caregiver, and will advise the patient to exit the virtual blob detection zone and return to their previous position. At step F1i, should the patient fail to exit the virtual blob detection zone and return to their previous position in a timely manner, an alert can be generated on the Central Monitoring Alert Display System (see FIG. 2). The system database can also be updated to reflect actions taken. The system can be designed to provide visual and/or audio alerts.

At step F1j, the computerized communication system can notify caregivers or other designated persons that the individual requires assistance. Notification of caregivers can be made through phone call, text messaging, speakerphone systems, pagers, email, or other electronic means of communication if so desired and configured. At step F1k, if the patient exits the virtual blob detection zone, the system database can be updated to reflect such. Additionally, the system will continue to monitor the patient and store all data in the system database.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram for centralized monitoring and alerting and shows the workflow for centralized monitoring and alerting of the central monitoring regarding whether an individual has entered a virtual blob detection zone through the use of 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors. At step F2a, one or more 3D Camera, Motion and Sound sensors are installed in and/or just outside an individual's room, home, hospital room, or other place of temporary or permanent residence and connected to the computerized monitoring and communication systems as described in FIG. 1. The video, audio and alert data can be sent to a centralized monitoring station where the data is aggregated. Preferably, the centralized monitoring station receives data at all times from the sensors to allow the various individuals to be constantly monitored at the centralized station regardless of whether or not an individual has entered a virtual blob detection zone.

At step F2b, all video, audio and alert feeds received by the centralized monitoring station can be displayed on the centralized monitoring primary display. Alternatively, multiple centralized monitoring primary displays can be utilized based on the quantity of rooms to be monitored at a given time. At step F2c, when the centralized monitoring system receives an alert from any of the computerized monitoring and communication systems indicating that an individual in any of the monitored rooms or other locations has fallen or otherwise entered into a detection zone, the video, audio and alert information for the specific room/individual is displayed on the Centralized Monitoring Alert Display. Should the centralized monitoring station receive alerts from more then one of the computerized monitoring and communication systems indicating that an individual in a monitored room or location has entered a virtual blob detection zone; the centralized monitoring alert display will display the video, audio and alerting information from all such instances at the same time. If no alert is received by the centralized monitoring station, preferably nothing is displayed on the Centralized Monitoring Alert Display. At step F2d, an electronic record of any alerts received by the Centralized Monitoring Station can be stored in an electronic database, which is in communication with the Centralized Monitoring Station.

FIGS. 3 through 15 illustrate several set up screen shots for configuring the bed zone, virtual blob detection zones and alert types. In FIG. 3, the bed zone and virtual blob detection zones can be configured for a given or specific 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensor. To begin configuration, the user can hover over the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensor video window with the cursor, right-click, select plugin and then select configure plug-in. A window will popup showing the 3D Camera, Motion and Sound Sensors' feed. The user selects the icon for the type of zone or rail they wish to draw, which as a non-limiting example and illustrative purposes, can be a bed zone and virtual blob detection zone(s) (See FIG. 4).

As non-limiting examples, the icons that appear on the screen for selection can include the following symbols shown in FIG. 5. In this non-limiting example, in no particular order, some of the icons include, Bed Zone, Auto Bed Zone (Select Patient), Auto Bed Zone (Auto-select), Saved Zones, Virtual Blob Detection Zone and Clear All.

As seen in FIG. 6, to place a zone, the user clicks on the screen where he or she would like to start the zone. Then, the cursor is moved to the corner point for zone and clicked again. The user continues to select additional points until the zone is drawn to the user's satisfaction. Preferably, the user clicks on the round end point of the beginning of the zone to complete the zone (See FIG. 6). When the zone has been completed, the zone can appear and a depth range box (i.e. square, rectangle, etc. disposed over the patient on the screen) can be provided on the screen, such as, but not limited to, in the middle of the screen or zone (see FIG. 8), though any location on the screen is considered within the scope of the invention. Placing a virtual rail is done with a similar process wherein the user clicks on the screen where he or she would like to start the rail. Then the cursor is moved to the end point for the rail and the user clicks on the screen again to place the rail. As seen in FIG. 8, upon completion the zone and or rail(s) appear and has a depth range box preferably in the middle.

As seen in FIG. 7, the user can adjust the depth range for any given zone or rail. By preferably double clicking on the depth range box or by other conventional selection methods an Edit Depth window can appear. The user can enter in the depth ranges (preferably in millimeters (mm) though not considered limiting). Additionally, the user can enter in minimum and maximum 3D object sizes (preferably in square root pixels though not considering limiting) to detect entering the Virtual Blob Detection Zones. The user can click Save button or icon when done to store the entered values.

If there are any other types of zones or rails to draw for the particular sensor, the above steps are repeated to place the next zone or rail and the depth setting can be adjusted for each if necessary. Additionally, all zones and rails can be cleared by clicking on or otherwise selecting the Clear All icon in the toolbar. Once all of the zones/rails are configured, you can close the window to finish or you have the option to save the zone/rail configuration for later use.

As seen in FIG. 9, to access the main settings window, the user can click or otherwise select the Settings menu and the select Main Settings from the drop-down list. As one non-limiting alternative, the user can click on the Gear icon () or other designated icon in the toolbar to access the main settings window.

As seen in FIG. 10, for one non-limiting way to configure a new Alert, the user can select the Alerts tabs and then click on or otherwise select the Add button, which can result in the Configure Alert box appearing on the screen (See FIG. 11). As seen in FIG. 11, under the Event field, the user can then select the event from the drop down list that they wish the user wishes to send an alert on.

As seen in FIG. 12, once the Event type is selected, under the Action field, the user can select the Action he or she wishes to have the system perform when the selected Event is detected. Once the Event and Action have be selected the OK button (See FIG. 13) is can be selected to save the selected entries.

For certain Actions an additional field may need to be completed to finish the Action. If the field is required, it can appear below the Action dropdown (See FIG. 14). If no further fields are required, the Configure Alert box can display N/A (See FIG. 13) or just be blank. As mentioned above, once all settings are selected, the user clicks or otherwise selects the OK button, which causes the new Alert to be listed in the Alerts tab window. To edit an existing Alert, the user first clicks on or otherwise selects the Alert and then selects the Edit button (See FIG. 15). To delete an Alert, first highlight it can then click on the Delete button (See FIG. 15).

To add more Alerts, the user clicks or selects the Add button and repeats the above described steps. Once finished, the user clicks on or otherwise selects the bottom corner OK button to save and close the window.

FIG. 16 shows a non-limiting example of a centralized video monitoring system that can be used with the system and method. The window highlighted in red is a non-limiting example of an alert that can be generated when the patient fails to return to within the perimeter of the virtual safety rails.

In one non-limiting embodiment, for operation the disclosed system and method can use the following components:

1. One or more 3D Camera, Motion and/or Sound Sensors

2. A Computerized Virtual Blob Detection Monitoring System

3. A Computerized Communication System

4. A Centralized Monitoring Primary Display

5. A Centralized Monitoring Alert Display; and

6. Database

The various components can be in electrical and/or wireless communication with each other.

Located remote is defined to mean that the centralized monitoring station, centralized monitoring primary display and/or centralized monitoring alert display is not physically located within the monitored rooms. However, the location can be on the same premises at a different location (i.e. nurse station for the premises, hospital, etc.) or a different location (i.e. monitoring station, etc.).

The automatic detection of an individual entering a prescribed virtual blob detection zone will provide significant administrative and clinical benefits to caregivers and individuals alike, including the following non-limiting public benefits:

• 1. Automation of determination of perimeter violation and automated notification of caregivers and/or other designated entities and/or individuals.
• 2. Ability to alert patients, caregivers and other individuals in time to prevent a monitored patient from getting out of bed
• 3. Reduction in response time for monitored individuals who have fallen and require assistance.
• 4. Increased survival rate for monitored individuals who have experienced a fall
• 5. Reduction in costs for hospitalization and medical care related to complications from a fall
• 6. Ability to distinguish multiple individuals and prevent false positives
• 7. Ability to distinguish direction of motion of prevent false positives
• 8. Ability to provide video feed of a monitored patient under all lighting conditions to the central video monitoring system
• 9. Audio and gesture based recognition to allow multiple forms of communication with patient.

Any computer/server/electronic database system (collectively “Computer System”) capable of being programmed with the specific steps of the present invention can be used and is considered within the scope of the disclosure. Once programmed such Computer System can preferably be considered a special purpose computer limited to the use of two or more of the above particularly described combination of steps (programmed instructions) performing two or more of the above particularly described combination of functions.

All components of the present disclosure system and their locations, electronic communication methods between the system components, electronic storage mechanisms, etc. discussed above or shown in the drawings, if any, are merely by way of example and are not considered limiting and other component(s) and their locations, electronic communication methods, electronic storage mechanisms, etc. currently known and/or later developed can also be chosen and used and all are considered within the scope of the disclosure.

Unless feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) described in the specification or shown in the drawings for a claim element, claim step or claim term specifically appear in the claim with the claim element, claim step or claim term, then the inventor does not consider such feature(s), part(s), component(s), characteristic(s) or function(s) to be included for the claim element, claim step or claim term in the claim when and if the claim element, claim step or claim term is interpreted or construed. Similarly, with respect to any “means for” elements in the claims, the inventor considers such language to require only the minimal amount of features, components, steps, or parts from the specification to achieve the function of the “means for” language and not all of the features, components, steps or parts describe in the specification that are related to the function of the “means for” language.

While the disclosure has been described and disclosed in certain terms and has disclosed certain embodiments or modifications, persons skilled in the art who have acquainted themselves with the disclosure, will appreciate that it is not necessarily limited by such terms, nor to the specific embodiments and modification disclosed herein. Thus, a wide variety of alternatives, suggested by the teachings herein, can be practiced without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, and rights to such alternatives are particularly reserved and considered within the scope of the disclosure.