DESC:[001] PRIORITY CLAIM
[002] This application claims priority from the Provisional Application Number 5492/CHE/2013 filed with Indian patent Office, Chennai on 28-November-2013, which was post dated to 28-May-2014 entitled “Compact Wearable Personal Safety Devices”, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[003] PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
[004] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[005] This invention pertains to personal safety through the use of a small embedded gadget encapsulated in the form of a variety of jewellery. When in operation, it works either in connection with a smart phone via low range connectivity like Blue Tooth or directly connects to the wireless network via long range wireless communication protocols. This system is therefore monitored through the wireless telephone network to create a safety net for those within its signal footprint.
[006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[007] Personal emergencies in public spaces (be they physical bodily harm or a medical emergency) are common place in modern lifestyles and can occur at any time. A number of products using various technologies are now available in the market to address this all important issue of personal safety. Apart from the traditional fight or flight training and chilly powder, common self-defense methods include concealed devices, chemical or pepper sprays, stun guns and electronic tracking/beacon devices. There are also specialized equipments available for those who work in high risk jobs in industries such as construction, maritime, airlines, people working in remote areas etc.
[008] Most of these devices or solutions are neither suitable nor affordable by the common man. Special training may be required to use some of these devices. Others may not be easily portable or affordable ruling them out for everyday use by the general public. This can be better understood if we include not just the common man but women, children and the elderly for whom a personal safety device would be of greater importance.
[009] The Europen Patent EP1249751A2 entitled ‘Wearable Computer’ involves an improvement on the functionality of garments of personal protection. The design is a portable computer system with all of the system components incorporated into clothing, for example into a garment such as a vest that is shielded by a layer of armor. The armored garment will protect the user and completely house the processing unit, input device, and any peripheral attached to the processing unit. This scenario is most suited to defense applications and a common man can neither use it, nor afford it.
[0010] The US Patent US6972684B2 entitled ‘Personal Tracking device’ provides system for monitoring the location of individuals, such as parolees, includes a wearable device worn by the individual and a portable device operatively coupled to the wearable device. The portable device is operatively coupled to a monitoring system through a wireless telephone network. The portable device transmits periodically encrypted location information as well as status information across the wireless network to the monitoring system. The monitoring system tracks the location of the individual and alerts the appropriate authorities when the individual violates a rule, such as a condition for parole. The portable device increases the time between transmissions when the individual is within a specified home location and reduces the time between transmissions when outside the specified location.
[0011] Hence, there is need of a wearable compact concealed gadget/device which can provide safety to a common man.
[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings in the existing prior arts by providing a wearable compact concealed gadget/device which can provide safety to a common man. The system includes a wearable device that includes a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameter, the sensors include at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors. The wearable device also includes a location identification module for identifying the location of the user, wherein the location is identified using global positioning system. The wearable device includes an alert module to generate alerts. The alerts are generated based on predefined panic situations, wherein deviation in at least one of the physical and biological parameters sensed by the sensors, deviation from a predefined location of the person and so on, identifies a panic situation. The wearable device includes a communication module for transmitting alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred.
[0014] According to an embodiment, the system further includes a smart device paired with the wearable device, wherein the smart device and the wearable device communicate with each other through Bluetooth low energy (BLE). The location identification module utilizes the location identification property of the smart device. The alerts are transmitted using the smart device. The paired smart device stores the location of the user continuously. The wearable device further includes a means to trigger the panic situation by the user.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the invention discloses a method for personal safety of a user. The method includes the steps of wearing a gadget comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameters, the sensors include at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors. The method also includes a step of identifying the location of the user by means of location identification module. The method further includes the step of generating alerts based on identification of at least one panic situation and the step of transmitting the generated alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred.
[0016] According to another embodiment, the method further includes the step of pairing the wearable device with at least one of a smart device of the user. The method further includes the step of triggering the panic situation by the user through the gadget.
[0017] This innovative device therefore proposes an easily acceptable solution by the way of a personal accessory like a piece of jewelry. The difference here being the embedded safety button is concealed discreetly within the jewelry’s design. It needs no special training to use, and is easily and discreetly portable without alerting a potential attacker to its presence. This system and method disclosed herein provide a better safety for the persons by identifying and alerting during any panic situations and also provide a substantial psychological reassurance to the wearer and give them the confidence of help close at hand As the wearable gadget gets paired with the smart phone using low energy communication the battery life and size of the gadget is enhanced to a greater extend.
[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale in order to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of these various elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elements that are known to be common and well understood to those in the industry are not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the various embodiments of the invention. Thus, in the interest of clarity and conciseness, the drawings are generalized in form, wherein
[0020] Fig 1 illustrates the overall block diagram of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] Fig 2 illustrates a compact wearable personal safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Fig 3 illustrates the flow chart of a method for personal safety of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] Fig 4 illustrates the minimum size of the compact wearable personal safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made within the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, but instead the invention is to be defined by the appended claims.
[0026] The present invention discloses a system and method for personal safety by means of a compact wearable safety device, wherein the wearable safety device is a small embedded gadget encapsulated in the form of a variety of jewelry. When in operation, the device works either in connection with a smart phone via low range connectivity like Blue Tooth or directly connects to the wireless network via long range wireless communication protocols. This system is therefore monitored through the wireless telephone network to create a safety net for those within its signal footprint. The system generates alerts based on pre defined panic situations. The system further communicates the alerts generated to a list of recipients.

[0027] Fig 1 illustrates the overall block diagram of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a wearable device (10) for the user. The wearable device includes a sensing module (20) comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameter, the sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors. The wearable device (10) also includes a location identification module (30) for identifying the location of the user, wherein the location is identified using global positioning system. The wearable device (10) further includes an alert module (40) to generate alerts. The alerts are generated based on predefined panic situations, wherein deviation in at least one of the physical and biological parameters sensed by the sensors, deviation from a predefined location of the person and so on identifies a panic situation. The various panic situations, the system is capable of identifying, are described later. The wearable device (10) includes a communication module (50) for transmitting alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred. The user may be able to define the recipient list so that in case of any panic situation the recipients mentioned in the list is notified by means of a notification message such as short service message SMS or emergency calling may happen.
[0028] According to an embodiment, the system further includes a smart device (60) paired with the wearable device, wherein the smart device and the wearable device communicate through a low energy wireless communication such as Bluetooth low energy (BLE). The location identification module (30) utilizes the location identification property of the smart device (60). The location identification module (30) utilizes a GPS of the smart phone for identifying the location of user. This helps the user to prolong the battery life of the wearable device (10). The alerts are transmitted using the smart device (60). The paired smart device (60) stores the location of the user continuously. The wearable device (10) further includes a means to trigger the panic situation by the user. The means for triggering the panic situation may be a button or a switch which is easy to be operated even during a panic situation by the user.
[0029] According to an embodiment the, the wearable device may be a compact wearable personal safety device. Fig 2 illustrates a compact wearable personal safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This device would look like any other common piece of jewelry, like a necklace, a finger ring, bangles and bracelet, a watch, a brooch or badge on the dress, a pen etc. The device does not look any different from that of commonly used wearable jewelry. This may serve two purposes; firstly user won’t feel as if he has worn a compact concealed gadget, and secondly others won't be able to notice it as a device. This helps in hiding the device form the attacker, as there is every chance that in case of a deliberate attack, the attacker(s) try to destroy the device first to prevent the wearer from raising a silent alarm. The wearable device also periodically transmits encrypted location data. The wearable device includes panic button/switch/notifying technique (22) that would be very easy to operate. The activation may be achieved not only by pressing the button/switch (22) but also by other means such as physically predefined gestures. The button/switch (22) is positioned on the gadget/device in such a manner that it is very easily and intuitively reached and activated, in any situation – be it standing, sitting, sleeping, running, walking, driving etc. It can be operable by both hands, or in extreme emergency circumstances, even by other bodily movements and gestures extending also to voice activation. The button (26) and (28) are for resetting the panic situation and to select the mode respectively. The empty space in the wearable gadget is shown as 32
[0030] According to an embodiment, the wearable device may have its own power supply and keeps a continuous positional track of its wearer. In case the wearer wants to communicate a panic situation to relatives and loved ones, an alert may be sent by pressing the button/switch/gesture/voice then the device start sending the person’s location along with emergency alert through common notifications such as SMS or MMS in case the jewelry is integrated with camera and microphone or beeps to pre-saved or configured contact numbers. This alert generation continues till the alerts are switched off by the wearer or another authorized person.
[0031] According to an embodiment, the panic situation is identified by the system when the user pushes panic button on wearable device. In certain scenario the smart device may have a user interface which enables the user to trigger a panic situation. The panic situation is may be triggered when the pairing between the wearable device and smart device is lost. There may be an exception when the user has voluntarily triggered a ‘no panic’ sequence from the associated smart device or by pressing a predefined switch/button on the wearable device. The panic may be triggered by pressing the panic button on wearable device. Panic situation may be triggered if an associated smart device suddenly loses pairing with the wearable device while battery condition of the associate smart device is greater than 10% charge as recorded by the wearable device. The wearable device waits for 3 minutes for the user to switch on the associated smart device or trigger panic reset sequence on wearable. If the associate smart device suddenly stops receiving location information while pairing is intact and battery condition on associate smart device is condition on associated phone is greater than 10% charge as recorded by wearable device then the wearable device waits for 3minutes and sends panic alert if no reset happens or pairing re-established. If the associated device loses pairing with wearable device while battery condition on wearable device is greater than 10% then the wearable device waits for 3 minutes and identifies panic situation if no reset happens or pairing re-established. If the associate smart device loses pairing with wearable device while battery condition on wearable is less that10% then the wearable device waits for 3 minutes and send panic if no reset happens. Here, the percentage of charges of the battery used for checking each condition and the waiting time for the wearable device before sending the alert are just indicative and may vary according to the settings provided.
[0032] According to an embodiment, the system uses an accelerometer sensor to detect fall or continued struggle of the user for which the wearable device is going through lots of motions as in an attack scenario. The system may generate an alert if the system identifies any such unusual reading from the accelerometer. The wearable device may have temperature detection as typically in an attack the temperature goes up due to the panic and in most cases sweat is a bi-product. These are additional ways to assess situation on the person wearing the wearable device.
[0033] According to another embodiment, the wearable device may have biological sensors to perform hormone detection which determines if any panic hormones have been secreted by the person wearing the device. Even in a non panic scenario, if there is movements, temperature, sweat etc., we may have some alert situation and prompt a response from the user. If the person is in unsafe areas (red zones), the recipients of the alert may call and check if any of the person is safe. All the sensors may send data periodically or if the individual is not in geo fence, or the wearer is in red zone.
[0034] Geo-fencing of the wearable device is one of the key feature. If a user is wearing the wearable device and the user is not intended to travel beyond a particular geographic area then the system may be programmed in such a manner. If the user moves out of his designated geographical region, the wearable device may generate an alert identifying such situations and notify the respective recipient of alert. If the distance from geo-fence is much longer, the system may create a panic including informing the police or other authorities along with the recipients. Typically, users may designate home, office, school, college as geo fences. And any time the person is out of geo fence for longer duration than the prescribed time, the system creates a panic alert and based on degree of panic, creates the alert system. In such scenarios the system may send automatic SMS when the person reaches safe zones.
[0035] According to an embodiment, the system triggers panic situation on any deviations such as detection of wearable device away from body while paired with the associate smart device. A predefined sequence is activated if the user is voluntarily taking wearable device off the body. The system is capable of identifying predefined high risk zones and preconfigured time limits to trigger a potential panic state. The system may send location information more frequently also according to the settings or in case of panic situation or if the user is not answering the phone when called continuously from registered phone. Registered phones are the phones which are registered with the wearable device for receiving the alerts. The system may generate alerts if the user is stays longer than the configured duration in a particular place. The system also provides options to configure designated safe zones and trigger panic if person is outside the safe zones for duration longer than configured duration.
[0036] According to an embodiment, the wearable device includes a microcontroller with on-chip memory. This may wake up periodically and check the connection between the wearable device and the associate smart device. If connection is found broken then it may re-establish it. When a panic button is pressed, micro controller remembers the trigger of panic situation and even if the connection is broken between the wearable device and the associate smart device, then the wearable device starts sending alerts whenever connection is established. During attack, even cellular modem also may not have connectivity (like in basement or in elevators). In such cases microcontroller remembers the event and may keep trying till connection is established.
[0037] Fig 3 illustrates the flow chart of a method for personal safety of a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The method includes the step (102) of wearing a gadget comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameters, the sensors include at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors. The method also includes a step (103) of identifying the location of the user by means of location identification module. The method further includes the step (104) of generating alerts based on identification of at least one panic situation and the step (106) of transmitting the generated alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred.
[0038] According to another embodiment, the method further includes the step of pairing the wearable device with at least one of a smart device of the user. The method further includes the step of triggering the panic situation by the user through the gadget.
[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, the wearable device does not have an ON/OFF button to avoid switching off the device by the user or the attacker or miscreant. The wearable device is switched off only when the wearable device is placed on charger unit. The wearable device is continuously connected to at least one of wireless/GPS/BLE. If the wearable device is paired to the associated smart device of the user, if the smart device is within 5 meter range. The smart device may be a smart phone or a tablet or any such personal device the user intends to use. The wearable device connects to the associated smart phone over BLE or any other low energy technology for communication. If the wearable device is not paired with the smart device then the device’s own wireless communication and GPS is activated. The wireless communication is either 2G or 3G or 4G mobile communication. The wearable device may send location data of the user to the alert recipient’s in a periodical manner in accordance with the configuration setting. It may be once in 15 minutes in idle situation and more frequently in panic situation.
[0040] Fig 4 illustrates the minimum size of the compact wearable personal safety device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The minimum size may be that of a rectangular cuboid with 2.5cm on each side with 1.5cmm depth. In certain situation the size may be further reduced to 2cm × 1cm × 1cm enabling the wearable gadget to be very small in size.
[0041] According to an embodiment, the wearable device includes three antennas. The antennas are placed in the wearable device such that the lobes of the antennas are perpendicular to each other to ensure null zones between antennas.
[0042] Therefore, on purchase of this device, the user must program it and store the emergency contact details (land line numbers, mobile numbers, mail ids, local law enforcement helpline numbers like 911,100,108 etc). The user may change the configured or stored numbers at his/her convenience via a web interface. The user may then use this device regularly by wearing it like a regular piece of jewelry or clothing accessory. If the user activates the panic mode then this device takes actions as per the preset program. The panic action may include sending an emergency SMS or MMS or other commonly used notification along with positional updates to the configured contact details, which shall also include establishing a connection with law enforcement authorities through their helpline numbers etc. In case of medical emergencies this device can also initiate the alert call to a local hospital or doctor.
In most preferred embodiment, the device has following components, a small and compact long lasting battery, short range wireless connectivity devices like a BT Receiver/NFC for coupling to a smartphone or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot to establish communication with Smartphone. The device can carry a long range wireless connectivity device operating on any 2G, 3G, 4G or future wireless protocols. In case the device is not connecting via a smartphone, but directly connects through regular wireless protocols, it shall also carry GPS receivers and necessary antenna. The device also includes power supply socket and cable needed for charging purpose. The device further has necessary mechanical arrangements for concealing the device in jewelry along with the panic switch and enclosures.
Thus, the system and method disclosed provides better safety for the persons by identifying and alerting during any panic situations. As the wearable gadget gets paired with the smart phone using low energy communication the battery life and size of the gadget is enhanced to a greater extend. ,CLAIMS:[0044] We claim:-
1) A system for personal safety of a user, the system comprises:
? a wearable device for the user, wherein the wearable device comprises of a:
? a sensing module comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameters, the sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors;
? a location identification module for identifying the location of the user, wherein the location is identified using global positioning system;
? an alert module to generate alerts, wherein the alerts are generated based on predefined panic situations, wherein at least one of the physical and biological parameters sensed by the sensors, deviation from a predefined location of the person identifies a panic situation; and
? a communication module for transmitting alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred.
2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system further includes a smart device paired with the wearable device, wherein the smart device and the wearable device communicates through Bluetooth low energy (BLE).
3) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the location identification module utilizes the location identification property of the smart device.
4) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the alerts are transmitted using the smart device.
5) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the smart device stores the location of the user continuously.
6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wearable device further comprises a means to trigger the panic situation by the user.
7) The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wearable device is concealed in at least one of an accessory including jewelry.
8) A method for personal safety of a user, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
? wearing a gadget comprising a plurality of sensors for sensing various physical and biological parameters, the sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer, biological sensors;
? identifying the location of the user by means of location identification module;
? generating alerts based on identification of at least one panic situation; and
? transmitting the generated alerts to at least one recipient from a list of recipients, wherein the alerts include details of the panic situation and location at which the panic situation occurred.
9) The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further includes the step of pairing the wearable device with at least one of a smart device of the user.
10) The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method further includes the step of triggering the panic situation by the user through the gadget.