Technical Field

Medical, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology

Prior Art

The electric leakage detecting cane for people with hearing loss comprises an electrode energy detecting unit (1 pair), an energy storage unit, an alarm level adjustment unit, a light alarm unit, a sound alarm unit, and a vibration alarm unit. The energy detecting unit takes the energy generated by the leakage of the electric current and stores it in a capacitor in the energy storage unit when the stored voltage is sufficiently high to adjust the value set in the alarm level adjusting unit.

Thai Petty Patent No. 13158 describes athree-way sensing cane with an obstacle locator for the visually impaired. The invention consists of an angularly bent handle and a headset to communicate with the user if it finds an obstacle or a hole. At the bottom of the handle is a box for electronics and batteries. The box contains an ultrasonic sensor detector, an electronic compass, a processing unit, and a DAC unit. The box's top, front, and bottom areas are also equipped with an ultrasonic sensor.

Thai Petty Patent No. 17355 describes a cane that uses light beams as a visual stimulus for patients with Parkinson's disease and with central nervous system degeneration. The cane has a light source that directs the beams parallel to the ground and perpendicularly to the cane. One end of the cane is equipped with a magnifying mirror/glass crystal that can enlarge the light beam's diameter or create a shape with its outer edge. The magnifying glass is located on the first pivoting disc, which can be moved to adjust the light distance patients need.

Thai Patent Publication No. 1901000186 A describes a kinetic energy-converting cane. The cane harvests the kinetic energy from pressing force, impacts, and vibrations from using the cane through a circular piezoelectric disc and generates energy in an alternating current form. The reinforcing ring and the spring set generate additional springing and vibration, allowing more energy harvesting. The energy is sent to a supercharged energy conversion device that converts the alternating current to direct current through the circuit diagram and the circuit system. This is so that the direct current does not generate unstable electrical energy. The electrical energy is then sent out through the power supply point into a backup battery or other electronic device port.

These prior arts have different disadvantages, particularly the inability to connect the system via a CPU and a GSM to the hospital, clinic, or caretaker server.

Description and purpose of the invention

This cane invention has many enhanced capabilities and features that improve the user's safety. For the cane to have the ability to measure the heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, the cane user/buyer must first download the application onto a smartphone. The walking cane is also equipped with a GSM module that allows access to the user's current location in case of emergency and for the maintenance of the application (the care system maintenance). A carer can also access the cane if the user has a cold. This is to enable 24/7 care while no one is around. Using the GSM module can also help family members find and locate Alzheimer's patients.

Therefore, this cane aims to improve public safety measures and provide a new way for hospitals to monitor patients regularly as they can access and learn current patient information.

This cane has a hollow handle. Within the handle is a printed circuit board (PCB) with various sensors that make up a heart rate measuring module, blood pressure measuring module, body temperature measuring module, CPU and GSM, GPS, and Bluetooth module.

A part of the handle has three compartments for inserting fingers. The inserted fingers will touch the installed sensors with a signal cable connected to a set of modules mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The three modules are connected by a signal cable to transmit recorded data to the CPU and GSM, enabling the cane to locate its user. The CPU processes the data from the modules and transmits it to the Bluetooth module and a cloud server. The Bluetooth module receives and sends data to a smartphone for real-time viewing.

The printed circuit board (PCB) receives electrical current from a battery mounted inside the shaft through a power cable. A power cable is connected to a piezoelectric module on the other side of the battery. The piezoelectric module has a power cable connected to a piezoelectric disc, which harvests energy from the cane’s movement. By the pressure exerted by the patient on the cane, the cane will generate an electrical current from the piezoelectric disc through the piezoelectric module. The battery also has a connecting port to receive external electrical energy.

All sensors and modules mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) receive power from the battery, with a CPU, GSM, and GPS, transferring the recorded data to a cloud server (Server). The cloud server generates the data for processing and displays it on the Smart Care System (SCS) application which, if an abnormality is detected, sends a signal for assistance (SOS call) to the hospital, clinic, or caregiver.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a fragmentary three-dimensional image of a handle part of the cane.

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional image of the cane.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the operating system of the cane.

Full Disclosure of Invention

The inventi on is described using examples of inventions and drawings for clearer understanding. The same reference numbers represent the parts in these drawings. The scope of the invention is according to the appended claims.

Figs .1-3 show the image and operation system of the cane. The hollow handle (1) was made by attaching the left and right sides of the handle using screws and bolts. A space in the handle accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB) (2) which has a heart rate measuring module (3 ) , a blood pressure measuring module (4 ) , a body temperature measuring module (5), a CPU, GSM, and GPS (6) and a Bluetooth module (7).

One side of the handle has three compartments (8), (9), and (10) for inserting the user's fingers. The inserted fingers will make contact with installed sensors. The sensor is connected to a module mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) via a signal cable.

When a finger is inserted into compartment (8 ) with a sensor installed, the input will be sent via a signal cable to the heart rate measuring module (3 ). The heart rate measuring module is connected by a signal cable to transmit the heart rate data of the cane user to the CPU, GSM, and GPS (6) . The CPU processes the received data and then transmits it to a Bluetooth module (7) and the cloud server (Server) (20).

When a finger is inserted into compartment (9) which has a sensor installed, the input will be sent via a signal cable to the blood pressure measuring module (4). The blood pressure measuring module is connected by a signal cable to transmit the blood pressure data of the cane user to the CPU, GSM, and GPS (6). The CPU processes the received data and then transmits it to a Bluetooth module (7) and the cloud server (Server) (20).

When a finger is inserted into compartment (10) which has a sensor installed, the input will be sent via a signal cable to the body temperature measuring module (5). The body temperature measuring module is connected by a signal cable to transmit the body temperature data of the cane user to the CPU, GSM, and GPS (6) . The CPU processes the received data and then transmits it to a Bluetooth module (7) and the cloud server (Server) (20).

The Bluetooth module (7) receives and transmits data from the CPU, GSM, and GPS (6) to a smartphone (24) that has an application to record various values and adjust the settings on the cane, such as recording settings, recording intervals, battery power, etc. The Bluetooth module takes data from the CPU and sends it to the smartphone, and vice versa.

The lower central part of the handle has a hollow connecting part known as a collar (1 1 ), which connects the handle to the shaft (1 3 ). The shaft is a hollow cylindrical shape, divided into sections, and can be removed and assembled.

The printed circuit board (PCB) receives electrical current from the battery (1 2 ) mounted inside the shaft (13) through a power cable (14) that was inserted through the collar (H).

The printed circuit board (PCB) (2) receives electricity from a battery (12) mounted inside the shaft (13) through a power cable (14). On the other side of the battery, a power cable is connected to a piezoelectric module (16) which has a power cable connected to a piezoelectric disc (15) to harvest energy from the movement of the cane (13). With the pressing force exerted by the patient on the cane (13), the electricity is generated from the piezoelectric disc through the piezoelectric module (16). The battery also has a connecting part for receiving external electrical energy (19).

A part of the cane handle (13) accommodates a motion sensor installation (17). The motion sensor sends signals to the CPU if any abnormal movement of the cane is detected, such as if the cane user falls suddenly. All sensors and modules mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) receive power from the battery (12) through the printed circuit board

(PCB). The CPU, GSM, and GPS (6) receive, send and transfer recorded data to the cloud server (20). The cloud server generates data for analysis and displays it on a Smart Care System (SCS) application. If any abnormality is detected, the application will send a signal (SOS call) to a hospital (21), clinic (22), or caregiver (23).

The cane can identify the current location of the cane user with GPS, which is located with the CPU, and GSM (6).

The handle (1 ) material is strong, light, non-conductive, user-friendly, and non-slip while in use.

The shaft (13 ) is made of a strong, light, and non-conductive material and can be divided into three parts for disassembly. The handle also has a service compartment for installing internal equipment or maintenance work and comes with a rubber pad or rubber ferrule (18) for closing one end of the shaft (13).

Although the invention has been fully described using the appended drawings as examples, it is to be understood that various modifications or corrections can be made by those skilled, in the ordinary course of the related fields as long as it is still within the scope and purpose of the invention. The scope of the invention is according to the descriptions outlined in the appended claims and also encompasses aspects of the invention that, although not specifically outlined in the claims, can be utilized and produces the same effect as the invention set forth in the claims.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

As described in the Full Disclosure of the invention.