Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for estimating falls risk based on inertial sensor data collected during a Five Times Sit-to-Stand (FTSS) test. In an embodiment, a classifier model may be trained with inertial sensor data collected from a sample of people performing the FTSS test and their self-reported falls history. In an embodiment, one or more features related to steadiness or smoothness of the person's movement may be calculated. In an embodiment, one or more features related to timing of the FTSS test, such as a total time taken to complete the FTSS test or to complete individual sit-stand-sit (SSS) phases of the test, may be calculated. In an embodiment, supervised pattern recognition techniques may train the classifier model to classify a person as being likely to fall or not being likely to fall based on FTSS-related feature values collected from that person.

Abstract: A wireless contextual prompting device provides contextual (context-aware) prompting in the home for applications such as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) monitoring, medication adherence, journaling, social messaging and coaching. The device combines the advantages of a small, wireless, battery-operated sensor that may be easily mounted at critical places in a person's daily routine with a low-power, high-contrast display panel that may be palm sized. The context may be displayed on the display screen as images, icons and/or text such that it is easy to interpret warnings by the young, elderly, or the language-challenged.

Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for cognitive decline prediction or assessment. Baseline and follow-up inertial sensor data may be received from one or more inertial sensors attached to a person. Baseline and follow-up data indicative of cognitive decline may be received from the person. An indication of cognitive decline may be determined based on the baseline and follow-up cognitive decline data. A classifier function for predicting cognitive decline may be trained with the baseline inertial sensor data and the indication of cognitive decline. A classifier function for assessing cognitive decline may be trained with the baseline inertial sensor data, a difference between the baseline inertial sensor data and follow-up inertial sensor data, and the indication of cognitive decline.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus is provided for estimating a risk of falls from pressure sensor data and inertial sensor data. A classifier function may be generated to relate the inertial sensor and the pressure sensor data with the falls risk (e.g., falls risk or prospective falls data) of the person who generated the pressure sensor data and inertial sensor data. The classifier function may be used to predict a person's risk of falls based on inputs of pressure sensor data and inertial sensor data. Separate classifier functions may be generated for men and women, or separate classifier functions may be generated for patients who closed their eyes while data was being collected and for patients who opened their eyes while data was being collected.

Abstract: Methods and systems may include a motion sensor and logic to sample an output signal of the motion sensor. The logic can also be configured to track an amount of time the motion sensor is triggered based on the output signal, and transmit the amount of time over a wireless link on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A station such as a telemedicine booth may send a request for medical service to a routing agent, which may route the request for medical service to a medical service provider. The routing may be based on one or more routing criteria, such as for example medical parameters of a user collected at the station and sent to the routing agent, location of a user, or quality of service indicators.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for capturing text found in a variety of sources and transforming it into a different user-accessible formats or medium. For example, the device can capture text from a magazine and provide it to the user as spoken words through headphones or speakers. Such devices are useful for individuals such as those having reading difficulties (such as dyslexia), blindness, and other visual impairments arising from diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma.

Abstract: A tactile display may comprise an array of pins that may be raised in height relative to one another to represent contours of objects in a graphic image or picture when touched. Various physical attributes may be given to individual pins to represent color or brightness. For example, pins may be heated or cooled to represent cool or warm colors in the original image. Pins may also be vibrated or otherwise enhanced to represent color or brightness information in the original image.

Abstract: A device and method for recording medication to be introduced into a body.

Abstract: A camera reading apparatus having an alignment guide is presented. The alignment guide may have a rigid platform having a substantially flat bottom surface, a substantially flat top surface that is parallel to the bottom surface, and an aperture through the top surface and the bottom surface. The bottom surface may have a first portion and may have a second portion that forms a ledge projecting from the first portion. The first portion may have a front edge, and the second portion may have a side edge. The front edge and the side edge may intersect to form a right angle.

Abstract: A monitor, which may be closely associated with a handrail, may determine the amount of force applied to the handrail. The monitor may also determine the pattern in which force is applied to the handrail in order to assess how the user is contacting the handrail. The user's application of force to the handrail can be monitored along the course of movement along the handrail and may be compared to historical usage patterns.

Abstract: Methods and systems may include a motion sensor and logic to sample an output signal of the motion sensor. The logic can also be configured to track an amount of time the motion sensor is triggered based on the output signal, and transmit the amount of time over a wireless link on a periodic basis.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for reminding users with declining cognitive abilities that remote assistance from a caregiver is available and for providing a simplified way of requesting the assistance. The assistance may be provided through a videoconference on a patient assistance apparatus, which may comprise a screen, speaker, and microphone. The apparatus may remind the user when the user is present at or near the apparatus, which may be detected through a motion or proximity sensor. When the user is near, the apparatus may output an assistance inquiry message which proactively asks whether the user needs assistance. The apparatus may then receive a verbal or other form of inputted response. Based on the user's response, the apparatus may initiate a videoconference with the remote caregiver. The apparatus may also output a message inquiring whether the user is present, which may allow a remote caregiver to initiate a videoconference.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a kinematic sensor may be carried by or on one or more body segments of a user to obtain one or more kinematic variables based at least in part on movement of the user with respect to a fixed, global reference system. The kinematic sensor comprises a tri-axial accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a magnetometer sensor to define the global reference system and to obtain kinematic data. The kinematic data may be transmitted via a wireless link to a remote information handling system or device, for example to monitor a health status of the user based at least in part on movement of the user with respect to the fixed, global reference system.

Abstract: A device and method records and identifies a medication that is to be introduced into a body by generating an image of the medication. The image of the medication is converted to image data of the medication that comprises a format for comparison with medication identification data stored in a database. Time-stamp data is generated and associated with the image data of the medication. The image data of the medication and associated time-stamp data are stored. The medication is identified by comparing one or more medication-identification parameters stored in the database with the image data of the medication.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a reading device is provided with a shortcut read mode in which a user can instruct the reading device of the type of document (e.g., invoice, package label, newspaper, etc.) that is to be read so that the device can more efficiently find and read back to the user desired (target) information from the document.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of a health monitoring network which automates detection of faulty or failed sensors using realt-time fault checking on a dynamically registered sensor data stream. The monitoring system and sensor network can provide a one-touch system to notify users when a sensor requires attention, without prior knowledge of the operational characteristics, installation method or configuration of sensors in the network. The network uses a decision engine to assist in maintenance according to a profile based on individual preferences and capabilities.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying an individual's frailty level based on inertial sensor data collected from the individual. The quantified frailty level may correspond to and approximate clinical metrics of frailty, such as the Fried frailty index. A linear regression model may be used to output the quantitative frailty value based on input parameters from the inertial sensor data. The linear regression model may be initially generated from the clinically-measured frailty index values of individuals and inertial sensor data collected from them. The inertial sensor data may be collected during, for example, a timed up and go (TUG) test. Two logistic regression models may be used to output a frailty class based on input parameters from the inertial sensor data. A first logistic regression model may distinguish between robust and frail individuals. A second logistic regression model may distinguish between robust and pre-frail individuals.

Abstract: In some embodiments, disclosed is reading device that comprises a camera, at least one processor, and a user interface. The camera scans at least a portion of a document having text to generate a raster file. The processor processes the raster file to identify text blocks. The user interface allows a user to hierarchically navigate the text blocks when they are read to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for deriving a relationship between minimum ground clearance (MGC) and inertial sensor data. A regression model may be generated by collecting tri-axial angular velocity and acceleration data from inertial sensors and MGC data from optical motion capture systems during a walking trial. A linear, quadratic, interaction, stepwise interaction, or another regression model may be generated. The regression model may estimate the MGC as a function of one or more parameters measured by or derived from the inertial sensor data. The regression model may be used to calculate an estimate of the MGC based on inertial sensor data collected from one or more individuals.