Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health care system. The monitoring and signalling system includes apparatus operative to monitor routine activities performed by an individual in his or her residence and to monitor operation of a user-actuated signalling device in an accident, disability or emergency situation. In the event the monitored activities of the individual are not performed over a prolonged period of time, or the individual actuates the signalling device, an alarm sequence is initiated. This alarm sequence, in a typical implementation, commences with a pre-alarm period (e.g., 1 minute) during which simultaneous steady audible and visual alarm indications are produced and during which the entire alarm sequence can be aborted by the individual.

Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health car system includes a first sensor operative to monitor the entry and exit of an individual from a room (such as a bathroom), and other sensors operative to monitor usage of appliances such as lamps, televisions, refrigerators and telephones. Each sensor, upon monitoring an associated activity, produces and applies a signal to a microprocessor and causes an activity timer in the microprocessor to be set to either a first time period of about 1-2 hours (for an entry into the room) or a second time period of about 8-10 hours (for an exit from the room or for use of an appliance). The activity timer cycles through its associated time period and initiates an alarm sequence at the expiration of the time period for indicating a lack of activity. Thus, if an individual who has entered the room does not exit within the 1-2 hour period, or an appliance is not used for a period of 8-10 hours, an alarm sequence is initiated.

Abstract: A monitoring and signalling system including a remote control unit in the residence of an individual and a centralized communication center interconnected with the remote control unit by a telephone network. A plurality of sensors are located within the residence and operate to monitor the occurrence of particular activities performed by the individual and to produce signals in response to monitoring the occurrence of the activities. A microprocessor in the remote control unit receives and processes signals produced by the sensors and accumulates sensor activity data representing a running tally of the number of times each sensor has monitored its associated activity.

Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health care system. The system includes a remote control unit in the residence of an individual and interconnected with a centralized communications center by a telephone network. A plurality of sensors located within the residence of the individual operate to monitor the occurrence of particular activities performed by the individual and to produce signals in response to monitoring the occurrence of the activities. A microprocessor in the remote control unit receives and processes signals produced by the sensors and accumulates sensor activity data representing a running tally of the number of times each sensor has monitored its associated activities. On a daily basis, the sensor activity data is transmitted to the centralized communications center. A disc storage unit at the communications center stores sensor presence data therein specifying the presence of each of the sensors within the system.