Fall Detection Location and Notification for Assistance for the Aged

Abstract

Due to the seriousness of fall accidents occurred among the world, a mobile application called "Fall Down Saver" is created and the aim of this application is to have a fall detection, positioning service and notification. Java programming language is used in "Fall Down Saver" and it is available on android platform. Just before the designing stage of the mobile application, a detailed research was carried to discuss about the principle to detect a fall and the rescue method when fall detection occurred in order to give immediate assistance to the user. After the detail research and discussion, the whole approach for running the "Fall Down Saver" was divided into 4 main functions: (a) "Fall Detection" to detect user's fall with sampled signals from 3-axis-accelerations by testing with dummy; (b) "Positioning" to locate user with GPS when fall accidents are occurred; (c) "Notification" to notify user's parents or organization with an auto-SMS that included the locations of users when fall is detected; (d) "Safety Bell" to allow users to seek assistance immediately by sending SMS with locations to emergency contact. The above functions are monitored and adjusted by bringing out experimental testing by using dummy. Beside mentioned functions, the application is mainly designed for elderly as elderly have a higher possibility to fall. Consulting nurse students from Chinese University of Hong Kong, the interface is well designed with magnified front sizes and buttons which is easier for elderly to adapt. The application setting is simplified with lots of hints for elderly to follow. Also, this mobile application can function well in background even screen is locked which can prevent users to click the wrong button especially for elderly. Therefore, with the mentioned function and graphical interface, elderly can use it without worries. Although we can't prevent the fall accident to occur, we can give assistance to user by using this application. In long run, "Fall Down Saver" can help to save life with a high accuracy.