Data display for a signal scavenging personnel detection system

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] We developed a display to remotely monitor activity in a room using passive elements like aluminum foils, and a mechanism which will inform the loved ones in case of an emergency. The system consists of amplifiers to condition the output from sensors, which is fed to microcontroller to send the data to a computer, and a program to store and display the data locally and remotely. We initially developed a 4 sensor(faux) floor and displayed the data which was noisy. Further, we developed a software filter, which calculates rolling average, and were able to reduce the noise. We tested the faux floor and the system was highly reliable and efficient. We also developed multiple sensor systems with each of 21, 32 and 128 sensors. We tested and recorded each system for its sensitivity and specificity. Reasonable findings signaled potential viability of the system. The recorded data was thereby stored and processed to be made available over the Internet, giving an opportunity for caregivers and loved ones to monitor the activity remotely. Although the sensing system could not firmly identify the fall patterns on the floor, the system, after hosting on the Voxeo Server, could successfully notify the patients' loved ones through an automated voice call in the event of an emergency. Further, the use of FPGA boards will reduce the size of embedded electronics on the floor, which is primarily advantageous in residential homes with elderly adults. Future studies of the sensor system and walking patterns have a potential to produce automated alerts over the web.