Human Fall Detection: Vibration Frequency Differentiation

Mimi Foster

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Juan Caicedo, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Carolina

Abstract

The overall goal of the Human Fall Detection project is to be able to place accelerometers under floors to detect when someone falls. These systems will allow nursing homes to have alert systems that will sound when a fall occurs. Many questions have been asked about the differences between floors. This section of the project deals with collecting data from different floor material so that we can demonstrate the differences between systems. Using MatLab we collected data from different types of flooring. The ultimate goal for my section of the project is to use the accelerometer data to create a transfer function for the system. The work done in the lab will determine the vibration frequencies upon impact on different materials. The results contributed from the data will enable the lab to determine what actions need to be taken when working with accelerometers for different areas, such as carpet, tile, or wood. The accelerometers are activated under specified vibrations and the vibration signature changes by flooring type. My part in the project views the differences in the vibrations of different flooring material. Others in the lab monitor the vibrations of falling objects or other actions. This process will enable the sensors to tell the difference between when someone falls on carpet, when someone is walking on linoleum or when someone drops a phone on tile.

Start Date

4-11-2015 1:30 PM

End Date

4-11-2015 1:45 PM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 1:30 PM Apr 11th, 1:45 PM

Human Fall Detection: Vibration Frequency Differentiation

The overall goal of the Human Fall Detection project is to be able to place accelerometers under floors to detect when someone falls. These systems will allow nursing homes to have alert systems that will sound when a fall occurs. Many questions have been asked about the differences between floors. This section of the project deals with collecting data from different floor material so that we can demonstrate the differences between systems. Using MatLab we collected data from different types of flooring. The ultimate goal for my section of the project is to use the accelerometer data to create a transfer function for the system. The work done in the lab will determine the vibration frequencies upon impact on different materials. The results contributed from the data will enable the lab to determine what actions need to be taken when working with accelerometers for different areas, such as carpet, tile, or wood. The accelerometers are activated under specified vibrations and the vibration signature changes by flooring type. My part in the project views the differences in the vibrations of different flooring material. Others in the lab monitor the vibrations of falling objects or other actions. This process will enable the sensors to tell the difference between when someone falls on carpet, when someone is walking on linoleum or when someone drops a phone on tile.