Automatic identification and placement verification of wearable wireless sensor nodes using atmospheric air pressure distribution
Geoffrey Lo, S. Gonzalez, Victor C. M. Leung · 2012
We present a new approach to identifying and verifying the location of wearable wireless sensor nodes (W2SNs) placed on a body by inferring differences in altitudes using atmospheric air pressure sensors. This technique is aimed at long-term, in-home monitoring applications of the elderly and patients with chronic conditions, where the user has the freedom to install and remove the W2SNs as required without caregiver assistance. Our prototype shows that each IEEE 802.15.4-capable W2SN, employing pressure sensors, is capable of detecting altitude changes sufficient to distinguish between the relative elevation of a patient's arm and leg, and recognize which W2SN is placed on which limb; preliminary results show detection in altitudes down to 39cm apart.