A Novel Approach for Smart and Cost Effective IoT Based Elderly Fall Detection System Using Pi Camera
Shaikh Abdul Waheed, P. Sheik Abdul Khader · 2017
In our society, yearly 33% of senior citizens fall down in their residential area. When our family members come to old age, it becomes essential to monitor them for their in-home health and safety. Although they dwell in home, because of illness and weedy joints they have a big threat of falling down in any corner of home premises. In such circumstances, it becomes significant to recognize if an elderly person has fallen so that he/she can get quick help on time. Physically handicapped person on wheelchair also requires to be monitored for fall detection. Currently CCTV Camera-based monitoring systems are in existence but these systems are very expensive. Common man cannot afford such system. For these reasons we propose a novel, smart and cost-effective fall-detection system by merging latest technology as Internet of Things and existing algorithms like Motion History Image and C-Motion. This system uses low-cost Pi Camera mounted on Raspberry Pi to monitor and detect person's fall-like movements. Pi Camera is a smart camera can be easily fixed on windows and walls of living room. System will be watching keenly for fall detection and unexpected motion changes in targeted person. An unexpected abrupt change with peak in the system is treated as a fall. In case of the person did not fall and alarm was false, then the system will have a provision to stop the alert within 5 seconds. If within stipulated time, person does not press stop button, system will consider it's as fall- activity and automatically sends an alert message via Wi-Fi to victim's take-givers for quick medical help.