Apparatus and methods for monitoring a subject

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a seat ( 82 ) of a vehicle, including a sensor unit ( 80 ) configured to be placed underneath the seat and configured to detect motion of a subject who is sitting on the seat during motion of the vehicle. The sensor unit includes a housing ( 90, 100 ), a first motion sensor ( 96, 106 ) disposed within the housing such as to generate a first sensor signal that is indicative of the motion of the vehicle, and a second motion sensor ( 98, 108 ) disposed within the housing, such as to generate a second sensor signal that is indicative of the motion of the subject and the motion of the vehicle. A computer processor at least partially distinguishes between motion of the subject and motion of the vehicle by analyzing the first and second sensor signals. Other applications are also described.

1 . Apparatus for use with a seat of a vehicle comprising:
 a sensor unit configured to be placed underneath the seat and configured to detect motion of a subject who is sitting on the seat during motion of the vehicle, the sensor unit comprising:
 a housing; 
 at least one first motion sensor disposed within the housing, such that the first motion sensor generates a first sensor signal that is indicative of the motion of the vehicle; 
 at least one second motion sensor disposed within the housing, such that the second motion sensor generates a second sensor signal that is indicative of the motion of the subject and the motion of the vehicle; and 
   a computer processor configured to at least partially distinguish between the motion of the subject and the motion of the vehicle by analyzing the first and second sensor signals.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first motion sensor is disposed within the housing such that the first motion sensor is isolated from the motion of the subject, such that the first motion sensor only detects motion that is due to motion of the vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the computer processor is configured to:
 derive the motion of the vehicle from the first sensor signal, and   based upon the derived motion of the vehicle, to subtract, from the second sensor signal, a portion of the second sensor signal that is generated by the motion of the vehicle.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the housing is flexible,   the apparatus further comprises a fluid compartment disposed on an inner surface of the housing,   the at least one first motion sensor is disposed on a surface of the fluid compartment, and   at least one second motion sensor is disposed on at least one inner surface of the flexible portion of the housing.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the first motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second motion sensor comprises two or more second motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the flexible portion of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing comprising flexible and rigid portions;   the at least one first motion sensor is disposed on at least one inner surface of the rigid portion of the housing;   the at least one second motion sensor is disposed on at least one inner surface of the flexible portion of the housing, and configured to generate a second sensor signal.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the first motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the second motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one first motion sensor comprises two or more first motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the rigid portion of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one second motion sensor comprises two or more second motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the flexible portion of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for use with a seat of a vehicle comprising:
 a sensor unit configured to be placed underneath the seat and configured to detect motion of a subject who is sitting on the seat during motion of the vehicle, the sensor unit comprising:
 a housing at least a portion of which is flexible; 
 a fluid compartment disposed on an inner surface of the housing; 
 at least one first motion sensor disposed on a surface of the fluid compartment, and configured to generate a first sensor signal; 
 at least one second motion sensor disposed on at least one inner surface of the flexible portion of the housing, the second motion sensor being configured to generate a second sensor signal; and 
   a computer processor configured to at least partially distinguish between the motion of the subject and the motion of the vehicle by analyzing the first and second sensor signals.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the first motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the second motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one second motion sensor comprises two or more second motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the flexible portion of the housing. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for use with a seat of a vehicle comprising:
 a sensor unit configured to be placed underneath the seat and configured to detect motion of a subject who is sitting on the seat during motion of the vehicle, the sensor unit comprising:
 a housing comprising flexible and rigid portions; 
 at least one first motion sensor disposed on at least one inner surface of the rigid portion of the housing, and configured to generate a first sensor signal; 
 at least one second motion sensor disposed on at least one inner surface of the flexible portion of the housing, and configured to generate a second sensor signal; and 
   a computer processor configured to at least partially distinguish between the motion of the subject and the motion of the vehicle by analyzing the first and second sensor signals.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the first motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the second motion sensor comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of: a deformation sensor, a piezoelectric sensor, and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one first motion sensor comprises two or more first motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the rigid portion of the housing. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one second motion sensor comprises two or more second motion sensors disposed on respective inner surfaces of the flexible portion of the housing. 
     
     
         22 - 42 . (canceled)