International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 6 (2016) pp 4184-4186

Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

Fall Detection of Elderly People in Bathroom: A Complement Method of

Wearable Device

Yea-Dat Chuah, Jer-Vui Lee, Dhivya Ganasan, Yong-Siong Chong,

Wai-Quin Lum, Nurulizwazi Mohd Nor and Wen-Ying Soong
Lee Kang Chian, Faculty of Engineering and Science,
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia.

Abstract
Many researchers have reported the use of wearable device in
detecting fall of elderly people. Nevertheless, these wearable
devices are not applicable in the bathroom. This paper
presents a method of detecting fall of elderly people in the
bathroom which is a complement method of wearable device.
This method utilizes a stationary fall detection system based
on ultrasonic sensor and infrared sensor with Arduino board.
An algorithm for detecting fall has been designed and
developed based on the positioning of both sensors.
Calculation is performed on differentiation of height ranges
which signifies fall. The best degree for location of ultrasonic
sensor has also been considered. The system works perfectly
with sensing fall of object and alerting in two seconds by
using a test model. The rescue time will be shortened for not
missing the best rescue time to minimize injuries. Data
collected for prone fall areas in bathroom and height ranges
which signify fall will be used to improve our smart home
system in the future.
Keywords: Fall detection system, ultrasonic sensor, infrared
sensor, Arduino.
Introduction
A matter of fact, majority of the falls of elderly is in the
bathroom [1]. This is due to the wet floor that causes slip and
fall. The faller may suffer injury or even in a coma. Noisy
water sound makes the situation worse which nobody is being
noticed. So the best rescue time will be missed. In addition,
the risk of falls is very high among stroke patients. In details,
most of the injuries are not due to fall but due to fallers unable
to get up without assistance. Therefore, there is a need to
implement a method to detect fall of elderly people in
bathroom. Many researchers have reported the use of
wearable device in detecting the fall of elderly [2-7].
Nevertheless, these wearable devices are not applicable in the
bathroom.
Methodology
System Components
The system consists of an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared
sensor with Arduino board. Ultrasonic sensor is a proximity
sensor that is able to measure distance of objects, within the
specified range and without any physical contact. Infrared Ray
(IR) sensor consists of an emitter and a receiver. The emitter
emits infrared ray continuously. The refracted ray will be
received by the receiver. The receiver acts as a transistor with
its base current that will be determined by the intensity of
light received. Arduino is an open-source physical computing
platform based on a simple microcontroller board, and a
development environment for writing software for the board.
Conceptual Design
A model house was constructed based on the ratio 1:11 of
actual object as shown in Figure 1. All the calculations were
based on the model house. The shower area was 11.5cm, toilet
area was 11 cm and basin is 9 cm. The idea was to design a
circuit that not only can detect fall but also to distinguish
behavior without giving false alarm. By using toys of ideal
height, efficiency of ultrasonic sensor in detecting fall along
with the best angle has been carried out. Both of the sensors
were put perpendicular to each other to increase its efficiency
as shown in Figure 2.

An equatorial oriented smart home system (OneSmatHome

project) has been initiated by the authors which consists of
several modules such as fall detection of elderly [7], telecare
[8], security monitoring [9], fan motor controller [10], power
saving [11], automated day-lighting, ventilation and etc. This
paper discusses the proposal of detecting fall of elderly people
in the bathroom which is a complement method of wearable
Figure 1: Model house: shower area (left) and toilet area
device.
(right).

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 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 6 (2016) pp 4184-4186
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

If no test subjects are being detected, the function of second

detection sub-algorithm will be called. Firstly, the ultrasonic
sensor will be triggered to start and the distance is being
computed. If the distance obtained is more than 16cm but less
than equal to 18cm, the alarm will be triggered. It indicates
that an object or obstacle lies between these ranges. Else,
indicating that no objects are within the dangerous zone.
Generally, the second detection system is to prevent the
triggering of false alarm. It also ensures that the detection
system does not fall in the blind spot.

Start

Start IR sensor Start ultrasonic

sensor

Yes
IR input = low Yes
If distance <=10cm Safe range

No
No
Start ultrasonic sensor
Yes
Might be
If distance >10cm &
children or
Figure 2: The position of ultrasonic sensor and infrared If distance >16cm
<=16cm
elderly squatting

sensor. & <=18cm

No
No
Yes
Yes If distance >16 &
Fall detected
<=18
Object or obstacle lies No objects are within the
between these ranges dangerous zone
Algorithm Design No

Figure 3 shows an overview of the fall detection system. It

was designed mainly based on the heights of test subjects. The
ultrasonic sensor is used to detect the heights of test subjects,
while the infrared adjustable sensor switch is used to ensure
that no false alarm will be triggered. The average heights of
Asian elderly are in between 155cm to 165 cm. Some
assumptions made based on heights of different test subjects
where the heights were calculated based on a ratio of 1:11.
The distances are being measured from the position of the
ultrasonic sensor. Since the ultrasonic sensor was installed on
the ceiling, thus the distances between the sensor and test
subjects will be measured that starting from the ceiling.
At the beginning of the algorithm, the IR sensor is being
triggered. IR sensor remains high (5V) if no objects are
detected. While IR sensor shows low (0V), which indicates
that objects are being detected. Then, the system will undergo
the first detection sub-algorithm, else the system will undergo
to the second detection sub-algorithm. Generally, the first
detection system is the main detection system used to alert the
care givers. As the input from IR sensor is low, the function of
first detection sub-algorithm will be called. Then, the
ultrasonic sensor will start to detect the heights of test
subjects. Three decisions have to be made:
Firstly, if the distance from the ultrasonic sensor to
the test subjects is less than or equal to 10 cm. It
shows that the test subjects in safe range.
If the distance from the ultrasonic sensors to the test
subjects is more than 10 cm but less than equal to 16
cm. It shows that the test subjects might be children
or elderly squatting.
If the distance obtained lies between 15cm to 18cm.
It indicates that there might be a fall happening. An
alarm will be triggered to alert the care givers. This is
also to make sure that false alarm being triggered is
minimized.
2nd Detection Algorithm 1st Detection Algorithm
Figure 3: Algorithm of fall detection system.
Implementation
For ultrasonic sensor placed at 45 degrees at the top corner of
shower area, the problem faced was the blind spot within the
ultrasonic range. If a person stands closely to shower head,
this indirectly means that the model (toy) is standing out of
range. For ultrasonic sensor placed at 30 degrees at the top
corner of shower area, the blind spot range was reduced but
the maximum range it covered reduced significantly. The
position showed that the distance obtained was not ideal.
Thus, the position of the ultrasonic sensor changed from
corner to top left wall in the centre and the coding is fine tune
again. Ultrasonic sensor placed from corner to top left wall in
the centre. In order to improve the performance of the system,
adding another sensor able to distinguish fall more precisely.
Conclusion
This paper presents a fall detection system by using ultrasonic
sensor, infrared sensor and Arduino board. This system works
perfectly with high accuracy when performing on toy in a
model house. The combination of infrared sensor and
ultrasonic sensor is proven to be suitable for eliminating blind
spots in bathroom. In addition, data that collected by using
this system can help us to determine the height range that
signifies falls and prone fall area in bathroom. For further
improvement, we will implant our system into real bathroom
to examine its resistibility to humidity. Besides that, more
sensors will be installed to eliminate blind spots in bathroom.

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 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 6 (2016) pp 4184-4186
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

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