Apple patents fall detection that waits to see if you get up
Apple has been granted a patent for a method where a mobile device uses motion sensors to detect if a user has fallen. The system looks at the impact of the fall and checks if the user moves shortly after, but then remains still for a longer period. If the user stays motionless after the initial movement, the device sends an alert indicating a fall occurred.
In the filing’s own words
In an example method, a mobile device obtains a signal indicating an acceleration measured by a sensor over a time period. The mobile device determines an impact experienced by the user based on the signal. The mobile device also determines, based on the signal, one or more first motion characteristics of the user during a time prior to the impact, and one or more second motion characteristics of the user during a time after the impact. The mobile device determines that the user has fallen based on the impact, the one or more first motion characteristics of the user, and the one or more second motion characteristics of the user, and in response, generates a notification indicating that the user has fallen.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: obtaining, by a mobile device, motion data indicating a motion measured by one or more motion sensors, wherein the one or more motion sensors are worn by a user; determining, by the mobile device, that the user has fallen based on the motion data; determining, by the mobile device based on the motion data, that the user has moved within a first time period after the user has fallen; determining, by the mobile device based on the motion data, that the user has not moved within a second time period after the first time period; and responsive to determining that the user has fallen, that the user has moved within the first time period, and that the user has not moved within the second time period, generating, by the mobile device, one or more notifications indicating that the user has fallen.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Detecting falls using a mobile device
- Patent number
- US12749386B2
- Application number
- 18920833
- Filed
- Oct 18, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Inventors
- 14
- Claims
- 16
Classified under
G08B 21/0446 Physics & computingA61B 5/002 Human necessitiesA61B 5/0205 Human necessitiesA61B 5/024 Human necessitiesA61B 5/1112 Human necessitiesA61B 5/1117 Human necessitiesMore from Apple in Wearables
- Apple patents smart glasses that show notifications when you aren't looking at your phone Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents fabric earbuds woven to fit your ear shape Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents wristband that reads tendon movement to detect gestures Oct 13, 2026
- Apple patents wearable that adjusts video based on your comfort Oct 15, 2026
- Apple patents stylus that tracks hand tremors and grip strength Sep 22, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.