PAMSys: long-term physical activity monitoring with single wearable motion sensor

Abstract

In this demo, we present PAMSys#8482;(physical activity monitoring system), a single body sensor solution for long-term and continuous monitoring of a person's daily activities. PAMSys#8482; requires only a single light-weight sensor unit that can be integrated unobtrusively into a comfortable shirt (or directly to a subject's shirt) without hindering daily-living activities. The use of large flash storage and low power sensor technologies allows a maximal system lifetime of 8 days on a single charge, minimizing the management burden of the users of the system. PAMWare#8482;, the data analysis software for PAMSys#8482;, performs advanced biomechanical analyses on the tri-axial accelerometer signals recorded by the sensor unit and generates a detailed report on the subject's postural information throughout the entire measurement period. The system can be used for monitoring the state of health in the elderly, as well as the effect of different medical and surgical procedures in enhancing a patients' quality of life. As an example, long-term physical activity data can be applied to assess the risk of fall for elderly people by monitoring durations of sit-to-stand posture transitions.