Human Tracking Using Near Field Imaging

The sensor system presented in this paper utilizes near field imaging for wide area human location and tracking. The sensor system provides reliable location data of humans by measuring slight impedance changes between elements of a thick film sensor matrix under the floor covering. The sensor is completely rigid and undetectable. The low cost and scalable design allows the system to be spread across the whole indoor surface area. The system aims to ensure the efficiency of the elderly care system. Ageing of the population structure in Finland generates an eminent need for more resources in this field. The main pilot sites of the described system are in the senior homes, where the personnel will be most stressed in the near future. The location data can be used for various purposes such as making alarms of senior persons getting up from bed during the night risking them selves of losing balance. Making an alarm during falling down on the floor has an obvious benefit for the habitants of old age homes.