This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 201921048838 filed on May 28, 2020, titled “DEATH TRIGGERED DEVICE, COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM”.
The present invention relates to a death triggered device for managing pre-death and post-death events. Particularly the invention relates to managing financial, legal and administrative events of wearer of the device that detects unstable health and death of its owner and proceeds as per his requirements, desire and “will”.
Death of a person results into a plethora of unscheduled activities to be done by kin of the deceased and such activities get done half-heartedly and hap hazardously. A person has no control on his or her post-death events other than leaving a legally proper will document.
There are attempts to manage post-death events. Publication No. JP2002063267 discloses a means for registering, changing and deleting a message, a message destination and the trigger condition for sending a message from a terminal to a database by a living individual whose ID is registered, and means for sending a registered message to a destination, when a registered trigger condition is satisfied after the death of the individual. JP2009009348 discloses a post-funeral message delivery system including an information creation/communication processing terminal for making an application via a communication network to a computer device of a management organization for sending a post-funeral message to the addressee after the bereaved family makes a post-death contact to the computer device. US publication no 20120047055 discloses a post “end-of-life” management system and method comprising registering and setting up directives to manage on-accounts, digital data, and perform other function by providers, after the death of the registrant. The system is integrated with the social security administration to receive death notifications from the death master file as well as the deceased individual counterparts of other countries. Registrant accounts are encrypted and stored in the system and triggered to decrypt in order to carry out directives left by deceased after notification of death is received from the social security administration or diseased individual registry counterpart of other country.
A person has no control on place and time of death. There are a large number of instances when a well to do person dies at place and at time when there is no person or help around. Several times, even identification of a dead person is a challenge.
Prior art is dependent upon a confirmation from family or friend and not a real time death trigger.
A person may change his mind, wish and or will, till last breath even if he or she is very close to the eventuality of death, however prior art does not address such basic requirement.
Present invention overcomes this important function effectively and to the satisfaction of the deceased.
To detect death of person owning the device as per present invention and communicate to pre-decided agencies and persons.
To distinguish between owner and others before communicating death.
To repeatedly verify in situations of uncertainty between owner and others.
To self-distinguish between active and inactive state of device.
To provide aid to persons wishing to execute certain financial and legal transactions JUST BEFORE they are dead.
To provide for frequent alterations in owner's wishes.
To provide for alterations in owner's wish almost till his or her last breath!
To provide for a reliable method and system of supplying an electrical energy and connectivity to the device.
A death trigger is interpreted throughout this disclosure as a reliable energy signal picked up from a body of a user owning the death triggered device as per present invention. The death trigger includes the reliable body energy trigger picked from the body when the person is not yet medically dead however symptomatically not likely to survive. The death trigger not initiated by the body of the user but initiated by another person or device based on his or her observation and or any database or any other means is not in the objectives of the present invention.
The present invention is a death triggered device which is generally always on a body of a user. The device houses a hardware, which is developed specific to this application keeping lower power consumption, smallest size and optimum speed of execution as per the present invention. The device is disposed with a plurality of sensors, grouped into a plurality of primary sensors, a plurality of validation sensors and a plurality of mode sensors.
The primary sensors monitor a state of life or a state of death of the user. Further, the state of life is monitored for a stable state and an unstable state. The stable state is a healthy medical state of a vital parameters of the user with no medical probability of a natural death in a near future, while the unstable state is an unhealthy medical state of the vital parameters of the user pointing towards a high medical probability of a natural death. The validation sensors identify the user of the death triggered device. Since the very objective of the present invention is to provide post death support as per wish and needs of the specific user, the primary sensors are to flawlessly and precisely identify the specific user by a comprehensive set up method and any change of user would be through a validated change of the comprehensive set up. The validation sensors as a preferred embodiment is a biometric sensor including a biometric fingerprint reader, iris, face, voice, sound of a heartbeat, and or a combination thereof. Generally, such sensors read or measure light, temperature, speed, electrical capacity and other types of bodily energies of the user. The primary sensors function and the validation sensor function may be performed by a common sensor. The mode sensors sense that the death triggered device is indeed worn by the user and is not kept away. This is to differentiate between a state of death of the user and the inactive mode of the device. In other words, when the state of life is not sensed, it does not necessarily imply the state of death. Also, mode sensors are essential to interpret “no electric energy” situation of the death triggered device, as different from the state of death and or sabotage. On restoration of power by charging, the death triggered device first assumes an inactive mode and thereafter the validation sensors followed by the primary sensors restore the functioning of the death triggered device as explained later below.
When the death triggered device is in the active mode, the user selects a set up situation, an update situation, a test situation or a run situation. In the set up situation and the update situation, the death triggered device is configured. In the set up situation, which is a first time set up situation, the death triggered device is configured for a personalization—a personal details and credentials, a biometric parameters and a life and health parameters of the user. The death triggered device is set up by wearing by the user so that the validation sensors of the death triggered device pick and store the biometric parameters of the user. Next, the primary sensor picks and stores as reference the life and health parameters of the user. In the update situation, the user uploads legal documents, contact details, bank details, wishful instructions and wishful transactions. The scope of this feature of the present invention is configurable and which limitlessly develops as per social and legal parameters. The death triggered device is configured to send reminder at a regular interval to the user; so, the wearer keeps the set up updated, like his or her will. In the update situation, the user also updates his baseline health and biometric parameters, which might change due to ageing and or any health issues, whether natural or accidental. As mentioned above, the primary sensor detecting a state of life is equally capable of sensing a stable state of life and an unstable state of life. As the death triggered device senses the unstable state of life, the death triggered device prompts the user to make any changes, and digitally authorizes an amended will by way of a secure digital signature authenticated by the user and thus prevents the prevailing situation of depriving people from making changes due to current laws and practices. A preferred embodiment would not need any witnesses at all. As a variation, the user possesses a “Will authorization digital signature combination” which includes his or her secure digital signature coupled along with two additional secure digital signatures of persons having pre-agreed to put this “Will authorization digital signature combination”. On invocation of this will authorization digital signature combination by the user, which is only and only for this specific purpose, the death triggered device also sends a notification to the witnesses, and the witnesses are to acknowledge and accepting this invocation. In an event the acknowledgement(s) arrives AFTER the user has breathed his or her last, the will may be considered legally invalid. The death triggered device anticipates and can be configured as per laws and practices for the time being in force.
In some countries, one-time passwords are introduced to prevent financial transactions from pilferage and phishing. Such onetime passwords are sent on a registered mobile number or a registered email ID. The death triggered device is configurable to pick such security password from any such source device, like a smart mobile phone of the user. This configurable feature is particularly configured for the unstable state of life.
In the test situation, the user can invoke the death triggered device to simulate trial actions. The trial actions are a reversible set of activities which are intended to verify that the death triggered device is appropriately configured and is functional in the run mode.
In the run situation, the death triggered device in the active mode performs different functions in a peace time and a crisis time. In the crisis time invoked by the unstable state of life, the death triggered device manages events and instructions pre-configured in the set up and update mode. The instructions particularly are legal documentation and online banking transactions and all such instructions which are legally void as soon as the device detects a state of death. In the crisis time invoked by the state of death, the death triggered device manages post death events and instructions pre-configured in the set up and update mode. The instructions particularly are messages and non-legal/non-financial documentation and transactions and all such instructions which manage a post death set of events including messaging an identified set of persons, organ donation agencies pre-registered by the user, funeral and cremation actions as per religious and social practices and wishes of the user.
Availability of the electrical energy to the death triggered device is as crucial as to any lifesaving medical device and so is the method and system to charge a battery of the death triggered device. The interlocked charging port of the death triggered device as per the present invention anticipates and addresses this need. The interlocked charging port assembly comprises an energy receiver port and an energy delivery device. The energy receiver port is disposed on the death triggered device while the energy delivery device is external to the death triggered device.
The energy receiver port has a polarized construction such that the corresponding energy delivery port of the energy delivery device is mechanically attachable only in a prescribed orientation. This feature ensures that the ports cannot be connected in an incorrect electricity polarity. The energy delivery port once mechanically attached cannot be pulled out in any direction other than in a direction towards the user, when worn by the user in his or her left hand. In a worn situation the receiver port is situate on an arm side of the user and NOT on the palm side.
For wearing on right hand and particularly for persons with left hand more active, the death triggered device still has the receiver port situate on an arm side of the user and NOT on the palm side. The receiver port is a modular unit, insertible on either a left side or a right side of a housing assembly of the death triggered device to be able to ensure that a connecting cord of the delivery port lies on the arm side and does not entangle with a palm fingers of the user.
As a variation, the receiver port is situate on the left side as well as on the right side of the enclosure, electrically connected in a parallel circuit. This arrangement facilitates an extra fast charging of the death triggered device in the crisis time.
A preferred embodiment of the receiver port is externally in a trapezoid shape, having a complementing trapezoid pair of inclined groves. There is a pair of receptacles in an inside of either end of the inclined groves. Correspondingly, the delivery port of the delivery device has a pair of claws. The delivery port is engage-able from the user side and disengage-able only towards the user side.
The receiver port of the death triggered device as per present invention has a provision to collate electrical energy from vicinity and may not need the delivery device at all. As a variation, the delivery device may have a radio transmittable energy capability, whereby the delivery port may not have the connecting cord.
The functions described of the death triggered device are crucial to the person; however, the death triggered device is not intended to be perceived as an emergency aid and usable only in difficult times, lest the user does NOT wear it all the time, which is crucial to achieve the intended services from the present invention. In other words, while the crisis time is when the death triggered device adds its inventive value for the user, the user ought to perceive the death triggered device as an all-time companion, most of the time of use of the death triggered device is the peace time.
In this back drop, the death triggered device as per present invention is a mini assistant and or for online banking, e-commerce and casual gaming in the peace time. The death triggered device in general shows a lazy display in a fun mode including a time clock in different configurations like a digital display, a gaming menu and other entertainment display et cetera, with an inventive feature-clock freeze such that the display of the time clock freezes at and after the death triggered device detects a state of death. The death triggered device may be configured to also communicate the instant of life to death transition to a plurality of pre-configured persons and or institutions.
The present invention shall now be described with the help of accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly noted that the present invention can be worked with several variations and this description should not be construed to limit the invention in any manner whatsoever.
A death trigger is interpreted throughout this description as a reliable energy signal picked up from a body of a user owning the death triggered device as per present invention. The death trigger includes the reliable body energy trigger picked from the body when the person is not yet medically dead however symptomatically not likely to survive. The death trigger not initiated by the body of the user but initiated by another person or device based on his or her observation and or any database or any other means is not in the objectives of the present invention.
Technologically, sensors capable of picking up such reliable bodily energy signals are constantly getting better and better, trying to match a human instinct!
The enclosure (13) is suitable for at least an IP 54 class of ingress protection and is suitable for outdoor use. The enclosure (13) houses a hardware which is developed specific to this application keeping lower power consumption, smallest size and optimum speed of execution as per the present invention, which is achieved by an embedded electronics circuitry (20) having an internet communication capability and equipped with a navigation keys and comprising an 8 bit-microcontroller, illustratively ATmega328 or ATmega2560 which is a low power, CMOS 8-bit microcontrollers based on the AVR® enhanced RISC architecture, wherein by executing instructions in a single clock cycle, the death triggered device (100) achieves CPU throughput approaching one million instructions per second (MIPS) per megahertz, allowing the system designer to optimize power consumption versus processing speed, driving a 128×64 pixels OLED display and sensors as described illustratively below. Important to note that the death triggered device (100) is required to function in a steady, validated and reliable manner with a minimum power, and wherein a high immunity to electromagnetic interferences is more important than a processing speed. Therefore, high speed processors consuming proportionate power rapidly, available as a general-purpose hardware, are not appropriate.
The death triggered device (100) is disposed with a plurality of sensors, grouped into—
The primary sensors (30) monitor a state of life (61) or a state of death (71) of the user. Further, the state of life (61) is monitored for a stable state (102) and an unstable state (101). The stable state (102), as is understood generally, is a healthy medical state of a vital parameters of the user with no medical probability of a natural death in a near future, while the unstable state (101) is an unhealthy medical state of the vital parameters of the user pointing towards a high medical probability of a natural death.
The primary sensors (30) as a preferred embodiment is a pulse sensor that simply counts a pulse corresponding to a heartbeat count of the user. One such low cost sensor, illustratively, is Pulse Sensor—Heart Rate Detector, Product Code: EC-0567, or MAX30102, costing less than two US dollars.
The primary sensors (30) may be an oxygen saturation sensor, a body temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, and likewise any contemporary sensor, and or a combination thereof, which non-invasively detects the state of life (61) and the state of death (71).
The validation sensors (40) identify the user (120) of the death triggered device (100). Since the very objective of the present invention is to provide post death support as per wish and needs of the specific user, the primary sensors are to flawlessly and precisely identify the specific user by a comprehensive set up method and any change of user would be through a validated change of the comprehensive set up. The validation sensors (40) as a preferred embodiment is a biometric sensor including a biometric fingerprint reader, iris, face, voice, sound of a heartbeat, and or a combination thereof. Generally, such sensors read or measure light, temperature, speed, electrical capacity and other types of bodily energies of the user.
The functions of the primary sensors (30) and the validation sensors (40) may be performed by a common sensor. One such sensor is known at least since 2011, used in Nymi wristbands. Nymi wristbands are known to use a cardiac sensor that is capable of sensing the heartbeat pattern differences between individuals, making it a biometric sensor; as well as a sensor differentiating between stable state of life (102), unstable state of life (101) as also state of death (71).
The mode sensors (50) sense that the death triggered device (100) is indeed worn by the user (120) and is not kept away. This is to differentiate between a state of death (71) of the user (120) and the inactive mode (56) of the device (100). In other words, when the state of life (61) is not sensed, it does not necessarily imply the state of death (71).
Also, mode sensors (50) are essential to interpret “no electric energy” situation of the death triggered device (100), as different from the state of death (71) and or sabotage. On restoration of power by charging, the death triggered device (100) first assumes an inactive mode (56) and thereafter the validation sensors (40) followed by the primary sensors (30) restore the functioning of the death triggered device (100) as explained later below.
The mode sensors (50) in a preferred embodiment is a stretch sensor (52) that stretches when worn by the user. https://leaptechnology.com/product/individual-stretch-sensors/ illustratively describes one such stretch sensor (52). The death triggered device (100) is in active mode (55) when the stretch sensor (52) is stretched, and the electric energy is available. The mode sensor (50) may also be a switching device (51) including a touch and a proximity switching device with or without a biometric sensor, wherein when the switching device (51) is in an OFF state the death triggered device (100) goes in the inactive mode (56); and when the switching device (51) is in an ON state, with the electric energy available and the biometric sensor validating the user (120), the death triggered device (100) goes to the active mode (55). The switching device (51) may be a wired device with a pair of wires (53) running through the wearable arrangement (12).
It is to be expressly understood that the present invention is not about inventing a sensor but is a device, method and system for triggering and executing data, messages, online banking transactions and legal procedures with minimal intervention or support of family, relatives and or friends of the user (120) who is deceased. Newer sensors in conceptual stage of commercialization, smaller in physical size and with higher resolution are well within the possible variations as per present invention as far as they are non-invasively biometric in principle. Illustratively, hair, skin, body fluid based biometric sensors deployable as the primary sensors, the validation sensors and the mode sensors are anticipated and are integral part of the present invention.
When the death triggered device (100) is in the active mode (55), as per the preferred embodiment, the user (120) selects out of the following situations:
Configuration (91)—
In the update situation (72), the user (120) uploads legal documents, contact details, bank details, wishful instructions and wishful transactions. The scope of this feature of the present invention is configurable and which limitlessly develops as per social and legal parameters. The death triggered device (100) is configured to send reminder at a regular interval to the user (120); so, the wearer keeps the set up updated, like his or her will. In the update situation (72) the user (120) also updates his baseline health and biometric parameters which might change due to ageing and or any health issues, whether natural or accidental.
“Will” and legal processes (98)—It involves legal documents and primarily includes a “valid will” of the user (120). In many countries a valid will implies a document manually signed by the testator, here user (120), in a healthy state of mind, and witnessed by two or three contactable persons, one of whom preferably is a medical practitioner. The user's signature must be made or acknowledged in the presence of two/three witnesses. The witnesses must be present at the same time, and must also attest and sign the Will.
Just to understand the significance of “validity” of a will, it might be sufficient here to refer that, in the case of Payne v Payne, the Court of Appeal in the UK considered the validity of a Will where the two witnesses had written their names in block capitals, rather than “signing” in the commonly accepted sense of making an identifiable, unique personal mark. Initially, the Judge decided that the Will had not been properly attested and was invalid. However, the Court of Appeal decided that a “signature” in the commonly accepted sense was not required, and that it was sufficient for the witnesses simply to write their names with the intention of attesting the Will. Therefore, the Will was declared to be valid.
To further give an update, The Sunday Times of 30 Jul. 2020 carries a News that wills witnessed via video link will be legally valid henceforth, which was hitherto only a concession given under the Wills Act 1937, for and during Covid-19 pandemic.
In a dynamic world, the legal practices are evolving and Covid-19 pandemic has forced the rule makers to more and more accept electronic documents. The present invention particularly addresses a situation wherein a terminally ill person wishes to make “last minute” changes in his or her will; and this situation is triggered by newer realizations as one is on his way to heavenly abode; a feeling most others cannot appreciate unless they have seen “death” from as very close angle! The present invention recognizes that intensely verified digital signatures are now accepted almost in every transaction including financial transactions and it is not irrational to extend this technology for accepting a will digitally authorized as a legally valid will.
As mentioned above, the primary sensor (30) detecting a state of life (61) is equally capable of sensing a stable state of life (102) and an unstable state of life (101). The stable state (102), as is understood generally, is a healthy medical state of a vital parameters of the user (120) with no probability of a natural death in a near future, while the unstable state of life (101) is a unhealthy medical state of the vital parameters of the user (120) pointing towards a high medical probability of a natural death and or a major capabilities deterioration like in a paralysis or a stroke, medically termed as a plegia, including but not limited to cardioplegia (paralysis of heart), hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of body), paraplegia (paralysis of legs), and quadriplegia (paralysis of all four extremities), while
A contact details is a database of persons and agencies for appropriately and selectively communicating death news and post death event.
Bank details pertain to those bank transactions that the user wishes to initiate when he or she is in the unstable state of life (101), or soonest after his or her death.
There is an element of legal discrepancy involved here with respect to current practice. There are known cases of people leaving blank signed cheque leaves and it is possible that those cheque leaves are used after demise of the user (120) by falsely dating them, say a day earlier than the death. The present invention facilitates such bank transaction when the user is still alive and wishes to utilize some of his or her funds in a manner he wishes. In the event of the user in the unstable state of life, the pre-identified bank transactions can be triggered by the user by accepting a prompt from the death triggered device. This invention facilitates the user to keep such transaction in abeyance and at the same time need not leave signed cheque leaves and reduce his risk as well as eliminate legal irregularity.
In some countries, one-time passwords are introduced to prevent financial transactions from pilferage and phishing. Such onetime passwords are sent on a registered mobile number or a registered email ID. The death triggered device is configurable to pick such security password from any such source device, like a smart mobile phone of the user (120). This configurable feature is particularly configured for the unstable state of life (101).
In the run situation (90), the death triggered device in the active mode (55) performs different functions in a peace time (83) and a crisis time (84).
In the crisis time (84) invoked by the unstable state of life (101), the death triggered device (100) manages events and instructions pre-configured in the set up and update mode. The instructions particularly are legal documentation and online banking transactions (87) and all such instructions which are legally void as soon as the device detects a state of death.
In the crisis time (84) invoked by the state of death (71), the death triggered device manages post death events (88) and instructions pre-configured in the set up and update mode. The instructions particularly are messages and non-legal/non-financial documentation and transactions and all such instructions which manage a post death set of events including messaging an identified set of persons, organ donation agencies pre-registered by the user, funeral and cremation actions as per religious and social practices and wishes of the user.
The death triggered device (100) having the embedded electronics circuitry (20) with internet communication capability executes a set of instructions in the form of a computer program as the death triggered device (100) is on a body of the user (120) and is in an active mode (55), the set of instructions grossly comprising the steps of:
Data files, pre-recorded messages, documents reside in a non-volatile memory of the death triggered device (100) for faster processing and execution, while the radio/internet communication is invoked only for releasing instructions. As a variation, data files, pre-recorded messages, documents reside on an external device in which case the execution also involves radio/internet communication for transmittal and receiving of processing a plurality of routines of the computer program.
Availability of the electrical energy to the death triggered device (100) is as crucial as to any lifesaving medical device and so is the method and system to charge a battery of the death triggered device (100). The interlocked charging port (130) of the death triggered device (100) as per the present invention anticipates and addresses this need.
The interlocked charging port assembly (130) comprises an energy receiver port (140) and an energy delivery device (160). The energy receiver port (140) is disposed on the death triggered device (100) while the energy delivery device (160) is external to the death triggered device (100).
The energy receiver port (140) has a polarized construction such that the corresponding energy delivery port (161) of the energy delivery device (160) is mechanically attachable only in a prescribed orientation. This feature ensures that the ports cannot be connected in an incorrect electricity polarity. The energy delivery port (161) once mechanically attached cannot be pulled out in any direction other than in a direction towards the user, when worn by the user in his or her left hand. In a worn situation the receiver port is situate on an arm side (17) of the user (120) and NOT on the palm side (18).
For wearing on right hand and particularly for persons with left hand more active, the death triggered device (100) still has the receiver port (140) situate on an arm side (17) of the user (120) and NOT on the palm side (18). The receiver port (140) is a modular unit, insertible on either a left side (15) or a right side (16) of a housing assembly of the death triggered device (100) to be able to ensure that a connecting cord (162) of the delivery port (160) lies on the arm side (17) and does not entangle with a palm fingers of the user (120).
As a variation, the receiver port (140) is situate on the left side (15) as well as on the right side (16) of the enclosure (13), electrically connected in a parallel circuit. This arrangement facilitates an extra fast charging of the death triggered device (100) in the crisis time (84).
The claws (163) grip the enclosure (13) by entangling in the receptacles (142) of the inclined groves (141); and ungrip the enclosure (13) only by a pulling force towards the part one (12A) of the wearable arrangement (12) towards the user (120), and in no other direction. Such a force is easily apply-able by the user (120) but not others.
The receiver port (140) of the death triggered device as per present invention has a provision to collate electrical energy from vicinity and may not need the delivery device (160) at all. As a variation, the delivery device (160) may have a contactless or a radio transmittable energy capability, whereby the delivery port (161) may not have the connecting cord (162). The set of receiver tracks (140A) function as a receptor for electrical energy transmitted by a radio waves.
The functions described of the death triggered device (100) are crucial to the person; however, the death triggered device (100) is not intended to be perceived as an emergency aid and usable only in difficult times, lest the user (120) does NOT wear it all the time, which is crucial to achieve the intended services from the present invention. In other words, while the crisis time (84) is when the death triggered device adds its inventive value for the user (120), the user (120) ought to perceive the death triggered device (100) as an all-time companion, most of the time of use of the death triggered device (100) is the peace time (83).
In this back drop, the death triggered device (100) as per present invention is a mini assistant and or for online banking, e-commerce and casual gaming in the peace time (83).
In an event that the internet communication and or radio communication is unsuccessful, the death triggered device (100) repeatedly attempts such communication till end of power and executes the intended communication as soon as the death triggered device (100) finds a communication network, with a time stamp of first communication attempt.
The death triggered device (100) as per present invention is intended to be branded as “Ltrabyt”, as shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201921048838 | May 2020 | IN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IN2021/050270 | 3/17/2021 | WO |