A patient sling has a back support portion and a patient seat support portion. Two straps are coupled to respective side flanges of the back rest support, while two straps are coupled to respective side flanges of the seat support portion and connect to the straps. The straps can be adjusted in length and also detached from the upper straps in order to adjust the configuration of the seat support portion. The seat support portion includes a cut out for assisting a patient in effecting bodily functions and fold lines can also enable the seat support portion to be either partially folded or fully folded back in order to assist a patient in dressing and undressing, while continuing to be retained and supported by the back rest support portion.

Systems and methods for use with haptic devices. A control system for haptic devices determines a first course of action based on a user's motion. Prior to implementing the first course of action, the control system determines if the first course of action would lead to instability in the haptic device which could cause an unsafe situation such as failure of its components. If the first course of action would lead to instability, the control device determines a second course of action that would not lead to instability and implements this second course of action. To assist in this second course of action and to prevent potential oscillation in the haptic device, the control system also selectively dampens a projected action of the haptic device. A haptic device using such a control system is also disclosed.

Systems and methods for use with haptic devices. A control system for haptic devices determines a first course of action based on a user's motion. Prior to implementing the first course of action, the control system determines if the first course of action would lead to instability in the haptic device which could cause an unsafe situation such as failure of its components. If the first course of action would lead to instability, the control device determines a second course of action that would not lead to instability and implements this second course of action. To assist in this second course of action and to prevent potential oscillation in the haptic device, the control system also selectively dampens a projected action of the haptic device. A haptic device using such a control system is also disclosed.

A door security system and method may increase the home security for elderly people without limiting the privacy of or convenience for residents. The method comprises detecting closing of a door; keeping a first locking mechanism of said door in an open position for a first predetermined period of time after said closing; after said predetermined period of time, changing said first locking mechanism into a locked position. The re-entry time frame permits a user to re-enter without a key, immediately after realizing they forgot it. The method may further comprise recognizing motion of a person on a door of a house through a camera provided in or near the door; producing streaming footage; sending the streaming footage to a central processing server; processing the streaming footage for face recognition purpose and checking against several; and storing all data on the server.

A sitting motion assist system for assisting a sitting motion of a patient changing their posture from a standing posture to a sitting posture includes a care belt, a knee-bending adviser, and a pulling mechanism. The care belt can be put on the patient and includes a hold mechanism including a first holder capable of holding the neck or shoulder of the patient and a second holder capable of holding their lower back, and a coupler capable of being positioned on their chest and coupled to the hold mechanism. The knee-bending adviser advises the patient to perform a knee-bending motion. The pulling mechanism is coupled to the hold mechanism via the coupler and pulls the care belt downward and slightly forward relative to the patient after the advice by the knee-bending adviser, and thereafter pushes the care belt downward and slightly backward to assist the sitting motion.

A robot system for assisting a patient in standing up and/or sitting down is provided. The robot system includes the following elements. A drive mechanism executes a drive pattern for assisting the patient in standing up and/or sitting down. An instruction input device receives an instruction to cause the drive mechanism to execute the drive pattern. A state acquirer acquires an execution state of the drive mechanism which is executing the drive pattern. A controller decides whether or not to cause the drive mechanism to execute the instruction received by the instruction input device, on the basis of the execution state acquired by the state acquirer, and controls the driving of the drive mechanism.