BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [ 0002 ] It is commonplace to see the white cane used as a navigation device by people who are permanently visually or hearing impaired. The purpose of the cane is three-fold. First, the user gains information about possible obstructions in their path. Second, the white color of the cane alerts fellow pedestrians and motorists to the presence of a user who may not be able to see or hear as much as is normally assumed and signals that drivers and bystanders might need to modify their movements and actions appropriately. Third, the white color of the cane also prevents people nearby from reacting aggressively, impatiently or otherwise inappropriately when the cane user does something unexpected. [ 0003 ] People living with epilepsy can also lose their sight, hearing and mobility during grand mal, temporal lobe and/or other seizures. In addition to the problem of the seizure itself, the temporary loss of sight, hearing, speech, mobility and/or consciousness can cause social problems too. People who have the common but commonly-unrecognised seizure type called temporal lobe seizures, for example, may suddenly stop and stand motionless in the middle of the pavement or road, with onlookers mistakenly believing that they are drunk, obstinate or drugged. In such situations, verbal abuse is common.

1. SEIZURE ALERT CANE: WHITE/PURPLE CANE FOR PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[ 000 1 ] None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[ 0002 ] It is commonplace to see the white cane used as a navigation device by
people who are permanently visually or hearing impaired. The purpose of the cane
is three-fold. First, the user gains information about possible obstructions in their
path. Second, the white color of the cane alerts fellow pedestrians and motorists to
the presence of a user who may not be able to see or hear as much as is normally
assumed and signals that drivers and bystanders might need to modify their
movements and actions appropriately. Third, the white color of the cane also
prevents people nearby from reacting aggressively, impatiently or otherwise
inappropriately when the cane user does something unexpected.
[ 0003 ] People living with epilepsy can also lose their sight, hearing and mobility
during grand mal, temporal lobe and/or other seizures. In addition to the problem of
the seizure itself, the temporary loss of sight, hearing, speech, mobility and/or
consciousness can cause social problems too. People who have the common but
commonly-unrecognised seizure type called temporal lobe seizures, for example,
may suddenly stop and stand motionless in the middle of the pavement or road,
with onlookers mistakenly believing that they are drunk, obstinate or drugged. In
such situations, verbal abuse is common.
[ 0004 ] Even when amongst friends and family, people who suffer from
unrecognisable seizure types may find conversations difficult, because when their
hearing, sight and cognitive processes are affected by a seizure, those around
them cannot see the seizure and so do not modify or pause the conversation
appropriately.
[ 0005 ] People who suffer grand mal seizures often find that members of the public
push things into their mouths (which can cause teeth to break) or break their ribs
(through inappropriate thoracic massage, given under the mistaken impression that

2. the person with epilepsy is suffering from cardiac arrest) [See Gourzoulidou and D
Konstandtinou 2004].
[ 0006 ] The hostile or inappropriate responses to seizures contributes substantially
to the psychosocial burden of epilepsy. Concern about the hostile reactions of
others if a seizure occurs in public can lead to anxiety, withdrawal and isolation
[Baker 2002].
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[ 0007 ] The Seizure Alert Cane is a white/purple cane, similar to those used by the
visually and hearing impaired, but for use by people who have epilepsy. The
coloured band around the bottom is purple, signifying epilepsy.
[ 0008 ] The disclosed device and its new use is helpful to people with epilepsy in
many different daily situations for three reasons. First, the the similarity to the blind
person’s cane will alert motorists and pedestrians to the presence of a user who
may not be able to see, do or hear as much as is normally assumed and signals
that drivers and bystanders might need to modify their movements and actions
appropriately. Second, when the user has a seizure and behaves unexpectedly, the
device also signals that the person has a disability of some kind, which prevents
people nearby from reacting aggressively, impatiently or treating the person with
the seizure as if they were being obstinate or are drunk. Third, during conversations
users can touch the cane during a seizure aura, signaling the onset of cognitive
disruption to all people nearby, giving friends, family and other people the chance to
modify or pause the conversation appropriately, or offer assistance if needed.
[ 0009 ] In general the invention features a cane system, with or without an
electronic communications unit involving wifi and bluetooth and haptic interface to
alert named emergency contacts - via a SMS or phone call, or connection with
another smart device such as a neuro-headset - that the person having a seizure
needs help, as a mobility and conversation aid to people with epilepsy. Its main
function is to prevent the people around the person with epilepsy from behaving
inappropriately during seizures. Through engraving, a simple paper note or a Q
code, the cane can also contain instructions for bystanders about what not to do
when the person has a seizure.

3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[ 0010 ] The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been
placed upon illustrating what is a very simple invention.
Fig 1: A Seizure Alert Cane
[ 0011 ] While this invention has been particularly shown and described with
references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
CLAIMS
1. A Cane system for use by people with epilepsy, with or without electronic
communications system/haptic interface via Bluetooth and/or Wifi.

4. ABSTRACT
The invention describes a white cane system for use by people with epilepsy as an
aid to communications, mobility and the prevention of inappropriate responses to
seizures by members of the public.