U.S. patent application number 14/627316 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for obtaining physiological measurements using a portable device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Avolonte Health LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher D. Brown, Robert G. Messerschmidt.
Application Number | 20150164353 14/627316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48981882 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150164353 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Messerschmidt; Robert G. ;
et al. |
June 18, 2015 |
OBTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS USING A PORTABLE DEVICE
Abstract
An apparatus and method for obtaining a physiological
measurement associated with a user using a portable device is
disclosed herein. Information displayed on a touch-sensitive
display of the portable device specifies the contact area(s) on the
portable device for a user to touch. One or more areas on the
portable device and/or a detachable device connected to the
portable device comprise conductive areas for measuring the
resistance or impedance of the user's body between those conductive
areas.
Inventors: |
Messerschmidt; Robert G.;
(Los Altos, CA) ; Brown; Christopher D.; (Los
Gatos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Avolonte Health LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48981882 |
Appl. No.: |
14/627316 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13402452 |
Feb 22, 2012 |
8988372 |
|
|
14627316 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/479 ;
600/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 3/36 20130101; A61B
5/6898 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101; A61B 5/0537 20130101; A61B
5/0404 20130101; A61B 5/02427 20130101; G16H 40/63 20180101; G06F
19/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/024 20060101
A61B005/024; A61B 5/053 20060101 A61B005/053; A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00; A61B 5/0404 20060101 A61B005/0404 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A system for obtaining a physiological measurement, comprising:
a touch-sensitive display included in a first portable device; a
first contact area located at a second portable device, the first
contact area comprising a light source and a light detector; a
second contact area located at the first portable device, the first
contact area electrically isolated from the second contact area;
and a processor in communication with each of the touch-sensitive
display, the first contact area, and the second contact area, the
processor configured to receive a first physiological parameter
when the user simultaneously contacts the first and second contact
areas, and is further configured to process the received first
physiological parameter to determine the physiological
measurement.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is included in
the first portable device.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the first portable device
comprises a smart phone.
24. The system of claim 22, wherein the second contact area
comprises a conductive portion of the first portable device.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the conductive portion
comprises at least one of an antenna, a physical button, a sensor,
and a casing of the first portable device.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein the second portable device is
configured to be electrically coupled to and detached from the
first portable device.
27. The system of claim 21, wherein the second portable device
comprises a cover for the first portable device or a dongle.
28. The system of claim 21, wherein the second contact area
comprises a top conductive layer of the touch-sensitive
display.
29. The system of claim 21, wherein a finger or an inner wrist of
the user contacts the first contact area.
30. The system of claim 21, wherein the second contact area
comprises a pre-determined location on the touch-sensitive
display.
31. The system of claim 30, wherein an image is displayed on the
touch-sensitive display corresponding to the pre-determined
location.
32. The system of claim 21, further comprising a camera and a light
emitting diode (LED), wherein at least one of the camera and the
LED comprise the first contact area.
33. The system of claim 21, wherein the touch-sensitive display
comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a pixel sensor,
wherein the pixel sensor is included in the second contact
area.
34. The system of claim 21, further comprising a gyrometer included
in the first portable device, wherein the gyrometer is configured
to detect orientation of the first portable device as the first and
second physical parameters are being received.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the touch-sensitive display
displays information for the user to correct orientation of the
first portable device.
36. The system of claim 21, wherein the touch-sensitive display is
configured to display instructions for the user to provide the
first physiological parameter.
37. The system of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to
receive the first physiological parameter from the first contact
area and a second physiological parameter from the second contact
area.
38. The system of claim 21, wherein the first physiological
parameter comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement, a pulse
measurement, or a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
measurement.
39. The system of claim 21, further comprising a transmitter in
communication with the processor, the transmitter configured to
transmit the first physiological parameter to a remote device.
40. A method for obtaining a physiological measurement, the method
comprising: displaying information on a touch-sensitive display of
a first portable device, the displayed information including
identification of a first contact area or a second contact area to
be touched by a user; receiving, from a second portable device, a
first physiological parameter associated with the first contact
area located at the second portable device, the first physiological
parameter associated with a physiological property of the user; and
generating the physiological measurement using the first
physiological parameter.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the second contact area
comprises at least a portion of the touch-sensitive display.
42. The method of claim 40, further comprising: receiving, in
response to the user touching the second contact area, a second
physiological parameter, the first contact area is distinct from
the second contact area and the user simultaneously touches the
first contact area and the second contact area, wherein the
generating of the physiological measurement is based on the first
physiological parameter and the second physiological parameter.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the second portable device
comprises a detachable device in electrical contact with the first
portable device.
44. The method of claim 40, further comprising transmitting the
physiological measurement to a remote device.
45. The method of claim 40, further comprising: determining, using
a gyrometer, that the first portable device is improperly oriented
relative to a portion of the user's body; and displaying, on the
touch-sensitive display of the first portable device, information
comprising instructions for the user to correct orientation.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/402,452 entitled "OBTAINING PHYSIOLOGICAL
MEASUREMENTS USING A PORTABLE DEVICE" filed Feb. 22, 2012, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to obtaining physiological
measurement in general, and in particular embodiments, to obtaining
physiological measurements using a portable device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years there has been an increase in health
awareness as people live longer, more people become overweight, and
the cost of health care rises. One of the ways to take better care
of yourself is by basic monitoring of your physiological state.
Physiological measurements, such as pulse, electrocardiogram (ECG),
body fat, or body hydration measurements, are common in sports and
wellness fields. Examples of current measurement devices include
wrist watches that measure pulse rates, a chest strap with a loop
and hook closure, calipers to measure body fat, water scales to
measure body fat, and a set of electrodes attached to various parts
of a torso for ECG measurements. Conventional physiological
measurement devices tend to be dedicated devices in that they are
designed to serve a single purpose for use in obtaining a
particular type of physiological measurement. Body fat calipers,
for example, cannot also be used to obtain ECG measurements or be
used for other purposes.
[0004] A limitation of current physiological measurement devices is
relative high cost and complexity of use. The relative high cost
arises due to a small customer base of sports and wellness users as
opposed to the general population. Sports and wellness enthusiasts
are also more willing to pay more for a perceived specialty device
than the public at large. The small customer base also means less
design resources are likely to be devoted to the product. The end
result is a device that requires pre-existing knowledge by the user
and requires consulting (repeatedly) a user's manual in order to
properly use the device.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] In certain embodiments, portable devices, such as smart
phones and tablets, are used to generate one or more physiological
measurements associated with a user. In some embodiments, the user
interacts with the portable device as he/she normally would, and
the portable device is configured to sense physiological
parameter(s) about the user and translate it into useful health
assessment information. In other embodiments, the user may be
instructed by the portable device to position portions of his/her
body in a certain way relative to the portable device to provide
the physiological parameter(s). Sensed physiological parameter(s)
are converted into physiological measurements such as, but not
limited to, ECG measurements, pulse measurements, body fat content
measurements, and/or body water content measurements.
[0006] Other features and aspects of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the features in accordance with embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitations in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0008] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exemplary portable devices used to
obtain physiological measurements according to some
embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram for obtaining
physiological measurements using a portable device in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram showing modules
configured to facilitate the process of flow diagram of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate exemplary user interface presented on
the touch sensor panel of the portable device to provide
instructions on how to use the portable device to obtain
physiological measurement(s).
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact the various embodiments of the first contact area
according to some embodiments.
[0013] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact or be in near contact with the various embodiments
of the first contact area according to some embodiments.
[0014] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact the various embodiments of the second contact area
according to some embodiments.
[0015] FIGS. 8A-8D provide exemplary illustrations of the user
simultaneously touching the portable device and/or the detachable
device at two sensor locations according to some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary user interface presented to
the user on the touch sensor panel providing guidance to achieve
proper position/orientation during measurement according to some
embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram representation of an example
architecture for the controller assembly.
[0018] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do
not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the terms used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings that depict various details of examples
selected to show how the present invention may be practiced. The
discussion addresses various examples of the inventive subject
matter at least partially in reference to these drawings, and
describes the depicted embodiments in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Many other
embodiments may be utilized for practicing the inventive subject
matter than the illustrative examples discussed herein, and many
structural and operational changes in addition to the alternatives
specifically discussed herein may be made without departing from
the scope of the inventive subject matter.
[0020] In this description, references to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment," or to "one example" or "an example" mean that the
feature being referred to is, or may be, included in at least one
embodiment or example of the invention. Separate references to "an
embodiment" or "one embodiment" or to "one example" or "an example"
in this description are not intended to necessarily refer to the
same embodiment or example; however, neither are such embodiments
mutually exclusive, unless so stated or as will be readily apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure. Thus, the present invention can include a variety of
combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments and examples
described herein, as well as further embodiments and examples as
defined within the scope of all claims based on this disclosure, as
well as all legal equivalents of such claims.
[0021] For the purposes of this specification, a "processor-based
system" or "processing system" as used herein, includes a system
using one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers and/or digital
signal processors or other devices having the capability of running
a "program," (all such devices being referred to herein as a
"processor"). A "program" is any set of executable machine code
instructions, and as used herein, includes user-level applications
as well as system-directed applications or daemons.
[0022] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate exemplary portable devices used to
obtain physiological measurements according to some embodiments. A
portable device comprises, but is not limited to, a mobile
telephone or smart phone 100, a portable tablet 150, an audio/video
device 170, a personal computer 190 such as a laptop or netbook,
any variety of mobile devices that include a touch sensor panel, or
the like. Each of the mobile telephone/smart phone 100, portable
tablet 150, audio/video device 170, and personal computer 190
includes a touch sensor panel 102 (also referred to as a touch
sensitive display, touch sensitive screen, or a touchpad) and a
controller assembly 104. The touch sensor panel 102 includes an
array of pixels to sense touch event(s) from a user's finger, other
body parts, or objects. Examples of touch sensor panel 102
includes, but is not limited to, capacitive touch sensor panels,
resistive touch sensor panels, infrared touch sensor panels, and
the like. The controller assembly 104 is configured to provide
processing capabilities (discussed in detail with reference to FIG.
10) for the portable device.
[0023] Each of the mobile telephone/smart phone 100, portable
tablet 150, audio/video device 170, and personal computer 190 may
also include a power button, a menu button, a home button, a volume
button, a camera, a light flash source for the camera, and/or other
components to operate or interface with the device.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram 200 for
obtaining physiological measurements using a portable device in
accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates a block
diagram showing modules configured to facilitate the process of
flow diagram 200. The modules shown in FIG. 3 are included in the
controller assembly 104. The modules of FIG. 3 comprise conceptual
modules representing instructions encoded in a computer readable
storage device. When the information encoded in the computer
readable storage device are executed by the controller assembly
104, computer system or processor, it causes one or more
processors, computers, or machines to perform certain tasks as
described herein. Both the computer readable storage device and the
processing hardware/firmware to execute the encoded instructions
stored in the storage device are components of the portable device.
Although the modules shown in FIG. 3 are shown as distinct modules,
it should be understood that they may be implemented as fewer or
more modules than illustrated. It should also be understood that
any of the modules may communicate with one or more components
external to the portable device via a wired or wireless
connection.
[0025] FIG. 2 will be discussed in reference to FIG. 3, as well as
to other figures herein, which further depict examples of operation
of various embodiments of the devices described herein. In FIG. 2,
at a block 202, the touch sensor panel 102 displays information to
a user of the portable device to initiate capture of the user's
physiological parameters. An information display module 300 is
configured to generate and facilitate information for display on
the touch sensor panel 102. Information presented to the user
includes, but is not limited to, textual, graphical, animation,
image, and/or video instructions on how and where to touch the
portable device for the portable device to capture the desired
physiological parameters. Such information may also be provided to
the user in an audio format, either automatically or in response to
the user's request. The user interface providing capture
information/instruction to the user can comprise one or more
interface pages or screens depending on, for example, the
particular physiological measurement to be obtained, desired
contact location(s) on the portable device, or the portable
device's display size.
[0026] Physiological measurements aid in health assessment and
health awareness. Physiological measurements may be medically
recommended due to a health condition or a person may wish to know
quantitative or qualitative information about his body for fitness,
dietary, or other purposes. Examples of physiological measurements
include, but are not limited to, electrocardiogram (ECG)
measurements, pulse measurements (also referred to as heart rate or
pulse rate measurements), body fat content measurements, blood
pressure, and body water content measurements.
[0027] In one embodiment, physiological measurements are obtained
by having a user simultaneously touch a portable device at two
locations, thereby creating a closed electrical circuit including
the user. The two contact locations on the portable device comprise
electrodes (also referred to as conductors or sensors). This action
permits the portable device to capture electrical characteristics
of the user and translate the captured information into
well-understood physiological measurements such as pulse rate. In
the case of ECG or pulse measurements, the captured electrical
characteristics comprise measuring the resistance between the two
locations on the user's body that are in contact with the portable
device. In the case of body fat or water content measurements (part
of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)), the captured electrical
characteristics comprise measuring the impedance between the two
locations on the user's body that are in contact with the portable
device. The accuracy of the measurements increase when the two
locations on the user's body that contact the device are from
opposite sides of the user's torso (e.g., from each of the user's
left and right extremities) at least for cardiac-related
measurements.
[0028] In another embodiment, physiological measurements are
obtained by having a user simultaneously touch a light source and a
light sensor, located near the light source, on a portable device.
A light from the light source enters the portion of the user's body
that is in contact with the light source (e.g., finger tip), and a
reflected light exits the portion of the user's body for detection
by the light sensor. The changing blood volume in the user's body,
corresponding to the user's heartbeat, results in the reflected
light being a train of light pulses. A single location on the
user's body (e.g., a single contact location) is sufficient to
measure the pulse using optical measurement methods.
[0029] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate exemplary user interface presented on
the touch sensor panel 102 of the portable device to provide
instructions (also referred to as guidance or directions) on how to
use the portable device to obtain physiological measurement(s). In
FIG. 4A, a first user interface page or screen 400 includes a
textual item 402 and an image item 404, each providing instructions
for making contact with a first electrode or sensor location on the
portable device. The first user interface screen 400 instructs the
user to hold or grip the portable device as he normally would when
using the device (e.g., natural hold or gripping gesture). For
example, if the back or side of the portable device comprises a
conductive material (e.g., is metallic), naturally holding the
device will provide sufficient contact with a first contact
location. A second user interface page or screen 406 includes a
graphical item 408 (also referred to as a contact location, area,
or region identifier) (e.g., a circle) that specifies where on the
touch sensor panel 102 the user's finger should touch to make
sufficient contact with a second contact location. (To be discussed
in detail below, the location of the graphical item 408 coincides
with the location of a top conductive portion or layer of the touch
sensor panel 102.) Once the user's physiological parameters from
the first and second contact locations are captured by the portable
device, the corresponding physiological measurements can be
displayed in the second user interface page 406 as measurement
items 410. In FIG. 4A, the pulse, body fat content, and body water
content measurements can be displayed in the second user interface
page 406. Notice that screens 400 and 402 provide detailed
instructions such as where to touch the portable device, what part
of the user's body should touch the portable device, and the like.
FIG. 4B is similar to FIG. 4A except a second user interface page
or screen 412 instructs the user to place his or her inner wrist to
the designated second contact location. People are used to taking
pulse measurements by counting their pulse on their inner wrist,
and FIG. 4B shows a similar way for the user to obtain pulse
measurements through use of the device.
[0030] FIGS. 4C and 4D provide example instruction sets for optical
capture of the user's physiological parameter. Note that depending
on the size of the touch sensor panel 102, more than one user
interface page may be combined into one user interface page. In
FIG. 4D, if the touch sensor panel 102 of the portable device is
about the size of or larger than a person's hand, such as may be
the case when the portable device is the tablet 150, a graphical
item 414 representative of a hand outline can be displayed to guide
the user to place his/her palm on that area of the touch sensor
panel 102.
[0031] FIGS. 4E and 4F provide example instruction sets to capture
the user's physiological parameters using the portable device with
a detachable (portable) device attached to the portable device. In
FIG. 4E, a detachable dongle is connected to one or more data ports
of the portable device. In the example of FIG. 4E, the detachable
dongle includes a pair of buttons that serve as electrodes or
sensor locations. The user places a finger from each of his/her
right and left hands on the respective buttons to complete a
circuit. The portable device processes the detected physiological
data to present one or more physiological measurements (pulse, body
fat content, body water content, etc.) on the touch sensor panel
102.
[0032] FIG. 4F illustrates instructions (in this example, only text
information is provided although images, animation and other
formats are also possible) in which the first contact location is
located on a sleeve, case or cover of the portable device and the
second contact location is located on the portable device. The
sleeve or case should be attached to the portable device at the
time of the data capture. At least a portion of the sleeve or case
comprises conductive material (such as the portion of the sleeve
coincident with the sides of the portable device). The second
contact location may be any location on the touch sensor panel 102
(provided the panel 102 includes a top conductive layer throughout
the panel). In some embodiments, one of the contact locations may
be located at a remote location to the portable device; and may be
in either wired or wireless communication with the portable device.
For example, in some systems the contact location (for example, an
optical sensor or source, or an electrical sensor or source) may be
coupled via a wired connection to the portable device. In one
example configuration, for example, an electrode (for either
receiving or omitting a signal) might be placed in an earbud in a
position to electrically contact the wearer when worn. The
electrode can be coupled by a wire and connector contact to a
suitably configured mating connector in the portable device.
[0033] It should be understood that FIGS. 4A-4F are merely provided
as examples and other variations--in the way the portable device
and/or additional attached device(s) captures the user
physiological characteristics and/or in the manner in which
instructions/guidance to the user may be presented--are within the
scope of the invention. FIGS. 4A-4F should not be construed to be
limiting as to what and how the portable device interacts with the
user to facilitate capture of user physiological parameters.
[0034] Next at a block 204, a physiological parameter detection
module 302 is configured to obtain a first physiological parameter
associated with the user being in contact with a first contact area
on the portable device (or detachable device as appropriate). The
first contact area (also referred to as a first electrode, first
sensor, first contact location, first contact region, etc.) may be
located on the portable device or the detachable device that is
appropriately attached to the portable device, as discussed in
detail below. The material at the first contact area that comes
into (electrical) contact with the user comprises a conductive
material such as, but not limited to, a metallic material, or
another material having a sufficiently low electrical resistivity
to allow function as an electrode for purposes of the intended
measurements.
[0035] For physiological measurements based on the
circuit-completion concept (e.g., those measuring the resistance or
impedance associated with the user), the first contact area may
comprise any of, but is not limited to: (1) at least a portion of a
back of the portable device, (2) at least a portion of a side of
the portable device, (3) at least a portion of an antenna of the
portable device, (4) at least a portion of a button on the portable
device, (5) at least a portion of a button on a detachable device
that is attached to the portable device, or (6) at least a portion
of a sleeve or case that is on the portable device.
[0036] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact the various embodiments of the first contact area.
As understood by a person of skill in the art, any number of other
portions of the user's anatomy may alternatively touch the first
contact area to provide the first physiological parameter. FIG. 5A
shows a user's hand 500 holding or gripping the portable device, as
he/she normally would when using the portable device. In this
normal or natural holding position, the palm of the hand 500 may
contact 502 at least a portion of the back of the portable device
according to one embodiment. If the back of the portable device
comprises a conductive material, such contact permits capture of
the first physiological parameter. In another embodiment, the hand
500 (in particular, the user's finger(s)) may contact 504 at least
a portion of the side (e.g., edge) of the portable device. If the
side of the portable device comprises a conductive material, such
contact permits capture of the first physiological parameter. In
still another embodiment, the contact 504 can be between the hand
500 (in particular, the user's finger(s)) and at least a portion of
an antenna provided on the side of the portable device. When the
antenna comprises a conductive material, such contact provides the
first physiological parameter.
[0037] FIG. 5B shows the user's hand 500 touching 506 at least a
portion of a button provided on the portable device (e.g., a
location on the portable device outside of the touch sensor panel
102). The button may comprise, but is not limited to, a home
button, a menu button, a power button, a volume button, a dedicated
sensor for capturing physiological information, and the like. The
button comprises a conductive material. The button is not limited
to being on a front side of the portable device, and instead may
alternatively be located on a side, back, or bottom of the portable
device. For example, the volume button may be provided on a side of
the portable device.
[0038] FIG. 5C shows the user's hand 500 touching 512 at least a
portion of a button provided on a detachable device 510 attached to
the portable device. The detachable device 510 may comprise a
dongle or the like, that is configured to establish data (and
power) connection with the portable device when attached thereto.
The button provided on the detachable device 510 comprises a button
or other electrically conductive surface configured to detect an
electrical property of the user when the user also touches another
portion of the portable device or the detachable device (discussed
in detail below).
[0039] FIG. 5D shows the portable device at least partially encased
in a sleeve or case 520. The sleeve/case 520 may encase the back,
sides, and the perimeter of the front of the portable device,
leaving the touch sensor panel 102 visually and tactilely available
for the user. The sleeve/case 520 makes physical contact with at
least a portion of a conductive surface of the portable device
(e.g., metallic back panel of the portable device). Similar to the
holding or gripping position discussed above for FIG. 5A, the
user's hand 500 may similarly hold or grip the portable device
encased in the sleeve/case 520. The hand 500 then contacts 522 at
least portion of the back of the sleeve/case 520 in one embodiment,
or the hand 500 (e.g., finger(s)) may contact 524 at least a
portion of the side or edge of the sleeve/case 520. The sleeve/case
520 comprises a conductive material.
[0040] For physiological measurements based on optical detection of
the user's physiological characteristics, the first contact area
comprises a light source and a light detector/sensor in proximity
to the light source on the portable device (or detachable device as
appropriate). As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the
light source and the light detector will often be assemblies having
windows or lenses and/or other components that facilitate the
device function. These assemblies may integrate the involved
components, or the assemblies may be formed when the components are
assembled in an operative relationship in the device. The light
source and light detector/sensor are positioned relative to each
other such that light emitted from the light source enters a
portion of the user's body and reflected light exiting the portion
of the user's body is detectable by the light detector/sensor.
Unlike electrical contact between the user's body and a conductive
surface discussed above, physical contact between the light source
or light detector/sensor with the user's body is not necessarily
required. The first contact area may comprise any of, but is not
limited to: (1) a camera and a light emitting diode (LED) flash of
the portable device, (2) at least a portion of the touch sensor
panel 102 and a pixel sensor included in the touch sensor panel
102, or (3) a light source and light detector/sensor provided in a
detachable device attached to the portable device.
[0041] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact or be in near contact with the various embodiments
of the first contact area. As understood by a person of skill in
the art, any number of other portions of the user's anatomy may
alternatively touch the first contact area to provide the first
physiological parameter. FIG. 6A shows the user's hand 500 in
contact with or near 602 a camera 604 and a LED 606 provided on the
back of the portable device (rear facing camera assembly). The
physiological parameter detection module 302 is configured to cause
the LED 606 to emit light and the camera 604 to take one or more
images (or a video) of the reflected light from the user's hand,
and in particular, from the user's finger tip as shown in FIG. 6A.
Although not shown, the user's hand 500 may alternatively hold or
grip the portable device as shown in FIG. 5A. This natural gripping
gesture would also place a user's finger (e.g., pointer finger)
over the camera 604 and LED 606 to obtain the first physiological
parameter.
[0042] FIG. 6B shows the user's hand 500 placed over a portion of
the touch sensor panel 102 that includes one (or a set of) pixel
sensors 608. In this embodiment, the touch sensor panel 102
includes one or a set of pixel sensors 608 at a pre-determined
location in the panel. The pixel sensors 608 may be located at any
location in the touch sensor panel 102, such as near or at a corner
of the panel. In FIG. 6B, the pixel sensors 608 are shown at the
bottom left of the touch sensor panel 102. The physiological
parameter detection module 302 is configured to cause the touch
sensor panel 102 to illuminate light sufficient to serve as a light
source. The pixel sensors 608 are configured to receive the
reflected light from the user's hand 500.
[0043] FIG. 6C shows a detachable device 600 attached to the
portable device, the detachable device 600 comprising a clip-type
device including a light source and a light detector/sensor pair.
The user's hand 500 (in particular, the tip of a finger) is placed
within the opening of the detachable device 600. The detachable
device 600 may include a sensor to automatically obtain the first
physiological parameter when an object is place within its opening,
the device 600 may include a start button or actuator to start
detecting the first physiological parameter, or the portable device
may control the operation of the detachable device 600.
[0044] Next at a block 206, the physiological parameter detection
module 302 is configured to obtain a second physiological parameter
associated with the user being in contact with a second contact
area on the portable device (or detachable device as appropriate).
The second contact area (also referred to as a second electrode,
second sensor, second contact location, second contact region,
etc.) may be located on the portable device or the detachable
device that is appropriately attached to the portable device, as
discussed in detail below. The material at the second contact area
that comes into (electrical) contact with the user comprises a
conductive material such as, but not limited to, a metallic or
other appropriate material, as discussed earlier herein. The second
contact area is distinct from the first contact area. The second
contact area may have a different conductive material than the
first contact area.
[0045] For physiological measurements based on the
circuit-completion concept (e.g., those measuring the resistance or
impedance associated with the user), the first and second
physiological parameters are obtained while the user is
simultaneously touching the first and second contact areas. The
second contact area may comprise any of, but is not limited to: (1)
a particular region or location on the touch sensor panel 102, (2)
at least a portion of a button on the portable device, or (3) at
least a portion of a button or other sensing location on a
detachable device that is attached to the portable device.
[0046] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary portions of the user's body
that may contact the various embodiments of the second contact
area. The portion of the user's body that contacts the second
contact area is distinct from the portion of the user's body that
contacts the first contact area. As understood by a person of skill
in the art, any number of other portions of the user's anatomy may
alternatively touch the second contact area to provide the second
physiological parameter. FIG. 7A shows a user's hand 700 (e.g., a
user's finger tip or palm) touching 702 a pre-specified location on
the touch sensor panel 102. The pre-specified location is conveyed
to the user by displaying a graphical or image item 704 coincident
with the pre-specified location on the touch sensor panel 102. The
touch sensor panel 102 includes a transparent conductive material
layer at least at the pre-specified location. Such conductors are
known to those skilled in the art, and may be formed, as just one
example, of materials such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO). The
conductive layer is provided as the top layer of the touch sensor
panel 102, so that the user makes direct electrical contact with
the conductive layer. Alternatively, the touch sensor panel 102 may
include a conductive layer across the exterior surface of the
entire panel (or a desired portion thereof), in which case the user
can be instructed to place his/her hand (or other body part)
anywhere on the touch sensor panel 102 covered by the conductive
layer. In some examples, the surface conductor may be switched in
the device to render the conductor electrically neutral except
during the measurement operation, so as to avoid any detrimental
impact on functioning of the touch screen.
[0047] FIG. 7B shows the user's hand 700 touching 706 a button on
the portable device (e.g., a sensor that is outside of the touch
sensor panel 102). The button comprises, but is not limited to, a
home button, a menu button, a power button, a volume button, a
dedicated sensor for capturing physiological information, and the
like. The button comprises a conductive material. The button is not
limited to being on a front side of the portable device, and
instead may alternatively be located on a side, back, or bottom of
the portable device. For example, the volume button may be provided
on a side of the portable device. Also, in various embodiments,
these "buttons" may be either mechanical (i.e., having moveable
components), or solid state (functioning through electrical or
other forms of sensing); and such solid state "buttons" also
include virtual buttons depicted on an interactive interface.
[0048] FIG. 7C shows the user's hand 700 contacting a sensor
located on a detachable device 710. The sensor comprises a
conductive material. The detachable device 710 is connected to the
portable device via a data (and power) link. The sensor of the
detachable device 710 may be controlled by the device itself or the
physiological parameter detection module 302 of the portable
device.
[0049] For physiological measurements based on optical detection,
obtaining the second physiological parameter is not required (e.g.,
block 206 is optional).
[0050] FIGS. 8A-8D provide exemplary illustrations of the user
simultaneously touching the portable device and/or the detachable
device at two sensor locations according to some embodiments. In
FIG. 8A, the user is holding the portable device with one hand 500
(e.g., the left hand)--the contact 502 formed between the back of
the portable device and the hand 500 or the contact 504 formed
between the side or antenna of the portable device and the hand
500--to provide the first physiological parameter. And the user's
other hand 700 (e.g., a finger from the right hand) is touching 702
a specified location on the touch sensor panel 102 to provide the
second physiological parameter. FIG. 8B shows the user holding the
portable device with one hand 500 (e.g., the left hand) while the
user's inner wrist of the other hand 700 contacts a specified
location on the touch sensor panel 102. In FIG. 8C, the user's hand
500 (e.g., the left hand) is covering a light source, a camera, or
both a light source and a camera, while the user's other hand 700
(e.g., finger tip of the right hand) is touching a button (or
sensor) located on the detachable device 710 attached to the
portable device. In FIG. 8D, the user's hand 500 (e.g., finger tip
of the left hand) is touching a specified location on the touch
sensor panel 102 while the user's other hand 700 (e.g., finger tip
of the right hand) is touching a button (or sensor) located on the
detachable device 710 attached to the portable device.
[0051] Additional examples of contact configurations between the
user and the portable device and/or the detachable device suitable
to generate physiological measurements are provided in the table
below.
TABLE-US-00001 To obtain first physiological To obtain second
parameter physiological parameter FIG. 5A FIG. 7A FIG. 5A FIG. 7B
FIG. 5A FIG. 7C FIG. 5B FIG. 7A FIG. 5B FIG. 7B FIG. 5B FIG. 7C
FIG. 5C FIG. 7A FIG. 5C FIG. 7B FIG. 5C FIG. 7C FIG. 5D FIG. 7A
FIG. 5D FIG. 7B FIG. 5D FIG. 7C FIG. 6A -- FIG. 6B -- FIG. 6C
--
[0052] In some embodiments, a gyrometer included in the portable
device is actuated by the gyrometer module 304 to obtain a
gyrometer reading indicative of the orientation of the portable
device at the time the user's physiological parameter(s) are
obtained (block 208). The gyrometer module 304 checks the gyrometer
reading to determine if the portable device is improperly
positioned relative to certain reference portion(s) of the user's
body (block 210). For certain kinds of blood dynamic measurements
(e.g., pulse measurements), how the user holds the portable device
overall relative to his/her heart affects the accuracy of the
resulting physiological measurement. If, for example, the portable
device (and the detachable device attached to the portable device)
is too high or too low relative to the user's heart, the resulting
pulse measurement may be inaccurate. In another example, an
accelerometer included in the portable device may be used to
determine whether the user is motionless during the physiological
measurement; and if motion parameter is identified (for example,
direction, speed, force) that meets a threshold criteria indicating
that it could reflect a basis for error in the measurement,
appropriate feedback can be provided. This feedback could include,
for example, restarting the measurement process or some portion
thereof; or providing a cautionary warning to the user, such as
through a displayed image or displayed text, and/or an audible
signal. In still another example, a front-facing camera included in
the portable device may be used to determine the position and
orientation of the portable device with respect to the user during
measurement. Again, if the position or orientation is determined to
be less than desirable (as may be determined by comparing the image
properties (such as for example, the angle of facial recognition)
to one or more references), then appropriate feedback, as described
above, may be provided to the user.
[0053] If the gyrometer module 304 determines that there is
improper position/orientation (yes branch 212), then the
information display module 300 causes the touch sensor panel 102 to
display instructions to the user to correct the
position/orientation (block 214). As an example, FIG. 9 illustrates
an exemplary user interface 900 presented to the user on the touch
sensor panel 102 providing guidance (e.g., text and image items
902) for the user to achieve proper position/orientation during
measurement. Once one or more user interface pages are displayed to
the user pertaining to achieving proper position/orientation,
instructions regarding where the user should touch the portable
device (and portable device as appropriate) are re-displayed to the
user (returns to block 202).
[0054] For physiological measurements (e.g., body water content or
body fat content measurements) where the position or orientation of
the portable device (and detachable device as appropriate) relative
to the user's body is not relevant, blocks 208, 210, 214 may be
omitted.
[0055] If at block 210 the position/orientation is deemed to be
proper (no branch 216), then the obtained physiological
parameter(s) are processed by hardware, firmware, and/or software
to generate a physiological measurement corresponding to the
captured physiological parameter(s) (block 218). Different
processing treatment may be required depending on the particular
physiological measurement desired and/or the type of physiological
parameter(s) obtained in blocks 204, 206. A physiological
measurement calculation module 306 is configured to perform the
conversion calculations. For example, the first physiological
parameter comprising optical data may be filtered and amplified by
circuitry prior to undergoing software-based processing such as
Fourier frequency analysis. As another example, physiological
parameters that are resistive measurements from one side of the
user's upper torso to the other side comprise Lead 1 ECG signals.
Such Lead 1 ECG signals can be translated or converted into a heart
rate measurement using known algorithmic methods. An exemplary
algorithmic method includes digital preprocessing to reject
wideband noise and baseline drift, followed by multiscale analysis
of the preprocessed signal for QRS complexes, and spectral analysis
for characteristic frequency content (e.g., sinus rhythms or
ventricular fibrillation (VFIB)). Alternatively, the detected Lead
1 ECG signals may undergo no or minimal processing and thus remain
as ECG measurements. Calculation of body water content or body fat
content from the first and second physiological parameters may also
be performed using known algorithmic methods by the physiological
measurement calculation module 306. Examples of suitable
algorithmic methods for body fat content determination are known in
the art, as demonstrated, for example, by Ursula G. Kyle et al.,
"Bioelectrical impedance analysis part I: review of principles and
methods," Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 23 (5): 1226-1243 (2004).
Examples of suitable algorithmic methods for body water content
determination are known in the art, as demonstrated, for example by
G. Bedogni et. al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol.
56, Number 11, pp. 1143-1148 (currently available at
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v56/n11/full/1601466a.html).
[0056] Next at a block 220, the calculated physiological
measurement is displayed on the touch sensor panel 102. The
information display module 300 facilitates display of the
physiological measurement in the user interface provided to the
user in block 202. For example, the user's pulse rate, body fat
content, and/or body water content can be displayed as measurement
items 410 (FIG. 4A).
[0057] The calculated physiological measurement along with related
information (e.g., time and date stamp, user identifier) can be
saved (block 222) by a post-calculation module 308. The
post-calculation module 308 may also facilitate transmission of the
physiological measurement (and related information) over a network,
such as over a cellular network or WiFi, to a remote device. By
saving and/or communicating one or more physiological measurements
over time, such information may illuminate trends for useful health
assessment.
[0058] It is understood that one or more blocks of FIG. 2 may be
performed in a different sequence than shown in FIG. 2. For
example, block 208 may be performed before blocks 204 or 206. One
or more blocks of FIG. 2 may also be performed simultaneously
instead of serially as shown in flow diagram 200. Blocks 204, 206,
208, for example, may be performed in parallel with each other, or
blocks 220 and 222 may be performed at the same time.
[0059] In this manner, portable devices, such as smart phones and
tablets, are used to generate one or more physiological
measurements associated with a user. In some embodiments, the user
interacts with the portable device as he/she normally would, and
the portable device is configured to sense physiological parameters
about the user and translate it into useful health assessment
information. Such information--physiological measurements--includes
ECG measurements, pulse measurements, body fat content measurement,
and/or body water content measurement. In other embodiments, the
portable device provides instructions for the user to position body
part(s) relative to the portable device to obtain the physiological
parameters.
[0060] Part of the appeal of portable devices is their versatility
in performing a variety of tasks that spans a person's personal and
work needs. Such portable devices include sophisticated processors
and inputs/outputs that are adaptable over time to changing needs.
This means one device can take the place of multiple devices, each
multiple device only capable of a specific function. Another appeal
of portable devices is their portability. Because they are small
enough for a person to put in a pocket or otherwise carry around,
they are more likely to be used rather than dedicated devices.
Moreover, because of the popularity of portable devices, these
devices enjoy a high amount of design resources, which tends to
result in a more refined user interface than dedicated
physiological measurements devices serving a smaller customer
base.
[0061] Additionally, because many of the example portable devices
(like phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) have Wifi and/or cellular
communication capability, the physiological measurements can be
communicated, either automatically or pursuant to a user input, to
a database or other record keeping facility, or to an intended
recipient (such as a health care professional. Alternatively, the
measurements can be downloaded, such as though a syncing function,
with another electronic device.
[0062] FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram representation of an example
architecture for the controller assembly 104. Although not
required, in many configurations for the controller assembly 104
would include one or more microprocessors which will operate
pursuant to one or more sets of instructions for causing the
machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed
herein.
[0063] The example controller assembly 1000 includes a processor
1002 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing
unit (GPU) or both), a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006,
which communicate with each other via a bus 1008. The controller
assembly 1000 may further include a video display unit 1010 (e.g.,
a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The
controller assembly 1000 may also include an alphanumeric input
device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard, mechanical or virtual), a cursor
control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse or track pad), a disk drive unit
1016, a signal generation device 1018 (e.g., a speaker), and a
network interface device 1020.
[0064] The disk drive unit 1016 includes a machine-readable medium
1022 on which is stored one or more sets of executable instructions
(e.g., apps) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or
functions described herein. In place of the disk drive unit, a
solid-state storage device, such as those comprising flash memory
may be utilized. The executable instructions may also reside,
completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1004
and/or within the processor 1002 during execution thereof by the
controller assembly 1000, the main memory 1004 and the processor
1002 also constituting machine-readable media. Alternatively, the
instructions may be only temporarily stored on a machine-readable
medium within controller 1000, and until such time may be received
over a network 1026 via the network interface device 1020.
[0065] While the machine-readable medium 1022 is shown in an
example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"machine-readable medium" as used herein should be taken to include
a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or
distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that
store the one or more sets of instructions. The term
"machine-readable medium" or "computer-readable medium" shall be
taken to include any tangible non-transitory medium (which is
intended to include all forms of memory, volatile and non-volatile)
which is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructions
for execution by the machine.
[0066] Many additional modifications and variations may be made in
the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present
invention. For example, the described methods and systems have been
described for passive measurement of electrical or optical
properties of the user's physiology. However, active-type of
measurements may also be possible. As an example, the user may
contact two electrodes on a detachable device and the detachable
device may further send a small electric current through the user's
body. The resistance measured between the two electrodes with the
introduced electric current provides a measure of body fat.
Accordingly, the present invention should be clearly understood to
be limited only by the scope of the claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *
References