U.S. patent application number 15/079041 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-27 for apparatus for detecting human physiological and contextual information.
This patent application is currently assigned to BodyMedia, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Scott K. Boehmke, Christopher D. Kasabach, JOHN M STIVORIC, Eric Teller. Invention is credited to Scott K. Boehmke, Christopher D. Kasabach, JOHN M STIVORIC, Eric Teller.
Application Number | 20160310022 15/079041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31887494 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160310022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
STIVORIC; JOHN M ; et
al. |
October 27, 2016 |
APPARATUS FOR DETECTING HUMAN PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CONTEXTUAL
INFORMATION
Abstract
The invention comprises an apparatus for determining the
contextual or physiological status of the individual wearing the
apparatus. The apparatus is designed to be consumable or
disposable. In most embodiments the invention comprises an adhesive
housing. In some embodiments, two different sensors are secured to
the housing. The apparatus is in electronic communication with a
processing unit that can derive analytical status data by using the
data received from the two sensors. In some embodiments, the
processing unit is programmed to control other devices, or is
programmed to trigger an event. In still other embodiments, the
apparatus is in electronic communication with a separate computing
device, which may contain the processing unit.
Inventors: |
STIVORIC; JOHN M;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Boehmke; Scott K.; (Pittsburgh,
PA) ; Teller; Eric; (Pittsburgh, PA) ;
Kasabach; Christopher D.; (Pittsburgh, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STIVORIC; JOHN M
Boehmke; Scott K.
Teller; Eric
Kasabach; Christopher D. |
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh |
PA
PA
PA
PA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BodyMedia, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
31887494 |
Appl. No.: |
15/079041 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11239748 |
Sep 30, 2005 |
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15079041 |
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10227575 |
Aug 22, 2002 |
7020508 |
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11239748 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/4866 20130101;
A61B 5/7207 20130101; A61B 5/6824 20130101; A61B 5/4809 20130101;
A61B 5/0408 20130101; A61B 5/1468 20130101; A61B 5/0205 20130101;
A61B 5/6804 20130101; A61B 5/4519 20130101; A61B 5/411 20130101;
Y02A 90/26 20180101; A61B 5/0816 20130101; A61B 5/02438 20130101;
A61B 2560/0242 20130101; A61B 5/02405 20130101; A61B 5/0022
20130101; A61B 5/681 20130101; A61B 7/04 20130101; A61B 5/7455
20130101; A61B 2560/0295 20130101; A61B 5/7275 20130101; A61B
5/6802 20130101; A61B 2562/0219 20130101; Y02A 90/10 20180101; A61B
5/6831 20130101; A61B 5/0082 20130101; A61B 5/165 20130101; A61B
5/0476 20130101; A61B 5/1118 20130101; A61B 5/7475 20130101; A61B
5/0537 20130101; A61B 5/0059 20130101; A61B 5/0533 20130101; A61B
5/14532 20130101; A61B 5/0488 20130101; A61B 5/145 20130101; A61B
2562/08 20130101; G16H 40/67 20180101; A61B 5/0402 20130101; A61B
5/14542 20130101; A61B 5/022 20130101; A61B 5/7278 20130101; A61B
5/742 20130101; A61B 5/7445 20130101; A61B 2560/0252 20130101; A61B
5/01 20130101; A61B 5/7282 20130101; A61B 5/1102 20130101; A61B
5/02055 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/0205 20060101
A61B005/0205; A61B 5/11 20060101 A61B005/11; A61B 5/16 20060101
A61B005/16; A61B 5/0488 20060101 A61B005/0488; A61B 5/0476 20060101
A61B005/0476; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61B 5/0402 20060101
A61B005/0402 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for monitoring an individual's physiological or
contextual status, said apparatus comprising: an adhesive housing,
said housing being selectively removable attachable to said
individual's body; a first sensor mounted within said housing, said
first sensor capable of generating heart-related data of said
individual; a second sensor mounted within said housing, said
second sensor capable of generating data related to said
individual's movement; and a processing unit, mounted within said
housing, in electronic communication with said first and second
sensors, said processing unit programmed with at least one
algorithm to use both of said heart-related data from said first
sensor and said data related to said individual's movement from
said second sensor to derive analytical status data concerning the
individual, the processing unit also being programmed to control an
interactive electronic media device based on said analytical status
data.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing is
comprised of a flexible material.
3-5. (canceled)
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first sensor is a sensor
selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a
piezoelectric sensor, a sphygmomanometer, and at least two
electrodes.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heart-related data of said
individual is at least one of: heart rate data, pulse rate data,
beat-to-beat variability data, EKG data, respiration rate data,
blood pressure data, and oxygen consumption data.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second sensor is a sensor
selected from the group consisting of a strain gauge, a
piezoelectric sensor, an accelerometer, and a mercury switch
array.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data related to said
individual's movement is at least one of heart rate data, pulse
rate data, beat to beat variability data, EKG data, respiration
rate data, skin temperature data, core temperature data, heat flow
data, galvanic skin response data, EMG data, EEG data, blood
pressure data, oxygen consumption, body position data, and muscle
pressure data.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said data related to said
individual's movement is activity data.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a computing device
in electronic communication with said processing unit.
12. (canceled)
13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an input device
enabling a user to input additional information related to said
individual, said input device selected from the group consisting of
a wireless input, a wired input, a cellular phone, a pager, a
personal digital assistant, a sensor, a keyboard and a
computer.
14-15. (canceled)
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processing unit is
programmed to control a separate apparatus based on said analytical
status data.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said processing unit is
programmed to trigger an event based on said analytical status
data.
18-20. (canceled)
21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data
comprises an indicator of sleep.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data
comprises an indicator of activity level.
23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analytical status data
comprises an indicator of stress.
24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to
be worn on an arm.
25-29. (canceled)
30. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programming unit further
receives data from a third sensor, the data relating to at least
one of respiration rate, skin temperature, galvanic skin response,
EMG, EEG, EOG and oxygen consumption, and uses the data to derive
an indicator of sleep.
31. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programming unit further
receives data from a third sensor, the data relating to at least
one of respiration rate, activity and oxygen consumption, and uses
the data to derive an indicator of an activity level.
32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programming unit further
receives data from a third sensor, the data relating to at least
one of respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow, galvanic skin
response, EMG, EEG, activity and oxygen consumption, and uses the
data to derive an indicator of stress.
33. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programming unit further
receives data from a third sensor, the data relating to at least
one of respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow, galvanic skin
response, EMG, EEG, activity and oxygen consumption, and uses the
data to derive an indicator of relaxation or mind centering.
34-43. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/239,748, filed Sep. 30, 2005 and entitled,
"Apparatus for Detecting Human Physiological and Contextual
Information," which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/227,575, filed Aug. 22, 2002 and entitled, "Apparatus
for Detecting Human Physiological and Contextual Information," each
of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for
all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention also relates to a number of
embodiments of an apparatus which includes one or more sensors for
collecting data relating to an individual's physiological state and
various contextual parameters. Specifically, an apparatus
containing two sensors that is capable of being disposed of after
use.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Research has shown that a large number of the top health
problems in society are either caused in whole or in part by an
unhealthy lifestyle. More and more, our society requires people to
lead fast-paced, achievement-oriented lifestyles that often result
in poor eating habits, high stress levels, lack of exercise, poor
sleep habits and the inability to find the time to center the mind
and relax. Recognizing this fact, people are becoming increasingly
interested in establishing a healthier lifestyle.
[0004] Traditional medicine, embodied in the form of an HMO or
similar organizations, does not have the time, the training, or the
reimbursement mechanism to address the needs of those individuals
interested in a healthier lifestyle. There have been several
attempts to meet the needs of these individuals, including a
perfusion of fitness programs and exercise equipment, dietary
plans, self-help books, alternative therapies, and most recently, a
plethora of health information web sites on the Internet. Each of
these attempts are targeted to empower the individual to take
charge and get healthy. Each of these attempts, however, addresses
only part of the needs of individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle
and ignores many of the real barriers that most individuals face
when trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle. These barriers include
the fact that the individual is often left to himself or herself to
find motivation, to implement a plan for achieving a healthier
lifestyle, to monitor progress, and to brainstorm solutions when
problems arise; the fact that existing programs are directed to
only certain aspects of a healthier lifestyle, and rarely come as a
complete package; and the fact that recommendations are often not
targeted to the unique characteristics of the individual or his
life circumstances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An apparatus is disclosed for detecting human physiological
or contextual information from the body of an individual wearing
the apparatus. The apparatus includes a flexible section that is
adapted to engage a portion of the wearer's body, and a housing
that is removably attached to the flexible section. The housing
supports one or more physiological and/or contextual sensors and a
processor in electrical communication with the sensors. According
to one embodiment, the apparatus may include multiple flexible
sections that may be selectively attached to the housing. The
apparatus may also have operating parameters that are adjustable
depending on the particular flexible section that is attached to
the housing at a particular time. The operating parameters, for
example, may be adjusted through the interaction of a switch or
switches provided on or in the housing and a switch activator or
switch activators provided on or in each of the flexible sections.
Various structures for removably attaching the housing to the
flexible section are described, including, but no limited to,
tongues and grooves, adhesives, magnets, and elastic bands. The
apparatus may also include a wireless transceiver for transmitting
information to and receiving information from a computing
device.
[0006] Also described is an apparatus that is adapted to measure
heat flux between the body of the wearer and the ambient
environment. The apparatus includes a housing and a base member
having a preselected, known resistivity mounted within the housing.
The base member may comprise a printed circuit board. A first
temperature measuring device is attached to a first side of the
base member and a second temperature measuring device is attached
to a second side of the base member. The temperature measuring
devices may comprise, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, or
a thermopile. The apparatus further includes a thermal energy
communicator mounted between a portion of the body of the wearer
and the first temperature measuring device. The thermal energy
communicator may include one or more of a heat conduit, a thermally
conductive interface material or materials, and a thermally
conductive interface component in various combinations. The second
temperature measuring device is in thermal communication with the
ambient environment. The apparatus may include a thermal interface
material and/or a thermally conductive interface component for
providing thermal communication between the ambient environment and
the second temperature measuring device. A processing unit is
provided in the housing and is in electrical communication with the
temperature measuring devices. The apparatus may further include a
flexible section attached to the housing adapted to engage a
portion of the body of the wearer, or a plurality of flexible
sections adapted to be selectively attached to the housing.
According to one embodiment, the apparatus has operating parameters
that may be adjusted depending on the particular flexible section
that is attached to the housing.
[0007] An apparatus for detecting, monitoring and reporting at
least one of human physiological and contextual information from
the body of a wearer is also described. The apparatus includes a
housing having an adhesive material on at least a portion of an
external surface thereof that enables the housing to be removably
attached to a portion of the body of the wearer. At least two
physiological and/or contextual sensors are supported by the
housing. The physiological sensors are adapted to facilitate the
generation of data indicative of one or more physiological
parameters of the wearer and the contextual sensors are adapted to
facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more
contextual parameters of the wearer. A processor is also included
and is an electrical communication with the sensors. The processor
generates: (i) derived data from at least one of at least a portion
of the data indicative of physiological parameters and at least a
portion of the data indicative of contextual parameters; and (ii)
analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of
the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data
indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the
analytical status data. The apparatus further includes an
electronic memory for retrievably storing at least one of the data
indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of
contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status
data. The apparatus is adapted to transmit to the wearer at least
one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data
indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the
analytical status data. The housing may be made of a rigid material
or a flexible material, such as a flexible plastic film. The
apparatus may include a number of displays for transmitting
information, including, but not limited to, an LED or an
electrochemical display. The apparatus may further include a
wireless transceiver for receiving information from and
transmitting information to a computing device. The processor of
the apparatus and the computing device may be adapted to engage in
shared computing. Furthermore, a computing device may be included
in the apparatus for transmitting information to the wearer. The
computing device may be coupled to the processor, and the processor
may be adapted to cause the computing device to trigger an event
upon detection of one or more physiological conditions of the
individual. The apparatus may further include various structures
for manually entering information into the apparatus, such as a
button or a touch pad or keyboard provided on the apparatus or on a
computing device coupled to the processor. According to one
embodiment, the apparatus monitors the degree to which the wearer
has followed a predetermined routine. In this embodiment, the
analytical status data comprises feedback to the individual
relating to the degree to which the individual has followed the
predetermined routine, with the feedback being generated from at
least a portion of at least one of the data indicative of one or
more physiological parameters of the individual, the derived data,
and manually entered data. Also described is an apparatus for
detecting human physiological or contextual information from the
body of an individual wearing the apparatus that includes a housing
having an inner surface for mounting adjacent the body and an outer
surface opposite the inner surface. The inner surface includes a
longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, with the inner surface
being generally concave in a first direction and having an axis of
concavity coincident with the longitudinal axis and generally
convex in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
and having an axis of concavity coincident with the transverse
axis. The inner surface may have first and second lateral ends at
opposite ends of the axis of concavity, and the housing may have a
first radiused portion adjacent to and including the first lateral
end and a second radiused portion adjacent to and including the
second lateral end. The inner surface may also have third and
fourth lateral ends at opposite ends of the axis of convexity, and
the housing may have a third radiused portion adjacent to and
including the third lateral end and a fourth radiused portion
adjacent to and including the fourth lateral end. Further, the
outer surface of the housing may have a convex shape between a
first lateral side and a second lateral side of the outer surface.
According to one embodiment, the housing includes a width dimension
as measured between a first lateral side and a second lateral side
of the housing, with at least a portion of the first lateral side
and second lateral side each having a taper such that the width
dimension generally decreases in a direction from the inner surface
to the outer surface. The apparatus may include a flexible section
attached to the housing that engages the body of the wearer and has
a generally convex outer surface.
[0008] Also described is an apparatus for detecting from the body
of a wearer parameters relating to the heart of the wearer
including an acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter sensor that
generates a first signal including a first acoustic component
generated from the motion of the wearers heart and a second
acoustic component generated from non-heart related motion of the
body of the wearer, such as, for example, from footfalls. The
apparatus also includes one or more filtering sensors, such as an
accelerometer, for generating a second signal related to the
non-heart related motion of the body. The second signal is used to
subtract the second acoustic component from the first signal to
generate a third signal, with the third signal being used to
generate the heart related parameters. The first signal may also
include an acoustic component generated from ambient noise, and the
apparatus may include an ambient noise sensor. In this
configuration, the signal form the ambient noise sensor is used to
subtract out the acoustic component generated from ambient noise
from the signal that is used to generate the heart related
parameters.
[0009] In addition, a method is disclosed for detecting from the
body of a wearer parameters relating to the heart of the wearer.
The method comprises steps of generating a first acoustic signal
including a first acoustic component generated from the motion of
the wearer's heart and a second acoustic component generated from
non-heart related motion of the body of the wearer, generating a
second signal related to the non-heart related motion of the body,
generating a third signal by using the second signal to subtract
the second acoustic component from the first signal, and generating
the heart related parameters from the third signal. The first
acoustic signal may further include a third acoustic component
generated from ambient noise and the method may further comprise
generating a fourth signal related to the ambient noise with the
step of generating the third signal further comprising using the
fourth signal to subtract the third acoustic component from the
first signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the
following drawings, in which like reference characters refer to
like parts, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system for
monitoring physiological data and lifestyle over an electronic
network according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the sensor
device shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the central
monitoring unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the
central monitoring unit shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
Health Manager web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
nutrition web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
activity level web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
mind centering web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
sleep web page according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
daily activities web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the
Health Index web page according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a front view of a specific embodiment of the
sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a back view of a specific embodiment of the
sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of a specific embodiment of the
sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a specific embodiment of the
sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 16 and 17 are front perspective views of a specific
embodiment of the sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 18 is an exploded side perspective view of a specific
embodiment of the sensor device shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a side view of the sensor device shown in FIGS.
12 through 18 inserted into a battery recharger unit;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating all of the
components either mounted on or coupled to the printed circuit
board forming a part of the sensor device shown in FIGS. 12 through
18; and
[0030] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an apparatus for monitoring
health, wellness and fitness according to an alternate embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a
sensor device according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a back view of an alternate embodiment of a
sensor device according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor device shown
in FIG. 22 taken along lines A-A;
[0034] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor device shown
in FIG. 22 taken along lines B-B;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the sensor device shown
in FIG. 22 taken along lines A-A showing the internal components of
the housing of the sensor device;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating the components
mounted on or coupled to the printed circuit board forming a part
of an embodiment of the sensor device shown in FIGS. 22 through
26;
[0037] FIG. 28 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of a
sensor device according to the present invention including an
LCD;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating the components
mounted on or coupled to the printed circuit board forming a part
of an alternate embodiment of the sensor device shown in FIGS. 22
through 26;
[0039] FIGS. 30 and 31 are isometric views of an alternate
embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention
having a housing adapted to be removably attached to a flexible
section;
[0040] FIG. 32 is an isometric view of a further alternate
embodiment of a sensor device according to the present invention
having a housing adapted to be removably attached to a flexible
section;
[0041] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a sensor
device having adjustable operating parameters according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a
sensor device according to the present invention having a housing
having an adhesive material on an external surface thereof for
removably attaching the housing to the body;
[0043] FIGS. 35A and B are cross-sectional views of a housing for a
prior art sensor device;
[0044] FIG. 35C through H are cross-sectional views of various
embodiments of a housing for a sensor device according to an aspect
of the present invention taken along lines C-C in FIG. 23.
[0045] FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view of a housing for a prior
art sensor device;
[0046] FIG. 36B through H are cross-sectional views of various
embodiments of a housing for a sensor device according to an aspect
of the present invention taken along lines D-D in FIG. 23;
[0047] FIG. 37 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a housing
for a sensor device according to the present invention having a
bottom or inner surface having a concavity in one direction and a
convexity in another direction;
[0048] FIGS. 38A through D are cross-sectional views of a housing
for a sensor device having a flat top surface and flat lateral
ends;
[0049] FIGS. 39A through F are cross-sectional views of various
embodiments of a housing for a sensor device having surfaces
designed to deflect objects and prevent movement of the housing;
and
[0050] FIG. 39G is a cross-sectional view of the housing shown in
FIG. 39E attached to a flexible section.
[0051] FIG. 40A is an elevational drawing of the sensor device
mounted within a garment on the upper arm of a wearer.
[0052] FIG. 40B is an elevational drawing of the sensor device
mounted within a garment on the left chest area of a wearer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] In general, according to the present invention, data
relating to the physiological state, the lifestyle and certain
contextual parameters of an individual is collected and
transmitted, either subsequently or in real-time, to a site,
preferably remote from the individual, where it is stored for later
manipulation and presentation to a recipient, preferably over an
electronic network such as the Internet. Contextual parameters as
used herein means parameters relating to the environment,
surroundings and location of the individual, including, but not
limited to, air quality, sound quality, ambient temperature, global
positioning and the like. Referring to FIG. 1, located at user
location 5 is sensor device 10 adapted to be placed in proximity
with at least a portion of the human body. Sensor device 10 is
preferably worn by an individual user on his or her body, for
example as part of a garment such as a form fitting shirt, or as
part of an arm band or the like. Sensor device 10, includes one or
more sensors, which are adapted to generate signals in response to
physiological characteristics of an individual, and a
microprocessor. Proximity as used herein means that the sensors of
sensor device 10 are separated from the individual's body by a
material or the like, or a distance such that the capabilities of
the sensors are not impeded.
[0054] Sensor device 10 generates data indicative of various
physiological parameters of an individual, such as the individual's
heart rate, pulse rate, beat-to-beat heart variability, EKG or ECG,
respiration rate, skin temperature, core body temperature, heat
flow off the body, galvanic skin response or GSR, EMG, EEG, EOG,
blood pressure, body fat, hydration level, activity level, oxygen
consumption, glucose or blood sugar level, body position, pressure
on muscles or bones, and UV radiation exposure and absorption. In
certain cases, the data indicative of the various physiological
parameters is the signal or signals themselves generated by the one
or more sensors and in certain other cases the data is calculated
by the microprocessor based on the signal or signals generated by
the one or more sensors. Methods for generating data indicative of
various physiological parameters and sensors to be used therefor
are well known. Table 1 provides several examples of such well
known methods and shows the parameter in question, the method used,
the sensor device used, and the signal that is generated. Table 1
also provides an indication as to whether further processing based
on the generated signal is required to generate the data.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Further Parameter Method Sensor Signal
Processing Heart Rate EKG 2 Electrodes DC Voltage Yes Pulse Rate
BVP LED Emitter Change in Yes and Optical Resistance Sensor
Beat-to-Beat Heart Rate 2 Electrodes DC Voltage Yes Variability EKG
Skin Surface 3-10 DC Voltage No Potentials Electrodes Respiration
Chest Volume Strain Gauge Change in Yes Rate Change Resistance Skin
Surface Thermistors Change in Yes Temperature Temperature
Resistance Probe Core Esophageal Thermistors Change in Yes
Temperature or Rectal Resistance Probe Heat Flow Heat Flux
Thermopile DC Voltage Yes Galvanic Skin 2 Electrodes Change in No
Skin Conductance Resistance Response EMG Skin Surface 3 Electrodes
DC Voltage No Potentials EEG Skin Surface Multiple DC Voltage Yes
Potentials Electrodes EOG Eye Movement Thin Film DC Voltage Yes
Piezoelectric Sensors Blood Non-Invasive Electronic Change in Yes
Pressure Korotkuff Sphygromaro-Resistance Sounds meter Body Fat
Body 2 Active Change in Yes Impedance Electrodes Impedance Activity
in Body Accelerometer DC Voltage, Yes Interpreted Movement
Capacitance G Shocks Changes per Minute Oxygen Oxygen Electro-DC
Voltage Yes Consumption Uptake chemical Change Glucose Non-Invasive
Electro-DC Voltage Yes Level chemical Change Body N/A Mercury DC
Voltage Yes Position Switch Array Change (e.g. supine, erect,
sitting) Muscle N/A Thin Film DC Voltage Yes Pressure Piezoelectric
Change Sensors UV N/A UV Sensitive DC Voltage Yes Radiation Photo
Cells Change Absorption
[0055] The types of data listed in Table 1 are intended to be
examples of the types of data that can be generated by sensor
device 10. It is to be understood that other types of data relating
to other parameters can be generated by sensor device 10 without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0056] The microprocessor of sensor device 10 may be programmed to
summarize and analyze the data. For example, the microprocessor can
be programmed to calculate an average, minimum or maximum heart
rate or respiration rate over a defined period of time, such as ten
minutes. Sensor device 10 may be able to derive information
relating to an individual's physiological state based on the data
indicative of one or more physiological parameters. The
microprocessor of sensor device 10 is programmed to derive such
information using known methods based on the data indicative of one
or more physiological parameters. Table 2 provides examples of the
type of information that can be derived, and indicates some of the
types of data that can be used therefor. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2
Derived Information Data Used Ovulation Skin temperature, core
temperature, oxygen consumption Sleep onset/wake Beat-to-beat
variability, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin
temperature, core temperature, heat flow, galvanic skin response,
EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygen consumption Calories burned
Heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, heat flow, activity,
oxygen consumption Basal metabolic rate Heart rate, pulse rate,
respiration rate, heat flow, activity, oxygen consumption Basal
temperature Skin temperature, core temperature Activity level Heart
rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, heat flow, activity, oxygen
consumption Stress level EKG, beat-to-beat variability, heart rate,
pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow, galvanic
skin response, EMG, EEG, blood pressure, activity, oxygen
consumption Relaxation level EKG, beat-to-beat variability, heart
rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow,
galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, blood pressure, activity, oxygen
consumption Maximum oxygen EKG, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration
consumption rate rate, heat flow, blood pressure, activity, oxygen
consumption Rise time or the Heart rate, pulse rate, heat flow,
oxygen time it takes to consumption rise from a resting rate to 85%
of a target maximum Time in zone or the Heart rate, pulse rate,
heat flow, oxygen time heart rate was consumption above 85% of a
target maximum Recovery time or Heart rate, pulse rate, heat flow,
oxygen the time it takes consumption heart rate to return to a
resting rate after heart rate was above 85% of a target maximum
[0057] Additionally, sensor device 10 may also generate data
indicative of various contextual parameters relating to the
environment surrounding the individual. For example, sensor device
10 can generate data indicative of the air quality, sound
level/quality, light quality or ambient temperature near the
individual, or even the global positioning of the individual.
Sensor device 10 may include one or more sensors for generating
signals in response to contextual characteristics relating to the
environment surrounding the individual, the signals ultimately
being used to generate the type of data described above. Such
sensors are well known, as are methods for generating contextual
parametric data such as air quality, sound level/quality, ambient
temperature and global positioning.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of sensor device
10. Sensor device 10 includes at least one sensor 12 and
microprocessor 20. Depending upon the nature of the signal
generated by sensor 12, the signal can be sent through one or more
of amplifier 14, conditioning circuit 16, and analog-to-digital
converter 18, before being sent to microprocessor 20. For example,
where sensor 12 generates an analog signal in need of amplification
and filtering, that signal can be sent to amplifier 14, and then on
to conditioning circuit 16, which may, for example, be a band pass
filter. The amplified and conditioned analog signal can then be
transferred to analog-to-digital converter 18, where it is
converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is then sent to
microprocessor 20. Alternatively, if sensor 12 generates a digital
signal, that signal can be sent directly to microprocessor 20.
[0059] A digital signal or signals representing certain
physiological and/or contextual characteristics of the individual
user may be used by microprocessor 20 to calculate or generate data
indicative of physiological and/or contextual parameters of the
individual user. Microprocessor 20 is programmed to derive
information relating to at least one aspect of the individual's
physiological state. It should be understood that microprocessor 20
may also comprise other forms of processors or processing devices,
such as a microcontroller, or any other device that can be
programmed to perform the functionality described herein.
[0060] The data indicative of physiological and/or contextual
parameters can, according to one embodiment of the present
invention, be sent to memory 22, such as flash memory, where it is
stored until uploaded in the manner to be described below. Although
memory 22 is shown in FIG. 2 as a discrete element, it will be
appreciated that it may also be part of microprocessor 20. Sensor
device also includes input/output circuitry 24, which is adapted to
output and receive as input certain data signals in the manners to
be described herein. Thus, memory 22 of the sensor device 10 will
build up, over time, a store of data relating to the individual
user's body and/or environment. That data is periodically uploaded
from sensor device 10 and sent to remote central monitoring unit
30, as shown in FIG. 1, where it is stored in a database for
subsequent processing and presentation to the user, preferably
through a local or global electronic network such as the Internet.
This uploading of data can be an automatic process that is
initiated by sensor device 10 periodically or upon the happening of
an event such as the detection by sensor device 10 of a heart rate
below a certain level, or can be initiated by the individual user
or some third party authorized by the user, preferably according to
some periodic schedule, such as every day at 10:00 .mu.m.
Alternatively, rather than storing data in memory 22, sensor device
10 may continuously upload data in real time.
[0061] The uploading of data from sensor device 10 to central
monitoring unit 30 for storage can be accomplished in various ways.
In one embodiment, the data collected by sensor device 10 is
uploaded by first transferring the data to personal computer 35
shown in FIG. 1 by means of physical connection 40, which, for
example, may be a serial connection such as an RS232 or USB port.
This physical connection may also be accomplished by using a
cradle, not shown, that is electronically coupled to personal
computer 35 into which sensor device 10 can be inserted, as is
common with many commercially available personal digital
assistants. The uploading of data could be initiated by then
pressing a button on the cradle or could be initiated automatically
upon insertion of sensor device 10. The data collected by sensor
device 10 may be uploaded by first transferring the data to
personal computer 35 by means of short-range wireless transmission,
such as infrared or RF transmission, as indicated at 45.
[0062] Once the data is received by personal computer 35, it is
optionally compressed and encrypted by any one of a variety of well
known methods and then sent out over a local or global electronic
network, preferably the Internet, to central monitoring unit 30. It
should be noted that personal computer 35 can be replaced by any
computing device that has access to and that can transmit and
receive data through the electronic network, such as, for example,
a personal digital assistant such as the Palm VII sold by Palm,
Inc., or the Blackberry 2-way pager sold by Research in Motion,
Inc.
[0063] Alternatively, the data collected by sensor device 10, after
being encrypted and, optionally, compressed by microprocessor 20,
may be transferred to wireless device 50, such as a 2-way pager or
cellular phone, for subsequent long distance wireless transmission
to local telco site 55 using a wireless protocol such as e-mail or
as ASCII or binary data. Local telco site 55 includes tower 60 that
receives the wireless transmission from wireless device 50 and
computer 65 connected to tower 60. According to the preferred
embodiment, computer 65 has access to the relevant electronic
network, such as the Internet, and is used to transmit the data
received in the form of the wireless transmission to the central
monitoring unit 30 over the Internet. Although wireless device 50
is shown in FIG. 1 as a discrete device coupled to sensor device
10, it or a device having the same or similar functionality may be
embedded as part of sensor device 10.
[0064] Sensor device 10 may be provided with a button to be used to
time stamp events such as time to bed, wake time, and time of
meals. These time stamps are stored in sensor device 10 and are
uploaded to central monitoring unit 30 with the rest of the data as
described above. The time stamps may include a digitally recorded
voice message that, after being uploaded to central monitoring unit
30, are translated using voice recognition technology into text or
some other information format that can be used by central
monitoring unit 30.
[0065] In addition to using sensor device 10 to automatically
collect physiological data relating to an individual user, a kiosk
could be adapted to collect such data by, for example, weighing the
individual, providing a sensing device similar to sensor device 10
on which an individual places his or her hand or another part of
his or her body, or by scanning the individual's body using, for
example, laser technology or an iStat blood analyzer. The kiosk
would be provided with processing capability as described herein
and access to the relevant electronic network, and would thus be
adapted to send the collected data to the central monitoring unit
30 through the electronic network. A desktop sensing device, again
similar to sensor device 10, on which an individual places his or
her hand or another part of his or her body may also be provided.
For example, such a desktop sensing device could be a blood
pressure monitor in which an individual places his or her arm. An
individual might also wear a ring having a sensor device 10
incorporated therein. A base, not shown, could then be provided
which is adapted to be coupled to the ring. The desktop sensing
device or the base just described may then be coupled to a computer
such as personal computer 35 by means of a physical or short range
wireless connection so that the collected data could be uploaded to
central monitoring unit 30 over the relevant electronic network in
the manner described above. A mobile device such as, for example, a
personal digital assistant, might also be provided with a sensor
device 10 incorporated therein. Such a sensor device 10 would be
adapted to collect data when mobile device is placed in proximity
with the individual's body, such as by holding the device in the
palm of one's hand, and upload the collected data to central
monitoring unit 30 in any of the ways described herein.
[0066] Furthermore, in addition to collecting data by automatically
sensing such data in the manners described above, individuals can
also manually provide data relating to various life activities that
is ultimately transferred to and stored at central monitoring unit
30. An individual user can access a web site maintained by central
monitoring unit 30 and can directly input information relating to
life activities by entering text freely, by responding to questions
posed by the web site, or by clicking through dialog boxes provided
by the web site. Central monitoring unit 30 can also be adapted to
periodically send electronic mail messages containing questions
designed to elicit information relating to life activities to
personal computer 35 or to some other device that can receive
electronic mail, such as a personal digital assistant, a pager, or
a cellular phone. The individual would then provide data relating
to life activities to central monitoring unit 30 by responding to
the appropriate electronic mail message with the relevant data.
Central monitoring unit 30 may also be adapted to place a telephone
call to an individual user in which certain questions would be
posed to the individual user. The user could respond to the
questions by entering information using a telephone keypad, or by
voice, in which case conventional voice recognition technology
would be used by central monitoring unit 30 to receive and process
the response. The telephone call may also be initiated by the user,
in which case the user could speak to a person directly or enter
information using the keypad or by voice/voice recognition
technology. Central monitoring unit 30 may also be given access to
a source of information controlled by the user, for example the
user's electronic calendar such as that provided with the Outlook
product sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., from which
it could automatically collect information. The data relating to
life activities may relate to the eating, sleep, exercise, mind
centering or relaxation, and/or daily living habits, patterns
and/or activities of the individual. Thus, sample questions may
include: What did you have for lunch today? What time did you go to
sleep last night? What time did you wake up this morning? How long
did you run on the treadmill today?
[0067] Feedback may also be provided to a user directly through
sensor device 10 in a visual form, for example through an LED or
LCD or by constructing sensor device 10, at least in part, of a
thermochromatic plastic, in the form of an acoustic signal or in
the form of tactile feedback such as vibration. Such feedback may
be a reminder or an alert to eat a meal or take medication or a
supplement such as a vitamin, to engage in an activity such as
exercise or meditation, or to drink water when a state of
dehydration is detected. Additionally, a reminder or alert can be
issued in the event that a particular physiological parameter such
as ovulation has been detected, a level of calories burned during a
workout has been achieved or a high heart rate or respiration rate
has been encountered.
[0068] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, it may be
possible to "download" data from central monitoring unit 30 to
sensor device 10. The flow of data in such a download process would
be substantially the reverse of that described above with respect
to the upload of data from sensor device 10. Thus, it is possible
that the firmware of microprocessor 20 of sensor device 10 can be
updated or altered remotely, i.e., the microprocessor can be
reprogrammed, by downloading new firmware to sensor device 10 from
central monitoring unit 30 for such parameters as timing and sample
rates of sensor device 10. Also, the reminders/alerts provided by
sensor device 10 may be set by the user using the web site
maintained by central monitoring unit 30 and subsequently
downloaded to the sensor device 10.
[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an embodiment of
central monitoring unit 30 is shown. Central monitoring unit 30
includes CSU/DSU 70 which is connected to router 75, the main
function of which is to take data requests or traffic, both
incoming and outgoing, and direct such requests and traffic for
processing or viewing on the web site maintained by central
monitoring unit 30. Connected to router 75 is firewall 80. The main
purpose of firewall 80 is to protect the remainder of central
monitoring unit 30 from unauthorized or malicious intrusions.
Switch 85, connected to firewall 80, is used to direct data flow
between middleware servers 95a through 95c and database server 110.
Load balancer 90 is provided to spread the workload of incoming
requests among the identically configured middleware servers 95a
through 95c. Load balancer 90, a suitable example of which is the
F5 ServerIron product sold by Foundry Networks, Inc. of San Jose,
Calif., analyzes the availability of each middleware server 95a
through 95c, and the amount of system resources being used in each
middleware server 95a through 95c, in order to spread tasks among
them appropriately.
[0070] Central monitoring unit 30 includes network storage device
100, such as a storage area network or SAN, which acts as the
central repository for data. In particular, network storage device
100 comprises a database that stores all data gathered for each
individual user in the manners described above. An example of a
suitable network storage device 100 is the Symmetrix product sold
by EMC Corporation of Hopkinton, Mass. Although only one network
storage device 100 is shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that
multiple network storage devices of various capacities could be
used depending on the data storage needs of central monitoring unit
30. Central monitoring unit 30 also includes database server 110
which is coupled to network storage device 100. Database server 110
is made up of two main components: a large scale multiprocessor
server and an enterprise type software server component such as the
8/8i component sold by Oracle Corporation of Redwood City, Calif.,
or the 506 7 component sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
Wash. The primary functions of database server 110 are that of
providing access upon request to the data stored in network storage
device 100, and populating network storage device 100 with new
data. Coupled to network storage device 100 is controller 115,
which typically comprises a desktop personal computer, for managing
the data stored in network storage device 100.
[0071] Middleware servers 95a through 95c, a suitable example of
which is the 220OR Dual Processor sold by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of
Palo Alto, Calif., each contain software for generating and
maintaining the corporate or home web page or pages of the web site
maintained by central monitoring unit 30. As is known in the art, a
web page refers to a block or blocks of data available on the
World-Wide Web comprising a file or files written in Hypertext
Markup Language or HTML, and a web site commonly refers to any
computer on the Internet running a World-Wide Web server process.
The corporate or home web page or pages are the opening or landing
web page or pages that are accessible by all members of the general
public that visit the site by using the appropriate uniform
resource locator or URL. As is known in the art, URLs are the form
of address used on the World-Wide Web and provide a standard way of
specifying the location of an object, typically a web page, on the
Internet. Middleware servers 95a through 95c also each contain
software for generating and maintaining the web pages of the web
site of central monitoring unit 30 that can only be accessed by
individuals that register and become members of central monitoring
unit 30. The member users will be those individuals who wish to
have their data stored at central monitoring unit 30. Access by
such member users is controlled using passwords for security
purposes. Preferred embodiments of those web pages are described in
detail below and are generated using collected data that is stored
in the database of network storage device 100.
[0072] Middleware servers 95a through 95c also contain software for
requesting data from and writing data to network storage device 100
through database server 110. When an individual user desires to
initiate a session with the central monitoring unit 30 for the
purpose of entering data into the database of network storage
device 100, viewing his or her data stored in the database of
network storage device 100, or both, the user visits the home web
page of central monitoring unit 30 using a browser program such as
Internet Explorer distributed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,
Wash., and logs in as a registered user. Load balancer 90 assigns
the user to one of the middleware servers 95a through 95c,
identified as the chosen middleware server. A user will preferably
be assigned to a chosen middleware server for each entire session.
The chosen middleware server authenticates the user using any one
of many well known methods, to ensure that only the true user is
permitted to access the information in the database. A member user
may also grant access to his or her data to a third party such as a
health care provider or a personal trainer. Each authorized third
party may be given a separate password and may view the member
user's data using a conventional browser. It is therefore possible
for both the user and the third party to be the recipient of the
data.
[0073] When the user is authenticated, the chosen middleware server
requests, through database server 110, the individual user's data
from network storage device 100 for a predetermined time period.
The predetermined time period is preferably thirty days. The
requested data, once received from network storage device 100, is
temporarily stored by the chosen middleware server in cache memory.
The cached data is used by the chosen middleware server as the
basis for presenting information, in the form of web pages, to the
user again through the user's browser. Each middleware server 95a
through 95c is provided with appropriate software for generating
such web pages, including software for manipulating and performing
calculations utilizing the data to put the data in appropriate
format for presentation to the user. Once the user ends his or her
session, the data is discarded from cache. When the user initiates
a new session, the process for obtaining and caching data for that
user as described above is repeated. This caching system thus
ideally requires that only one call to the network storage device
100 be made per session, thereby reducing the traffic that database
server 110 must handle. Should a request from a user during a
particular session require data that is outside of a predetermined
time period of cached data already retrieved, a separate call to
network storage device 100 may be performed by the chosen
middleware server. The predetermined time period should be chosen,
however, such that such additional calls are minimized. Cached data
may also be saved in cache memory so that it can be reused when a
user starts a new session, thus eliminating the need to initiate a
new call to network storage device 100.
[0074] As described in connection with Table 2, the microprocessor
of sensor device 10 may be programmed to derive information
relating to an individual's physiological state based on the data
indicative of one or more physiological parameters. Central
monitoring unit 30, and preferably middleware servers 95a through
95c, may also be similarly programmed to derive such information
based on the data indicative of one or more physiological
parameters.
[0075] It is also contemplated that a user will input additional
data during a session, for example, information relating to the
user's eating or sleeping habits. This additional data is
preferably stored by the chosen middleware server in a cache during
the duration of the user's session. When the user ends the session,
this additional new data stored in a cache is transferred by the
chosen middleware server to database server 110 for population in
network storage device 100. Alternatively, in addition to being
stored in a cache for potential use during a session, the input
data may also be immediately transferred to database server 110 for
population in network storage device 100, as part of a
write-through cache system which is well known in the art.
[0076] Data collected by sensor device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is
periodically uploaded to central monitoring unit 30. Either by long
distance wireless transmission or through personal computer 35, a
connection to central monitoring unit 30 is made through an
electronic network, preferably the Internet. In particular,
connection is made to load balancer 90 through CSU/DSU 70, router
75, firewall 80 and switch 85. Load balancer 90 then chooses one of
the middleware servers 95a through 95c to handle the upload of
data, hereafter called the chosen middleware server. The chosen
middleware server authenticates the user using any one of many well
known methods. If authentication is successful, the data is
uploaded to the chosen middleware server as described above, and is
ultimately transferred to database server 110 for population in the
network storage device 100.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of central
monitoring unit 30 is shown. In addition to the elements shown and
described with respect to FIG. 3, the embodiment of the central
monitoring unit 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes a mirror network
storage device 120 which is a redundant backup of network storage
device 100. Coupled to mirror network storage device 120 is
controller 122. Data from network storage device 100 is
periodically copied to mirror network storage device 120 for data
redundancy purposes.
[0078] Third parties such as insurance companies or research
institutions may be given access, possibly for a fee, to certain of
the information stored in mirror network storage device 120.
Preferably, in order to maintain the confidentiality of the
individual users who supply data to central monitoring unit 30,
these third parties are not given access to such user's individual
database records, but rather are only given access to the data
stored in mirror network storage device 120 in aggregate form. Such
third parties may be able to access the information stored in
mirror network storage device 120 through the Internet using a
conventional browser program. Requests from third parties may come
in through CSU/DSU 70, router 75, firewall 80 and switch 85. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a separate load balancer 130 is
provided for spreading tasks relating to the accessing and
presentation of data from mirror drive array 120 among identically
configured middleware servers 135a through 135c. Middleware servers
135a through 135c each contain software for enabling the third
parties to, using a browser, formulate queries for information from
mirror network storage device 120 through separate database server
125. Middleware servers 135a through 135c also contain software for
presenting the information obtained from mirror network storage
device 120 to the third parties over the Internet in the form of
web pages. In addition, the third parties can choose from a series
of prepared reports that have information packaged along subject
matter lines, such as various demographic categories.
[0079] As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, instead of
giving these third parties access to the backup data stored in
mirror network storage device 120, the third parties may be given
access to the data stored in network storage device 100. Also,
instead of providing load balancer 130 and middleware servers 135a
through 135c, the same functionality, although at a sacrificed
level of performance, could be provided by load balancer 90 and
middleware servers 95a through 95c.
[0080] When an individual user first becomes a registered user or
member, that user completes a detailed survey. The purposes of the
survey are to: identify unique characteristics/circumstances for
each user that they might need to address in order to maximize the
likelihood that they will implement and maintain a healthy
lifestyle as suggested by central monitoring unit 30; gather
baseline data which will be used to set initial goals for the
individual user and facilitate the calculation and display of
certain graphical data output such as the Health Index pistons;
identify unique user characteristics and circumstances that will
help central monitoring unit 30 customize the type of content
provided to the user in the Health Manager's Daily Dose; and
identify unique user characteristics and circumstances that the
Health Manager can guide the user to address as possible barriers
to a healthy lifestyle through the problem-solving function of the
Health Manager.
[0081] The specific information to be surveyed may include: key
individual temperamental characteristics, including activity level,
regularity of eating, sleeping, and bowel habits, initial response
to situations, adaptability, persistence, threshold of
responsiveness, intensity of reaction, and quality of mood; the
user's level of independent functioning, i.e., self-organization
and management, socialization, memory, and academic achievement
skills; the user's ability to focus and sustain attention,
including the user's level of arousal, cognitive tempo, ability to
filter distractions, vigilance, and self-monitoring; the user's
current health status including current weight, height, and blood
pressure, most recent general physician visit, gynecological exam,
and other applicable physician/healthcare contacts, current
medications and supplements, allergies, and a review of current
symptoms and/or health-related behaviors; the user's past health
history, i.e., illnesses/surgeries, family history, and social
stress events, such as divorce or loss of a job, that have required
adjustment by the individual; the user's beliefs, values and
opinions about health priorities, their ability to alter their
behavior and, what might contribute to stress in their life, and
how they manage it; the user's degree of self-awareness, empathy,
empowerment, and self-esteem, and the user's current daily routines
for eating, sleeping, exercise, relaxation and completing
activities of daily living; and the user's perception of the
temperamental characteristics of two key persons in their life, for
example, their spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or their boss, and
whether there are clashes present in their relationships that might
interfere with a healthy lifestyle or contribute to stress.
[0082] Each member user will have access, through the home web page
of central monitoring unit 30, to a series of web pages customized
for that user, referred to as the Health Manager. The opening
Health Manager web page 150 is shown in FIG. 5. The Health Manager
web pages are the main workspace area for the member user. The
Health Manager web pages comprise a utility through which central
monitoring unit 30 provides various types and forms of data,
commonly referred to as analytical status data, to the user that is
generated from the data it collects or generates, namely one or
more of: the data indicative of various physiological parameters
generated by sensor device 10; the data derived from the data
indicative of various physiological parameters; the data indicative
of various contextual parameters generated by sensor device 10; and
the data input by the user. Analytical status data is characterized
by the application of certain utilities or algorithms to convert
one or more of the data indicative of various physiological
parameters generated by sensor device 10, the data derived from the
data indicative of various physiological parameters, the data
indicative of various contextual parameters generated by sensor
device 10, and the data input by the user into calculated health,
wellness and lifestyle indicators. For example, based on data input
by the user relating to the foods he or she has eaten, things such
as calories and amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and
certain vitamins can be calculated. As another example, skin
temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heat flow and/or GSR can
be used to provide an indicator to the user of his or her stress
level over a desired time period. As still another example, skin
temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heart variability, heart rate,
pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature, galvanic skin
response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygen consumption,
ambient sound and body movement or motion as detected by a device
such as an accelerometer can be used to provide indicators to the
user of his or her sleep patterns over a desired time period.
[0083] Located on the opening Health Manager web page 150 is Health
Index 155. Health Index 155 is a graphical utility used to measure
and provide feedback to member users regarding their performance
and the degree to which they have succeeded in reaching a healthy
daily routine suggested by central monitoring unit 30. Health Index
155 thus provides an indication for the member user to track his or
her progress. Health Index 155 includes six categories relating to
the user's health and lifestyle: Nutrition, Activity Level, Mind
Centering, Sleep, Daily Activities and How You Feel. The Nutrition
category relates to what, when and how much a person eats and
drinks. The Activity Level category relates to how much a person
moves around. The Mind Centering category relates to the quality
and quantity of time a person spends engaging in some activity that
allows the body to achieve a state of profound relaxation while the
mind becomes highly alert and focused. The Sleep category relates
to the quality and quantity of a person's sleep. The Daily
Activities category relates to the daily responsibilities and
health risks people encounter. Finally, the How You Feel category
relates to the general perception that a person has about how they
feel on a particular day. Each category has an associated level
indicator or piston that indicates, preferably on a scale ranging
from poor to excellent, how the user is performing with respect to
that category.
[0084] When each member user completes the initial survey described
above, a profile is generated that provides the user with a summary
of his or her relevant characteristics and life circumstances. A
plan and/or set of goals is provided in the form of a suggested
healthy daily routine. The suggested healthy daily routine may
include any combination of specific suggestions for incorporating
proper nutrition, exercise, mind centering, sleep, and selected
activities of daily living in the user's life. Prototype schedules
may be offered as guides for how these suggested activities can be
incorporated into the user's life. The user may periodically retake
the survey, and based on the results, the items discussed above
will be adjusted accordingly.
[0085] The Nutrition category is calculated from both data input by
the user and sensed by sensor device 10. The data input by the user
comprises the time and duration of breakfast, lunch, dinner and any
snacks, and the foods eaten, the supplements such as vitamins that
are taken, and the water and other liquids consumed during a
relevant, pre-selected time period. Based upon this data and on
stored data relating to known properties of various foods, central
monitoring unit 30 calculates well known nutritional food values
such as calories and amounts of proteins, fats, carbohydrates,
vitamins, etc., consumed.
[0086] The Nutrition Health Index piston level is preferably
determined with respect to the following suggested healthy daily
routine: eat at least three meals; eat a varied diet consisting of
6-11 servings of bread, pasta, cereal, and rice, 2-4 servings
fruit, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-3 servings of fish, meat,
poultry, dry beans, eggs, and nuts, and 2-3 servings of milk,
yogurt and cheese; and drink 8 or more 8 ounce glasses of water.
This routine may be adjusted based on information about the user,
such as sex, age, height and/or weight. Certain nutritional targets
may also be set by the user or for the user, relating to daily
calories, protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrates, and/or water
consumption and percentages of total consumption. Parameters
utilized in the calculation of the relevant piston level include
the number of meals per day, the number of glasses of water, and
the types and amounts of food eaten each day as input by the
user.
[0087] Nutritional information is presented to the user through
nutrition web page 160 as shown in FIG. 6. The preferred
nutritional web page 160 includes nutritional fact charts 165 and
170 which illustrate actual and target nutritional facts,
respectively as pie charts, and nutritional intake charts 175 and
180 which show total actual nutritional intake and target
nutritional intake, respectively as pie charts. Nutritional fact
charts 165 and 170 preferably show a percentage breakdown of items
such as carbohydrates, protein and fat, and nutritional intake
charts 175 and 180 are preferably broken down to show components
such as total and target calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and
vitamins. Web page 160 also includes meal and water consumption
tracking 185 with time entries, hyperlinks 190 which allow the user
to directly access nutrition-related news items and articles,
suggestions for refining or improving daily routine with respect to
nutrition and affiliate advertising elsewhere on the network, and
calendar 195 for choosing between views having variable and
selectable time periods. The items shown at 190 may be selected and
customized based on information learned about the individual in the
survey and on their performance as measured by the Health
Index.
[0088] The Activity Level category of Health Index 155 is designed
to help users monitor how and when they move around during the day
and utilizes both data input by the user and data sensed by sensor
device 10. The data input by the user may include details regarding
the user's daily activities, for example the fact that the user
worked at a desk from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then took an aerobics
class from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Relevant data sensed by sensor device
10 may include heart rate, movement as sensed by a device such as
an accelerometer, heat flow, respiration rate, calories burned, GSR
and hydration level, which may be derived by sensor device 60 or
central monitoring unit 30. Calories burned may be calculated in a
variety of manners, including: the multiplication of the type of
exercise input by the user by the duration of exercise input by the
user; sensed motion multiplied by time of motion multiplied by a
filter constant; or sensed heat flux multiplied by time multiplied
by a filter constant.
[0089] The Activity Level Health Index piston level is preferably
determined with respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that
includes: exercising aerobically for a pre-set time period,
preferably 20 minutes, or engaging in a vigorous lifestyle activity
for a pre-set time period, preferably one hour, and burning at
least a minimum target number of calories, preferably 205 calories,
through the aerobic exercise and/or lifestyle activity. The minimum
target number of calories may be set according to information about
the user, such as sex, age, height and/or weight. Parameters
utilized in the calculation of the relevant piston level include
the amount of time spent exercising aerobically or engaging in a
vigorous lifestyle activity as input by the user and/or sensed by
sensor device 10, and the number of calories burned above
pre-calculated energy expenditure parameters.
[0090] Information regarding the individual user's movement is
presented to the user through activity level web page 200 shown in
FIG. 7, which may include activity graph 205 in the form of a bar
graph, for monitoring the individual user's activities in one of
three categories: high, medium and low intensity with respect to a
pre-selected unit of time. Activity percentage chart 210, in the
form or a pie chart, may also be provided for showing the
percentage of a pre-selected time period, such as one day, that the
user spent in each category. Activity level web page 200 may also
include calorie section 215 for displaying items such as total
calories burned, daily target calories burned, total caloric
intake, and duration of aerobic activity. Finally, activity level
web page 200 may include at least one hyperlink 220 to allow a user
to directly access relevant news items and articles, suggestions
for refining or improving daily routine with respect to activity
level and affiliate advertising elsewhere on the network. Activity
level web page 200 may be viewed in a variety of formats, and may
include user-selectable graphs and charts such as a bar graph, pie
chart, or both, as selectable by Activity level check boxes 225.
Activity level calendar 230 is provided for selecting among views
having variable and selectable time periods. The items shown at 220
may be selected and customized based on information learned about
the individual in the survey and on their performance as measured
by the Health Index.
[0091] The Mind Centering category of Health Index 155 is designed
to help users monitor the parameters relating to time spent
engaging in certain activities which allow the body to achieve a
state of profound relaxation while the mind becomes focused, and is
based upon both data input by the user and data sensed by the
sensor device 10. In particular, a user may input the beginning and
end times of relaxation activities such as yoga or meditation. The
quality of those activities as determined by the depth of a mind
centering event can be measured by monitoring parameters including
skin temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, and heat flow as
sensed by sensor device 10. Percent change in GSR as derived either
by sensor device 10 or central monitoring unit 30 may also be
utilized.
[0092] The Mind Centering Health Index piston level is preferably
calculated with respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that
includes participating each day in an activity that allows the body
to achieve profound relaxation while the mind stays highly focused
for at least fifteen minutes. Parameters utilized in the
calculation of the relevant piston level include the amount of time
spent in a mind centering activity, and the percent change in skin
temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heat flow or GSR as
sensed by sensor device 10 compared to a baseline which is an
indication of the depth or quality of the mind centering
activity.
[0093] Information regarding the time spent on self-reflection and
relaxation is presented to the user through mind centering web page
250 shown in FIG. 8. For each mind centering activity, referred to
as a session, the preferred mind centering web page 250 includes
the time spent during the session, shown at 255, the target time,
shown at 260, comparison section 265 showing target and actual
depth of mind centering, or focus, and a histogram 270 that shows
the overall level of stress derived from such things as skin
temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heat flow and/or GSR. In
comparison section 265, the human figure outline showing target
focus is solid, and the human figure outline showing actual focus
ranges from fuzzy to solid depending on the level of focus. The
preferred mind centering web page may also include an indication of
the total time spent on mind centering activities, shown at 275,
hyperlinks 280 which allow the user to directly access relevant
news items and articles, suggestions for refining or improving
daily routine with respect to mind centering and affiliate
advertising, and a calendar 285 for choosing among views having
variable and selectable time periods. The items shown at 280 may be
selected and customized based on information learned about the
individual in the survey and on their performance as measured by
the Health Index.
[0094] The Sleep category of Health Index 155 is designed to help
users monitor their sleep patterns and the quality of their sleep.
It is intended to help users learn about the importance of sleep in
their healthy lifestyle and the relationship of sleep to circadian
rhythms, being the normal daily variations in body functions. The
Sleep category is based upon both data input by the user and data
sensed by sensor device 10. The data input by the user for each
relevant time interval includes the times the user went to sleep
and woke up and a rating of the quality of sleep. As noted in Table
2, the data from sensor device 10 that is relevant includes skin
temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heart variability, heart rate,
pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature, galvanic skin
response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption.
Also relevant is ambient sound and body movement or motion as
detected by a device such as an accelerometer. This data can then
be used to calculate or derive sleep onset and wake time, sleep
interruptions, and the quality and depth of sleep.
[0095] The Sleep Health Index piston level is determined with
respect to a healthy daily routine including getting a minimum
amount, preferably eight hours, of sleep each night and having a
predictable bed time and wake time. The specific parameters which
determine the piston level calculation include the number of hours
of sleep per night and the bed time and wake time as sensed by
sensor device 10 or as input by the user, and the quality of the
sleep as rated by the user or derived from other data.
[0096] Information regarding sleep is presented to the user through
sleep web page 290 shown in FIG. 9. Sleep web page 290 includes a
sleep duration indicator 295, based on either data from sensor
device 10 or on data input by the user, together with user sleep
time indicator 300 and wake time indicator 305. A quality of sleep
rating 310 input by the user may also be utilized and displayed. If
more than a one day time interval is being displayed on sleep web
page 290, then sleep duration indicator 295 is calculated and
displayed as a cumulative value, and sleep time indicator 300, wake
time indicator 305 and quality of sleep rating 310 are calculated
and illustrated as averages. Sleep web page 290 also includes a
user-selectable sleep graph 315 which calculates and displays one
sleep related parameter over a pre-selected time interval. For
illustrative purposes, FIG. 9 shows heat flow over a one-day
period, which tends to be lower during sleeping hours and higher
during waking hours. From this information, a person's bio-rhythms
can be derived. Sleep graph 315 may also include a graphical
representation of data from an accelerometer incorporated in sensor
device 10 which monitors the movement of the body. The sleep web
page 290 may also include hyperlinks 320 which allow the user to
directly access sleep related news items and articles, suggestions
for refining or improving daily routine with respect to sleep and
affiliate advertising available elsewhere on the network, and a
sleep calendar 325 for choosing a relevant time interval. The items
shown at 320 may be selected and customized based on information
learned about the individual in the survey and on their performance
as measured by the Health Index.
[0097] The Activities of Daily Living category of Health Index 155
is designed to help users monitor certain health and safety related
activities and risks and is based entirely on data input by the
user. The Activities of Daily Living category is divided into four
sub-categories: personal hygiene, which allows the user to monitor
activities such as brushing and flossing his or her teeth and
showering; health maintenance, that tracks whether the user is
taking prescribed medication or supplements and allows the user to
monitor tobacco and alcohol consumption and automobile safety such
as seat belt use; personal time, that allows the user to monitor
time spent socially with family and friends, leisure, and mind
centering activities; and responsibilities, that allows the user to
monitor certain work and financial activities such as paying bills
and household chores.
[0098] The Activities of Daily Living Health Index piston level is
preferably determined with respect to the healthy daily routine
described below. With respect to personal hygiene, the routine
requires that the users shower or bathe each day, brush and floss
teeth each day, and maintain regular bowel habits. With respect to
health maintenance, the routine requires that the user take
medications and vitamins and/or supplements, use a seat belt,
refrain from smoking, drink moderately, and monitor health each day
with the Health Manager. With respect to personal time, the routine
requires the users to spend at least one hour of quality time each
day with family and/or friends, restrict work time to a maximum of
nine hours a day, spend some time on a leisure or play activity
each day, and engage in a mind stimulating activity. With respect
to responsibilities, the routine requires the users to do household
chores, pay bills, be on time for work, and keep appointments. The
piston level is calculated based on the degree to which the user
completes a list of daily activities as determined by information
input by the user.
[0099] Information relating to these activities is presented to the
user through daily activities web page 330 shown in FIG. 10. In
preferred daily activities web page 330, activities chart 335,
selectable for one or more of the sub-categories, shows whether the
user has done what is required by the daily routine. A colored or
shaded box indicates that the user has done the required activity,
and an empty, non-colored or shaded box indicates that the user has
not done the activity. Activities chart 335 can be created and
viewed in selectable time intervals. For illustrative purposes,
FIG. 10 shows the personal hygiene and personal time sub-categories
for a particular week. In addition, daily activities web page 330
may include daily activity hyperlinks 340 which allow the user to
directly access relevant news items and articles, suggestions for
improving or refining daily routine with respect to activities of
daily living and affiliate advertising, and a daily activities
calendar 345 for selecting a relevant time interval. The items
shown at 340 may be selected and customized based on information
learned about the individual in the survey and on their performance
as measured by the Health Index.
[0100] The How You Feel category of Health Index 155 is designed to
allow users to monitor their perception of how they felt on a
particular day, and is based on information, essentially a
subjective rating, that is input directly by the user. A user
provides a rating, preferably on a scale of 1 to 5, with respect to
the following nine subject areas: mental sharpness; emotional and
psychological well being; energy level; ability to cope with life
stresses; appearance; physical well being; self-control;
motivation; and comfort in relating to others. Those ratings are
averaged and used to calculate the relevant piston level.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 11, Health Index web page 350 is shown.
Health Index web page 350 enables users to view the performance of
their Health Index over a user selectable time interval including
any number of consecutive or non-consecutive days. Using Health
Index selector buttons 360, the user can select to view the Health
Index piston levels for one category, or can view a side-by-side
comparison of the Health Index piston levels for two or more
categories. For example, a user might want to just turn on Sleep to
see if their overall sleep rating improved over the previous month,
much in the same way they view the performance of their favorite
stock. Alternatively, Sleep and Activity Level might be
simultaneously displayed in order to compare and evaluate Sleep
ratings with corresponding Activity Level ratings to determine if
any day-to-day correlations exist. Nutrition ratings might be
displayed with How You Feel for a pre-selected time interval to
determine if any correlation exists between daily eating habits and
how they felt during that interval. For illustrative purposes, FIG.
11 illustrates a comparison of Sleep and Activity Level piston
levels for the week of June 10 through June 16. Health Index web
page 350 also includes tracking calculator 365 that displays access
information and statistics such as the total number of days the
user has logged in and used the Health Manager, the percentage of
days the user has used the Health Manager since becoming a
subscriber, and percentage of time the user has used the sensor
device 10 to gather data.
[0102] Referring again to FIG. 5, opening Health Manager web page
150 may include a plurality of user selectable category summaries
156a through 156f, one corresponding to each of the Health Index
155 categories. Each category summary 156a through 156f presents a
pre-selected filtered subset of the data associated with the
corresponding category. Nutrition category summary 156a displays
daily target and actual caloric intake. Activity Level category
summary 156b displays daily target and actual calories burned. Mind
Centering category summary 156c displays target and actual depth of
mind centering or focus. Sleep category summary 156d displays
target sleep, actual sleep, and a sleep quality rating. Daily
Activities category summary 156e displays a target and actual score
based on the percentage of suggested daily activities that are
completed. The How You Feel category summary 156f shows a target
and actual rating for the day.
[0103] Opening Health Manager web page 150 also may include Daily
Dose section 157 which provides, on a daily time interval basis,
information to the user, including, but not limited to, hyperlinks
to news items and articles, commentary and reminders to the user
based on tendencies, such as poor nutritional habits, determined
from the initial survey. The commentary for Daily Dose 157 may, for
example, be a factual statement that drinking 8 glasses of water a
day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by as much as 32%,
accompanied by a suggestion to keep a cup of water by your computer
or on your desk at work and refill often. Opening Health Manager
web page 150 also may include a Problem Solver section 158 that
actively evaluates the user's performance in each of the categories
of Health Index 155 and presents suggestions for improvement. For
example, if the system detects that a user's Sleep levels have been
low, which suggest that the user has been having trouble sleeping,
Problem Solver 158 can provide suggestions for way to improve
sleep. Problem Solver 158 also may include the capability of user
questions regarding improvements in performance. Opening Health
Manager web page 150 may also include a Daily Data section 159 that
launches an input dialog box. The input dialog box facilitates
input by the user of the various data required by the Health
Manager. As is known in the art, data entry may be in the form of
selection from pre-defined lists or general free form text input.
Finally, opening Health Manager web page 150 may include Body Stats
section 161 which may provide information regarding the user's
height, weight, body measurements, body mass index or BMI, and
vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure or any of the
identified physiological parameters.
[0104] Referring to FIGS. 12-17, a specific embodiment of sensor
device 10 is shown which is in the form of an armband adapted to be
worn by an individual on his or her upper arm, between the shoulder
and the elbow. The specific embodiment of sensor device 10 shown in
FIGS. 12-17 will, for convenience, be referred to as armband sensor
device 400. Armband sensor device 400 includes computer housing
405, flexible wing body 410, and, as shown in FIG. 17, elastic
strap 415. Computer housing 405 and flexible wing body 410 are
preferably made of a flexible urethane material or an elastomeric
material such as rubber or a rubber-silicone blend by a molding
process. Flexible wing body 410 includes first and second wings 418
each having a thru-hole 420 located near the ends 425 thereof.
First and second wings 418 are adapted to wrap around a portion of
the wearer's upper arm.
[0105] Elastic strap 415 is used to removably affix armband sensor
device 400 to the individual's upper arm. As seen in FIG. 17,
bottom surface 426 of elastic strap 415 is provided with Velcro
loops 416 along a portion thereof. Each end 427 of elastic strap
415 is provided with Velcro hook patch 428 on bottom surface 426
and pull tab 429 on top surface 430. A portion of each pull tab 429
extends beyond the edge of each end 427.
[0106] In order to wear armband sensor device 400, a user inserts
each end 427 of elastic strap 415 into a respective thru-hole 420
of flexible wing body 410. The user then places his arm through the
loop created by elastic strap 415, flexible wing body 410 and
computer housing 405. By pulling each pull tab 429 and engaging
Velcro hook patches 428 with Velcro loops 416 at a desired position
along bottom surface 426 of elastic strap 415, the user can adjust
elastic strap 415 to fit comfortably. Since Velcro hook patches 428
can be engaged with Velcro loops 416 at almost any position along
bottom surface 426, armband sensor device 400 can be adjusted to
fit arms of various sizes. Also, elastic strap 415 may be provided
in various lengths to accommodate a wider range of arm sizes. As
will be apparent to one of skill in the art, other means of
fastening and adjusting the size of elastic strap may be used,
including, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, or buckles. It is
also possible to use two elastic straps that fasten by one of
several conventional means including Velcro, snaps, buttons,
buckles or the like, or merely a single elastic strap affixed to
wings 418.
[0107] Alternatively, instead of providing thru-holes 420 in wings
418, loops having the shape of the letter D, not shown, may be
attached to ends 425 of wings 418 by one of several conventional
means. For example, a pin, not shown, may be inserted through ends
425, wherein the pin engages each end of each loop. In this
configuration, the D-shaped loops would serve as connecting points
for elastic strap 415, effectively creating a thru-hole between
each end 425 of each wing 418 and each loop.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 18, which is an exploded view of armband
sensor device 400, computer housing 405 includes a top portion 435
and a bottom portion 440. Contained within computer housing 405 are
printed circuit board or PCB 445, rechargeable battery 450,
preferably a lithium ion battery, and vibrating motor 455 for
providing tactile feedback to the wearer, such as those used in
pagers, suitable examples of which are the Model 12342 and 12343
motors sold by MG Motors Ltd. of the United Kingdom.
[0109] Top portion 435 and bottom portion 440 of computer housing
405 sealingly mate along groove 436 into which O-ring 437 is fit,
and may be affixed to one another by screws, not shown, which pass
through screw holes 438a and stiffeners 438b of bottom portion 440
and apertures 439 in PCB 445 and into threaded receiving stiffeners
451 of top portion 435. Alternately, top portion 435 and bottom
portion 440 may be snap fit together or affixed to one another with
an adhesive. Preferably, the assembled computer housing 405 is
sufficiently water resistant to permit armband sensor device 400 to
be worn while swimming without adversely affecting the performance
thereof.
[0110] As can be seen in FIG. 13, bottom portion 440 includes, on a
bottom side thereof, a raised platform 430. Affixed to raised
platform 430 is heat flow or flux sensor 460, a suitable example of
which is the micro-foil heat flux sensor sold by RdF Corporation of
Hudson, N.H. Heat flux sensor 460 functions as a self-generating
thermopile transducer, and preferably includes a carrier made of a
polyamide film. Bottom portion 440 may include on a top side
thereof, that is on a side opposite the side to which heat flux
sensor 460 is affixed, a heat sink, not shown, made of a suitable
metallic material such as aluminum. Also affixed to raised platform
430 are GSR sensors 465, preferably comprising electrodes formed of
a material such as conductive carbonized rubber, gold or stainless
steel. Although two GSR sensors 465 are shown in FIG. 13, it will
be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the number of GSR
sensors 465 and the placement thereof on raised platform 430 can
vary as long as the individual GSR sensors 465, i.e., the
electrodes, are electrically isolated from one another. By being
affixed to raised platform 430, heat flux sensor 460 and GSR
sensors 465 are adapted to be in contact with the wearer's skin
when armband sensor device 400 is worn. Bottom portion 440 of
computer housing 405 may also be provided with a removable and
replaceable soft foam fabric pad, not shown, on a portion of the
surface thereof that does not include raised platform 430 and screw
holes 438a. The soft foam fabric is intended to contact the
wearer's skin and make armband sensor device 400 more comfortable
to wear.
[0111] Electrical coupling between heat flux sensor 460, GSR
sensors 465, and PCB 445 may be accomplished in one of various
known methods. For example, suitable wiring, not shown, may be
molded into bottom portion 440 of computer housing 405 and then
electrically connected, such as by soldering, to appropriate input
locations on PCB 445 and to heat flux sensor 460 and GSR sensors
465. Alternatively, rather than molding wiring into bottom portion
440, thru-holes may be provided in bottom portion 440 through which
appropriate wiring may pass. The thru-holes would preferably be
provided with a water tight seal to maintain the integrity of
computer housing 405.
[0112] Rather than being affixed to raised platform 430 as shown in
FIG. 13, one or both of heat flux sensor 460 and GSR sensors 465
may be affixed to the inner portion 466 of flexible wing body 410
on either or both of wings 418 so as to be in contact with the
wearer's skin when armband sensor device 400 is worn. In such a
configuration, electrical coupling between heat flux sensor 460 and
GSR sensors 465, whichever the case may be, and the PCB 445 may be
accomplished through suitable wiring, not shown, molded into
flexible wing body 410 that passes through one or more thru-holes
in computer housing 405 and that is electrically connected, such as
by soldering, to appropriate input locations on PCB 445. Again, the
thru-holes would preferably be provided with a water tight seal to
maintain the integrity of computer housing 405. Alternatively,
rather than providing thru-holes in computer housing 405 through
which the wiring passes, the wiring may be captured in computer
housing 405 during an overmolding process, described below, and
ultimately soldered to appropriate input locations on PCB 445.
[0113] As shown in FIGS. 12, 16, 17 and 18, computer housing 405
includes a button 470 that is coupled to and adapted to activate a
momentary switch 585 on PCB 445. Button 470 may be used to activate
armband sensor device 400 for use, to mark the time an event
occurred or to request system status information such as battery
level and memory capacity. When button 470 is depressed, momentary
switch 585 closes a circuit and a signal is sent to processing unit
490 on PCB 445. Depending on the time interval for which button 470
is depressed, the generated signal triggers one of the events just
described. Computer housing 405 also includes LEDs 475, which may
be used to indicate battery level or memory capacity or to provide
visual feedback to the wearer. Rather than LEDs 475, computer
housing 405 may also include a liquid crystal display or LCD to
provide battery level, memory capacity or visual feedback
information to the wearer. Battery level, memory capacity or
feedback information may also be given to the user tactily or
audibly.
[0114] Armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to be activated for
use, that is collecting data, when either of GSR sensors 465 or
heat flux sensor 460 senses a particular condition that indicates
that armband sensor device 400 has been placed in contact with the
user's skin. Also, armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to be
activated for use when one or more of heat flux sensor 460, GSR
sensors 465, accelerometer 495 or 550, or any other device in
communication with armband sensor device 400, alone or in
combination, sense a particular condition or conditions that
indicate that the armband sensor device 400 has been placed in
contact with the user's skin for use. At other times, armband
sensor device 400 would be deactivated, thus preserving battery
power.
[0115] Computer housing 405 is adapted to be coupled to a battery
recharger unit 480 shown in FIG. 19 for the purpose of recharging
rechargeable battery 450. Computer housing 405 includes recharger
contacts 485, shown in FIGS. 12, 15, 16 and 17, that are coupled to
rechargeable battery 450. Recharger contacts 485 may be made of a
material such as brass, gold or stainless steel, and are adapted to
mate with and be electrically coupled to electrical contacts, not
shown, provided in battery recharger unit 480 when armband sensor
device 400 is placed therein. The electrical contacts provided in
battery recharger unit 480 may be coupled to recharging circuit
481a provided inside battery recharger unit 480. In this
configuration, recharging circuit 481 would be coupled to a wall
outlet, such as by way of wiring including a suitable plug that is
attached or is attachable to battery recharger unit 480.
Alternatively, electrical contacts 480 may be coupled to wiring
that is attached to or is attachable to battery recharger unit 480
that in turn is coupled to recharging circuit 481b external to
battery recharger unit 480. The wiring in this configuration would
also include a plug, not shown, adapted to be plugged into a
conventional wall outlet.
[0116] Also provided inside battery recharger unit 480 is RF
transceiver 483 adapted to receive signals from and transmit
signals to RF transceiver 565 provided in computer housing 405 and
shown in FIG. 20. RF transceiver 483 is adapted to be coupled, for
example by a suitable cable, to a serial port, such as an RS 232
port or a USB port, of a device such as personal computer 35 shown
in FIG. 1. Thus, data may be uploaded from and downloaded to
armband sensor device 400 using RF transceiver 483 and RF
transceiver 565. It will be appreciated that although RF
transceivers 483 and 565 are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, other forms
of wireless transceivers may be used, such as infrared
transceivers. Alternatively, computer housing 405 may be provided
with additional electrical contacts, not shown, that would be
adapted to mate with and be electrically coupled to additional
electrical contacts, not shown, provided in battery recharger unit
480 when armband sensor device 400 is placed therein. The
additional electrical contacts in the computer housing 405 would be
coupled to the processing unit 490 and the additional electrical
contacts provided in battery recharger unit 480 would be coupled to
a suitable cable that in turn would be coupled to a serial port,
such as an RS R32 port or a USB port, of a device such as personal
computer 35. This configuration thus provides an alternate method
for uploading of data from and downloading of data to armband
sensor device 400 using a physical connection.
[0117] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram that shows the system
architecture of armband sensor device 400, and in particular each
of the components that is either on or coupled to PCB 445.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 17, PCB 445 includes processing unit 490,
which may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any other
processing device that can be adapted to perform the functionality
described herein. Processing unit 490 is adapted to provide all of
the functionality described in connection with microprocessor 20
shown in FIG. 2. A suitable example of processing unit 490 is the
Dragonball EZ sold by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. PCB 445
also has thereon a two-axis accelerometer 495, a suitable example
of which is the Model ADXL210 accelerometer sold by Analog Devices,
Inc. of Norwood, Mass. Two-axis accelerometer 495 is preferably
mounted on PCB 445 at an angle such that its sensing axes are
offset at an angle substantially equal to 45 degrees from the
longitudinal axis of PCB 445 and thus the longitudinal axis of the
wearer's arm when armband sensor device 400 is worn. The
longitudinal axis of the wearer's arm refers to the axis defined by
a straight line drawn from the wearer's shoulder to the wearer's
elbow. The output signals of two-axis accelerometer 495 are passed
through buffers 500 and input into analog to digital converter 505
that in turn is coupled to processing unit 490. GSR sensors 465 are
coupled to amplifier 510 on PCB 445. Amplifier 510 provides
amplification and low pass filtering functionality, a suitable
example of which is the Model AD8544 amplifier sold by Analog
Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass. The amplified and filtered signal
output by amplifier 510 is input into amp/offset 515 to provide
further gain and to remove any bias voltage and into
filter/conditioning circuit 520, which in turn are each coupled to
analog to digital converter 505. Heat flux sensor 460 is coupled to
differential input amplifier 525, such as the Model INA amplifier
sold by Burr-Brown Corporation of Tucson, Ariz., and the resulting
amplified signal is passed through filter circuit 530, buffer 535
and amplifier 540 before being input to analog to digital converter
505. Amplifier 540 is configured to provide further gain and low
pass filtering, a suitable example of which is the Model AD8544
amplifier sold by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass. PCB 445
also includes thereon a battery monitor 545 that monitors the
remaining power level of rechargeable battery 450. Battery monitor
545 preferably comprises a voltage divider with a low pass filter
to provide average battery voltage. When a user depresses button
470 in the manner adapted for requesting battery level, processing
unit 490 checks the output of battery monitor 545 and provides an
indication thereof to the user, preferably through LEDs 475, but
also possibly through vibrating motor 455 or ringer 575. An LCD may
also be used.
[0119] PCB 445 may include three-axis accelerometer 550 instead of
or in addition to two-axis accelerometer 495. The three-axis
accelerometer outputs a signal to processing unit 490. A suitable
example of three-axis accelerometer is the .mu.PAM product sold by
I.M. Systems, Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz. Three-axis accelerometer
550 is preferably tilted in the manner described with respect to
two-axis accelerometer 495.
[0120] PCB 445 also includes RF receiver 555 that is coupled to
processing unit 490. RF receiver 555 may be used to receive signals
that are output by another device capable of wireless transmission,
shown in FIG. 20 as wireless device 558, worn by or located near
the individual wearing armband sensor device 400. Located near as
used herein means within the transmission range of wireless device
558. For example, wireless device 558 may be a chest mounted heart
rate monitor such as the Tempo product sold by Polar Electro of
Oulu, Finland. Using such a heart rate monitor, data indicative of
the wearer's heart rate can be collected by armband sensor device
400. Antenna 560 and RF transceiver 565 are coupled to processing
unit 490 and are provided for purposes of uploading data to central
monitoring unit 30 and receiving data downloaded from central
monitoring unit 30. RF transceiver 565 and RF receiver 555 may, for
example, employ Bluetooth technology as the wireless transmission
protocol. Also, other forms of wireless transmission may be used,
such as infrared transmission.
[0121] The fact that RF Transceiver 565 may be used for wirelessly
uploading data from and wirelessly downloading data to armband
sensor device 400 is advantageous because it eliminates the need to
remove armband sensor device 400 to perform these functions, as
would be required with a physical connection. For example, if
armband sensor device 400 was being worn under the user's clothing,
requiring removal of armband sensor device 400 prior to uploading
and/or downloading data increases user inconvenience. In addition,
the wearing of armband sensor device 400 has an effect on the
user's skin and underlying blood vessels, which in turn may effect
any measurements being made with respect thereto. It may be
necessary for a period of time during which armband sensor device
400 is worn by the user to elapse before a steady state is achieved
and consistent, accurate measurements can be made. By providing
armband sensor device 400 with wireless communications capability,
data can be uploaded and downloaded without disturbing an
established steady state equilibrium condition. For example,
programming data for processing unit 490 that controls the sampling
characteristics of armband sensor device 400 can be downloaded to
armband sensor device 400 without disturbing the steady state
equilibrium condition.
[0122] In addition, antenna 560 and RF transceiver 565 permit
armband sensor device 400 to communicate wirelessly with other
devices capable of wireless communication, i.e., transmit
information to and receive information from those devices. The
devices may include, for example, devices that are implanted in the
body of the person using armband sensor device 400, such as an
implantable heart pacemaker or an implantable insulin dispensing
device, for example the MiniMed..RTM. 2007 implantable insulin pump
sold by MiniMed Inc. of Northridge, Calif., devices worn on the
body of the person using armband sensor device 400, or devices
located near the person using armband sensor device 400 at any
particular time, such as an electronic scale, a blood pressure
monitor, a glucose monitor, a cholesterol monitor or another
armband sensor device 400. With this two-way wireless communication
capability, armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to transmit
information that activates or deactivates such a device for use or
information that programs such a device to behave in a particular
way. For example, armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to
activate a piece of exercise equipment such as a treadmill and
program it to operate with certain parameters that are dictated or
desired by or optimal for the user of armband sensor device 400. As
another example, armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to adjust
a computer controlled thermostat in a home based on the detected
skin temperature of the wearer or turn off a computer controlled
lighting system, television or stereo when the wearer is determined
to have fallen asleep.
[0123] Vibrating motor 455 is coupled to processing unit 490
through vibrator driver 570 and provides tactile feedback to the
wearer. Similarly, ringer 575, a suitable example of which is the
Model SMT916A ringer sold by Projects Unlimited, Inc. of Dayton,
Ohio, is coupled to processing unit 490 through ringer driver 580,
a suitable example of which is the Model MMBTA14 CTI darlington
transistor driver sold by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill., and
provides audible feedback to the wearer. Feedback may include, for
example, celebratory, cautionary and other threshold or event
driven messages, such as when a wearer reaches a level of calories
burned during a workout.
[0124] Also provided on PCB 445 and coupled to processing unit 490
is momentary switch 585. Momentary switch 585 is also coupled to
button 470 for activating momentary switch 585. LEDs 475, used to
provide various types of feedback information to the wearer, are
coupled to processing unit 490 through LED latch/driver 590.
[0125] Oscillator 595 is provided on PCB 445 and supplies the
system clock to processing unit 490. Reset circuit 600, accessible
and triggerable through a pin-hole in the side of computer housing
405, is coupled to processing unit 490 and enables processing unit
490 to be reset to a standard initial setting.
[0126] Rechargeable battery 450, which is the main power source for
the armband sensor device 400, is coupled to processing unit 490
through voltage regulator 605. Finally, memory functionality is
provided for armband sensor device 400 by SRAM 610, which stores
data relating to the wearer of armband sensor device 400, and flash
memory 615, which stores program and configuration data, provided
on PCB 445. SRAM 610 and flash memory 615 are coupled to processing
unit 490 and each preferably have at least 512K of memory.
[0127] In manufacturing and assembling armband sensor device 400,
top portion 435 of computer housing 405 is preferably formed first,
such as by a conventional molding process, and flexible wing body
410 is then overmolded on top of top portion 435. That is, top
portion 435 is placed into an appropriately shaped mold, i.e., one
that, when top portion 435 is placed therein, has a remaining
cavity shaped according to the desired shape of flexible wing body
410, and flexible wing body 410 is molded on top of top portion
435. As a result, flexible wing body 410 and top portion 435 will
merge or bond together, forming a single unit. Alternatively, top
portion 435 of computer housing 405 and flexible wing body 410 may
be formed together, such as by molding in a single mold, to form a
single unit. The single unit however formed may then be turned over
such that the underside of top portion 435 is facing upwards, and
the contents of computer housing 405 can be placed into top portion
435, and top portion 435 and bottom portion 440 can be affixed to
one another. As still another alternative, flexible wing body 410
may be separately formed, such as by a conventional molding
process, and computer housing 405, and in particular top portion
435 of computer housing 405, may be affixed to flexible wing body
410 by one of several known methods, such as by an adhesive, by
snap-fitting, or by screwing the two pieces together. Then, the
remainder of computer housing 405 would be assembled as described
above. It will be appreciated that rather than assembling the
remainder of computer housing 405 after top portion 435 has been
affixed to flexible wing body 410, the computer housing 405 could
be assembled first and then affixed to flexible wing body 410.
[0128] Referring to FIG. 21, a block diagram of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention is shown. This alternate
embodiment includes stand alone sensor device 700 which functions
as an independent device, meaning that it is capable of collecting
and/or generating the various types of data described herein in
connection with sensor device 10 and sensor device 400 and
providing analytical status data to the user without interaction
with a remotely located apparatus such as central monitoring unit
30. Stand alone sensor device 700 includes a processor that is
programmed and/or otherwise adapted to include the utilities and
algorithms necessary to create analytical status data from the data
indicative of various physiological and/or contextual parameters of
the user, the data derived therefrom, and the data input by the
user, all of which is stored in and accessed as needed from memory
provided in stand alone sensor device 700. Stand alone sensor
device 700 may comprise sensor device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
that includes microprocessor 20 and memory 22 or armband sensor
device 400 shown in FIGS. 12-17 that includes processing unit 490
and SRAM 610.
[0129] As shown schematically in FIG. 21, data may be input into
stand alone sensor device 700 in a number of ways. Stand alone
sensor device 700 may include one or more physiological sensors 705
as described herein for facilitating the collection of data
indicative of various physiological parameters of the user. Stand
alone sensor device 700 may also include one or more contextual
sensors 710 as described herein for facilitating the collection of
data indicative of various contextual parameters of the user. As
indicated by reference number 715, stand alone sensor device 700
may be adapted to enable the manual entry of data by the user. For
example, stand alone sensor device 700 may include a data input
button, such as a button 470 of armband sensor device 400, through
which a user could manually enter information such as information
relating to various life activities of the user as described herein
or information relating to the operation and/or control of stand
alone sensor device 700, for example, the setting of reminders or
alerts as described herein. In this example, activation of button
470 may simply record or time stamp that an event such as a meal
has occurred, with the wearer needing to assign a meaning to that
time stamp through data entry at a later time. Alternatively,
activation of button 470 in certain sequences, such as one
activation, two successive activations, three successive
activations, etc., can be preset to have different specific
meanings. A wearer would need to follow a menu or guide of such
preset activation sequences to input relevant data. Alternatively,
stand alone sensor device 700 may include a more sophisticated
means for manual entry of information such as a keypad, a touch
screen, a microphone, or a remote control device, for example a
remote control device incorporated into a wristwatch. In the case
of a microphone, the processor of stand alone sensor device 700
would be provided with well known voice recognition software or the
like for converting the input speech into usable data.
[0130] As indicated by reference numbers 720 and 725, information
comprising data indicative of various physiological and/or
contextual parameters and data derived therefrom may be input into
stand alone sensor device 700 through interaction with other
devices. In addition, information such as handshake data or data
indicative of various physiological and/or contextual parameters
and data derived therefrom may be output from stand alone sensor
device 700 to such other devices. According to one embodiment, the
interaction is in the form of wireless communication between stand
alone sensor device 700 and another device capable of wireless
communication by way of a wireless transceiver provided in stand
alone sensor device 700, such as wireless transceiver 565 shown and
described in connection with FIG. 20. The device-to-device
interaction may, as shown by reference number 720, be explicit,
meaning that the user of stand alone sensor device 700 has
knowingly initiated the interaction. For example, a user may
activate a button on a scale to upload data to stand alone sensor
device 700. The device-to-device interaction may also, as shown by
reference number 725, be hidden, meaning that the user of stand
alone sensor device 700 does not knowingly initiate the
interaction. For example, a gym may have a sensor that wirelessly
transmits a signal to sensing device 700 when the user enters and
leaves the gym to time stamp when the user began and ended a
workout.
[0131] As shown schematically in FIG. 21, information may be output
or transmitted from stand alone sensor device 700 in a number of
ways. Such information may include the data indicative of various
physiological parameters and/or contextual parameters, the data
derived therefrom, the data manually input by the user, the
analytical status data, or any combination thereof. As shown by
reference numbers 730, 735 and 740, information may be output or
transmitted in an audible fashion such as by a series of tones or
beeps or a recorded voice by a device such as a speaker, in a
visual fashion such as by one or more LEDs, or in a tactile fashion
such as by vibration. For example, stand alone sensor device 700
may be adapted to output a tone or tones, light an LED or LEDs, or
vibrate as a reminder for an event, such as a reminder to eat or
exercise at a particular time, or when a goal has been reached,
such as a target number of calories burned during a workout, or a
condition has been sensed, such as ovulation. Alternatively, stand
alone sensor device 700 may be provided with a more sophisticated
visual output means such as an LCD similar to those found on
commercially available cell phones, pagers and personal digital
assistants. With an LCD or a similar device and the expanded visual
output capabilities it would provide, stand alone sensor device 700
may be adapted to output or transmit some or all of the information
described in connection with FIGS. 5 through 11 in the same or a
similar format. For example, stand alone sensor device 700 could
provide analytical status data in the form of the Health Index to
the user. As a further alternative, stand alone sensor device 700
may be coupled to computing device 750 such as a personal computer,
a cell phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant, another stand
alone sensor device 700 or any other device having a processor by
either wired connection 755 or wireless connection 760. For
example, battery recharger unit 480 shown in FIG. 19 may be used to
provide the wired connection 755 or wireless connection 760. In
this configuration, the display of the computing device could be
used to visually output information from stand alone sensor device
700. It will be appreciated that since computing device 750
includes a sophisticated output means such as an LCD, it may be
used to output or transmit to the user some or all of the
information described in connection with FIGS. 5 through 11, such
as the Health Index, in the same or a similar format.
[0132] Also, computing device 750 may in turn be used to control
other devices, such as the lights or thermostat in a home, based on
data output by stand alone sensor device 700, such as the fact that
the wearer has fallen asleep or the fact that the wearer's skin
temperature has reached a certain level. In other words, stand
alone sensor device 700, and in particular its processor, may be
adapted to cause a computing device 750 to trigger an event upon
detection of one or more physiological and/or contextual conditions
by stand alone sensor device 700. Alternatively, stand alone sensor
device 700 may be adapted to cause a computing device 750 to
trigger an event based upon information received from another
computing device 750.
[0133] Stand alone sensor device 700 may be adapted to interact
with and influence an interactive electronic media device, such as
a video game, or non-interactive electronic media device, such as
on a display device such as a DVD or digital video disc player
playing a digitally recorded movie. For example, stand alone sensor
device 700 may be adapted to transmit information relating to the
physiological state of the wearer to the video game, which in turn
adjusts the characteristics of the game, such as the level of
difficulty. As another example, stand alone sensor device 700 may
be adapted to transmit information relating to the physiological
state of the wearer to the device displaying the digitally recorded
movie which in turn adjusts the characteristics, such as the
outcome, of the movie.
[0134] Furthermore, stand alone sensor device 700 may include
location sensing device 765, such as an ultrasonic or a
radio-frequency identification tag, for enabling a computing device
750 to detect the geographic location of stand alone sensor device
700, such as the location of stand alone sensor device 700 within a
defined space such as a building. In one embodiment, a location
indication causes computing device 750 to trigger an event, such as
lowering the temperature in a room corresponding to the indicated
location, preferably based on the detection by stand alone sensor
device 700 of one or more physiological conditions of the wearer,
such as skin temperature. In another embodiment, the location
indication causes computing device 750 to trigger an event, such as
lowering the temperature in a room corresponding to the indicated
location, if stand alone sensor device 700 detects one or more
physiological conditions, such as a skin temperature of the wearer
being above a certain level. In addition, the input means of the
computing device, such as the mouse and keyboard of a personal
computer, the keypad of a cell phone or pager, or the touch screen
of a personal digital assistant, may be used to manually input
information into stand alone sensor device 700.
[0135] The different modes of output may be used in combination to
provide different types and levels of information to a user. For
example, stand alone sensor device 700 could be worn by an
individual while exercising and an LED or a tone can be used to
signal that a goal of a certain number of calories burned has been
reached. The user could then transmit additional data wirelessly
from stand alone sensor device 700 to a computing device 750 such
as a cell phone after he or she is finished exercising to view data
such as heart rate and/or respiration rate over time.
[0136] As a further alternative embodiment of the present
invention, rather than the processor provided in stand alone sensor
device 700 being programmed and/or otherwise adapted to generate
the derived data and to include the utilities and algorithms
necessary to create analytical status data, computing device 750
could be so programmed. In this embodiment, stand alone sensor
device 700 collects and/or generates the data indicative of various
physiological and/or contextual parameters of the user, the data
manually input by the user, and/or data input as a result of
device-to-device interaction shown at 720 and 725, all of which is
stored in the memory provided in stand alone sensor device 700.
This data is then periodically uploaded to computing device 750
which in turn generates derived data and/or analytical status data.
Alternatively, the processor of stand alone sensor device 700 could
be programmed to generate the derived data with computing device
750 being programmed and/or otherwise adapted to include the
utilities and algorithms necessary to create analytical status data
based on data indicative of one or more physiological and/or
contextual parameters, data derived therefrom, data manually input
by the user and/or data input as a result of device-to-device
interaction shown at 720 and 725 uploaded from stand alone sensor
device 700. As still a further alternative, the processor of stand
alone sensor device 700 could be programmed and/or otherwise
adapted to include the utilities and algorithms necessary to create
analytical status data based on data indicative of one or more
physiological and/or contextual parameters, data derived therefrom,
data manually input by the user and/or data input as a result of
device-to-device interaction shown at 720 and 725 uploaded from
stand alone sensor device 700 with computing device 750 being
programmed to generate the derived data. In either alternative, any
or all of the data indicative of physiological and/or contextual
parameters of the user, the data derived therefrom, the data
manually input by the user, the data input as a result of
device-to-device interaction shown at 720 and 725 and the
analytical status data may then be viewed by the user using the
output means of the programmed computing device 750 or another
computing device 750 to which the data is downloaded. In the latter
alternative, everything but the analytical status data may also be
output by stand alone sensor device 700 as described herein.
[0137] Computing device 750 in these alternative embodiments may be
connected to an electronic network, such as the Internet, to enable
it to communicate with central monitoring unit 30 or the like. The
programming of computing device 750 that enables it to generate the
derived data and/or the analytical status data may, with such a
configuration, be modified or replaced by downloading the relevant
data to computing device 750 over the electronic network.
[0138] As still a further alternative embodiment, computing device
750 may be provided with a custom written plug-in adapted to
provide data display functionality through use of a well known
browser program. In this embodiment, stand alone sensor device 700
collects and/or generates the data indicative of various
physiological and/or contextual parameters of the user, the derived
data, the data input by the user, data input as a result of
device-to-device interaction shown at 720 and 725, and/or
analytical status data based thereon and uploads this data to
computing device 750. The plug-in provided in computing device 750
then generates appropriate display pages based on the data which
may be viewed by the user using the browser provided with computing
device 750. The plug-in may be modified/updated from a source such
as central monitoring unit 30 over an electronic network such as
the Internet.
[0139] Referring to FIGS. 22-26, an alternate embodiment of a
sensor device is shown at 800. Sensor device 800 may be a specific
embodiment of either sensor device 10 described in connection with
FIGS. 1-11 or stand alone sensor device 700 described in connection
with FIG. 21. Sensor device 800 includes housing 805 affixed to
flexible section 810, which is similar to flexible wing body 410
shown in FIGS. 12-17. Flexible section 810 is adapted to engage,
such as by wrapping around or conforming to, at least a portion of
the human body, such as the upper arm, to enable sensor device 800,
in combination with a removable strap 811 inserted through slots
812 provided in flexible section 810, to be worn on the body.
Preferably, flexible section 810 is made of a material having a
durometer of between 75 and 85 Shore A. Flexible section 810 may
take on a variety of shapes and may be made of a cloth material, a
flexible plastic film, or an elastic material having an adhesive
similar in structure to a Band-Aid..RTM.. disposable adhesive
bandage. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22-26, housing 805 is
permanently affixed to flexible section 810, such as by an over
molding or co-molding process, through the use of an adhesive
material, or by a fastening mechanism such as one or more screws.
Housing 805 includes top portion 815 affixed to bottom portion 820
by any known means, including, for example, an adhesive material,
screws, snap fittings, sonic welding, or thermal welding. According
to a preferred embodiment, a watertight seal is provided between
top portion 815 and bottom portion 820. Such a water-tight seal is
provided when sonic welding or thermal welding is used.
Alternatively, an O-ring could be provided between top portion 815
and bottom portion 820 to create the water-tight seal.
[0140] As can be seen most readily in FIGS. 23, 24 and 26, affixed
to bottom portion 820 of housing 805 are GSR sensors 825. GSR
sensors 825 measure the conductivity of the skin between two points
and may comprise electrodes formed of a material such as stainless
steel, gold or a conductive carbonized rubber. Preferably, GSR
sensors 825 have an oblong, curved shape as shown in FIG. 23, much
like a kidney bean shape, that allows some portion of GSR sensors
825 to maintain contact with the body even if sensor device 800 is
rocking or otherwise moving while being worn. Most preferably, GSR
sensors 825 include raised bumps 830, or some other
three-dimensional textured surface, along the surface thereof to
perturb the skin and push between hairs to ensure good contact with
the skin. In addition, raised bumps 830 provide channels for the
movement of sweat underneath sensor device 800, rather than
trapping sweat, no matter the orientation of sensor device with
respect to the body. Also affixed to bottom portion 820 are heat
flux skin interface component 835 and skin temperature skin
interface component 840, each comprising a plate made of a
thermally conductive material such as stainless steel. Preferably,
heat flux skin interface component 835 and skin temperature skin
interface component 840 are made of a material having thermal
conduction properties of at least 12.9 W/mK, such as 304 stainless
steel. Preferably, GSR sensors 825 are spaced at least 0.44 inches
apart from one another, and at least 0.09 inches apart from heat
flux skin interface component 835 and skin temperature skin
interface component 840. GSR sensors 825, heat flux skin interface
component 835 and skin temperature skin interface component 840 are
adapted to be in contact with the wearer's skin when sensor device
800 is worn, and facilitate the measurement of GSR, heat flux from
the body and skin temperature data. As can be seen most readily in
FIGS. 22, 24 and 26, affixed to top portion 815 of housing 805 are
heat flux ambient interface component 845 and ambient temperature
interface component 850, which also are made of a thermally
conductive material such as stainless steel, preferably a material
having thermal conduction properties of at least 12.9 W/mK, such as
304 stainless steel. Heat flux ambient interface component 845 and
ambient temperature interface component 850 facilitate the
measurement of heat flux from the body and ambient temperature,
respectively, by providing a thermal interface to the surrounding
environment. To further enhance the measurement of these
parameters, holes 855 are provided in flexible section 810 to
expose heat flux ambient interface component 845 and ambient
temperature interface component 850 to the ambient air. Preferably,
holes 855 are sized so that flexible section 810 occludes as little
skin as possible in the regions surrounding heat flux ambient
interface component 845 and ambient temperature interface component
850 so as to allow air flowing off of the skin of the wearer to
pass these components.
[0141] GSR Sensors 825, heat flux, skin interface component 835,
skin temperature skin interface component 840, or any other sensing
component that comes into contact with the skin may be provided
with a plurality of microneedles for, among other things, enhancing
electrical contact with the skin and providing real time access to
interstitial fluid in and below the epidermis, which access may be
used to measure various parameters such as pH level of the skin
through electrochemical, impedance based or other well known
methods. Microneedles enhance electrical contact by penetrating the
stratum corneum of the skin to reach the epidermis. Such
microneedles are well known in the art and may be made of a metal
or plastic material. Prior art microneedles are described in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,612 owned by the Procter and Gamble
Company. Based on the particular application, the number, density,
length, width at the point or base, distribution and spacing of the
microneedles will vary.
[0142] Referring to FIG. 26, which is a cross-section taken along
lines A-A in FIG. 22, the internal components of sensor device 800,
housed within housing 805, are shown. Printed circuit board or PCB
860 is affixed to top portion 815 of housing 805 and receives and
supports the electronic components provided inside housing 805.
Affixed to a bottom side of PCB 860 and electronically coupled to
GSR sensors 825 are contacts 865, which preferably comprise gold
plated contact pins such as the Pogo..RTM.. O contacts available
from Everett Charles Technologies in Pomona, Calif. Also affixed to
the bottom side of PCB 860 is skin temperature thermistor 870, a
suitable example of which is the model 100K6D280 thermistor
manufactured by BetaTherm Corporation in Shrewsbury, Mass. Skin
temperature thermistor 870 is, according to a preferred embodiment,
thermally coupled to skin temperature skin interface component 840
by a thermally conductive interface material 875. Thermally
conductive interface material 875 may be any type of thermally
conductive interface known in the art, including, for example,
thermally conductive gap fillers, thermally conductive phase change
interface materials, thermally conductive tapes, thermally
conductive cure-in-place compounds or epoxies, and thermal greases.
Suitable thermally conductive interface materials include a boron
nitride filled expanded polytetrafluoroethylene matrix sold under
the trademark PolarChip CP8000 by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
and a boron nitride and alumina filled silicone elastomer on an
adhesive backed 5 mil. (0.013 cm) thick aluminum foil carrier
called A574, which is available from the Chomerics division of
Parker Hannefin Corp. located in Woburn, Mass. Provided on top of
PCB 860 is near-body ambient temperature thermistor 880, a suitable
example of which is the model NTHS040ZN0IN 100KJ thermistor
manufactured by Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. in Malvern, Pa.
Near-body ambient temperature thermistor 880 is thermally coupled
to ambient temperature interface component 850 by thermally
conductive interface material 875.
[0143] Still referring to FIG. 26, a preferred embodiment of sensor
device 800 includes a particular embodiment of an apparatus for
measuring heat flux between a living body and the ambient
environment described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,929 B2 owned by the
assignee hereof, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. Specifically, heat conduit 885 is
provided within housing 805. As used herein, the term heat conduit
refers to one or more heat conductors which are adapted to singly
or jointly transfer heat from one location to another, such as a
conductor made of stainless steel. Heat conduit 885 is thermally
coupled to heat flux skin interface component 835 by thermally
conductive interface material 875. Provided on the bottom side of
PCB 860 is a first heat flux thermistor 890A, and provided on the
top side of PCB 860 is a second heat flux thermistor 890B. PCB 860
acts as a base member for supporting these components. It will be
appreciated that a base member separate and apart from PCB 860 may
be substituted therefor as an alternative configuration. A suitable
example of both heat flux thermistors 890A and 890B is the model
100K6D280 thermistor manufactured by BetaTherm Corporation in
Shrewsbury, Mass. Heat flux Thermistor 890A and 890B are soldered
to pads provided on PCB 860. The second heat flux thermistor 890B
is thermally coupled to heat flux ambient interface 845 by
thermally conductive interface material 875. As is well-known in
the art, PCB 860 is made of a rigid or flexible material, such as a
fiberglass, having a preselected, known thermal resistance or
resistivity K. The heat flux off of the body of the wearer can be
determined by measuring a first voltage VI with heat flux
thermistor 890A and a second voltage V2 with heat flux thermistor
890B. These voltages are then electrically differenced, such as by
using a differential amplifier, to provide a voltage value that, as
is well known in the art, can be used to calculate the temperature
difference (T2-T1) between the top and bottom sides of PCB 860.
Heat flux can then be calculated according to the following
formula: Heat Flux=K(T2-T1) The combination of PCB 860 and heat
flux thermistors 890A and 890B are thus a form of a heat flux
sensor One advantage of the configuration of the apparatus for
measuring heat flux shown in FIG. 26 is that, due to the vertical
orientation of the components, assembly of the apparatus for
measuring heat flux, and thus sensor device 800 as a whole, is
simplified. Also adding to the simplicity is the fact that
thermally conductive interface materials that include a thin
adhesive layer on one or both sides may be used for thermally
conductive interface materials 875, enabling components to be
adhered to one another. In addition, thermistors 890A and 890B are
relatively inexpensive components, as compared to an integral heat
flux sensor such as those commercially available from RdF
Corporation of Hudson, N.H., thereby reducing the cost of sensor
device 800. Although heat flux thermistors 890A and 890B are
described as being provided on PCB 860 in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 26, it will be appreciated that any piece of material having a
known resistivity K may be used. Furthermore, other temperature
measuring devices known in the art, such as a thermocouple or
thermopile, may be substituted for heat flux thermistors 890A and
890B. As a further alternative, heat conduit 885 may be omitted
such that thermal communication between heat flux thermistor 890A
and heat flux skin interface component 835 is provided by one or
more pieces of thermally conductive interface material 875. As
still a further alternative, heat flux skin interface component 835
may be omitted such that thermal communication between heat flux
thermistor 890A and the skin is provided by either or both of heat
conduit 885 and one or more pieces of thermally conductive
interface material 875. In any of the embodiments described herein,
the combination of one or more of heat conduit 885, one or more
pieces of thermally conductive interface material 875, and heat
flux skin interface component 835 act as a thermal energy
communicator for placing heat flux thermistor 890A in thermal
communication with the body of the wearer of sensor device 800.
[0144] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram that shows an embodiment of
the system architecture of sensor device 800, and in particular
each of the components that is either provided on or coupled to PCB
860.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 27, PCB 860 includes processing unit 900,
which may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any other
processing device that can be adapted to perform the functionality
described herein, in particular the functionality described in
connection with microprocessor 20 shown in FIG. 2, processing unit
490 shown in FIG. 20, or stand alone sensor device 700 shown in
FIG. 21. A suitable example of processing unit 900 is the
Dragonball EZ sold by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. Also
provided on PCB 860 is accelerometer 905, which may be either a
two-axis or a three-axis accelerometer. A suitable example of a
two-axis accelerometer is the Model ADXL202 accelerometer sold by
Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass., and a suitable example of a
three-axis accelerometer is the model ACH-04-08-05 accelerator sold
by Measurement Specialties Incorporated in Norristown, Pa. The
output signals of accelerometer 905 are passed through buffers 910
and input analog to digital, referred to as A/D, converter 915 that
in turn is coupled to processing unit 900. GSR sensors 825 are
coupled to A/D converter 915 through current loop 920, low pass
filter 925, and amplifier 930. Current loop 920 comprises an opamp
and a plurality of resistors, and applies a small, fixed current
between the two GSR sensors 825 and measures the voltage across
them. The measured voltage is directly proportional to the
resistance of the skin in contact with the electrodes. Similarly,
heat flux thermistors 890A and 890B are coupled to A/D converter
915 and processing unit 900, where the heat flux calculations are
performed, through low pass filter 935 and amplifier 940.
[0146] Battery monitor 945, preferably comprising a voltage divider
with low pass filter to provide average battery voltage, monitors
the remaining power level of rechargeable battery 950. Rechargeable
battery 950 is preferably a LiIon/LiPolymer 3.7 V Cell.
Rechargeable battery 950, which is the main power source for sensor
device 800, is coupled to processing unit 900 through voltage
regulator 955. Rechargeable battery 950 may be recharged either
using recharger 960 or USB cable 965, both of which may be coupled
to sensor device 800 through USB interface 970. Preferably, USB
interface 970 is hermetically sealable, such as with a removable
plastic or rubber plug, to protect the contacts of USB interface
970 when not in use.
[0147] PCB 860 further includes skin temperature thermistor 870 for
sensing the temperature of the skin of the wearer of sensor device
800, and near-body ambient temperature thermistor 880 for sensing
the ambient temperature in the area near the body of the wearer of
sensor device 800. Each of these components is biased and coupled
to processing unit 900 through A/D converter 915.
[0148] According to a specific embodiment of sensor device 800, PCB
860 may include one or both of an ambient light sensor and an
ambient sound sensor, shown at 975 in FIG. 27, coupled to A/D
converter 915. The ambient light sensor and ambient sound sensor
may be adapted to merely sense the presence or absence of ambient
light or sound, the state where a threshold ambient light or sound
level has been exceeded, or a reading reflecting the actual level
of ambient light or sound. A suitable example of an ambient sound
sensor is the WM-60A Condenser Microphone Cartridge sold by
Matsushita Electric Corporation of America located in Secaucus,
N.J., and suitable examples of an ambient light sensor are the
Optek OPR5500 phototransistor and the Optek OPR5910 photodiode sold
by Optek Technology, Inc. located in Carrollton, Tex. In addition,
PCB 860 may include ECG sensor 980, including two or more
electrodes, for measuring the heart rate of the wearer, and
impedance sensor 985, also including a plurality of electrodes, for
measuring the impedance of the skin of the wearer. Impedance sensor
985 may also be an EMG sensor which gives an indication of the
muscular activity of the wearer. The electrodes forming part of ECG
sensor 980 or impedance sensor 985 may be dedicated electrodes for
such sensors, or may be the electrodes from GSR sensors 825
multiplexed for appropriate measurements. ECG sensor 980 and
impedance sensor 985 are each coupled to A/D converter 915.
[0149] PCB 860 further includes RF transceiver 990, coupled to
processing unit 900, and antenna 995 for wirelessly transmitting
and receiving data to and from wireless devices in proximity to
sensor device 800. RF transceiver 990 and antenna 995 may be used
for transmitting and receiving data to and from a device such as a
treadmill being used by a wearer of sensor device 800 or a heart
rate monitor worn by the wearer of sensor device 800, or to upload
and download data to and from a computing device such as a PDA or a
PC. In addition, RF transceiver 990 and antenna 995 may be used to
transmit information to a feedback device such as a bone
conductivity microphone worn by a fireman to let the fireman know
if a condition that may threaten the fireman's safety, such as
hydration level or fatigue level, has been sensed by sensor device
800. As described in detail in connection with FIG. 21, stand along
sensor device 700 may be coupled to computing device 750 to enable
data to be communicated therebetween. Thus, as a further
alternative, RF transceiver 990 and antenna 995 may be used to
couple sensor device 800 to a computing device such as computing
device 750 shown in FIG. 21. Such a configuration would enable
sensor device 800 to transmit data to and receive data from the
computing device 750, for example a computing device worn on the
wrist. The computing device could be used to enable a user to input
data, which may then be stored therein or transmitted to sensor
device 800, and to display data, including data transmitted from
sensor device 800. The configuration would also allow for computing
tasks to be divided between sensor device 800 and computing device
750, referred to herein as shared computing, as described in detail
in connection with FIG. 21.
[0150] As shown in FIG. 27, PCB 860 may include proximity sensor
1000 which is coupled to processing unit 900 for sensing whether
sensor device 800 is being worn on the body. Proximity sensor 1000
may also be used as a way to automatically power on and off sensor
device 800. Proximity sensor preferably comprises a capacitor, the
electrical capacitance of which changes as sensor device 800 gets
closer to the body. PCB 860 may also include sound transducer 1005,
such as a ringer, coupled to processing unit 900 through driver
1010.
[0151] Sensor device 800 may also be provided with sensors in
addition to those shown in FIG. 27, such as those taught by U.S.
Pat. No. 5,853,005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference. The '005 patent teaches a sound transducer coupled to
a pad containing an acoustic transmission material. The pad and
sound transducer may be used to sense acoustic signals generated by
the body which in turn may be converted into signals representative
of physiological parameters such as heart rate or respiration rate.
In addition, rather than being integrated in sensor device 800 as
part of one or more of housing 805, flexible section 810 or strap
811, a sensing apparatus as taught by the '005 patent may be
provided separate from sensor device 800 and be coupled, wired or
wirelessly, to sensor device 800. According to the '005 patent, the
sound or acoustic transducer is preferably a piezoelectric,
electret, or condenser-based hydrophone, similar to those used by
the Navy in sonar applications, but can be any other type of
waterproof pressure and motion sensing type of sensor.
[0152] The sensing apparatus as taught by the '005 patent is an
example of what shall be referred to herein as a non-ECG heart
parameter sensor, meaning that it has the following two qualities:
(1) it does not need to make measurements across the torso using at
least two contacts separated by some distance; and (2) it does not
measure electrical activity of the heart. The sensing apparatus as
taught by the '005 patent has been shown to be capable of detecting
heart rate information and information relating to individual beats
of the heart with high reliability under certain circumstances,
depending primarily on factors including the proximity of the
apparatus to the heart, the level of ambient noise, and motion
related sound artifacts caused by the movement of the body. As a
result, the sensing apparatus as taught by the '005 patent is most
reliable when worn in an ambient environment with a low level of
ambient noise and when the body is not moving.
[0153] Certain characteristics, sensors and sensing capabilities of
sensor device 800 are able to improve the reliability and accuracy
of an acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012 such as
the sensing apparatus as taught by the '005 patent that is
incorporated therein or coupled thereto. For example, in one
specific embodiment, sensor device 800 is particularly suited to be
worn on the upper arm. The upper arm is a good location for a
sensor device 800 having an acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter
sensor 1012 incorporated therein because it is near the heart and
provides a space for sensor device that allows it to be unobtrusive
and comfortable to wear. In addition, ambient sound sensor shown at
975 in FIG. 27 may be used to filter out ambient noise from the
signals detected by the acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter
sensor 1012 in order to isolate the sound signals originating from
the body. Filtering of the signal produced by an acoustic-based
non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012 such as the sensing apparatus
as taught by the '005 patent in this manner may be used both in the
case where such an apparatus is incorporated in sensor device 800
and in the case where it is separated from but coupled to sensor
device 800 as described above. Furthermore, the sound generated
from the motion of the body that is not created by the heart can be
accounted for and adjusted for through the use of a sensor or
sensors that detect or that may be used to identify body sounds
generated as a result of motion of the body, such as accelerometer
905 shown in FIGS. 27 and 29 or the body position or muscle
pressure sensors identified in Table 1. For example, footfalls
create sound within the body that can lower the signal to noise
ratio of an acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012,
which will likely result in false positive and false negative heart
beat identifications. As is well known in the art, accelerometer
905 may function as a footfall indicator. Accelerometer 905 may
thus be used to filter or subtract out from the signal detected by
the acoustic-based non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012 signals
related sound motion artifacts caused by the movement of the body
such as by footfalls.
[0154] Several methodologies for performing the filtering or
subtracting of signals described herein are known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Such filtering or subtracting of signals
used in connection with the monitoring of disparate signals, some
used for noise cancellation and some used for their direct measure,
is also known as data integration.
[0155] Sensor device 800 may also be used to put parameters around
and provide a context for the readings made by a non-ECG heart
parameter sensor 1012 so that inaccurate readings can be identified
and compensated for. For example, sensor device 800 may be used to
detect real time energy expenditure of the wearer as well as the
type of activity in which the wearer is engaging, such as running
or riding a bike. Thus, as another example of how the sensors and
sensing capabilities of sensor device 800 may be used to increase
the reliability and accuracy of a non-ECG heart parameter sensor
1012 through data integration, the energy expenditure and activity
type information can be used to provide a context in which the
heart related parameters detected by the non-ECG heart parameter
sensor 1012 can be assessed and possibly filtered. For example, if
sensor device 800 detects that a person is burning 13 calories per
minute and is biking, and the non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012
is indicating that the wearer's heart rate is 60 beats per minute,
then it is highly likely that further filtration of the signal from
the non-ECG heart parameter sensor 1012 is necessary.
[0156] Other well known non-ECG heart parameter sensing devices
include, for example, those based on micro-power impulse radar
technology, those based on the use of piezo-electric based strain
gauges, and those based on plethysmography, which involves the
measurement of changes in the size of a body part as modified by
the circulation of blood in that part. It will be appreciated that
the performance of these devices may also be enhanced through the
use of data integration as described herein.
[0157] Another sensor that may be incorporated into the sensor
device 800 measures the pressure with which sensor device 800 is
held against the body of the wearer. Such a sensor could be
capacitive or resistive in nature. One such instantiation places a
piezo-resistive strain gauge on the back of the enclosure to
measure the small deflection of the plastic as increasing force is
applied. Data gathered from such a sensor can be used to compensate
the readings of other sensors in sensor device 800 according to the
readings of such as a sensor.
[0158] Also provided on PCB 860 and coupled to processing unit 900
is switch 1015. Switch 1015 is also coupled to button 1020 provided
on housing 805. Button 1020, by activating switch 1015, may be used
to enter information into sensor device 800, such as a time stamp
to mark the occurrence of an event such taking medication.
Preferably, button 1020 has a tactile, positive d-tent feedback
when depressed, and a concave shape to prevent accidental
depression. Also, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22-26, flexible
section 810 includes membrane 1022 that covers and seals button
1020. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 30-32, a similar membrane
1022 may be provided on flexible section 810, and, preferably, also
on housing 805 such that button 1020 is sealed when housing 805 is
removed from flexible section 810. Alternatively, a hole may be
provided in flexible section 810 exposing button 1020 and membrane
1022 when housing 805 is attached to flexible section 810. In
addition, coupled to processing unit 900 on PCB 860 are LCDs and/or
LEDs 1025 for outputting information to the wearer. FIG. 28 shows
an alternate embodiment of sensor device 800 in which LCD 1025 is
provided on a top face of housing 805. As an alternative to LCDs or
LEDs 1025, sensor device 800 may include a prior art
electrochemical display that retains its ability to display
information even when power is no longer being provided thereto.
Such a display is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,287 B1, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and
includes a plurality of markers comprising a miniature heating
element and a coating of heat sensitive material. When current is
passed through one of the heating elements, it heats up, thereby
inducing a change in the color of the coating material. The color
change is permanent, even after the heating element cools down.
Such displays are relatively inexpensive and thus are well adapted
for use in embodiments of sensor device 800 that are designed to be
disposable, possibly single use, items.
[0159] Oscillator 1030 is provided on PCB 860 and supplies the
system clock to processing unit 900. Reset circuit 1035 is coupled
to processing unit 900 and enables processing unit to be reset to a
standard initial setting.
[0160] Finally, non-volatile data storage device 1040, such as a
FLASH memory chip, is provided for storing information collected
and/or generated by sensor device 800. Preferably, data storage
device 1040 includes at least 128K of memory. Non-volatile program
storage device 1045, such as a FLASH ROM chip, is provided for
storing the programs required to operate sensor device 800.
[0161] As an alternative, a microprocessor with integral A/D
converters, data storage, and program storage may be substituted
for processing unit 900, A/D converter 915, data storage device
1040 and non-volatile memory 1045. A suitable example of such a
microprocessor is the Texas Instruments Model MSP430 processor.
[0162] Any component forming a part of sensor device 800 that comes
in contact with the wearer's skin should not, in a preferred
embodiment, degrade in durometer, elasticity, color or other
physical or chemical properties when exposed to skin oils,
perspiration, deodorant, suntan oils or lotions, skin moisturizers,
perfume or isopropyl alcohol. In addition, such components
preferably are hypoallergenic.
[0163] FIG. 29 shows an alternate embodiment of PCB 860 in which
rechargeable battery 950, voltage regulator 955, recharger 960 and
USB cable 965 have been replaced by disposable AAA battery 1050 and
boost converter 1055. Boost converter 1055 uses an inductor to
boost the voltage of AAA battery 1050 to the 3.0-3.3 V required to
run the electronics on PCB 860. A suitable boost converter 1055 is
the model MAX 1724 sold by Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. of
Sunnydale, Calif.
[0164] Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, an alternate embodiment of
sensor device 800 is shown in which housing 805 is removably
attached to flexible section 810. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31,
housing 805 is provided with groove 1060 along the outer edge
thereof which is adapted to receive therein tongue 1065 provided on
the bottom side of flexible section 810 for securely but removably
attaching housing 805 to flexible section 810. Through the
interaction of groove 1060 and tongue 1065, housing 805 may thus be
readily popped in and out of flexible section 810. Such a
configuration enables housing 805 to be readily attached to
multiple flexible sections having sizes and shapes that are
different than flexible section 810 as long as the flexible section
includes a tongue similar to tongue 1065. Such alternate flexible
sections may be sized and shaped to fit on particular parts of the
body, such as the calf or thigh, and may comprise a garment such as
a shirt having the tongue or tongues located in places of interest,
such as the upper arm or upper left chest, the latter enabling
housing 805 to be positioned over the heart of the wearer, as shown
in FIGS. 40A and 40B. U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,711, owned by the
assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by
reference, identifies several locations on the body that are
particularly well adapted to receive particularly sized and shaped
sensor devices so as to avoid interference with the motion and
flexibility of the body. As will be appreciated by those of skill
in the art, groove 1060 and tongue 1065 may be swapped such that
groove 1060 is provided in flexible section 810 and tongue 1065 is
provided on housing 805. As will also be appreciated by those of
skill in the art, multiple alternative structures exist for
securely but removably attaching housing 805 to flexible section
810. These alternative structures include, without limitation,
temporary adhesives, screws, a tight fit between having 805 and
flexible section 810 that holds the two together by friction,
magnets provided in each of housing 805 and flexible section 810,
well-known snaps and snapping mechanisms, a threaded portion
provided on housing 805 adapted to be received by threads in
flexible section 810, an O-ring or similar elastic band adapted to
fit around a portion of flexible section 810 and into a groove
provided in housing 805 when flexible section 810 is placed over
housing 805, or merely pressure when housing 805 is placed on the
body and flexible section 810 is placed thereover and attached to
the body such as by strap 811. Referring to FIG. 32, a still
further alternative structure for removably securing flexible
section 810 to housing 805 is shown in which flexible section 810
comprises and elastic or similar band that is adapted to fit into a
groove 1062 provided in housing 805. Housing 805 and flexible
section 810 may then be placed on the body and held in place by
strap 811 or the like inserted through gaps 1064 between housing
805 and flexible section 810.
[0165] FIG. 33 shows an alternate embodiment of sensor device 800
as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 that is adapted to automatically adjust
or alter the operating parameters of sensor device 800, such as its
functionality, settings or capabilities, depending on the
particular flexible section to which housing 805 is attached. For
example, the calculation of a parameter, such as energy
expenditure, may depend on information that is particular each
individual, such as age, height, weight, and sex. Rather than
having each individual enter that information in sensor device 800
each time he or she wants to wear the device, each individual that
is going to wear the device could enter the information once and
have their own flexible section that causes sensor device to make
measurements based on his or her particular information.
Alternatively, the memory in sensor device 800 for storage of user
data may be divided into several compartments, one for each user,
so as to avoid co-mingling of user data. Sensor device 800 may be
adapted to alter where collected data is stored depending on the
particular flexible section that is being used. In addition, sensor
device 800 may be calibrated and recalibrated differently over time
depending on the particular flexible section to which housing 805
is attached as it learns about each particular wearer and his or
her habits, demographics and/or activities.
[0166] According to a particular embodiment, housing 805 is
provided with first magnetic switch 1070 and second magnetic switch
1075, each on PCB 860. Provided on or inside flexible section 810,
such as by an insert molding technique, is magnet 1080. Magnet 1080
is positioned on or inside flexible section 810 such that it aligns
with and thereby activates one of first magnetic switch 1080 and
second magnetic switch 1075 when housing 805 is attached to
flexible section 810. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33, second
magnetic switch 1075 will be activated. A second flexible section
810 similar to flexible section 810 shown in FIG. 33 will also be
provided, the difference being that the magnet 1080 provided
therewith will be positioned such that first magnetic switch 1070
is activated when housing 805, the same housing 805 shown in FIG.
33, is attached to the second flexible section 810. Housing 805,
and in particular processing unit 900, may be programmed to alter
its functionality, settings or capabilities depending on which one
of first magnetic switch 1070 and second magnetic switch 1075 is
activated, i.e., which particular flexible section 810 is being
used. Thus, a husband and wife may share a single housing 805 but
have different flexible wings 810 with magnets 1080 located in
different places. In such a case, housing 805 may be programmed to
operate with functionality, settings or capabilities particular to
the husband when first magnetic switch 1070 is activated, and with
functionality, settings or capabilities particular to the wife when
second magnetic switch 1075 is activated. Although only two
magnetic switches are shown in FIG. 33, it will be appreciated that
multiple magnetic switches and multiple flexible sections may be
used to allow sensor device 800 to be programmed for multiple
wearers, such as an entire family, with each family member having
his or her own flexible section. As still a further alternative,
multiple flexible sections may be provided that are adapted to be
worn on different parts of the body, each having a magnet placed in
a different location. Housing 805 may then be programmed to have
functionality, settings or capabilities particular to the type of
sensing to be done on each different part of the body, with
magnetic switches placed so as to be activated when housing 805 is
attached to the appropriate flexible section. Sensor device 800
according to this embodiment is thus a "smart" device. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, many alternatives to first
and second magnetic switches 1070 and 1075 and magnet 1080 may be
used to provide the functionality described in connection with FIG.
33. Such alternatives include, without limitation, mechanical
switches provided in housing 805 that are activated by a protruding
portion, such as a pin, provided at a particular location on
flexible section 810, optical switches comprising an array of light
sensors provided in housing 805 that are activated when the
surrounding light is blocked, reflected or filtered in a particular
way with one or more translucent sections and a single opaque,
reflective or filtering section being selectively provided on
flexible section 810 at particular locations, the translucent
sections not activating the corresponding optical switches and the
opaque, reflective or filtering section activating the
corresponding optical switch, electronic switches provided in
housing 805 activated by a conductor provided in particular
locations in flexible section 810. As still a further alternative,
housing 805 may be provided with multiple switches and each
flexible section 810 may be provided with one or more switch
activators positioned to activate certain selected switches. The
operating parameters of housing 805 would in this embodiment be
adapted to change depending upon the particular set of one or more
switches that are activated. This embodiment thus employs an
encoding scheme to alter the operating parameters of housing 805
depending on which flexible section 810 is used. As still a further
alternative, housing 805 may be provided with a single switch
adapted to alter the operating parameters of housing 805 depending
upon the way in which or state in which it is activated, such as by
the properties of the switch activators. For example, the switch
may be a magnetic switch that is activated a plurality of different
ways depending upon the magnetic level or strength of the magnet
provided in each flexible section 810. A plurality of flexible
sections 810 could then be provided, each having a magnet of a
different strength. In addition, any particular flexible section
810 may be provided with a plurality of magnets having different
strengths with each magnet being able to activate the switch in
housing 805 in a different manner. Such a flexible section 810
would be able to selectively trigger different operating parameters
of housing 805, such as by rotating a portion of flexible wing 805
to align a particular magnet with the switch. As an alternative,
the switch could be an electrical switch and the switch activators
could be conductors having different resistances. The switch would,
in this embodiment, be activated in different ways depending on the
measured resistance of the switch activator that closes the
circuit.
[0167] Referring to FIG. 34, as still a further embodiment of
sensor device 800, housing 805 may be provided with adhesive
material 1085 on a back side thereof to enable housing 805 to be
removably attached to selected portions of the body, such as the
upper left chest over the heart, without flexible section 810.
Adhesive material 1085 may be any well-known adhesive that would
securely attach housing 805 to the body and enable it to be worn
for a period of time, but that would also readily enable housing
805 to be removed from the body after use. Adhesive material 1085
may comprise, for example, a double sided adhesive foam backing
that would allow for comfortable attachment of housing 805 to the
body. Furthermore, housing 805 may be made of a well-known flexible
plastic film or the like, such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No.
6,368,287 B 1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference, that would, due to low cost, enable sensor device 800 to
be disposable. Such a disposable sensor device may also include an
electrochemical display described above to enhance its
disposability. In an embodiment adapted for placement over the
upper left chest or any other appropriate region for detecting
heart related parameters, sensor device 800 would include one or
more sensors described herein for sensing heart related parameters
such as heart rate, beat-to-beat or interbeat variability, ECG or
EKG, pulse oximetry, heart sounds, such as detected with a
microphone, and mechanical action of the heart, such as detected
with ultrasound or micro-pulse radar devices.
[0168] FIGS. 35A-H and 36A-H illustrate aspects of the present
invention relating to the ergonomic design of sensor device 800.
Referring to FIGS. 35A and 35B, a housing 1100 of a prior art
sensor device having a rectangular cross-section is shown resting
on the body 1110 of a wearer of the prior art sensor device. As
seen in FIG. 35B, when body 1110 flexes and forms a concavity, as
may happen many times each minute on various parts of the body or
for extended periods of time depending on the position of various
body parties during particular activities, a significant portion of
housing 1100 is caused to be removed from body 1110. When housing
1100 is caused to be removed in this manner, the ability of the
prior art sensor device to accurately make measurements and collect
data will be jeopardized, especially for any readings to be taken
near the center of the cross-section indicated by the arrows in
FIG. 35B.
[0169] FIGS. 35C-H illustrate a cross-section of housing 805 of
sensor device 800 taken along lines C-C shown in FIG. 23 according
to various aspects of the present invention. The cross-section
shown in FIGS. 35C-H is taken near the middle portion of housing
805 shown in FIG. 23 between GSR sensors 825. As seen in FIG. 35C,
bottom surface 1115 of housing 805 is provided with a generally
convex shape such that, when body 1110 flexes and forms a
concavity, a substantial portion of bottom surface 1115 of housing
805 remains in contact with body 1110 by fitting into the
concavity. As seen in FIG. 35D, when body 1110 flexes in the
opposite direction so as to create a convexity, the center portion
of housing 805, indicated by the arrow in FIG. 35D, remains in
contact with body 1110. As shown in FIG. 35E, this is true even if
housing 805 were to rock within the concavity formed in body 1110.
Referring to FIG. 35F, body 1110 may, at times, flex to an extreme
degree, i.e., more than the anticipated maximum that it was
designed for, such that, even if bottom surface 1115 is provided
with a convex shape, it may still cause bottom surface 1115 to be
removed from body 1110. A solution to this problem is illustrated
in FIG. 35G, wherein the lateral ends 1120A and 1120B of housing
805 are provided with radiused portions 1125A and 1125B,
respectively adjacent to and including opposite lateral ends of
bottom surface 1115. Radiused portions 1125A and 1125B enable
housing 805 to sit lower and fit into the concavity created when
body 1110 flexes to an extreme degree. In addition, radiused
portions 1125A and 1125B provide for more comfortable wear as they
eliminate sharp edges 1130A and 1130B shown in FIG. 35F that
contact body 1110. FIG. 35H shows how body 1110 will tend to
conform to the shape of housing 805 due at least in part to the
viscosity of the skin when body 1110 is in a relaxed condition.
[0170] FIG. 36A shows a cross-section of housing 1100 of prior art
sensor device taken along a line perpendicular to the line on which
the cross-section shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B was taken. As seen in
FIG. 36A, when housing 1100 is placed on a convex portion of body
1110, significant portions of housing 1100, specifically the
lateral ends thereof indicated by the arrows in FIG. 36A, are not
in contact body 1110. FIGS. 36B-H show a cross-section of housing
805 according to various aspects of the present invention taken
along lines D-D shown in FIG. 23. As seen in FIG. 36B, bottom
surface 1115 of housing 805 is provided with a generally concave
shape adapted to receive the convex portion of body 1110. Referring
to FIG. 36C, lateral ends 1130A and 1130B may be provided with
radiused portions 1135A and 1135B adjacent to and including
opposite lateral ends of bottom surface 1115, which allow housing
805 to rest in closer contact with body 1110, even when body 1110
flexes to an extreme degree, i.e., more than the anticipated
maximum that it was designed for, and remove sharp edges 1140A and
1140B shown in FIG. 36B, providing for more comfortable wear. As
shown in FIG. 36D, body 1110 will tend to conform to the shape of
housing 805 when body 1110 is in a relaxed condition. As shown in
FIGS. 36E and 36F, good contact with body 1110 is maintained at the
points illustrated by the arrows when body 1110 is flexed in a
manner that decreases the convex shape thereof or that creates a
convexity therein. Thus, it will be appreciated that it is
advantageous to place sensors or sensing elements at the points
indicated by the arrows because those points will tend to remain in
contact with body 1110. FIGS. 36G and 36H, showing, for example,
heat flux skin interface component 835 and skin temperature skin
interface component 840 placed at the points indicated by the
arrows, illustrate this point. As seen in FIGS. 36G and 36H, there
is more than point contact between body 1110 and skin temperature
skin interface component 840.
[0171] FIG. 37 is an isometric view of housing 805 according to an
embodiment of the present invention in which bottom surface 1115
has both the generally convex shape shown in FIGS. 35C-H and the
generally concave shape shown in FIGS. 36B-H. Specifically, bottom
surface 1115, which is the inner surface of housing 805 for
mounting adjacent to the body of the wearer, includes a
longitudinal axis 1141 and a transverse axis 1142. Bottom surface
115 has a generally concave shape having an axis of concavity 1143
that is coincident with longitudinal axis 1141, meaning that it
runs in a first direction from first lateral end 1144 of inner
surface 1115 to second lateral end 1145 of inner surface 1115.
Bottom surface 1115 has a generally convex shape having an axis of
convexity 1146 that is coincident with transverse axis 1142,
meaning that it runs in a second direction from third lateral end
1147 of inner surface 1115 to fourth lateral end 1148 of inner
surface 1115. As seen if FIG. 37, the first and second directions,
and longitudinal axis 1141 and transverse axis 1142, are generally
perpendicular to one another.
[0172] Referring to FIGS. 38A-D, it will be appreciated that
housing 805 having a flat top surface 1150 and flat lateral ends
1130A and 1130B may tend to be jostled and bumped by object 1155,
such as a wall or door or the corner or edge of a drawer, cabinet
or desk, thereby moving housing 805 on body 1110 because such flat
surfaces are not well adapted to deflect object 1155. Movement of
housing 805 on body 1110 will detrimentally effect the ability of
sensor device 800 to accurately make measurements and collect data.
FIGS. 39A-G illustrate various aspects of the present invention
that are adapted to deflect object 1155 and substantially prevent
movement of housing 805 on body 1110. In addition, the forms shown
in FIGS. 39A-G increase the durability of sensor device 800 and
make it easier to put on and wear clothing and the like, such as a
wetsuit, over sensor device 800. As seen in FIG. 39A, housing 805
may have tapered sides 1160A and 1160B such that the width of
housing 805 decreases in the direction from bottom surface 1115 to
top surface 1150. Alternatively, referring to FIG. 39B, top surface
1150 of housing 805 may have a convex shape. As a further
alternative, as seen in FIG. 39C, housing 805 may be provided with
radiused portions 1165A and 1165B that meet with radiused portions
1135A and 1135B such that the lateral ends of housing 805 have a
substantially semicircular shape. As shown in FIG. 39D, housing 805
may have both tapered sides 1160A and 1160B and a top surface 1150
with a convex shape. FIG. 39E is a modification of housing 805
shown in FIG. 39E in which the points 1170A and 1170B where
radiused portions 1135A and 1135B meet tapered sides 1160A and
1160B, respectively, are themselves radiused. FIG. 39F is a
variation of housing 805 shown in FIG. 39E having elongated tapered
sides 1160A and 1160B. FIG. 39G shows how the ability of housing
805, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 39E, to deflect object
1155 may be enhanced by the addition of flexible section 810 having
a substantially convex outer surface. In addition, an air channel
is provided between flexible section 810 and body 1110 to allow for
heat to flow away from body 1110.
[0173] The terms and expressions which have been employed herein
are used as terms of description and not as limitation, and there
is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of
excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or
portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications
are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Although
particular embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be
further understood that the present invention is not to be limited
to just the embodiments disclosed, but that they are capable of
numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions.
* * * * *