ABSTRACT
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention relate to analysis of physiological data sequences and activity data recorded while a user participates in various activities. Some aspects relate to alert or messaging system and methods whereby messages are automatically generated when a condition in the physiological or activity data is satisfied. Messages may be automatically formatted with physiological and/or activity data as well as other fields and content. Each message condition may be related to a unique recipient list and message content template.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/161,557 which was filed on May 14, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for non-invasively tracking physiological characteristics of a user with wearable sensors and transceivers. Some embodiments comprise systems and methods for alerting a user, health professional, medication supplier, trainer, doctor or other entity when specified health characteristic parameters are met.
2. Background and Related Art
Currently, methods and apparatus exist for monitoring an individual's physiological characteristics. However, these methods and apparatus are typically employed in a doctor's office or laboratory environment where they are applied to an individual for a brief period of time and involve the use of bulky, non-portable, dedicated equipment. These methods can also typically require a user to perform a specific activity on a specific piece of equipment for a specific period of time thereby leaving a user with no alternatives. These current methods pose significant challenges to users with physical challenges.
Current methods and apparatus for testing during sleep can also require a patient to visit an unfamiliar laboratory environment for testing. The unfamiliar environment can introduce anomalies into the testing process that make test results more difficult to interpret.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus are provided for recording physiological data sequences while a user participates in various activities, sleep and transitions between sleep and activity. In some embodiments, multiple wearable components or devices may be worn by a user to monitor movement of multiple physical extremities, movement of a user's body and physiological characteristics of a user during an activity or during inactivity. In some embodiments, a user's extremity movement may be correlated with physiological characteristics to determine a performance level during an activity. In some embodiments, physiological characteristics may be compared to a norm based on recorded characteristics of the user in the past or based on recorded data of others.
Record sequences may be recorded and maintained for a period of time including many cycles of activity. The physiological activity data sequences may then be analyzed to identify trends that lead up to specific events that have occurred. The physiological data may also be compared to known trends to alert a user to trends that may lead to adverse events. Some embodiments comprise physiological sequence records that document multiple sleep and activity cycles over an extended period of time.
In some embodiments, parties may be automatically alerted when physiological characteristic conditions occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary general-purpose computer system;
FIG. 2 shows a representative networked system configuration related to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary wearable component of the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows the communication connections of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows exemplary data communicated between components of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary process of the present invention wherein data is recorded for a fixed period of time before analysis occurs;
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary process of the present invention wherein data is recorded until a predetermined event occurs;
FIG. 8 shows an exemplary sequence record of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a chart depicting a method comprising correlation of physiological data and activity performance data;
FIG. 10 shows a chart depicting a method comprising a comparison of present performance with past performance;
FIG. 11 shows a chart depicting a method comprising user notification when performance deviations occur;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary messaging system with message recipients;
FIG. 13 is a chart showing an exemplary message compilation and sending method; and
FIG. 14 is diagram showing an exemplary message template with fields.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.
FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the invention may be practiced by one or more computing devices and in a variety of system configurations, including in a networked configuration. However, while the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be useful in association with a system comprising a general purpose computer, embodiments of the present invention include utilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systems with general purpose processing units, digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand alone electronic devices, and other such electronic environments.
Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or more computer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. The computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing various different functions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing system to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable media include random-access memory (âRAMâ), read-only memory (âROMâ), programmable read-only memory (âPROMâ), erasable programmable read-only memory (âEPROMâ), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (âEEPROMâ), compact disk read-only memory (âCD-ROMâ), or any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable instructions that may be accessed by a processing system. While embodiments of the invention embrace the use of all types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited in the claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, and the phrases âtangible computer-readable mediumâ and ânon-transitory computer-readable mediumâ (or plural variations) used herein are intended to exclude transitory propagating signals per se.
With reference to FIG. 1 , a representative system for implementing embodiments of the invention includes computer device 10 , which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computer device 10 may be a personal computer, a notebook or laptop computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (âPDAâ) or other hand-held device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, a computer device integrated into another device or vehicle, or the like.
Computer device 10 includes system bus 12 , which may be configured to connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus 12 may include one of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus 12 include processing system 14 and memory 16 . Other components may include one or more mass storage device interfaces 18 , input interfaces 20 , output interfaces 22 , and/or network interfaces 24 , each of which will be discussed below.
Processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system 14 that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media, such as on memory 16 , a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium.
Memory 16 includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 14 through system bus 12 . Memory 16 may include, for example, ROM 28 , used to permanently store information, and/or RAM 30 , used to temporarily store information. ROM 28 may include a basic input/output system (âBIOSâ) having one or more routines that are used to establish communication, such as during start-up of computer device 10 . RAM 30 may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and/or program data.
One or more mass storage device interfaces 18 may be used to connect one or more <figure-callout id="26" label="mass storage devices" filenames="US20160361032A1-20161215-D00000.png,US20160361032A1-20161215-D00001.png" state="{{sta
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/161,557 which was filed on May 14, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for non-invasively tracking physiological characteristics of a user with wearable sensors and transceivers. Some embodiments comprise systems and methods for alerting a user, health professional, medication supplier, trainer, doctor or other entity when specified health characteristic parameters are met.
2. Background and Related Art
Currently, methods and apparatus exist for monitoring an individual's physiological characteristics. However, these methods and apparatus are typically employed in a doctor's office or laboratory environment where they are applied to an individual for a brief period of time and involve the use of bulky, non-portable, dedicated equipment. These methods can also typically require a user to perform a specific activity on a specific piece of equipment for a specific period of time thereby leaving a user with no alternatives. These current methods pose significant challenges to users with physical challenges.
Current methods and apparatus for testing during sleep can also require a patient to visit an unfamiliar laboratory environment for testing. The unfamiliar environment can introduce anomalies into the testing process that make test results more difficult to interpret.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus are provided for recording physiological data sequences while a user participates in various activities, sleep and transitions between sleep and activity. In some embodiments, multiple wearable components or devices may be worn by a user to monitor movement of multiple physical extremities, movement of a user's body and physiological characteristics of a user during an activity or during inactivity. In some embodiments, a user's extremity movement may be correlated with physiological characteristics to determine a performance level during an activity. In some embodiments, physiological characteristics may be compared to a norm based on recorded characteristics of the user in the past or based on recorded data of others.
Record sequences may be recorded and maintained for a period of time including many cycles of activity. The physiological activity data sequences may then be analyzed to identify trends that lead up to specific events that have occurred. The physiological data may also be compared to known trends to alert a user to trends that may lead to adverse events. Some embodiments comprise physiological sequence records that document multiple sleep and activity cycles over an extended period of time.
In some embodiments, parties may be automatically alerted when physiological characteristic conditions occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary general-purpose computer system;
FIG. 2 shows a representative networked system configuration related to embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary wearable component of the present invention;
FIG. 4 shows the communication connections of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 shows exemplary data communicated between components of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary process of the present invention wherein data is recorded for a fixed period of time before analysis occurs;
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary process of the present invention wherein data is recorded until a predetermined event occurs;
FIG. 8 shows an exemplary sequence record of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 shows a chart depicting a method comprising correlation of physiological data and activity performance data;
FIG. 10 shows a chart depicting a method comprising a comparison of present performance with past performance;
FIG. 11 shows a chart depicting a method comprising user notification when performance deviations occur;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary messaging system with message recipients;
FIG. 13 is a chart showing an exemplary message compilation and sending method; and
FIG. 14 is diagram showing an exemplary message template with fields.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.
FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide a general description of a suitable operating environment in which embodiments of the invention may be implemented. One skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the invention may be practiced by one or more computing devices and in a variety of system configurations, including in a networked configuration. However, while the methods and processes of the present invention have proven to be useful in association with a system comprising a general purpose computer, embodiments of the present invention include utilization of the methods and processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systems with general purpose processing units, digital/media signal processors (DSP/MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand alone electronic devices, and other such electronic environments.
Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or more computer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured to include or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions for manipulating data. The computer executable instructions include data structures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules that may be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with a general-purpose computer capable of performing various different functions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable of performing a limited number of functions. Computer executable instructions cause the processing system to perform a particular function or group of functions and are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executable instructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examples of computer-readable media include random-access memory (âRAMâ), read-only memory (âROMâ), programmable read-only memory (âPROMâ), erasable programmable read-only memory (âEPROMâ), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (âEEPROMâ), compact disk read-only memory (âCD-ROMâ), or any other device or component that is capable of providing data or executable instructions that may be accessed by a processing system. While embodiments of the invention embrace the use of all types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited in the claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, and the phrases âtangible computer-readable mediumâ and ânon-transitory computer-readable mediumâ (or plural variations) used herein are intended to exclude transitory propagating signals per se.
With reference to FIG. 1 , a representative system for implementing embodiments of the invention includes computer device 10 , which may be a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a variety of consumer electronic devices. For example, computer device 10 may be a personal computer, a notebook or laptop computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (âPDAâ) or other hand-held device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a workstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, a multi-processor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumer electronic device, a computer device integrated into another device or vehicle, or the like.
Computer device 10 includes system bus 12 , which may be configured to connect various components thereof and enables data to be exchanged between two or more components. System bus 12 may include one of a variety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of bus architectures. Typical components connected by system bus 12 include processing system 14 and memory 16 . Other components may include one or more mass storage device interfaces 18 , input interfaces 20 , output interfaces 22 , and/or network interfaces 24 , each of which will be discussed below.
Processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a central processor and optionally one or more other processors designed to perform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system 14 that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media, such as on memory 16 , a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as a computer-readable medium.
Memory 16 includes one or more computer-readable media that may be configured to include or includes thereon data or instructions for manipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 14 through system bus 12 . Memory 16 may include, for example, ROM 28 , used to permanently store information, and/or RAM 30 , used to temporarily store information. ROM 28 may include a basic input/output system (âBIOSâ) having one or more routines that are used to establish communication, such as during start-up of computer device 10 . RAM 30 may include one or more program modules, such as one or more operating systems, application programs, and/or program data.
One or more mass storage device interfaces 18 may be used to connect one or more mass storage devices 26 to system bus 12 . The mass storage devices 26 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to computer device 10 and allow computer device 10 to retain large amounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 26 may be removable from computer device 10 . Examples of mass storage devices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives and optical disk drives. A mass storage device 26 may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer-readable medium. Mass storage devices 26 and their corresponding computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one or more program modules such as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, or program data. Such executable instructions are examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods disclosed herein.
One or more input interfaces 20 may be employed to enable a user to enter data and/or instructions to computer device 10 through one or more corresponding input devices 32 . Examples of such input devices include a keyboard, touchpad, dedicated buttons, mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, a digital camera, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 20 that may be used to connect the input devices 32 to the system bus 12 include a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (âUSBâ), an integrated circuit, a firewire (IEEE 1394), or another interface. For example, in some embodiments input interface 20 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed for a particular application. In a further embodiment, the ASIC is embedded and connects existing circuit building blocks.
One or more output interfaces 22 may be employed to connect one or more corresponding output devices 34 to system bus 12 . Examples of output devices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a printer, a multi-functional peripheral, and the like. A particular output device 34 may be integrated with or peripheral to computer device 10 . Examples of output interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, and the like.
One or more network interfaces 24 enable computer device 10 to exchange information with one or more other local or remote computer devices, illustrated as computer devices 36 , via a network 38 that may include hardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces include a network adapter for connection to a local area network (âLANâ) or a modem, wireless link, or other adapter for connection to a wide area network (âWANâ), such as the Internet. The network interface 24 may be incorporated with or peripheral to computer device 10 . In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked system computer device 10 may participate in a distributed computing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by a plurality of networked computer devices.
Thus, while those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in a variety of different environments with many types of system configurations, FIG. 2 provides a representative networked system configuration that may be used in association with embodiments of the present invention. The representative system of FIG. 2 includes a computer device, illustrated as client 40 , which is connected to one or more other computer devices (illustrated as client 42 and client 44 ) and one or more peripheral devices (illustrated as multifunctional peripheral (MFP) MFP 46 ) across network 38 . While FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment that includes a client 40 , two additional clients, client 42 and client 44 , one peripheral device, MFP 46 , and optionally a server 48 , connected to network 38 , alternative embodiments include more or fewer clients, more than one peripheral device, no peripheral devices, no server 48 , and/or more than one server 48 connected to network 38 . Other embodiments of the present invention include local, networked, or peer-to-peer environments where one or more computer devices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheral devices. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with the present invention also embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless networked environments, and/or wide area networked environments, such as the Internet.
Similarly, embodiments of the invention embrace cloud-based architectures where one or more computer functions are performed by remote computer systems and devices at the request of a local computer device. Thus, returning to FIG. 2 , the client 40 may be a computer device having a limited set of hardware and/or software resources. Because the client 40 is connected to the network 38 , it may be able to access hardware and/or software resources provided across the network 38 by other computer devices and resources, such as client 42 , client 44 , server 48 , or any other resources. The client 40 may access these resources through an access program, such as a web browser, and the results of any computer functions or resources may be delivered through the access program to the user of the client 40 . In such configurations, the client 40 may be any type of computer device or electronic device discussed above or known to the world of cloud computing, including traditional desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and other smart devices, tablet computers, or any other device able to provide access to remote computing resources through an access program such as a browser.
To minimize the need to download and/or install programs on users' computing devices, embodiments of the invention utilize existing web browser technology. Many browser programs currently exist or are under development, and it would be impossible to name all such browser programs, but examples of such programs include Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Opera Software's Opera browser, as well as myriad browsers specifically configured for specific devices, such as Internet-connected smart phones and the like. The exact display of each browser can vary from browser to browser and most are moderately to highly configurable so as to vary the exact display,
Many currently-available browser programs permit the installation of additional features, such as through what are commonly known as âbrowser extensions.â Browser extensions are becoming more and more common in today's browser programs, and have become one of if not the standard for extending the functionality of the browser programs. For browsers that do not currently support browser extensions, other mechanisms and installed programs are often available to provide similar functionality.
Embodiments of the invention may utilize a browser extension or similar format to provide functions in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The use and installation of a browser extension is typically significantly less involved and less computer-intensive than the use and installation of a stand-alone program. In many instances, the installation of the browser extension occurs essentially without the computer's operating system being made aware of any additional installation. Instead, the browser program itself handles the browser extension and any demands made by the browser extension.
Embodiments of the present invention may comprise sensors and/or emitters for measuring physical and physiological characteristics of users and other parameters. Some embodiments may comprise accelerometers for measuring the proper acceleration of parts of a user's body or equipment used by the user. In some embodiments, multiple accelerometers may be aligned to measure acceleration along the axes of a 2- or 3-dimensional orthogonal grid, thereby allowing measurement of motion and acceleration in multiple dimensions. In some embodiments, accelerometers may be placed at multiple locations on a user's body to determine the relative motion of those body parts.
Acceleration data obtained from these sensors can be used to estimate or predict an activity being performed by the user. In some embodiments, an action measured by accelerometers positioned on a human body can be correlated with a record of known motions to determine what activity is being performed. Some embodiments may utilize methods and systems identified in United States Patent Application Number 20130282324, Matching System for Correlating Accelerometer Data to Known Movements, by Abraham Carter et al. is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
These accelerometers may be contained within a wearable device. A wearable device may comprise an article of clothing, a piece of jewelry, a hat, shoes, or a device that can be attached to something on the human body, such as a shoe clip, hair clip, wristband, etc. Exemplary wearable devices comprise, headbands, hats, necklaces, shirts, arm bands, wrist bands, vests, belts, pants, gloves, socks, shoes, watches and other devices.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise a heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor may comprise sensors for measuring heart activity. In some embodiments, the electrical activity of the heart is sensed by sensors in the heart rate monitor to measure heart beats. This heart beat data may be measured at the sensor and sent wirelessly to a receiver on another device. Heart rate monitors of embodiments of the present invention may be contained within a wearable device similarly to the accelerometer sensors described above.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise a photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor, which measures blood volume changes in microvascular tissue. A PPG sensor or pulse oximeter may comprise light emitters, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) that may emit light in multiple frequencies (typically, red and infrared) and measure the difference in the intensity of light received on the other side of the vascular tissue. During a cardiac cycle the blood pressure increases and decreases with the pumping of the heart, these pressure changes expand and contract the arteries causing volumetric changes in the vascular tissue and corresponding changes in tissue volume and absorbed light. The difference in light transmitted through the tissue during a cardiac cycle determines the heart beat profile or PPG profile. Some wearable devices of the present invention may comprise a PPG sensor otherwise known as a pulse oximeter or photoplethysmograph.
The PPG signal may also be used to measure or estimate other physiological parameters. In some embodiments, respiration rate, respiration volume, intrapleural pressure, sinus arrhythmia and other parameters can be calculated from PPG measurements. In some embodiments, the depth of anesthesia and hypo- or hyper-volemic conditions can be measured based on the PPG signal.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise a blood glucose sensor for determining the blood glucose level of a user. This sensor may comprise a light-based sensor, similar to the PPG sensor, but measuring blood sugar level, using a light emitter and sensor. Some embodiments may comprise sensors using ultrasound, electromagnetic and thermal sensors to determine blood sugar levels.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise sensors that measure a galvanic skin response (GSR) or electrodermal activity. GSR sensors may measure a galvanic skin resistance as an electrical resistance between two electrodes on the surface of the skin and may measure a galvanic skin potential as a voltage between two electrodes on the surface of the skin without any externally applied current. A GSR value may comprise a combination of a skin resistance value and a skin potential value.
In some embodiments GSR values may be obtained at or between specific meridian points on the human body. These meridian points are locations on the surface of the skin that correspond to locations on specific energy or healing pathways.
Some embodiments of the present invention may comprise one or more sensors for measuring a hydration level of a user. These sensors may function similarly to the PPG sensor and/or the GSR sensor with circuitry or logic for correlating the basic signal to a hydration level to indicate the level of hydration of a user.
A wearable component of some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to FIG. 3 . Wearable component 50 may comprise a wristband, anklet, finger ring, toe ring, belt, necklace, chest strap, arm band, garter, shirt, pants, underwear, bra, headband, shoe clip, wrap, strap, band, adhesive strip, bandage or other clothing or device worn or affixed on a part of the human body. Exemplary embodiments of wearable component 50 may be designed to be comfortable with a minimal form factor such that they do not impede motion, rest or other user activity. Some embodiments may be virtually unnoticeable and can be worn over multiple 24 hour periods with no discomfort or activity inhibition.
Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may comprise an adjustable closure 54 for fitting and securing the wearable component 50 to a part of the human body, such as a wrist or ankle. Wearable component 50 may further comprise circuitry 58 , 60 , which may comprise a microprocessor, memory, motion sensors, other sensors, emitters, antennas, power sources and other circuitry. In an exemplary embodiment, wearable component 50 may comprise motion sensors for detecting motion of wearable component 50 in one or more dimensions.
Some embodiments may also comprise a blood oximeter for detecting blood oxygen levels of a wearer. Some embodiments may comprise an emitter 60 and opposing sensor 58 for emitting a form of radiation, for example red and/or infrared light, and measuring one or more changes in that radiation as it passes through an appendage of the wearer. Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may comprise a heartbeat sensor and/or PPG sensor. Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may measure detailed heartbeat data for determining heartbeat profiles and volumetric blood flow data.
Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may comprise a GSR sensor, a hydration level sensor and/or a blood glucose level sensor as described above. Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may also comprise a display unit 55 for displaying information to a user, such as physiological parameters or alerts. Some embodiments of wearable component 50 may comprise an audio output device 57 for warnings, alerts, alarms, simulated voice communication or other audio communication.
Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to FIG. 4 . These embodiments comprise one or more wearable components
72 , 74 that may be worn by a user 70 . These wearable components
72 , 74 may comprise an article of clothing or some other form that is readily attachable to parts of the human body as discussed above. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 , a first wearable component 72 is illustrated as a wristband and a second wearable component 74 is illustrated as an ankle band or shoe clip.
In some embodiments, a user 70 may also wear or carry a mobile computing device 76 such as a smart phone or similar lightweight, portable device. Some embodiments may further comprise one or more off- body computing devices 78 .
Wearable components
72 and 74 , mobile computing device 76 and off- body computing device 78 may comprise wireless transmitters, receivers or transceivers for one- or two-way communication between devices. In an exemplary embodiment, first wearable component 72 may establish a first wearable-to-mobile (W/M 1 ) wireless connection 80 with a mobile computing device 76 . A second wearable component 74 may also establish a second wearable-to-mobile (W/M 2 ) wireless connection 82 with mobile computing device 76 . First wearable component 72 and second wearable component 74 may also establish a wearable-to-wearable (W/W) wireless connection 86 for communication between wearable components
72 , 74 .
Some embodiments may further comprise a mobile-to-off-body computing device (M/O) wireless connection 84 for communication between a mobile computing device 76 and an off- body computing device 78 .
These
wireless communication connections
80 , 82 , 84 , 86 may be established using known wireless communication protocols and methods, such as IEEE 802.11 (b), (g), (e), Bluetooth, ANT, wireless telephony (e.g., cell phone, satellite phone) and other methods. In an exemplary embodiment,
connections
80 , 82 , 86 between on-body devices such as first and second wearable components
72 , 74 and mobile computing device 76 may be established using a Bluetooth connection while communication between on-
body devices
72 , 74 , 76 and off- body computing device 78 , such as M/ O connection 84 may be established using a cell phone data connection.
In some embodiments, wearable components
72 , 74 may communicate directly with an off- body computing device 78 over a wireless connection (not shown). These embodiments may comprise an off-body computing device mounted to equipment such as a bicycle, elliptical exercise machine or other apparatus. Other embodiments may comprise an off- body computing device 78 similar to a desk-top computer, but which is within wireless communication range of a user during an activity, such as during sleep monitoring or other stationary activities.
Activity Data Correlated with Physiological Data
Some embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to FIG. 5 . In these embodiments, wearable components
72 , 74 measure and transmit user motion and physiological characteristics using their various accelerometers and sensors as described above. This raw data may be transmitted 80 , 82 directly to a mobile computing device 76 or another device as described above. In some embodiments, the raw data may be transmitted directly to mobile device 76 where the data may be recorded and processed. In these embodiments, the accelerometer data can be correlated with known movement data stored on the mobile device 76 to identify particular user activities as described in US Patent Application No. 20130282324, incorporated hereinabove. In other embodiments, this processing can be performed at an off- body computing device 78 or a cloud-based system 88 over one or more <figure-callout id="85" label="wireless data connections" filenames="US20160361032A1-20161215-D00004.png,US20160361032A1-20161215-D00005.png" state=
CLAIMS
Claims ( 5 )
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1 . A method for automated alert messaging, said method comprising:
measuring a physiological characteristic of a wearer with a wearable component comprising,
a physiological sensor for measuring said physiological characteristic of a wearer,
an accelerometer for measuring wearer activity,
a battery, and
a wearable component wireless transceiver;
measuring wearer activity data with said accelerometer; sending said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data to a mobile device using said wearable component wireless transceiver, said computing device comprising,
a processor and a memory,
a display, and
a transceiver;
analyzing said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data at said computing device to determine whether a messaging condition has been satisfied; and sending a message to a designated recipient if said messaging condition has been satisfied.
2 . A method for automated alert messaging, said method comprising:
measuring a physiological characteristic of a wearer with a wearable component comprising,
a physiological sensor for measuring said physiological characteristic of a wearer,
an accelerometer for measuring wearer activity,
a battery, and
a wearable component wireless transceiver;
measuring wearer activity data with said accelerometer; sending said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data to a mobile device using said wearable component wireless transceiver, said mobile device comprising,
a processor and a memory,
a display, and
a mobile device wireless transceiver;
analyzing said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data at said mobile device to determine whether a messaging condition has been satisfied; composing a message if said messaging condition has been satisfied, said composing comprising,
retrieving a message template;
inserting stored message content into said template;
inserting physiological data into physiological data fields in said template;
inserting activity data into activity data fields in said template;
inserting a recipient address into said template; and
sending said composed message to said recipient address if said messaging condition has been satisfied.
3 . A method for automated alert messaging, said method comprising:
measuring a physiological characteristic of a wearer with a wearable component comprising,
a physiological sensor for measuring said physiological characteristic of a wearer,
an accelerometer for measuring wearer activity,
a battery, and
a wearable component wireless transceiver;
measuring wearer activity data with said accelerometer; sending said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data to a mobile device using said wearable component wireless transceiver, said mobile device comprising,
a processor and a memory,
a display, and
a mobile device wireless transceiver;
analyzing said physiological characteristic data and said wearer activity data at said mobile device to determine whether a messaging condition has been satisfied; composing a message if said messaging condition has been satisfied, said composing comprising,
retrieving a message template;
inserting stored message content into said template;
inserting physiological data into physiological data fields in said template;
inserting activity data into activity data fields in said template;
inserting a recipient address into said template;
inserting recipient-specific content into said template; and
sending said composed message to said recipient address if said messaging condition has been satisfied.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein said recipient is a doctor, said messaging condition is a physiological condition indicating a health hazard and said message identifies the physiological condition and the severity of the condition based on physiological data and activity data acquired from one or more wearable components.
5 . The method of claim 3 wherein said recipient is a health professional, said messaging condition is the performance of a specified physical therapy activity and said message identifies the activity performed and the performance level of the activity based on physiological data and activity data acquired from one or more wearable components.
US15/066,180
2015-05-14
2016-03-10
Systems and Methods for Wearable Health Alerts
Abandoned
US20160361032A1
( en )
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title
US15/066,180
US20160361032A1
( en )
2015-05-14
2016-03-10
Systems and Methods for Wearable Health Alerts
PCT/US2016/032783
WO2016183592A1
( en )
2015-05-14
2016-05-16
Systems and methods for wearable health alerts
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title
US201562161557P
2015-05-14
2015-05-14
US15/066,180
US20160361032A1
( en )
2015-05-14
2016-03-10
Systems and Methods for Wearable Health Alerts
Publications (1)
Publication Number
Publication Date
US20160361032A1
true
US20160361032A1 ( en )
2016-12-15
Family
ID=57249432
Family Applications (1)
Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date
US15/066,180
Abandoned
US20160361032A1
( en )
2015-05-14
2016-03-10
Systems and Methods for Wearable Health Alerts
Country Status (2)
Country
Link
US
( 1 )
US20160361032A1
( en )
WO
( 1 )
WO2016183592A1
( en )
Cited By (19)
* Cited by examiner, â Cited by third party
Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title
US10035010B1
( en )
2017-09-28
2018-07-31
Carydean Enterprises LLC
Systems and methods for drug delivery
US10057395B1
( en )
2017-08-27
2018-08-21
Carydean Enterprises LLC
Case for a mobile electronic device
US10340047B2
( en )
2017-09-26
2019-07-02
International Business Machines Corporation
Health trend identification
US11437139B2
( en )
*
2015-12-28
2022-09-06
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Method and apparatus for biometric data collection combining visual data with historical health records metadata
EP3920796A4
( en )
*
2019-02-08
2022-10-26
GT Silicon Private Limited
A foot mounted wearable device and a method to operate the same
US11593764B2
( en )
2015-12-28
2023-02-28
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Remote medication delivery systems
US11775065B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2023-10-03
BlueOwl, LLC
Projection system for smart ring visual output
US11853030B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2023-12-26
BlueOwl, LLC
Soft smart ring and method of manufacture
US11894704B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-02-06
BlueOwl, LLC
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US11922809B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-03-05
BlueOwl, LLC
Non-visual outputs for a smart ring
US11923791B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-03-05
BlueOwl, LLC
Harvesting energy for a smart ring via piezoelectric charging
US11949673B1
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-04-02
BlueOwl, LLC
Gesture authentication using a smart ring
US11958488B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-04-16
BlueOwl, LLC
Smart ring system for monitoring UVB exposure levels and using machine learning technique to predict high risk driving behavior
US11984742B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-05-14
BlueOwl, LLC
Smart ring power and charging
US12067093B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-08-20
Quanata, Llc
Biometric authentication using a smart ring
US12077193B1
( en )
*
2019-07-23
2024-09-03
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring system for monitoring sleep patterns and using machine learning techniques to predict high risk driving behavior
US12126181B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-10-22
Quanata, Llc
Energy harvesting circuits for a smart ring
US12504784B1
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-12-23
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring clip and method of manufacture
US12614451B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-04-28
Quanata, Llc
Light emitting diodes and diode arrays for smart ring visual output
Citations (6)
* Cited by examiner, â Cited by third party
Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title
US7935076B2
( en )
*
2007-09-07
2011-05-03
Asante Solutions, Inc.
Activity sensing techniques for an infusion pump system
US8509826B2
( en )
*
2005-09-21
2013-08-13
Buckyball Mobile Inc
Biosensor measurements included in the association of context data with a text message
US8525687B2
( en )
*
2006-06-30
2013-09-03
Bao Tran
Personal emergency response (PER) system
US20140081090A1
( en )
*
2010-06-07
2014-03-20
Affectiva, Inc.
Provision of atypical brain activity alerts
US9288298B2
( en )
*
2014-05-06
2016-03-15
Fitbit, Inc.
Notifications regarding interesting or unusual activity detected from an activity monitoring device
US9396642B2
( en )
*
2013-10-23
2016-07-19
Quanttus, Inc.
Control using connected biometric devices
Family Cites Families (5)
* Cited by examiner, â Cited by third party
Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title
WO2005050849A2
( en )
*
2003-10-01
2005-06-02
Laird Mark D
Wireless virtual campus escort system
EP1977405A2
( en )
*
2006-01-23
2008-10-08
Ad Group
Systems and methods for distributing emergency messages
US8988214B2
( en )
*
2010-12-10
2015-03-24
Qualcomm Incorporated
System, method, apparatus, or computer program product for exercise and personal security
US20130331058A1
( en )
*
2012-06-12
2013-12-12
Help Now Technologies, Llc
Emergency alert system
US20140135592A1
( en )
*
2012-11-13
2014-05-15
Dacadoo Ag
Health band
2016
2016-03-10
US
US15/066,180
patent/US20160361032A1/en
not_active
Abandoned
2016-05-16
WO
PCT/US2016/032783
patent/WO2016183592A1/en
not_active
Ceased
Patent Citations (6)
* Cited by examiner, â Cited by third party
Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title
US8509826B2
( en )
*
2005-09-21
2013-08-13
Buckyball Mobile Inc
Biosensor measurements included in the association of context data with a text message
US8525687B2
( en )
*
2006-06-30
2013-09-03
Bao Tran
Personal emergency response (PER) system
US7935076B2
( en )
*
2007-09-07
2011-05-03
Asante Solutions, Inc.
Activity sensing techniques for an infusion pump system
US20140081090A1
( en )
*
2010-06-07
2014-03-20
Affectiva, Inc.
Provision of atypical brain activity alerts
US9396642B2
( en )
*
2013-10-23
2016-07-19
Quanttus, Inc.
Control using connected biometric devices
US9288298B2
( en )
*
2014-05-06
2016-03-15
Fitbit, Inc.
Notifications regarding interesting or unusual activity detected from an activity monitoring device
Cited By (36)
* Cited by examiner, â Cited by third party
Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title
US12040088B2
( en )
*
2015-12-28
2024-07-16
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Method and apparatus for determining user information
US11437139B2
( en )
*
2015-12-28
2022-09-06
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Method and apparatus for biometric data collection combining visual data with historical health records metadata
US20220406456A1
( en )
*
2015-12-28
2022-12-22
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Method and apparatus for determining user information
US11593764B2
( en )
2015-12-28
2023-02-28
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Remote medication delivery systems
US20240371515A1
( en )
*
2015-12-28
2024-11-07
Data Vault Holdings, Inc.
Method and apparatus for acquiring information
US10057395B1
( en )
2017-08-27
2018-08-21
Carydean Enterprises LLC
Case for a mobile electronic device
US10340047B2
( en )
2017-09-26
2019-07-02
International Business Machines Corporation
Health trend identification
US10035010B1
( en )
2017-09-28
2018-07-31
Carydean Enterprises LLC
Systems and methods for drug delivery
EP3920796A4
( en )
*
2019-02-08
2022-10-26
GT Silicon Private Limited
A foot mounted wearable device and a method to operate the same
US12077193B1
( en )
*
2019-07-23
2024-09-03
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring system for monitoring sleep patterns and using machine learning techniques to predict high risk driving behavior
US12237700B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-02-25
Quanata, Llc
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US11922809B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-03-05
BlueOwl, LLC
Non-visual outputs for a smart ring
US11923791B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-03-05
BlueOwl, LLC
Harvesting energy for a smart ring via piezoelectric charging
US11949673B1
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-04-02
BlueOwl, LLC
Gesture authentication using a smart ring
US11958488B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-04-16
BlueOwl, LLC
Smart ring system for monitoring UVB exposure levels and using machine learning technique to predict high risk driving behavior
US11984742B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-05-14
BlueOwl, LLC
Smart ring power and charging
US11894704B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-02-06
BlueOwl, LLC
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US12067093B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-08-20
Quanata, Llc
Biometric authentication using a smart ring
US11853030B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2023-12-26
BlueOwl, LLC
Soft smart ring and method of manufacture
US12126181B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-10-22
Quanata, Llc
Energy harvesting circuits for a smart ring
US11775065B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2023-10-03
BlueOwl, LLC
Projection system for smart ring visual output
US12191692B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-01-07
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring power and charging
US11909238B1
( en )
2019-07-23
2024-02-20
BlueOwl, LLC
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US12292728B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-05-06
Quanata, Llc
Soft smart ring and method of manufacture
US12322990B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-06-03
Quanata, Llc
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US12413163B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-09-09
Quanata, Llc
Harvesting energy for a smart ring via piezoelectric charging
US12441332B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-10-14
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring system for monitoring UVB exposure levels and using machine learning technique to predict high risk driving behavior
US12479445B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-11-25
Quanata, Llc
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US12499759B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-12-16
Quanata, Llc
Non-visual outputs for a smart ring
US12500429B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-12-16
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring charger with registration structures
US12504784B1
( en )
2019-07-23
2025-12-23
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring clip and method of manufacture
US12515677B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-01-06
Quanata, Llc
Environment-integrated smart ring charger
US12537385B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-01-27
Quanata, Llc
Smart ring power and charging
US12597790B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-04-07
Quanata, Llc
Wireless charging system for wearable ring with LED activity indicators
US12602111B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-04-14
Quanata, Llc
Projection system for smart ring visual output
US12614451B2
( en )
2019-07-23
2026-04-28
Quanata, Llc
Light emitting diodes and diode arrays for smart ring visual output
Also Published As
Publication number
Publication date
WO2016183592A1
( en )
2016-11-17
Similar Documents
Publication
Publication Date
Title
US20160367202A1
( en )
2016-12-22
Systems and Methods for Wearable Sensor Techniques
WO2016183592A1
( en )
2016-11-17
Systems and methods for wearable health alerts
US12471786B2
( en )
2025-11-18
Methods and systems for arrhythmia tracking and scoring
US20160331315A1
( en )
2016-11-17
Systems and Methods for Wearable Health Monitoring
US12097049B2
( en )
2024-09-24
Methods, apparatus and systems for adaptable presentation of sensor data
US20140081090A1
( en )
2014-03-20
Provision of atypical brain activity alerts
CN102281816A
( en )
2011-12-14
Method and apparatus for determining critical care parameters
CN109310351A
( en )
2019-02-05
Evaluation system and method for characterizing a subject&#39;s heart rate
JP2024513829A
( en )
2024-03-27
Miscarriage identification and prediction from wearable-based physiological data
US20240074709A1
( en )
2024-03-07
Coaching based on reproductive phases
US10932715B2
( en )
2021-03-02
Determining resting heart rate using wearable device
WO2017100519A1
( en )
2017-06-15
Systems and methods for adaptable presentation of sensor data
US20230190201A1
( en )
2023-06-22
Techniques for multiple wearable devices
US20230062794A1
( en )
2023-03-02
Health monitoring platform
JP2025531784A
( en )
2025-09-25
Reproductive Stage Coaching
CN122055097A
( en )
2026-05-15
Techniques for measuring compressive toughness using wearable-based data
US20250261905A1
( en )
2025-08-21
Hormonal health coaching based on cardiac amplitude
US20250349417A1
( en )
2025-11-13
Techniques for utilizing a multi-output neural network
Duraiselvam et al.
2022
Smart Multifunctional Vital Testing Kit for Patients
Shruthi
2018
O pportunities and challenges of integrating the internet of things (IoT) with infrastructure of healthcare units
WO2021141572A1
( en )
2021-07-15
Methods and systems for adaptable presentation of sensor data
Pradeep et al.
2014
Wireless Sensor Node with GPS-enabled Peer Alerting Service for Real Time Monitoring of Heart Rate Variability
TW202000125A
( en )
2020-01-01
Method for smart detection system of human body cardiovascular and physiological information and device thereof capable of obtaining personal physiological information and physiological function information in daily life for statistical analysis of big data for reference in healthcare
Legal Events
Date
Code
Title
Description
2019-03-22
STPP
Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general
Free format text : RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER
2019-05-30
STPP
Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general
Free format text : NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS
2019-09-04
STCB
Information on status: application discontinuation
Free format text : ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE
2019-09-16
STCB
Information on status: application discontinuation
Free format text : ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE