as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (0) Pub. No.: US 2007/0027367 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Feb. 1, 2007
`
`Oliver et al.
`
`US 20070027367A1
`
`(54) MOBILE, PERSONAL, AND NON-INTRUSIVE
`HEALTH MONITORING AND ANALYSIS
`SYSTEM
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 1, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`AGIB 5/00
`(2006.01)
`AGIB 5/02
`(2006.01)
`AGIB 5/04
`(2006.01)
`A6GIB
`10/00
`(52) WSL sisssicsinsesssisisnice 600/300; 128/903; 600/500:
`600/549: 600/544; 600/565:
`600/485
`
`ABSTRACT
`(ity
`An open architecture, wireless personal area network for
`receiving, storing, processing, displaying and communicat-
`ing physiological data. The wireless personal area network
`may include a personal server, such as a cellular phone, and
`a plurality of sensors to monitor physiological signs, the
`user’s motion,
`the user’s orientation, and environmental
`factors. The sensors wirelessly provide data to the personal
`server, Which may store, process, display, and communicate
`the data. An openarchitecture allows additional sensors to
`join the network without rendering the personal server
`irrelevant.
`
`348
`
`ae yt
`BATTERY |) Se
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Nuria Maria Oliver, Seattle, WA (US);
`Fernando Flores-Mangas, Mexico D.F.
`(MX): Dane Michael Howard,
`Sammamish, WA (US): Erie G. Lang,
`Yarrow Point. WA (US); Russell I.
`Sanchez, Medina, WA (US); Michael
`Jack Sinclair, Kirkland, WA (US);
`Alfred Yong-Hock Tan, Bellevue, WA
`(US); Ralph Donald Thompson III.
`Sammamish, WA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`CHRISTENSEN, O°CONNOR, JOHNSON,
`KINDNESS, PLLC
`1420 FIFTH AVENUE
`SUITE 2800
`SEATTLE, WA 98101-2347 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Microsoft Corporation,Redmond, WA
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/195,338
`
`001
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1041
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1041
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`001
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 1,2007 Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`Orr
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`
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`NOILISOdTVZOTD
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`ONILITSONIXTFM
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`TS
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`002
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`002
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 1,2007 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`200
`
`202
`
`IS SENSOR IN
`PROXITY?
`
`206
`
`RECEIVE SENSOR
`ID
`
`208
`
`
`IS SENSOR
`AUTHENTICATED?
`
`210
`
`
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`SENSOR JOINS
`THE NETWORK
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`
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`212
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`
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`IS SENSOR
`TRANSMITTING
`DATA?
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`204
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`
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`
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`214
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`
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`COMPUTER
`RECEIVES
`SENSOR DATA
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`216
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`Fig.2.
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`003
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`003
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 3 of 6
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`ANALLVIra
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`004
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`004
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`

`

`DISCOVERY
`MODULE
`
`DATA
`ACQUISITION
`MODULE
`
`412
`
`414
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`AUTHENTICATION
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`MODULE Sheet 4 of 6
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`346,358
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`402
`
`404
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`406
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`408
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`410
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`DATA
`STORAGE
`MODULE
`
`‘DATA
`ANALYSIS
`MODULE
`
`DATA
`VISUALIZATION
`MODULE
`
`DATA
`COMMUNICATION
`MODULE
`
`Fig.4.
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`005
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`005
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 1,2007 Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`510
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`OXIMETER
`
`SENSOR
`SERVER
`
`PERSONAL
`
`Fig.5.
`
`006
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`006
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Feb. 1,2007 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`600
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`602
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`604
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`MEASURE AND RECORD
`O, LEVEL
`
`
`
`608
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`610
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`MEASURE AND RECORD
`O, LEVEL
`
`
`
`
`
`0, LEVEL
`>
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`(BASELINE—.25A)
`?
`
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` 614
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`APNEA EVENT ENDS
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`007
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`007
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`US 2007/0027367 Al
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`Feb. 1, 2007
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`MOBILE, PERSONAL, AND NON-INTRUSIVE
`HEALTH MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] Openarchitecture, wireless personal area network
`for receiving physiological data.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Currently, recording an individual’s physiological
`signs that does not include full time care at a hospital.
`involves equipment that is both intrusive and usually only
`provides spot information. Generally, if an individual wishes
`to have physiological signs monitored, the individual must
`visit a physician or health care provider facility. Because the
`individualis taken outof his or her normal environment, the
`individual may be understress, and the physiological infor-
`mation that is collected may not be representative of the
`individual for the great majority of the time that the indi-
`vidual is away from the physician. Furthermore, any physi-
`ological information that is gathered at a remote facility is
`generally only collected for a short, limited amountoftime.
`Any physiological sign monitoring systemthat is currently
`in existence requires physiological sensors that are uniquely
`configured to operate only within a closed, specific envi-
`ronment, not within an open networked environment. The
`intrusive nature of physiological sensors prevents individu-
`als from gaining knowledge of their health. Lack of quan-
`titative knowledge about the condition of one’s body limits
`intelligent and informed decision-making about
`lifestyle
`choices and inhibits disease prevention and one’s general
`health.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`(0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection
`of concepts in a simplified form that are further described
`below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
`intended to identify key features or essential features of the
`claimed subject matter, nor is the Summary to be used as an
`aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
`
`[0004] Emerging technologies have madeit possible to
`create the personal area network (PAN) and the wireless
`personal area network (WPAN). A personal area network,
`wireless or not, is a computer network composed ofvarious
`devices within close proximity to one person, wherein the
`devices are able to communicate with one another. The
`
`personal area network may include a master device able to
`communicate with a plurality of slave devices, which must
`first be authenticated, in order to enable further communi-
`cation between the master device and the slave device. In the
`Detailed Description, a wireless personal area network hav-
`ing an open architecture is described. An open architecture
`is a system design strategy incorporating published specifi-
`cations so that
`third parties may develop software and
`hardware to be added on to the system or device. The
`wireless personal area network includes a plurality of sen-
`sors that may monitor physiological signs in real time. Other
`sensors that may be part of the wireless personal area
`network include sensors that may not monitor physiological
`signs. Non-physiological sensors may monitor a person’s
`motion, the environment, or the person’s orientation. The
`“master” device in the wireless personal area network may
`be a mobile, personal computing device, such as a cell
`
`phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, or
`other computing device. All mobile, personal devices may
`be referred to simply as computing devices or computer. The
`computing device and the sensors in the wireless personal
`area network are equipped with devices having a common
`communications protocol to provide an open architecture.
`Thus, any sensor that includes the common communications
`protocol may join the wireless personal area network. The
`wireless personal area network allows data collection from
`multiple sensors. Wireless encryption protocol to protect
`wirelessly transmitted data may also be provided. A set of
`wireless sensors are attached, worn, or even embedded at
`different locations on the body. Since sensors share a com-
`mon radio protocol,
`individual sensors can be added,
`replaced, or removed to suit the needs of the user. This
`feature enables the wireless personal area network to grow,
`without rendering the master device irrelevant, since other
`sensors may subsequently join in the wireless personal area
`network. Accordingly, one master device may communicate
`with a plurality of sensors that are within the network,
`provided that the sensor is equipped with a communications
`protocol similar to the master device.
`
`[0005] The wireless personal area network described
`below may provide an individual with the ability to observe
`real-time measurements of their body condition and their
`environment, and through storage and intelligent analysis of
`the data, the individual is provided with trend analysis and
`recommended behavioral changes. The information is
`instrumental in assisting the individual to achieve personal
`health goals such as weight
`loss,
`increased energy and
`stamina, increased life span, increased physical capability,
`as well as management and monitoring of chronic disease
`and the prevention ofdisease and other bodily damage.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant
`advantages will become more readily appreciated as the
`same becomebetter understood by reference to the follow-
`ing detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein:
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless,
`[0007]
`personal area network for receiving physiological data;
`
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for receiving
`[0008]
`data in a wireless personal area network;
`
`FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of a wire-
`[0009]
`less, personal area network for receiving physiological data;
`
`FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of modules for a
`[0010]
`computing device in a wireless, personal area network:
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammaticalillustration ofa portion
`(0011]
`of a wireless, personal area network for receiving, physi-
`ological data; and
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an algorithm for
`[0012]
`determining sleep apnea.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an open
`[0013]
`architecture, wireless, personal area network 110 for receiv-
`ing, at least, physiological data. At the center of the network
`110 is computing device 100, which is capable of any one
`process of receiving, storing, processing, communicating,
`
`008
`
`008
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`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`and displaying a multitude of data and information gathered
`from sensors in proximity to a person. Sensors in proximity
`to a person maybe located ona person, close to a person, or
`on a device wearable by the person. The sensors may be
`categorized broadly as environmental sensors 102, physi-
`ological sensors 104, motion sensors 106, and orientation
`sensors 108. At least one physiological sensor forms a part
`of the system and network. Environmental sensors 102 may
`measure any one or more of environmental factors, includ-
`ing, but not limited to, temperature, humidity, barometric
`pressure, global position, and topography. Physiological
`sensors 104 may measure any one or more of physiological
`parameters, including, but not limited to heart rate, blood
`oxygen level, respiration rate, body temperature, cholesterol
`level, blood glucose level, galvanic skin response, EEG, and
`blood pressure. Motion sensors 106 can be used for deter-
`mining the person’s activity, including whetherthe personis
`walking,
`running, or climbing. Orientation sensors 108
`determine the position of the person, including whether the
`personis sitting, standing,or sleeping.It is to be appreciated
`that the naming ofsensorsfor specific purposes is merely to
`illustrate representative embodiments of the invention, and
`should not be construed to limit the invention to anyone
`specific embodiment. Combining the information gathered
`from various sensors over a wireless, personal area network
`may lead to intelligent choices concerning all issues of a
`person’s health.
`
`[0014] Specific features of the open architecture, wireless
`personal area network may include operation within a low
`bandwidth, and being non symmetric, meaning that data
`sensors may transmit to the master device based on com-
`mands from the master device to the sensors. The open
`architecture, wireless personal area network may incorpo-
`rate high precision, high accuracy, high reliability, and low
`power sensors, and have noise compensation for motion,
`temperature, moisture, and audio. The open architecture,
`wireless personal area network may include high security
`and privacy features, and deliver data on demand. Sensors
`may be stable at temperatures near to the body. The open
`architecture, wireless personal area network may include
`dynamic sensor selection depending on context or applica-
`tion. Sensors may include a thermal switch that can be
`activated by body temperature through body contact. Sen-
`sors may synchronize transmission ofdata or other activity
`based on a physiological sign, such as heart rate. Sensors
`may transmit data continuously, or data may be held in a
`buffer in cache memory or data may periodically be sent in
`bursts.
`
`[0015] Computing device 100 and the sensors in the
`wireless personal area network 110 operate in an open
`environment and, as such, the computing device 100, as the
`master device, will be able to recognize and communicate
`with each sensor brought into the network 110 through the
`use of an common communications protocol, such as, but
`not limited to a BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, and 802.11 com-
`munications protocol. A wireless, personal area network for
`monitoring, at least, physiological signs provides the ability
`to measure continuously, or at least for extended periods of
`time, physiological signs that will be representative of the
`personin his or her normal environment. Furthermore, as the
`sensors are communicating in a personal area network,
`power requirements for sensors will be kept low.
`
`[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram of an embodi-
`ment of a method 200 for receiving data in an open archi-
`tecture, wireless, personal area network is illustrated. Acqui-
`sition of data in a wireless personal area network having
`physiological sensors may be used to record, store and
`analyze the data to detect unusual events, identify patterns of
`behavior, and help users achieve specific targets of physical
`activity. In one embodiment, users of the system mayselect
`any one of a numberofdifferent type ofsensors, including
`sensors that may measure physiological signs, the type of
`motion, the person’s orientation, and the person’s environ-
`mental factors. Each sensor is provided with the ability to
`communicate in the personal area network. The selected
`sensors may communicate with the computing device 100,
`such as a cellular phone, PDA,or laptop, which may store
`and analyze the data in a number of different manners to
`detect patterns of behavior and unusual events that would
`trigger a visit to the health care providerfor further diagnosis
`and treatment. Method 200 starts withthestart block 202. In
`block 202, computing device 100 is awaiting to receive a
`signal from a sensor within proximity ofit. From block 202,
`method 200 enters decision block 204.
`In block 204, a
`determination is made whether there is a sensor within
`proximity of the computing device 100. If the determination
`in decision block 204 is “no”, meaning that there is no sensor
`in proximity,
`the method 200 continues to wait. If the
`determination in decision block 204 is “yes”, meaning that
`the computing device 100 has detected a sensor within the
`broadcast range, the method 200 enters block 206. In block
`206, the sensor transmits the sensor identification (ID) to,
`and the sensor IDis received by the computing device 100.
`It is possible that more than one sensor may be in proximity
`at one time. The communications protocol may establish an
`orderly series of discovery rules that may sequentially
`discover each sensor in the network. From block 206, the
`method 200 enters decision block 208.
`In block 208, a
`determination is made by the computing device 100 whether
`the sensor ID is authenticated, meaning whether the sensor
`is granted permission to join the network. A series of
`authentication rules specific to the communications protocol
`used may determine whether the sensor is permitted to join
`the network. If the determination in decision block 208 is
`
`the
`the sensor is not authenticated,
`“no”, meaning that
`method 200 returns to wait for the next sensor to be in
`proximity to the computing device 100, block 204. If the
`determination in decision block 208 is “yes”, meaning that
`the sensoris authenticated, then the method 200 enters block
`210. In block 210, the sensor joins the network 110. From
`block 210, the method 200 enters decision block 212. In
`decision block 212, a determination is made whether the
`sensor is transmitting data. The communications protocol
`may establish an orderly series of transmission rules for the
`orderly transmitting ofdata from each sensor in the network
`to the computing device 100 in order to establish a procedure
`whereby transmitted data is not
`lost. According to the
`transmission rules, each sensor may be allotted a time
`window for a specified period of time in which to transmit,
`and/or at an established time interval. Alternatively, each
`sensor may transmit in a different radio frequency, and the
`frequency may vary with each transmission. Alternatively,
`each sensor may transmit according to an internal clock
`residing with the computing device 100. In this way, a
`master-slave procedure is established, wherein the master
`device,
`i.e.,
`the computing device 100 will let the slave
`
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`device, i.e., the sensor, know whenit is time to transmit. If
`the determination in decision block 212 is “no”, meaning
`that the sensoris not transmitting data, then the sensor waits
`its turn. If the determination in decision block 212 is “yes”,
`meaning that the transmission rules have determined that the
`sensor should be transmitting, and the sensor is transmitting
`data, the method 200 enters block 214, In block 214, the
`computing device 100 may receive the sensor data, which
`may be stored, used in an algorithm, communicated
`remotely, displayed locally, and/or processed in any other
`manner. From block 214, the method 200 enters block 216.
`Block 216 is a terminus block for one iteration of method
`200. Method 200 may be continuously implemented by
`computing device 100 for each sensor that is brought in
`proximity to the computing device 100. The open architec-
`ture, wireless, personal area network may include one or
`more sensors, and may also include one or more computing
`devices 100. In one implementation of an open architecture
`networked system,
`the wireless, personal area network
`includes at least one computing device 100, andat least one
`sensor that may transmit physiological data.
`
`[0017] Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a
`wireless personal area network 300 is illustrated.
`In this
`embodiment, a mobile cellular phone 302 serves as a master
`device in the wireless personal area network 300, The
`cellular phone 302 may be connected to periphery devices
`304, including, butnot limited to auxiliary displays, printers,
`and the like. The cellular phone 302 may include, a battery
`336 for power, non-volatile storage 338 for the storage of
`data collected from sensors 344 and for storage of software
`346, a microprocessor chip (MPU)340, a display 396 for use
`as a user interface (UI), a radio frequency integrated circuit
`(RFIC) 342 with radio frequency antenna 314 for commu-
`nication in the wireless personal area network 300, and a
`microwave frequency antenna 312 for communication in a
`cellular telephone network. Master devices may also be
`implemented as any wearable device, such as, but not
`limited to a wrist device 306. Wrist device 306 may include,
`a battery 348 for power, non-volatile storage 350 for the
`storage ofdata collected from sensors 356 and for storage of
`software 358, a MPU352, a UI 398, a RFIC 354, and a radio
`frequency antenna 316 for communication in the wireless
`personal area network 300.
`
`FIG. 3 alsoillustrates a number of sensor devices,
`[0018]
`308 and 310. Sensor device 308 includes a sensor 322 to
`measure the variable of interest, a battery 324 to power the
`sensor device, and a RFIC 326 with radio frequency antenna
`318 to communicate in the wireless personal area network
`300. Sensor device 310 includes a sensor 328 to measure the
`variable ofinterest, a battery 330 to powerthe sensor device,
`and a RFIC 332 with radio frequency antenna 320 to
`communicate in the wireless personal area network 300.
`Because the sensor devices 308 and 310 employ a low power
`radio frequency communication interface, the life of batter-
`ies 324 and 330 may be extended. The RFICs 326 and 332
`provide the wireless communication interface. Representa-
`tive examples,
`include, but are not
`limited,
`to 802.15.4
`(ZIGBEE), 802.15.1 (BLUETOOTH), 802.15.3 (UWB),
`802.11x (Wimax). The batteries 324 and 330 supply power
`to the sensor devices 308 and 310, respectively.
`
`[0019] Both Uls 396 and 398 are for presenting informa-
`tionto the user, in either text, or graphics, for example, and
`also for responding to user commands and/or receiving user
`
`commands. The non-volatile storage media 338 and 350
`retain the data 344 and 356, respectively, from the sensor
`devices 302 and 306, and the software 346 and 358. The
`MPUs 340 and 352 execute the software 346 and 358 for
`collecting data, storing data, performing data analysis, man-
`aging the UIs 396 and 398, and serve as the interface with
`the RFICs 342 and 354. The software 346 and 358 may
`provide functions for presenting real-time data values to the
`user via a display. The software 346 and 358 may compile
`and present aggregated health indices providing the user a
`quantitative measure of trends related to physical health,
`such as life expectancy. The software 346 and 358 may
`ascertain and present recommendations for efficiently pro-
`gressing towards health goals specified by the user. The
`RFICs 342 and 354 provide the wireless communication
`interface. Representative examples include, but are not
`limited to 802.15.4 (ZIGBEE), 802.15.1 (BLUETOOTH).
`802.15.3 (UWB), 802.11x (Wimax). Through the RFICs 342
`and 354, master devices 302 and 306 may be able to
`communicate with sensor devices 308 and 310.
`In one
`
`embodiment, sensor device 308 may be physiological sensor
`and sensor device 310 may sense other than a physiological
`sign, such as a sensor device to monitor motion, orientation,
`or the environment. If sensor device 310 is a motion sensor,
`sensor device 310 may be an accelerometer or a magnetom-
`eter. Cellular phone 302 may also communicate with the
`wrist-mounted device 306. Although one implementation of
`the open architecture wireless personal area network has
`been described with reference to a cellular phone as a master
`device, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited
`
`to any one specific implementation of a master device.
`[0020]
`In the open architecture design described, sensor
`devices may be allowed to join the wireless personal area
`network provided that the sensor device includes a commu-
`nications protocol compatible with the master device’s com-
`munications protocol.
`In an open architecture wireless,
`personal area network,
`the master device may either be
`continuously or intermittently monitoring for new sensor
`devices to join the personal area network. Toward this end,
`the master device may include a discovery module for
`determining when a new sensor device has joined the
`network. The master device will be listening for radio
`signals at a commonfrequency. Similarly, the sensor device
`that is new to the personal area network will broadcastin the
`same frequency as the master device. The sensor device new
`to the personal area network will be broadcasting its iden-
`tification number. When the master device receives a signal
`that the master device recognizes, the master device will
`interpret
`the identification number. The master device is
`pre-programmed to recognize specific identification num-
`bers. If the identification numberis recognized by the master
`device, the master device will allow the sensor device new
`to the personal area networkto establish a connection to the
`master device, and the sensor device may begin transmitting
`data that the master device can receive.
`
`[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, within the software
`components 346 and 358 of master devices 302 and 306,
`respectively, is a data acquisition module 402, a data storage
`module 404, a data analysis module 406, a data visualization
`module 408, a data communication module 410, a discovery
`module 412, and an authentication module 414. Data acqui-
`sition module 402 is provided for wirelessly interfacing with
`the sensor devices 308 and 310 using a standard serial port
`profile (SPP). The data acquisition module 402 can collect
`
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`data from as many sensors as needed, and send some
`information to the sensors when appropriate. The data
`acquisition module 402 may implement transmission rules
`for the orderly transmission of data between master devices
`302 and 306 with sensor devices 308 and 310. The data
`storage module 404 stores the physiological data for later
`processing and analysis. The data may be viewed locally:
`alternatively, the data may be stored for later viewing, such
`as at a remote location. The data analysis module 406
`includes pattern recognition and machine learning algo-
`rithms for identifying patterns of behavior and anomalies in
`the sensor data. The data visualization module 408 is for
`
`presenting the physiological data to the user or health-care
`provider in an intelligible format. The data communication
`module 410 is for wirelessly transmitting the data to other
`devices,either througha radio or microwave frequency. The
`discovery module 412 is for implementing the discovery
`rules when a new sensor device is brought in proximity to
`the master devices 302 or 306. The authentication module
`414 is for implementing the authentication rules after the
`sensor ID has been received by the master devices 302 or
`306.
`
`FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one
`(0022]
`embodiment, wherein a personal server 502 communicates
`via a BLUETOOTHradio device 504, to an oximeter sensor
`508 in contact with a body part 510. In this embodiment, a
`data reformatter 506 is provided to convert
`the signal
`coming from oximeter sensor 508 into a signal that can be
`used by the BLUETOOTHradio device 504. Inthis imple-
`mentation, the wireless oximeter sensor 508 is a PULSEOX
`model no. 5500, whichis a finger unit blood saturation and
`heart rate spot-monitor from the SPO Medical company.
`PULSEOX model no. 5500 is modified to be powered
`continuously for an indefinite period, instead of spot check-
`ing. PULSEOX model no. 5500 also is modified to extract
`data for recording and processing. PULSEOX model no.
`5500 provides an internal 9600 baud serial digital signal
`containing the oximeter data plus other, probably diagnostic
`data. As this data may have other non-relevant characters in
`the bit stream, the data reformatter 506 (PICI6F873 micro-
`processor) is programmed to parse and reformat the data
`suitable for radio frequency transmission for subsequent
`processing, viewing and storage. The reformatted data is
`then sent
`to the small, low-powered BLUETOOTHradio
`chip 504 for transmission to the personal server 502. Per-
`sonal server 502 has a display, which may be used to display
`the sensor reading in real time. In this implementation, the
`personal server 502 is anAUDIOVOX SMT 5600 SMART
`PHONE. While this implementation is described using a
`blood oximeter sensor, other non-skin contacting health
`monitoring devices could also be incorporated such as an
`accelerometer, gyroscope and/or magnetometer. This type of
`sensor may be used for detecting physical activity or angular
`position of the wearer which might also give the context of
`the activity, such as lying down,sitting up, standing, walk-
`ing, or running. In one alternative implementation, these
`sensors may be incorporated into or mounted to the personal
`server 502 rather than being radio frequency linked. A wrist
`mounted device may also be incorporated. Besides indica-
`tion of the time, the wrist mounted device may be linked to
`the personal server 502. This would give the user access to
`readily viewable data rather than recalling the data via the
`user interface.
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 for
`[0023]
`determining whether sleep apnea is occurring using the
`wireless personal area network that may monitor blood
`oxygen. Method 600 may be used to alert, and/or to record
`data pertaining to the sleeping patterns of an individual for
`later analysis. The method 600 starts at start block 602. From
`start block 602, the method 600 enters block 604. Block 604
`is for measuring and recording the oxygen level of an
`individual with a non-intrusive sensor capable of wirelessly
`transmitting data. After suflicient amount of oxygenlevel
`data is obtained to establish a normal baseline level, the
`method 600 may enter decision block 606. Decision block
`606 determines whether the oxygen level
`is below the
`baseline minus a certain offset “A.” If the determination in
`decision block 606 is “no”, the method 600 returns to block
`604, wherein the method 600 continues to measure and
`record the oxygenlevel of the individual. If the determina-
`tion in decision block 606 is “yes”, the method 600 enters
`block 608. Block 608 is for signaling the start of an apnea
`event. Fromblock 608, the method 600 enters block 610. In
`block 610,
`the method 600 continuously measures and
`records the oxygenlevel ofthe individual. From block 610,
`the method 600 enters decision block 612. In decision block
`
`612, the method 600 determines whether the oxygenlevel is
`greater than the baseline level minus a percentage of the
`offset A. If the determination in decision block 612 is “no”,
`the method 600 returns to block 610, where the method 600
`continuously measures and records the oxygenlevel ofthe
`individual. If the determination in decision block 612 is
`“ves”, the method 600 enters block 614. In block 614, the
`method 600 has determined that the apnea eventis at an end.
`Although one implementation of a use for the wireless
`personal area network having an open architecture has been
`described,
`it is to be recognized that the invention is not
`limited to any one particular implementation.
`
`[0024] While illustrative embodiments of the invention
`have been illustrated and described,
`it will be appreciated
`that various changes can be madetherein without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
`property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
`1, A networked system, comprising:
`a master device;
`
`at
`
`least one sensor to monitor a physiological sign,
`wherein the master device and the sensor are in a
`wireless personal area network having an open archi-
`tecture.
`
`2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the physiological sign
`is one of at least heart rate, oxygen level, respiration rate,
`body temperature, cholesterol
`level, blood glucose level,
`galvanic skin response, EEG, or blood pressure.
`3. The systemof claim 1, further comprising at least one
`sensor to monitor other than a physiological sign.
`4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one
`sensor to monitor motion, orientation, or the environment.
`5. The system of claim 1, wherein the master deviceis a
`cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a computer, or a
`wearable device.
`
`6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the master device may
`store, process, communicate or display data gathered by the
`sensor.
`
`011
`
`011
`
`

`

`US 2007/0027367 Al
`
`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`7. The system of claim 1, wherein communication in the
`wireless personal area network is encrypted.
`8. The system of claim 1, wherein the master device
`includes a radio frequency integrated circuit.
`9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a
`radio frequency integrated circuit.
`10. A method of communicating physiological data over
`a wireless personal area network having an open architec-
`ture, comprising:
`
`determining when a sensor device is in proximity to a
`master device;
`
`receiving anidentification signal from the sensor device:
`
`authenticating the sensor device;
`
`receiving data from the sensor device, wherein the sensor
`device may monitor a physiological sign.
`11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the physiological
`sign is one of at least heart rate, oxygen level, respiration
`rate, body temperature, cholesterol
`level, blood glucose
`level, galvanic skin response, EEG, or blood pressure.
`12. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving
`other than physiological data from a second sensor device.
`13. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving
`data to monitor motion, orientation, or the environment.
`
`14. The method of claim 10, wherein the master deviceis
`a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a computer, or
`a wearable device.
`
`15. The method of claim 10, further comprising deter-
`mining a sleep apnea event.
`16. The method of claim 10, wherein the master device
`includes a discovery module to determine whena sensoris
`in proximity to the master device.
`17. The method of claim 10, wherein the