ao United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2008/0200774 Al
`
` Luo (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 21, 2008
`
`
`US 20080200774A1
`
`(54) WEARABLE MINI-SIZE INTELLIGENT
`HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
`Inventor:
`Tlongyue Luo, Waterloo (CA)
`
`(75)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Hongyuc Luo
`465 Regency Cres
`Waterloo, ON N2T 1P3 (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`—
`Mpa
`(22) Filed:
`
`Hongyue Luo, Waterloo (CA)
`,
`.
`11/675,684
`°
`.
`Heb. 16, 2007
`ta Wg cas
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A6IB 5/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. CD. ce csteesrsescesrecseecesens reece 600/301
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A system and method for the wearable mini-size intelligent
`healthcare system, comprising one or multiple vital signal
`sensors, activity sensors, a real-time detection and analyzing
`module for continuous health monitoring, adjustable user
`setting mode with the adaptive optimization, data-collecting
`capability to record important health information, smart
`audio oulpuls of audio beep and speech advice to the user
`through audio path and audio interface, preset and user con-
`firmable alarm conditions via wireless communications net-
`work to the appropriate individual for prompt and necessary
`assistance. The system uses noninvasive monitoring technol-
`ogyfor continuous, painless and bloodless healthstate moni-
`toring. The system also works throughthe short range RF link
`with carry-on PDAorcell phonefor displaying health infor-
`mation, making urgent contact to support center, doctor or
`individual, or for information transmission with a healthcare
`center.
`
`2 Interface Speaker
`
`
`
`Audio 4
`path
`
`
`Audio
`Reflection
`Intertace
`-plate
`
`User setting
`
`User cancel
`
`User request
`
`Note:
`$1: Physiological sensors
`S2: Activity sensors
`SN: New sensors
`RF: Wireless link
`
`
`
`System Overview
`
`001
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1055
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
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`Apple Inc.
`APL1055
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`001
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 21,2008 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`" Speaker
`
`Audia
`path
`
`
`« Temperature
`
`
`User cancel
`
`User request
`
`\)
`
`
`User setting ae &
`¢
`Pa ‘ sensor
`f
`af
`
`
`
`
`Audio
`
`Interface
`
`Note:
`51: Physiological sensors
`S2: Activity sensors
`
`SN: New sensors
`RF: Wirelesslink
`
`Reflection
`~plate
`
`Fig.
`
`1 System Overview
`
`Healthcare
`
`center
`
`Short ranae RF link
`:
`OY
`tN
`\ Se
`
`Cellphone
`
`#7777777
`
`.
`Wireless
`communication
`network
`
`=
`
`Family
`yf
`7/4 member
`=v”
`‘te
`we
`¥.
`: Cellular network
`ae >:
`| Or any
`: wireless network
`
`Fig. 2 System application overview
`
`002
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 21,2008 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`1
`
`Physiological
`sensors (S1)
`
`21
`
`Activity sensors
`(S2)
`22
`
`Contact sensor
`
`UserSetting
`
`User Cancel
`
`31
`
`32
`
`User Request
`w w
`
`RF unit
`
`44
`
`Battery
`
`51
`
`Shell
`
`52
`
`CPU+Memory
`K__» +Algorithm - Speaker
`+Parameters
`+Data Storage
`
`41
`
`
`
`I/O Interface
`
`45
`
`Fig. 3: System diagram
`
`Audio path 42
`
`43
`
`Audio Interface
`
`Physiological
`
`temperature
`
`Signal Detection Body
`Information
`
`Temperature sensor 210
`
`Life Sign 1
`
`
`Physiological
`
`Life Sign N
`
`
`Fig. 4: Physiological Signal Monitoring
`
`003
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 21, 2008 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`Activity Detection
`
`Fall detection
`
`Activity
`sensors
`
`Activity state
`.
`Exercise
`amount
`
`Activity
`Information
`
`Fig. 5: Activity Monitoring
`
`004
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 21,2008 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`Contact
`sensor
`
`Initialization
`
`User Setting
`
`Update Setting
`
`Physiological Sign
`Monitoring
`
`Activity/Balance
`Monitoring
`
`
`
`
`
`Health diagnose with expert
`knowledge & reference
`
`In health es.|Update health
`
`range?
`record
`
`no
`
`Case: Concern
`
`Case: Serious
`
`Smart Audio Output:
`Advice/warn/reminder
`
`Call for emergence:
`Degree process & previous
`
`
`
`
`Cancelled?
`
`Makethe call!
`
`
`yes
`
`
`
`Cancelled
`
`Update health
`record
`
`Fig. 6: System Principle
`
`005
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`WEARABLEMINI-SIZE INTELLIGENT
`HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable mini-
`size intelligent healthcare system for the continuous monilor-
`ing and care ofa subject. More particularly, the present inven-
`tion is for a healthcare system and method, taking advantage
`of the specific bodyposition around the subject’s ear for the
`continuous detection and analyzing of a subject’s health con-
`dition with noninvasive monitoring technology, the evalua-
`tion of said health condition enabling the early detection of
`adverse health conditions, the providing of the smart audio
`interface for real-timenotification with emotional perception,
`health informationdisplayor storage over the Personal Digi-
`tal Assistants (PDA)or cell phone via short range RFlink,
`urgent contact or information transmission through PDA or
`cell phone over wireless communication network.
`
`BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION
`
`[0002] As well-known,a person with a health issue such as
`heart disease usually needs to be examined regularly and
`better to be monitored continuallyfor the early signs ofthose
`health problems. Although there are many instruments or
`devices available for monitoring an individual’s activities and
`evaluating their health states, a person with health issue needs
`to visit periodically a medical facilily to obtain the proper
`diagnosis and medical treatment. Once at the medicalfacility,
`the subject is usually examined with some type of medical
`instruments for the short duration. The health information
`obtained duringthevisit only represents a small portion ofthe
`subject’s physiological informationat the time of the exami-
`nation, which usually does not reflect the actual! health prob-
`lem occurring in the daily lifc. In order to obtain more com-
`plete medical information, doctors would need to observe a
`subject’s health condilion over certain duration usually
`longer than that of regular health examination. Because of
`time andcosts associated with these tests and observations, it
`is usually impractical to conduct the required long-term
`observation and full evaluation for most people who may
`need them.
`
`[0003] Another majorissue for manyindividuals is getting
`prompt medical instruction and care as soon as a health prob-
`lem occurs. To detect an occupying health problem in time
`and then to provide a prompt health care is crucial to the
`individual’s health. For example, a heart attack victim will
`have a significantly greater chanceof full recoveryif medical
`care is recetved as soon as a heart attack is detected. As
`another example, an early detection of the sleep apnea can
`give an individual good opportunity to take necessary actions
`to prevent the serious sleep-disordered breathing problem
`from developing. Unfortunately, an individual usually does
`not recognize the early signs which indicate an occurring risk.
`Quite often, by the time the individual doesrealize an occur-
`ring risk, they might be incapable of seeking for medical
`assistance. Another issue is to provide quick and accurate
`informationfor the necessary medical care, whichis essential
`to asuccessful diagnosis and treatmentofthe health problem.
`[0004] The patent application U.S. Pat. No. 6,579,231, Per-
`sonal Medical Monitoring Unit and System by Phipps, has
`disclosed a personal medical monitoring unit and system,
`which is a portable unit worn by a subject, comprising a
`medical monitoring device, a data processing module with
`
`memoryand transmitter for collecting, monitoring, and stor-
`ing the subject’s physiological data and also issuing the sub-
`ject’s medical alarm conditions via wireless communications
`network to the appropriate location for expeditious dispatch
`ofassistance. The unit also works in conjunction with a cen-
`tral reporting system for long term collection and storage of
`the subject’s physiological data. The unit may have the capa-
`bility to automatically dispense chemicals that may alleviate
`or assist in recovery from an illness. The Personal Medical
`Monitoring Unit and System disclosed in the invention con-
`tinuously monitors a subject’s medical data values as it
`receives them from the medical monitoring devices, which
`may be any standard medical monitoring device that
`is
`capableofproviding data to another device. The invention has
`focused on the personal portable unit with data processing
`capability in connection with various types ofmedical moni-
`toring, devices through utilizing wireless communication
`technology.
`[0005] Cox, et al. disclosed another healthcare system in
`the patent US. Pat. No. 4,679,144. In this patent, an apparatus
`for monitoring EKG information includes a programmable
`apparatus carried by an ambulatory patient for performing
`continuous, real-time analyses of EKG information derived
`from the patient. The apparatus facilitates the determination
`ofthe existence ofvarious conditions based onthese analyses
`which portend cardiac complications includmg myocardial
`ischemia, and arrhythemia activity and further instructs the
`patient on the mannerof treatment required for the detected
`condition. As stated, the healthcare system is for ambulatory
`patient and only monitors EKGrelated information.
`[0006] Oliver, et al. has presented a technical report (MSR-
`TR-2005-182) “HealthGear: A Real-time Wearable System
`for Monitoring and Analyzing Physiological Signals”.
`IlealthGear as proposed is a real-time wearable system for
`monitoring, visualizing and analyzing physiological signals.
`The data streams from the physiological sensors are con-
`stantly transmitted to a cell phone via Bluetooth for signal
`processing and message display. Because of wireless trans-
`mission via Bluetooth and constant data streams between
`sensors and cell phone, the power consumption of the system
`is high and the size of the monitoring system is still large.A
`summary upto the date is present, in which various researches
`on wearable health monitoring technologies and devices have
`been reviewed. Most ofresearch and developments have becn
`focused on non-invasive physiological sensors, wireless sen-
`sor network such as Personal Area Network (PAN) or Body
`Area Network (BAN), real-time physiological signal moni-
`toring and cellular connection to a medical center through
`wireless connection via Bluetooth to a cell phone.
`[0007] All available health monitoring, systems and pro-
`posed inventions up today have the similar challenges for an
`easy wearable healthcare system with small size, low power
`consumption, lowcost and high intelligence withoutlimiting
`user’s freedoms and mobility. One of the top common chal-
`lenges is the communication among various sensors, central
`processing unit and the user. Therefore, most of the front-
`running research and development for the wearable health-
`care system has focused on wireless sensor network such as
`Personal Area Network (PAN)or Body Area Network (BAN)
`for the sensor data transmission between sensors and. central
`processing unit. Although wireless technology for local arca
`network has made it possible to communicate the constant
`data streams of sensors to the central processing unil, it has
`serious limitations such as system complexity, device size,
`
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`US 2008/0200774 Al
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`power consumption,reliability of the wireless body area net-
`work, interference from environment and user health affec-
`tion possibly inducedby the constant wireless signals around
`bodyall the times. ‘Therefore, if possible, it is always desired
`to minimize the use of wireless for the concerns of environ-
`ment interference, possible health affection caused by RF
`signalfield, device size, power consumption and affordability
`for majority of population.
`[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for anintelligent health-
`care system and service that can provide continuous and
`intelligent health monitoring, analyzing and storing a sub-
`ject’s medical information while allowing the subject com-
`plete freedomand mobility with extremely small size, easy to
`wear, low power consumption,low cost, high intelligence and
`reliable to use with the minimized use of wireless communi-
`cation for the emergent or requested communication.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0009] The present invention is for continuous real-time
`monitoring subject’s health condition with intelligent detec-
`tion and analysis capability, smart warning or reminder of an
`urgent health condition and storage of an individual’s health
`information withoutinterrupting an individual’s daily life. In
`the present invention, the unique advantagesof specific body
`position aroundthe ear have been identified and used for easy
`wear, easy acquiring rich physiological signals and activity
`signals, easy communication between various sensors and the
`central processing module, and easy to emit and receive smart
`audio outputs between the system and user without using
`wireless body area network. As the further advantage, the
`present invention can let system to load doctor’s voice as
`warning/reminding/instruction message or the voice from a
`family member for reminding purpose, in which the emo-
`tional factor is considered to makethe users, especially elder
`one, feel warmandnatural to take the necessary action.
`[0010] The present invention has unique advantages over
`any available healthcare products and proposed inventions:
`1). Use the specific bodyposition around the ear for easy wear
`and comfortable to wear; 2). Use the specific body position
`around the ear to access manycritical physiological signals
`for easy detection and less sensitive to the environment tem-
`perature; 3). Use the specific bodyposition aroundthe car for
`easy emitting and receiving smart audio outputs for advice,
`reminder or warning; 4). With these three critical advantages,
`it has even more attractive overall system advantage that the
`intelligent healthcare system may not need to use wireless
`local area networkor body area network among sensors, the
`central processing unit and the user. Because of these four
`unique and extremely smart advantages, the saidintelligent
`healthcare system has less technical problems and challenge
`usually existing for the wearable health systems. Asthe final
`benefits,
`the said intelligent healthcare system has much
`smaller size, much lower power consumption, much less
`complicated design, much morereliable performance, much
`easier to wear and much lower cost compared with the other
`proposed wearable health systems using wireless body area
`network or local area network approaches.
`[0011] The present inventionuses anintelligent signal pro-
`cessing algorithm to continuously monitor a subject’s vital
`signs with real-time detection and analysis, record. and stor-
`age of the health information running on a powerful but
`mini-size signal processor with low power consumption in
`connection with physiological sensors and activily sensors,
`and utilizing wireless communications technology knownin
`
`the art to connect with the medical care center, doctor or
`family member via the available PDA or cell phone. The
`saved health information may then be downloaded into a
`computer or medical device for further analysis and evalua-
`tion. In addition, the invented monitoring device may also
`providereal-time health information to the monitored subject
`at a touch ofa button as either smart audio outputsor display
`on available PDAorcell phone, or both of them in the same
`time.
`
`[0012] Once the invented healthcare system detects a con-
`cerned health condition in the subject, which may correlate
`withthe subject’s activity detection, it can alert the subject or
`notify the appropriate people so that the subject can take
`necessaryaction accordingly. In additionto issue some types
`ofalarms such as a loud beep sound toalert the subject, the
`device can issue the pre-recorded audio messagesforspecific
`health condition as smart warning, advice or reminder. If a
`serious or dangerous health condition is identified in the
`subject, the device may issue smart audio warning to the
`subject and automatically use the integrated short range RF
`link between the device and the PDAorcell phone to request
`the PDAorcell phone to make a contact with medical center,
`doctor or family member through the available wireless net-
`work. The device may be programmedsuchthat a call to 911
`is immediately made and the subject’s name and medical
`history are provided therewith. At the sametime,the invented
`device may also provide the 911 operator with the subject’s
`location, by sending them a global positioningsatellite (GPS)
`coordinate ifGPS capability has been included in the PDA or
`cell phone device. It is possible to use the PDA orcell phone
`via the short range RF link to display the health state and
`dynamic health signal so that the subject or other person
`around can observe them.
`
`[0013] Accordingly,it is an object of the present invention
`to provide an intelligent healthcare system that may be worn
`on a subject over the ear and carried anywhere with using
`noninvasive monitoring technology. The intelligent health-
`care system may be setup to store current medical informa-
`tion and detect any pre-defined alarm conditions, such as
`heart attack. Upon an occurrence of such alarm conditions,
`the device mayprovide smart audio outputs such as warning,
`advice or reminderto the subject for a concerned situation or
`contact the healthcare center, doctor or family member with
`health information for the necessary healthcare or medical
`assistance for serious situation.
`
`Itis another object of the present invention to com-
`[0014]
`bine the advantages ofthe global positioning system (GPS)
`for locating the subject at the time of the health crisis. The
`communications capabilities ofa cellular phone or a two way
`pager would provide the most prompt emergencyassistance.
`[0015]
`It is still another object of the present invention to
`provide a service for health information collection and long
`term storage of a remote subject’s medical data via wireless
`communications technology.
`[0016]
`It is still another object of the present innovation to
`provide an audio interface with media player, phone receiver
`through the short range RFlink,or even hearing enhancement
`capability over the basic healthcare functionalities.
`[0017]
`Itis still another object of the present innovation to
`provide the other factor detections such as environment
`detection, weather detection, acoustic signal detection or
`even subject’s emotion detection.
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`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of the present invention
`[0018]
`and to showmore clearly howit may be carried into effect,
`reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the
`accompanying drawings which showpreferred embodiments
`of the present invention and in which:
`[0019]
`FIG. 1 is a system overviewillustrating the present
`invention in a preferred embodiment.
`[0020]
`FIG. 2 is a system application overview illustrating
`the present inventioninthe preferred embodiment.
`[0021]
`FIG. 3 is a system diagramillustrating the present
`invention in the preferred embodiment.
`[0022]
`FIG. 41isa block diagram illustrating an example of
`physiological sensor unit with the intelligent signal process-
`ing capability.
`[0023]
`FIG. 5isa block diagram illustrating an example of
`activity sensor unit with the intelligent signal processing
`capability.
`[0024]
`[IG. 6 is a block diagramillustrating the health
`monitoring principle ofan intelligent healthcare system in the
`preferred embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`system consists of a central processing module CPM 11,
`physiological sign sensors (S1) 21, activity sensors ($2) 22, a
`contact sensor 23, a speaker 41 for smart audio outputs, an
`audio path 42 with audio interface 43 to the ear canal without
`affecting normal acoustic signal access to the eardrum, a RF
`communication unit 44, an I/O interface 45, a battery 51 to
`powerthe system and a shell 52 to contain the system. The
`FIG.3 also contains the user controls including user setting
`unit 31, user cance! 32 and user request 33. In the invented
`system, one or multiple vital life sign sensors 21 for detecting
`the subject’s physiological condition such as SpO2, glucose
`or other signals. In its preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, activity sensors 22 are for detecting the subject’s
`physical activity. The unit CPM 11 is typically comprised of
`a central processing unit (CPU) and memorywith intelligent
`signal processing algorithm runningin real-time.
`[0028]
`['IG. 41s a physiological monitoring unit, associated
`with physiological sensors 21, which can continuously moni-
`tor physiological condition such as oxyhemoglobin satura-
`tion (SpO2), body temperature or even glucose.
`It
`is
`extremely important to use noninvasive monitoring technol-
`ogyfor continuous, painless and bloodless measurementsfor
`physiological signal monitoring. In the example of using
`physiological sensors for oxygen saturation detection, the red
`light (with 660 nm wavelengths) and infrared light (with 910
`[0025] FIG.1is a system overviewillustrating the present
`
`nm wavelengths) are emitted. through the earlobe by light
`invention in a preferred embodiment. The system consists of
`sources of sensor unit (S1) and to use optoclectronic sensors
`physiological sensors (S1) and body temperature sensor
`to detect the amountoflight reflected back from thereflection
`seamlessly contacting the skin behindthe ear, activity sensors
`plate, in which lights have gone through the earlobe twice by
`(S2), a central processing module (CPM), a speaker for smart
`reflection. In addition to obtaining real-time blood oxygen
`audio outputs, an audio deliverypath withthe audiointerface,
`level and plethysmographic signal, the intelligent detection
`a contact sensor touching the skin behindthe ear, a battery as
`algorithm extracts heart rate, blood flow information or even
`system power supply, a short range RF communication unit
`sleep apnea whenthe subjectis in sleep. Another example of
`(RF) andashell to contain the system. The FIG. 1 also
`such physiological sensor is to use near-infrared light (with
`contains the adjustable user setting for system optimization,
`wavelengths between 1000 nm and 2500 nm) to detect the
`user cancel for self-confirmation to eliminate possible false
`glucosein the similar principle. The real-time physiological
`alarm and user request for user to check currenthealth state or
`detection algorithm continuously monitors the subject’s
`issue a necessary urgent request. The invented system is a
`physiologicalsignals, extracts ils pattern, predicts the trend of
`mini-size device designed to be worn on the ear by a subject,
`the physiological condition and analyze the physiological
`providing the subject with great mobility and comfort.
`condition according to the medical expert knowledge and the
`[0026]
`FIG. 21s a system application overview illustrating
`subject’s own health history. In the physiological monitoring
`the present invention as the intelligent health device and
`unit, the body temperature mayalso be monitored since it
`system connected to the healthcare center, doctor or family
`offers basic physiological informationofa subject, which can
`memberthrough cellular network or any wireless network via
`be used to help to analyze the subject’s health condition.
`PDAor cell phone available in the art. The urgent contact,
`health information or location can be transmitted as either
`[0029]
`FIG. 5 is the activity monitoring unit, associated
`with aclivily sensors 22, which can continuously monitor the
`user request or automatically generated by the intelligent
`subject’s physical activity in XYZ dimensions for motion
`healthcare system. The intelligent health system also can
`receive instructions or other information from the healthcare
`detection including fall detection. There are many types of
`activity sensors available and the example of the smallest
`center, doctor or family member. In the meantime, the PDA
`activity sensors are piezo-resistive 3-axis acceleration sen-
`and/or cell phone can be used to displaythe health informa-
`sors. The real-time activity detection algorithm continuously
`tion or save the medical data from the intelligent healthcare
`detects the subject’s activity information such asrest, walk or
`system whennecessaryor required by the user. The personal
`run, and amount of the activity over time. The extracted
`healthcare system is able to communicate with the PDA or
`activity information such as activity state, activity strength
`cell phone within the short distance of arm coverage such as
`and duration can offer important correlation information for
`1.5 m via the short range RF link. Onthe other side, the PDA
`health condition evaluation in addition to be used for analyz-
`or cell phone can connect the healthcare center, doctor or
`ing the subject’s life style, exercise pattern and health plan. A
`family member without distance limitation as long as com-
`fall detection capability maybe includedin the activity moni-
`mercial wireless communication coverage available.
`toring, whichis especially valuable for the elder people since
`[0027]
`FIG. 3 is a system diagramillustrating the present
`the fall for the elder people are very dangerous and needlot of
`invention as an intelligent medical monitoring device and
`attention.
`system.In the preferred embodiment, the monitoring system
`1 continuously monitors a subject’s physiological signals
`and/or activity signals as il receives them continuously from
`the physiological sensors and physical activity sensors. The
`
`FIG. 6 is a block diagramillustrating health moni-
`[0030]
`toring principle of an intelligent healthcare system in the
`preferred embodiment,
`in which either the physiological
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`information detected from the physiological monitoring unit
`or the activity information detected from the activity moni-
`toring unit are analyzed, or both of them are analyzed accord-
`ingly with the correlation of these signals. ‘he health diag-
`nose is conducted with the use of expert knowledge and
`subject’s health reference. The health state is determined and
`updated along time.If a concerned health state is detected,the
`system will emit smart audio outputs to alert or remind the
`subject for the concerned health condition. If a serious or
`dangerous health state is detected, the intelligent healthcare
`system will both emit the smart audio outputs to the subject
`and request, via the short range RFlink, the PDAor cell phone
`to contactthe health center, doctor or family memberthrough
`the available wireless communication network. The subject
`has the opportunityto cancel such urgent contact ifthe subject
`feels he/she can handle the serious situation or can get the
`help nearby. Therefore, only if the subject feels necessary to
`make such an urgent contact or he/she is incapable of cancel-
`ing such an urgent contact, the PDA orthe cell phone will
`make the urgent contact and translate the necessary informa-
`tion.
`
`[0031] With the integration of the physiological signal
`monitoring and physic activity monitoring, the present moni-
`toring, system can make more intelligent and more reliable
`health detection since the health condition can be highly
`associated with the user’s physical activity condition. For
`example, at normal resting condition, a heart rate of 60~100
`per minute for a subject can be treated as normal. A jump to
`120 or higher at the same activity condition for the same
`subject can imply a health condition change. However,if the
`subject is going through a activity change from the resting
`condition to run condition, such a heart rate jump can be
`considered as normal because the intense activity usually
`results in a heart rate jump within a certainrange. If the heart
`rate jumps much higher than the normal range,it is still
`necessary to be detected as the health problem.In the case that
`the heart rate becomesvery low,it is another important health
`conditionto identify. In anothercase, ifthe heart rate becomes
`irregular. such as missing heart beator irregular beat duration
`along time, it can also implya heart issue.
`[0032]
`‘Lhe contact sensor 23 is included to ensure that the
`device has been properly installed on the designed position to
`obtain the physiological
`and/or activity signals. Any
`improperposition or installation of the device has adverse
`impact onthe signal quality and monitoringreliability. Once
`an improper installation of the device is detected, the device
`will issuc an audio warning signal such as long beep or voice
`warning(e.g. “Please check the device position”) so that the
`user can make sure the device works properly.
`[0033] Depending on the health condition detected bythe
`monitoring system, various output actions can take place.
`Examples of output actions that may be triggered are an
`emergencycall/transmission (page or phonecal!) through RT
`44 for a very scrious condition, activation of the smart audio
`outputs such as beep, advice, reminding or warning through
`speaker 41, audio path 42 and audio interface 43 to the ear
`canal for a concerned health condition, data storage on the
`CPMortransmission through RF 44for the future analysis or
`review purpose. The medical expert knowledgeis applied to
`the obtained information with the subject’s health data, the
`pre-determined alarm setting and urgent contact requirement.
`[0034] The monitoring system 1 includes a RF unit 44 to
`communicate with a PDAorcell phone, which consists of a
`RFtransmitter for one way communication to send out the
`
`subject’s health urgent condition that may include the
`detailed health informationor subject’s personal information;
`ora RF transceiver for dual way communication to send out
`health information and to receive the necessary medical or
`action instruction. The RF unit of the intelligent healthcare
`system is designed to communicate with the PDA orcell
`phonefor the short distance coverage such as 1.5 m to save
`systempower consumptionas the subject will carry the PDA
`or cell phoneall the time within the coverage,
`[0035] The monitoring system 1 may also communicate,
`through the RF unit 44, with a PDA orcell phone that may
`have included the global positioning or navigation system
`capability (GPS) so that the user’s current geographical loca-
`tion can be identified by the clinic center, doctor or family
`member.
`
`[0036] The user setting 31 of the invented monitoring
`device can be adjusted by the subject for regular monitoring
`over a long duration such as 30 minutes, 5 minutes or | minute
`for power saving purposeor for continuous monitoring. Even
`working in the different user setting modes, the system can
`adoptthe health situation adaptivelyto real-time continuous
`modein case of health issue detected. Therefore, the system
`can achieve both power saving purpose and full-on engage-
`ment monitoring when necessary.
`[0037] The user cancel 32 is to cancel an automatic emer-
`gent call when an urgent and serious health condition is
`detected by the intelligent health system. Only if the user
`thinksit is necessary to send this request or the user 1s inca-
`pable to cancel the emergent request, the user can cancel such
`a request to reducethefalse alarm.
`[0038] The user request 33 is for the user to request a
`current health state update or an urgent call. The button ofuser
`request can be pushed shortly for the current medical state
`update as smart audio outputs or displayed. over the available
`PDAorcell phone. The same button of user request can be
`pushed with hold for a certain time such as 2 seconds as an
`urgent call. In this case, the crilical health information of the
`user maybesent to clinic center, doctor or family memberto
`determine the subject’s health condition and the necessary
`help. This user control enables the user to be able to check
`his/her health state or manually seek necessary assistance for
`a variety of conditions, including injuries from a fall or an
`automobile malfunction. It is also beneficial to provide the
`geographical coordinate locations with the emergencycall if
`the GPS capability is included in the PDAor cell phone.
`Another example of user controls is to request a data-save
`action in conjunctionwiththe intelligent signal processing so
`that the user or doctor can obtain the necessary medical infor-
`mation for the time being the user feels or wantsto save.
`[0039] The intelligent healthcare system mayinclude a
`Device ID, which comprises a unique identifier for each
`monitoring device and its user. This identifier may be
`included with data transmission, and is used by the receiving
`end (e.g.,