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`US 20070027367Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0027367 A1
`
`Oliver et a]. Feb. 1, 2007 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`[54) MOBILE, PERSONAL, AND NON-INTRUSIVE
`HEALTH MONITORING AN D ANALYSIS
`SYSTEM
`
`(22)
`
`File-d;
`
`Aug. 1.. 2005
`Publication Classification
`
`(51}
`
`[m- C'-
`(2006.01)
`A613 5/00
`(2006.01)
`A613 5/02
`(2006.01)
`A6IB 5/04
`(2006.01)
`A613
`10/00
`(52) U.S. L'I........................ .. 6001300: [28/9031 600/500:
`600/549: 600/544; 600565:
`600/485
`
`[75}
`
`lnvcntors: Nuria Maria Oliver. Scuttle. WA (US):
`I“ernando Flores-Mangas. Mexico l').F.
`(MX): Dane Michael Howard.
`Sammamish. WA (US): Eric G. Lang.
`Yarrow Point. WA (US): Russell I.
`Sam:th Medina. WA (US); Michael
`Jack Sinclair. Kirkland. WA (US):
`Alfred Yong-link 'l‘an. liullcvuc. WA
`(US): Ralph Donald Thompson III.
`Sammamish. W.l\ US
`(
`)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`(:HRIS-l-ENSHN, O’CONNOR JOHNSON,
`KINDNESS, PLLC
`[420 FIFTH AVE IUE
`SUITE 2300
`SEATTLE WA 981014347 (US)
`
`[73)
`
`Ass-11.51166: Microsoft Corporation [Edmond WA
`
`(21) Appl. No;
`
`INIQSJSS
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57}
`.
`_
`.
`An open architecture. Wireless personal area network lor
`resolving. storing. processing. displaying and communicat-
`ing physiological dalzl. The wireless pursonzll 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
`lilo-tors. The smsors wirclcssly provide dala to the personal
`server. which may store. process. display. and communicate
`the data. An open archilccluro allows uddilional sensors to
`join [his nclwork wilhonl rendering lhc personal server
`irrelevant.
`
`US. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`[ — — w 7 771
`I _ _ _ H _ ..._
`.54 SENSOR 1
`r — — i 7 LA‘l
`
`-1BATTERY:
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1041
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1041
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`001
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

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`US 2007/0027367 A1
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 2007/0027367 A1
`
`200
`
`/
`
`IS SENSOR IN
`PR 0X!rT Y?
`
`SENSOR DA TA
`
`IS SENSOR
`TRANSMITTING
`DA TA ?
`
`RECEIVE SENSOR
`ID
`
`IS SENSOR
`A UTHENTICA TED I’
`
`SENSOR JOINS
`THE NETWORK
`
`COMP UTER
`RECEIVES
`
`003
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 2007/0027367 A1
`
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`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 2007/0027367 A1
`
`346,358
`
`DISCO VER Y
`MODULE
`
`DA TA
`
`ACQUISITION
`MODULE
`
`M01) ULE
`
`DA TA
`VISUALIZA TION
`MODULE
`
`AUTHENTICATION
`MODULE
`
`DATA
`STORAGE
`MODULE
`
`7 DA TA
`ANAL YSIS
`MODULE
`
`DA TA
`
`COMMUNICA TION
`
`005
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`510
`
`OXIMETER
`SENSOR
`
`3L UETOO TH
`
`PERSONAL
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 2007/0027367 A1
`
`DA TA
`REFORAIA TTER
`
`SER VER
`
`006
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Feb. 1, 2007 Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 2007/0027367 A1
`
`600
`
`/
`
`APNEH EVENT ENDS
`
`0;LEVEL I>
`
`MEASURE AND RECORD
`0; LEVEL
`
`02 LEVEL
`<
`
`(BASELINE — A)
`?
`
`YES
`
`APNEA EVENT STARTS
`
`MEASURE AND RECORD
`
`(BASELINE — .25A)
`?
`
`007
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`MOBILE. PERSONAL. AND NON-[NTRUSTVE
`HEALTH MONITORLNG AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM
`
`'I‘IiCIlNICAI. FIELD
`
`[0001] Open architecture. 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
`individual is taken out ofhis or her normal environment. the
`individual may be under stress. 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 amount of time.
`Any physiological sign monitoring system that 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. Tlte
`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 Stuttrttary to be used as an
`aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
`
`US 2007f0027367 A1
`
`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`008
`
`[0004] Emerging technologies have made it 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 of various
`devices within close proximity to one person. wherein the
`devices are able to communicate with one another. The
`personal area network ntay 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. It] 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 sofiware 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 tlte wireless personal area
`network include sensors that may not monitor physiological
`signs. Nonephysiological 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 (FDA). 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
`conununications 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 front
`multiple sensors. Wireless encryption protocol to protect
`wirelessly transmitted data may also be provided. A set of
`wireless sensors are attached, won]. or even embedded at
`difl'erent locations on the body. Since sensors share a com-
`mon radio protocol.
`individual sensors cart 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 tlte ability to 01352er
`real—time measurements of their body condition and their
`environment. and throttgh 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 of disease and other bodily damage,
`
`DESCRIPTION 01: THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0006] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant
`advantages will become more readily appreciated as the
`same become better understood by reference to the follow-
`ing detailed description. when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings. wherein:
`
`[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless.
`personal area network for receiving physiological data:
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method for receiving
`data in a wireless personal area network:
`[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical illustration of a wire—
`less. personal area network for receiving physiological data:
`
`[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of modules for a
`computing device in a wireless. personal area network:
`
`FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical illustration of a portion
`[001]]
`of a wireless. personal area network for receiving physi-
`ological data; and
`
`[0012] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of art algoritle for
`determining sleep apnea.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0013] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illttstration of an open
`architecture. wireless. personal area network 110 for receive
`ing. at least. physiological data. At the center of the network
`III] is computing device 10!}. which is capable of any one
`process of receiving. storing. processing. commtmicating.
`
`008
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`US 2007f0027367 A1
`
`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`009
`
`[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 pattems of
`behavior. and help users achieve specific targets of physical
`activity. ln one embodiment. users of the system may select
`any one ol'a number of dilierent type of sensors. 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 conununicate with the computing device 100.
`such as a cellular phone. PDA. or laptop. which may store
`and analyze the data in a number of ditlerent manners to
`detect patterns of behavior and unusual events that would
`trigger a visit to the health care provider for further diagnosis
`and treatment. Method 200 starts with the start block 202. In
`block 202. computing device 100 is awaiting to receive a
`signal from a sensor within proximity ot‘it. From block 202.
`method 200 enters decision block 204.
`In block 204. a
`determination is made whether there is a sensor within
`proximity ofthe computing deviCe 100. [1‘ 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 ID is 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 netwurk. I-‘rom block 206. the
`method 200 enters decision block 208.
`In block 208. a
`determination is made by the computing device 100 whether
`the sensor 11) 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
`no". meaning that
`the sensor is not authenticated.
`the
`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 sensor is authenticated. then the method 200 enters block
`210. In block 210. the sensorjoins 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 oftransmission rules for the
`orderly transmitting ol'data [torn 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.
`andfor at an established time interval. Alternatively. each
`sensor may transmit in a ditt‘erent 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
`
`and displaying a multitude of data and information gathered
`from sensors in proximity to a person. Sensors in proximity
`to a person may be located on a 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 fom‘ts 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-
`tnining the person's act ivity, including whether the person is
`walking.
`running. or climbing. Orientation sensors 108
`determine the position of the person. including whether the
`person is sitting. standing. or sleeping. It is to be appreciated
`that the naming of sensors for 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 iSsucs of a
`person’s health.
`
`Specific features of the open architecture. wireless
`[0014]
`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 tnay 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 01‘ data 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 BLUE’IUO’I‘I’I. 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
`person in his or her normal environment. Furthermore. as the
`sensors are communicating in a personal area network.
`power requirements for sensors will be kept low.
`
`009
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`US 2007J0027367 Al
`
`Feb. 1,2007
`
`O10
`
`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
`MPIJs 340 and 352 execute the software 346 and 358 for
`collecting data. storing data. performing data analysis. man-
`aging the U15 396 and 398. and serve as the interface with
`the RFIC‘s 342 and 354. The sofiwarc 346 and 358 may
`provide functions for presenting real-time data values to the
`user via a display. The sofiware 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 efiiciently 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 802.154 (ZIGBEE). 802.15.] (BLUETOOTI-I].
`802.153 (UWB). 802.1 lx (Wimax). Through the Rl’ICs 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
`aitd 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 ltas
`been described with reference to a cellular phone as a master
`device. it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
`to arty one specific implementation of a master device.
`[0020]
`111 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 intennjttently 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 common frequency. Similarly. the sensor device
`that is new to the personal area network will broadcast in the
`satne frequency as the master device. The sensor device new
`to the personal area network will be broadcasting its idenw
`tification number. When the master device receives a signal
`that the master device l'L‘COthlit‘CS. the master device will
`interpret
`the identification number. The master device is
`pre-programrned to recognize specific identification titlin-
`bers. If the identification number is recognized by the master
`device, the master device will allow the sensor device new
`to the personal area network to establish a connection to the
`master device. and the sensor device may begin transmitting
`data that the master device call receive.
`
`device. i.e.. the sensor. know when it is time to transmit. If
`the determination in decision block 212 is “110". meaning
`that the sensor is 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 tlte 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. andfor processed in any other
`manner. From block 214. tlle 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 it)
`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. and at 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. but not limited to auxiliary displays. printers.
`and the like. The cellular phone 302 may include. a battery
`336 for power. tron-volatile storage 338 lbr the storage oi
`data collected from sensors 344 and for storage of software
`346. a microprocessor chip [Ml-’Ul 340. a display 396 for use
`as a user interface (U1). 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 conununication 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 of data collected from sensors 356 and for storage of
`software 358. a MPU 352. a U] 398. a Rf’lC 354. and a radio
`frequency antenna 316 for cormnunication in the wireless
`personal area network 300.
`
`FIG. 3 also illustrates a lumber 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 RI’IC.‘ 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 of interest. a battery 330 to power the sensor device.
`and a RFIC 332 with radio frequency antenna 320 to
`conununjcate 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 interlace. Representa-
`tive examples.
`include, but are not
`limited.
`to 80215.4
`(ZIGBEE). 802.151 (BLUETOO'I'I-I]. 80215.3 (UWB).
`802.11x (Wimax). The batteries 324 and 330 supply power
`to the sensor devices 308 and 310. respectively.
`
`[0019] Both UIs 396 and 398 are for presenting infomta—
`tion to the riser. in either text. or graphics. for example. and
`also for responding to user commands and1or receiving user
`
`[0021] Referring now to 1" 1G. 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 moduie 406. a data visualization
`module 408. a data communication module 410. a discovery
`module 412. and an authentication module 414. Data acquie
`silion module 402 is provided for wirelessly interfacing with
`the sensor devices 308 rmd 310 using a standard seriai port
`profile (SPF). The data acquisition module 402 can collect
`
`010
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`US 2007f0027367 A1
`
`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`data from as many sensors as needed. and send some
`information to the sensors when appropriate. Tlte 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~
`ritltms 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 through a radio or nticrowave frequency. The
`discovery module 412 is for implementing tltc discovery
`rules when a new sensor device is brought itt proximity to
`the master devices 302 or 306. The authentication module
`414 is for implementing the authentication rules alter the
`sensor 1D has been received by the master devices 302 or
`306.
`
`sensor.
`
`a schematic representation of one
`FIG. 5 is
`[0022]
`embodiment. wherein a personal server 502 communicates
`via a BLUETOOTH radio 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
`tlte signal
`coating front oximeter sensor 508 into a signal that can be
`used by the Bl..U[iTO()'l'l-l radio device 504. In this imple-
`mentation. the wireless oximeter sensor 508 is a PULSl-ZOX
`model no. 5500. which is a finger unit blood saturation and
`heart rate spot-monitor front the SPO Medical company,
`PULSEOX model no. 5500 is modified to be powered
`continuously for an indefinite period. instead of spot check-
`ing. PULSEOX ntodel no. 5500 also is ntodified to extract
`data for recording and processing. PULSon 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 tton—relevant characters iii
`the bit stream. the data reformatter 506 (PIC 16F873 micro-
`processor) is progranmted to parse and refomlat the data
`suitable for radio frequency transmission for subsequent
`processing. viewing and storage. The reformatted data is
`then sent
`to the small, low-powered BLUI-iTOOTI-I radio
`chip 504 for transmission to the personal server 502. Perv
`sonal server 502 ltas a display. which may be used to display
`the sensor reading itt real time. In this implementation. the
`personal server 502 is an AUDIOVOX SMT 5600 SMART
`PHONE. While dtis implementation is described using a
`blood oximeter sensor. other non-skin contacting health
`tttottitoriiig devices could also be incorporated such as an
`accelerometer. gyroscope andJ‘or magnetometer. This type of
`sensor may be used for detecting physical activity or angular
`position of tlte wearer which might also give the context of
`the activity. such as lying down. sitting up. standing. walk-
`ing. or mnning. 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 motmted 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.
`
`[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 for
`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 sufiicient amount of oxygen level
`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 ofiset “A.” If the detenuination in
`decision block 606 is “no”. the method 600 returns to block
`604, wherein the method 600 continues to measure and
`record the oxygen level of the individual. ll‘tlte determina-
`tion in decision block 606 is “yes”. Lhe method 600 enters
`block 608. Block 608 is for signaling the start of an apnea
`event. From block 608. the mcthod 600 enters block 610. [n
`block 610.
`the titetltod 600 continuously measures and
`records the oxygen level of the individual. From block 610.
`the method 600 enters decision block 612. in decision block
`612. the method 600 determines whether the oxygen level is
`greater than the bBSClll'lC 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 oxygen level of the
`individual. If the determination in decision block 612 is
`“yes”. the method 600 enters biock 614.
`I11 block 614. the
`method 600 has determined that the apnea event is at an end.
`Although one implementation of a use for tltc 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 made therein without departing
`front the spirit and scope of the invention.
`
`The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
`
`property or privilege is claimed are defined as fotlows:
`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 ]. wherein the physiological sign
`is one of at least heart rate. oxygen level. respiration rate.
`body temperature. cholesterol
`level. blood glucose ievel.
`galvanic skin response. HUG. or blood pressure.
`3. The system of claim 1. further comprising at least one
`sensor to monitor other than a physiological sign.
`4. The system of claim 1. fitrther comprising at least one
`sensor to monitor motion. orientation. or the enviromttent.
`5. The system of claim 1. wherein the master device is a
`cellular phone. a personal digital assistant. a computer. or a
`wearable device.
`
`6. The systent oi'claint 1. wherein the master device may
`store. process. communicate or display data gathered by the
`
`011
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1041
`
`

`

`US 2007f0027367 A1
`
`Feb. 1, 2007
`
`14. Tile method of claim it). wherein the master device is
`a cellular phone. a personal digital assistant. 21 computer. or
`a wearable device.
`
`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.
`Ill. A method ol'conununicating 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 an identification signal from the sensor device;
`
`authenticating the sensor device:
`
`receiving data from the sensor device, wherein the sensor
`device may monitor a physiological sign.
`ll. The method 01‘ claim 10. wherein the physiological
`sign is One of at least heart rate. oxygen level. respiration
`rate. body temperature. cholesterol
`level. blood glucose
`level. galvanic skirt response. EEG, or blood pressure.
`12. The method of claim