US 20080200774A1
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0200774 A1
`Luo
`(43) Pub. Date: Aug. 21, 2008
`
`
`(54) WEARABLE MINI-SIZE INTELLIGENT
`HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
`
`(52) U.S.Cl. ...................................................... .. 600/301
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`IIongy1le L110, Waterloo (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Hongyuc Luo
`465 Regency Cres
`Waterloo, ON N2T 1P3 (CA)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Hongyue Luo, Waterloo (CA)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/675,684
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 16, 2007
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.
`A61B 5/00
`
`(2006.01)
`
`User setting
`
`User cancel
`
`User request
`
`Note:
`
`81: Physiological sensors
`82: Activity sensors
`SN: New sensors
`RF: Wireless link
`
`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 tho adaptive optimization, data-collecting
`capability to record important health information, smart
`audio outputs 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-
`ogy for continuous, painless and bloodless health state moni-
`toring, The system also works through the short range RF link
`with carry-on PDA or ccll phonc for displaying hcalth infor-
`mation, making urgent contact to support center, doctor or
`individual, or for information transmission with a healthcare
`center,
`
`US. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`Speaker
`
`Audio/
`path
`3
`
`Reflection
`
`plate
`
`System Overview
`
`Apple Inc.
`APLl 055
`
`Apple Inc.
`APL1055
`U.S. Patent No. 8,923,941
`
`001
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 21, 2008 Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`.‘
`
`' Speaker
`
`Audio
`path
`
`l‘ Temperature
`3“"
`‘ sensor
`
`User cancel
`
`User request
`
`Note:
`
`81: Physiological sensors
`82: Activity sensors
`SN: New sensors
`RF: Wireless link
`
`Fig.
`
`1 System Overview
`
`Healthcare
`center
`
`I
`/
`‘ T ,
`
`I:
`
`a Contact senam
`
`.
`
`=
`
`..
`
`7'
`H,
`wt
`..
`-\
`
`r—:ultevtlulv
`vlalc
`‘
`
`Short ranoe RF link
`'.
`
`-
`Wireless
`communication
`network
`
`\
`
`______________________________
`-._ - _________________________________
`‘
`Cellular network
`wireless network
`
`‘.
`
`"\
`
`cell phone
`
`Fig. 2 System application overview
`
`002
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 21, 2008 Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`1
`
`Physiological
`sensors (81)
`
`21
`
`.
`.
`ActIVIty sensors
`(82)
`22
`
`Contact sensor
`
`User Setting
`
`44
`
`Battery
`
`51
`
`Shell
`
`52
`
`41
`
`+Data Storage
`
`User Cancel
`
`I/O Interface
`
`31
`
`32
`
`Audio path 42
`
`45
`
`Audio Interface
`
`User Request
`33
`
`Fig. 3: System diagram
`
`CPU+Mem0ry
`h +A|gorithm ‘ Speaker
`+Parameters
`
`Fig. 4: Physiological Signal Monitoring
`
`Physiological
`Signal Detection
`
`Temperature sensor 210
`
`Body
`temperature
`
`Life Sign 1
`
`Life Sign N
`
`Physiological
`Information
`
`003
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 21, 2008 Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Activity Detection
`
`Fig. 5: Activity Monitoring
`
`0 Activity state
`.
`- ExerCIse
`
`Activity
`sensors
`
`amount
`
`Fall detection
`
`Activity
`Information
`
`004
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Aug. 21, 2008 Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Contact
`sensor
`
`Initialization
`
`User Setting
`
`Update Setting
`
`Physiological Sign
`Monitoring
`
`Activity/Balance
`Monitoring
`
`Health diagnose with expert
`knowledge & reference
`
`Fig. 6: System Principle
`
`In health
`range?
`
`no
`
`es
`
`Update health
`record
`
`Case: Concern
`
`Case: Serious
`
`Smart Audio Output:
`Advice/warn/reminder
`
`Call for emergence:
`Degree process & previous
`
`Cancelled?
`
`Cancelled
`
`Make the call!
`
`Update health
`record
`
`005
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Aug. 21, 2008
`
`006
`
`memory and 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
`of assistance. 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 subj ect’s medical data values as it
`receives them from the medical monitoring devices, which
`may be any standard medical monitoring device that
`is
`capable ofproviding 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 U.S. Pat. No. 4,679, l 44. 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 infomration derived
`from the patient. The apparatus facilitates the determination
`ofthe existence ofvarious conditions based on these analyses
`which portend cardiac complications including myocardial
`ischemia, and arrhythemia activity and further instructs the
`patient on the manner of treatment required for the detected
`condition. As stated, the healthcare system is for ambulatory
`patient and only monitors EKG related 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”.
`IIealthGear 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
`summaw up to the date is present, in which various researches
`on wearable health monitoring technologies and devices have
`been reviewed. Most ofresearch and developments have been
`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, low co st and high intelligence without limiting
`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 area
`network has made it possible to communicate the constant
`data streams of sensors to the central processing unit, it has
`serious limitations such as system complexity, device size,
`
`VVEARABLE MINI-SIZE INTELLIGENT
`HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable mini—
`size intelligent healthcare system for the continuous monitor-
`ing and care ofa subj ect, More particularly, the present inven-
`tion is for a healthcare system and method, taking advantage
`of the specific body position around the subject’s ear for the
`continuous detection and analyzing of a subject’s health con-
`dition with noninvasive monitoring teclmology, the evalua-
`tion of said health condition enabling the early detection of
`adverse health conditions, the providing of the smart audio
`interface for real—time notification with emotional perception,
`health information display or storage over the Personal Digi-
`tal Assistants (PDA) or cell phone via short range RF link,
`urgent contact or information transmission through PDA or
`cell phone over wireless communication network.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE 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 continually for the early signs oftho se
`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 facility to obtain the proper
`diagnosis and medical treatment. Once at the medical facility,
`the subject is usually examined with some type of medical
`instruments for the short duration. The health information
`obtained during the visit only represents a small portion ofthe
`subj ect’s physiological information at the time of the exami-
`nation, which usually does not reflect the actual health prob-
`lem occurring in the daily life. In order to obtain more com-
`plete medical information, doctors would need to observe a
`subject’s health condition over certain duration usually
`longer than that of regular health examination. Because of
`time and costs associated with these tests and observations, it
`is usually impractical to conduct the required long—terrn
`observation and full evaluation for most people who may
`need them.
`
`[0003] Another major issue for many individuals 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 chance of full recovery if medical
`care is received 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. Unforttmately, an individual usually does
`not recognize the early signs which indicate an occurring risk,
`Quite often, by the time the individual does realize an occur—
`ring risk, they might be incapable of seeking for medical
`assistance. Another issue is to provide quick and accurate
`information for the necessary medical care, which is essential
`to a successful diagnosis and treatment ofthe 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
`
`006
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Aug. 21, 2008
`
`power consumption, reliability of the wireless body area net-
`work, interference from environment and user health affec—
`tion possibly induced by the constant wireless signals around
`body all the times. Therefore, if possible, it is always desired
`to minimize the use ofwireless for the concerns of environ-
`ment interference, possible health affection caused by RF
`signal field, device size, power consumption and affordability
`for majority of population.
`[0008] Accordingly, there is a need foran intelligent 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 freedom and mobility with extremely small size, easy to
`wear, low powerconsumption, low cost, high intelligence and
`reliable to use with the minimized use of wireless communi—
`cation for the emergent or requested communication.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`007
`
`[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 without interrupting an individual’s daily life. In
`the present invention, the unique advantages of specific body
`position around the 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/rcminding/instruction message or the voice from a
`family member for reminding purpose, in which the emo—
`tional factor is considered to make the users, especially elder
`one, feel warm and natural to take the necessary action.
`[0010] The present invention has unique advantages over
`any available healthcare products and proposed inventions:
`1). Use the specific body position around the ear for easy wear
`and comfortable to wear; 2). Use the specific body position
`around the ear to access many critical physiological signals
`for easy detection and less sensitive to the environment tem-
`perature; 3). Use the specific body position around the ear 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 network or body area network among sensors, the
`central processing unit and the user. Because of these four
`unique and extremely smart advantages, the said intelligent
`healthcare system has less technical problems and challenge
`usually existing for the wearable health systems. As the final
`benefits,
`the said intelligent healthcare system has much
`smaller size, much lower power consumption, much less
`complicated design, much more reliable 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 invention uses an intelligent 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 activity sensors,
`and utilizing wireless communications technology known in
`
`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
`provide real—time health information to the monitored subject
`at a touch of a button as either smart audio outputs or display
`on available PDA or cell 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
`with the subject’s activity detection, it can alert the subject or
`notify the appropriate people so that the subject can take
`necessary action accordingly. In addition to issue some types
`of alarms such as a loud beep sound to alert the subject, the
`device can issue the pre-recorded audio messages for specific
`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 PDA or cell phone to request
`the PDA or cell phone to make a contact with medical center,
`doctor or family member through the available wireless net-
`work. The devicc may be progrannncd such that a call to 911
`is immediately made and the subject’s name and medical
`history are provided therewith. At the same time, the invented
`device may also provide the 911 operator with the subject’s
`location, by sending them a global positioning satellite (GPS)
`coordinate ifGPS capability has been included in the PDA or
`cell phone device. It is possible to use the PDA or cell 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 may provide smart audio outputs such as waming,
`advice or reminder to 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.
`
`It is another object of the present invention to com-
`[0014]
`bine the advantages of the 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 emergency assistance.
`[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 RF link, or even hearing enhancement
`capability over the basic healthcare functionalities.
`[0017]
`It is 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.
`
`007
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Aug. 21, 2008
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`008
`
`system consists of a central processing module CPM 11,
`physiological sign sensors (SI) 21, activity sensors (S2) 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
`power the system and a shell 52 to contain the system. The
`FIG. 3 also contains the user controls including user setting
`unit 31, user cancel 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 SpOZ, 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 I] is typically comprised of
`a central processing unit (CPU) and memory with intelligent
`signal processing algorithm rumiing in real-time.
`[0028]
`FIG. 4 is a physiological monitoring unit, associated
`with physiological sensors 21, which can continuously moni-
`tor physiological condition such as oxyhemoglobin satura—
`tion (SpOZ), body temperature or even glucose.
`It
`is
`extremely important to use noninvasive monitoring technol-
`ogy for continuous, painless and bloodless measurements for
`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
`nm wavelengths) are emitted through the earlobe by light
`sources of sensor unit (S1) and to use optoelectronic sensors
`to detect the amount oflight reflected back from the reflection
`plate, in which lights have gone through the earlobe twice by
`reflection. In addition to obtaining real-time blood oxygen
`level and plethysmographic signal, the intelligent detection
`algorithm extracts heart rate, blood flow information or even
`sleep apnea when the subject is in sleep. Another example of
`such physiological sensor is to use near-infrared light (with
`wavelengths between 1000 nm and 2500
`to detect the
`glucose in the similar principle. The real-time physiological
`detection algorithm continuously monitors the subject’s
`physiological signals, extracts its pattern, predicts the trendof
`the physiological condition and analyze the physiological
`condition according to the medical expert knowledge and the
`subject’s own health history. In the physiological monitoring
`unit, the body temperature may also be monitored since it
`offers basic physiological information ofa subject, which can
`be used to help to analyze the subject’s health condition.
`[0029]
`FIG. 5 is the activity monitoring unit, associated
`with activity sensors 22, which can continuously monitor the
`subject’s physical activity in XYZ dimensions for motion
`detection including fall detection. There are many types of
`activity sensors available and the example of the smallest
`activity sensors are piezo-resistive 3-axis acceleration sen-
`sors. The real-time activity detection algorithm continuously
`detects the subject’s activity information such as rest, walk or
`run, and amount of the activity over time. The extracted
`activity information such as activity state, activity strength
`and duration can offer important correlation information for
`health condition evaluation in addition to be used for analyz-
`ing the subject’s life style, exercise pattern and health plan. A
`fall detection capability may be included in the activity moni—
`toring, which is especially valuable for the elder people since
`the fall for the elder people are very dangerous and need lot of
`attention.
`
`For a better understanding of the present invention
`[0018]
`and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect,
`reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the
`accompanying drawings which show preferred embodiments
`of the present invention and in which:
`[0019]
`FIG. 1 is a system overview illustrating the present
`invention in a preferred embodiment.
`[0020]
`FIG. 2 is a system application overview illustrating
`the present invention in the preferred embodiment.
`[0021]
`FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating the present
`invention in the preferred embodiment.
`[0022]
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of
`physiological sensor unit with the intelligent signal process—
`ing capability.
`[0023]
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of
`activity sensor unit with the intelligent signal processing
`capability.
`[0024]
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the health
`monitoring principle of an intelligent healthcare system in the
`preferred embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 is a system overview illustrating the present
`[0025]
`invention in a preferred embodiment. The system consists of
`physiological sensors (SI) and body temperature sensor
`seamlessly contacting the skin behind the ear, activity sensors
`(32), a central processing module (CPM), a speaker for smart
`audio outputs, an audio delivery path with the audio interface,
`a contact sensor touching the skin behind the ear, a battery as
`system power supply, a short range RF communication unit
`(RF) and a shell to contain the system. The FIG. 1 also
`contains the adjustable user setting for system optimization,
`user cancel for self-confirmation to eliminate possible false
`alarm and user request for user to check current health state or
`issue a necessary urgent request. The invented system is a
`mini-size device designed to be wom on the ear by a subject,
`providing the subject with great mobility and comfort.
`[0026]
`FIG. 2 is a system application overview illustrating
`the present invention as the intelligent health device and
`system connected to the healthcare center, doctor or family
`member through cellular network or any wireless network via
`PDA or cell phone available in the art. The urgent contact,
`health information or location can be transmitted as either
`user request or automatically generated by the intelligent
`healthcare system. The intelligent health system also can
`receive instructions or other information from the healthcare
`center, doctor or family member. In the meantime, the PDA
`and/or cell phone can be used to display the health informa-
`tion or save the medical data from the intelligent healthcare
`system when necessary or required by the user. The personal
`healthcare system is able to c01m11unicate with the PDA or
`cell phone within the short distance of arm coverage such as
`1.5 m via the short range RF link. On the other side, the PDA
`or cell phone can connect the healthcare center. doctor or
`family member without distance limitation as long as com-
`mercial wireless communication coverage available.
`[0027]
`FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating the present
`invention as an intelligent medical monitoring device and
`system. In the preferred embodiment, the monitoring system
`1 continuously monitors a subject’s physiological signals
`and/or activity signals as it receives them continuously from
`the physiological sensors and physical activity sensors. The
`
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating health moni—
`[0030]
`toring principle of an intelligent healthcare system in the
`preferred embodiment,
`in which either the physiological
`
`008
`
`FITBIT, Ex. 1055
`
`

`

`US 2008/0200774 A1
`
`Aug. 21, 2008
`
`009
`
`[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 1 minute
`for power saving purpose or for continuous monitoring. Even
`working in the dilferent user setting modes, the system can
`adopt the health situation adaptively to real-time continuous
`mode in 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
`thinks it is necessary to send this request or the user is inca-
`pable to cancel the emergent request, the user can cancel such
`a request to reduce the false 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
`PDA or cell 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 critical health information of the
`user may be sent to clinic center, doctor or family member to
`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 emergency call if
`the GPS capability is included in the PDA or cell phone.
`Another example of user controls is to request a data-save
`action in conjtmction with the intelligent signal processing so
`that the user or doctor can obtain the necessary medical infor-
`mation for the time being the user feels or wants to save.
`[0039] The intelligent healthcare system may include 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., 911 call center or clinic center) to identify the
`source device of each transmission. Each device 1D is mapped
`to a particular subj ect, so that the receiving center can identify
`the subject and take the necessary action to response the
`request or inform the user’s family member.
`[0040] The intelligent healthcare system may include the
`basic subject profile such as name and contact phone number
`in the data transmission for the particular subject wearing the
`device. The subject profile may include more subject infor—
`mation such as medical history and current medical condi-
`tions. This is useful for situations in which a Subject Profile
`
`subject’s health urgent condition that may include the
`detailed health information or subject’s personal information;
`or a 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 or cell
`phone for the short distance coverage such as 1.5 m to save
`system power consumption as the subject will carry the PDA
`or cell phone all the time within the coverage,
`[0035] The monitoring system 1 may also commtulicate,
`through the RF unit 44, with a PDA or cell 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.
`
`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. The health diag-
`nose is conducted with the use of expert knowledge and
`subj ect’s health reference. The health state is detemiined 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 healthcarc
`system will both emit the smart audio outputs to the subject
`and request, via the short range RF link, the PDA or cell phone
`to contact the health center, doctor or family member through
`the available wireless communication network. The subject
`has the opportunity to 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 or the cell phone will
`make the urgent contact and translate the necessary inforrna—
`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 jtunp within a certain range. 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 becomes very low, it is another important health
`condition to identify. In another case, ifthe heart rate becomes
`irregular, such as missing heart beat or irregular beat duration
`along time, it can also imply a heart issue.
`[0032] The 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
`improper position or installation of the device has adverse
`impact on the signal quality and monitoring reliability. Once
`an improper installation of the device is detected, the device
`will issue an audio warning signal such as long beep or voice
`warning (eg. “Please check the device position”) so that the
`user can make sure the device works properly.
`[0033] Depending on the health condition detected by the
`monitoring system, various output actions can take place.
`Examples of output actions that may be triggered are an
`emergency call/transmission (page or phone call) through RT
`44 for a very serious condition, activation of the smart au