`US 20100217099Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`LeBoeuf et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0217099 Al
`Aug. 26, 2010
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`ASSESSING PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Raleigh,
`NC (US); Jesse Berkley Tucker,
`Knightdale, NC (US); Michael
`Edward Aumer, Raleigh, NC (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
`POBOX37428
`RALEIGH, NC 27627 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/709,977
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.22,2010
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/208,567, filed on Feb.
`25, 2009, now abandoned, provisional application No.
`61/208,574, filed on Feb. 25, 2009, provisional appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 61/212,444, filed on Apr. 13, 2009, provi(cid:173)
`sional application No. 61/274,191, filed on Aug. 14,
`2009.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A61B 5100
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 600/301
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`Monitoring apparatus and methods are provided for assessing
`a physiological condition of a subject. At least two types of
`physiological information are detected from a subject via a
`portable monitoring device associated with the subject, and
`an assessment of a physiological condition of the subject is
`made using the at least two types of physiological informa(cid:173)
`tion, wherein each type of physiological information is indi(cid:173)
`vidually insufficient to make the physiological condition
`assessment. Environmental information from a vicinity of a
`subject also may be detected, and an assessment of a physi(cid:173)
`ological condition of the subject may be made using the
`environmental information in combination with the physi(cid:173)
`ological information. Exemplary physiological information
`may include subject heart rate, subject activity level, subject
`tympanic membrane temperature, and subject breathing rate.
`Exemplary environmental information may include humidity
`level information in the vicinity of the subject. An exemplary
`physiological condition assessment may be subject hydration
`level.
`
`10
`
`(
`
`18
`
`12
`
`13
`
`MONITORING DEVICE HOUSING
`EXTERNAL
`ENERGY
`SENSORS
`
`PHYSIOLOGICAL
`SENSORS
`
`11
`
`15
`
`ATTACHMENT
`COMPONENT
`
`SIGNAL
`PROCESSOR
`
`COMMUNICATION &
`ENTERTAINMENT
`MODULE
`
`16
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`
`TRANSMITTER/
`RECEIVER
`
`)
`
`14
`
`17
`
`)
`
`19
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 1
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`10
`
`(
`
`18
`
`12
`
`MONITORING DEVICE HOUSING
`EXTERNAL
`ENERGY
`SENSORS
`
`PHYSIOLOGICAL
`SENSORS
`
`l l
`
`15
`
`ATTACHMENT
`COMPONENT
`
`COMMUNICATION &
`ENTERTAINMENT
`MODULE
`
`17
`
`19
`
`16
`
`POWER
`SOURCE
`
`' - - - , , - - - -1 )
`
`)
`
`14
`
`FIG.1
`
`22
`
`23
`
`20
`~ SECONDARY
`MODULES
`
`(cid:143)(cid:143)(cid:143)
`
`21
`
`25
`
`. [ ~j rmc&8~~:}&noN
`
`) )
`
`PRIMARY
`MODULE
`SENSOR MODULE
`
`DEVICE
`.__,-.,.--oe--1
`,---..._
`'-....J
`,,,.--...,
`,....._
`TRANSMISSION
`SYSTEM
`( (
`\_\_ l ~~
`l))
`
`\.....____/
`
`PERSONAL
`DATABASE
`
`ANONYMOUS
`DATABASE
`
`24
`
`USER
`INTERFACE
`
`FIG.2
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 2
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 2 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`LL.I
`~
`0::::
`
`--I
`
`AGE
`
`REGION
`
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`LU
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`~
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`
`~ US STATE ~ OZONE LEVEL
`
`(,!:)
`
`~ PULSE RATE
`
`FIG.3
`
`BACKSIDE VIEW OF 40
`
`FRONT VIEW OF 40
`
`FIG.4
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 3
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 3 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`50
`
`FIG.SA
`
`53
`
`(
`63
`
`FIG. 5B
`
`FIG.6
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 4
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 4 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`70
`
`\_
`
`FIG.l
`
`..---=~~=::::::;/ SENSORS
`~ SENSOR MODULE
`
`SENSOR MODULE
`
`SIDE VIEW
`OF MOUNTED MODULES
`
`~
`EXTENDED SENSOR
`
`CIRCUIT BOARD
`
`SENSOR MODULE ,_____,;
`
`FRONTVIEW \
`
`llll 1ll I y I FLASH
`(cid:143)
`o 88
`MEMORY BLUETOOTH
`Q~~~ CHIP
`POWER 13 ( CODEC ] .__....a
`~2X4Xl CM3 SENSOR MODULE (BLUETOOTH)
`FIG.8
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 5
`
`
`
`V
`PULSE RATE
`80
`
`BLOOD PRESSURE
`115/75
`BLOOD OXYGEN
`90%
`
`VITAL SIGNS
`
`CORE BODY TEMP
`98.6°(,
`
`CALORIES CONSUMED
`1500
`CALORIES BURNED
`1300
`
`~
`
`1
`
`AMBIENT CONDITIONS
`
`HUMIDITY
`70%
`UV INDEX
`8
`CARBON MONOXIDE
`4.4 ppm
`I
`
`EXIT
`
`OPTIONS
`
`!
`
`'~
`TEMPERATURE
`80°F
`POLLUTION LEVEL
`80ppm
`OZONE
`0.120 ppm
`I
`
`FIG. 9
`
`\
`
`MENU
`
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`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 6
`
`
`
`USER CASE -DEMOGRAPHICAL COMPARISONS
`
`COMPARE YOURSELF
`£"'"'"'' YOURSELF (DETAILSEDm
`v?(d DEMOGRAPHICAL AVERAGE
`(AGE 25-34)
`(DETAILS EDm
`
`VITAL SIGN SCORE &"'\\\>M
`(VSS)
`W/«ffi½W1/4'.1
`{DETAILS)·
`
`AVERAGE
`STRESS LEVEL
`
`f.\\"-"" """"'"\>¾\SI
`l¾W/2m
`{DETAILS)
`
`DATA AVERAGED
`OVER PAST MONTH
`(DETAILS mm
`YOUR VITAl SIGN SCORE IS mow
`AVERAGE FOR YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC.
`(*PERSONAL HEALTH TIPS)
`YOUR STRESS LEVEL IS ABOVE
`AVERAGE fOR YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC.
`(*STRESS lOWERING TIPS)
`
`AIR QUALITY
`(AO)
`
`~"'°"''>°"''\>\\'SJ
`W/M/4/P/4½1
`(DETAILS)
`
`YOUR AIR QUALITY fi BHOW
`AVERAGE FOR YOUR DfMOGRAPHIC.
`(*TIPS FOR ClEANER AIR!
`
`FIG. 10
`
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 7
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 7 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 8
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 8 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 9
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 9 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 10
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 10 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 11
`
`
`
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`
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`TIME
`FIG. 15
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 12
`
`
`
`36
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`
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`
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 13
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 13 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`ACTIVITY COUNTS(#)
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`._ ________ ..., ___ ...., ___ .._ ___ L., __ _.~ ~
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`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 14
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 14 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
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`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 15
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`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 16
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2010 Sheet 16 of 17
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
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`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 17
`
`
`
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`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 18
`
`
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2010
`
`1
`
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
`ASSESSING PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,567 filed
`Feb. 25,2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
`61/208,574 filed Feb. 25,2009, U.S. Provisional PatentAppli(cid:173)
`cation No. 61/212,444 filed Apr. 13, 2009, and U.S. Provi(cid:173)
`sional PatentApplication No. 61/27 4,191 filed Aug. 14, 2009,
`the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference
`as if set forth in their entireties.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates generally to health
`and, more particularly, to health monitoring methods and
`apparatus.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] There is growing market demand for personal health
`and environmental monitors, for example, for gauging overall
`health and metabolism during exercise, athletic training, diet(cid:173)
`ing, and physical therapy. However, traditional health moni(cid:173)
`tors and environmental monitors may be bulky, rigid, and
`uncomfortable-generally not suitable for use during daily
`physical activity. There is also growing interest in generating
`and comparing health and environmental exposure statistics
`of the general public and particular demographic groups. For
`example, collective statistics enable the healthcare industry
`and medical community to direct healthcare resources to
`where they are most highly valued. However, methods of
`collecting these statistics may be expensive and laborious,
`often utilizing human-based recording/analysis steps at mul(cid:173)
`tiple sites.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`It should be appreciated that this Summary is pro(cid:173)
`[0004]
`vided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
`form, the concepts being further described below in the
`Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to iden(cid:173)
`tify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is
`it intended to limit the scope of the invention.
`[0005] According to some embodiments of the present
`invention, a method of assessing a physiological condition of
`a subject includes detecting at least two types of physiological
`information from a subject via a portable monitoring device
`associated with the subject, and making an assessment of a
`physiological condition of the subject using the at least two
`types of physiological information, wherein each type of
`physiological information is individually insufficient to make
`the physiological condition assessment. For example, the at
`least two types of physiological information may include
`subject heart rate, subject activity level, and subject tympanic
`membrane temperature, and the physiological condition
`assessment may be total calories burned by the subject in a
`selected time period. In another example, the at least two
`types of physiological information may include subject heart
`rate, subject activity level, subject tympanic membrane tem(cid:173)
`perature and subject breathing rate, and the physiological
`condition assessment may be subject stress level. In another
`example, the at least two types of physiological information
`may include subject heart rate, subject activity level, subject
`tympanic membrane temperature and subject breathing rate,
`
`and the physiological condition assessment may be subject
`warm-up time for a physical activity and subject recovery
`time from the physical activity. "Warm-up" time is the time it
`takes a subject to reach a status suitable for exercise starting
`from rest. A suitable status for exercise may include an
`elevated temperature, heart rate, blood flow, and breathing
`volume. "Recovery time" is the time it takes the subject to
`reach a status suitable for rest following exercise. A suitable
`status for rest may include a reduced temperature, heart rate,
`blood flow, and breathing rate or volume.
`In some embodiments, environmental information
`[0006]
`from a vicinity of a subject may be detected via the monitor(cid:173)
`ing device. An assessment of a physiological condition of the
`subject may be made using the environmental information in
`combination with at least two types of physiological infor(cid:173)
`mation, as described above. For example, the at least two
`types of physiological information may include subject heart
`rate, subject activity level, subject tympanic membrane tem(cid:173)
`perature, and subject breathing rate; the environmental infor(cid:173)
`mation may include humidity level information in the vicinity
`of the subject ( e.g., ambient state humidity, natural state
`humidity, etc.); and the physiological condition assessment
`may be subject hydration level.
`[0007] A monitoring device for performing a method of
`assessing a physiological condition of a subject, according to
`embodiments of the present invention, may be configured to
`be worn at or near an ear of the subject. For example, the
`monitoring device may be a headset, and earbud of a headset,
`or another portable device. In some embodiments, a monitor(cid:173)
`ing device for performing a method of assessing a physiologi(cid:173)
`cal condition of a subject, according to embodiments of the
`present invention, may be configured to provide information
`to the subject about a physiological condition assessment, and
`may be configured to receive input from the subject. In some
`embodiments of the present invention, the assessment of a
`physiological condition of the subject may be made using the
`at least two types of physiological information along with any
`information input into the monitoring device by the subject.
`[0008] According to some embodiments of the present
`invention, a method of assessing a physiological condition of
`a subject includes detecting at least two types of the following
`physiological information from a subject via a portable moni(cid:173)
`toring device associated with the subject: subject heart rate,
`subject activity level, and subject temperature ( e.g., tympanic
`membrane temperature, etc.); detecting environmental con(cid:173)
`ditions in a vicinity of the subject; and making an assessment
`of a physiological condition of the subject using the at least
`two types of physiological information and the environmental
`information, wherein the environmental information and at
`least two types of physiological information are individually
`insufficient to make the physiological condition assessment.
`Exemplary subject physiological conditions for which
`assessments may be made include V02 , V0 2 max' metabolic
`zone, metabolic equivalent, active calories burned, total calo(cid:173)
`ries burned, hydration status, heart rate variability, cardiac
`response, stress level, warm up time, recovery time, activity
`performance level.
`[0009] According to some embodiments of the present
`invention, a monitoring apparatus for use in assessing one or
`more physiological conditions of a subject includes a housing
`configured to be attached to a body of a subject, at least one
`physiological sensor attached to the housing that is config(cid:173)
`ured to detect at least two types of physiological information
`from the subject, and a processor. In some embodiments, at
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 19
`
`
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2010
`
`2
`
`least one environmental sensor is attached to the housing and
`is configured to detect environmental information, such as
`environmental exposures or conditions, from a vicinity of the
`subject. The housing may be a headset or an earbud of a
`headset that is configured to be attached to an ear of the
`subject. In some embodiments, the housing may be config(cid:173)
`ured to be attached near an ear, head, or neck region of the
`subject.
`[0010] Exemplary physiological sensors that may be uti(cid:173)
`lized in accordance with embodiments of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion may be configured to detect and/or measure one or more
`of the following types of physiological information: heart
`rate, pulse rate, breathing rate, blood flow, heartbeat signa(cid:173)
`tures, cardio-pulmonary health, organ health, metabolism,
`electrolyte type and/or concentration, physical activity,
`caloric intake, caloric metabolism, blood metabolite levels or
`ratios, blood pH level, physical and/or psychological stress
`levels and/or stress level indicators, drug dosage and/or
`dosimetry, physiological drug reactions, drug chemistry, bio(cid:173)
`chemistry, position and/or balance, body strain, neurological
`functioning, brain activity, brain waves, blood pressure, cra(cid:173)
`nial pressure, hydration level, auscultatory information, aus(cid:173)
`cultatory signals associated with pregnancy, physiological
`response to infection, skin and/or core body temperature, eye
`muscle movement, blood volume, inhaled and/or exhaled
`breath volume, physical exertion, exhaled breath physical
`and/or chemical composition, the presence and/or identity
`and/or concentration of viruses and/or bacteria, foreign mat(cid:173)
`ter in the body, internal toxins, heavy metals in the body,
`anxiety, fertility, ovulation, sex hormones, psychological
`mood, sleep patterns, hunger and/or thirst, hormone type
`and/or concentration, cholesterol, lipids, blood panel, bone
`density, organ and/or body weight, reflex response, sexual
`arousal, mental and/or physical alertness, sleepiness, auscul(cid:173)
`tatory information, response to external stimuli, swallowing
`volume, swallowing rate, sickness, voice characteristics,
`voice tone, voice pitch, voice volume, vital signs, head tilt,
`allergic reactions,
`inflammation response, auto-immune
`response, mutagenic response, DNA, proteins, protein levels
`in the blood, water content of the blood, pheromones, internal
`body sounds, digestive system functioning, cellular regenera(cid:173)
`tion response, healing response, stem cell regeneration
`response, and/or other physiological information.
`[0011] Exemplary environmental sensors that may be uti(cid:173)
`lized in accordance with embodiments of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion may be configured to detect and/or measure one or more
`of the following types of environmental information: climate,
`humidity, temperature, pressure, barometric pressure, soot
`density, airborne particle density, airborne particle size, air(cid:173)
`borne particle shape, airborne particle identity, volatile
`organic chemicals (VOCs ), hydrocarbons, polycyclic aro(cid:173)
`matic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogens, toxins, electro(cid:173)
`magnetic energy, optical radiation, X-rays, gamma rays,
`microwave radiation, terahertz radiation, ultraviolet radia(cid:173)
`tion, infrared radiation, radio waves, atomic energy alpha
`particles, atomic energy beta-particles, gravity, light inten(cid:173)
`sity, light frequency, light flicker, light phase, ozone, carbon
`monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulfides, airborne
`pollution, foreign material in the air, viruses, bacteria, signa(cid:173)
`tures from chemical weapons, wind, air turbulence, sound
`and/or acoustical energy, ultrasonic energy, noise pollution,
`human voices, animal sounds, diseases expelled from others,
`exhaled breath and/or breath constituents of others, toxins
`from others, pheromones from others, industrial and/or trans-
`
`portation sounds, allergens, animal hair, pollen, exhaust from
`engines, vapors and/or fumes, fuel, signatures for mineral
`deposits and/or oil deposits, snow, rain, thermal energy, hot
`surfaces, hot gases, solar energy, hail, ice, vibrations, traffic,
`the number of people in a vicinity of the person, coughing
`and/or sneezing sounds from people in the vicinity of the
`person, loudness and/or pitch from those speaking in the
`vicinity of the person, and/or other environmental informa(cid:173)
`tion.
`[0012] The processor is configured to make an assessment
`of a physiological condition of the subject using the at least
`two types of physiological information, wherein the at least
`two types of physiological information are individually insuf(cid:173)
`ficient to make the physiological condition assessment. For
`example, in some embodiments, the at least one physiological
`sensor is configured to detect two or more of the following
`types of physiological information: subject heart rate, subject
`activity level, and subject tympanic membrane temperature,
`and the processor is configured to make an assessment of total
`calories burned by the subject in a selected time period. In
`other embodiments, the at least one physiological sensor is
`configured to detect two or more of the following types of
`physiological information: subject heart rate, subject activity
`level, subject tympanic membrane temperature, and subject
`breathing rate, and the processor is configured to make an
`assessment of subject stress level. In other embodiments, the
`at least one physiological sensor is configured to detect two or
`more of the following types of physiological information:
`subject heart rate, subject activity level, subject tympanic
`membrane temperature, and subject breathing rate, and the
`processor is configured to make an assessment of subject
`warm-up time for a physical activity and subject recovery
`time from the physical activity. In other embodiments, the
`processor is configured to make an assessment of a physi(cid:173)
`ological condition of the subject using the at least two types of
`physiological information and environmental information.
`[0013]
`In some embodiments, the signal processor is con(cid:173)
`figured to process signals produced by the physiological and
`environmental sensors into signals that can be heard and/or
`viewed by the person wearing the apparatus. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the signal processor is configured to selectively extract
`environmental effects from signals produced by a physiologi(cid:173)
`cal sensor and/or selectively extract physiological effects
`from signals produced by an environmental sensor.
`[0014] According to some embodiments of the present
`invention, a method of monitoring the health of one or more
`subjects includes receiving physiological and/or environ(cid:173)
`mental information from each subject via respective portable
`monitoring devices associated with each subject, and analyz(cid:173)
`ing the received information to identify and/or predict one or
`more health and/or environmental issues associated with the
`subjects. Each monitoring device has at least one physiologi(cid:173)
`cal sensor and/or environmental sensor. Each physiological
`sensor is configured to detect and/or measure physiological
`information from the subject, and each environmental sensor
`is configured to detect and/or measure environmental condi(cid:173)
`tions in a vicinity of the subject. The physiological informa(cid:173)
`tion and/or environmental information may be analyzed
`locally via the monitoring device or may be transmitted to a
`location geographically remote from the subject for analysis.
`The collected information may undergo virtually any type of
`analysis. In some embodiments, the received information
`may be analyzed to identify and/or predict the aging rate of
`the subjects, to identify and/or predict environmental changes
`
`Petitioner Apple Inc. – Ex. 1006, p. 20
`
`
`
`US 2010/0217099 Al
`
`Aug. 26, 2010
`
`3
`
`in the vicinity of the subjects, and to identify and/or predict
`psychological and/or physiological stress for the subjects.
`[0015] According to further embodiments of the present
`invention, a method of monitoring patients, includes collect(cid:173)
`ing physiological and/or environmental information from
`each patient via a monitoring device associated with each
`respective patient, and analyzing the collected information to
`determine caloric intake, health, and physical activity of each
`patient.
`[0016] According to further embodiments of the present
`invention, a method of monitoring a participant in an activity
`includes collecting physiological and/or environmental infor(cid:173)
`mation from a monitoring device associated with the partici(cid:173)
`pant, analyzing the collected physiological and/or environ(cid:173)
`mental information to identify one or more health-related
`and/or environmental issues associated with the participant,
`and providing feedback to the participant, wherein the feed(cid:173)
`back is relevant to a skill utilized by the participant in the
`activity.
`[0017] According to other embodiments of the present
`invention, a hydration status monitoring apparatus, that is
`configured to be worn at or near the body of a subject,
`includes a humidity sensor in communication with a physical
`activity sensor and signal processor. The humidity sensor is
`configured to measure a first humidity value during a time
`period of subject physical activity and a second humidity
`value during a time period of subject rest. The signal proces(cid:173)
`sor is configured to calculate hydration status of the subject
`using the difference between the first and second humidity
`values. In some embodiments, the humidity sensor, activity
`sensor, and signal processor are integrated into a single wear(cid:173)
`able device. In other embodiments, the humidity sensor,
`activity sensor, and signal processor are in communication
`with each other through at least one wireless connection. For
`example, the humidity sensor may be included within an
`earbud housing and the activity sensor and signal processor
`may be included within another portable device that wire(cid:173)
`lessly communicates with the humidity sensor.
`[0018] Because the ear region is located next to a variety of
`"hot spots" for physiological an environmental sensing(cid:173)
`including the tympanic membrane, the carotid artery, the
`paranasal sinus, etc.-in some cases an earpiece monitor may
`be preferred over other form factors. However, a variety of
`form factors may be utilized in accordance with embodiments
`of the present invention without limitation. Monitoring appa(cid:173)
`ratus, according to embodiments of the present invention, can
`utilize commercially available open-architecture, ad hoc,
`wireless paradigms, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee. In
`some embodiments, a small, compact earpiece contains at
`least one microphone and one speaker, and is configured to
`transmit information wirelessly to a recording device such as,
`for example, a cell phone, a personal digi