1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 1111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20150119725Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`MARTIN et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0119725 Al
`Apr. 30, 2015
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`BODILY FUNCTION MEASUREMENTS
`USING A MOBILE DEVICE
`
`(71) Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated, San
`Diego, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Russel Allyn MARTIN, Menlo Park,
`CA (US); Leonid SHEYNBLAT,
`Hillsborough, CA (US); Douglas Wayne
`HOFFMAN, San Diego, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated, San
`Diego, CA (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/278,062
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 15, 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/895,995, filed on Oct.
`25, 2013.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A61B 51021
`A61B 5102
`A61B 5104
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. A61B 51021 (2013.01); A61B 5104012
`(2013.01); A61B 5102028 (2013.01)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and appara(cid:173)
`tuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement
`are presented. A mo bile device includes an outer body sized to
`be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer
`body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the
`outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first mea(cid:173)
`surement indicative of blood volume and a second measure(cid:173)
`ment indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a
`user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined
`based on the first measurement and the second measurement.
`The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a
`user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a
`circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of
`impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level
`measurement is determined based on the measure of imped(cid:173)
`ance.
`
`260
`
`210
`
`~
`
`250
`
`240
`
`230
`
`220
`
`Optical Heart Rate (PPG)
`on Finger
`
`APPLE 1009
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`MOBILE DEVICE
`100
`Processor
`110
`
`I
`
`I
`
`Module 1
`162
`
`Module 2
`164
`Memory
`160
`
`Camera
`170
`
`Light Source
`185
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Microphone
`120
`
`Display
`130
`
`Input Device
`140
`
`Speaker
`150
`
`Sensors
`180
`
`light Sensors
`182
`
`Electrodes
`184
`
`Computer-Readable Medium
`190
`PPG Measurement Module
`192
`
`ECG Measurement Module
`194
`
`Impedance Measurement
`Module
`198
`
`Blood Pressure
`Measurement Module
`196
`
`Hydration Level
`Measurement Module
`199
`
`FIG.1
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`260
`
`210
`
`250
`
`240
`
`230
`
`220
`
`Optical Heart Rate (PPG)
`on Finger
`
`FIG, 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`260
`
`320
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`Fricke's circuit
`Two parallel electrical conductors:
`R(ECWf H20-Na
`R(lcW)'. H20-K
`isolated by a cell membrane (Xe)
`
`Xe
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`R(ICW)
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`R(ECW)
`
`FIG. 6
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`700
`
`710
`
`710
`
`710
`
`PPG Pulse
`Measurement
`
`Accelerometer
`
`AC Bioelectric
`Impedance
`(Finger to Wrist)
`
`Heart Rate
`
`Heart Rate
`Variability
`
`Hydration State
`from total body
`water
`
`720
`
`720
`
`720
`
`Stress
`Calculation
`
`710
`
`Blood Pressure
`(Pulse Transit Time)
`
`720
`
`2-lead ECG Heart
`Rate
`(Fin~Jer to \/Vr-ist)
`
`720
`
`FIG. 7
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`800
`
`~
`
`810
`
`/
`I
`\
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`Start
`
`/
`
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`obtain, via a plurality of sensors physically coupled to an outer body of a
`mobile device, a first measurement indicative of blood volume in response to
`a user action indicating a need for the at least one bodily function
`measurement
`
`82 0
`
`~
`
`obtaining, via the plurality of sensors, a second measurement indicative of
`heart electrical activity in response to the user action indicating a need for
`the at least one bodily function measurement
`
`,.
`
`,.
`
`8 30
`
`~
`
`facilitating, via a processor of the mobile device, generation of a blood
`pressure measurement based on the first rneasurernent and the second
`measurement, wherein the processor is contained within the outer body of
`the mobile device, the outer body sized to be portable for the user
`
`'
`End
`
`FIG. 8
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`910
`
`~
`
`//
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`I,
`
`Start
`
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`Ir
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`obtaining, via a plurality of sensors comprising electrodes and physically
`coupled to an outer body of the mobile device, a measurement to provide at
`least one measure of impedance associated with a user's body in response
`to a user action indicating a need for the at least one measure of impedance,
`wherein a porfon of the user's body positioned between the electrodes
`completes a circuit
`
`"
`facilitate, via a processor of the mobile device, generation of a hydration level
`measurement based on the measure of impedance, wherein the processor is
`contained within the outer body of the mobile device, the outer body sized to
`be portable for the user
`
`"
`
`FIG. 9
`
`10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 30, 2015 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`~
`1002
`
`Processor( s)
`
`~
`004
`
`Stora~Je Device( s)
`~
`006
`
`Input Device(s)
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`
`Output Device(s)
`~
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`
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`
`012
`
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`Memory
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`
`101
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`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2015
`
`1
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`BODILY FUNCTION MEASUREMENTS
`USING A MOBILE DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi(cid:173)
`sional Application No. 61/895,995, filed Oct. 25, 2013,
`entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`BODILY FUNCTION MEASUREMENTS USING A
`MOBILE DEVICE" which is incorporated herein by refer(cid:173)
`ence.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] Aspects of the disclosure relate to mobile devices,
`and more particularly, a system and method for obtaining at
`least one bodily function measurement of a user operating a
`mobile device.
`[0003]
`It is often desirable for a user to be aware his/her
`bodily function measurements, which may provide physi(cid:173)
`ological measures of stress, measures of hydration, and other
`measures of general health. Physiological measures of stress
`may be used to communicate to a user instructions to alter
`his/her behavior, e.g., taking a break, taking deep breaths, etc.
`Measures of hydration may be used by athletes or generally
`active individuals to ensure that they stay hydrated to main(cid:173)
`tain physical performance Additionally, this information may
`be useful for individuals who work in hot or dry environments
`and must maintain proper hydration. Further, this information
`may be useful for elderly individuals whose sense of hydra(cid:173)
`tion is decreased and are more prone to becoming dehydrated.
`Thus, important bodily function measurements may include
`measurements of a user's blood pressure and/or hydration
`state.
`[0004] A user's blood pressure may be measured using a
`pulse-measuring device. Typical pulse-measuring devices
`use either photoplethysmography (PPG) or electrocardio(cid:173)
`graphy (ECG) to measure a user's pulse. A user's systolic
`blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure may be determined
`using a combination of the PPG and ECG using a technique
`known as pulse transit time (PTT). The systolic blood pres(cid:173)
`sure, along with other inputs such as pulse rate variability
`(PRY) and galvanic skin response (GSR) may be useful in
`determining the user's physiological measures of stress.
`However, existing mobile device solutions for obtaining PPG
`measurements and ECG measurements can only obtain mea(cid:173)
`surements for one or the other. That is, existing mobile device
`solutions can only obtain a PPG measurement or an ECG
`measurement, but not both.
`[0005] A user's hydration state may be determined by mea(cid:173)
`suring a total body water amount using a bioelectric imped(cid:173)
`ance analysis (BIA). BIA measurements are typically accu(cid:173)
`rate and may fall within 200 ml of the actual value when
`performed properly. Typically, existing solutions to measure
`BIA require professional equipment in a clinical setting.
`Additionally, the few devices that exist to measure BIA out(cid:173)
`side ofa clinical setting are not very mo bile, e.g., they may not
`fit within a user's pocket or be integrated into another device
`that the user typically always has with them.
`[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for a mobile solution to
`obtain both PPG and ECG measurements used for determin(cid:173)
`ing a user's blood pressure and to obtain a body water content
`measurement used for determining a user's hydration state.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY
`
`[0007] Certain embodiments are described that for obtain(cid:173)
`ing at least one bodily function measurement of a user oper(cid:173)
`ating a mobile device.
`[0008]
`In some embodiments, a mobile device for obtain(cid:173)
`ing at least one bodily function measurement comprises an
`outer body sized to be portable for a user, a processor con(cid:173)
`tained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physi(cid:173)
`cally coupled to the outer body for obtaining data accessible
`by the processor. One or more sensors of the sensors is con(cid:173)
`figured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood
`volume in response to a user action. One or more of the
`sensors is configured to obtain a second measurement indica(cid:173)
`tive of heart electrical activity in response to the user action.
`The processor is configured to facilitate generation of a blood
`pressure measurement based on the first measurement and the
`second measurement.
`[0009]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is config(cid:173)
`ured to perform a primary function and a secondary function,
`and wherein the processor is configured to facilitate genera(cid:173)
`tion of the blood pressure measurement as the secondary
`function of the mobile device.
`[0010]
`the first measurement
`In some embodiments,
`indicative of blood volume comprises a photoplethysmogra(cid:173)
`phy (PPG) measurement.
`[0011]
`In some embodiments, the second measurement
`indicative of heart electrical activity comprises an electrocar(cid:173)
`diography (ECG) measurement.
`[0012]
`In some embodiments, the one or more of the sen(cid:173)
`sors configured to obtain the first measurement comprises at
`least one light sensor, and wherein the mobile device further
`comprises at least one light source and the at least one light
`sensor measures reflected light from the light source reflected
`off of blood vessels within a user of the mobile device to
`obtain the first measurement.
`[0013]
`In some embodiments, the one or more of the sen(cid:173)
`sors configured to obtain the second measurement indicative
`of blood volume comprises at least a first electrode and a
`second electrode, and wherein a portion of a user of the
`mobile device's body completes a circuit between the first
`electrode and the second electrode.
`[0014]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is a watch.
`[0015]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is a smart(cid:173)
`phone device.
`[0016]
`In some embodiments, method for obtaining at least
`one bodily function measurement via a mobile device com(cid:173)
`prises obtaining, via a plurality of sensors physically coupled
`to an outer body of the mobile device, a first measurement
`indicative of blood volume in response to a user action. The
`method further comprises obtaining, via the plurality of sen(cid:173)
`sors, a second measurement indicative of heart electrical
`activity in response to the user action. The method also com(cid:173)
`prises facilitating, via a processor of the mobile device, gen(cid:173)
`eration of a blood pressure measurement based on the first
`measurement and the second measurement, wherein the pro(cid:173)
`cessor is contained within the outer body of the mobile
`device, the outer body sized to be portable for the user.
`[0017]
`In some embodiments, an apparatus for obtaining at
`least one bodily function measurement comprises means for
`obtaining, via a plurality of sensors physically coupled to an
`outer body of a mobile device, a first measurement indicative
`of blood volume in response to a user action. The method
`further comprises means for obtaining, via the plurality of
`sensors, a second measurement indicative of heart electrical
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2015
`
`2
`
`activity in response to the user action. The method also com(cid:173)
`prises means for facilitating, via a processor of the mobile
`device, generation of a blood pressure measurement based on
`the first measurement and the second measurement, wherein
`the processor is contained within the outer body of the mobile
`device, the outer body sized to be portable for the user.
`[0018]
`In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory
`computer-readable media
`storing computer-executable
`instructions for obtaining at least one bodily function mea(cid:173)
`surement that, when executed, cause one or more computing
`devices included in a mobile device to obtain, via a plurality
`of sensors physically coupled to an outer body of the mobile
`device, a first measurement indicative of blood volume in
`response to a user action. The computer-executable instruc(cid:173)
`tions, when executed, further cause the one or more comput(cid:173)
`ing devices included in a device to obtain, via the plurality of
`sensors, a second measurement indicative of heart electrical
`activity in response to the user action. The computer-execut(cid:173)
`able instructions, when executed, further cause the one or
`more computing devices included in a device to facilitate, via
`a processor of the mobile device, generation of a blood pres(cid:173)
`sure measurement based on the first measurement and the
`second measurement, wherein the processor is contained
`within the outer body of the mobile device, the outer body
`sized to be portable for the user.
`[0019]
`In some embodiments, a mobile device for obtain(cid:173)
`ing at least one bodily function measurement comprises an
`outer body sized to be portable for a user, a processor con(cid:173)
`tained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physi(cid:173)
`cally coupled to the outer body for obtaining data accessible
`by the processor. The plurality of sensors comprises elec(cid:173)
`trodes and a portion of a user's body positioned between the
`electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide
`at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's
`body in response to a user action. The processor is configured
`to facilitate generation of a hydration level measurement
`based on the measure of impedance.
`[0020]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is config(cid:173)
`ured to perform a primary function and a secondary function,
`and wherein the processor is configured to facilitate genera(cid:173)
`tion of the hydration level measurement as the secondary
`function of the mobile device.
`[0021]
`In some embodiments, at least one of the sensors is
`built into a multifunction surface, wherein the multifunction
`surface is configured to simultaneously obtain the impedance
`measurement and a user input.
`[0022]
`In some embodiments, the multifunction surface
`comprises silver metal.
`[0023]
`In some embodiments, the multifunction surface
`comprises Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).
`[0024]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is a watch.
`[0025]
`In some embodiments, the mobile device is a smart(cid:173)
`phone device.
`[0026]
`In some embodiments, a method for obtaining at
`least one bodily function measurement via a mobile device
`comprises obtaining, via a plurality of sensors comprising
`electrodes and physically coupled to an outer body of the
`mobile device, a measurement to provide at least one measure
`of impedance associated with a user's body in response to a
`user action, wherein a portion of the user's body positioned
`between the electrodes completes a circuit. The method also
`comprises facilitating, via a processor of the mobile device,
`generation of a hydration level measurement based on the
`measure of impedance, wherein the processor is contained
`
`within the outer body of the mobile device, the outer body
`sized to be portable for the user.
`[0027]
`In some embodiments, an apparatus for obtaining at
`least one bodily function measurement via a mobile device
`comprises means for obtaining, via a plurality of sensors
`comprising electrodes and physically coupled to an outer
`body of the mobile device, a measurement to provide at least
`one measure of impedance associated with a user's body in
`response to a user action, wherein a portion of the user's body
`positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit. The
`apparatus further comprises means for facilitating, via a pro(cid:173)
`cessor of the mobile device, generation of a hydration level
`measurement based on the measure of impedance, wherein
`the processor is contained within the outer body of the mobile
`device, the outer body sized to be portable for the user.
`[0028]
`In some embodiments, one or more non-transitory
`computer-readable media
`storing computer-executable
`instructions for obtaining at least one bodily function mea(cid:173)
`surement that, when executed, cause one or more computing
`devices included in a mobile device to obtain, via a plurality
`of sensors comprising electrodes and physically coupled to an
`outer body of the mobile device, a measurement to provide at
`least one measure of impedance associated with a user's body
`in response to a user action, wherein a portion of the user's
`body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit.
`The computer-executable instructions, when executed, fur(cid:173)
`ther cause the one or more computing devices included in a
`device to facilitate, via a processor of the mobile device,
`generation of a hydration level measurement based on the
`measure of impedance, wherein the processor is contained
`within the outer body of the mobile device, the outer body
`sized to be portable for the user.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0029] Aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of
`example. In the accompanying figures, like reference num(cid:173)
`bers indicate similar elements, and:
`[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a smartphone device configured to
`obtain PPG and ECG measurements of a user, according to
`some embodiments;
`[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a smartphone device configured to
`obtain PPG and ECG measurements of a user, according to
`some embodiments;
`[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a wristwatch device configured to
`obtain PPG, ECG, and impedance measurements of a user,
`according to some embodiments;
`[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the wrist(cid:173)
`watch device of FIG. 3 and graphs showing measurements
`obtained by the wristwatch device, according to some
`embodiments;
`[0034] FIG. 5 a schematic diagram of a mobile device con(cid:173)
`figured to obtain impedance measurements of a user, accord(cid:173)
`ing to some embodiments;
`[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of two resistors and a
`capacitor representing conduction through tissue, according
`to some embodiments;
`[0036] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a plurality of
`derived metrics from a plurality of sensor metrics, according
`to some embodiments;
`[0037] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of
`obtaining at least one bodily function measurement;
`[0038] FIG. 9 is another flow diagram of an exemplary
`method of obtaining at least one bodily function measure(cid:173)
`ment; and
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2015/0119725 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2015
`
`3
`
`[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a computing sys(cid:173)
`tem in which one or more embodiments may be implemented.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0040] Several illustrative embodiments will now be
`described with respect to the accompanying drawings, which
`form a part hereof. While particular embodiments, in which
`one or more aspects of the disclosure may be implemented,
`are described below, other embodiments may be used and
`various modifications may be made without departing from
`the scope of the disclosure or the spirit of the appended
`claims.
`[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a
`mo bile device 100 that may incorporate one or more embodi(cid:173)
`ments. Mobile device 100 includes a processor 110, micro(cid:173)
`phone 120, display 130, input device 140, speaker 150,
`memory 160, camera 170, sensors 180, light source 185, and
`computer-readable medium 190.
`[0042] Processor 110 may be any general-purpose proces(cid:173)
`sor operable to carry out instructions on the mobile device
`100. The processor 110 is coupled to other units of the mobile
`device 100 including microphone 120, display 130, input
`device 140, speaker 150, memory 160, camera 170, sensors
`180, light source 185, and computer-readable medium 190.
`[0043] Microphone 120 may be any an acoustic-to-electric
`transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical
`signal. The microphone 120 may provide functionality for a
`user of the mobile device 100 to record audio or issue voice
`commands for the mobile device 100.
`[0044] Display 130 may be any device that displays infor(cid:173)
`mation to a user. Examples may include an LCD screen, CRT
`monitor, or seven-segment display.
`[0045]
`Input device 140 may be any device that accepts
`input from a user. Examples may include a keyboard, keypad,
`or mouse. In some embodiments, the microphone 120 may
`also function as an input device 140.
`[0046] Speaker 150 may be any device that outputs sound
`to a user. Examples may include a built-in speaker or any
`other device that produces sound in response to an electrical
`audio signal and/or ultrasonic signal(s ).
`[0047] Memory 160 may be any magnetic, electronic, or
`optical memory. Memory 160 includes two memory mod(cid:173)
`ules, module 1162 and module 2 164. It can be appreciated
`that memory 160 may include any number of memory mod(cid:173)
`ules. An example of memory 160 may be dynamic random
`access memory (DRAM).
`[0048] Camera 170 is configured to capture one or more
`images via a lens located on the body of mobile device 100.
`The captured images may be still images or video images. The
`camera 170 may include a CMOS image sensor to capture the
`images. Various applications running on processor 110 may
`have access to camera 170 to capture images. It can be appre(cid:173)
`ciated that camera 170 can continuously capture images with(cid:173)
`out the images actually being stored within the mobile device
`100. Captured images may also be referred to as image
`frames.
`[0049] Sensors 180 may be a plurality of sensors config(cid:173)
`ured to obtain data accessible by the processor. The sensors
`180 may also be physically coupled to the outer body of the
`mobile device 100. The plurality of sensors 180 may include
`one or more light sensors 182 and/or one or more electrodes
`184. The light sensors 182 may be configured to facilitate
`measurement of reflected light from the light source 185
`( described below) reflected off of blood vessels within a user
`
`of the mobile device 100 to obtain the a PPG measurement
`indicative of the user's blood volume. A portion of a user of
`the mo bile device's 100 body may complete a circuit between
`a first electrode and a second electrode, e.g., when the user
`touches both electrodes 184. The electrodes 184 may be con(cid:173)
`figured to facilitate measurement ofheart electrical activity of
`the user to obtain an ECG measurement. The electrodes 184
`may also be configured to facilitate measurement of imped(cid:173)
`ance of the user of the mobile device 100 to obtain a level
`measurement.
`[0050] Light source 185 may be any source oflight config(cid:173)
`ured to emit light through a user's body. In some embodi(cid:173)
`ments, the light source 185 may be a LED light source. The
`emitted light may be of a wavelength that can pass through
`parts of a user's body. For example, the light source 185 may
`emit LED light through a user's wrist. In some embodiments,
`the mobile device 100 may include multiple light sources
`185. The light emitted from light source 185 may reflect off of
`blood vessels within the user's body and the reflected light
`may be measured by one or more light sensors 182 to obtain
`a PPG measurement, as described above. It can be appreci(cid:173)
`ated that emitted light may be of different wavelengths
`depending on different wavelengths. For example, different
`wavelengths of light may be appropriate to improve the sig(cid:173)
`nal, reduce noise, deal with dark skin colors, measure the
`blood's oxygen content, or penetrate to different depths of the
`user's body.
`[0051] Computer-readable medium 190 may be any mag(cid:173)
`netic, electronic, optical, or other computer-readable storage
`medium. Computer-readable storage medium 190 includes
`PPG measurement module 192, ECG measurement module
`194, blood pressure measurement module 196, impedance
`measurement module 198, and hydration level measurement
`module 199.
`[0052] PPG measurement module 192 is configured to,
`when executed by processor 110, obtain a photoplethysmog(cid:173)
`raphy (PPG) measurement. The PPG measurement may be a
`measurement of blood volume of a user operating the mobile
`device 100. The PPG measurement may be obtained by the
`PPG measurement module 192 in response to a user action.
`The PPG measurement module 192 may interface with the
`light source 185 and light sensors 182 in order to obtain the
`PPG measurement. Upon indication by the user of a need for
`a PPG measurement, the PPG measurement module 192 may
`direct the light source 185, or multiple light sources, to emit
`light through the user's body. As described above, the emitted
`light may reflect off or transmitted through blood vessels
`within the user's body and may be detected by one or more
`light sensors 182 within the mobile device 100. The PPG
`measurement module 192 may measure, by interfacing with
`the one or more light sensors, the amount of reflected or
`transmitted light detected by the one or more light sensors
`182. The PPG measurement module 192 may then determine
`a PPG measurement that is indicative of the user's blood
`volume based on the measurement of the reflected light.
`[0053] ECG measurement module 194 is configured to,
`when executed by processor 110, obtain an electrocardio(cid:173)
`graphy (ECG) measurement. The ECG measurement may be
`a measurement of heart electrical activity of a user operating
`the mobile device 100. The ECG measurement may be
`obtained by the ECG measurement module 194 in response to
`a user action. The ECG measurement module 194 may inter(cid:173)
`face with the electrodes 184 in order to obtain the ECG
`measurement. Upon indication by the user of a need for an
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`ECG measurement, the ECG measurement module 194 may
`interface with the electrodes 184 to measure (assuming the
`user's body completes a circuit between the electrodes 184)
`electrical impulse(s) generated by the polarization and depo(cid:173)
`larization of cardiac tissue within the user's body. In some
`embodiments, the electrical impulse(s) may be generated by
`the beating of the user's heart. In some embodiments, the
`ECG measurement module 194 may interface with the elec(cid:173)
`trodes 184 to measure the electrical impulse(s) automatically
`upon the user's body completing a circuit between the elec(cid:173)
`trodes 184. The ECG measurement module 194 may then
`determine an ECG measurement based on the measured elec(cid:173)
`trical impulse(s). It can be appreciated that ECG measure(cid:173)
`ment can be obtained using two or more electrode leads.
`[0054] Blood pressure measurement module 196 is config(cid:173)
`ured to, when executed by processor 110, generate a blood
`pressure measurement of the user based on the PPG measure(cid:173)
`ment and the ECG measurement. According to Poon, C. C. Y.;
`Zhang, Y. T. "Cuff-less and Noninvasive Measurements of
`Arterial Blood Pressure by Pulse Transit Time", Engineering
`in Medicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference, 2005.
`IEEE, On page(s): 1-4, the calculation of the blood pressure
`measurement based on the PPG measurement and the ECG
`measurement is well known in the art.
`[0055]
`Impedance measurement module 198 is configured
`to, when executed by processor 110, obtain an impedance
`measurement. The impedance measurement may be indica(cid:173)
`tive of a hydration level of a user operating the mobile device
`100. The impedance measurement may be obtained by the
`impedance measurement module 198 in response to a user
`action. In impedance measurement module 198 may interface
`with the electrodes 184 in order to obtain the impedance
`measurement. Upon indication by the user of a need for an
`impedance measurement, the impedance measurement mod(cid:173)
`ule 198 may interface with the electrodes 184 to measure
`(assuming the user's body completes a circuit between the
`electrodes 184) electrical impedance through the user's body.
`In some embodiments, the impedance measurement module
`198 may interface with the electrodes 184 to measure the
`electrical impedance automatically upon the user's body
`completing a circuit between the electrodes 184.
`[0056] Hydration level measurement module 199 is config(cid:173)
`ured to, when executed by processor 110, obtain a hydration
`level measurement based on the impedance measurement
`obtained by the impedance measurement module 198. The
`hydration level measurement module 199 may determine the
`hydration level from the measured impedance using tech(cid:173)
`niques well known in the art.
`[0057]
`It can be appreciated that the outer body of the
`mobile device 100 may be sized to be portable for a user. It can
`be appreciated that the term "portable" may refer to some(cid:173)
`thing that is able to be easily carried or moved, and may be a
`light and/or small. In the context of embodiments of the
`present invention, the term portable may refer to something
`easily transportable by the user or wearable by the user. For
`example, the mobile device 100 may be a smartphone device
`or a watch wearable by the user. Other examples of portable
`devices include a head-mounted display, calculator, portable
`media player, digital camera, pager, personal navigation
`device, etc. Examples of devices that may not be considered
`portable include a desktop computer, traditional telephone,
`television, appliances, etc. It can be appreciated that the
`bodily function measurements can be obtained via the smart(cid:173)
`phone, watch, or any other of the mentioned devices.
`
`[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates a smartphone device 210 config(cid:173)
`ured to obtain PPG and ECG measurements of a user, accord(cid:173)
`ing to some embodiments. It can be appreciated that the
`smartphone device 210 is only one example of a mobile
`device 100. The smartphone device 210 may include a plu(cid:173)
`rality of contacts 220. In some embodiments, a single contact
`220 may be positioned at each end of the smartphone device
`210. In other embodiments, a device front surface 25