Body worn sensors network with redundant parameter prioritization and temporal alignment
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors operating independently of the other sensor or sensors of the plurality of sensors, each of the sensors including a data structure configured to store information related to the corresponding sensor, a transceiver configured to send and receive data from the other sensors of the plurality of sensors, a processor; and
a memory configured to store machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes each sensor to perform at least;
a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter, anda grading function performed occasionally at a predetermined time pattern to assign a current grade for the sensor wherein the current grade is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor; and
wherein the data structure stores information pertaining to the plurality of sensors including at least priorities of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current grades for the sensors of the plurality of sensors, the priorities including (i) robustness versus interferences of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and (ii) the current grades for the sensors of the plurality of sensors;
wherein execution of the instructions further causes each sensor of the plurality of sensors to perform at least one output function generating an output signal conditional upon content of the data structure including at least the priorities and the current grades of the sensors of the plurality of sensors indicating the output function should be performed.
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Abstract
Each sensor of a plurality of sensors operates independently to perform at least a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter and a grading function performed occasionally to assign a current signal quality grade for the sensor that is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor. A data structure stores information pertaining to the plurality of sensors including at least priorities of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current signal quality grades for the sensors. Each sensor further operates to perform at least one output function generating an output signal conditional upon content of the data structure including at least the priorities and the current signal quality grades of the sensors indicating the output function should be performed.
15 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors operating independently of the other sensor or sensors of the plurality of sensors, each of the sensors including a data structure configured to store information related to the corresponding sensor, a transceiver configured to send and receive data from the other sensors of the plurality of sensors, a processor; and
a memory configured to store machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes each sensor to perform at least;a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter, and a grading function performed occasionally at a predetermined time pattern to assign a current grade for the sensor wherein the current grade is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor; and wherein the data structure stores information pertaining to the plurality of sensors including at least priorities of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current grades for the sensors of the plurality of sensors, the priorities including (i) robustness versus interferences of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and (ii) the current grades for the sensors of the plurality of sensors; wherein execution of the instructions further causes each sensor of the plurality of sensors to perform at least one output function generating an output signal conditional upon content of the data structure including at least the priorities and the current grades of the sensors of the plurality of sensors indicating the output function should be performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a sensor including a data structure configured to store information related to the sensor, a transceiver configured to send and receive data from other devices, a processor; and
a memory configured to store machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes the sensor to perform;a monitoring function acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter, a grading function assigning a current grade for the sensor that is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor; and a reporting function conveying the current grade to at least one device other than the sensor, and wherein the data structure stores information pertaining to the sensor including at least priorities reflecting an expected;
(i) robustness versus interferences of the sensor respective to the common physiological parameter and (ii) the current grade for the sensor;wherein execution of the instructions stored in the memory of the sensor causes the sensor to perform a beaconing function outputting a beacon signal indicating a synchronization time, the beaconing function being performed only if information received from the second sensor indicates that the sensor is currently providing reliable information pertaining to the common physiological parameter having a highest quality relative to the quality of the information of the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors operating independently of the other sensor or sensors of the plurality of sensors, each of the sensors including a data structure configured to store information related to the corresponding sensor, a transceiver configured to send and receive data from the other sensors of the plurality of sensors, a processor; and
a memory configured to store machine-executable instructions, wherein execution of the instructions causes each sensor to perform at least;acquiring sensor data indicative of a common physiological parameter, and occasionally assigning a current grade for the sensor at a predetermined time pattern wherein the current grade is indicative of operational status of the monitoring function of the sensor; and wherein each data structure stores information pertaining to the corresponding sensor including at least priorities reflecting an expected robustness versus interferences of the plurality of sensors respective to the common physiological parameter and the current grades for the sensors of the plurality of sensors; execution of the instructions stored in the memory of each sensors causes each sensor of the plurality of sensors to perform independently perform an instance of outputting at least one of; (1) an alarm responsive to an alarm condition wherein the alarm condition requires that at least the following conditions are met; (i) sensor data acquired by the monitoring function of a selected sensor indicates an abnormal value for the common physiological parameter, and (ii) information received from a medical monitor in wireless communication via one or more access points with the selected sensor, the received information indicating that no sensor is showing a normal reading for the common physiological parameter; and (2) a beacon signal indicating a synchronization time, the beaconing function being performed only if information received from the medical monitor indicates that the corresponding sensor is currently providing the information pertaining to the common physiological parameter having a highest quality relative to the quality of the information of the other sensors; wherein the alarm is audibly with an audible alarm or visually output with a flashing light; wherein execution of the instructions stored in the memory of the sensor causes the sensor to perform a beaconing function outputting a beacon signal indicating a synchronization time, the beaconing function being performed only if information received from the second sensor indicates that the sensor is currently providing reliable information pertaining to the common physiological parameter having a highest quality relative to the quality of the information of the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification