Systems and methods for monitoring and modifying behavior

• US 20060064037A1
• Filed: 09/21/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Svip 7 LLC
• Original Assignee: Shalon Ventures Research, LLC
• Inventors: Shalon, Tadmor, Shalon, Tidhar
• Granted Patent: US 7,914,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/586
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4205 Evaluating swallowing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4542 Evaluating the mouth, e.g. the jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7267 involving training the classification device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/003 : Detecting lung or respiration noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/008 : Detecting noise of gastric tract, e.g. caused by voiding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/023 : for introduction into the body, e.g. into the oesophagus oesophageal ECG probes A61B5/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 : Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 : Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/043 : using propagating acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 : relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation

Abstract

A system for detecting non-verbal acoustic energy generated by a subject is provided. The system includes a sensor mountable on or in a body region of the subject, the sensor being capable of sensing the non-verbal acoustic energy; and a processing unit being capable of processing the non-verbal acoustic energy sensed by the sensor and deriving an activity related signature therefrom, thereby enabling identification of a specific activity associated with the non-verbal acoustic energy.

Claims

1. A system for detecting activity related to non-verbal acoustic energy generated by a subject comprising:

(a) a sensor mountable on or in a body region of the subject, said sensor being capable of sensing the non-verbal acoustic energy; and

(b) a processing unit being capable of processing the non-verbal acoustic energy sensed by said sensor and deriving an activity related signature therefrom, thereby enabling classification of a specific activity associated with the non-verbal acoustic energy.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a microphone.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said sensor is a bone conduction microphone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is mountable on a head of the subject.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said sensor is mountable behind the ear.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is implantable.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor and said processing unit are housed in a single device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor and said processing are separately housed.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one addition sensor selected from the group consisting of a heart rate sensor, an accelerometer, a skin conductance sensor, a muscle tone sensor, a blood sugar level sense, a bite sensor and a stomach contraction sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one feedback device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one feedback device is a speaker.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one feedback device is selected from the group consisting of lights, a graphical display, an electrical stimulation device, a buzzer, a vibrating element and a chemical dispensing unit.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit forms a part of a device selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a cell phone, a wristwatch, a portable media player and a computer.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is mountable within an ear canal of the subject.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is mountable within the oral cavity of the subject.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one feedback device and said at least one sensor are housed within a single device.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one feedback device and said at least one sensor are a single device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor and said processing unit are connected through a wired connection.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor and said processing unit are connected through a wireless connection.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless connection is effected through radiofrequency or infrared.

21. A system for monitoring ingestion activity of a subject comprising:

(a) a sensor mountable on or in a body region of the subject, said sensor being capable of sensing ingestion related motion or acoustic energy; and

(b) a processing unit being capable of processing said ingestion related motion or acoustic energy and deriving an ingestion activity related signature therefrom, thereby monitoring ingestion activity of the subject.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said ingestion related motion or said acoustic energy is generated by jaw motion.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said ingestion related motion or said acoustic energy is generated by stomach contractions or bowel motility.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said ingestion related motion or acoustic energy is generated by biting, chewing or swallowing.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein said acoustic energy is non-verbal acoustic activity.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor is a microphone.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said sensor is a bone conduction microphone.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor is mountable on a head of the subject.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor is mountable within an ear canal of the subject.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor is implantable.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor is mountable within the oral cavity of the subject.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor and said processing are housed in a single device.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein said sensor and said processing are separately housed.

34. The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one additional sensor selected from the group consisting of a heart rate sensor, an accelerometer, a skin conductance sensor, a muscle tone sensor, a blood sugar level sense, a bite sensor and a stomach contraction sensor.

35. The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one feedback device.

36. The system of claim 21, wherein said at least one feedback device is a speaker.

37. The system of claim 21, wherein said at least one feedback device is selected from the group consisting of lights, numbers, graphical display, electrical stimulation, a buzzer, a vibrating element and a chemical dispensing unit.

38. The system of claim 21, wherein said processing unit forms a part of a device selected from the group consisting of a PDA, a cell phone, a wristwatch, a portable media player, and a computer.

39. The system of claim 21, wherein said ingestion activity related signature identifies a type and/or quantity of food or drink consumed.

40. A method of detecting activity related to non-verbal acoustic energy generated by a subject comprising:

(a) sensing the non-verbal acoustic energy; and

(b) processing the non-verbal acoustic energy and deriving an activity related signature therefrom, thereby enabling classification of a specific activity associated with the non-verbal acoustic energy.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein (a) and (b) are conducted over a time period such that a plurality of activity related signatures are obtained.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

(c) processing said plurality of activity related signatures to thereby infer a behavior of the subject.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

(d) providing feedback to the subject intended to modify the behavior of the subject.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the activity related to non-verbal acoustic energy is eating or drinking.

45. The method of claim 40, wherein said specific activity is breathing.

46. A method of monitoring ingestion activity of a subject comprising:

(a) sensing ingestion related motion or acoustic energy; and

(b) processing said ingestion related motion or acoustic energy and deriving an ingestion activity related signature therefrom, thereby monitoring ingestion activity of the subject.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein (a) and (b) are conducted over a time period such that a plurality of ingestion activity related signatures are obtained.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

(c) processing said plurality of ingestion activity related signatures to thereby determine a ingestion behavior of the subject.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein said ingestion activity related signature identifies consumption of a specific food item.

50. A method of accumulating data relating to ingestion behavior of a subject comprising:

(a) monitoring ingestion related activity of the subject over a time period;

(b) generating a signature classifying said ingestion related activity of the subject over said time period; and

(c) computationally logging said signature thereby accumulating data relating to ingestion behavior of the subject.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising associating said signature with a duration of ingestion, rate of ingestion, food mass, volume, caloric value or nutritional value of material ingested prior to, or following step (c).

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising aggregating said data relating to ingestion behavior for a plurality of subjects into a database.

53. The method of claim 50, further comprising repeating steps (a)-(c) thereby accumulating data comprising a plurality of distinct signatures.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein (a) is effected by counting a number of bites chews and/or swallows over said time period.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said signature reflects said number of bites chews and/or swallows over said time period.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein said signature further reflects a sequence of said bites chews and/or swallows over said time period.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein said counting is effected by user mounted device.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said device is capable of sensing ingestion activity related motion or acoustic energy.

59. A computer readable medium comprising a database stored therein said database including a plurality of signatures each classifying an ingestion related activity of a subject over a time period.

60. The computer readable medium of claim 59, wherein said database contains ingestion related activity collected from a plurality of subjects.

61. The computer readable medium of claim 59, wherein each signature reflects a parameter selected from the group consisting of time of digestion, duration of digestion, intensity of ingestion, and rate of ingestion.

62. The computer readable medium of claim 59, wherein each signature reflects a sequence of said bites chews and/or swallows.

63. A device for monitoring food and/or drink consumption of a subject comprising:

(a) a sensor for sensing ingestion activity of the subject; and

(b) at least one feedback device for providing feedback relating to said ingestion activity to the subject.

64. The device of claim 63, further comprising a processing unit for processing ingestion activity sensed by said sensor.

65. The device of claim 63, further comprising a data input unit capable of being programmed with the weight, body mass index, fat content or desired weight reduction of the subject.

66. The device of claim 63, further comprising a memory unit storing a database including ingestion activity of said subject.

67. The device of claim 63, wherein said feedback provided by said feedback device is determined by the device according to said database.

68. The device of claim 63, further comprising a memory unit storing a database including desired ingestion behavior of the subject.

69. The device of claim 66, wherein said feedback provided by said feedback device is determined by the device according to said desired ingestion behavior of said subject.

70. The device of claim 63, wherein said at least one feedback device is capable of providing audio feedback.

71. The device of claim 63, further comprising a data transfer unit for transmitting data pertaining to said ingestion activity of the subject.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein said data transfer unit forms a part of a transceiver.

73. The device of claim 63, further comprising a microphone for receiving acoustic input from the subject.

74. The device of claim 73, further comprising a processing unit for processing said acoustic input from the subject into data relatable to said ingestion activity sensed by the device.

75. A device for monitoring food and/or drink consumption of a subject comprising:

(a) a sensor for sensing ingestion activity of the subject; and

(b) a data transfer unit for transmitting data relating to said ingestion activity of the subject.