Low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear

• US 20090281436A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chin-Yeh Hung
• Original Assignee: Chin-Yeh Hung
• Inventors: Hung, Chin-Yeh
• Application Number:
  US12/149,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20090281436A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/504
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe

Abstract

A low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear includes: a) an ear-hanging unit hanging over the ear and having an internal portion and an external portion, the internal portion leaning against the internal side of the earlobe of a user, thereby creating a supporting effect; and b) a wireless heartbeat detector attached to the external portion of the ear-hanging unit, at least one part thereof leaning against the external side of the earlobe of the user such that a reflection type heartbeat-sensing element detects the slight blood change in the blood capillary of the earlobe created by heartbeat, thereby receiving the heartbeat impulse signal of the user which is then transmitted to a display unit having a receiver in a low-frequency wireless transmission way.

Claims

1. A low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear, comprising:

a) an ear-hanging unit having a hanging portion hanging over the ear of a user, an internal portion extending from the hanging portion downwards with its bottom end approaching to the internal side of the earlobe, and an external portion extending from the hanging portion outwards to the external side of the ear; and

b) a wireless heartbeat detector attached to the external portion of the ear-hanging unit, at least one part thereof leaning against the external side of the earlobe of the user, the wireless heartbeat detector having;

i) a housing formed in match of the shape of the ear and having an internal side leaning against the ear and an external side opposing to the internal side;

ii) a reflection type heartbeat-sensing element disposed within the housing and having an infrared transmitting terminal on a control circuit board and a receiving terminal in alignment with the infrared transmitting terminal, the infrared transmitting terminal and the receiving terminal being exposed on the internal side of the housing and leaning against the external side of the earlobe for detecting the slight blood change in the blood capillary of the earlobe created by heartbeat, thereby receiving the heartbeat impulse signal of the user;

iii) a power source positioned within the housing for supplying the power required by the wireless heartbeat detector;

iv) a sensitive switch positioned at the internal side of the housing for controlling the on/off state of the reflection type heartbeat-sensing element;

v) a noise suppression circuit and the filter-shaping amplifying circuit disposed within the housing and electrically coupled to the reflection type heartbeat-sensing element; and

vi) a low-frequency wireless transmitter disposed within the housing for transmitting the heartbeat signal of the filter-shaping amplifying circuit to a display unit having a low-frequency wireless signal receiver for displaying the heartbeat signal.

2. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 1, wherein the low-frequency wireless transmitter and receiver conduct the transmission of the heartbeat signals in the frequency range between 10 MHz and 80 MHz.

3. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless heartbeat detector and the ear-hanging unit are integrally formed.

4. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless heartbeat detector and the ear-hanging unit are separately formed and then attached to each other.

5. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 4, wherein the external portion of the ear-hanging unit is provided with a cylindrical member, and the wireless heartbeat detector includes a stem disposed at the top end of the housing and liftable within the cylindrical member.

6. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 5, wherein the housing and the stem are pivotally attached to each other.

7. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a control panel of an exercise apparatus with a low-frequency wireless signal receiver and a LCD-display.

8. The low-frequency wireless heartbeat detector hanging over the ear as recited in claim 1, wherein the display unit includes an exercise type wrist watch with a low-frequency wireless signal receiver and a LCD-display.