Electrostatic discharge protection for analog component of wrist-worn device

• US 20090312655A1
• Filed: 06/13/2008
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salutron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salutron, Inc.
• Inventors: Lo, Thomas Ying-Ching
• Granted Patent: US 7,822,469 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/503
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

A heart rate monitor with analog and digital input mechanisms is provided with electro static discharge (ESD) protection which protects electrical components within the monitor. The heart rate monitor input mechanisms may include externally exposed sensors comprised of a conducting material, such as metal. The sensors may include push buttons, a dial, and one or more sensors for retrieving a heart rate signal, such as a case back for the monitor device. Internal circuitry such as an integrated circuit (IC) performs operations to provide time, a heart rate, and other information through a display. The ESD protection prevents any voltage discharge accumulating on the externally exposed sensors from reaching the one or more ICs and interrupting or negatively affecting performance of the monitor.

Claims

1. A heart rate monitor, comprising:

a monitor case;

an analog input mechanism which is configured to adjust an analog display element of the heart rate monitor;

a case back configured to sense a user biometric and connected to the monitor case;

monitor circuitry for detecting a heart rate of a user based on a biometric signal received from the case back; and

electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuitry connected between the case back and the analog input mechanism, the ESD protection circuitry configured to discharge electro-static charges from said analog input mechanism to said case back,

said monitor case containing the monitor circuitry, ESD protection circuitry, and at least a portion of the analog input mechanism connected to the ESD connection circuitry.

2. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, wherein the ESD protection circuitry includes a diode.

3. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, wherein the analog input mechanism is a dial.

4. The heart rate monitor of claim 3, wherein the dial is used to adjust mechanical portions of the monitor in addition to operating as a heart rate sensor.

5. The heart rate monitor of claim 4, wherein the dial is used to adjust hands of an analog watch included in the heart rate monitor.

6. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, wherein the heart rate monitor includes an analog watch and is worn on the wrist of a user.

7. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more first sensors configured to sense a heart rate signal of a user of the heart rate monitor,

the one or more sensors and the case back configured to detect an EKG signal.

8. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, the heart rate monitor further comprising:

a clamp for securing a battery; and

a second ESD protection circuitry connected between the clamp and the case back.

9. The heart rate monitor of claim 1, the heart rate monitor further comprising:

a conducting sensor externally exposed from the heart rate monitor; and

a third ESD protection circuitry connected between the conducting sensor and the case back.

10. A device for monitoring a heart rate, comprising:

heart rate detection circuitry configured to determine heart rate information from an electrocardiogram signal;

a gear assembly connectively coupled to the heart rate detection circuitry and a dial;

a case back configured to sense a user biometric and connected to the monitor case; and

an ESD diode connected between the case back sensor and the gear assembly, the ESD diode having an anode connected to the case back and a cathode connected to the gear assembly.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the gear assembly includes an externally exposed dial and a connection to an analog watch display.

12. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a sensor positioned on the top face of a watch; and

a second ESD protection diode connecting the top mounted sensor and the case back.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

two sensors, the two sensors and the case back sensor configured to detect an EKG signal.

14. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a module clamp connected to a battery; and

a first ESD protection circuitry connected between the module clamp and the case back sensor.

15. The device of claim 10, the ESD diode configured to discharge accumulated charges at the gear assembly to the case back sensor.

16. A heart rate monitor, comprising:

a monitor case;

a display having both analog and digital components;

an analog input assembly for adjusting the display;

a case back attached to the monitor case and configured as a sensor for a user biometric;

one or more secondary sensors for receiving additional biometric data from a user;

monitor circuitry for receiving a signal from the case back and one or more secondary sensors, determining heart rate information from the signal, and providing the heart rate information to the display; and

ESD protection circuitry connecting the case back to the analog input mechanism, the ESD protection circuitry protecting the monitor circuitry from voltage discharge.

17. The heart rate monitor of claim 16, wherein said one or more case back sensors include:

at least one side push button sensor; and

at least one top mounted sensor.

18. The heart rate monitor of claim 16, further comprising a battery power source.

19. The heart rate monitor of claim 16, wherein said heart rate monitor is a wrist worn monitor for detecting a pulse from a user'"'"'s EKG signals, the diode configured to reduce an electro-static discharge voltage provided at the analog input mechanism.