Method and Apparatus For Providing A Haptic Monitoring System Using Multiple Sensors

• US 20100152545A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Original Assignee: Immersion Corporation
• Inventors: Heubel, Robert W., Ramsay, Erin B., Olien, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 9,727,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/011 Emotion or mood input determined on the basis of sensed human body parameters such as pulse, heart rate or beat, temperature of skin, facial expressions, iris, voice pitch, brain activity patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus providing a haptic monitor system capable of generating haptic cues based on sensed information are disclosed. The haptic system includes a sensing device, a digital processing unit, and a haptic generator. The sensing device is configured to selectively sense an individual'"'"'s or user vital information via one or more wearable sensors, and subsequently forwards the sensed vital information to the digital processing unit for data processing. Upon receipt of the vital information, the digital processing unit provides a haptic signal in response to the vital information. The haptic generator, subsequently, generates haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

Claims

1. A haptic system, comprising:

a sensing device capable of being selectively set to sense a user'"'"'s vital physical information via sensors and capable of forwarding the vital physical information for processing;

a positioning device coupled to the sensing device and configured to identify user'"'"'s physical location;

a digital processing unit coupled to the sensing device and configured to provide a haptic signal in response to the vital physical information and user'"'"'s physical location; and

a haptic generator coupled to the digital processing unit and capable of generating haptic feedback in accordance with the haptic signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device includes:

a heart rate sensor capable of sensing a heart rate;

a motion sensor configured to detect body movements; and

a blood pressure sensor capable of reading the individual'"'"'s blood pressure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensing device includes:

a breath sensor operable to detect air respiration;

a temperature sensor operable to read body temperature; and

a humidity sensor configured to sense body moisture perspiration.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein a sensing device includes:

a sensor communication block configured to communicate between the sensing device and the sensors via one or more wireless networks; and

a transceiver operable to transmit the vital physical information via a wireless communications network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a positioning device includes a global position system (“

GPS”

) capable of identifying location, speed, direction, and time associated with the user.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the digital processing unit includes configurable software capable of storing predefine limitations for various vital parameters.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital processing unit generates a haptic cue to one or more persons for enhancing performance of a team sport.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device, the positioning device, the digital processing unit, and the haptic generator are logically connected via one or more wireless communications networks.

9. An attachable coordination device capable of providing haptic cues to coordinate a military mission in accordance with user'"'"'s physical condition comprising the system of claim 1.

10. A feedback monitoring device capable of providing haptic cues to increase physical performance during a team cycling activity comprising the system of claim 1.

11. A method for generating haptic cues, comprising:

monitoring a first vital sign associated with a first user in a real-time via a first sensor;

obtaining a first location associated with the first user in a real-time via a first positioning device;

fetching a first predefined performance level from a storage location;

computing a first performance level in response to the first vital sign, the first location, and the first predefined performance parameter;

issuing a first haptic signal when the first performance level fails to reach to the first predefined performance level; and

generating a first haptic feedback to instruct the first user to change current course of action.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

monitoring a second vital sign associated with a second user in a real-time via a second sensor;

obtaining a second location associated with the second user in a real-time via a second positioning device;

fetching a second predefined performance level from a storage location;

computing a second performance level in response to the second vital sign, the second location, and the second predefined performance parameter;

issuing a second haptic signal when the second performance level fails to reach to the second predefined performance level; and

generating a second haptic feedback to instruct the second user to change current course of action.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein monitoring a first vital sign associated with a first user includes forwarding the first vital sign to a processing unit for data processing.

14. The method of claim 13,

wherein generating a first haptic feedback includes generating a first haptic cue in response to the first haptic signal;

and

wherein generating a second haptic feedback includes generating a second haptic cue in response to the first haptic signal and the second haptic signal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring a first vital sign further includes reading a heart rate utilizing a heart rate monitor.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring a first vital sign further includes reading first user'"'"'s blood pressure via a blood pressure monitor.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring a first vital sign further includes detecting user'"'"'s respiration via a breath sensor.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring a first vital sign further includes reading a body temperature via a temperature gage.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein generating a first haptic feedback further includes instructing the first user to take over the second user'"'"'s position.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein generating a first haptic feedback further includes informing the second user location of the first user.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein generating a first haptic feedback in accordance with the first vital signal further includes providing a haptic cue to indicate current level of blood pressure.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein generating a first haptic feedback in accordance with the first vital signal further includes providing a haptic cue to indicate a real-time bleeding condition of hemophilia.

23. An apparatus for generating haptic cues, comprising:

means for monitoring a first vital sign associated with a first user in a real-time via a first sensor;

means for obtaining a first location associated with the first user in a real-time via a first positioning device;

means for fetching a first predefined performance level from a storage location;

means for computing a first performance level in response to the first vital sign, the first location, and the first predefined performance parameter;

means for issuing a first haptic signal when the first performance level fails to reach to the first predefined performance level; and

means for generating a first haptic feedback to instruct the first user to change current course of action.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

means for monitoring a second vital sign associated with a second user in a real-time via a second sensor;

means for obtaining a second location associated with the second user in a real-time via a second positioning device;

means for fetching a second predefined performance level from a storage location;

means for computing a second performance level in response to the second vital sign, the second location, and the second predefined performance parameter;

means for issuing a second haptic signal when the second performance level fails to reach to the second predefined performance level; and

means for generating a second haptic feedback to instruct the second user to change current course of action.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein means for monitoring a first vital sign associated with a first user includes means for forwarding the first vital sign to a processing unit for data processing.

26. The apparatus of claim 25,

wherein means for generating a first haptic feedback includes means for generating a first haptic cue in response to the first haptic signal;

and

wherein means for generating a second haptic feedback includes means for generating a second haptic cue in response to the first haptic signal and the second haptic signal.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein means for monitoring a first vital sign further includes means for reading a heart rate utilizing a heart rate monitor.