WEARABLE MONITORING APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF

• US 20100298687A1
• Filed: 02/08/2010
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Yoo, Jerald, Yoo, Hoi-Jun
• Granted Patent: US 8,428,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/391
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/257 using adhesive means, e.g. adhesive pads or tapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/259 using conductive adhesive means, e.g. gels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

Disclosed are a wearable monitoring apparatus and a driving method thereof. The wearable monitoring apparatus comprises: a sensor unit for measuring a biological signal from a human body, wherein the sensor unit is adhered to a skin; and a control unit for searching a location of the sensor unit, supplying power to the sensor unit, and receiving and processing the biological signal from the sensor unit, wherein the control unit is formed to be wearable.

Claims

1. A wearable monitoring apparatus for continuously monitoring a biological signal, comprising:

a sensor unit for measuring a biological signal from a human body, wherein the sensor unit is adhered to a skin; and

a control unit for searching a location of the sensor unit, supplying power to the sensor unit, and receiving and processing the biological signal from the sensor unit, wherein the control unit is formed to be wearable.

2. The wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises:

an adhesive layer having adhesion and flexibility;

an inductor for connecting to the control unit by wireless means using near field coupling;

a sensing electrode for sensing the biological signal;

a sensor chip for transmitting a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit to the control unit in response to a searching signal from the control unit, measuring the biological signal using the sensing electrode, and transmitting the measured biological signal to the control unit; and

a molding portion formed to cover the sensor chip to prevent the sensor chip from being damaged,

wherein at least one of the inductor and the sensing electrode is formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

3. The wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit comprises:

a plurality of inductors for connecting to the sensor unit by wireless means using near field coupling, wherein the plurality of inductors are arrayed in a coordinate matrix pattern;

a power supply for providing the searching signal and power to be transmitted to the sensor unit; and

a network controller for transmitting the searching signal in a set coordinate order using the plurality of inductors, receiving the response signal, storing the type information of the sensor unit and coordinate information of an inductor having received the response signal, supplying power to the sensor unit to meet set sensing cycle and power transmission strength according to a type of the sensor unit using the inductor having received the response signal, receiving the biological signal measured by the sensor unit, and storing the received biological signal,

wherein the network controller is connected to the plurality of inductors,

wherein the plurality of inductors are formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

4. The wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit comprises:

an adhesive layer having adhesion and flexibility;

a first connector for connecting to the control unit by wired means, wherein the first connector is capable of being attached and detached to the control unit;

a sensing electrode for sensing the biological signal;

a sensor chip for transmitting a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit to the control unit in response to a searching signal from the control unit, measuring the biological signal using the sensing electrode, and transmitting the measured biological signal to the control unit; and

a molding portion formed to cover the sensor chip to prevent the sensor chip from being damaged,

wherein the sensing electrode is formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

5. The wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit comprises:

a plurality of second connectors for connecting to the sensor unit by wired means using the first connector,

wherein the plurality of second connectors are arrayed in a coordinate matrix pattern and are capable of being attached to and detached from the sensor unit;

a power supply for providing the searching signal and power to be transmitted to the sensor unit; and

a network controller for transmitting the searching signal in a set coordinate order using the plurality of second connectors, receiving the response signal, storing the type information of the sensor unit and coordinate information of a second connector having received the response signal, transferring power to the sensor unit to meet a set sensing cycle and power transmission strength according to a type of the sensor unit using the second connector having received the response signal, receiving the biological signal measured by the sensor unit, and storing the received biological signal,

wherein the network controller is connected to the plurality of second connectors.

6. The wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first connector and the second connector are configured in a form of a Velcro, a button, a zipper, or a conductive contact, and are made of a conductive material.

11. A method of driving the wearable monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(i) automatically searching a location of the sensor unit;

(ii) supplying power to the sensor unit and measuring a biological signal; and

(iii) transmitting the biological signal measured by the sensor unit to the control unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein step (i) comprises:

transmitting a searching signal in a set coordinate order using a plurality of inductors arrayed on the control unit in a coordinate matrix pattern;

checking whether a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit as a response to the searching signal is received; and

storing the response signal and coordinate values of an inductor having received the response signal when the response signal is received, and

step (ii) comprises;

recognizing a type of the sensor unit using the response signal;

supplying power with a set sensing cycle and power transmission strength to the sensor unit using an inductor having received the response signal according to the recognized type of the sensor unit; and

measuring the biological signal using the sensor unit,

wherein the sensor unit and the control unit transmit and receive data in a wireless connection manner using near field coupling to and from each other.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein step (i) further comprises transmitting the searching signal using an inductor on next coordinates after storage of the response signal and the coordinate values of an inductor having received the response signal is terminated, and checking whether the response signal is received.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein step (i) comprises:

transmitting a searching signal in a set coordinate order using a plurality of connectors arrayed on the control unit in a coordinate matrix pattern;

checking whether a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit as a response to the searching signal is received; and

storing the response signal and coordinate values of a connector having received the response signal when the response signal is received, and

step (ii) comprises;

recognizing a type of the sensor unit using the response signal;

supplying power with a set sensing cycle and power transmission strength to the sensor unit using a connector having received the response signal according to the recognized type of the sensor unit; and

measuring the biological signal using the sensor unit,

the sensor unit and the control unit transmitting and receiving data in a wired connection manner using the connector to and from each other.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein step (i) further comprises transmitting the searching signal using a connector on next coordinates after storage of the response signal and the coordinate values of a connector having received the response signal is terminated, and checking whether the response signal is received.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein step (ii) further comprises supplying power with different sensing cycles to respective sensor units when there are at least two types of the sensor units.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein step (ii) further comprises supplying power with different sensing cycles to respective sensor units when there are at least two types of the sensor units.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein step (iii) comprises:

amplifying, filtering and converting into digital data the biological signal measured by the sensor, and transmitting the digital data to the control unit; and

compressing, encrypting, and storing the digital biological signal transmitted to the control unit.

7. A sensor unit of a wearable monitoring apparatus that is adhered to a human body for measuring a biological signal, comprising:

an adhesive layer having adhesion and flexibility;

an inductor for connecting to a control unit by wireless means using near field coupling, the control unit collecting the biological signal measured by the sensor unit;

a sensing electrode for sensing the biological signal;

a sensor chip for transmitting a response signal to the control unit in response to a searching signal from the control unit, receiving power from the control unit to measure the biological signal using the sensing electrode, and transmitting the measured biological signal; and

a molding portion formed to cover the sensor chip to prevent the sensor chip from being damaged,

wherein at least one of the inductor and the sensing electrode is formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

8. A sensor unit of a wearable monitoring apparatus that is adhered to a human body for measuring a biological signal, comprising:

an adhesive layer having adhesion and flexibility;

a connector for connecting to a control unit by wired means, the control unit collecting the biological signal measured by the sensor unit, wherein the connector is able to be attached to and detached from the control unit;

a sensing electrode for sensing the biological signal;

a sensor chip for transmitting a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit to the control unit in response to a searching signal from the control unit, measuring the biological signal using the sensing electrode, and transmitting the measured biological signal to the control unit; and

a molding portion formed to cover the sensor chip to prevent the sensor chip from being damaged,

wherein the sensing electrode is formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

9. A control unit of a wearable monitoring apparatus for collecting a biological signal measured by a sensor unit adhered to a human body, comprising:

a plurality of inductors for connecting to the sensor unit by wireless means using near field coupling, wherein the plurality of inductors are arrayed in a coordinate matrix pattern;

a power supply for providing a searching signal and power to be transmitted to the sensor unit; and

a network controller for transmitting the searching signal in a set coordinate order using the plurality of inductors, receiving a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit as a response to the searching signal, storing the type information of the sensor unit and coordinate information of an inductor having received the response signal, transferring power to the sensor unit to meet a set sensing cycle and power transmission strength according to a type of the sensor unit using the inductor having received the response signal, receiving the biological signal measured by the sensor unit, and storing the received biological signal,

wherein the network controller is connected to the plurality of inductors,

wherein the plurality of inductors are formed by printing a conductive material on a fiber.

10. A control unit of a wearable monitoring apparatus for collecting a biological signal measured by a sensor unit adhered to a human body, comprising:

a plurality of connectors for connecting to the sensor unit by wired means, wherein the plurality of connectors are arrayed in a coordinate matrix pattern and are capable of being attached to and detached from the sensor unit measuring the biological signal;

a power supply providing a searching signal and power to be transmitted to the sensor unit; and

a network controller for transmitting the searching signal in a set coordinate order using the plurality of connectors, receiving a response signal containing type information of the sensor unit as a response to the searching signal, storing the type information of the sensor unit and coordinate information of a connector having received the response signal, supplying power to the sensor unit to meet a set sensing cycle and power transmission strength according to a type of the sensor unit through the connector having received the response signal, receiving the biological signal measured by the sensor unit, and storing the received biological signal,

wherein the network controller is connected to the plurality of connectors.