Sensor-Based Health Monitoring System

• US 20110066081A1
• Filed: 09/14/2009
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Goto, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,172,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Implementations for sensor-based health monitoring systems are generally disclosed.

Claims

1. A health monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor unit configured to detect body motion; and

an alarm unit configured to execute a series of alarm processing operations in response to the detection of body motion data from the sensor unit.

2. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit further comprises:

an elastic member;

one or more elements configured to detect deformation, attached to the elastic member;

a data processor configured to measure the output of the elements configured to detect deformation; and

a communication device configured to send the measured results by the data processor to the alarm unit.

3. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 1, wherein the alarm unit further comprises:

a communication device configured to receive data from the sensor unit;

an abnormality detector configured to detect an abnormality based at least in part on an analysis of the detection of body motion data from the sensor unit in accordance with at least one preprogrammed rule; and

an alarm generator configured to output an alarm notification.

4. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the abnormality detector is configured to determine the abnormality based at least in part on an amplitude of signals from the sensor unit during a predetermined period being lower than a predetermined value.

5. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the abnormality detector is configured to determine the abnormality based at least in part on an amplitude of signals from the sensor unit during a predetermined period being higher than a predetermined value.

6. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the abnormality detector is configured to determine the abnormality based at least in part on a difference between an amplitude of signals from the sensor unit during a predetermined period and corresponding data in the past being higher than a predetermined value.

7. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 4, wherein the abnormality detector is configured to change a criteria for judgment under the at least one preprogrammed rule based at least in part on a current clock time.

8. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 5, wherein the abnormality detector is configured to change a criteria for judgment under the at least one preprogrammed rule based at least in part on a current clock time.

9. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the alarm generator is configured to send or call to one or more predetermined sites to notify an alarm on condition that the abnormality detector determines abnormality.

10. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the alarm generator is configured to execute a first alarm process on condition that the abnormality detector determines abnormality, and the alarm generator further is configured to execute a second alarm process on condition of receiving no response to the first alarm.

11. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 10, wherein the first alarm process is to notify the abnormality via one or more output devices connected to the alarm unit, and the second alarm process is to send an alarm message to a remote site.

12. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 10, wherein the first alarm process is to send an alarm message to a first place, and the second alarm process is to send an alarm message to a second place.

13. A health monitoring system as recited in claim 3, wherein the abnormality detector configured to determine a level of abnormality, and the alarm generator configured to change a manner of making an alarm.

14. A sensor unit for detecting body motion, comprising:

an elastic member;

one or more elements configured to detect deformation, attached to the elastic member;

a data processor configured to measure output of the elements configured to detect deformation; and

a communication device configured to send out the output measured by the data processor.

15. A sensor unit as recited in claim 14, further comprising a weight attached at an extremity of the elastic member.

16. A sensor unit as recited in claim 15, wherein the elastic member has the shape of an elongate stick.

17. A sensor unit as recited in claim 16, wherein the element configured to detect deformation includes a piezo-element, and the piezo-element is attached to a root part of the elastic member.

18. A sensor unit as recited in claim 17, wherein the elastic member, the elements configured to detect deformation, the data processor, and the communication device are packaged in a cylindrical housing.

19. A health monitoring method, comprising:

detecting body motion by using a sensor unit;

detecting abnormality based at least in part on analyzing data received from the sensor unit; and

executing a series of alarm processes in response to the detected abnormality.

20. An article comprising:

a signal bearing medium comprising machine-readable instructions stored thereon, which, if executed by one or more processors, operatively enable a computing device to;

receive body motion data from a sensor unit;

detect abnormality based at least in part on analyzing data received from the sensor unit; and

execute a series of alarm processes in response to the detected abnormality.