Biosensor Interface Apparatus for a Mobile Communication Device

• US 20120156933A1
• Filed: 12/18/2010
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gajanan Nagarsekar, Kevin Kreger
• Original Assignee: Gajanan Nagarsekar, Kevin Kreger
• Inventors: Kreger, Kevin, Nagarsekar, Gajanan
• Granted Patent: US 8,923,918 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/625
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6825 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48792 Data management, e.g. communication with processing unit for in vivo diagnostics A61B5/0002; transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A bio sensor interface apparatus that utilizes pre-existing or standard electrical connectors of mobile devices such as smart phones, mobile media players, and tablets. The interface device transforms the input bio sensor signals to compatible electrical signals for input to one or more of the mobile'"'"'s connectors. That signals are then conducted via one or more input conductors in the connectors to the mobile'"'"'s microprocessor, which may display or transmit the biosensor signals and derive further measurements from them.

Claims

1. A bio sensor interface apparatus comprising:

a mobile communications device with at least one electrical connector thereon,

the electrical connector having a plurality of conductors wherein one or more of the conductors is an input conductor in communication with a mobile communications device processor;

a interface device in communication with at least one biosensor signal having one or more mating connectors configured to be mechanically received by the at least one electrical connector on the mobile communications device, wherein the interface device transforms the at least one biosensor signal to a compatible electrical signal that is receivable by one or more input conductors; and

a power source.

2. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mobile communication device is one selected from a group consisting of:

a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, a portable media playback device, and a handheld tablet.

3. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is an audio connector configured to receive an electrical audio signal.

4. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 3 wherein the audio connector has one or more input conductors selected from a group consisting of microphone level input conductors, and audio recording line level input conductors.

5. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is a hybrid connector configured to receive serial data and to receive at least one electrical audio signal;

6. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is a serial connector configured to receive serial data;

7. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is one or more selected from a group consisting of an audio connector configured to receive an electrical audio signal, the serial connector configured to receive serial data, and the hybrid connector configured to receive serial data and to receive at least one electrical audio signal.

8. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 3 wherein the mating connector is one or more analog audio connectors selected from a group consisting of a male 2.5 mm 3-conductor plug, a male 2.5 mm 4-conductor plug, a male 3.5 mm 3-conductor plug, a male 3.5 mm 4-conductor, a manufacturer specified stereo recording input plug or plugs, a manufacturer specified headset connector, and a manufacturer specified microphone connector.

9. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 7 wherein the interface device mating connector is selected from a group consisting of an Apple®

iPod®

media player and iPhone®

30 pin connector;

an Audiovox®

cell phone 22 24, or 26 pin connector;

an Ericsson®

cell phone 10 pin connector;

a Kyocera®

cell phone and MP3 player 16 pin connector;

a Motorola®

cell phone 4, 5, 15, 17, and 26 pin connector;

a Nokia®

cell phone 14 pin connector;

a Qualcomm®

cell phone 15 pin connector;

a Samsung®

Cell Phone and PDA 5 or 19 pin connector;

a Sanyo®

cell phone 16 or 18 pin connector;

a Siemens®

cell phone 12 pin connector;

a 4-pin electrically compatible USB connector; and

a manufacturer specified docking connector.

10. The bio sensor interface apparatus of claim 6 wherein the interface device mating connector is one or more selected from a group consisting of a USB Mini-A, USB Mini-B, USB Micro-AB, USB Micro-B, USB Type A, USB Type B, and a 4-pin electrically compatible USB connector having a non-standard connector or housing.

11. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interface device transforms the at least one biosensor signal to a compatible electrical signal by one or more selected from a group of DC voltage cancellation, filtration, attenuation, demodulation, modulation, compression, amplification, expansion, digitization, demultiplex, multiplex, serialization, switching, synchronization, electrical isolation, and impedance matching.

12. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more bio sensors that are selected from a group consisting of:

a photo plethysmograph, a pulse oximeter, ECG or other electrodes, a sphygmomanometer, a thermometer, a pedometer, a capnograph, a respiratory movement sensor, a respiratory flow sensor, a patient movement and orientation sensor, a transdermal blood alcohol sensor and a blood sugar sensor.

13. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one connector capable of receiving a biosensor signal.

14. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one connector capable of receiving a biosensor signal, wherein the biosensor signal is one selected from a group consisting of an electrical signal, a chemical signal, a gas signal, or a force signal.

15. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one receiver capable of receiving a wireless biosensor signal.

16. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 13 wherein the connectors are one or more selected from a group consisting of:

a circular push-pull connector, an ECG AAMI EC-53 connector, a MC PPG connector;

a round connector, a screw connector, a rectangular (DIN) connector, a twist coupling connector, a sub-miniature connector, and other industry specified connectors.

17. The plethysmograph of claim 1 wherein the power source is within the mobile communication device and the interface device further comprises a power connection to the mobile communication device.

18. The biosensor interface apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mobile communication device processor that computes a physiological measurement corresponding to the electrical signal received from one or more input conductors;

19. The plethysmograph of claim 1 further comprising a mobile communication device audio output device and having the processor configured to communicate the measurement to the audio output device.

20. The plethysmograph of claim 1 further comprising a mobile communication device display with the processor configured to communicate the measurement to the display.