SYSTEM FOR ENABLING RELIABLE SKIN CONTRACT OF AN ELECTRICAL WEARABLE DEVICE

• US 20130053661A1
• Filed: 08/31/2011
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Alberth, William P., Alameh, Rachid M.
• Application Number:
  US13/222,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20130053661A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/683 Means for maintaining contact with the body A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A system for enabling reliable skin contact of an electrical wearable device associated with physiological information detected by the wearable device. The system includes a wearable tightness detector powered by a power supply for the wearable device, and a controller for monitoring electrical signals emanating from the power supply and the wearable tightness detector. Also, at least two thermocouples electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector, along with at least two skin contact modules electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector. The at least two thermocouples provide the physiological information detected by the wearable device in relation to a subject. An adjustable wearable band is included in the system. The tightness of the wearable band is detected by the wearable tightness detector and an output signal from the at least two thermocouples to ensure reliable physiological information from the subject during the subject'"'"'s wearing of the wearable device.

Claims

1. A system for enabling reliable skin contact of an electrical wearable device and prevention of false signals associated with physiological information detected by the wearable device, comprising:

a wearable tightness detector;

a power supply for the electrical wearable device;

a controller for monitoring electrical signals emanating from the power supply and the wearable tightness detector;

at least two thermocouples electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector;

at least two skin contact modules electrically coupled to the wearable tightness detector and the at least two thermocouples for providing the physiological information detected by the wearable device in relation to a subject; and

an adjustable wearable band, wherein tightness of the wearable band is detected by the wearable tightness detector and an output signal from the at least two thermocouples to ensure reliable physiological information from the subject during the subject'"'"'s wearing of the electrical wearable device.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor related to biometric readings of the subject, wherein the biometric readings are selected from the group consisting of the subject'"'"'s heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductivity, oxygen, and temperature.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein a heart rate sensor comprises an optical transceiver for reflecting light off blood hemoglobin of the subject.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the heart rate sensor comprises an optical transceiver for receiving light after propagating through a body part.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor related to biometric readings of the subject is operational when the adjustable wearable band is detected to have sufficient contact to the subject'"'"'s skin.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein outputs from the sensor are evaluated for accuracy based on the wearable device'"'"'s motion as detected via an accelerometer.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein duty cycle and/or measurement times of the biometric sensor is adjusted relative to either the wearable device'"'"'s motion, its static orientation, its dynamic acceleration, its detected vibration readings, or its operational mode.

8. The system according to claim 4, wherein an output from the wearable tightness detector is an indication of sufficient contact to a subject'"'"'s skin.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the wearable band is detachable from the wearable device and the at least two skin contact modules, and includes a telecommunication antenna apparatus for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals when the wearable band is not in contact with the subject.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two skin contacts of the wearable device are converted into a telecommunication antenna when the at least two skin contacts are touching the subject'"'"'s skin.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two skin contact modules provide a voltage reading of the power supply.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the voltage reading from the at least two skin contact modules crosses a predetermined charging threshold.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined charging threshold is at least 2 volts.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the electrical wearable device charges from the power supply when the charging threshold is exceeded.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the wearable tightness detector is deactivated during charging.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two skin contact modules are in the adjustable wearable band.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two skin contact modules are on the bottom side of the electrical wearable device and protrude through the adjustable wearable band for contacting skin of the subject.

18. The system according to claim 2, wherein outputs from the sensor are evaluated for accuracy based on the wearable device'"'"'s context.

19. The system according to claim 2, wherein power to the sensor is enabled or disabled based on the wearable device'"'"'s motion as detected via an accelerometer.