DATA COLLECTION UNIT POWER AND NOISE MANAGEMENT

• US 20140018686A1
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heartmiles, LLC
• Original Assignee: Heartmiles, LLC
• Inventors: Medelius, Pedro J., Kateraas, Espen D.
• Application Number:
  US14/007,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018686A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• 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 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A physical activity data collection system includes one or more accelerometer units in communication with a data collection unit, where the data collection unit, includes one or more infrared sensors configured to provide an output indicative of a pulse rate of a user of the physical activity data collection unit. The data collection unit may also include at least one temperature sensor configured to provide an output indicative of at least a body temperature of the user; and at least one accelerometer configured to provide an output indicative of movements of the user. The system may also include a microcontroller configured to evaluate the outputs of the two or more infrared sensors at a plurality of power levels; select at least one of the two or more infrared sensors for data collection; and reduce an amount of power applied to infrared sensors other than the at least one of the two or more infrared sensors selected for data collection.

Claims

1. A physical activity data collection system, including:

one or more accelerometer units in communication with a data collection unit, where the data collection unit, includes;

two or more infrared sensors configured to provide outputs indicative of a pulse rate of a user of the physical activity data collection unit;

at least one temperature sensor configured to provide an output indicative of at least a body temperature of the user;

at least one accelerometer configured to provide an output indicative of movements of the user; and

a microcontroller configured to;

evaluate the outputs of the two or more infrared sensors at a plurality of power levels;

select at least one of the two or more infrared sensors for data collection; and

reduce an amount of power applied to infrared sensors other than the at least one of the two or more infrared sensors selected for data collection.

2. The physical activity data collection system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to select at least one of the two or more infrared sensors for data collection based on an observed signal-to-noise level for at least one of the two or more infrared sensors.

3. The physical activity data collection system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to select at least one of the two or more infrared sensors for data collection based on an observed signal-to-noise level from each of the two or more infrared sensors.

4. The physical activity data collection system of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to collect and store data from the at least one of the two or more infrared sensors selected for data collection.

5. The physical activity data collection system of claim 4, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to determine at least one biological parameter associated with a user of the physical activity data collection system based on the data collected and stored from the at least one of the two or more infrared sensors selected for data collection.

6. A physical activity data collection system, including:

a plurality of sensors each configured to provide an output related to a biological marker associated with a user of the data collection system; and

a microcontroller configured to;

evaluate the outputs of each of the plurality of sensors at a plurality of power levels;

select at least one of the plurality of sensors for data collection; and

reduce an amount of power applied to at least one sensor other than the at least one of the plurality of sensors selected for data collection.

7. The physical activity data collection system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sensors include infrared sensors.