METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING APPLIANCES USING BIOMETRIC PARAMETERS MEASURED USING A WEARABLE MONITOR

• US 20140330144A1
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M., Dugan, Valerie G.
• Granted Patent: US 11,284,825 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method of controlling an appliance is provided that includes (1) employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user; (2) communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user; (3) determining if the biometric parameter information indicates that a value of the biometric parameter has crossed a predetermined threshold; and (4) if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold, employing the mobile telephone to direct an appliance to change between a first operating condition and a second operating condition. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an appliance comprising:

employing a wearable monitor to detect a biometric parameter of a user;

communicating biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor to a mobile telephone of the user;

determining if the biometric parameter information indicates that a value of the biometric parameter has crossed a predetermined threshold; and

if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold, employing the mobile telephone to direct an appliance to change between a first operating condition and a second operating condition.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the wearable monitor is a wrist band.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wearable monitor is a heart rate monitor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to direct the appliance to change between the first operating condition and the second operating condition includes employing the mobile telephone to communicate with a power delivery unit coupled to the appliance.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to direct the appliance to change between the first operating condition and the second operating condition includes employing the mobile telephone to control an amount of light delivered by a light fixture.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to direct the appliance to change between the first operating condition and the second operating condition includes employing the mobile telephone to control volume of an appliance.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to direct the appliance to change between the first operating condition and the second operating condition includes employing the mobile telephone to change a channel of a television.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein employing the mobile telephone to direct the appliance to change between the first operating condition and the second operating condition includes employing the mobile telephone to change an alarm between an armed state and a disarmed state.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric parameter is heart rate and the appliance is for lighting.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the biometric parameter is heart rate and the appliance is an alarm.

11. A system comprising:

a wearable monitor that detects a biometric parameter of a user and communicates biometric parameter information; and

a mobile telephone that receives biometric parameter information from the wearable monitor, the mobile telephone including executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to;

determine if the biometric parameter information received from the wearable monitor indicates that a value of the biometric parameter has crossed a predetermined threshold; and

if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold, direct an appliance to change between a first operating condition and a second operating condition.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the wearable monitor is a wrist band.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the wearable monitor is a heart rate monitor.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile telephone includes executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to communicate with a power delivery unit coupled to the appliance if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile telephone includes executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to control an amount of light delivered by a light fixture if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile telephone includes executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to control volume of an appliance if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold.

17. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile telephone includes executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to change a channel of a television if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold.

18. The system of claim 11 wherein the mobile telephone includes executable instructions that cause the mobile telephone to change an alarm between an armed state and a disarmed state if the value of the biometric parameter has crossed the predetermined threshold.

19. The system of claim 11 wherein the biometric parameter is heart rate and the appliance is for lighting.

20. The system of claim 11 wherein the biometric parameter is heart rate and the appliance is an alarm.