Electronic Device That Computes Health Data

• US 20170354332A1
• Filed: 08/03/2017
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lamego, Marcelo M.
• Granted Patent: US 10,524,671 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0257 Proximity sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/70 Means for positioning the patient in relation to the detecting, measuring or recording means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation

Abstract

An electronic device includes a camera, an ambient light sensor, and a proximity sensor. The electronic device uses one or more of the camera and the proximity sensor to emit light into a body part of a user touching a surface of the electronic device and one or more of the camera, the ambient light sensor, and the proximity sensor to receive at least part of the emitted light reflected by the body part of the user. The electronic device computes health data of the user based upon sensor data regarding the received light. In some implementations, the electronic device may also include one or more electrical contacts that contact one or more body parts of the user. In such implementations, the health data may be further computed based on the an electrical measurement obtained using the electrical contacts.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. A wearable device, comprising:

a first light source;

a second light source, the second light source operating at a different wavelength than the first light source;

at least one light receiver; and

a processing unit communicably coupled to the first light source, the second light source, and the light receiver;

wherein the processing unit is configured to;

use the first light source and the second light source to emit light into a body part of a user; and

compute health data of the user by comparing the light received by the at least one light receiver from the body part of the user.

24. The wearable device of claim 23, wherein the first light source is a proximity sensor.

25. The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the second light source is a camera.

26. The wearable device of claim 24, wherein the light sensor is the proximity sensor.

27. The wearable device of claim 23, wherein the at least one light receiver is at least one of a camera, an ambient light sensor, or a proximity sensor.

28. The wearable device of claim 23, wherein further comprising electrical contacts, wherein the processing unit is further configured to compute the health data of the user using an electrical measurement obtained via the electrical contacts.

29. The wearable device of claim 23, wherein the first light source is configured for a first light color and the second light source is configured for a second light color.

30. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a light source;

a first light receiver;

a second light receiver, the second light receiver operating at a different wavelength than the first light receiver; and

a processing unit communicably coupled to the light source, the first light receiver, and the second light receiver;

wherein the processing unit is configured to;

use the light source to emit light into a body part of a user; and

compute health data of the user by comparing the light received by the first light receiver from the body part of the user and the light received by the second light receiver from the body part of the user.

31. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the portable electronic device is a wearable electronic device.

32. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the first light receiver is a camera.

33. The portable electronic device of claim 32, wherein the second light receiver is the at least one light receiver is at least one of an ambient light sensor or a proximity sensor.

34. The portable electronic device of claim 32, wherein the light source is the camera.

35. The portable electronic device of claim 30, further comprising electrical contacts, wherein the processing unit is further configured to obtain an electrical measurement via the electrical contacts.

36. The portable electronic device of claim 30, wherein the processing unit is configured to use data indicating characteristics of the body part that influence light absorption to adjust data regarding the light received by the first light receiver or the light received by the second light receiver.

37. A wearable electronic device, comprising:

a first light source that operates within a first wavelength;

a second light source that operates within a second wavelength;

a light receiver; and

a processing unit communicably coupled to the first light source, the second light source, and the light receiver;

wherein the processing unit is configured to;

use the first light source to emit first light within the first wavelength into a body part of a user;

use the second light source to emit second light within the second wavelength into the body part of the user; and

compute health data of the user by comparing the first light received by the light receiver from the body part of the user and the second light received by the light receiver from the body part of the user.

38. The wearable electronic device of claim 37, wherein the light receiver operates within a third wavelength.

39. The wearable electronic device of claim 38, wherein the third wavelength at least partially overlaps the first and second wavelengths.

40. The wearable electronic device of claim 38, further comprising an additional light receiver that operates within a fourth wavelength.

41. The wearable electronic device of claim 40, wherein the processing unit computes the health data of the user by comparing the first and second light received by the light receiver and the first and second light received by the additional light receiver.

42. The wearable electronic device of claim 40, wherein the fourth wavelength at least partially overlaps the first and second wavelengths.