Means for detecting damage to the card connecting the photosensor and main body pulsimeter

• US 4,929,825 A
• Filed: 08/08/1988
• Issued: 05/29/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cat Eye Co Limited (Cat Eye)
• Original Assignee: Tsuyama Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Maeyama, Hachiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Application Number:
  US07/230,294
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 128/664, 128/666, 128/687, 128/689, 128/690, 128/665, 364/413.03, 250/221, 250/574
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence

Abstract

A pulsimeter comprises a pulse sensor portion including a light emitting diode and a photodiade, and a main body, the pulse sensor portion and the main body being connected through a cord. The main body includes a received light comparing circuit for comparing a quantity of light received by the photodiode with a predetermined valve, and a display device for displaying a result of the comparison. If there is no abnormality in the cord and the pulse sensor portion in normal condition is not in contact with a human body, the quantity of received light in increased to cause a light emitting diode of the display device to be turned on. On the other hand, if there is any abnormality in the cord or the pulse sensor portion, the quantity of received light is not increased and the light emitting diode is not turned on. While the pulsimeter in normal condition is being used, the light emitting diode is not turned on because of light transmission through the human body. However, if short circuit occurs in the cord, the received light comparing circuit is operated as if it is operated by an increase in the quantity of received light, causing the light emitting diode to be turned on.

Claims

1. A pulsimeter comprising:

a pulse sensor portion including a photosensor formed by a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, said photosensor adapted for contact with a human body,

a main body for measuring pulse of the human body based on a quantity of light received by said light receiving portion,

means connecting the photosensor and the main body, and

indication means for indicating when said quantity of light exceeds a predetermined value, to give an indication of damage to the means connecting the photosensor and the main body.

2. A pulsimeter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said quantity of light is converted to an electric signal in said light receiving portion.

3. A pulsimeter in accordance with claim 2, wherein said indication means comprises comparing means for comparing a level of said electric signal with a predetermined reference level, and display means responsive to an output of said comparing means for indicating that the level of said electric signal is higher than said predetermined reference level.

4. A pulsimeter in accordance with claim 3, wherein said comparing means includes a comparator.

5. A pulsimeter in accordance with claim 3, wherein said display means includes a light emitting diode.

6. A pulsimeter in accordance with claim 1, wherein, said means connecting said photosensor and said main body includes a cord connected at one end to said pulse sensor portion and at the other end to said main body.

7. A pulsimeter for measuring the pulse of a human comprising:

a pulse sensor portion including a photosensor formed by a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, said photosensor being adapted for contact with a human body.

a main body for measuring a pulse of the human body based on a quantity of light received by said light receiving portion,

means connecting the pulse sensor portion and the means body,

received light comparing means for comparing the quantity of received light with a predetermined value, and display means for displaying the result of the comparison, whereby when the photosensor is not mounted on the human body and the quantity of light received by the light receiving portion exceeds said predetermined value, the user can determine the condition of the means connecting the pulse sensor portion and the main body.