Vital signs monitoring system

• US 6,419,630 B1
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marcella T. Taylor, Stanley A. Taylor Jr
• Original Assignee: Marcella T. Taylor, Stanley A. Taylor Jr
• Inventors: Taylor, Stanley A. Jr., Taylor, Marcella T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Astorino, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US09/797,658
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 600/481-486, 600/500-503, 600/508, 600/549, 128/903, 128/904, 128/920, 128/925, 128/897-898, 434/307.R, 434/262, 434/236, 434/238, 434/237, 345/501-506, 345/519-520, 345/522, 348/725, 348/734, 348/77, 348/844, 368/28, 368/10, 368/62, 368/72-73, 368/327, 340/309-5-3, 702/177-178, 482/7-8, 482/9, 482/901-902
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

A vital signs monitoring system for allowing a user to easily monitor their vital signs at home with a remote control type device. The vital signs monitoring system includes a remote control for a television that has a plurality of sensors designed for monitoring the vital signs of a user. A first transceiver is positioned in the housing such that the transceiver is operationally coupled to the sensors whereby the first transceiver is for transmitting vital sign information collected by the sensors. A television has a second transceiver for receiving the information collected by the sensors, the television has a processing unit operationally coupled to the second transceiver such that the processing unit processes information received by the second transceiver. The television is for displaying the information on a screen of the television.

Claims

1. A vital sign monitoring system for monitoring the vital signs of a user, the vital sign monitoring system comprising:

a remote control for television having a plurality of sensors, adapted for monitoring the vital signs of a user;

a first transceiver being positioned in said housing such that said transceiver is operationally coupled to said sensors whereby said first transceiver is for transmitting vital sign information collected by said sensors; and

a television having a second transceiver for receiving said information collected by said sensors, said television having a processing unit operationally coupled to said second transceiver such that said processing unit processes information received by said second transceiver, said television for displaying said information on a screen of said television;

wherein said television has a medication reminder assembly being adapted for reminding the user of a time to take medication, said medication reminder assembly comprising a timing unit operationally coupled to said processing unit such that said timing unit is adapted for timing intervals between when the user is to take medication.

2. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said remote control has a plurality of television control buttons located on an upper surface of said remote control, said plurality of television control buttons for controlling said television.

3. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said remote control has a plurality of vital sign buttons each being operationally coupled between at least one of said sensors and said first transceiver such that actuation of each of said vital sign buttons transmits vital sign information to said television.

4. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors are positioned on a pair of side surfaces and a bottom surface such that each of said sensors is adapted for contacting surfaces of a hand of the user when said remote control is being held in the hand of a user.

5. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, further comprises:

a call button being operationally coupled to said remote control, said call button for actuating an autodialer, said autodialer being adapted for contacting emergency personnel upon depression of said call button.

6. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said television has a screen for displaying said vital signs information collected by said sensors when said remote control is held by a user.

7. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising:

an alert assembly positioned on said remote control such that said alert assembly is operationally coupled to said first transceiver such that said alert assembly is adapted for signaling the user when to take medication.

8. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensors is adapted for monitoring a heart rate of the user.

9. The vital signs monitoring system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said sensors is adapted for monitoring a body temperature of the user.

10. A vital sign monitoring system for monitoring the vital signs of a user, the vital sign monitoring system comprising:

a remote control for a television having a plurality of sensors adapted for monitoring the vital signs of a user;

a first transceiver being positioned in said housing such that said transceiver is operationally coupled to said sensors whereby said first transceiver is for transmitting vital sign information collected by said sensors;

a television having a second transceiver for receiving said information collected by said sensors, said television having a processing unit operationally coupled to said second transceiver such that said processing unit processes information received by said second transceiver, said television for displaying said information on a screen of said television;

said remote control having a plurality of television control buttons located on an upper surface of said remote control, said plurality of television control buttons being for controlling said television;

said remote control having a plurality of vital sign buttons each being operationally coupled between at least one of said sensors and said first transceiver such that actuation of each of said vital sign buttons transmits vital sign information to said television;

said plurality of sensors positioned on a pair of side surfaces and a bottom surface such that each of said sensors is adapted for contacting surfaces of a hand of the user when said remote control is being held in the hand of a user;

a call button being operationally coupled to said remote control, said call button being for actuating an autodialer, said autodialer being adapted for contacting emergency personnel upon depression of said call button;

said television having a screen for displaying said vital signs information collected by said sensors when said remote control is held by a user;

said television having a medication reminder assembly being adapted for reminding the user of a time to take medication, said medication reminder assembly comprising a timing unit operationally coupled to said processing unit such that said timing unit is adapted for timing intervals between when the user is to take medication;

an alert assembly positioned on said remote control such that said alert assembly is operationally coupled to said first transceiver such that said alert assembly is adapted for signaling the user when to take medication;

at least one of said sensors being adapted for monitoring a heart rate of the user; and

at least one of said sensors being adapted for monitoring a body temperature of the user.