System and method for remote monitoring utilizing a rechargeable battery

• US 6,559,620 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Longhorn Automotive Group LLC (Alpha Alpha Intellectual Partners LLC)
• Original Assignee: Digital Angel Corporation
• Inventors: Zhou, Peter Y., Pang, Dexing
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/813,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20020135336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/103, 320/104, 320/123, 320/132, 320/135, 320/137, 320/136, 320/150, 323/906, 136/291, 136/293
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1117 Fall detection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6811 External prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/825 with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/00 Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 : for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 : with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method and a system for remotely monitoring a person includes a portable unit including a self-recharging battery, the portable unit being adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the person; a global positioning satellite transmitting global positioning system (GPS) data to the portable unit; and a central unit disposed remotely from the portable unit, the central unit being in communication with the portable unit via a ground station.

Claims

1. A system for remotely monitoring a living being, comprising:

a portable unit including a self-recharging battery, the portable unit being adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the living being, the self-recharging battery being rechargeable based on a physiological condition of the living being;

the portable unit further adapted to receive global positioning system (GPS) data; and

a central unit disposed remotely from the portable unit, the control unit being in communication with the portable unit, the central unit adapted to receive information indicative of the biological parameter and physical location of the living being from the portable unit.

2. A portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the unit comprising:

a self-recharging battery

wherein the self-recharging battery includes a photocell, a recharging cell and a battery cell, the photocell being coupled to the recharging cell, the recharging cell being coupled to the battery cell,

wherein the photocell is disposed proximately to and under a skin surface of the living being,

wherein the photocell is adapted to receive ambient light and is adapted to generate a potential difference across the recharging cell in response to receiving the ambient light,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the potential difference, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

16. The portable unit of claim 2, wherein the portable unit is adapted to:

monitor a physical location of the portable unit;

receive GPS data; and

communicate GPS location information indicative of the physical location to a remote control unit.

3. A portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the unit comprising:

a rechargeable battery,

wherein the rechargeable battery includes a transducer, a recharging cell and a battery cell, the transducer being coupled to the recharging cell, the recharging cell being coupled to the battery cell,

wherein the transducer is disposed in a region with a substantial temperature gradient,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate a potential difference across the recharging cell in response to heat flow through the transducer,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the potential difference, and

wherein the rechargeable battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

17. The portable unit of claim 3, wherein the portable unit is adapted to:

monitor a physical location of the portable unit;

receive GPS data; and

communicate GPS location information indicative of the physical location to a remote control unit.

4. A portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the unit comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

wherein the rechargeable battery includes a transducer, a rectifier, a recharging cell and a battery cell, the transducer being coupled to the rectifier, the rectifier being coupled to the recharging cell, the recharging cell being coupled to the battery cell,

wherein the transducer is coupled to a pulsing blood vessel,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to the pulsing blood vessel,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

18. The portable unit of claim 4, wherein the portable unit is adapted to:

monitor a physical location of the portable unit;

receive GPS data; and

communicate GPS location information indicative of the physical location to a remote control unit.

5. A portable unit for remote monitoring comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

wherein the rechargeable battery includes a transducer, a rectifier, a recharging cell and a battery cell, the transducer being coupled to the rectifier, the rectifier being coupled to the recharging cell, the recharging cell being coupled to the battery cell,

wherein the transducer is disposed proximately to and under the skin surface of the living being,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to acoustic waves generated by an ambient environment,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the stored charge recharges the battery cell.

19. The portable unit of claim 5, wherein the portable unit is adapted to:

monitor a physical location of the portable unit;

receive GPS data; and

communicate GPS location information indicative of the physical location to a remote control unit.

6. A portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the unit comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

wherein the rechargeable battery includes a transducer, a rectifier, a recharging cell and a battery cell, the transducer being coupled to the rectifier, the rectifier being coupled to the recharging cell, the recharging cell being coupled to the battery cell,

wherein the transducer is coupled to a human voice box,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to acoustic waves generated by the human voice box,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the stored charge recharges the battery cell.

20. The portable unit of claim 6, wherein the portable unit is adapted to:

monitor a physical location of the portable unit;

receive GPS data; and

communicate GPS location information indicative of the physical location to a remote control unit.

7. A method for remotely monitoring a living being, comprising the steps of:

adapting a portable unit to be powered by a self-recharging battery, the portable unit providing at least one sensor;

self-recharging the self-recharging battery based on a physiological condition of the living being;

receiving, by the portable unit, information relating to a physical location and a biological parameter of the person; and

wirelessly communicating the information relating to the physical location and the biological parameter of the person from the portable unit to a central unit via a ground station.

8. A self-recharging battery, comprising:

a photocell disposed proximately to and under a skin surface of a person;

a recharging cell coupled to the photocell; and

a battery cell coupled to the recharging cell,

wherein the photocell is adapted to receive ambient light and is adapted to generate a potential difference across the recharging cell in response to receiving the ambient light,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the potential difference, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

9. A self-recharging battery, comprising:

a transducer disposed in a region of a living being with a substantial temperature gradient;

a recharging cell coupled to the transducer;

a battery cell coupled to the recharging cell,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate a potential difference across the recharging cell in response to heat flow through the transducer,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the potential difference, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

10. The self-recharging battery according to claim 9,

wherein the transducer is disposed proximately to and under the skin surface of the living being, and

wherein the substantial temperature gradient is between an ambient environment and a region disposed proximately to and under the skin surface.

11. The self-recharging battery according to claim 9,

wherein the transducer is disposed between a skin layer and a fat layer of the living being, and

wherein the substantial temperature gradient is between the skin layer and the fat layer.

12. The self-recharging battery according to claim 9,

wherein the transducer is disposed between a first body part and a second body part of the living being, and

wherein the substantial temperature gradient is between the first body part and the second body part.

13. A self-recharging battery, comprising:

a transducer coupled to a pulsing blood vessel;

a rectifier coupled to the transducer;

a recharging cell coupled to the rectifier; and

a battery cell coupled to the recharging cell,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to the pulsing blood vessel,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

14. A self-recharging battery, comprising:

a transducer coupled to a human voice box of a person;

a rectifier coupled to the transducer;

a recharging cell coupled to the rectifier; and

a battery cell coupled to the recharging cell,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to acoustic waves generated by the human voice box,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

15. A self-recharging battery, comprising:

a transducer disposed proximately to and under a skin surface of a person;

a rectifier coupled to the transducer;

a recharging cell coupled to the rectifier; and

a battery cell coupled to the recharging cell,

wherein the transducer is adapted to generate an alternating electrical signal in response to acoustic waves generated by an ambient environment,

wherein the rectifier is adapted to rectify the alternating electrical signal,

wherein the recharging cell is adapted to store charge in response to the rectified electrical signal, and

wherein the battery cell is adapted to recharge using the stored charge.

21. A method for charging a portable unit receiving power from a rechargeable battery, the portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the method comprising:

recharging the rechargeable battery based on a temperature gradient across a transducer.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the living being is a person.

23. A method for charging a portable unit receiving power from a rechargeable battery, the portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the method comprising:

recharging the rechargeable battery based on a pulsing blood vessel in the living being.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the living being is a person.

25. A method for charging a portable unit receiving power from a rechargeable battery, the portable unit for remote monitoring of a living being, the method comprising:

recharging the rechargeable battery based on acoustic waves, wherein the acoustic waves are generated by vocal chords of the living being.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the living being is a person.