Method and apparatus for a self-powered RFID-readable pedometer

• US 7,610,813 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Care Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Dishongh, Terry, Hughes, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US11/529,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20080082025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 73760-777
• US Class Current: 73/777
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• 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 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A device, system and method for analyzing a user'"'"'s motion using a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations, an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of deformation signals, and a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit data, wherein the analysis may determine an abnormality in the user'"'"'s gait.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations;

a real time clock to generate timing data;

an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of compression signals and the timing data;

an RFID tag to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit at least a portion of the received data; and

a processor to analyze the deformation signals to determine abnormalities in a user'"'"'s step,

wherein the device is a pedometer or gait sensor.

2. An apparatus comprising the device of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a footwear or a piece of clothing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the deformation signals are analyzed in relation to the timing data.

4. A system for diagnosing a user'"'"'s gait, the system comprising:

a plurality of the devices according to claim 1, the plurality of the devices comprising a first device and a second device;

a reader to receive data from the transceivers of the first and second devices; and

a processor to receive the data from the reader;

wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the first and second devices.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first device and the second device are removably attached to a footwear.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the plurality of the devices to determine if there is an abnormality in a user'"'"'s gait.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein a duration of the deformation signals is analyzed.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein an amplitude of the deformation signals is analyzed.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein an amplitude of the deformation signals is analyzed with respect to the duration of the deformation signals.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the reader is an RFID reader.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein a deformation signal generated by the first device and a deformation signal generated by the second device are compare to diagnose the user'"'"'s gait.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the device contains no batteries and electrical power in the device is self generated.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device contains no batteries and electrical power in the device is self generated.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the device is a pedometer or a gait sensor.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the device is a pedometer or gait sensor.

12. A method of diagnosing a user'"'"'s gait, the method comprising:

obtaining or manufacturing a system for diagnosing a user'"'"'s gait,

the system comprising;

a plurality of the devices, each device comprising a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations;

a real time clock to generate timing data;

an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of compression signals and the timing data; and

an a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit at least a portion of the received data, the plurality of the devices comprising a first device and a second device;

a reader to receive data from the transceivers of the first and second devices; and

a processor to receive the data from the reader;

wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the first and second devices;

transmitting data from the first and second devices to a processor; and

analyzing the deformation signals generated by the first and second devices.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising producing data related to a user'"'"'s gait based on the analyzing of the deformation signals.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the analyzing the deformation signals comprises analyzing a duration of the deformation signals.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the analyzing the deformation signals. comprises analyzing an amplitude of the deformation signals.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising measuring a time between a heel strike and a toe strike.

16. A system for diagnosing a user'"'"'s gait, comprising:

a plurality of the devices, each device comprising a piezoelectric film to generate a plurality of deformation signals based upon an associated plurality of deformations;

a real time clock to generate timing data;

an EEPROM to record data associated with the plurality of compression signals and the timing data; and

an a transceiver to receive at least a portion of the recorded data from the EEPROM and to transmit at least a portion of the received data, the plurality of the devices comprising a first device and a second device;

a reader to receive data from the transceivers of the first and second devices; and

a processor to receive the data from the reader;

wherein the processor is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the first and second devices;

wherein the first and second devices are configured to transmit data to a processor that is configured to analyze the deformation signals generated by the first and second devices.