Interchangeable cases for biometric monitoring devices

• US 9,073,671 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Martinez, Mark Manuel, Francisco, Michael Joseph, Park, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/213,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20140196539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 40/6, 406/33, 406/65, 406/540.1, 406/51, 206/38, 600/301
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/42 Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0257 using atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• 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 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 : Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/683 : Means for maintaining contact with the body A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• 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 5/7445 : Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/00 : Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/22 : for facilitating lifting or suspending of containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/06 : by using barometric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 : Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 : Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 : Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/04 : to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion by a separate adhesive layer G09F3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/14 : by strings, straps, chains, or wires

Abstract

A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.

Claims

1. A wearable biometric tracking system, the wearable biometric tracking system comprising:

a) a biometric monitoring device, the biometric monitoring device including;

a barometric altimeter;

a pressure measurement chamber within the biometric monitoring device, the pressure measurement chamber configured to interface with the barometric altimeter;

a port in the biometric monitoring device leading from the exterior of the biometric monitoring device to the pressure measurement chamber within the biometric monitoring device; and

a liquid-impermeable membrane, the liquid-impermeable membrane placed between the pressure measurement chamber and barometric altimeter, wherein;

the liquid-impermeable membrane is configured to prevent moisture that enters through the port in the biometric monitoring device from coming into contact with electronics within the biometric monitoring device, and

the liquid-impermeable membrane is made from a flexible material that transfers pressure within the pressure measurement chamber to the barometric altimeter; and

b) a wearable case, the wearable case including;

a body;

a cavity within the body, the cavity sized to receive the biometric tracking device and to hold the biometric tracking device substantially fixed with respect to the body when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity,

an opening in the body leading to the cavity, and

a hole that passes through the body, the hole positioned such that a keyring may pass through the hole or such that a lanyard may be threaded through the hole.

2. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made of a compliant material.

3. The biometric tracking system of claim 2, wherein the compliant material has a Young'"'"'s modulus between about 1 MPa and 690 MPa.

4. The biometric tracking system of claim 2, wherein the compliant material is selected from the group of materials consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanizates, polyurethanes, silicones, and combinations thereof.

5. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made of metal.

6. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body is molded.

7. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the body is sized to be smaller in cross-sectional area than the maximum cross-sectional area of the biometric tracking device in a plane substantially parallel to the opening when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity.

8. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device is securable to the wearable case through the use of a magnet or electromagnet.

9. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a lanyard threaded through the hole, the lanyard sized so as to be wearable around a person'"'"'s neck.

10. The biometric tracking system of claim 9, wherein the lanyard is configured to be removed from the body.

11. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising:

a keyring inserted through the hole.

12. The biometric tracking system of claim 11, wherein the keyring is a split-ring.

13. The biometric tracking system of claim 11, wherein the keyring is a lift-open/snap-shut ring.

14. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, the biometric monitoring device further comprising an operator interface.

15. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 14, wherein the operator interface incorporates one or more user interfaces selected from the group consisting of:

a visual user interface, an auditory user interface, and a touch-vibration user interface.

16. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 14, wherein the operator interface comprises a digital display.

17. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 16, wherein the opening is positioned and sized to allow at least a portion of the digital display to be visible when the biometric monitoring device is fully inserted into the cavity.

18. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 16, wherein the body includes a window of translucent material, the window of sufficient translucency and positioned to allow at least a portion of the digital display to be visible through the body when the digital display is illuminated.

19. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device includes one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of:

accelerometers, altimeters, heart rate sensors, temperature sensors, gyroscopic sensors, magnetometers, acoustic sensors, and combinations thereof.

20. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer.

21. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a gyroscope.

22. The biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device is configured to communicate with external devices.

23. The biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body has a length, a width, and a height and a cross-section of the width and the height is substantially rectangular.

24. The biometric tracking system of claim 23, wherein the corners of the cross-section have rounded radii.

25. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body of the wearable case includes one or more ventilation holes that are configured to allow ambient air to pass through the case and reach the port in the biometric monitoring device when the biometric monitoring device is fully inserted into the cavity.

26. The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body of the wearable case includes one or more channels that are configured to route ambient air to the port in the biometric monitoring device when the biometric monitoring device is fully inserted into the cavity.