Updating firmware to customize the performance of a wearable sensor device for a particular use

• US 9,439,567 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abraham Carter, David Scott
• Original Assignee: Abraham Carter, David Scott
• Inventors: Carter, Abraham, Scott, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Thuy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Mongbao
• Application Number:
  US13/891,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20140223421A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to providing customized versions of firmware to a wearable sensor device. The customized versions of the firmware can allow one or more sensors in the wearable sensor device to perform in a manner that is most optimal for a particular user or the particular manner in which the wearable sensor device is used. In some cases, the customizations can include causing the sensors to use a sampling rate that is optimal for one or more activities that the particular user intends to perform while wearing the wearable sensor device.

Claims

1. A method for providing a firmware update to a wearable sensor device, the firmware update being customized for a particular user that uses the wearable sensor device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, sensor data from a wearable sensor device that includes pulse oximeter, the sensor data being generated by the pulse oximeter while a particular user performs one or more activities while wearing the wearable sensor device such that the sensor data defines the particular user'"'"'s blood oxygen level while the particular user performs the one or more activities, the sensor data being generated in accordance with a first version of firmware installed on the wearable sensor device;

analyzing the sensor data to determine that the first version of the firmware is causing the pulse oximeter to generate sensor data that is not optimal for the particular user;

generating a second version of the firmware, the second version of the firmware being customized, based on the analysis of the sensor data, to cause the pulse oximeter to generate sensor data in a more optimal manner for the particular user;

transmitting, by the computing device, the second version of the firmware to the wearable sensor device such that the second version of the firmware is installed on the wearable sensor device to cause the pulse oximeter to generate sensor data in the more optimal manner; and

wherein the customization in the second version of the firmware modifies;

a power level at which a drive a component of pulse oximeter;

a sampling rate at which the pulse oximeter generates sensor data; and

a frequency at which generated sensor data is transmitted to the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wearable sensor device also includes one or more accelerometers that produce sensor data identifying the particular user'"'"'s movements while performing the one or more activities, the method further comprising:

analyzing the sensor data identifying the particular user'"'"'s movements to identify the one or more activities that the particular user was performing while the sensor data was generated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the first version of the firmware is causing the pulse oximeter to generate sensor data that is not optimal for the particular user comprises determining that power level of the pulse oximeter is not optimal for the particular user'"'"'s skin;

and

wherein the second version of the firmware is customized to modify the power level of the pulse oximeter to the optimal for the particular user'"'"'s skin.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second version of the firmware is customized to cause the at least one of the pulse oximeter or the one or more accelerometers to employ a different sampling rate.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the different sampling rate is optimal for at least one of the one or more activities.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second version of the firmware customizes one or more of:

a sampling rate of the pulse oximeter;

a power level supplied to one or more components of the pulse oximeter;

whether sensor data from the pulse oximeter is stored in memory prior to being transmitted to the computing device;

or

whether a radio of the wearable sensor device is powered on during use of the wearable sensor device.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

processing the sensor data identifying the particular user'"'"'s movements to identify the one or more activities that the particular user was performing while the sensor data was generated; and

determining that a sampling rate of the one or more accelerometers is not optimal for the one or more identified activities; and

wherein the second version of the firmware modifies the sampling rate of the one or more accelerometers to be optimal for the one or more identified activities.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input from the particular user that identifies one or more characteristics of the particular use; and

wherein the second version of the firmware is also customized based on the input to cause the pulse oximeter to perform more optimally for the particular user having the one or more characteristic.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the second version of the firmware is customized to cause the at least one of the pulse oximeter or the one or more accelerometers to provide optimal sensor data when the one or more performed activities are again performed.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second version of the firmware causes the at least one of the pulse oximeter or the one or more accelerometers to use a different sampling rate.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device generates the second version of the firmware.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the wearable sensor device causing firmware on another wearable sensor device to be customized for a particular use of the other wearable sensor device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the wearable sensor device causing firmware on another wearable sensor device to be customized for a particular use of the other wearable sensor device comprises one or more of:

transmitting, via a wired or wireless connection, customized firmware to the other wearable sensor device, wherein the customized firmware is either received from the computing device or generated by the wearable sensor device;

or

transmitting, via a wired or wireless connection, an instruction to the other wearable sensor device that causes the other wearable sensor device to customize its firmware.

14. A method for providing a firmware update to a wearable sensor device, the firmware update being customized for a particular user that uses the wearable sensor device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a computing device, information that identifies one or more exercises that particular user intends to perform while wearing the wearable sensor device, the wearable sensor device including one or more accelerometers for generating sensor data during the performance of the one or more exercises;

determining, from the information, that a first version of firmware installed on the wearable sensor device for controlling at least one of the one or more accelerometers will cause the at least one of one or more accelerometers to employ a sampling rate that is optimized for one or more other exercise but is not optimized for the one or more exercises that the particular user intends to perform;

generating a second version of the firmware, the second version of the firmware being configured to control the at least one of the one or more accelerometers to employ a sampling rate that is optimized for the one or more exercises that the particular user intends to perform;

transmitting, by the computing device, the second version of the firmware to the wearable sensor device such that the second version of the firmware is installed on the wearable sensor device to control the at least one of one or more activities that the particular user intends to perform; and

wherein the customization in the second version of the firmware modifies;

a power level at which a drive a component of pulse oximeter;

a sampling rate at which the pulse oximeter generates sensor data; and

a frequency at which generated sensor data is transmitted to the computing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the wearable sensor device also includes a pulse oximeter and wherein the second version of the firmware also modifies a power level at which a drive a component of the pulse oximeter, the power level being optimized for the one or more exercises that the particular user intends to perform.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the second version of the firmware is transmitted wirelessly to the wearable sensor device.

17. A method for providing a firmware update to a wearable sensor device, the firmware updating being customized for a particular user that uses the wearable sensor device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile computing device, information that identifies one or more activities that a particular user intends to perform while wearing the wearable sensor device, the wearable sensor device including a pulse oximeter and one or more accelerometers for generating sensor data;

determining, from the information, that a first version of firmware installed on the wearable sensor device for controlling the pulse oximeter and the one or more accelerometers causes the pulse oximeter to employ a first power level and the one or more accelerometers to employ a first sampling rate that is are optimal for one or more other activities but not optimal for the one or more activities that the particular user intends to perform;

generating a second version of the firmware that is customized to cause the pulse oximeter to employ a second power level and the one or more accelerometers to employ a second sampling rate that are optimal for the one or more activities that the particular user intends to perform while wearing the wearable sensor device; and

transmitting, by the mobile computing device, the second version of the firmware to the wearable sensor device such that the second version of the firmware is installed on the wearable sensor device to control the pulse oximeter to employ the second power level and the one or more accelerometers to employ second sampling rate; and

wherein the customization in the second version of the firmware modifies;

a power level at which a drive a component of pulse oximeter;

a sampling rate at which the pulse oximeter generates sensor data; and

a frequency at which generated sensor data is transmitted to the computing device.