Voice responsive fluid delivery, controlling and monitoring system and method

• US 9,669,177 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis R. Coleman
• Original Assignee: Dennis R. Coleman
• Inventors: Coleman, Dennis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Louis, LaToya M
• Application Number:
  US13/476,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20130275139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 12820024, 12820121, 12820312, 1282031, 128 4, 12820321, 12820323, 12820324, 12820329, 12820418, 222 5, 222 80- 81, 222 835, 222129, 222131, 2221455, 222183
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0072 Tidal volume piston pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0677 Gas-saving devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/101 using an oxygen concentrator
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/202 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0033 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3584 using modem, internet or bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/502 User interfaces, e.g. screens or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8293 Solar
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 : Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 : Execution procedure of a spoken command

Abstract

A system and methodology of delivery fluids and monitoring their status which is voice actuated. This system has application where a hands-free environment is preferred. Voice commands are given by the user via a Bluetooth® headset and received typically by the user'"'"'s Smartphone. Voice recognition circuitry is programmed to recognize the simple commands and through complementing electronics, and electro-mechanical and mechanical elements, delivery at corresponding flow rates is accomplished. A further feature allows for respective voice commands to initiate a monitoring function where the status of any particular characteristic of the fluid can be relayed back to the user via the headset.

Claims

1. Hands-free and eyes-free voice-activated wireless apparatus for administering oxygen to a user, comprising:

a human-portable oxygen tank having a bluetooth-standard wireless electronic valve configured to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, the electronic valve having at least LOW and HIGH settings;

a flexible tube supplying the released oxygen from the oxygen tank to a face of a user;

a bluetooth-standard wireless microphone receiving voice commands from the user, the voice commands including at least START, STOP, LOW, HIGH, and VOLUME;

a bluetooth-standard wireless earphone providing audible signals to the user which correspond to a quantity of oxygen remaining in the oxygen tank;

a bluetooth-standard monitor monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank, and outputting a corresponding oxygen volume signal; and

a smartphone bluetooth-standard wirelessly coupled to (i) the bluetooth-standard wireless microphone, (ii) the bluetooth-standard wireless earphone, (iii) the electronic valve, and (iv) the bluetooth-standard monitor,

the smartphone having at least one app stored therein that is configured to;

voice-recognize the START command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to start monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognize the STOP command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to stop releasing oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to stop monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognize the LOW command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a first, low flow;

voice-recognize the HIGH command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a second flow higher than the low flow;

voice-recognize the VOLUME command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless monitor signal to the monitor to generate the oxygen volume signal corresponding to the volume of oxygen in the oxygen tank; and

the at least one app of the smartphone being further configured to (i) receive from the monitor a wireless volume signal corresponding to the oxygen volume signal, (ii) generate an output signal corresponding to the received volume signal, and (iii) provide a wireless earphone signal to the wireless earphone corresponding to the generated output signal; and

the wireless earphone receiving the provided wireless earphone signal from the smartphone and, in response thereto, generating at least one of said audible signals,

wherein the human-portable oxygen tank has a MEDIUM setting, and wherein the at least one app of the smartphone is configured to voice-recognize the MEDIUM command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a third flow, between the first flow and the second flow.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one app of the smartphone is configured to immediately respond to the VOLUME command received from the wireless microphone and provide the wireless monitor signal to the monitor to generate the oxygen volume signal corresponding to the volume of oxygen remaining in the oxygen tank at a time the wireless monitor signal is sent to the monitor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one app of the smartphone being further configured to provide to the user at least one of the audible signals comprising at least one word.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bluetooth-standard wireless microphone and the bluetooth-standard wireless earphone are disposed in a single headset.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a time signal.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a percentage signal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tube includes a nose piece.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user pack configured to carry the oxygen tank, the electronic valve, and the monitor.

9. Hands-free and eyes-free voice-activated wireless system for administering oxygen to a user, comprising:

a human-portable oxygen tank having a bluetooth-standard wireless electronic valve configured to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, the electronic valve having at least LOW and HIGH settings;

a flexible tube supplying the released oxygen from the oxygen tank to a face of a user;

a bluetooth-standard wireless microphone receiving voice commands from the user, the voice commands including at least START, STOP, LOW, HIGH, and VOLUME;

a bluetooth-standard wireless earphone providing audible signals to the user which correspond to a quantity of oxygen remaining in the oxygen tank;

a bluetooth-standard monitor monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank, and outputting a corresponding oxygen volume signal;

a smartphone bluetooth-standard wirelessly coupled to (i) the bluetooth-standard wireless microphone, (ii) the bluetooth-standard wireless earphone, (iii) the electronic valve, and (iv) the bluetooth-standard monitor, and

the smartphone having at least one app stored therein that is configured to cause the smartphone to;

voice-recognize the START command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to start monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognize the STOP command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to stop releasing oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to stop monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognize the LOW command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a first, low flow;

voice-recognize the HIGH command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a second flow higher than the low flow;

voice-recognize the VOLUME command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless monitor signal to the monitor to generate the oxygen volume signal corresponding to the volume of oxygen in the oxygen tank; and

the at least one app being further configured to cause the smartphone to (i) receive from the monitor a wireless volume signal corresponding to the oxygen volume signal, (ii) generate an output signal corresponding to the received volume signal, and (iii) provide a wireless earphone signal to the wireless earphone corresponding to the generated output signal; and

the wireless earphone receiving the provided wireless earphone signal from the smartphone app and, in response thereto, generating at least one of said audible signals

wherein the human-portable oxygen tank has a MEDIUM setting, and wherein the at least one app is configured to cause the smartphone to voice-recognize the MEDIUM command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a third flow, between the first flow and the second flow.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one app is further configured to cause the smartphone to display a visual monitored oxygen signal corresponding to the received volume signal.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the bluetooth-standard wireless microphone and the bluetooth-standard wireless earphone are disposed in a single headset.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a time signal.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a percentage signal.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the flexible tube includes a nose piece.

15. Hands-free and eyes-free voice-activated wireless method for administering oxygen to a user, comprising:

providing a human-portable oxygen tank having a bluetooth-standard wireless electronic valve configured to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, the electronic valve having at least LOW and HIGH settings;

providing a flexible tube supplying the released oxygen from the oxygen tank to a face of a user;

providing a bluetooth-standard wireless microphone receiving voice commands from the user, the voice commands including at least START, STOP, LOW, HIGH, and VOLUME;

providing a bluetooth-standard wireless earphone providing audible signals to the user which correspond to a quantity of oxygen remaining in the oxygen tank;

providing a bluetooth-standard monitor monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank, and outputting a corresponding oxygen volume signal; and

providing a smartphone bluetooth-standard wirelessly coupled to (i) the bluetooth-standard wireless microphone, (ii) the bluetooth-standard wireless earphone, (iii) the electronic valve, and (iv) the bluetooth-standard monitor, the smartphone having at least one app stored therein that is configured to perform the steps of;

voice-recognizing the START command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to start monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognizing the STOP command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, at least one of (i) provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to stop releasing oxygen from the oxygen tank, and (ii) provide a wireless signal to the monitor to stop monitoring an amount of oxygen in the oxygen tank;

voice-recognizing the LOW command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a first, low flow;

voice-recognizing the HIGH command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a second flow higher than the low flow;

voice-recognizing the VOLUME command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless monitor signal to the monitor to generate the oxygen volume signal corresponding to the volume of oxygen in the oxygen tank; and

the at least one app of the smartphone being further configured to perform the steps of (i) receiving from the monitor a wireless volume signal corresponding to the oxygen volume signal, (ii) generating an output signal corresponding to the received volume signal, and (iii) providing a wireless earphone signal to the wireless earphone corresponding to the generated output signal; and

the wireless earphone receiving the provided wireless earphone signal from the smartphone and, in response thereto, generating at least one of said audible signals,

wherein the human-portable oxygen tank has a MEDIUM setting, and wherein the at least one app of the smartphone is further configured to perform the step of voice-recognizing the MEDIUM command received from the wireless microphone and, in response thereto, provide a wireless signal to the electronic valve to release oxygen from the oxygen tank at a third flow, between the first flow and the second flow.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one app is further configured to cause the smartphone to generate the output signal corresponding to the received volume signal, and to provide to the user at least one of the audible signals comprising at least one word.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a time signal.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the output signal corresponding to the received oxygen volume signal comprises a percentage signal.