Biological information measurement device

• US 9,949,649 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2014
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Takei, Yukio, Mochimaru, Takeshi, Kamijo, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Natnithithadha, Navin
• Application Number:
  US14/512,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20150105678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 600500-503, 600481, 600483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• 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 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7285 for synchronising or triggering a physiological measurement or image acquisition with a physiological event or waveform, e.g. an ECG signal A61B6/5205, A61B6/541, A61B8/5207, A61B8/543 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data

Abstract

A biological information measurement device includes a device main body which includes a sensor, a processor, and a battery. The sensor acquires biological information of a user. The processor instructs the sensor to acquire the information at certain discrete times with a period, and processes the information. The battery supplies power to the sensor and the processor. The period is selected based on the biological information.

Claims

1. A biological information measurement device, comprising:

a device main body, comprising;

a sensor configured to acquire biological information of a user;

a processor configured to instruct the sensor to acquire the information at certain discrete times with a period, and further configured to process the information; and

a battery configured to supply power to the sensor and the processor;

wherein the period is selected from a group of periods comprising a first period, a second period shorter than the first period, and a third period shorter than the second period, based on the biological information and a remaining amount of charge of the battery, and

wherein the processor comprises a plurality of modes, comprising at least two members selected from the group consisting of;

a sleeping mode in which it is determined that the user is asleep, wherein the period is the first period;

a light work mode in which it is determined that the user is awake, wherein the period is the second period; and

an active mode in which it is determined that the user is awake and in motion, wherein the period is the third period.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the biological information comprises a measurement of a quantitative number, and wherein the period is selected based on at least one member of the group consisting of:

the number, and a rate of change of the number.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the number is a pulse rate of the user.

4. The biological information measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery, and when the battery is charged, the amount of charge to which the battery is charged is selected according to the number of discrete times at which the information was acquired after a previous charging of the battery.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the battery has a charge capacity sufficient for the device to obtain the information for ten hours or more without the battery needing to be recharged.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the device main body weighs less than or equal to 60 g.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein a volume of the device main body is less than or equal to 50 cm3.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein a thickness of the device main body is less than or equal to 16 mm.

9. A biological information measurement method, comprising:

acquiring biological information of a user at certain discrete times with a period; and

selecting the period, from a group of periods comprising a first period, a second period shorter than the first period, and a third period shorter than the second period, based on the biological information and a remaining amount of charge of the battery,

wherein the method further comprises a plurality of modes, comprising at least two members selected from the group consisting of;

a sleeping mode in which it is determined that the user is asleep, wherein the period is a first period;

a light work mode in which it is determined that the user is awake, wherein the period is the second period; and

an active mode in which it is determined that the user is awake and in motion, wherein the period is the third period.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the biological information comprises a measurement of a quantitative number, and wherein selecting the period comprises selecting the period based on at least one member of the group consisting of:

the number, and a rate of change of the number.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the number is a pulse rate of the user.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising charging the battery to contain a charge according to the number of discrete times at which the information was acquired after a previous charging of the battery.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein acquiring the information comprises acquiring the information for ten hours or more without needing to recharge the battery.