Wearable device capable of having sensor for detecting biological signal attached thereto or detached therefrom and method of controlling the wearable device

• US 9,993,200 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Sanghwa
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, TED M
• Application Number:
  US14/719,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20160100758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4266 sweat secretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4872 Body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/745 using a holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/02 Detectors of external physical values, e.g. temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 : Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 : the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 : the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

Provided are a wearable device capable of having a sensor for detecting a biological signal attached thereto or detached therefrom, and a method of controlling the wearable device. The wearable device includes: a strap part configured to be worn on a body part of a user; a first interface configured to accommodate a detachable sensor and receive a biological signal from the detachable sensor in response to the detachable sensor being connected to the wearable device through the first interface; and a main body configured to process the biological signal.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising:

a main body comprising an exterior case on which a slot is formed;

a strap part connected to the main body and configured to be worn on a body part of a user; and

a first interface disposed in the main body, the first interface configured to accommodate a first sensor and receive a biological signal from the first sensor, in response to the first sensor being detachably inserted into the main body through the slot,

wherein the biological signal is processed in the main body, and

wherein a predetermined portion of the exterior case of the main body that contacts the body part is transparent.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, further comprising a second interface disposed at a predetermined position of the strap part and configured to accommodate a second sensor and receive another biological signal from the second sensor in response to the second sensor being detachably connected to the wearable device through the second interface.

3. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein the strap part comprises a wiring configured to connect the second interface and the main body.

4. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein the strap part and the second interface are formed of a flexible material.

5. The wearable device of claim 2, wherein the second interface comprises a plurality of sub-interfaces to which different types of sensors are attached.

6. A wearable device comprising:

a main body comprising an exterior case on which a slot is formed;

a strap part connected to the main body and configured to be worn on a body part of a user; and

a first interface disposed in the main body, the first interface configured to accommodate a first sensor and receive a biological signal from the first sensor, in response to the first sensor being detachably inserted into the main body through the slot,

wherein the biological signal is processed in the main body, and

wherein a predetermined portion of the exterior case, in response to the first sensor being inserted into the main body, is configured to open to allow light radiated from the first sensor to pass through the predetermined portion and arrive at the main body.

7. The wearable device of claim 6, wherein the predetermined portion of the exterior case is configured to close in response to the first sensor being detached from the main body.

8. A wearable device comprising:

a main body comprising an exterior case on which a slot is formed;

a strap part connected to the main body and configured to be worn on a body part of a user; and

a first interface disposed in the main body, the first interface configured to accommodate a first sensor and receive a biological signal from the first sensor, in response to the first sensor being detachably inserted into the main body through the slot,

wherein the biological signal is processed in the main body, and

wherein the first interface comprises a plurality of sub-interfaces to which different types of sensors are attached.