MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF MEASURING BIOELECTRIC SIGNALS THEREOF

• US 20130005310A1
• Filed: 02/08/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: LIM, Gukchan, LEE, Seehyung, PARK, Sangmo, KIM, Seonghyok
• Granted Patent: US 9,198,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions

Abstract

A mobile terminal and a method of measuring a bioelectric signal thereof are provided. When the mobile terminal enters a call mode, a user'"'"'s pulse wave data are acquired using a plurality of electrodes provided in a body of the mobile terminal or a body of an earphone.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

a pulse wave sensing unit configured to obtain a pulse wave signal using a plurality of electrodes; and

a controller configured to;

acquire pulse wave data based on the pulse wave signal obtained via the pulse wave sensing unit when the mobile terminal is in a call mode; and

provide information related to the pulse wave data.

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensing unit configured to:

detect an object approaching a body of the mobile terminal; and

provide a control signal to the pulse wave sensing unit based on a detection of the object approaching the body,

wherein the pulse wave sensing unit is further configured to control transmission of the pulse wave signal obtained via the plurality of electrodes to the controller based on the control signal.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the pulse wave sensing unit comprises:

a signal processor configured to perform a signal processing of the pulse wave signal from the plurality of electrodes, and to provide the processed pulse wave signal to the controller; and

a switch configured to control transmission of the pulse wave signal from the plurality of electrodes to the signal processor based on the control signal.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the proximity sensing unit provides the control signal to transfer the pulse wave signal to the signal processor, when an object is detected approaching the body of the mobile terminal.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the proximity sensing unit provides the control signal to transfer the pulse wave signal to the signal processor, when an object is detected approaching the body of the mobile terminal while the mobile terminal is in the call mode.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the proximity sensing unit is activated when the mobile terminal is in the call mode.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode disposed at a front surface of the body of the mobile terminal and a second electrode disposed at a side surface of the body of the mobile terminal.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the pulse wave sensing unit to transfer the pulse wave signal to the controller, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 8, further comprising an interface unit configured to receive an earphone that includes the plurality of electrodes,

wherein the controller controls the pulse wave sensing unit to transfer the pulse wave signal obtained via the plurality of electrodes of the earphone to the controller, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode and the earphone is coupled to the mobile terminal.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine a user'"'"'s excitement based on the acquired pulse wave data; and

output an alarm for warning that the user is in an excited state, when the determined excitement is equal to or greater than a preset level.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to transmit a guide sound or a message for warning that the user is in an excited state and to call another party, when the determined excitement is equal to or greater than the preset level.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to output at least one of a guide sound, a vibration sound, or a message for warning that the user is in an excited state, when the determined excitement is equal to or greater than the preset level.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to terminate the call mode, when the determined excitement is equal to or greater than the preset level.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 11, further comprising a memory, wherein the controller is further configured to store call contents corresponding to another party in the memory, when the determined excitement is equal to or greater than the preset level.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the pulse wave signal is a bioelectric signal.

16. A method for measuring a bioelectric signal of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

determining that the mobile terminal enters a call mode

receiving a pulse wave signal from a plurality of electrodes that contact a user'"'"'s skin surface while the mobile terminal is determined to be in the call mode;

acquiring pulse wave data based on the received pulse wave signal; and

providing information based on the acquired pulse wave data.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining excitement information of the user based on the received pulse wave signal.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising terminating a call when the determined excitement information is equal to or greater than a preset level.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising outputting an alarm when the determined excitement information is equal to or greater than a preset level.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a health state of the user based on the received pulse wave signal.

21. A mobile terminal comprising:

a body;

a display;

a proximity sensor configured to detect an object approaching an area of the mobile terminal;

a pulse wave sensing unit configured to provide a pulse wave signal based on information received from at least two electrodes that contact a user, and to acquire a pulse wave data based on the pulse wave signal when the mobile terminal is in the call mode; and

a controller to provide information related to the acquired pulse wave data.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the information related to the acquired pulse wave data includes information regarding a user'"'"'s excitement, or information regarding a user'"'"'s health.