Modular sensor platform

• US 9,380,949 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2013
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Schuessler, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woodward, Nathaniel T
• Application Number:
  US14/101,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20150160048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 738/665
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0533 Measuring galvanic skin response
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0537 Measuring body composition by impedance, e.g. tissue hydration or fat content
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/04 Mounting of electronic components
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0064 in which functions not related to time can be displayed digital output to display devices of digital computers G06F3/14

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments for reconfiguring a storage system comprise a modular sensor platform, comprising: a base module comprising, a display, a processor, a memory and a communication interface; a band removably coupled to the base module such that the band is replaceable with different types of bands; and a sensor module that collects data from a user, the sensor module in communication with the base module and removably coupled to the band such that the sensor module is replaceable with different types of sensor modules, the sensor module further comprising a plurality of sensor units that are removably coupled to the sensor module such that individual sensor units are replaceable with different types of sensor units.

Claims

1. A modular sensor platform, comprising:

a base module comprising, a display, a processor, a memory and a communication interface;

a band coupled to the base module; and

a sensor module that collects data from a user, the sensor module in communication with the base module and removably coupled to the band such that the sensor module is replaceable with different types of sensor modules, wherein the sensor module further comprises a sensor plate, a plurality of sensor units, and a sensor computer unit coupled to the sensor units, wherein;

the sensor plate is removably coupled to a side of the band facing the user such that the sensor plate, including all the sensor units and the sensor computer unit thereon, is replaceable with different types of sensor plates; and

at least a portion of the plurality of sensor units are removably coupled to the sensor plate such that individual sensor units are replaceable with different types of sensor units.

2. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein, the sensor units comprise a two or more combination of:

optical sensor array, a thermometer, a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor array, a bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array, and an electrocardiography sensor (ECG) sensor.

3. The modular sensor platform of claim 2, wherein the combination of the sensor units includes the optical sensor array, wherein the optical sensor array further comprises:

an array of discrete optical sensors, where each discrete optical sensor is a combination of at least one photodetector and at least two matching light sources located adjacent to the photodetector.

4. The modular sensor platform of claim 3, wherein the optical sensor array is arranged on the band so that when the band is worn by a user, the optical sensor array straddles a blood vessel of the user.

5. The modular sensor platform of claim 2, wherein the combination of the sensor units includes the bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array, wherein the bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array is arranged on the band so that when the band is worn by the user, the optical sensor array straddles a blood vessel of the user.

6. The modular sensor platform of claim 5, wherein the sensor computer unit further comprises an ECG and bioimpedance (BIOZ) analog front end (AFE), a GSR AFE, an optical sensor AFE, a processor, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a memory 312, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor and a battery.

7. The modular sensor platform of claim 6, wherein the processor executes a calibration and data acquisition component that performs sensor calibration and data acquisition functions.

8. The modular sensor platform of claim 1 further comprising a battery.

9. The modular sensor platform of claim 8, wherein the battery comprises a removable battery and a permanent battery.

10. The modular sensor platform of claim 8, wherein the battery is housed within the base module.

11. The modular sensor platform of claim 8, wherein the battery is housed within the band.

12. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein the sensor plate is worn with one type of band during the day and inserted into and worn with a different type during sleep.

13. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein the base module further includes a base computing unit that includes the processor, the memory, the communication interface and a set of sensors, including an accelerometer and thermometer.

14. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein the band is integrated with the base module.

15. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein the band is integrated with the sensor module.

16. The modular sensor platform of claim 1, wherein the base module wirelessly communicates with multiple sensor modules worn on different body parts of the user to form a body area network.

17. A method for providing a modular sensor platform, comprising:

coupling a base module to a band, wherein the base module comprises, a display, a processor, a memory and a communication interface;

communicatively coupling a sensor module to the base module, wherein the sensor module comprises a sensor plate, a plurality of sensor units to collect data from a user, and a sensor computer unit coupled to the sensor units;

removably coupling the sensor plate to a side of the band facing the user such that the sensor module, including all the sensor units and the sensor computer unit thereon, is replaceable with different types of sensor plates; and

removably coupling at least a portion of the plurality of sensor units to the sensor plate such that individual sensor units are replaceable with different types of sensor units.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, the sensor units comprise a two or more combination of:

optical sensor array, a thermometer, a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor array, a bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array, and an electrocardiography sensor (ECG) sensor.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the combination of the sensor units includes the optical sensor array, wherein the optical sensor array further comprises:

wherein the optical sensor array includes an array of discrete optical sensors, where each discrete optical sensor is a combination of at least one photodetector and at least two matching light sources located adjacent to the photodetector.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the optical sensor array is arranged on the band so that when the band is worn by a user, the optical sensor array straddles a blood vessel of the user.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the combination of the sensor units includes the bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array, wherein the bioimpedance (BioZ) sensor array is arranged on the band so that when the band is worn by a user, the optical sensor array straddles a blood vessel of the user.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the sensor computer unit further comprises an ECG and bioimpedance (BIOZ) analog front end (AFE), a GSR AFE, an optical sensor AFE, a processor, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a memory 3212, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor and a battery.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the processor executes a calibration and data acquisition component that performs sensor calibration and data acquisition functions.

24. The method of claim 17 further comprising a battery.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the battery comprises a removable battery and a permanent battery.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the battery is housed within the base module.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the battery is housed within the band.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the sensor plate is worn with one type of band during the day and inserted into and worn with a different type during sleep.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the base module further includes a base computing unit that includes the processor, the memory, the communication interface and a set of sensors, including an accelerometer and thermometer.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the band is integrated with the base module.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein the band is integrated with the sensor module.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the base module wirelessly communicates with multiple sensor modules worn on different body parts of the user to form a body area network.

33. A modular sensor platform, comprising:

a base module comprising, a display, a processor, and a communication interface;

a band coupled to the base module; and

a sensor plate including a plurality of sensor units that collect data from a user and a sensor computer unit coupled to the sensor units, wherein;

the sensor plate is removably coupled to an exterior surface of the band such that the sensor plate, including all the sensor units and the sensor computer unit thereon, is replaceable with a different size of sensor plate; and

at least a portion of the sensor units are removably coupled to the sensor plate such that that individual sensor units are replaceable with different types of sensor units.

34. The modular sensor platform of claim 33, wherein a band is removably coupled to the base module such that the band is replaceable with different types of bands.