Wearable mini-size intelligent healthcare system

Abstract

A system and method for the wearable mini-size intelligent healthcare system, comprising one or multiple vital signal sensors, activity sensors, a real-time detection and analyzing module for continuous health monitoring, adjustable user setting mode with the adaptive optimization, data-collecting capability to record important health information, smart audio outputs beep and speech advice to the user through audio path and audio interface, preset and user confirmable alarm conditions via wireless communications network to the appropriate individual for prompt and necessary assistance. The system uses non-invasive monitoring technology for continuous, painless and bloodless health state monitoring. The system also works through the short range RF link with carry-on PDA or cell phone for displaying health information, making urgent contact to support center, doctor or individual, or for information transmission with a healthcare center.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 675,684, filed Feb. 16, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a wearable mini-size intelligent healthcare system for the continuous monitoring and care of a subject. More particularly, the present invention is for a healthcare system and method, taking advantage of the specific body position around the subject's ear for the continuous detection and analyzing of a subject's health condition with noninvasive monitoring technology, the evaluation of said health condition enabling the early detection of adverse health conditions, the providing of the smart audio interface for real-time notification with emotional perception, health information display or storage over the Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) or cell phone via short range RF link, urgent contact or information transmission...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an intelligent healthcare system that uses advanced technology to monitor a person's health condition in real-time. The system has unique advantages of easy wear, comfortable to wear, access to critical physiological signals, and emitting and receiving smart audio outputs. Compared to other wearable healthcare systems, the present invention has much smaller size, lower power consumption, much less complicated design, and much easier to wear and lower cost. Additionally, the invention combines the advantages of GPS for locating the person during a health crisis and cellular communication capabilities for providing quick access to emergency assistance.

Problems solved by technology

Because of time and costs associated with these tests and observations, it is usually impractical to conduct the required long-term observation and full evaluation for most people who may need them.

Another major issue for many individuals is getting prompt medical instruction and care as soon as a health problem occurs.

Unfortunately, an individual usually does not recognize the early signs which indicate an occurring risk.

Quite often, by the time the individual does realize an occurring risk, they might be incapable of seeking for medical assistance.

Another issue is to provide quick and accurate information for the necessary medical care, which is essential to a successful diagnosis and treatment of the health problem.

Because of wireless transmission via Bluetooth and constant data streams between sensors and cell phone, the power consumption of the system is high and the size of the monitoring system is still large.

One of the top common challenges is the communication among various sensors, central processing unit and the user.

Although wireless technology for local area network has made it possible to communicate the constant data streams of sensors to the central processing unit, it has serious limitations such as system complexity, device size, power consumption, reliability of the wireless body area network, interference from environment and user health affection possibly induced by the constant wireless signals around body all the times. Therefore, if possible, it is always desired to minimize the use of wireless for the concerns of environment interference, possible health affection caused by RF signal field, device size, power consumption and affordability for majority of population.

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