Smart Watch
Patent No. US11051704 (titled "Smart Watch") was filed by Bt Wearables Llc on Jun 16, 2017.
What is this patent about?
’704 is related to the field of wearable health monitoring systems , specifically those incorporating multiple sensors and wireless communication capabilities. The background of this invention lies in the increasing need for continuous and remote patient monitoring, enabling early detection of health problems and timely intervention. Traditional health monitoring often relies on periodic check-ups, which may miss critical changes in a patient's condition between appointments. This patent aims to address this limitation by providing a system for continuous, real-time health data collection and analysis.
The underlying idea behind ’704 is to integrate various sensors into a wearable device, such as a wristwatch, to monitor vital signs and detect potential health issues. The key inventive insight is to use a combination of an accelerometer, heart sensor, and wireless communication to not only collect physiological data but also to enable speech processing and remote data transmission. This allows for real-time analysis of the data and immediate response to emergencies, such as falls or stroke symptoms.
The claims of ’704 focus on a wearable appliance, particularly a wristwatch, equipped with sensors for monitoring body parameters like heart rate, blood-oxygen level, or glucose level. The independent claims emphasize the integration of an accelerometer for motion detection, a heart sensor for vital sign monitoring, and a transceiver for wireless communication with a remote server or a cellular telephone. The claims also cover the use of speech processing, either within the wearable device or in conjunction with a mobile telephone, to enable voice commands and emergency calls.
In practice, the invention works by continuously collecting data from the various sensors on the wearable device. The processor analyzes this data to detect anomalies or patterns indicative of a health problem, such as a sudden drop in heart rate or a fall detected by the accelerometer. The system then uses the wireless transceiver to transmit this information to a remote server or a designated contact, enabling timely intervention. The speech processing capability allows the user to issue voice commands, such as calling for help in an emergency, further enhancing the system's responsiveness.
’704 differentiates itself from prior approaches by combining multiple sensing modalities with speech processing and wireless communication in a single, wearable device. While previous systems may have focused on individual sensors or limited communication capabilities, this invention integrates these features to provide a more comprehensive and responsive health monitoring solution. The use of a wristwatch form factor also makes the device more convenient and socially acceptable for continuous wear, encouraging better patient compliance and more reliable data collection. The integration of speech recognition is a key differentiator, enabling hands-free operation and emergency communication.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the mid-2000s when ’704 was filed, wearable health monitoring devices were emerging, but at a time when systems commonly relied on dedicated hardware for signal processing rather than offloading tasks to external devices. At a time when wireless communication was typically implemented using Bluetooth or WiFi for personal area networks, and cellular networks for longer-range communication. When hardware or software constraints made real-time speech processing on low-power wearable devices non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the claims because the invention includes a system with a wearable appliance and a telephone wirelessly connected, where the telephone handles speech processing and the wearable appliance captures speech. Also, the examiner approved a mobile system with a wearable device that processes speech commands and detects ECG signals using a body contact point or finger. Finally, the examiner approved a wristwatch device with a processor connected to a mobile telephone with speech recognition, where either the processor or the mobile phone processes speech commands. These features were not taught or suggested by the prior art.
Claims
This patent includes 21 claims, with independent claims 1, 12, and 18. The independent claims generally focus on wearable systems and devices, particularly wrist-worn devices, that monitor body parameters and vital signs. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the specific features, sensors, and functionalities of the systems and devices described in the independent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11051704
- Application Number
- US15625483
- Filing Date
- Jun 16, 2017
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- May 15, 2028
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents