Mobile Communication Device, System, and Method

Abstract

A mobile device for detecting an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker is disclosed. The mobile device includes a detection subsystem to receive an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker from a detection arrangement. A processing subsystem is coupled to the detection subsystem to decode the electrical signal. A radio subsystem is configured to transmit the decoded electrical signal to a wireless node. A system includes the mobile device and the detection arrangement. A method includes receiving the electrical signal generated by the ingestible event marker at the mobile device, decoding the electrical signal to extract information associated with the ingestible event marker, and transmitting the information to a wireless node.

1 . A mobile device for detecting an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker, the mobile device comprising:
 a detection subsystem to receive an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker from a detection arrangement;   a processing subsystem coupled to the detection subsystem to decode the electrical signal; and   a radio subsystem configured to transmit the decoded electrical signal to a wireless node.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the detection subsystem comprises an electrode input circuit to receive the electrical signal from the detection arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , comprising a connector to receive a plug coupled to the detection arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , comprising a housing, wherein the detection arrangement is integrated with the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , comprising an application software program comprising a series of computer executable instructions executable by the processing system, wherein when the computer executable instructions are executed by the processing subsystem causes the radio subsystem to initiate communication with the wireless node. 
     
     
         6 . A system for detecting an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker, the system comprising:
 a mobile device;   a detection arrangement to couple to the mobile device;   a detection subsystem to receive an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker from the detection arrangement;   a processing subsystem coupled to the detection subsystem to decode the electrical signal; and   a radio subsystem configured to transmit the decoded electrical signal to a wireless node.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detection subsystem comprises an electrode input circuit to receive the electrical signal from the detection arrangement. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile device comprises a connector coupled to the electrode input circuit and the detection arrangement comprises a plug to be received in the connector. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the mobile device comprises a housing, and wherein the detection arrangement is integrated with the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , comprising an application software program comprising a series of computer executable instructions executable by the processing system, wherein when the computer executable instructions are executed by the processing subsystem causes the radio subsystem to initiate communication with the wireless node. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , comprising a cover to receive the mobile device, wherein the detection subsystem is located in the enclosing arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the processing subsystem is located in the cover. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises a connector to couple to the detection subsystem of the processing to receive the processing subsystem of the mobile device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detection arrangement comprises:
 at least one electrode to couple to a living body; and   a plug having a first end wiredly coupled to the at least one electrode and a second end wiredly coupled to a connector of the mobile device to wiredly connect the at least one electrode to the detection subsystem of the mobile device.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detection arrangement comprises:
 at least one electrode to couple to a living body;   a detection circuit module coupled to the at least one electrode; and   an antenna coupled to the detection circuit module.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the detection arrangement is wirelessly coupled to the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the detection arrangement is located in a suitable ordinary object. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the ordinary object is selected from the group consisting essentially of headphones with ear buds, a mobile device, a mobile device cover, eyeglasses, a visor, and a helmet. 
     
     
         19 . A method of processing an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker, the method comprising:
 receiving an electrical signal generated by an ingestible event marker at a mobile device;   decoding the electrical signal received by the mobile device to extract information associated with the ingestible event marker; and   transmitting the information to a wireless node.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising transmitting the information to a remote node.