Monitoring device with a pedometer

Abstract

A monitoring device with a pedometer preferably comprises an article, an optical sensor, an accelerometer, a short range wireless transceiver, and processor. The optical sensor preferably comprises a photodetector and a plurality of light emitting diodes. A sensor signal from the optical sensor is processed with a filtered accelerometer output signal from the accelerometer to generate a pedometer function.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An arm-based pedometer comprising:
 an article to be worn on an arm of a user, the article having a first surface and a second surface;   a processor;   a powering source;   a short range wireless transceiver for transmitting data from the article;   an accelerometer; and   an optical sensor communicably coupled to the processor for generating a signal corresponding to the heart rate of the user, the optical sensor comprises a photodiode that generates a radiation-induced signal, and one or more light emitting diodes capable of radiating green light in a range between 500 to 570 nanometers;   wherein the processor is configured to generate a real-time heart rate from a signal from the optical sensor and to process a signal from the accelerometer in a pedometer function to determine distance traveled by the user.   
     
     
         2 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more light emitting diodes is capable of radiating light at 567 nanometers. 
     
     
         3 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more light emitting diodes is capable of radiating light at 520 nanometers. 
     
     
         4 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer is a multi-axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1  wherein the short range wireless transceiver operates on a communication protocol using at least one of: BLUETOOTH, PART 15, WiFi, Infrared, and ultrasound. 
     
     
         6 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a display on the article to display pedometer data for the user. 
     
     
         7 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a port for wired communication with any one of: a computer, a tablet, a video monitor, and a mobile communication device. 
     
     
         8 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a port for recharging the powering source. 
     
     
         9 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , further comprising a display and a plurality of control buttons, said control buttons being positioned in relation to the display to allow the user visual feedback in response to user-actuation of one of the control buttons. 
     
     
         10 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1  wherein the one or more light emitting diodes and the photodetector are separated by an opaque light shield. 
     
     
         11 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , wherein an active area of the photodetector of the optical sensor is positioned between the centers of the active areas of the light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         12 . A system for monitoring a plurality of real-time vital signs of the user and providing a pedometer function, the system comprising: the arm-based pedometer of  claim 1 , and a base station for receiving signals from the arm-based pedometer. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the receiving device is a smartphone. 
     
     
         14 . An arm-based pedometer comprising:
 an article to be worn on an arm of a user, the article having a first surface and a second surface;   a processor;   a battery;   a short range wireless transceiver for transmitting data from the article;   an attachment band, wherein the article is adapted to be secured to the user by said attachment band;   an accelerometer; and   an optical sensor communicably coupled to the processor for generating a signal corresponding to the heart rate of the user, the optical sensor comprises a photodiode that generates a radiation-induced signal, and one or more light emitting diodes capable of radiating green light in a range between 500 to 570 nanometers;   wherein the processor is configured to generate a real-time heart rate from a signal from the optical sensor and to process a signal from the accelerometer in a pedometer function to determine distance traveled by the user.   
     
     
         15 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 14 , wherein said attachment band is composed of any one of: neoprene, leather, synthetic leather, LYCRA, or a combination thereof and said optical sensor is disposed within said article so as to be positioned in proximity to an artery of the user when the arm-based pedometer is worn, through use of the attachment band, by the user. 
     
     
         16 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 14  wherein the one or more light emitting diodes and the photodetector are separated by an opaque light shield. 
     
     
         17 . An arm-based pedometer comprising:
 an article to be worn on an arm of a user, the article having a first surface and a second surface;   a processor;   a rechargeable battery;   a short range wireless transceiver for transmitting data from the article;   an accelerometer; and   an optical sensor communicably coupled to the processor for generating a signal corresponding to the heart rate of the user, the optical sensor comprises two light emitting diodes, each having a center of an active area spaced apart by a distance and wherein the photodetector is positioned in the middle of the distance, and one or more light emitting diodes capable of radiating green light in a range between 500 to 570 nanometers;   wherein the processor is configured to generate a real-time heart rate from a signal from the optical sensor and to process a signal from the accelerometer in a pedometer function to determine distance traveled by the user.   
     
     
         18 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 17 , wherein the distance is in the range of 3-4 mm from one another. 
     
     
         19 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 17 , wherein the distance is 5-6 mm from one another. 
     
     
         20 . The arm-based pedometer of  claim 17  wherein the one or more light emitting diodes and the photodetector are separated by an opaque light shield.