Wearable cardiac defibrillator system authenticating person actuating cancel switch

Abstract

A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a speaker system that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system comprising:
 a support structure configured to be worn by a patient;   an energy storage module configured to store an electrical charge;   a discharge circuit configured to discharge the electrical charge through the patient while the support structure is worn by the patient; and   wherein the WCD system is configured to output a human perceptible indicator that communicates a request to a bystander to place a mobile communication device proximate to the WCD system.   
     
     
         2 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile communication device is that of the patient. 
     
     
         3 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile communication device is that of the bystander. 
     
     
         4 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the human perceptible indicator includes the words “PHONE”, “CELLPHONE”, “TELEPHONE”, “SMARTPHONE”, “MOBILE PHONE”, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the request is for the mobile communication device to be placed proximate to a speaker system. 
     
     
         6 . The WCD system of  claim 5 , wherein the human perceptible indicator communicates a reminder to place or maintain the mobile communication device proximate to the speaker system. 
     
     
         7 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the request is for the mobile communication device to be placed onto the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the request is for the bystander to maintain the mobile communication device in proximity to the patient, without touching the mobile communication device to the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , wherein the human perceptible indicator further requests the bystander to dial a specific telephone number on the mobile communication device before placing the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         10 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory configured to store one or more data files encoding patient data about the patient or a medical provider related to the patient or the WCD system, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates at least some of the patient data. 
     
     
         11 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , further comprising a measurement circuit configured to render a physiological input from a patient physiological signal, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates the physiological input. 
     
     
         12 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a measurement circuit configured to render a physiological input from a patient physiological signal; and   a processor configured to determine from the physiological input an ailment of the patient, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates the determined ailment.   
     
     
         13 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , further comprising a location sensor configured to detect a location of the support structure, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates the detected location. 
     
     
         14 . The WCD system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a state machine configured to be in one of at least a first internal state and a second internal state; and   a microphone configured to sense an ambient sound, wherein the sensed ambient sound is emitted from the mobile communication device and encodes a command, and wherein the state machine reverts from the first internal state to the second internal state responsive to the command.   
     
     
         15 . A method for a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system, the WCD system including a support structure configured to be worn by a patient, an energy storage module configured to store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit, the method comprising:
 outputting a human perceptible indicator that communicates a request to a bystander to place a mobile communication device proximate to the speaker system while the support structure is worn by the patient; and   controlling the discharge circuit to discharge the electrical charge through the patient.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mobile communication device is that of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mobile communication device is that of the bystander. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a measurement circuit configured to render a physiological input from a patient physiological signal; and   a processor configured to determine from the physiological input an ailment of the patient, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates the determined ailment.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising a location sensor configured to detect a location of the support structure, wherein the human perceptible indicator further communicates the detected location. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a state machine configured to be in one of at least a first internal state and a second internal state; and   a microphone configured to sense an ambient sound, wherein the sensed ambient sound is emitted from the mobile communication device and encodes a command, and wherein the state machine reverts from the first internal state to the second internal state responsive to the command.