Case 3:20-cv-02246-DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 1 of 8
`Case 3:20-cv-02246—DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 1 of 8
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`EXHIBIT A
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`EXHIBIT A
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`US007845228B2
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`(12) United States Patent
`Bremer et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,845,228 B2
`Dec. 7, 2010
`
`(54) ACTIVITY MONITORING
`(75) Inventors: Joannes Gregorius Bremer, Eindhoven
`(NL); Paraskevas Dunias, Eindhoven
`(NL); Gillian Antoinette
`Mimnagh-Kelleher, Eindhoven (NL);
`Adrianus Petrus Johanna Maria
`Rommers, Eindhoven (NL); Wilhelmus
`E. Mail cyclius
`erhoeven, Eindhoven (NL)
`O O
`(73) Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
`Eindhoven (NL)
`-
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1053 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/537,878
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Nov. 21, 2003
`
`(86). PCT No.:
`
`PCT/BO3/OS336
`
`S371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`s
`
`Jun. 7, 2005
`
`9
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2004/052203
`PCT Pub. Date: Jun. 24, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2006/OO7581.6 A1
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Dec. 10, 2002
`(EP) .................................. O2O8O215
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`GOIP3/04
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 73/510; 73/865.173/865.3;
`73/865.4; 340/669
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................... 73/510,
`73/514.34, 865.1, 865.3, 1.01; 235/116;
`6007595
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`128,670
`5.125.412 A *
`6, 1992 Thornt
`k 4 -
`OTIllOIl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`... 340/.571
`5,317,304 A * 5/1994 Choi ......
`5,573,013 A * 1 1/1996 Conlan ....................... 600,595
`5,748,084 A * 5/1998 Isikoff ...
`... 340,568.1
`5,760,690 A * 6/1998 French ....................... 340,571
`5,762,072 A * 6/1998 Conlan et al. ............... 600,595
`5,869,760 A * 2/1999 Geen ....................... T3,504.12
`5,899,963 A * 5/1999 Hutchings ................... TO2/145
`6,122,960 A * 9/2000 Hutchings et al.............. T3,493
`6,148,280 A * 1 1/2000 Kramer ...................... 7O2/153
`6,201.476 B1* 3/2001 Depeursinge et al. ... 340/573.1
`6,280,409 B1* 8/2001 Stone et al. ................... 604f67
`6,305,221 B1 * 10/2001 Hutchings ..
`... 73/488
`6,478,736 B1 * 1 1/2002 Mault ......................... 600/300
`Continued
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`
`11, 2002
`WO O2089081
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`DJ Walker et al., “A continuous patient activity monitor: validation
`and relation to disability” Physiological Measurement, Feb. 1997.
`IOP Publishing, UK vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 49-59 ISSN: 0967-3334.*
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Hezron Williams
`Assistant Examiner Samir M Shah
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An activity monitor is provided that reduces the amount of
`power consumed during a monitoring operation.
`
`11 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`Case 3:20-cv-02246-DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 2 of 8
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`PROCESSOR
`SANDBY
`MODE
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`MONITORMEASUREMENT
`UNT OUTPUSAND
`PROCESSSIGNALS
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`STORRESS
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`

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`US 7,845,228 B2
`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`B2 12/2004 Schaad et al. ............ T3,514.29
`6,826,960
`B1
`1/2005 McNeil et al.
`... 73,514.32
`6,845,670
`2002/0109600
`A1
`8/2002 Mault et al. .............. 340,573.1
`2002fO116080
`A1
`8/2002 Birnbach et al. .............. TOOf 66
`2003/0065257
`A1
`4, 2003 Mault et al. .......
`... 600/407
`2003/0208110
`Al 1 1/2003 Mault et al. ................. 600/300
`2003/0226695
`Al 12/2003 Mault ...................... 177/2516
`A1* 10/2005 Murphy ....................... 73/510
`2005/0223799
`2006/0255955
`A1* 11/2006 O'Connor et al. ........ 340,573.1
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`"Answers.com', discrete: Definition, Synonyms and Much More
`from Answers.com\http://www.answers.com/topic? discrete.
`
`
`
`Cliff Randell and Henk Muller, “Context Awareness by Analysing
`Accelerometer Data'. Department of Computer Sciences, University
`of Bristor, UK, 2000.*
`
`C. Randell et al: “Context Awareness by Analysing Accelerometer
`Data'. Wearable Computers, The 4th IntnlSymosium on Atlanta,GA.
`Oct. 16, 2000, pp. 175-176 XPO 10526011.
`
`Boutenetal; "A Triaxial Accelerometer and Portable Data Processing
`Unit for the Assessment of Daily Physical Activity”, IEEE Transac
`tions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 44, No. 3, Mar. 1997.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Case 3:20-cv-02246-DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 3 of 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 7, 2010
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`Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 7.845,228 B2
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`
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`ACTIVTTY MONTOR
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`EXTERNA
`OST
`SYSTEM
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`2
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`MEMORY UNIT
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`Case 3:20-cv-02246-DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 4 of 8
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`F.G. 1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 7, 2010
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`US 7,845,228 B2
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`FIG.2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 7, 2010
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 7,845,228 B2
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`
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`PROCESSOR
`STANDBY
`MODE
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`MONITOR MEASUREMENT
`UNIT OUTPUTS AND
`PROCESS SIGNALS
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`STORE RESULTS
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`Case 3:20-cv-02246-DMR Document 1-1 Filed 04/02/20 Page 6 of 8
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`FIG.3
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`

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`1.
`ACTIVITY MONITORING
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`US 7,845,228 B2
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`10
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`15
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`2
`12 is operable to process the data signals output from the
`measurement unit, and is able to store the data signals, or the
`results of the processing in the memory unit 13. Data can be
`transferred between the processor and the memory unit 13.
`The processor 12 is also able to be connected to an external
`host system 2, which can be apersonal computer (PC) or other
`appropriate systems. The external host system 2 can be used
`to perform additional processing of the data held in the activ
`ity monitor 1.
`In use, the activity monitor 1 is attached to the object to be
`monitored. For purposes of illustration in the following it is
`assumed that the object is a human individual, although it is
`clearly possible to apply Such an activity monitor for any
`object. The activity monitor is attached to the individual or
`object for a certain time period.
`The measurement unit comprises three accelerometers,
`which are arranged in mutually orthogonal directions. The
`accelerometers output data signals, which are indicative of
`the respective accelerations experienced by the accelerom
`eters. The three accelerometers are arranged orthogonal to
`one another in a conventional manner.
`On an individual, these directions are formed “antero-pos
`terior”, “medio-lateral' and “vertical', that are denoted as X,
`y and Z, respectively. The accelerometers comprise Strips of
`piezo-electric material that is uni-axial and serial bimorph.
`The strips are fixed at one end thereof.
`The piezo-electric accelerometers act as damped mass
`spring systems, wherein the piezo-electric strips act as spring
`and damper. Movements of the strips due to movement of the
`individual generate an electric charge leading to a measure
`ment of a data signal. In case of human movements the fre
`quency of the data signals lies in the range of 0.1-20 Hz. The
`amplitude of the data signals lies between -12 g and +12 g.
`These numbers are discussed in more detail in the article
`mentioned earlier. Suitable piezo-electric materials to mea
`Sure such data signals are known to a person skilled in the art.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the orthogonal output of the three accel
`erometers of the measurement unit 11. The outputs are termed
`a, a, and a respectively in accordance with the present inven
`tion, and as illustrated in FIG.3, the activity monitor operates
`Such that the processor remains in a standby mode (step A) for
`a predefined period of time then inputs the measurement unit
`outputs and processes those signals (step B), storing the
`results (step C), in the memory unit 13, before returning to the
`standby mode.
`Thus, the monitoring of the measurement unit outputs is
`performed in a discontinuous manner over time.
`In many cases the use of the activity monitor is to find out
`about a total activity for a human being over a longer period
`of time, for example 24 hours. For this purpose, human activ
`ity normally will be monitored continuously in the frequency
`range of 1 to 8 Hz. This requires a sample frequency of at least
`16 HZ. However, as a human person seldom changes the kind
`ofactivity that is being performed every few seconds, it is not
`necessary to do monitoring continuously. Accordingly,
`reduction in monitoring time to a few seconds with a variable
`time interval between monitoring periods, is beneficial for the
`power consumption of the activity monitor.
`This discontinuous monitoring activity can be achieved by
`programming the processor unit appropriately, so that the
`processor goes into a standby (or sleep) mode after a few
`seconds of monitoring. The moment the monitoring is started
`up again can be dependent upon various strategies; for
`example, the Software could detect changes in the human
`behaviour and adopt the switch on, switch off strategy of the
`activity monitor. The ratio of time monitoring to time in
`
`The present invention relates to activity monitoring, and in
`particular, but not exclusively to, activity monitoring of a
`human being.
`The physical activity of a human being is an important
`determinant of its health. The amount of daily physical activ
`ity is considered to be a central factor in the etiology, preven
`tion and treatment of various diseases. Information about
`personal physical activity can assist the individual in main
`taining or improving his or her functional health status and
`quality of life.
`A known system for monitoring human activity is
`described in the article "A Triaxial Accelerometer and Por
`table Data Processing Unit for the Assessment of Daily Physi
`cal Activity”, by Bouten et al., IEEE Transactions on Bio
`medical Engineering, Vol. 44, NO. 3, March 1997.
`According to the known system a triaxial accelerometer
`composed of three orthogonally mounted uniaxial piezore
`sistive accelerometers is used to measure accelerations cov
`ering the amplitude and frequency ranges of human body
`acceleration. An individual wears the triaxial accelerometer
`over a certain period of time. A data processing unit is
`attached to the triaxial accelerometer and programmed to
`determine the time integrals of the moduli of accelerometer
`output from the three orthogonal measurement directions.
`These time integrals are Summed up and the output is stored
`in a memory that can be read out by a computer. The output of
`the triaxial accelerometer bears some relation to energy
`expenditure due to physical activity and provides as such a
`measure for the latter.
`The known system allows for measurement of human body
`acceleration in three directions. Using state of the art tech
`niques in the field of integrated circuit technology the accel
`erometer can be built small and lightweight allowing it to be
`worn for several days or even longer without imposing a
`burden to the individual wearing it.
`However, the known system has the considerable draw
`back that continuous monitoring of the accelerometer signals
`results in relatively high power consumption. High power
`consumption means that large and expensive batteries are
`required for a practical period of operation of the activity
`monitor.
`It is therefore desirable to provide an activity monitor that
`can overcome these disadvantages.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
`provided an activity monitor comprising a measurement unit
`including a plurality of motion sensors operable to produce
`respective sensor signals indicative of motion experienced
`thereby, and a processor operable to receive the sensor signals
`from the measurement unit and to process the sensor signals
`in accordance with a predetermined method, characterized in
`that the activity monitor is operable to monitor and process
`the sensor signals discontinuously.
`FIG. 1 shows a block diagram Schematically showing the
`components of a system embodying one aspect of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 schematically shows the orthogonal position of
`three accelerometers; and
`FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of the steps of a method
`embodying another aspect of the present invention.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an activity monitor 1 embodying one
`aspect of the present invention. The activity monitor 1 com
`prises a measurement unit 11, a processor 12, and a memory
`unit 13. The measurement unit 11 is operable to produce data
`signals indicative of the motion of the activity monitor 1, and
`to supply those data signals to the processor 12. The processor
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`US 7,845,228 B2
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`10
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`15
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`3
`standby mode can also have a fixed value, or could be variable
`dependent upon activity levels, or required settings.
`Further power reduction could be achieved by switching
`off the monitoring unit itself, such that the accelerometers or
`motion sensors are only active for a discontinuous amount of 5
`time.
`It will be readily appreciated that the accelerometers are
`merely preferred motion sensors, and that any appropriate
`motion sensor could be used in an embodiment of the present
`invention and achieve the advantages of the present invention.
`It is emphasised that the term “comprises' or “comprising
`is used in this specification to specify the presence of stated
`features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude
`the addition of one or more further features, integers, steps or
`components, or groups thereof.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. An activity monitor comprising:
`a measurement unit including a plurality of motion sensors
`operable to produce respective sensor signals indicative
`of motion experienced thereby; and
`a processor operable to receive the sensor signals from the
`measurement unit and to process the sensor signals in
`accordance with a predetermined method,
`characterized in that the activity monitor is operable to
`monitor and process the sensor signals discontinuously
`in time and the processor is operable to monitor the
`sensor signals in turn.
`2. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`measurement unit is operable to output the sensor signals
`discontinuously in time.
`3. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`processor is operable to monitor the sensor signals discon
`tinuously in time.
`
`4
`4. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`processor is operable to entera monitoring mode of operation
`in which the processor monitors the sensor signals and to
`enter a standby mode of operation in which no monitoring
`takes place.
`5. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
`processor is operable to enter the monitoring mode and the
`standby mode alternately.
`6. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 5, wherein
`respective time periods for the monitoring and standby modes
`are variable.
`7. An activity monitor as claimed in claim 5, wherein
`respective time periods for the monitoring and standby modes
`are fixed.
`8. A method of monitoring activity using a plurality of
`motion sensors which are operable to produce respective
`sensor signals indicative of motion experienced thereby, the
`method comprising receiving the sensor signals and process
`ing the sensor signals in accordance with a predetermined
`method, characterized in that the sensor signals are monitored
`and processed discontinuously in time and the sensor signals
`are monitored in turn.
`9. A method as claimed in claim 8, comprising alternately
`monitoring the sensor signals and operating in a standby
`mode, in which no monitoring takes place, for respective time
`periods.
`10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the respective
`time periods are variable.
`11. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the respective
`time periods are fixed.
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