WO2020027706A1

WO2020027706A1 - Wearable sensor system

Info

Publication number: WO2020027706A1
Application number: PCT/SE2018/050780
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karthik Srinivasan
Original assignee: Off The Shelf 10106 Ab
Priority date: 2018-07-30
Filing date: 2018-07-30
Publication date: 2020-02-06

Abstract

A wearable sensor system (50) for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data comprising a primary device (100) comprising a first power source (110), at least a first primary sensor (120a, 120b, 120c) and a first memory (130) for storing the first sensor data and second sensor data; a secondary device (200) comprising a second power source (210) and at least a first secondary sensor (220a, 220b, 220c) and a second memory (230) for storing a second sensor data; wherein the secondary device (200) is configured to transfer the second sensor data to the primary device (100) when connected to the primary device (100), and the primary device (100) is configured to receive and store the second sensor data in the first memory (130) of the primary device (100).

Description

Wearable sensor system

TECH NICAL FI ELD

The disclosure pertains to the field of wearable sensor systems for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person.

BACKGROUND

The use of different kinds of devices with sensors to obtain physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health has become popular. Devices for this purpose include different kinds of sensors such as heartbeat sensors, that can determine the pulse of a person, and movement sensors that can e.g. determine the number of steps taken during a certain period. Devices with sensors for obtaining physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health are often portable electronic devices that need to be worn by the person. Some portable devices with sensors can be attached to different parts of the body, such as over the chest, around a person's wrist, leg or arm by using a e.g. strap, or by using an adhesive surface on the portable device that make the portable device to attach to the skin of the person. The portable device with sensors typically runs on batteries and needs to be charged from time to time in order to operate. When the portable device with sensors is charged the portable device is typically taken off the person and connected to a charger, e.g. placed on a wireless charger for inductive charging or placed in a charging stand on a table, and hence not able to obtain data that is related to the person's health, since the portable device is not worn by the person. There are also occasions when the person takes off the portable device, e.g. when going to bed or when sporting, since the portable device is sometimes considered too bulky and uncomfortable to use when sleeping or sporting by some persons. I n order to measure data that is related to a person's health it is desired that the person is wearing the sensor device as much as possible in order to obtain as much as data as possible, preferably all the time without any interruption of obtaining data. Hence, when the portable device is not worn by the person, then data related to a person's health is not obtained and valuable information gets lost. SUMMARY

I n order to obtain data that is related to a person's health including e.g. movements and other data for e.g. predicting a person's risk of falling, a wearable portable device with sensors and computing power is needed. The wearable portable device must be worn by the person as much as possible, preferably 24 hours per day, seven days per week. However, when wearing such portable device, that often has a size that is slightly bigger than a normal watch, there are occasions during the day when the portable device is considered bulky or inconvenient for the user to wear, such as when a person is sleeping or sporting. The problem is that during these occasions, the person takes off the device and hence the device cannot then measure the movement and other data of that person for e.g. predicting a risk of falling. The same situation occurs when the batteries of the portable device needs to be charged. Typically, the device is then not worn by the user but instead put into a charger or connected to a charging stand.

There is a need for a solution that increases the time when physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health can be obtained. This may be achieved if approaches can be found that minimizes the time when the portable device is not worn by the person, in order to not lose any important data of the person wearing the portable device. I n response to this need, the inventor has constructed a wearable sensor system solution.

As will be described in more detail below, the wearable sensor system disclosed herein comprises a primary device and a secondary device which turns the wearable sensor system into two parts enabling the obtaining of physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health to proceed uninterrupted.

The disclosure proposes a wearable sensor system for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device or a secondary device of the wearable sensor system. The wearable sensor system comprising a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device comprising a first power source for powering the primary device and a secondary device when connected to the primary device. According to an aspect the primary device comprising a first power source configured to power the primary device and configured to power a secondary device when the secondary device is connected to the primary device. The primary device further comprising at least a first primary sensor configured to obtain first sensor data relating to a person and a first memory for storing the first sensor data and second sensor data. According to an aspect the first memory is configured to store the first sensor data and second sensor data. The secondary device comprising a second power source for powering the secondary device. According to an aspect the seconda ry device comprising a second power source configured to power the secondary device. The secondary device further comprising at least a first secondary sensor configured to obtain the second sensor data relating to the person and a second memory for storing the second sensor data. According to an aspect the second memory is configured to store the second sensor data. The secondary device is configured to transfer the second sensor data to the primary device when connected to the primary device, and the primary device is configured to receive and store the second sensor data in the first memory of the primary device. An advantage is hence that the wearable sensor system enables the obtaining of physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health to proceed uninterrupted since the primary device is configured for powering the secondary device and hence the secondary device ca n always be worn by the user and obtain second sensor data relating to the person.

According to an aspect, the primary device further comprises a first processing circuitry and/or the secondary device further comprises a second processing circuitry. According to an aspect, the primary device and the secondary device are configured to be connected to each other for controlling the operation of primary device and the secondary device by at least one of the first or the second processing circuitry via any of a device-to-device wireless communication interface or via a device-to-device physical connector interface. I n other words, the primary device and the secondary device can carry out instructions to operate the primary device and/or the secondary device.

According to an aspect the primary device and the secondary device are configured to be connected to each other for transferring the obtained second sensor data from the second memory to the first memory via any of a device-to-device wireless communication interface or a device-to-device physical connector interface. This means that the obtained second sensor data from the second memory can be transferred to the first memory, i.e. the sensor data obtained by the secondary device can be tra nsferred to the primary device.

According to an aspect the primary device and the secondary device are configured to be connected to each other for transferring operation instructions from the first processing circuitry to the second processing circuitry to enable the instructions to be carried out when the secondary device is disconnected from the primary device. In other words, the primary device can be configured to act as a master device and the secondary device can be configured to act as a slave device. The secondary device can hence be instructed how to behave when the secondary device is not in connected to the primary device.

According to an aspect the primary device and the secondary device are configured to be connected to each other via an inductive coupling transferring energy between the first power source and the second power source. According to an aspect the primary device and the secondary device are configured to be connected to each other via a device-to-device physical connector interface transferring energy between the first power source and the second power source. In other words the second power source, e.g. the battery of the secondary device, can be charged by the energy from first power source of the primary device.

According to an aspect the second processing circuitry is configured to cause the wearable sensor system to disconnect the secondary device from the primary device, and obtain second sensor data by the at least first secondary sensor comprised in the secondary device and store the obtained second sensor data in the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device. The second processing circuitry is further configured to cause the wearable sensor system to connect the secondary device to the primary device and transfer at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory comprised in the secondary device to the first memory comprised in the primary device. This means that the secondary device can operate on its own and obtain and store second sensor data in the second memory comprised in the secondary device and at a later occasion when the primary device is once again connected to the secondary device the second sensor data can be transferred to the first memory comprised in the primary device.

According to an aspect the second processing circuitry is configured to cause the wearable sensor system to delete the obtained second sensor data from the second memory when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory. An advantage with deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory is that new sensor data can be obtained and stored in the second memory. According to an aspect the first processing circuitry is configured to ca use the wearable sensor system to disconnect the secondary device from the primary device and obtain, the first sensor data by the at least first primary sensor comprised in the primary device and store the obtained first sensor data in the first memory comprised in the primary device. The first processing circuitry is further configured to ca use the wearable sensor system to connect the secondary device to the primary device and receive at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory comprised in the secondary device and store the obtained second sensor data together with the obtained first sensor data in the first memory comprised in the primary device. I n other words this means that the primary device ca n operate on its own and obtain and store first sensor data in the first memory implemented in the primary device and at a later occasion when the primary device is once again connected to the secondary device the obtained second sensor data from the second memory can be transferred to the first memory comprised in the primary device to be stored together with the obtained first sensor data in the first memory comprised in the primary device.

The disclosure further proposes a method for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device or a secondary device of the wearable sensor system. The method comprising the step of disconnecting the secondary device from the primary device followed by the step of obtaining second sensor data by at least a first secondary sensor comprised in the secondary device and the step of storing the obtained second sensor data in a second memory comprised in the secondary device. The method further comprising the step of connecting the seconda ry device to the primary device and the step of transferring at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory comprised in the secondary device to the first memory comprised in the primary device. This means that the secondary device can operate on its own and obtain and store second sensor data in the second memory comprised in the secondary device and at a later occasion when the primary device is once again connected to the secondary device the second sensor data can be transferred to the first memory comprised in the primary device.

According to an aspect the method further comprising the step of deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory. An advantage with deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory is that new sensor data can be obtained and stored in the second memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example aspects, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

Figure la illustrates the primary device according to an aspect of the disclosure. Figure lb illustrates the secondary device according to an aspect of the disclosure.

Figure lc illustrates the primary device and the secondary device when in connection to each other.

Figure 2a illustrates an exemplary view of the primary device charged using an inductive charger. Figure 2b illustrates an exemplary view of the secondary device on a strap for attaching the secondary device to the body of a person.

Figure 2c illustrates the primary device and the secondary device when in connection to each other.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the primary device and the secondary device when in connection to each other and/or to a server via a communication network.

Figure 4a illustrates an exemplary view of when the primary device and the secondary device are disconnected from each other.

Figure 4b illustrates an exemplary view of when the primary device and the secondary device are being used by two different persons at the same time. Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method steps according to some aspects of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The method, and devices disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only, and is not intended as limiting.

In some implementations and according to some aspects of the disclosure, the functions or steps noted in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession can in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

In the drawings and specification, there are disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these aspects without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Thus, the disclosure should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and not as being limited to the particular aspects discussed above. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware. Devices with sensors for obtaining physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health are often portable electronic devices that need to be worn by the person. Some portable devices with sensors can be attached to different parts of the body, such as over the chest, around a person's wrist, leg or arm by using a e.g. strap, or by using an adhesive surface on the portable device that make the portable device to attach to the skin of the person. The portable device with sensors typically runs on batteries and needs to be charged from time to time in order to operate. When the portable device with sensors is charged the portable device is typically taken off the person and connected to a charger, e.g. put in a charging stand on a table, and hence not able to obtain data that is related to the person's health, since the portable device is not worn by the person. There are also occasions when the person takes off the portable device, e.g. when going to bed or when sporting, since the portable device is sometimes considered too bulky and uncomfortable to use when sleeping or sporting by some persons. In order to measure data that is related to a person's health it is desired that the person is wearing the sensor device as much as possible in order to obtain as much as data as possible, preferably all the time without any interruption of obtaining data. Hence, when the portable device is not worn by the person, then data related to a person's health is not obtained and valuable information gets lost.

In order to obtain data that is related to a person's health including e.g. movements and other data for e.g. predicting a person's risk of falling, a wearable portable device with sensors and computing power is needed. The wearable portable device must be worn by the person as much as possible, preferably 24 hours per day, seven days per week. However, when wearing such portable device, that often have a size that is slightly bigger than a normal watch, there are occasions during the day when the portable device is considered bulky or inconvenient for the user to wear, such as when a person is sleeping or sporting. One problem is that during these occasions the person takes off the device and hence the device cannot then measure the movement and other data of that person for e.g. predicting a risk of falling. The same situation occurs when the batteries of the portable device needs to be charged. Typically the device is then not worn by the user but instead put into a charger or connected to a charging stand.

There is a need for a solution that improves the time when physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health can be obtained, that minimizes the time when the portable device is not worn by the person, in order to not lose any important data of the person wearing the portable device.

In response to this need, the inventor has identified a wearable sensor system solution. As will be described in more detail below. The wearable sensor system disclosed by the inventor comprising a primary device and a secondary device which turns the wearable sensor system into two parts that enables the obtaining of physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health to proceed uninterrupted.

The solution according to some aspects is a flexible, scalable wearable sensor system that is convenient to use at all occasions, also when e.g. sleeping and sporting when other solutions may feel bulky, and that does not need to be removed from the person for charging. The wearable sensor system comprises a primary device and a secondary device that can be attached to each other but that can also be separated which transforms the wearable sensor system into two operating parts that operate together and eliminates the problem with lack of obtaining physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health during e.g. sleeping and charging.

According to an aspect, both the primary device and the secondary device comprises a memory and movement sensors, such as accelerometers and/or other sensors. According to an aspect, the primary device is the main control part that can instruct the secondary device how, when and what to operate when the secondary device is detached from the primary device. In other words obtaining data that is related to a person's health is maintained when the person is wearing only the secondary device that in one example is smaller and not considered bulky by the person wearing the secondary device. According to one aspect the primary device and the secondary device are connected as a "master and slave" connection.

In one example the secondary device is a small device with small bendable batteries, or could according to an aspect be powered by e piezo electric element. In one example the secondary device is charged wirelessly, via inductive charging, from a power source in the primary device when the secondary device is in close contact with the primary device. According to an aspect, the primary device and the secondary device are connected wirelessly via e.g. Bluetooth BLE, iBeacon, Low power WLAN, Wi-Fi HaLow, or similar even if they are not physically connected to each other.

The disclosure proposes a wearable sensor system 50 for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device 100 or a secondary device 200 of the wearable sensor system 50 that will now be described with reference to the Figures. Figures la-lc illustrates the wearable sensor system 50. The wearable sensor system 50 comprises the primary device 100, illustrated in Figure la, and the secondary device 200 illustrated in Figure lb. The Figure lc illustrates the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 when in connection to each other. The primary device 100 comprising a first power source 110 for powering the primary device 100 and for powering a secondary device 200 when connected to the primary device 100. According to an aspect the primary device 100 comprising a first power source 110 configured to power the primary device 100 and configured to power a secondary device 200 when the secondary device 200 is connected to the primary device 100. In other words, power from the first power source 110 can be used for charging the secondary device 200. According to an aspect the primary device 100 further comprising at least a first primary sensor 120a, 120b, 120c configured to obtain first sensor data relating to a person. The primary device 100 further comprising a first memory 130 for storing the first sensor data and second sensor data. According to an aspect the first memory 130 is configured to store the first sensor data and second sensor data. The secondary device 200 comprising a second power source 210 for powering the secondary device 200. According to an aspect the secondary device 200 comprising a second power source 210 configured to power the secondary device 200. According to an aspect, power from the first power source 110 can be used for charging the second power source 210 of the secondary device 200. The secondary device 200 further comprising at least a first secondary sensor 220a, 220b, 220c configured to obtain the second sensor data relating to the person and a second memory 230 for storing the second sensor data. According to an aspect the second memory 230 is configured to store the second sensor data. The secondary device 200 is configured to transfer the second sensor data to the primary device 100 when connected to the primary device 100, and the primary device 100 is configured to receive and store the second sensor data in the first memory 130 of the primary device 100. An advantage is hence that the wearable sensor system 50 enables the obtaining of physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health to proceed uninterrupted since the primary device 100 is configured for powering the secondary device 200 and hence the secondary device 200 can always be worn by the user and obtain second sensor data relating to the person.

According to an aspect the at least first primary sensor 120a, 120b, 120c and the at least first secondary sensor 220a, 220b, 220c can be any of: a motion sensor such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope for detecting movements and/or relative movement, acceleration and position; a temperature sensor, for measuring the temperature; a pulse sensor for measuring the pulse, beats per minute, of a person; a respiration sensor for measuring the breathing of a person; a hygrometer, for measuring the humidity; a barometer, for measuring the air pressure; a light sensor for measuring light conditions; a camera for capturing images and video; a microphone for recording any sound such as voice; a speech recognition sensor, for identifying a person's voice; a compass, for finding a relative direction; a Global Positioning System, GPS, receiver for determining the geographical position; a pressure sensor for e.g. measuring the force on the display or on any other surface of the electronic device 100; a Body Area Network, BAN, sensor for measuring information sent via BAN; a tremor sensor for sensing a body tremor occurring in a human body; a smell sensor, for sensing different smells; a touch screen sensor for input and output of information; or any other sensor.

According to an aspect any of the at least first primary sensor 120a, 120b, 120c or the at least first secondary sensor 220a, 220b, 220c is external to the primary device 100 or the secondary device 200 and connected to the primary device 100 or the secondary device 200 via a wired or wireless connection. In one example the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to have the same type of sensors. In one example the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to have different type of sensors.

According to an aspect, the primary device 100 further comprises a first processing circuitry 102 and/or the secondary device 200 further comprises a second processing circuitry 202. According to an aspect, the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to be connected to each other for controlling the operation of the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 by at least one of the first or the second processing circuitry 102, 202 via any of a device-to-device wireless communication interface or via a device-to-device physical connector interface. In other words the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 can carry out instructions to operate the primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200.

According to an aspect the primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200 further comprising a user interface 400a, 400b as illustrated in Figure 2a and 2b. Figure 2a illustrates an example when the primary device 100 is placed on a wireless charger 500 for inductive charging. Figure 2b illustrates the secondary device 200 together with straps 300a, 300b for attaching the secondary device 200 to the body. The person wearing the primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200 is able to operate the primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200 via the user interface 400a, 400b. According to an aspect, the user interface 400a, 400b is configured for output of information via a display and/or a speaker of primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200. In an example the person wearing the primary device 100 and/or the secondary device 200 is prompted to input personal data such as identification data, health data, body data, and login data before start operation of the wearable sensor system 50. According to an aspect the user interface 400a, 400b is further configured for input of information. According to an aspect the user interface 400a, 400b is any of a touch sensitive display, display combined with a keyboard or a voice controlled user interface.

According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are adapted to be put together in a mechanical connection for robustness and ease of use. According to an aspect the primary device 100 is designed with a recess that is adapted to receive the secondary device 200 when put together. In one example the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are held together with a magnet or any mechanical lock mechanism. According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are put together side by side. According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are put together on top of each other. According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are kept together in a wearable container adapted to fit both the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200.

According to an aspect, as illustrated in Figure lc, the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are in connection to each other via at least one of a device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF, a device-to-device physical connector interface D2D-PCIF or an inductive coupling 1C. According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are in connection to each other via at least one device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF for transferring data and via an inductive coupling 1C connection for transferring energy.

Figure 2c illustrates an example when the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 when are in connection to each other via two device-to-device wireless communication interfaces D2D-WCIF and one inductive coupling 1C connection. In the example illustrated in Figure 2c one device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF1 is used for transferring the second sensor data of the secondary device 200 to the primary device 100, and one device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF2 is used for controlling the operation of the secondary device 200 by transferring operation instructions from the first processing circuitry 102 of the primary device 100 to the second processing circuitry 202 of the secondary device 200. Further, in the example illustrated in Figure 2c the inductive coupling 1C connection is used for transferring power from the first power source 110 of the primary device 100 to charge the second power source 210 of the secondary device 200.

According to an aspect the a device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF is any wireless local area network such as a Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN; Low power Wireless Local Area Network; Bluetooth™; Bluetooth™ Low Energy; ZigBee; Ultra-Wideband; Near Field Communication, NFC; Radio Frequency Identification, RFID; Apple iBeacon; Wi-Fi HaLow; or similar wireless local area network.

In one example the device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF is any of a Radio Frequency Identification technology or Near Field Communication technology. An advantage with using Radio Frequency Identification technology or Near Field Communication technology is that the secondary device 200 needs to be in the proximity of the primary device 100, i.e. in the radio coverage of Radio Frequency Identification technology or Near Field

Communication technology. The radio coverage of Radio Frequency Identification technology is typically in the range of meters. The radio coverage of Near Field Communication technology is typically 1 to 10 centimeters.

According to an aspect the device-to-device physical connector interface D2D-PCIF is any connector standard, pins or any or material enabling physical electrical contact between the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200.

According to an aspect the inductive coupling 1C is any wireless charging technology such as wireless charging according to the Qi standard by the Wireless Power Consortium or any other standard such as Air Fuel Alliance standard or Power Matters Alliance standard. According to an aspect the first power source 110 is powering the second power source 210 via inductive coupling 1C.

According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to be connected to each other for transferring the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 via any of a device-to-device wireless communication interface D2D-WCIF or a device-to-device physical connector interface D2D-PCIF. This is illustrated in Figure lc. This means that the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 can be transferred to the first memory 130, i.e. the sensor data obtained by the secondary device 200 can be transferred to the primary device 100.

According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to be connected to each other for transferring operation instructions from the first processing circuitry 102 to the second processing circuitry 202 to enable the instructions to be carried out when the secondary device 200 is disconnected from the primary device 100. In other words the primary device 100 can be configured to act as a master device and the secondary device 200 can be configured to act as a slave device. The secondary device 200 can hence be instructed how to behave when the secondary device 200 is not in connected to the primary device 100.

According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to be connected to each other via an inductive coupling 1C for transferring energy between the first power source 110 and the second power source 210. According to an aspect the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to be connected to each other via a device-to-device physical connector interface D2D-PCIF for transferring energy between the first power source 110 and the second power source 210. In other words the second power source 210, e.g. the battery of the secondary device 200, can be charged by the energy from first power source 110 of the primary device 100.

According to an aspect the second processing circuitry 202 is configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to disconnect the secondary device 200 from the primary device 100 for disabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130, and obtain second sensor data by the at least first secondary sensor 220a, 220b, 220c comprised in the secondary device 200 and store the obtained second sensor data in the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200. The second processing circuitry 202 is further configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to connect the secondary device 200 to the primary device 100 for enabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 and transfer at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 to the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100. This means that the secondary device 200 can operate on its own and obtain and store second sensor data in the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 and at a later occasion when the primary device 100 is once again connected to the secondary device 200 the second sensor data can be transferred to the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100.

According to an aspect the second processing circuitry 202 is configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to delete the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory 130. An advantage with deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory 130 is that new sensor data can be obtained and stored in the second memory 230.

According to an aspect the first processing circuitry 102 is configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to disconnect the secondary device 200 from the primary device 100 for disabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 and obtain, the first sensor data by the at least first primary sensor 120a, 120b,

120c comprised in the primary device 100 and store the obtained first sensor data in the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100. The first processing circuitry 102 is further configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to connect the secondary device 200 to the primary device 100 for enabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 and receive at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 and store the obtained second sensor data together with the obtained first sensor data in the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100. In other words this means that the primary device 100 can operate on its own and obtain and store first sensor data in the first memory 130 implemented in the primary device 100 and at a later occasion when the primary device 100 is once again connected to the secondary device 200 the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 can be transferred to the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100 to be stored together with the obtained first sensor data in the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100. According to an aspect, as illustrated in Figure 3, the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are configured to communicate with each other and/or with a server 85 via a communication network 80a, 80b, 80c. In one example the communication network 80a, 80b, 80c is a standardized wireless wide area network such as a Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, Extended GSM, General Packet Radio Service, GPRS, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution, EDGE, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution, LTE, Narrowband-loT, 5G, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX or Ultra Mobile Broadband, UMB or similar network. According to an aspect the communication network 80a, 80b, 80c is a standardized wireless local area network such as a Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN; Low power Wireless Local Area Network; Bluetooth™; Bluetooth™ Low Energy; ZigBee; Ultra-Wideband; Near Field Communication, NFC; Radio Frequency Identification, RFID; Apple iBeacon; Wi-Fi HaLow; or similar wireless local area network. The communication network 80a, 80b, 80c can also be a combination of both a local area network and a wide area network. According to some aspects of the disclosure the communication network 50 is defined by common Internet Protocols.

According to an aspect the first processing circuitry 102 is further configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to connect the primary device 100 to the server 85 and transfer at least a copy of the obtained first sensor data and/or second sensor data from first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100 to the server 85.

According to an aspect the second processing circuitry 202 is further configured to cause the wearable sensor system 50 to connect the secondary device 200 to the server 85 and transfer at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 to the server 85.

Figure 4a illustrates an exemplary view of when the primary device and the secondary device are disconnected from each other. In the example in Figure 4a a person is sleeping and is only wearing the secondary device 200 while the primary device 100 is being charged. According to an aspect the secondary device 200 is configured to obtain physiological sensor data in relation to a person's health using less power when disconnected from the primary device 100. In one example the secondary device 200 is obtaining physiological sensor data with a different sampling rate and/or using e.g. only one or a few sensors 220a, 220b, 220c in order to minimize the battery consumption. In one example the secondary device 200 is small device with small bendable batteries. In one example the batteries of the secondary device 200 are incorporated in a strap 300a, 300b attached to the secondary device 200. According to an aspect the secondary device 200 is further powered by a piezo electric element. In one example the secondary device 200.

While the wearable sensor system 50 is configured for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to the person wearing at least one of a primary 100 device or a secondary 200 device, where the person is the same person, the wearable sensor system 50 can also be configured for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a first person wearing the primary 100 device and a second person wearing the secondary 200 device. Figure 4b illustrates an exemplary view of when the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 are being used by two different persons, the first person 1 and the second person 2 at the same time. In one example the wearable sensor system 50 is configured to separate the obtained data from the first person 1 by the primary device 100 from the obtained data from the second person 2 by the secondary device 200. A use case for this kind of usage of the wearable sensor system 50 may e.g. be when two persons are exercising together. This kind of usage may be temporarily and defined in order not to mix the obtained data from different persons. According to an aspect any of the primary device 100 or the secondary device 200 can be paused from obtaining data. This may in particular be useful if e.g. a nurse is carrying the primary device 100 after it has been disconnected from the secondary device 200 that is still worn by a patient. According to an aspect the primary device 100 is configured to be connected to a secondary device 200 of a secondary sensor system 50. According to an aspect the physiological sensor data is associated with an identification data of a primary device 100 or a secondary device 200. In one example a person may use plural different primary devices and/or secondary devices that are associated with that person by the identification data. In one example the identification data is associated with an identity of a certain person. According to an aspect identification data of the secondary device 200 is used as the identification data of a primary device 100 when the primary device 100 is being connected to the secondary device 200. In one example a person may wear the same secondary device 200 but use plural different primary devices. In a hospital for example, a secondary device 200 may be worn by the same person all the time, while different primary devices are used together with that secondary device 200. According to an aspect the identification data of the secondary device 200 is transferred to the primary device 100 for associating the obtained physiological sensor data from both the primary device 100 and the secondary device 200 with the identification data the secondary device 200 after being connected. In other words that primary device is then associated with the identification data until that primary device is in connection with another secondary device, e.g. on another patient.

The disclosure further proposes a method for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device 100 or a secondary device 200 of the wearable sensor system 50. Figure 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method steps according to some aspects of the disclosure. The method comprising the step of SI disconnecting the secondary device 200 from the primary device 100 for disabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 followed by the step of S2 obtaining second sensor data by at least a first secondary sensor 220a, 220b, 220c comprised in the secondary device 200 and the step of S3 storing the obtained second sensor data in a second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200. The method further comprising the step of S4 connecting the secondary device 200 to the primary device 100 for enabling transfer of obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 to the first memory 130 and the step of S5 transferring at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 to the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100. This means that the secondary device 200 can operate on its own and obtain and store second sensor data in the second memory 230 comprised in the secondary device 200 and at a later occasion when the primary device 100 is once again connected to the secondary device 200 the second sensor data can be transferred to the first memory 130 comprised in the primary device 100.

According to an aspect the method further comprising the step of S6 deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory 130. An advantage with deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory 230 when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory 130 is that new sensor data can be obtained and stored in the second memory 230. The disclosure further proposes a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a processing circuitry and configured to cause execution of the method according to any of claims 9 and 10 when the computer program is run by the processing circuitry.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the embodiments being defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A wearable sensor system (50) for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device (100) or a secondary device (200) of the wearable sensor system (50), the wearable sensor system (50) comprising: · the primary device (100), comprising

- a first power source (110) for powering the primary device (100) and a secondary device (200) when connected to the primary device (100);

- at least a first primary sensor (120a, 120b, 120c) configured to obtain first sensor data relating to a person;

- a first memory (130) for storing the first sensor data and second sensor data;

• the secondary device (200), comprising:

- a second power source (210) for powering the secondary device (200);

- at least a first secondary sensor (220a, 220b, 220c) configured to obtain the second sensor data relating to the person;

- a second memory (230) for storing the second sensor data; wherein the secondary device (200) is configured to transfer the second sensor data to the primary device (100) when connected to the primary device (100), and the primary device (100) is configured to receive and store the second sensor data in the first memory (130) of the primary device (100).

2. The wearable sensor system (50) according to claim 1 where in the primary device (100) further comprises a first processing circuitry (102) and/or the secondary device (200) further comprises a second processing circuitry (202).

3. The wearable sensor system (50) according any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary device (100) and the secondary device (200) are configured to be connected to each other for transferring the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) to the first memory (130) via any of a device-to-device wireless communication interface (D2D-WCIF) or a device-to-device physical connector interface (D2D-PCIF).

4. The wearable sensor system (50) according any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary device (100) and the secondary device (200) are configured to be connected to each other for transferring operation instructions from the first processing circuitry

(102) to the second processing circuitry (202) to enable the operation instructions to be carried out when the secondary device (200) is disconnected from the primary device (100).

5. The wearable sensor system (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the primary device (100) and the secondary device (200) are configured to be connected to each other via an inductive coupling transferring energy between the first power source (110) and the second power source (210).

6. The wearable sensor system (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second processing circuitry (202) is configured to cause the wearable sensor system (50) to: disconnect the secondary device (200) from the primary device (100); obtain second sensor data by the at least first secondary sensor (220a, 220b, 220c) comprised in the secondary device (200);

store the obtained second sensor data in the second memory (230) comprised in the secondary device (200);

connect the secondary device (200) to the primary device (100); and transfer at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) comprised in the secondary device (200) to the first memory (130) comprised in the primary device (100).

7. The wearable sensor system (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second processing circuitry (202) is configured to cause the wearable sensor system (50) to: delete the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory (130).

8. The wearable sensor system (50) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first processing circuitry (102) is configured to cause the wearable sensor system (50) to: disconnect the secondary device (200) from the primary device (100); obtain, the first sensor data by the at least first primary sensor (120a, 120b, 120c) comprised in the primary device (100);

store the obtained first sensor data in the first memory (130) comprised in the primary device (100);

connect the secondary device (200) to the primary device (100); and receive at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) comprised in the secondary device (200) and store the obtained second sensor data together with the obtained first sensor data in the first memory (130) comprised in the primary device (100).

9. A method for obtaining and storing physiological sensor data relating to a person wearing at least one of a primary device (100) or a secondary device (200) of the wearable sensor system (50), the method comprising:

(51) disconnecting the secondary device (200) from the primary device

(100);

(52) obtaining second sensor data by at least a first secondary sensor (220a, 220b, 220c) comprised in the secondary device (200);

(53) storing the obtained second sensor data in a second memory (230) comprised in the secondary device (200);

(54) connecting the secondary device (200) to the primary device (100); and

(55) transferring at least a copy of the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) comprised in the secondary device (200) to the first memory (130) comprised in the primary device (100).

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising

(S6) deleting the obtained second sensor data from the second memory (230) when the obtained second sensor data has been transferred to the first memory (130).