CA1207032A - Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection - Google Patents
Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detectionInfo
- Publication number
- CA1207032A CA1207032A CA000430954A CA430954A CA1207032A CA 1207032 A CA1207032 A CA 1207032A CA 000430954 A CA000430954 A CA 000430954A CA 430954 A CA430954 A CA 430954A CA 1207032 A CA1207032 A CA 1207032A
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- Prior art keywords
- responsive
- plethysmograph
- processing
- transducer
- signals
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-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
- A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/04—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for anthropometrical measurements, such as weight, height, strength
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Physiology (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)
- Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection Mrs. Jacqueline BECQUET and Mr. Hervé DENIS
The invention relates to apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection, comprising a plethysmograph measurement device, a unit for processing the signals obtained and a display device for presenting written and/or graphic information.
The technical problem posed is to eliminate as far as possible, sources of errors and, in particular, to avoid movements of the user during the measurement.
According to the invention, the plethysmograph measurement device comprises two identical transducers (32) each associated with a finger of a respective hand, and the processing unit performs a correlation operation on the signals from the respective transducers to eliminate parasitic signals.
The invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for use in public places.
The invention relates to apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection, comprising a plethysmograph measurement device, a unit for processing the signals obtained and a display device for presenting written and/or graphic information.
The technical problem posed is to eliminate as far as possible, sources of errors and, in particular, to avoid movements of the user during the measurement.
According to the invention, the plethysmograph measurement device comprises two identical transducers (32) each associated with a finger of a respective hand, and the processing unit performs a correlation operation on the signals from the respective transducers to eliminate parasitic signals.
The invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for use in public places.
Description
lZ~ 3~
Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection.
The invention relates to apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection, that is to sa~
apparatus enabling pulse rate to be checked without medical knowledge by recording the pulse by a plethysmograph process~
The process consists of registering the change in volume of an or~an or a member under the influence of the variations in size of the blood vessels supplying it.
Appara~us of this kind comprises~ generally spea-I0 king, plethysmograph measurement device, a unit for proces-sing the signals obtained, and a display device presenting written and/or graphic information.
Such apparatus is placed at the disposal of the public and are generally o~ the pay kind, that is to say I5 controlled by a coin operated device.
The user places a finger, for example the index finger of the left hand~ in a transducer and the apparatus delivers a graphic recording of the pulses registered with a clear indication concerning the user's pulse rate and in particular its regularity.
Studies made b-~ cardiological specialists ha~e shown that~ i!. ordcr ~0 ge~ valid nlGrmation, t;~ subj~c~
- must remain immobile during the whole test. Arm and hand ~
movements are frequent causes of error and there is a risk in this case of giving false information to the user who can be alarmed when in fact his pulse rate is correct.
Now this apparatus may be placed in public places where it is difficult to obtain calm and user immobility even during some instants.
~0 Moreover~ the environmen~ of the apparatus often comprises many sources of parasites which may be confused with the signals made by the transducer~ which can also be a source of error.
Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection.
The invention relates to apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection, that is to sa~
apparatus enabling pulse rate to be checked without medical knowledge by recording the pulse by a plethysmograph process~
The process consists of registering the change in volume of an or~an or a member under the influence of the variations in size of the blood vessels supplying it.
Appara~us of this kind comprises~ generally spea-I0 king, plethysmograph measurement device, a unit for proces-sing the signals obtained, and a display device presenting written and/or graphic information.
Such apparatus is placed at the disposal of the public and are generally o~ the pay kind, that is to say I5 controlled by a coin operated device.
The user places a finger, for example the index finger of the left hand~ in a transducer and the apparatus delivers a graphic recording of the pulses registered with a clear indication concerning the user's pulse rate and in particular its regularity.
Studies made b-~ cardiological specialists ha~e shown that~ i!. ordcr ~0 ge~ valid nlGrmation, t;~ subj~c~
- must remain immobile during the whole test. Arm and hand ~
movements are frequent causes of error and there is a risk in this case of giving false information to the user who can be alarmed when in fact his pulse rate is correct.
Now this apparatus may be placed in public places where it is difficult to obtain calm and user immobility even during some instants.
~0 Moreover~ the environmen~ of the apparatus often comprises many sources of parasites which may be confused with the signals made by the transducer~ which can also be a source of error.
2.
1X~0~Y03;~ ~
It is then necessary to des ~n an apparatus for checking pulse rate which enables measurement to be made in better conditions~ by eliminating parasitic signals as far as possible. For this it is desi~able to guide khe S user so that he observes the conditions o~ use.
Also, it is essential to give correct informa-tion to ~he user, which is important in ~this ~ièld/ and in particular it should be avoided that, when a measurement cannot be made correctly, incorrect information is given.
I0 The present inven'ion provides apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmographic detection, compri-sing plethysmograpnic sensing means~ processin~ means for processing signals produced by said sensing means, and indicator means for giving an indication relating to ~he I5 pulse, wherein said sensing means comprises first and second plethysmosraph transducer means for sensing the pulse in ~ingers of respective hands, said processing means being arranged to perform a correlation between signals coming from the respective transducer means whereby to fil~er out parasitic signals.
As the measurement is made on both the user's hands~ the user is immobilised and calmed by fixi~g his al entio~ the appaI~u3; this already-eli..linat~s ~.ah~ ~
possibilities for measurement errors. Also, the correlation performed between signals from the t~ro transducers, which are preferably strictly identical~ enables most parasitic signals to be eliminated.
~ According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus includes position responsive means responsive 3o to incorrect positionlng of a finger on said transducer means, said processing means being responsive to said posi-tion responsive means to cause said indicator means to present instructions guiding the user to correct the finger position.
This feature enables better measurement conditions to be obtained and consequently give more valid information to the user.
According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus includes proximity detector means responsive to a person approached to the apparatus, said processing means being responsive to said proximity detector means to cause said indicator means to present instructions for the use of the apparatus.
In this way the user may be fully guided which enables the measurement to be made on a person who is calm~
IO that is to say to obtain information on the normal pulse rate of the user.
Advantageously said processing means is respon-siv~ to first pulses detected to define a time window for ap~earance of subsequent pulses, and is selectively respon-I5 sive to the appearance of pulses wlthin said time windo~r.
Preferably processing means is responsive to a single absence of detected pulses in a time window to create a substltute signal, and is responsive to repeated absences of detected pulse in time windows to halt measurements, avoid indicating measurement results and indicate the pre-mature halt of measurement.
The fact of only indicating measu~ement results if the measurement has been performed in a secure manner is important, since i~ avoids the user having erroneous infor-mation which would risk alarming him ~or no reasons; it is indicated merely that the measurement has not been performed~
Other features and advantages o~ the invention will appear from the following description given by way of exa~ple onl~y with re~erence to the :accompanying drawings ~0 in which : _ - Fig I is a perspective view of a pulse checking apparatus in accordance with the invention;
- Fig 2 is a schematic diagram of constltuent elements of the apparatus; and - Fig ~ is a plan view of posltion transducers in an embodiment of the apparatus of Fig I.
Fig I is a general view from outside of an embodiment of pulse checking apparatus in accordance with ~7(:~32 the prasent in~ention;
The apparatus of Fig I comprises a main body I
on which is disposed a housing 21 above which is mounted a display panel 3. The panel 3 is connected to the body I
by a column 4. The apparatus is operable in response to pa~ment and comprises a coin operated device 5 and coin return chute ~.
The top 7 of the housing 2 presents a table on which are drawn two hands 8 and 9 facilitating the posi-IO tioning of the user's hands. A respective transducer (not shown) is disposed under the position of a finger of each hand. The two transducers are of similar kind, and indeed substantially identical; they may be of any known kind suitable for performing a plethysmograph operation, that I5 is to say optical infrared transducers or~ultrasonic trans-ducers for example. If infrared transducers are used, the coupllng wi~h the finger may be made through a special lens proiecting slightly above the table 7.
The display comprises ~ el~ments : a first element II for communicating informa~ion to the user, comprising for example a graphic display of the recorded pulse indi-cating the measurement made (frequency and regularit~ of the cardiogram). On the table 7, a numeric display I2 is provided, such as a 7 segment, ~ ligure display, indicating the pulse rate.
Lastly, the display panel ~ comprises a central display I~ for indicating messages to the user, and which may be surrounded by inscriptions and graphics forming an attention-ca~ching design for the public. The inscriptions ancl graphics are preferably luminous, and their lighting, continuous or flashing, is controlled by an electronic proces-sing unit disposed in the housing 2.
The central display T~ for messages may comprise any suitable known device such as a television screen or magnetoscope. Advantageously, a microprocessor~ described below, initiates the m2ssages for self-guiding according to well known principles of sequencing characters.
~7~3~ ,f, In an embodiment of the in~rention, the display I3 comprises a ground glass screen recei-~ring images supplied by a transparency proJector disposed in the housing. These images are transmitted by an optical ref]ecting system of known kind using the column 4 for transmitting the light beams. Advantageously, ~he transparencies to be projected are placed flat on the edge of a circular disc driven by a - stepwise motor controlled by the processor unit.
The images presented on the screen I3 may also I0 be obtained from electronically recorded phorographs suc'n as tnose recently advertised in the press.
The device II providing written in~ormation II
advantageously comprises a semic-graphic printer fed auto-matically with pre-folded paper. As seen belowl such written - I5 information is only produced at the end of the measurement.
Fig 2 shows schematically the control unit of the apparatus in the embodiment of the invention. It comprises essentially a processing unit 2I which may be a cabled logic device or a microprocessor with a memor~ 22.
A supply 23 connected to the electrical mains network supplies the electrical energy needed for all the elements of the control unit. The control unit receives da~a coming from the coin operated device 5 and the trans-dl~ er~ (~horn at 24) and i~ controls a device Il ~ro~uci~g 25 - the written information, the numeric displays I2, the display panel 3 and ~he image projector 25 formed ~or example by a transparency projector associated with a disc supporting transparencies, as indicated above.
In accordance with this embodiment of the inven-~0 tion, the two plethysmograph transducers are stri~ly identical. They are ef~ectively connected -in parallel and the measurement is made simultaneously on both hands. The microprocessor per~orms a correlation operation on the two signals obtained so as to eliminate parasitic signals.
In accordance with this embodiment o~ the inven-tion, position transducers are provided which are associated .. . ... .... .. ... ..... . . . .
6.
i ~7~3;~
with each of the plethysmograph transducers and the~r signals are sent to the microprocessor which, wnen a inger is out of position controls the display of ins-truction asking the user to place his hands better. The position transducers may comprise two all-or~nothing transducers ~I, as shown in Fig 3, disposed on each side of each plethysmograph transducer 32. The correct pos-ltion-ing of the fingers may also be detected by means of the plethysmograph transducers themselves, especially if they I0 are optical transducers.
The display of instructions for correctly positioning the hands can be completed by luminous symbols such as arrows 33 as shown in Fi~ 3.
The pulse checking apparatus of the invention I5 may also comprise a proximi.y detector (not shown) which detects the presence of a person near to the apparatus, within a I metre zone, for example. This transducer may be of any suitable known type : by way of example, ultra-sonic devices may be used which are analogous to those used in automatically setting .he focus of photographic came-ras;
another suitable de~ice is available under the name "Space Detector" comprising a radio transmitter disposed, with its aerial a~ the back of the apparatus and a receiver aerial at the front~ the detection being performed by the coupling.
between the aerials.
In accordance with this example of the lnvention, the programme recorded in the memory 22 processes the signals corresponding to the first pulses detected (for example 4 or 5) and defines by calculation a "window" for the appear-ance of the following signals, that is ~o say a time interval during which the signal is to arrive. A "hunt" is then performed for the following signals, consisting in checking the appearance of the followlng signals in the windows calculated previously. If one signal does not appear, it is recreated b~ the programme. If another one is missing, the ~ 7-
1X~0~Y03;~ ~
It is then necessary to des ~n an apparatus for checking pulse rate which enables measurement to be made in better conditions~ by eliminating parasitic signals as far as possible. For this it is desi~able to guide khe S user so that he observes the conditions o~ use.
Also, it is essential to give correct informa-tion to ~he user, which is important in ~this ~ièld/ and in particular it should be avoided that, when a measurement cannot be made correctly, incorrect information is given.
I0 The present inven'ion provides apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmographic detection, compri-sing plethysmograpnic sensing means~ processin~ means for processing signals produced by said sensing means, and indicator means for giving an indication relating to ~he I5 pulse, wherein said sensing means comprises first and second plethysmosraph transducer means for sensing the pulse in ~ingers of respective hands, said processing means being arranged to perform a correlation between signals coming from the respective transducer means whereby to fil~er out parasitic signals.
As the measurement is made on both the user's hands~ the user is immobilised and calmed by fixi~g his al entio~ the appaI~u3; this already-eli..linat~s ~.ah~ ~
possibilities for measurement errors. Also, the correlation performed between signals from the t~ro transducers, which are preferably strictly identical~ enables most parasitic signals to be eliminated.
~ According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus includes position responsive means responsive 3o to incorrect positionlng of a finger on said transducer means, said processing means being responsive to said posi-tion responsive means to cause said indicator means to present instructions guiding the user to correct the finger position.
This feature enables better measurement conditions to be obtained and consequently give more valid information to the user.
According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus includes proximity detector means responsive to a person approached to the apparatus, said processing means being responsive to said proximity detector means to cause said indicator means to present instructions for the use of the apparatus.
In this way the user may be fully guided which enables the measurement to be made on a person who is calm~
IO that is to say to obtain information on the normal pulse rate of the user.
Advantageously said processing means is respon-siv~ to first pulses detected to define a time window for ap~earance of subsequent pulses, and is selectively respon-I5 sive to the appearance of pulses wlthin said time windo~r.
Preferably processing means is responsive to a single absence of detected pulses in a time window to create a substltute signal, and is responsive to repeated absences of detected pulse in time windows to halt measurements, avoid indicating measurement results and indicate the pre-mature halt of measurement.
The fact of only indicating measu~ement results if the measurement has been performed in a secure manner is important, since i~ avoids the user having erroneous infor-mation which would risk alarming him ~or no reasons; it is indicated merely that the measurement has not been performed~
Other features and advantages o~ the invention will appear from the following description given by way of exa~ple onl~y with re~erence to the :accompanying drawings ~0 in which : _ - Fig I is a perspective view of a pulse checking apparatus in accordance with the invention;
- Fig 2 is a schematic diagram of constltuent elements of the apparatus; and - Fig ~ is a plan view of posltion transducers in an embodiment of the apparatus of Fig I.
Fig I is a general view from outside of an embodiment of pulse checking apparatus in accordance with ~7(:~32 the prasent in~ention;
The apparatus of Fig I comprises a main body I
on which is disposed a housing 21 above which is mounted a display panel 3. The panel 3 is connected to the body I
by a column 4. The apparatus is operable in response to pa~ment and comprises a coin operated device 5 and coin return chute ~.
The top 7 of the housing 2 presents a table on which are drawn two hands 8 and 9 facilitating the posi-IO tioning of the user's hands. A respective transducer (not shown) is disposed under the position of a finger of each hand. The two transducers are of similar kind, and indeed substantially identical; they may be of any known kind suitable for performing a plethysmograph operation, that I5 is to say optical infrared transducers or~ultrasonic trans-ducers for example. If infrared transducers are used, the coupllng wi~h the finger may be made through a special lens proiecting slightly above the table 7.
The display comprises ~ el~ments : a first element II for communicating informa~ion to the user, comprising for example a graphic display of the recorded pulse indi-cating the measurement made (frequency and regularit~ of the cardiogram). On the table 7, a numeric display I2 is provided, such as a 7 segment, ~ ligure display, indicating the pulse rate.
Lastly, the display panel ~ comprises a central display I~ for indicating messages to the user, and which may be surrounded by inscriptions and graphics forming an attention-ca~ching design for the public. The inscriptions ancl graphics are preferably luminous, and their lighting, continuous or flashing, is controlled by an electronic proces-sing unit disposed in the housing 2.
The central display T~ for messages may comprise any suitable known device such as a television screen or magnetoscope. Advantageously, a microprocessor~ described below, initiates the m2ssages for self-guiding according to well known principles of sequencing characters.
~7~3~ ,f, In an embodiment of the in~rention, the display I3 comprises a ground glass screen recei-~ring images supplied by a transparency proJector disposed in the housing. These images are transmitted by an optical ref]ecting system of known kind using the column 4 for transmitting the light beams. Advantageously, ~he transparencies to be projected are placed flat on the edge of a circular disc driven by a - stepwise motor controlled by the processor unit.
The images presented on the screen I3 may also I0 be obtained from electronically recorded phorographs suc'n as tnose recently advertised in the press.
The device II providing written in~ormation II
advantageously comprises a semic-graphic printer fed auto-matically with pre-folded paper. As seen belowl such written - I5 information is only produced at the end of the measurement.
Fig 2 shows schematically the control unit of the apparatus in the embodiment of the invention. It comprises essentially a processing unit 2I which may be a cabled logic device or a microprocessor with a memor~ 22.
A supply 23 connected to the electrical mains network supplies the electrical energy needed for all the elements of the control unit. The control unit receives da~a coming from the coin operated device 5 and the trans-dl~ er~ (~horn at 24) and i~ controls a device Il ~ro~uci~g 25 - the written information, the numeric displays I2, the display panel 3 and ~he image projector 25 formed ~or example by a transparency projector associated with a disc supporting transparencies, as indicated above.
In accordance with this embodiment of the inven-~0 tion, the two plethysmograph transducers are stri~ly identical. They are ef~ectively connected -in parallel and the measurement is made simultaneously on both hands. The microprocessor per~orms a correlation operation on the two signals obtained so as to eliminate parasitic signals.
In accordance with this embodiment o~ the inven-tion, position transducers are provided which are associated .. . ... .... .. ... ..... . . . .
6.
i ~7~3;~
with each of the plethysmograph transducers and the~r signals are sent to the microprocessor which, wnen a inger is out of position controls the display of ins-truction asking the user to place his hands better. The position transducers may comprise two all-or~nothing transducers ~I, as shown in Fig 3, disposed on each side of each plethysmograph transducer 32. The correct pos-ltion-ing of the fingers may also be detected by means of the plethysmograph transducers themselves, especially if they I0 are optical transducers.
The display of instructions for correctly positioning the hands can be completed by luminous symbols such as arrows 33 as shown in Fi~ 3.
The pulse checking apparatus of the invention I5 may also comprise a proximi.y detector (not shown) which detects the presence of a person near to the apparatus, within a I metre zone, for example. This transducer may be of any suitable known type : by way of example, ultra-sonic devices may be used which are analogous to those used in automatically setting .he focus of photographic came-ras;
another suitable de~ice is available under the name "Space Detector" comprising a radio transmitter disposed, with its aerial a~ the back of the apparatus and a receiver aerial at the front~ the detection being performed by the coupling.
between the aerials.
In accordance with this example of the lnvention, the programme recorded in the memory 22 processes the signals corresponding to the first pulses detected (for example 4 or 5) and defines by calculation a "window" for the appear-ance of the following signals, that is ~o say a time interval during which the signal is to arrive. A "hunt" is then performed for the following signals, consisting in checking the appearance of the followlng signals in the windows calculated previously. If one signal does not appear, it is recreated b~ the programme. If another one is missing, the ~ 7-
3~20~3~ i -processor uni~ halts the msasurement, blocks the ~ssue of the written information of the device II, informs the user by means of the screen I3 that the measurement could not be performed and returns the money paid by the user. To th1s end~ the coin operated device is of the kind having three ways, enabling the rejection o~ false coins, the reJection of coins when the measurement cannot be effected, and the acceptance of the coins at the end of a measurement;
This method of p.ocessin~ the signals enables I0 secure in~ormation to be obtained. Indeed, the disappear-ance Or one pulse can be due to a movement of the user;
however, if more than one is missing, it may be a case of a cardiac anomaly but also a mistake in manipulation made b~ the user and, in this case, false information MUSt not I5 be given which might create an unjustified fear in the user.
According ~o a feature of the inventionJ the display device I~ is used to present advertising messages hen ~he appa-ratus is not being used. This presentation is ~riggered off by the nalt of the measurement, and is inter-rupted by the arrival of a person near to the apparatus.
This interruption is obtained from the proximity detector mentioned above whose signals, processed by the microproces-sor control t~e halt of t~e presentation o~ advertisin~ me.s-sages.
The operation of the apparatus described above is as follows : -If there is no measurement~ and if no one is close by, a luminous call message is displayed on the dis-play panel, for example in the top part I4~ and the lumi-3 nous graphics, such as a symbolic heart and cardiograms are displayed at I5 and I6 on respective sides of the screen.
These call displays are preferably flashing. The screen I3 presents advertising messaGes derived from the transparency pro;ector.
When a person approaches the apparatus, his presence is detected by the proximity det ector which causes .q lZ~7(~32 ~
the pro~ection on the screen I3 of a first instruction, indicating for ex~.aple the number of coins to be intro-duced. As the coins are introduced, the number of coins left to introduce is modified. If the operation is faulty, an instruction to actuate the coin ret~rn~button of the coin~
operated device appears; this can be accompanied by the flashing of a fell-tale light disposed beside the button.
- If payment has been correctly made~ the screen projects a message for the posit~oning of khe hands and~
I0 in order to calm the customer, the flashing of the call displays I4, I5 and I6 can be halted so that they remain permanently alight. If the fingers are wrongly positioned, the position transducers associated with the plethysmo-graph transducers 32 send a correspo~ding signal to the I5 microprocessor, which controls the projection of an ins-truction for correctly placing the hands with the corres-ponding arrow 33 flashing.
If the measurement can be performed, in parti-cular if the absence of no more than one pulse is detected, the screen displays an instruction to take the print out of the recording, the number displa~Js I2 indicate the pulse rate, and the printer produces a ticket to the user.
If the measurement is incorrect, a message is prese~ted indicating the impossibility of making the mea-surement and asking the user to get his money ba~k.
';rnen the user has left the apparatus, the proxi-mity detector controls the presentation of advertising messages and the resumption of the ~lashing of the call messages.
All the instruction messages preferably comprise a written part and a meaningful graphic symbol (view of the coin operated device, view of a hand and so on); moreover, they are accompanied by suitable tell-tale lights ~lashing, indicating the element to actuate ~ such as the arrows 33.
This enables the usage by any uniformed public, even foreigners.
~2~71~
The apparatus according to this ernbodiment of the invention is made in modular fashion, in par~icular concerning the electronic control device~ whose dif~erent modules can be plugged in; this gives rapid maintenance, in particular, it must be possible to load khe transpa-rency support rapidly in order to change the instruction messages and the advertisements. The operating programme can be easily modified by replacing the rnemory 22. In particular, the messages and recordings supplied to usars must be readily changeable as a function of the language of the user col~mtry.
The above description has only been given b~
way of purely non-limitative exarnple, and it is clear that modifications and variants can ba made without departing from.~he scope of the present invention.
This method of p.ocessin~ the signals enables I0 secure in~ormation to be obtained. Indeed, the disappear-ance Or one pulse can be due to a movement of the user;
however, if more than one is missing, it may be a case of a cardiac anomaly but also a mistake in manipulation made b~ the user and, in this case, false information MUSt not I5 be given which might create an unjustified fear in the user.
According ~o a feature of the inventionJ the display device I~ is used to present advertising messages hen ~he appa-ratus is not being used. This presentation is ~riggered off by the nalt of the measurement, and is inter-rupted by the arrival of a person near to the apparatus.
This interruption is obtained from the proximity detector mentioned above whose signals, processed by the microproces-sor control t~e halt of t~e presentation o~ advertisin~ me.s-sages.
The operation of the apparatus described above is as follows : -If there is no measurement~ and if no one is close by, a luminous call message is displayed on the dis-play panel, for example in the top part I4~ and the lumi-3 nous graphics, such as a symbolic heart and cardiograms are displayed at I5 and I6 on respective sides of the screen.
These call displays are preferably flashing. The screen I3 presents advertising messaGes derived from the transparency pro;ector.
When a person approaches the apparatus, his presence is detected by the proximity det ector which causes .q lZ~7(~32 ~
the pro~ection on the screen I3 of a first instruction, indicating for ex~.aple the number of coins to be intro-duced. As the coins are introduced, the number of coins left to introduce is modified. If the operation is faulty, an instruction to actuate the coin ret~rn~button of the coin~
operated device appears; this can be accompanied by the flashing of a fell-tale light disposed beside the button.
- If payment has been correctly made~ the screen projects a message for the posit~oning of khe hands and~
I0 in order to calm the customer, the flashing of the call displays I4, I5 and I6 can be halted so that they remain permanently alight. If the fingers are wrongly positioned, the position transducers associated with the plethysmo-graph transducers 32 send a correspo~ding signal to the I5 microprocessor, which controls the projection of an ins-truction for correctly placing the hands with the corres-ponding arrow 33 flashing.
If the measurement can be performed, in parti-cular if the absence of no more than one pulse is detected, the screen displays an instruction to take the print out of the recording, the number displa~Js I2 indicate the pulse rate, and the printer produces a ticket to the user.
If the measurement is incorrect, a message is prese~ted indicating the impossibility of making the mea-surement and asking the user to get his money ba~k.
';rnen the user has left the apparatus, the proxi-mity detector controls the presentation of advertising messages and the resumption of the ~lashing of the call messages.
All the instruction messages preferably comprise a written part and a meaningful graphic symbol (view of the coin operated device, view of a hand and so on); moreover, they are accompanied by suitable tell-tale lights ~lashing, indicating the element to actuate ~ such as the arrows 33.
This enables the usage by any uniformed public, even foreigners.
~2~71~
The apparatus according to this ernbodiment of the invention is made in modular fashion, in par~icular concerning the electronic control device~ whose dif~erent modules can be plugged in; this gives rapid maintenance, in particular, it must be possible to load khe transpa-rency support rapidly in order to change the instruction messages and the advertisements. The operating programme can be easily modified by replacing the rnemory 22. In particular, the messages and recordings supplied to usars must be readily changeable as a function of the language of the user col~mtry.
The above description has only been given b~
way of purely non-limitative exarnple, and it is clear that modifications and variants can ba made without departing from.~he scope of the present invention.
Claims (9)
- The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
I. Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethys-mographic detection, comprising plethysmographic sensing means, processing means for processing signals produced by said sensing means, and indicator means for giving an indication relating to the pulse, wherein said sensing means comprises first and second plethysmograph transducer means for sensing the pulse in fingers of respective hands, said processing means being arranged to perform a correlation between signals coming from the respective transducer means whereby to filter out parasitic signals. - 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I including position responsive means responsive to incorrect posi-tioning of a finger on said transducer means, said proces-sing means being responsive to said position responsive means to cause said indicator means to present instructions guiding the user to correct the finger position.
- 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, including proximity detector means responsive to a person approached to the apparatus, said processing means being responsive to said proximity detector means to cause said indicator means to present instructions for the use of the apparatus.
- 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I, wherein said processing means is responsive to first pulses detected to define a time window for appearance of subse-quent pulses, and is selectively responsive to the appea-rance of pulses within said time window.
- 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said processing means is responsive to a single absence of detected pulses in a time window to create a substitute signal, and is responsive to repeated absences of detected pulse in time windows to halt measurements, avoid indi-cating measurement results and indicate the premature halt of measurement.
- 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said plethysmograph transducer means comprise respective infrared optical detectors.
- 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said position responsive means comprise respective pairs of all-or-nothing transducers, the transducers of each pair being disposed on each side of a respective plethys-mograph transducer means.
- 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said position responsive means is responsive to said plethys-mograph transducer means, whereby to respond to incorrect positioning of a finger.
- 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said processing means is responsive to said proximity detector means to cause said indicator means to present alternative messages when no person is within range of the apparatus.
IO. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said proximity detector means comprises ultrasonic detector means.
II. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said proximity detector means comprises radio transmission and reception means including aerial means whose coupling is sensitive to the proximity of a person.
I2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said processing means comprises a programmable micropro-cessor comprising programme memory means.
I3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said indicator means comprises a screen, and projector means for projecting onto said screen images from transparencies.
I4. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said indicator means comprises a television screen.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8211516 | 1982-06-30 | ||
| FR8211516A FR2529453A1 (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-06-30 | APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE HEART RATE WITH PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC DETECTION |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1207032A true CA1207032A (en) | 1986-07-02 |
Family
ID=9275565
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000430954A Expired CA1207032A (en) | 1982-06-30 | 1983-06-22 | Apparatus for checking pulse rate by plethysmograph detection |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0098222A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5946938A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1207032A (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2529453A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6198234A (en) * | 1984-10-18 | 1986-05-16 | オムロン株式会社 | Vendor for measuring health degree |
| FR2589712A2 (en) * | 1985-09-18 | 1987-05-15 | Becquet Jacqueline | APPARATUS FOR MONITORING THE HEART RATE WITH PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC DETECTION |
| RU2154301C2 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2000-08-10 | Многопрофильное предприятие ООО "Элсис" | Dactylographic image identifying system |
| FR2761179B1 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 1999-05-07 | Sagem | SECURE FINGERPRINT READER |
| FR2761180B1 (en) * | 1997-08-07 | 1999-05-07 | Sagem | SECURE FINGERPRINT READER |
| JP4631144B2 (en) * | 2000-09-29 | 2011-02-16 | オムロンヘルスケア株式会社 | ADVERTISING METHOD, ADVERTISING SYSTEM, AND AUTOMATIC PRESSURE MEASURING DEVICE |
| JP5685798B2 (en) * | 2008-01-25 | 2015-03-18 | 公立大学法人首都大学東京 | Presence detection device and presence detection system |
| US20150181840A1 (en) * | 2013-12-31 | 2015-07-02 | i4c Innovations Inc. | Ultra-Wideband Radar System for Animals |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH286667A (en) * | 1948-02-28 | 1952-10-31 | Koechlin Renaud | Medical control device. |
| FR1268877A (en) * | 1959-10-03 | 1961-08-04 | Heart Function Checker | |
| BE789647R (en) * | 1971-10-12 | 1973-02-01 | Int Contacts Inventors Anstalt | |
| GB1404241A (en) * | 1971-10-12 | 1975-08-28 | Int Contact Inventors Anstalt | Apparatus for detecting cardiovascular diseases |
| US3841314A (en) * | 1973-07-16 | 1974-10-15 | R Page | Pulse activity indicator |
| CH621056A5 (en) * | 1980-03-05 | 1981-01-15 | Mueller Willy | |
| DE3040524A1 (en) * | 1980-10-28 | 1982-05-27 | Microtec Electronic GmbH, 8033 Martinsried | Portable pulse monitor - has light emitter and detector positioned on either side of ear lobe |
-
1982
- 1982-06-30 FR FR8211516A patent/FR2529453A1/en active Granted
-
1983
- 1983-06-22 CA CA000430954A patent/CA1207032A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-06-27 EP EP83401321A patent/EP0098222A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1983-06-28 JP JP58116809A patent/JPS5946938A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2529453B1 (en) | 1985-04-19 |
| FR2529453A1 (en) | 1984-01-06 |
| EP0098222A1 (en) | 1984-01-11 |
| JPS5946938A (en) | 1984-03-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |