GB2419946A

GB2419946A - Mobile phone headset with microphone for measuring cardiac function of user

Info

Publication number: GB2419946A
Application number: GB0424485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marco Hugo Gaspar Gois
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-04
Filing date: 2004-11-04
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Also published as: GB0424485D0

Abstract

A microphone 22 of a mobile communications device 11 captures an audio signal responsive to blood flow noise in the ears of a user. The microphone 22 may be the microphone of a wired or wireless headset 12, or the microphone of the mobile phone 11. Alternatively, the microphone 22 only captures the user's voice and a second microphone is provided to capture the blood flow noise. The audio signal is processed to determine cardiac information of the user (eg instantaneous or average heart pulse rate). The cardiac function may be displayed on the display of the mobile phone, either numerically or graphically. When a call is taking place, cardiac monitoring is performed during silent periods. Alternatively, monitoring is performed when a call is not taking place. The mobile phone stores the cardiac data for transfer to a remote processing device.

Description

MOBILE RADIO COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a mobile radio communication apparatus and, in particular, to a cardiac monitoring apparatus for use with a mobile radio communication apparatus.

Cardiac monitors for monitoring the cardiac function of individuals are well known. Such cardiac monitors are popular with individuals participating in physical or sporting activities, and can provide feedback relating to cardiac function to the individual both during, or after completion of, such activities.

EP 1188412 discloses a device which comprises a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor and an overall system for monitoring cardiac function of a patient. The portable ECG monitor comprises an ECG monitor and a mobile radio communication device is arranged to transmit the user's ECG data to a centralised data-handling facility such as found at a hospital.

However, such a device requires the attachment of monitoring devices to a user. Further, the ECG monitor merely collects data which is then forwarded to the central facility for final processing by the mobile radio communication apparatus. Finally, this device requires both a mobile radio communication apparatus and an ECG monitor.

The present invention seeks to provide for a mobile radio communication apparatus having advantages over known such apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile radio communication apparatus having: a first input transducer for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the apparatus and a first output transducer driven by an audio signal received at the apparatus and for generating an audible output from the apparatus, wherein the said input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus, and the apparatus further includes processing means for determining cardiac information of the user on the basis of the said blood flow noise.

An advantage of such an apparatus is that the weight of the elements in the apparatus is low because the apparatus makes use of the standard features of mobile radio communication apparatus. Such a reduction in weight is particularly beneficial to a user who carries the apparatus whilst participating in physical/sporting activities.

Preferably, said first output transducer comprises a loudspeaker.

Further, said first input transducer comprises a microphone.

Conveniently, said cardiac information of said user relates to measurement of a heart pulse-rate of said user.

In particular, said processing means is arranged to calculate both instantaneous and average heart pulse-rates.

Also, said apparatus is arranged to measure cardiac function of said user at all times except during a period where a conversation is conducted via said apparatus.

Preferably, said apparatus is arranged such that when said user is conducting a conversation via said mobile radio communication apparatus, the apparatus conducts measurement of cardiac function during silent periods in said conversation.

Further, said apparatus comprises a mobile phone.

Conveniently, said apparatus further comprises a headset comprising a second input transducer for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the headset; a second output transducer driven by an audio signal received at the apparatus from said mobile phone and for generating an audible output from the headset, wherein the said second input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus; and a wireless interface for communicating with that part of the apparatus having the said input and output transducers.

In particular, said interface of said headset comprises a local wireless connectivity transceiver.

Also, said second output transducer comprises a loudspeaker.

Preferably, said second input transducer comprises a microphone.

The apparatus advantageously includes local wireless connectivity transceiver means for providing the said interface.

Conveniently, said headset further comprises a user interface for adjusting the volume of said audible output.

Further, said user interface is also arranged for adjusting the sensitivity of said second input transducer.

If required, a display means is provided and arranged to display the cardiac function measurements.

In particular, said mobile radio communication apparatus is arranged such that said cardiac function measurements are displayed graphically on said display means.

Preferably, said mobile radio communication apparatus is arranged such that said cardiac function measurements are displayed numerically on said display means.

Conveniently, said headset further comprises a third input transducer of the apparatus for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the headset.

Further, said second input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus only, and the third input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to a voice of the user only.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining cardiac information including the step of monitoring blood flow noise by means of a mobile radio communication device having an input transducer for developing an audio signal responsive to such noise, and means for processing the said audio signal so as to determine the said cardiac information.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring cardiac function of a user, using the apparatus as mentioned above, and comprising the steps of: determining if said apparatus is active; determining if said user is conducting a conversation using said mobile radio communication apparatus; and if it is determined that a conversation is occurring, detecting for a silent period in said conversation before measuring cardiac function of said user; if it is determined that no such conversation is occurring, measuring the cardiac function of said user.

Preferably, said method further comprises the steps of: establishing if the user is using a mobile phone only, or a combination of mobile phone and headset; if it is established that a combination of mobile phone and headset is being used, determining if a communication link is established between said headset and said mobile phone before the step of determining if said user is conducting a conversation using said mobile radio communication apparatus.

Conveniently, said method further comprises the step of calculating, from measurements of the cardiac function of said user, an instant and/or average heart pulse-rate of said user.

Also, said method further comprises the step of displaying, on a display means of said mobile phone, measurements of the cardiac function of said user.

In particular, said measurements of the cardiac function of a user are displayed graphically.

Further, said measurements of the cardiac function of a user are displayed numerically.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, having thereon: processor implementable instructions for controlling a processor to implement the above method.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program element comprising computer program code means to make the computer execute the above method.

Preferably, said computer program element is embodied on a computer readable medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is to make the computer execute the above method.

The present invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a mobile radio communication device and headset of an apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the mobile radio communication device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the headset of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of the steps carried out by the mobile radio communication device and the headset to monitor cardiac function of a user.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a mobile radio communication device, such as a mobile phone 11 and a detailed view of a headset 12. The headset 12 is arranged for wireless communication with the mobile phone 11 and comprises an ear clip 20 to enable a user to attach the headset 12 to the head by securing the ear clip 20 to the ear. Such wireless communication can be provided in accordance with any local communication standard e.g. Bluetooth. The headset 12 further comprises an earpiece 21 which houses an audio transducer (not shown), said earpiece 21 being shaped such that, in use, it rests adjacent the ear canal of the user when the ear clip 20 is in the desired position in the ear. Audio is then relayed to the user from the earpiece 21 directly into the ear. The headset also comprises an arm carrying a microphone element 22 at its extremity, which extends from the ear clip 20 and earpiece 21 array. Also, the microphone element 22 is arranged such that, in use, the microphone element 22 extends from the ear of the user towards the mouth of the user. Such an arrangement means that the microphone (not shown) housed within the microphone element 22 is in a position suitable to capture vocal sounds emitted by the user.

An audio signal received by the mobile phone 11 is relayed to the headset 12 and subsequently converted to an audible output by earpiece 21.

As mentioned, the mobile phone 11 and the headset 12 are connected by a wireless link 23, such as a Bluetooth connection. The mobile phone 11 is provided with a local wireless connectivity transceiver 24 for transmitting (and receiving) signals to (and from) said headset 12 and for allowing communication via the mobile phone network.

The headset 12 also includes a user interface (not shown) to allow the user to control operation of the unit, e.g. adjusting the audio volume level.

In accordance with the present invention, the microphone of the headset is operable not only to capture the sound of the user's voice during a telephone conversation, but also to detect blood flow noise caused by the user's pulse. The microphone can be arranged to detect the noise from the blood flow to the user's ears, and in this way, the headset microphone acts as a pulse sensor to measure cardiac frequency.

The cardiac monitor system illustrated is arranged such that the detection of the cardiac frequency is carried out by the headset 12 and this audio signal representative of blood flow noise is then transmitted to the mobile phone 11 for processing therein or for onward dispatch therefrom via the mobile phone network.

When the user is using both the mobile phone 11 and the headset 12 to make a telephone call, the system can be arranged such that cardiac monitoring is performed during the silent periods in the telephone call (i.e. during the gaps in the user's conversation). However, the system can also be arranged such that if a telephone call is not taking place, but the user is wearing the headset 12 and carrying the mobile phone 11, the headset can operate to continuously transmit the audio signal associated with the blood flow noise to the mobile phone 11.

The mobile phone 11 is arranged to process the audio signal associated with the blood flow noise to obtain data relating to the cardiac function of the user, and in particular the cardiac frequency (or pulse rate) of the user. In particular, the mobile phone 11 can be arranged to operate to measure the time elapsed between samples of the blood flow noise acquired by the headset 12 in order to calculate the average cardiac frequency. Such an average value is calculated using a number of samples where the number of heartbeats are measured in a predefined period.

This data is then displayed on the display (not shown) of said mobile phone in numeric and/or graphic forms with the heart-rate shown as heartbeats/minute Such data is also stored within said mobile phone 11 for later use or comparison with other data.

In the present example, the link 23 between the mobile phone 11 and the headset 12 is a wireless link. However, in an alternative arrangement, such a link may be a physical link in the form of a wire.

Also, the data need not be displayed in both graphic and numeric * forms, but may be displayed separately. Further, the units in which the data is displayed may differ from the heartbeats/minute as mentioned above.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which illustrates the internal features of the mobile phone of Fig. 1 in schematic block diagram form.

The mobile phone 11 comprises a user interface 30, a loudspeaker 31, a microphone 32, a display 33, a SIM card 34 and a transceiver 35. None of these components form part of the present invention and therefore they will not be described further here as they are well known in the art.

Additional features that can be seen in Fig. 2 are a processor 36 and memory 37. The processor 36 controls operation of the mobile phone 11 by means of control software 39 stored in a non-volatile memory portion 38 of said memory 37.

The local wireless connectivity transceiver 24 is coupled to the mobile phone processor, and comprises a local wireless communication unit 40 and a local wireless communication antenna 41. The local wireless communication unit 40 is arranged to perform the processing relevant to the local wireless communication, such as electric wave transmission/reception commands of the local wireless communication and the local wireless communication antenna 41 is arranged to transmitlreceive signals to/from the headset 12.

Fig. 3 illustrates the internal features of the headset 12 of Fig. 1 in schematic block diagram form.

The headset 12 comprises a user interface 50, a microphone 51, and a loudspeaker 52. The microphone 51 is housed in the microphone element 22 of Fig. 1, and the loudspeaker 52 is housed in earpiece 21, also of Fig. 1. The user interface 50 is arranged to allow a user to configure the settings of the headset 12 (e.g. alter the volume of the loudspeaker 52).

The headset 12 additionally comprises a processor 53, which controls operation of the headset in accordance with control software 54 stored in a non-volatile memory portion 55 of a memory 56. Also provided in said headset is a local wireless connectivity transceiver 57 which comprises a local wireless communication unit 58 and local wireless communication antenna 59. These elements are similar in operation to the local wireless connectivity transceiver 24, the local wireless communication unit 40 and local wireless communication antenna 41, respectively, of the mobile phone 11.

As stated above, the microphone 51 operates to capture audio signals associated with not only the user's voice, but also with the noise derived from blood flow in the user's ears.

In an alternative arrangement, the microphone 51 operates only to capture the audio signals associated with the user's voice, and a second microphone is provided in said headset 12 to capture the audio signal associated with the noise caused by blood flow in the user's ears.

Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart which outlines the steps involved in measuring the heart rate of a user.

The system initially carries out a step to determine if the measurement system is active (SI). If the measurement system is indeed active, the system then performs a step of determining if the link between the headset and the mobile phone is established (S2). However, if the measurement system is inactive, the system does not progress further with the method and returns to the first method step (Si).

If the system determines that the link between the headset and the mobile phone is not established, then the system does not carry out a measurement using the measurement system (53), and returns to the first method step. However, when a link is established between the headset and the mobile phone, the system proceeds to carry out the next step in the method, i.e. determining if a telephone call is in progress (54). If it is determined that a call is in progress, the system monitors the conversation to detect a silent period (S5), and when such a silent period is detected, the measuring system monitors the signal output by the microphone of the headset and which is derived from blood-flow noise (S6).

At those times when a telephone call is not taking place, the system does not need to carry out the step of monitoring the telephone conversation for a silent period. In this case, once it has been determined that a telephone conversation is not taking place (S4), the does not carry out step 5 and, instead, monitors the "blood flow" signal output by the microphone of the headset to detect blood-flow noise (S6).

Once an audio signal associated with the user's heartbeat has been obtained, such a signal is processed in the processor of the mobile phone using a program stored in the mobile phone memory. From such a signal, the instant and average pulse frequency are calculated (S7) and are subsequently available for display on the display of the mobile phone (S8) .

In an alternative to the above method, if, when carrying out method step 3, the system determines that the link between the headset and the mobile phone is not established, then rather than returning to the first method step, the system is arranged to continue with the remaining method steps and thereby carries out monitoring of blood flow noise. This data can then be stored in the headset for subsequent transmission to the mobile phone when the link between headset and mobile phone has been re- established (or alternatively in response to a user command).

The average pulse frequency can also be displayed on the display in combination with a graph showing a number of average pulse frequencies over a range of times.

Of course, in other arrangements, different aspects of the user's cardiac function could be measured and displayed.

In a further alternative arrangement, in addition (or as an alternative) to displaying the cardiac function data of the user, the mobile phone is arranged to store the said data for transfer to a remote processing device. The remote processing device is arranged to process received cardiac function data and also to display such data.

In a yet further arrangement, the mobile radio communication apparatus merely comprises a mobile phone, and monitoring of a cardiac function of a user is carried out by the microphone of the mobile phone.

Claims

Claims 1. A mobile radio communication apparatus having: a first input

transducer for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the apparatus and a first output transducer driven by an audio signal received at the apparatus and for generating an audible output from the apparatus, wherein the said input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus, and the apparatus further includes processing means for determining cardiac information of the user on the basis of the said blood flow noise.
2. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said first output transducer comprises a loudspeaker.
3. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said first input transducer comprises a microphone.
4. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cardiac information of said user relates to measurement of a heart pulse-rate of said user.
5. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said processing means is arranged to calculate both instantaneous and average heart pulse- rates.
6. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus is arranged to measure cardiac function of said user at all times except during a period where a conversation is conducted via said apparatus.
7. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus is arranged such that when said user is conducting a conversation via said mobile radio communication apparatus, the apparatus conducts measurement of cardiac function during silent periods in said conversation.
8. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus comprises a mobile phone.
9. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus further comprises a headset comprising a second input transducer for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the headset; a second output transducer driven by an audio signal received at the apparatus from said mobile phone and for generating an audible output from the headset, wherein the said second input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus; and a wireless interface for communicating with that part of the apparatus having the said input and output transducers.
10. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said interface of said headset comprises a local wireless connectivity transceiver.
11. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein said second output transducer comprises a loudspeaker.
12. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of Claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein said second input transducer comprises a microphone.
13. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of Claims 9, 10, 11 or 12, and including local wireless connectivity transceiver means for providing the said interface.
14. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of Claims 9 to 13, wherein said headset further comprises a user interface for adjusting the volume of said audible output.
15. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein said user interface is also arranged for adjusting the sensitivity of said second input transducer.
16. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a display means is provided and arranged to display the cardiac function measurements.
17. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 16, and arranged such that said cardiac function measurements are displayed graphically on said display means.
18. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, and arranged such that said cardiac function measurements are displayed numerically on said display means.
19. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to any one or more of Claims 9 to 18, wherein said headset further comprises a third input transducer of the apparatus for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising externally of the headset.
20. A mobile radio communication apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein said second input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to blood flow within a user of the apparatus only, and the third input transducer is arranged for generating an audio signal responsive to noise arising in relation to a voice of the user only.
21. A method of determining cardiac information including the step of monitoring blood flow noise by means of a mobile radio communication device having an input transducer for developing an audio signal responsive to such noise, and means for processing the said audio signal so as to determine the said cardiac information.
22. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user, using the apparatus of any one or more of Claims 1 to 20, and comprising the steps of: determining if said apparatus is active; determining if said user is conducting a conversation using said mobile radio communication apparatus; and if it is determined that a conversation is occurring, detecting for a silent period in said conversation before measuring cardiac function of said user; if it is determined that no such conversation is occurring, measuring the cardiac function of said user.
23. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user according to Claim 22, further comprising the steps of: establishing if the user is using a mobile phone only, or a combination of mobile phone and headset; if it is established that a combination of mobile phone and headset is being used, determining if a communication link is established between said headset and said mobile phone before the step of determining if said user is conducting a conversation using said mobile radio communication apparatus.
24. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user according to Claim 22 or Claim 23, further comprising the step of calculating, from measurements of the cardiac function of said user, an instant and/or average heart pulse-rate of said user.
25. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user according to any one or more of Claims 22, 23 or 24, further comprising the step of displaying, on a display means of said mobile phone, measurements of the cardiac function of said user.
26. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user according to Claim 25, wherein said measurements of the cardiac function of a user are displayed graphically.
27. A method of measuring cardiac function of a user according to Claim or 26, wherein said measurements of the cardiac function of a user are displayed numerically.
28. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, having thereon: processor implementable instructions for controlling a processor to implement the method of any one or more of Claims 21 to 27.
29. A computer program element comprising computer program code means to make the computer execute the method of any one or more of Claims 21 to 27.
30. A computer program element according to Claim 29 embodied on a computer readable medium.
31. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is to make the computer execute the method of any one or more of Claims 21 to 27.
32. A mobile radio communication apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
33. A headset, forming part of a mobile radio communication apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figs 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
34. A mobile phone, forming part of a mobile radio communication apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
35.A method of measuring cardiac function of a user substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.