WO2009124463A1

WO2009124463A1 - Notification and security system for physiological monitoring

Info

Publication number: WO2009124463A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/000377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang-An Chou
Original assignee: Chang-An Chou
Priority date: 2008-04-07
Filing date: 2009-04-07
Publication date: 2009-10-15
Also published as: CN101557549A

Abstract

A notification and security system for physiological monitoring is provided. The system includes a portable device for acquiring biosignals from a user which includes a RF module; a local base station having a RF module for wirelessly communicating with the portable device, a data network interface connecting to a data network, and a telephone network interface connecting to a public telephone network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, which links up with the local base station via the data network, with an authentication process, wherein the local base station sends the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit via the data network, and when the biosignals match a preset condition, the local base station additionally sends an audio notification to a preset destination via the public telephone network.

Description

NOTIFICATION AND SECURITY SYSTEM FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL

MONITORING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a notification and security system for physiological monitoring, and more particularly to a notification and security system which sends out both audio-type and data-type information for ensuring a real-time and unhindered notification for physiological monitoring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For modern people, in their busy daytime, how to look after their cared ones in a proper way becomes harder and harder, especially the elders, the children and the babies who need extra care. The most common way is to seek for caregivers or baby-sitters, but no everyone is affordable for this. Besides, some elders are independent, so they do not need a dedicated caregiver. In addition, even under the supervision of the baby-sitter, accidents still happen to the children and babies, such as, falling or suffocation.

Therefore, a remote physiological monitoring system is developed with the scope of assisting the caregivers or even replacing the care service provided by the caregivers.

One example is Philips Lifeline which utilizes telephone line, panic button and service center to construct an emergency call system. As shown in Fig. 1, in this model, the home telephone line of the monitored object 10, such as, the elder who lives alone, is connected to a machine 12, and the monitored object 10 carries a wireless device with a panic button 14. When the panic button 14 is pressed, an emergency signal is sent to the machine 12, and after receiving the signal, the machine 12 will dial to the service center 18 (via the telephone system, such as, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone System) 16). Then, the personnel at the service center can understand what happened to the monitored object through voice communication, and according to different situations, the personnel will decide who and where should be notified, such as, the local hospital, the emergency rescue system, or the designed caregiver, so as to response at the first time.

But, the operation of this emergency call system is based on pressing the panic button by the monitored object or the companies thereof, so that the system might possibly fail as the button can not be pressed.

Moreover, another example is to use the network to support the remote monitoring system, for example, US 7260480, US 7238156 and US 6807564 are all related to perform the remote physiological monitoring via the network. However, the network is not as popular as the telephone, which influences the popularization of the network-based remote monitoring system.

Besides, no matter the telephone-based system or the network-based system, they are both absent of backup system for ensuring the signal transmission as the telephone/network is disconnected.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a notification and security system for physiological monitoring in which the public telephone network and the data network are both used for increasing the transmission effectiveness, and also for achieving requirements for multiple purposes, such as, physiological monitoring and emergency security.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a notification and security system for physiological monitoring which provides both audio-type and data-type information in transmission to increase functionality.

Generally, the remote monitoring system transmits the emergency signal to a so-called control center, and then, the control center decides the follow-up notifications, but since every user has different requirement, the unchanged transmission plan might delay the rescue and also the resources.

Accordingly, a further object of the present invention is to provide a notification and security system for physiological monitoring whose signal transmission plan can be configured to match to each user's requirement so as to optimize the efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a notification and security system for physiological monitoring is provided. The system includes a portable device for acquiring biosignals from a user which includes a RF module; a local base station having a RF module for wirelessly communicating with the portable device, a data network interface connecting to a data network, and a telephone network interface connecting to a public telephone network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, which links up with the local base station via the data network, with an authentication process, wherein the local base station sends the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit via the data network, and when the biosignals match a preset condition, the local base station additionally sends an audio notification to a preset destination via the public telephone network.

In another aspect of the present invention, a notification and security system for physiological monitoring is provided. The system includes a portable device having a panic button for being pressed by a user, and a RF module; a local base station including a RF module for wirelessly communicating with the portable device, a data network interface connecting to a data network, and a telephone network interface connecting to a public telephone network; and at least a remote monitoring unit for linking up with the local base station via the data network, wherein when the user presses the panic button, the portable device sends an emergency signal to the local base station for generating an audio emergency notification and a data emergency notification, the audio emergency notification is transmitted to a preset destination via the public telephone network, and the data emergency notification is transmitted to the remote monitoring unit via the data network.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a notification and security system for physiological monitoring is provided. The system includes a portable device for acquiring biosignals from a user which includes a RF module; a local base station including a RF module, for wirelessly communicating with the portable device, and a data network interface connecting to a data network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, which links up with the local base station via the data network, by accompanying with an authentication process, wherein the local base station sends the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit via the data network, and when the biosignals are matched to a preset condition, the local base station generates digital VoIP (Voice over IP) packets to be sent out via the data network.

Preferably, the local base station can select the remote monitoring unit connected thereto by the authentication process, for example, by authentications of user code and user identification, so that the user can determine a transmission plan of signals from the local base station, and also can decide the destination remote monitoring unit of signals. Moreover, the remote monitoring unit also can provide another authentication process for an access thereto other than the local base station.

In one embodiment, the remote monitoring unit can decide the transmission plan of the signals from the local base station. In another embodiment, the preset destination can be a voice response system and/or a personnel, and the audio notification can be voice signals, MF signals, DTMF signals, or other signals used in telephone system. In still another embodiment, the audio notification is further transmitted via the data network.

Preferably, the number of the remote monitoring unit is implemented to be plurality. In this case, the local base station can send signals to plural remote monitoring units, or the local base station can send signals to one of the remote monitoring units and the remote monitoring unit further sends the signals to other remote monitoring units.

Advantageously, the local base station can further provide a web interface for allowing an access via the data network, for example, an access from a personal computer with networking capability. Here, the remote monitoring unit can configure the local base station and/or the portable device through the web interface. In a preferred embodiment, the local base station further includes an IP mapping server for mapping floating IPs of the local base station and the remote monitoring unit. And further, the local base station can further provide a port information to the remote monitoring unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the portable device further includes a panic button for being pressed by the user as asking for help so as to generate an emergency signal. Here, the emergency signal triggers the local base station to generate an emergency notification, and the emergency notification is an audio emergency notification and/or a data emergency notification.

Preferably, the portable device also can include a voice communication module to perform a voice communication with the remote monitoring unit and/or the local base station. Preferably, the portable device also includes a display module to show information about time, battery volume, the user's physiological condition and/or the connection status of the local base station, and a memory to store the biosignals, wherein the remote monitoring unit accesses the biosignals stored in the memory via the local base station. Preferably, the portable device is connected to at least a biosignal acquisition element for acquiring biosignals, wherein the biosignal sensing element is at least one selected from a group consisting of: accelerator, oximeter, heart rate monitor, body temperature sensor, blood pressure sensor, and EKG electrodes. Preferably, the data network is PHS, GSM, or CDMA.

In a preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention further includes at least a RF signal repeater, for providing a repeater network between the portable device and the local base station so as to reduce signal transmission loss, and/or an external device for receiving the signals from the portable device before being transmitted to the local base station, so as to save the power of the portable device.

Therefore, the notification and security system for physiological monitoring according to the present invention not only provides both the data network and the public telephone network for improving the effectiveness and correction of signal transmission, but also provides both audio-type and data-type emergency notifications as the user's physiological condition matches a preset condition or the panic button is pressed, so as to increase the awareness of the emergency situation. Moreover, in the system of the present invention, the portable device, the local base station and the remote monitoring unit all can generate the emergency signal or notification as deciding that the preset condition is matched, so that the protection to the user becomes more diversified and more effective. Furthermore, the architecture of the present invention also provide a great flexibility as performing the physiological monitoring, for example, the biosignal acquisition element(s), the signal transmission plan, and the follow-up procedures for the biosignals all can be changed to conform to different users and requirements, so that the user can develop a customized notification and security system for physiological monitoring without limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example, and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a conventional remote monitoring system;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a notification and security system for physiological monitoring according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing exemplary embodiments of the portable device according to the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing multiple repeaters disposed between the portable device and the local base station in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is related to a notification and security system for physiological monitoring, as shown in Fig.2, including a portable device 22, a local base station 24, and a remote monitoring unit 28.

For providing portability and convenience, wireless communication is implemented between the portable device 22 and the local base station 24. Therefore, the portable device 22 is powered by battery. In the present invention, the portable device 22 is implemented to be carried by the user 20 to acquire biosignals and physiological information.

Besides, the local base station 24 equips with two communication interfaces, a data network interface and a telephone network interface. Therefore, the local base station 24 can connect to a data network 26, e.g., Internet, via TCP/IP, or connect to a public telephone network 25, e.g., PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), so that as the request of signal transmission comes up, the local base station 24 can execute a predetermined transmission plan, for example, transmit signals via a path selected by user, both paths, or the backup path.

The system according to the present invention provides a two-way communication. The remote monitoring unit 28 can receive the signals from the local base station 24, and also, can control the local base station 24 and the portable device 22 (via the local base station 24).

Here, the local base station 24 employs two types of signals, data-type signals and audio-type signals, such as, voice, MF, DTMF. According to the signals from the portable device 22 or an input by the user 20, the local base station 24 can send out data-type signals (such as, notification signal, emergency signals), or audio-type signals (such as, a recorded voice message, directly talking to the telephone operator), or both the data and the audio signals. As known, the audio-type and data-type signals both can be transmitted wirelessly, for example, GSM, CDMA, or PHS₅ and WLAN, WiFi, and all these are applied to the present invention.

Following are some embodiments/examples of the present invention.

First, the installation mechanism of the portable device 22 on the user can be varied according to the biosignal acquisition positions, such as, by hanging, binding, or patch, as shown in Fig. 3, the patch-type biosignal acquisition device 221, the wrist-worn oximeter 222, the adhesive airflow sensor 223 and the ear- worn flow tube 224.

In a first embodiment, the portable device 22 is implemented to acquire bioignals from the user and to provide a related physiological condition derived therefrom. The portable device 22 is connected with at least a biosignal acquisition element for acquiring biosignals. The biosignals and the physiological condition are wirelessly transmitted to the local base station 24 and further to the remote monitoring unit 28, So, a real-time physiological monitoring is completed. Here, the number and the type of the biosignal acquisition element both can be implemented to be multiple. For example, the biosignal acquisition element can be, but not limited, an oximeter, a heart rate monitor, a body temperature sensor, a blood pressure sensor, EKG electrodes and/or an accelerator. Preferably, the biosignal acquisition element can be selected to match different demands, for example, the accelerator can detect the user's falling, and this is especially benefit as monitoring the elders.

Moreover, when performing the real time monitoring, in addition to checking user's physiological condition, it is also important to provide an auto warning function. By providing a preset condition, which can be a level of heart rate, oxygen saturation and/or blood pressure which can directly or indirectly represent the user's vital sign, the system of the present invention can have a real time response for the user as the preset condition is matched, for example, the heart beat stops, or the body temperature lowers down. Of course, the preset condition can be set via the remote monitoring unit, the local base station or the portable device.

And, for enhancing the effectiveness of auto-warning, in the present invention, an audio-type notification is further sent out when the preset condition is matched, in addition to the data-type biosignals/physiological condition. For example, the audio notification can be sent to multiple locations/persons or to one location/person multiple times, to increase the awareness of the emergency situation. Here, the audio-type notification can be sent via the public telephone network 25 and/or the data network 26, and the generation of the notification also can be varied according to different situations.

Based on the architecture of the present invention, the portable device and/or the local base station located near the user can directly decide if the preset condition is matched, so as to automatically send out the additional audio-type notification, in addition to the original acquired biosignals. Importantly, through the settings in advance, the audio-type notification can be transmitted to any destination selected by the user. For example, the user can pre-record a voice message, and the local base station will send the voice message to the selected destination(s), such as, the hospital, the families, and/or the caregiver, as the preset condition is matched, so as to ask for help and simultaneously notify the receiver. Of course, the system also will provide a default recorded voice message or DTMF tones. Therefore, through the additionally transmitted audio-type notification, the emergency situation can be recognized more rapidly. As compared with the conventional system in which the sending of the notification has to be held until the remote monitoring unit recognizes the matching to the preset condition, in the system of the present invention, the response time for rescue can be minimized.

When the local base station 24 sends out the voice message, the voice message can be answered by a voice response system or a personnel 30, or can be transformed into characters shown on the screen in front of an operator as arriving the remote monitoring unit 28. Or, it also can be the voice message triggers a signal transmission to other systems, such as, the hospital, the police office and/or the rescue center. There is no limitation.

Here, the audio-type notification can be transmitted via the public telephone network 25, and also, it can be transmitted via the data network 26 only if the digitization is executed, for example, by the VoIP (Voice over IP) pockets. Similarly, as known, the data-type notification also can be transmitted via the public telephone network and the data network.

Moreover, in addition to the auto-warning function, the portable device 22 is further implemented to include a panic button (not shown) for emergency purpose. When an emergent event happens and the user presses the panic button, the portable device 22 will wirelessly send out an emergency signal to the local base station 24 to generate an audio emergency notification and a data emergency notification at the same time to the remote monitoring unit 28 and/or a preset personnel 30, such as, the hospital, the fire department, the police office, the neighbors, the families, the caregiver, and/or the doctor. Hence, by pressing the panic button, an emergency response can be triggered. Here, the multiple (audio and data) types of the emergency notifications can increase the awareness of the emergency situation and speed up the rescue system.

Therefore, depending on the variation of usage purpose and environment, the portable device according to the present invention can provide different information to meet the accordingly changed requirement of the user.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the local base station 24 is mainly used to be an intermedium between the portable device 22 and the remote monitoring unit 28, and this architecture makes the change of the transmission plan possible.

The signals from the portable device are wirelessly transmitted to the local base station, and then, according to the settings in the local base station (decided by the local base station itself or the remote monitoring unit), the transmission plan of the signals is decided. For example:

1. When only one remote monitoring unit is employed: At this time, the signals are directly transmitted to the remote monitoring unit, such as, a remote server.

2, When multiple remote monitoring units perform the real time monitoring at the same time:

(1) The signals can be transmitted to one remote monitoring unit first, and then to another remote monitoring unit via this unit; or

(2) The local base station can respectively transmit the signals to multiple remote monitoring units simultaneously.

In a preferred embodiment, when multiple remote monitoring units are employed, it can be that one is implemented to be a major remote monitoring unit with complete functions and controls, and the others are implemented to have simplified functions. The major remote monitoring unit can control the signals from local base stations in a particular range to be received by one particular simplified remote monitoring unit, and in another range to be received by another simplified remote monitoring unit. That is, the major remote monitoring unit is responsible for monitoring a larger area, such as, a county, a country, or even a transnational area, and other simplified remote monitoring units are responsible for a smaller area, such as, a community, a hospital area, or a building. For example, the simplified remote monitoring unit can be used by the caregiver or nurse station, and the major remote monitoring unit can be controlled by the service center. Accordingly, multiple monitors and multiple protections can be achieved.

In another embodiment where only one remote monitoring unit is employed, the purpose of controlling different areas also can be achieved. For example, there are multiple elders live alone in one community, and they all are independent with capability and don't need the caregiver to stay aside. For this situation, it can be one caregiver monitors the whole community (multiple elders) by a simple remote monitoring unit in the peacetime, and since the caregiver in the community knows the elders' conditions well, he/she can have a quick response as an emergent event happens. The same situation also can be implemented to the hospital area, such as, the nurse station, and further, the hospital can utilize the original network and telephone system without additional construction.

For the above described situations, when there is the need of more complicated calculation or comparison with database, the biosignals can be further transmitted to the major remote monitoring unit for those advanced requirements.

Of course, the transmission plan of signals is not limited and can be varied according to different situations. For example, it can be decided by time, such as, different periods of the day. When the caregiver is on duty, such as, in the daytime, the signals from the portable device can be configured to send to the remote monitoring unit monitored by the caregiver via the local base station, and when the caregiver is off duty, such as, at night, the signals can be re-configured to send to other remote monitoring unit for instead, so that the monitoring will not be interrupted, which means the protection to the patient's safety becomes more comprehensive. But, importantly, the real-time audio-type notification still should be sent to the off-duty caregiver no matter in the daytime or nighttime, so as to further enhance the user's security.

Therefore, the system of the present invention can provide a great flexibility to satisfy different situations and requirements.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, the communication between the local base station and the remote monitoring unit can accompany with an authentication process. In one example, the authentication process can include authentications of user code and user identification for access to the local base station. Therefore, when the remote monitoring unit tries to communicate with the local base station, it has to pass the authentication process, and through this, the patient or the user aside the local base station can decide if the communication from the remote monitoring unit is permitted or how many and which one of the remote monitoring unit can communicate therewith. In another example, the authentication process is for the local base station to link up to the remote monitoring unit. This is similar to members login a service center. The authentication process of each local base station can assure that the patient is monitored by the remote monitoring unit. However, it should be noticed that these examples are only for illustration, and not for limitation.

Besides, the authentication process also can be applied to the access to the remote monitoring unit, for example, accesses from other remote monitoring unit(s) and/or from device(s) outside the system, such as, the communication from Internet. That is, unauthorized attempts to monitor the patient via Internet can be prevented by the authentication process to protect the patient's privacy. Moreover, since Internet is the most common data network, in another embodiment of the present invention, the local base station can be implemented to provide the web interface (by the built-in web server) for allowing the access via Internet, such as, the commonly used web browser. This situation especially benefits the caregivers. Through Internet and a computer device capable of browsing web pages, the caregiver can easily perform the monitoring mission, for example, a caregiver can login via the web interface provided by the local base station to obtain the information of the patient only through a PC with web browser and Internet connection. As to the content that can be browsed by the caregiver, it can be decided and/or limited by the authentication process (as mentioned above). By this manner, the monitoring for a small area becomes easier and more convenient. More importantly, the caregiver does not need to buy any particular monitoring device, and any computer device, such as, PC, PDA, or mobile phone, with Internet connection can be used to monitor the patient's physiological conditions and receive the notifications, which means this monitoring can be accomplished without joining any service organization. For example, one practical way is that the patient uses the portable device and the local base station, and the relatives, friends and/or caregivers execute the monitoring via the web interface by the available computer device, and as long as the local base station allows multiple accesses thereto, the patient can be monitored by plural persons at the same time. Besides, when there is the need for more advanced calculation and/or comparison, it only has to transmit the physiological information to the remote monitoring unit which provides these further functions.

It is known that the conventional remote physiological monitoring usually employs the service center to receive and respond the user's and/or the patient's requirements no matter in the telephone or network based system, but this also limits the selection of the user/patient. The present invention provides the user/patient an easier and more comprehensive remote monitoring system without sacrificing the user's/patient's selection independence and operation convenience.

In addition, the caregiver also can login the local base station to change the settings of the portable device/the local base station as demand changes. For example, if the caregiver has to leave awhile, then he/she can login the web page and change the transmission plan of signals, such as from the original destination (the caregiver himself/herself) to other remote monitoring unit, such as, another caregiver or the monitoring center, so as to prevent from interrupting the monitoring, and thus, reduce the caregiver's pressure. Therefore, the operation of the present remote monitoring system provides more flexibility and also more security.

Furthermore, based on the currently used network often employs the floating IP and/or the protection mechanism (such as, proxy, and/or NAT router), as performing the monitoring or configuration, it is possible that the local base station can not link up with the remote monitoring unit in the absence of fixed IPs. Therefore, for solving this problem, the system of Hie present invention may also include an IP mapping server. For example, the local base station can upload the current IP address and its identifier to the IP mapping server every time connecting to the network, and as the remote monitoring unit logins the web page for performing the monitoring, the IP mapping server can provide the identifier and the current IP address uploaded by the local base station to the remote monitoring unit, so that the communication therebetween can be accomplished. However, as known, this is only an example, and there are still many other methods for solving the floating IP problem which are also applicable to the present invention.

As to the network protection mechanism (proxy and/or NAT router), the local base station also can be implemented to provide a port information which is opened for the linkup from the remote monitoring unit, so that the communication therebetween can bypass the network protection mechanism. Here, this port information can be received by another server or also by the IP mapping server.

As described above, the local base station can own both the public telephone network communication interface and the data network interface, and when materializing, there are many choices. For example, it can be implemented as a device box simply with both communication interfaces and wireless communication capability, such as, preferably, a VoIP phone with wireless communication capability. Or, the local base station also can include the protection mechanism of proxy and/or NAT router which are contributive to the web interface operation. However, as mentioned above, it should be noticed that no matter the local base station is implemented to which kind of device, it should be capable of transmitting the audio-type and the data-type information via the public telephone network and/or the data network, without limitation.

In another embodiment, the notification and security system of the present invention also can include at least a repeater 40, as shown in Fig. 4. Multiple repeaters 40 are further existed between the portable device 22 and the local base station 24 for constructing a repeater network (just like the wireless ad hoc network) which can assure the robustness of the wireless communication. For example, when the user has a larger activity range which might bring the portable device out of the normal wireless communication coverage of the local base station, the additionally installed repeaters 40 can relay the communication for reducing signal loss.

In another embodiment, the system of the present invention also can include an external device (not shown) disposed near the user for wirelessly receiving the signals from the portable device before being transmitted to the local base station. In this case, the external device can equip with a large-sized battery for providing more power, so it can provide a farer transmission distance and a longer operation time. Accordingly, the power of the portable device for constantly transmitting signals to the farther local base station can be saved, thereby further extending the operation time of the portable device, and further, the position and the quantity of the local base station also can be more flexible. This is useful to the patch-type or adhesive portable device whose battery size and total weight are limited. Besides, preferably, the external device can be implemented to further perform the repeater's function, for simultaneously saving the power of the portable device and reducing the signaling loss.

Hence, through the repeater/the external device, the present invention becomes even more flexible and conforms to more possible situations.

Moreover, in addition to the wireless communication capability, the portable device also can include a voice communication module. The user can have a voice communication with the monitor at the remote monitoring unit and/or the local base station which also includes a voice communication module, so that a direct conversation becomes possible. Particularly, the device also can include a voice communication module for further increasing the usage convenience. This is especially useful as the patient still has consciousness and can directly provide information to the monitor.

Advantageously, the portable device can include a display module to show information to the user, such as, but not limited, time, battery volume, the user's physiological condition and/or the connection status of the local base station. And, a memory can also be provided in the portable device, for storage or being the buffer before signal transmission, and of course, the memory can be implemented as removable.

In another aspect of the present invention, in addition to performing real time monitoring, the system according to the present invention is also suitable for remote physiological diagnosis. For example, the patient can perform the biosignal acquisition at home, and then utilize the present system to provide the data to the doctor for analysis and evaluation. This is contributive to patients who need to take medicine regularly and should be tracked for a long period of time but do not have instant danger, such as, patients having sleep apnea symptom, diabetes, and/or some heart diseases, so that the periodic self check can be simply performed by the patients themselves and transmitted to the doctor for verification. Here, the doctor can access the data by directly login the local base station or the remote monitoring unit, or by receiving the data sent out by the local base station or the remote monitoring unit. In another embodiment, the system of the present invention also can be utilized by the users who hope to understand their own physiological condition. After biosignal acquisition, the user can upload the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit to execute the provided algorithms and/or compare with the database for obtaining their own health report. This system provides another way for the users to master their own health conditions. Therefore, through this system, not only the traveling time to the hospital can be saved, but a more effective utilization of the medical resources also can be achieved.

Furthermore, the users also can configure the transmission plan/the destination of their biosignals. For example, when there are multiple remote monitoring units of different service/function provisions, such as, monitoring modes, analysis types, calculation functions, or databases, the users can make their own decision based on the requirements. Besides, the users also can actively decide if the information is transmitted to the remote monitoring unit or not, for example, as described above, through the authentication process, the local base station can control the linkup from the remote monitoring unit, and/or the information accessed by the remote monitoring unit. Accordingly, the user/patient can decide when and how his/her information is accessed.

In the aforesaid, the notification and security system for physiological monitoring according to the present invention not only provides both the data network and the public telephone network for improving the effectiveness and correction of signal transmission, but also provides both the audio-type and the data-type notifications as the user's physiological condition matches to a preset condition or the panic button is pressed, so as to increase the awareness of the emergency situation. Moreover, in the system of the present invention, the portable device, the local base station and the remote monitoring unit all can generate the emergency signal or notification as deciding that the preset condition is matched, so that the protection to the user becomes more diversified and more effective. Furthermore, the architecture of the present invention also provide a great flexibility as performing the physiological monitoring, for example, the biosignal acquisition element(s), the signal transmission plan, and the follow-up procedures for the biosignals all can be changed to conform to different users and requirements, so that the user can develop a customized notification and security system for physiological monitoring without limitation.

The above examples and disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. These examples and description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A notification and security system for physiological monitoring, comprising: a portable device, for acquiring biosignals from a user, comprising: a RF module; a local base station, comprising: a RF module, for wirelessly communicating with the portable device; a data network interface, connecting to a data network; and a telephone network interface, connecting to a public telephone network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, which links up with the local base station via the data network, with an authentication process, wherein the local base station sends the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit via the data network; and when the biosignals match a preset condition, the local base station additionally sends an audio notification to a preset destination via the public telephone network.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the local base station selects the remote monitoring unit connected thereto by the authentication process.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the authentication process includes authentications of user code and user identification.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the user determines a transmission plan of signals from the local base station.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the user decides the destination remote monitoring unit of signals.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote monitoring unit provides another authentication process for an access other than the local base station.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the remote monitoring unit decides the transmission plan of the signals from the local base station.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preset destination is a voice response system and/or a personnel.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio notification is voice signals, MF signals, DTMF signals, or other signals used in the telephone system.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio notification is also sent via the data network.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of the remote monitoring unit is implemented to be plurality.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the local base station sends signals to plural remote monitoring units.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the local base station sends signals to one of the remote monitoring units and said remote monitoring unit further sends the signals to other remote monitoring units.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the local base station further provides a web interface for allowing an access via the data network.

15. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the remote monitoring unit configures the local base station and/or the portable device through the web interface.

16. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the access is from a personal computer with networking capability.

17. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the local base station further comprises an IP mapping server for mapping floating IPs of the local base station and the remote monitoring unit.

18. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the local base station further provides a port information to the remote monitoring unit.

19. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises a panic button for being pressed by the user as asking for help so as to generate an emergency signal.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the emergency signal triggers the local base station to generate an emergency notification.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the emergency notification is an audio emergency notification and/or a data emergency notification.

22. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises a voice communication module to perform a voice communication with the remote monitoring unit.

23. The system as claimed hi claim 22, wherein the local base station further comprises a voice communication module to perform a voice communication with the portable device.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the local base station performs the voice communication with the remote monitoring unit.

25. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises a display module to show information about time, battery volume, the user's physiological condition and/or the connection status of the local base station.

26. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device further comprises a memory to store the biosignals.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the remote monitoring unit accesses the biosignals stored in the memory via the local base station.

28. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device is powered by a battery.

29. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable device is further connected to at least a biosignal acquisition element for acquiring biosignals.

30. The system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the biosignal sensing element is at least one selected from a group consisting of: accelerator, oximeter, heart rate monitor, body temperature sensor, blood pressure sensor, and EKG electrodes.

31. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data network is PHS, GSM, or CDMA.

32. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least a RF signal repeater, for providing a repeater network between the portable device and the local base station.

33. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an external device for receiving the signals from the portable device before being transmitted to the local base station.

34. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the external device comprises a voice communication module to perform a voice communication with the portable device and/or the local base station.

35. A notification and security system for physiological monitoring, comprising: a portable device, comprising: a panic button, for being pressed by a user; and a RF module; a local base station, comprising: a RF module, for wirelessly communicating with the portable device; a data network interface, connecting to a data network; and a telephone network interface, connecting to a public telephone network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, for linking up with the local base station via the data network, wherein when the user presses the panic button, the portable device sends an emergency signal to the local base station for generating an audio emergency notification and a data emergency notification; the audio emergency notification is transmitted to a preset destination via the public telephone network; and the data emergency notification is transmitted to the remote monitoring unit via the data network.

36. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the remote monitoring unit, via the local base station, controls the transmission plan of the emergency signal from the portable device.

37. The system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the portable device is further connected to a biosignal acquisition element for acquiring user's biosignals.

38. The system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the biosignals are wirelessly sent to the local base station, and then to the remote monitoring unit via the data network.

39. A notification and security system for physiological monitoring, comprising: a portable device, for acquiring biosignals from a user, comprising: a RF module; a local base station, comprising: a RF module, for wirelessly communicating with the portable device; and a data network interface, connecting to a data network; and at least a remote monitoring unit, which links up with the local base station via the data network, with an authentication process, wherein the local base station sends the biosignals to the remote monitoring unit via the data network; and when the biosignals are matched to a preset condition, the local base station generates digital VoIP (Voice over IP) packets to be sent out via the data network.