US4819860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wrist-mounted vital functions monitor and emergency locator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-01-09
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Granted: 1989-04-11
•
Expires: 2006-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A wrist-mounted pulse rate and body temperature monitor has means for storing upper and lower emergency pulse rates and body temperatures by means of which an emergency medical situation is defined. When the monitor detects an emergency medical situation, an emergency signal is generated on standard emergency locator frequencies to alert search and rescue services. Means for automatically setting the upper and lower safe thresholds is provided. The device is particularly suited for use by individuals in remote areas where either the health of the individual or the environment create a higher risk to the survival of the individual.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Hargrove
- 👤 Lloyd D. Lillie
- 👤 Arthur T. Whittaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:18
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G21/00; G04G21/02; G04G21/025; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/0205; A61B5/02055; A61B5/024; A61B5/02438; A61B5/0245; A61B5/02455; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6802; A61B5/681; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02; G01S1/68; G04G21/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
A portable vital functions monitoring device and emergency signal generator comprising: (a) a housing adapted for mounting against the skin of an individual (b) means for securing said housing against the skin of said individual; (c) pulse rate sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the pulse rate of an individual and for producing a pulse rate output signal representative thereof; (d) computing means responsive to said pulse rate output signal for computing an instantaneous pulse rate of said individual and for producing a signal representative thereof; (e) clock means for measuring a period of time; (f) information storage means; (g) means for monitoring said instantaneous pulse rate over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and periods of extreme physical activity of said individual and for storing in said information storage means the highest and lowest values of said instantaneous pulse rate monitored over said period of time; (h) comparison means for comparing said instantaneous pulse rate value to said stored values in said information storage means; and (i) means for producing an emergency radio alarm signal in the event that said comparison indicates that said instantaneous pulse rate value is above the highest stored value in said information storage means or below said lowest stored value in said information storage means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
A portable vital functions monitoring device and emergency signal generator comprising: (a) a housing adapted for mounting against the skin of an individual (b) means for securing said housing against the skin of said individual; (c) pulse rate sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the pulse rate of an individual and for producing a pulse rate output signal representative thereof; (d) computing means responsive to said pulse rate output signal for computing an instantaneous pulse rate of said individual and for producing a signal representative thereof; (e) clock means for measuring a period of time; (f) information storage means; (g) means for monitoring said instantaneous pulse rate over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and periods of extreme physical activity of said individual and for storing in said information storage means the highest and lowest values of said instantaneous pulse rate monitored over said period of time; (h) comparison means for comparing said instantaneous pulse rate value to said stored values in said information storage means; and (i) means for producing an emergency radio alarm signal in the event that said comparison indicates that said instantaneous pulse rate value is above the highest stored value in said information storage means or below said lowest stored value in said information storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
259 words
A portable vital functions monitoring device and emergency signal generator comprising: (a) a housing adapted for mounting against the skin of an individual; (b) means for securing said housing against the skin of said individual; (c) pulse rate sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the pulse rate of an individual and for producing a pulse rate output signal representative thereof. (d) temperature sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the body temperature of said individual and for producing a temperature output signal representative thereof; (e) computing means responsive to said pulse rate output signal for computing an instantaneous pulse rate of said individual and for producing a signal representative thereof; (f) clock means for measuring a period of time; (g) information storage means; (h) means for monitoring said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output signal over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and of extreme physical activity of said individual and for storing in said information storage means the highest and lowest values of said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output monitored over said period of time; (i) comparison means for comparing said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output signal to said values stored in said information storage means; and (j) means for producing an emergency radio alarm signal in the event that said comparison indicates that the pulse rate or body temperature of said individual are outside the extreme limits stored in said information storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
259 words
A portable vital functions monitoring device and emergency signal generator comprising: (a) a housing adapted for mounting against the skin of an individual; (b) means for securing said housing against the skin of said individual; (c) pulse rate sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the pulse rate of an individual and for producing a pulse rate output signal representative thereof. (d) temperature sensing means mounted on said housing for contact with said skin and for sensing the body temperature of said individual and for producing a temperature output signal representative thereof; (e) computing means responsive to said pulse rate output signal for computing an instantaneous pulse rate of said individual and for producing a signal representative thereof; (f) clock means for measuring a period of time; (g) information storage means; (h) means for monitoring said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output signal over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and of extreme physical activity of said individual and for storing in said information storage means the highest and lowest values of said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output monitored over said period of time; (i) comparison means for comparing said instantaneous pulse rate and said temperature output signal to said values stored in said information storage means; and (j) means for producing an emergency radio alarm signal in the event that said comparison indicates that the pulse rate or body temperature of said individual are outside the extreme limits stored in said information storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said emergency radio signal is transmitted on a standard emergency locator frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 3 wherein said emergency radio signal is pulse code modulated with a unique identity code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 2 wherein said emergency radio signal is transmitted on a standard emergency locator frequency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 5 wherein said emergency radio signal is pulse code modulated with a unique identity code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said housing is adapted to be secured to the wrist of said individual and wherein said means for securing said housing against the skin of said individual comprises a wrist strap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The portable vital functions monitoring device of claim 7 wherein said wrist strap further comprises antenna means for transmitting a signal associated with said means for producing an emergency radio alarm signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of monitoring the vital functions of an individual in remote locations comprising: (a) sampling the instantaneous pulse rate and body temperatures of said individual over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and extreme physical activity; (b) storing the highest and lowest pulse rates and body temperatures recorded during said period or time; (c) monitoring the instantaneous pulse rate and body temperature of said individual while in said remote location; (d) comparing said monitored values of said instantaneous pulse rate and body temperature to said stored values; and (e) sending an emergency radio signal if said monitored values for said instanteous pulse rate or body temperature are above said stored highest values or below said stored lowest values.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of monitoring the vital functions of an individual in remote locations comprising: (a) sampling the instantaneous pulse rate and body temperatures of said individual over a period of time sufficient to include periods of rest and extreme physical activity; (b) storing the highest and lowest pulse rates and body temperatures recorded during said period or time; (c) monitoring the instantaneous pulse rate and body temperature of said individual while in said remote location; (d) comparing said monitored values of said instantaneous pulse rate and body temperature to said stored values; and (e) sending an emergency radio signal if said monitored values for said instanteous pulse rate or body temperature are above said stored highest values or below said stored lowest values.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |