Method and system for monitoring a physical condition of a user

Abstract

This disclosure presents a method for monitoring a physical condition of a user employing a system comprising a mobile device and a wearable device. The wearable device and the mobile device are communicative connectable. The wearable device comprises a processor, a communication module, a memory module, and a biometric sensor. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, by the processor of the wearable device, a request to initiate a monitoring process; in reaction to receiving the request to initiate a monitoring process, obtaining, with the biometric sensor of the wearable device, a first plurality of raw measurements during a first time period; determining, on the wearable device, one or more derived values using the first plurality of raw measurements; communicating, via the communication module of the wearable device, the one or more derived values to the mobile device; and presenting, on a display of the mobile device, at least one of the one or more derived values.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A PHYSICAL CONDITION OF A USER

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for monitoring a physical condition of a user.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Devices for monitoring a physical condition of a user are available in medical as well as self-help settings. However, many current monitoring devices can be very intrusive in the daily lives of patients or other persons being monitored.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The invention provides a method for monitoring a physical condition of a user employing a system comprising a mobile device and a wearable device. The wearable device and the mobile device are communicative connectable. The wearable device comprises a processor, a communication module, a memory module, and a biometric sensor. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, by the processor of the wearable device, a request to initiate a monitoring process; in reaction to receiving the request to initiate a monitoring process, obtaining, with the biometric sensor of the wearable device, a first plurality of raw measurements during a first time period; determining, on the wearable device, one or more derived values using the first plurality of raw measurements; communicating, via the communication module of the wearable device, the one or more derived values to the mobile device; and presenting, on a display of the mobile device, at least one of the one or more derived values.

[0008] This method can in particular facilitate self-monitoring by the user. The user may interact with the mobile device, e.g. via a dedicated application, while keeping the wearable device unobstructed.

[0009] The wearable device may in particular operates under the instructions from an application executed on the mobile device. The application presents user interfaces on the display of the mobile device to present monitoring data and receive user input for the application to control the wearable device. The wearable device may comprises a memory module with firmware to obtain the derived values from the raw measurements. Embodiments are based inter alia on the inventive insight that using two separate devices, the user may him / herself perform a relatively accurate monitoring process or monitoring cycle. For example, the mobile device may offer user interfaces to guide the user through the monitoring process.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to receiving the request to initiate the monitoring process: receiving, on the mobile device, a user input indicative of the user wanting to initiate a monitoring process; communicating, by a communication module of the mobile device, the request to initiate the monitoring process to the wearable device.

[0011] Explicit permission of the user via the mobile device may be needed for initiating a monitoring cycle.

[0012] According to a further developed embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to communicating the request: establishing, from the communication module of the mobile device, a communicative connection between the mobile device and the wearable device.

[0013] The wearable device may further comprises a battery module. The battery module is electrically connected with the various electrical components of the wearable device.

[0014] The wearable device may further comprises a charging module electrically connected to the battery module. Preferably, the charging module comprises a charging port and / or a wireless charging port.

[0015] The method may further comprise: detecting, a charging status of the wearable device, wherein the charging status is indicative for whether the wearable device is currently being charged; switching, by the processor of the wearable device, between a charging mode and a ready mode in dependence of the charging status, the method preferably further comprising: enabling the communication module of the wearable device in reaction to the processor switching from the charging mode to the ready mode and disabling the communication module of the wearable device in reaction to the processor switching from the ready mode to the charging mode.

[0016] It is contemplated to configure the wearable in such a way, that is it always in an ‘on’ state, except when its battery is being charged. A confirmation of the communicative connection between the mobile device and the wearable device may be required to initiate the monitoring cycle. If the communicative connection does not meet predetermined requirements, the application executed in the mobile device may present an interactive user interface to guide the user to appropriately establish the connection. The connection may be based on near-field communication, wireless network and / or Bluetooth® technology.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the biometric sensor comprises a photoplethysmogram, PPG, sensor and the method preferably comprises obtaining blood oxygenation data and / or heart beat data as the derived values. Heart beat data may include peak-to-peak interval data, heart beat frequency data and / or heart beat amplitude data.

[0018] A PPG signal can be processed to determine blood oxygenation and heart rate. Motion artifacts are often a limiting factor preventing accurate readings of a PPG sensor during exercise and free living conditions. The invention provides an advantageous solution in that the mobile device can provide guidance to the user during the monitoring cycle without impacting the wearable device used to collect physical data from the user while using the biometric sensor of the wearable device, for example implemented as a PPG sensor.

[0019] The PPG sensor is preferably a pulse oximeter comprising at least one light source which is configured for illuminating the skin and detecting reflection from the skin. Though detection of transmissive absorption is also contemplated, detection of reflection (i.e. reflectance pulse oximetry) is preferred as this simplifies manual handling by the user. For example, the user may hold the wearable device on their finger or thumb. The correct holding position may be indicated in a dedicated user interface of the application executed in the mobile device.

[0020] A pulse oximeter comprises a light source, preferably in the form of a light emitting diode, and a photosensor to detect light emitted by the light source that is transmitted through or reflected from the skin of a user. In reflectance pulse oximetry, the light source and the photosensor are arranged at the same face of the wearable device.

[0021] Further, a PPG sensor based on detection of reflection can be worn around the wrist. It is preferred that the wearable device is a wrist-worn wearable device, even when the biometric sensor would not comprise a PPG sensor.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the wearable device comprises a motion detection sensor, and wherein the method comprises, prior to obtaining the first plurality of raw measurements: obtaining motion measurements, by the motion sensor of the wearable device, indicative of motion of the wearable device; determining, by the processor of the wearable device, whether the motion measurements satisfy predetermined motion limits of the wearable device.

[0023] The motion detection sensor may be implemented by a gyroscope and / or accelerometer.

[0024] Another non-limiting condition for initiation of a monitoring cycle and / or for continuing a monitoring cycle, may be that the wearable device is maintained sufficiently immobile. In other words, the user should keep the wearable device within particular movement limits in order to complete the monitoring cycle. This can be assessed through a motion detection sensor in the wearable device. Motion detection signals from the motion detection sensor are processed in the processor of the wearable device. If the processor determines that the motion detection signal exceeds a predetermined motion threshold, the processor controls the communication module to communicate this condition to the mobile device. The mobile device may in turn process and present such information to the user (e.g. via the display and / or an audible signal). The monitoring cycle may be interrupted or even stopped if the detected motion detection signal exceeds the threshold for too long (a time threshold may thus also be involved).

[0025] The application executed in the mobile device may present a user interface with guidance to the user to maintain the wearable within acceptable motion limits. It is preferred that this guidance involves a meditative exercise, rather than simple messages of ‘stay still’, ‘don’t move’ and like communications, which the inventors have found to often worsen the situation by for example increasing stress-levels in the user and thereby encumbering a relaxed, motionless posture for accurate collection of indicators of the physical condition of the user.

[0026] Preferably, the method further comprises, prior to obtaining the first plurality of raw measurements: determining, by the processor of the wearable device, whether the request is associated with one or more preconditions, preferably by assessing whether the request comprises one or more preconditions and / or by assessing whether the memory comprises one or more preconditions; and when the request is associated with one or more preconditions: determining, by the processor of the wearable device, a current device status; and verifying whether the current device status satisfies the one or more preconditions, wherein the step of obtaining the raw measurement is executed once the current device status satisfies the one or more preconditions.

[0027] Optionally, determining the current device status comprises one or more of: a current charging status, a current communication status, a current wearing status.

[0028] Preferably, the method further comprises: determining, by the processor of the wearable device, a current wearing status by: obtaining one or more initial raw measurement from the biometric sensor; determining, using the initial raw measurement, whether the biometric sensor touches the skin of the user.

[0029] The preconditions may comprise a determination of skin contact of the wearable device, preferably assessed through comparing to predetermined thresholds at least one of: photoplethysmogram, PPG, data from a PPG sensor comprised by the wearable device; motion data from a motion detection sensor comprised by the wearable device; and temperature data from a temperature sensor comprises by the wearable device.

[0030] Another condition for initiation of a monitoring cycle may be the determination, by the biometric sensor of the wearable device, that the wearable device is in contact with or at least proximal to skin of a person, in particular the intended user. The biometric sensor may collect data during a preliminary time period to assess whether contact is established, for example by evaluating the read-out of the biometric sensor. Such evaluation may involve comparing the read-out data with predetermined upper and / or lower thresholds.

[0031] When a PPG sensor is used, the reflection level may need to be above a predetermined minimum level (defining the lower threshold) to assess that a surface is present. Optionally, the reflection level may also need to be below a predetermined maximum level (defining the upper threshold) to discriminate the type of surface. For example, a metal surface.

[0032] It is noted that the upper and lower thresholds may be predetermined by a calibration by the user in order to take personal skin color into account, e.g. at the location where the biometric sensor will contact the skin during monitoring cycles.

[0033] In addition, the biometric sensor may comprise a temperature sensor to assess proximity of skin. In such a case, lower and upper thresholds may for example be set to about 20° and 40°, respectively.

[0034] According to yet another aspect of the invention is presented a monitoring system configured for monitoring a physical condition of a user, the monitoring system comprising a mobile device and a wearable device configured to perform the method of any of the previous claims.

[0035] Though the mobile device and the wearable device are described as part of the monitoring system, these can also be provided separately. The invention thus also provides a mobile device as disclosed herein. Further, the invention provides a wearable device as disclosed herein.

[0036] Further, the invention provides a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions to perform the method, when the program is run on a computer, as disclosed herein. Further, the invention provides a digital data storage medium encoding a machine-executable program of instructions to perform any one of the steps of the method as disclosed herein.

[0037] Further, the invention provides a computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the method as disclosed herein, when the program is run on a computer.

[0038] The application may provide feedback to the user during measurement I the first time period and / or provide guiding instructions to perform the monitoring process.

[0039] A timer may be set to perform a second plurality of measurements.

[0040] The step of obtaining raw measurements can be executed while there is no connection with the mobile device. When a connection is established, the collected data can be communicated, e.g. on request by the user.

[0041] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions to perform the method, when the program is run on a computer, according to any one of the steps of any one of the embodiments disclosed above.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer device or other hardware device programmed to perform one or more steps of any one of the embodiments of the method disclosed above. According to another aspect there is provided a data storage device encoding a program in machine-readable and machine-executable form to perform one or more steps of any one of the embodiments of the method disclosed above.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0044] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices and methods of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0045] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a wearable device according to an embodiment collecting data relating to a physiological condition of a user.

[0048] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a mobile device according to an embodiment initiating a monitoring process.

[0049] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a wearable device according to an embodiment executing a monitoring process in response to a request from the mobile device.

[0050] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating interactions between a user, an application (app) executed by a mobile device and a wearable device (here named ‘Spiral’).

[0051] Figure 8 is a photograph of a use case of a monitoring system according to an embodiment with a wearable device communicatively coupled to a mobile phone.

[0052] Figures 9A-9C show photographs indicating how a wearable device according to various embodiments can be worn by a user.

[0053] Figures 10A-1 OB show user interfaces of an application executable by a mobile device according to an embodiment, the user interface here representing a landing screen or home screen of the application.

[0054] Figures 11 A-11 C show user interfaces of the application representing monitoring screens in a periodic monitoring process.

[0055] Figures 12A-12B show subsequent user interfaces of the application representing alternative monitoring screens of the application in an incidental monitoring process.

[0056] Figure 13 shows user interfaces of the application representing physical condition data, such as heart rate, sleep time and number of steps, obtainable by a wearable device.

[0057] Figure 14 shows user interfaces of the application representing configuration menus for the wearable device.

[0058] Figure 15 shows user interfaces of the application representing connectivity menus for the wearable device.

[0059] Figure 16 shows various alternative screens for the user interface of FIG. 12A.

[0060] Figure 17 presents further explanation on the spiral physical condition graphic that is shown in the user interfaces of FIG. 15.

[0061] The following reference numbers are used.

[0062] 100 system

[0063] 102 wearable device

[0064] 104a mobile phone

[0065] 104b tablet

[0066] 110 secondary network

[0067] 112 external server

[0068] BT1 first Bluetooth connection

[0069] BT2 second Bluetooth connection

[0070] 200 wearable

[0071] 202 processor 204 memory

[0072] 206 communication module

[0073] 208 (Bluetooth) antenna

[0074] 210 battery

[0075] 212 biometric sensor

[0076] 214 light source

[0077] 216 photosensor

[0078] 218 motion detection sensor

[0079] 220 attachment (e.g. wristband or necklace band)

[0080] 300 mobile device

[0081] 302 processor

[0082] 304 memory

[0083] 306 communication module

[0084] 308 antenna’s

[0085] 308a (Bluetooth) antenna

[0086] 308b secondary network (e.g. telecom / wifi) antenna

[0087] 310 battery

[0088] 312 output module, e.g. display and / or speaker

[0089] 314 user input module

[0090] 400 user interface of application executed on mobile device

[0091] 410 home screen

[0092] 411 current physical condition graphic

[0093] 412 previous physical condition graphic

[0094] 413 monitoring cycle initiation button

[0095] 414 navigation buttons

[0096] 415 tracked physical condition graphic

[0097] 416 averaged physical condition graphic

[0098] 417 monitoring status graphic

[0099] 418 physical condition processing button

[0100] 419 physical condition summary graphic

[0101] 420 monitoring screens

[0102] 421 recommendation graphic

[0103] 422 accept button

[0104] 423 guiding graphic

[0105] 430 monitoring screen

[0106] 431 gesture visualization

[0107] 432 physical condition graphic

[0108] 433 physical condition graphic

[0109] 440 summary monitoring screen

[0110] 441 spiral graphic 442 bead graphic

[0111] 450 metrics screen

[0112] 451 metric graphic

[0113] 452 detailed metric graphic

[0114] 460 detailed metric screen

[0115] 470 profile screen

[0116] 471 battery life indicator

[0117] 472 wearing mode

[0118] 473 monitoring interval selector

[0119] 480 sensor screen

[0120] 490 connectivity menu

[0121] 491 wearable graphic

[0122] 492 connectivity graphic

[0123] 493 connectivity graphic

[0124] 494 connectivity button

[0125] 495 connectivity menu

[0126] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any functional blocks labelled as “processors”, may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

[0127] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the present invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flowcharts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer.

[0128] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 illustrates, in block diagram form, exemplary system 100 including wearable device 102, also referred to as wearable, and mobiles devices 104a and 104b. Mobile device(s) 104a and / or 104b may for example be consumer mobile device(s). For example, mobile device 104a may be a smartphone. For example, mobile device 104b may be a tablet. It will be clear that other mobile devices may also be possible, such as a smartphone. It will be clear that system 100 may also comprise a different number of mobile devices. For example, system 100 may, comprise wearable device 102 and mobile device 104a or may comprise wearable device 102 and mobile device 104b.

[0129] Wearable device 102 in system 100 may be communicatively connected with mobile device 104a, for example via a wired connection (not shown) or a short-range wireless personal area network. For example, wearable device 102 and mobile device 104a may be connected via Bluetooth connection BT1 and / or wearable device 102 and mobile device 104b may be connected via Bluetooth connection BT2. It is noted that although figure 1 only displays a Bluetooth connection, other short-range wireless connections may also be possible, such as via a Wireless ad hoc network wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA). Mobile device 104a and / or mobile device 104b may further communicatively connected with external server 112 via secondary network 110, such as a long-range communication network, such as a LTE network, a 5G network, a next-generation network, an internet network, a computer network such as a Wi-Fi network, and more. Server 112 may refer to one or more physical servers and / or may refer to one or more cloud solutions and / or cloud services offered accessible via network 110. The remaining part of the description are described in reference to mobile device 104a, but it will be clear that all examples and embodiments disclosed are also relevant and applicable to mobile device 104b. In an example, wearable device 102 and mobile device 104a are configured to exchange data over connection BT1 . For example, wearable device 102 and mobile device 104a may communicate via an application programming interface (API) to exchange data.

[0130] Figure 2 illustrates, in block diagram form, wearable device 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g. wearable device 102 in figure 1 ). In the present example, wearable device 200 comprises a housing body (not shown) housing processor 202, memory 204, communication module 206, antenna 208, power module 210 and at least one biometric sensor 212. Processor 202 may be a single processor or may comprise multiple processors. Processor 202 may be provided using a microprocessor. Processor 202 is operatively connected to memory 204 and processor 202 may retrieve instructions from memory 204. Processor may store and / or retrieve information on memory 204. Processor 202 is further operatively connected to communication module 206. Communication module 206 may receive and / or transmit radio signals using antenna 208 in a predetermined frequency band, for example, in the frequency band 2400 to 2483.5 MHz using the Bluetooth protocol. Processor 202 may connect to an external device, e.g. mobile device 104a, using communication module 206 and may may control communication module 206 to send and receive data packets from and to the external device. Processor 202 is further operatively connected to the at least one biometric sensor 212. Processor 202 may be configured to obtain measurement data from biometric sensor 212. Biometric sensor 212 may comprise a heart rate monitor such as an electrical heart rate sensor or an optical heart rate sensor. In the present example, biometric sensor 212 comprises an optical heart rate sensor, also referred to as a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor. Biometric sensor 212 comprises light source 214 and photodiode 216 positioned relative close to light source 214, wherein light source 214 is positioned such that the skin of the user is illuminated by light source 214 when wearable device 200 is worn in a wearing positioned and wherein optical sensor is positioned to sense light from light source 214 reflecting from the skin of the user when wearable device 200 is worn in the wearing position Figures 9A, 9B, and 9C shown example of device 200 being worn in the wearing position. The housing (not shown) of wearable device 200 in figure 2 may be provided with an opening at biometric sensor 212 through which light source 214 and photodiode 216 may contact the user. Biometric sensor 212 may provide processor 202 with an photoplethysmogram that is determined by measuring an amount of light reflected by the skin of the user.

[0131] It is noted that in figure 2, biometric sensor 212 is illustrated as a single block, but is will be clear that wearable device 200 may comprise other sensors not shown in figure 2.

[0132] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0133] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a wearable device according to an embodiment collecting data relating to a physiological condition of a user.

[0134] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a mobile device according to an embodiment initiating a monitoring process.

[0135] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a wearable device according to an embodiment executing a monitoring process in response to a request from the mobile device.

[0136] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating interactions between a user, an application (app) executed by a mobile device and a wearable device (here named ‘Spiral’).

[0137] Figure 8 is a photograph of user holding a wearable device 200 in the left hand and a mobile device 300 in the right hand. The user is monitoring their physical condition using the wearable device, which is communicatively coupled to the mobile device 300. A user interface 400 of an application executed on mobile device 300 is visible in the display of the mobile device 300. This application controls the wearable device 200 to execute the monitoring cycle. The result of the monitoring cycle is output in the user interface 400.

[0138] Figures 9A-9C show photographs indicating how a wearable device according to various embodiments can be worn by a user. FIG. 9A shows the wearable device 200 with an attachment 220 in the form of a bracelet. FIG. 9B shows the bracelet being worn around the wrist of a user. FIG. 9C shows the wearable device 200 with an alternative attachment 220 in the form of a necklace being worn by a user.

[0139] As can be seen in FIG. 8-9C, the wearable device 200 has a blind cover, i.e. there is no display to present a user interface. The wearable device 200 is preferably exclusively controlled through the mobile device 300, in particular by means of a dedicated application executed by the mobile device 300. This inventors realized that such control allows more relaxed interaction with the wearable device 200, providing more reliable data reflection the physical condition of the user and, in many circumstances, also provided a more user-friendly and relaxing experience to monitoring of physical condition, which can lead to anxiety and stress with many known technologies.

[0140] Figures 10A-16 show user interfaces of an application that is executable by a mobile device according to an embodiment for controlling the wearable device. It is preferred that the wearable device is blind, i.e. it does not have a screen for controlling the wearable directly on the wearable itself. The wearable device may be in an ‘always on’ state when released from a charger. In such a state, is may be controlled by the application executed in the mobile device at any time (battery life permitting).

[0141] In the example explained here, the application is designed to present data on the physical condition of the user through various metrics, such as heart rate, sleep time and number of steps taken over in a particular period. Further, an aggregate metric of the physical condition of the user is presented, which aggregate metric is here termed the ‘vibe’. Such aggregate metric may be calculated based on more readily recognizable metrics of the physical condition such as the heart rate, the sleep time and the number of steps. When assessing the physical condition of the user over time, a score can be assigned to such aggregate metric, here termed the ‘vibe score’. Such a score presents a condensed representation of the physical condition of the user over a particular period of time in the past.

[0142] Before the application can be accessed, the user may need to sign in for authentication and authorization.

[0143] FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B shows two alternative user interfaces 410, each representing a landing or home screen of the application. Such a home screen may include a current physical condition graphic 411 , a previous physical condition graphic 412, a monitoring cycle initiation button 413, one or more than one application navigation button 414 and optionally also a tracked physical condition graphic 415. The monitoring cycle initiation button 413 may also appear in other user interfaces of the application for quick access in various conditions. Where a user interface includes a graphic, this is meant to include both graphical objects as well as text objects. For example, a graphical object may be accompanied by text to convey information to the user for guiding the user through their interaction with the mobile device and the wearable device of the monitoring system.

[0144] Figures 11 A-11 C show user interfaces 420a-420e of the application representing monitoring screens in a periodic monitoring process. In this example, the wearable device is instructed to periodically monitor (or track) the physical condition of the user at preset intervals (for example set through the user interfaces of FIG. 14). These user interfaces 420 may (again) include a tracked physical condition graphic 415, which here shows the data that is available so far in the day. Further, an averaged physical condition graphic 416 is shown. A monitoring status graphic 417 is also shown, which here reflects that insufficient data is collected to calculate an aggregate metric for the day. When sufficient data is available (here ‘after 8pm’), this may be reflected in the monitoring status graphic 417 and user interface 420b may be presented, which further includes a physical condition processing button 418 labelled ‘Calculate Vibe Score’ to process accumulated and / or aggregated physical condition metrics from the preceding period (here by way of example for one day). After the vibe score is calculated, user interface 420e may be presented, including un updated tracked physical condition graphic 415 and / or a physical condition summary graphic 419. However, it is preferred to provide further user interfaces 420c and 420d during the calculation.

[0145] When the processing button 418 is activated, monitoring data may be transmitted to an external server in order to perform the requested calculation.

[0146] User interface 420c included a recommendation graphic 421 and an accept button 422 to accept the recommendation offered. In this example, this initiates a guided breathing exercise, using the guiding graphic 423 optionally accompanied by audio in user interface 420d. Any relaxing or meditative activity may be presented at this point in the process to encourage calmness in the user.

[0147] Figures 12A-12B show subsequent user interfaces 430, 440a-440b of the application representing alternative monitoring screens of the application in an incidental monitoring process. The monitoring process may be initiated via the monitoring cycle initiation button 413. The user interface 430 is optional and provides guiding to the user for the monitoring cycle. Here, a visualization of a gesture 431 is presented which may, for example, indicate to the user how the wearable device is to be held during the monitoring cycle. Physical condition graphics 432 and 433 each indicate a metric of the physical condition of the user at current level and as an average value. Here, the heart rate as well as the peak-to-peak interval is presented by way of example. Various alternatives for the user interface 430 are presented in FIG. 16, in which in particular various gesture visualizations 431 are shown. Further, as alternative for or in addition to user interface 430, the user interfaces 420c-420d may be employed here. User interface 440a may follow after completion of the monitoring cycle, e.g. an isolated monitoring cycle initiated at the will of the user without being schedule periodically. User interface 440a may include a previous physical condition graphic 412. A current physical condition graphic 411 is included in a subsequent screen of user interface 440b. The user interfaces 440a-440b may form summary monitoring screens. A particular graphical rendition is devised in the form of a spiral 441 . This spiral graphic 441 comprises beads 442. The spiral 441 and its beads 442 are emphasized in the user interface 440b depending on the result of the monitoring of the physical condition of the user. In this example, the vibe score is again used to ‘fill’ the spiral from its tail to its center. The beads 442 may reflect a status of the user as if further explained in FIG. 17.

[0148] The implementation of the monitoring cycle in the process of FIG. 12 may require continued connectivity of the wearable device 200 and the mobile device 300. However, the monitoring cycles at an interval may involve tracking the physical condition of the user by the wearable device 200 and storing the derived valued indicative of the physical condition in a memory of the wearable device 200 and only communicating these to the mobile device 300 when communicatively connected to the wearable device 200. For example, a user may wear the wearable device 200 all through the day and only connect it to the mobile device 300 in the evening to retrieve a read-out of their physical condition during the day and also calculate an aggregate metric. Further, the present invention also enables initiation of a monitoring cycle by the user at any other moment.

[0149] Figure 13 shows user interfaces 450, 460 of the application representing physical condition metrics, such as heart rate, sleep time and number of steps, obtainable by a wearable device. The user interface or metrics screen 450 includes on overview of the metrics monitored at the current level and an averaged level. A metric graphic 451 acts as a button to access more detailed information. The user interface of detailed metric screen 460 presents data from an individual physical condition metric over time in detailed metric graphic 452, here the number of steps over time in a day.

[0150] Figure 14 shows user interfaces 470, 480 of the application executed on the mobile device to control or set the wearable device. The communicative connection between the mobile device and the wearable device is configured to enable such control. The user interface 470 may form a profile screen which provided access to a further user interface 480 in the form of a sensor screen. The profile screen 470 includes a battery life indicator 471 indicating the remaining battery life of the battery of the wearable device. Further, menu options are included to review and adjust settings of the wearable device. An example is presented in the sensor screen 480. Here, a wearing mode 472 of the wearable device can be set. For example, the wearable device may be set to ‘bracelet’ which enables tracking or periodic monitoring of the physical condition of the user while the setting ‘necklace’ may deactivate the sensors of the wearable device. When worn as a bracelet, the wearable device may be positioned snug onto the skin of the user. Further, sensor screen 480 may include an monitoring interval selector 473 to set the time interval for monitoring the physical condition of user. For example, a monitoring cycle may be started every 10m 20 or 30 minutes, as indicated. Here, this also involves calculation of the aggregate metric ‘vibe’ of the user.

[0151] Figure 15 shows user interfaces 490, 495 of the application executed in the mobile device for controlling connectivity with the wearable device. These user interfaces form connectivity menus 490, 495 including a wearable graphic 491 representing the wearable device, a connectivity graphic 492 indicative of the connection of the mobile device with the wearable device. Further, a connectivity message and / or graphic 493 is included to indicate the connectivity status. A connectivity button 494 is included to initiate (‘Connect Device’) or terminate (‘Disconnect Device’) a communicative connection from the mobile device with the wearable device.

[0152] Establishing this connection may involve an authentication and / or authorization of the wearable device via the application, for example by requesting permission from a server listing the wearable device.

[0153] A person of skill in the art would readily recognize that steps of various above-described methods can be performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, e.g., digital data storage media, which are machine or computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of said above-described methods. The program storage devices may be, e.g., digital memories, magnetic storage media such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmed to perform said steps of the above-described methods.

[0154] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any functional blocks labelled as “processors” or “modules”, may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” or “controller” should not be construed to refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile storage. Other hardware, conventional and / or custom, may also be included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the implementer as more specifically understood from the context.

[0155] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles of the invention. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudo code, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown.

[0156] Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Method for monitoring a physical condition of a user employing a system comprising a mobile device and a wearable device, wherein the wearable device and the mobile device are communicative connectable, wherein the wearable device comprises: a processor; a communication module; a memory module; and a biometric sensor, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving, by the processor of the wearable device, a request to initiate a monitoring process; in reaction to receiving the request to initiate a monitoring process, obtaining, with the biometric sensor of the wearable device, a first plurality of raw measurements during a first time period; determining, on the wearable device, one or more derived values using the first plurality of raw measurements; communicating, via the communication module of the wearable device, the one or more derived values to the mobile device; and presenting, on a display of the mobile device, at least one of the one or more derived values.

2. Method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises, prior to receiving the request to initiate the monitoring process: receiving, on the mobile device, a user input indicative of the user wanting to initiate a monitoring process; communicating, by a communication module of the mobile device, the request to initiate the monitoring process to the wearable device.

3. Method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the method further comprises, prior to communicating the request: establishing, from the communication module of the mobile device, a communicative connection between the mobile device and the wearable device.

4. Method in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the wearable device comprises a battery module.

5. Method in accordance with claim 4, wherein the wearable device further comprises a charging module electrically connected to the battery module, wherein preferably the charging module comprises a charging port and / or a wireless charging port.

6. Method in accordance with claim 5, the method further comprising, detecting, a charging status of the wearable device, wherein the charging status is indicative for whether the wearable device is currently being charged; switching, by the processor of the wearable device, between a charging mode and a ready mode in dependence of the charging status, the method preferably further comprising: enabling the communication module of the wearable device in reaction to the processor switching from the charging mode to the ready mode and disabling the communication module of the wearable device in reaction to the processor switching from the ready mode to the charging mode.

7. Method in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the biometric sensor comprises a photoplethysmogram, PPG, sensor and the method preferably comprises obtaining blood oxygenation data and / or heart beat data as the derived values.

8. Method in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the wearable device comprises a motion detection sensor, and wherein the method comprises, prior to obtaining the first plurality of raw measurements: obtaining motion measurements, by the motion sensor of the wearable device, indicative of motion of the wearable device; determining, by the processor of the wearable device, whether the motion measurements satisfy predetermined motion limits of the wearable device.

9. Method in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the method further comprises, prior to obtaining the first plurality of raw measurements: determining, by the processor of the wearable device, whether the request is associated with one or more preconditions, preferably by assessing whether the request comprises one or more preconditions and / or by assessing whether the memory comprises one or more preconditions; and when the request is associated with one or more preconditions: determining, by the processor of the wearable device, a current device status; and verifying whether the current device status satisfies the one or more preconditions, wherein the step of obtaining the raw measurement is executed once the current device status satisfies the one or more preconditions.

10. Method in accordance with claim 9, wherein determining the current device status comprises one or more of: a current charging status, a current communication status, a current wearing status.

11. Method in accordance with any previous claim, further comprising:determining, by the processor of the wearable device, a current wearing status by: obtaining one or more initial raw measurement from the biometric sensor; determining, using the initial raw measurement, whether the biometric sensor touches the skin of the user.

12. Method in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the preconditions comprise a determination of skin contact of the wearable device, preferably assessed through comparing to predetermined thresholds at least one of: photoplethysmogram, PPG, data from a PPG sensor comprised by the wearable device; motion data from a motion detection sensor comprised by the wearable device; and temperature data from a temperature sensor comprises by the wearable device.

13. Monitoring system configured for monitoring a physical condition of a user, the monitoring system comprising a mobile device and a wearable device configured to perform the method of any of the previous claims.

14. The mobile device of or for the monitoring system of the previous claim.

15. The wearable device of or for the monitoring system of claim 13.

16. A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions to perform the method, when the program is run on a computer, of any one of the claims 1 -12.

17. A digital data storage medium encoding a machine-executable program of instructions to perform any one of the steps of the method of any one of the claims 1 -12.

18. A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the method of any one of the claims 1 -12, when the program is run on a computer.

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