This invention relates to height determination systems, and more particularly, to height determination systems involving communication between devices.
Conventional height determination systems long used in doctor's offices and other medical settings include manual measuring of a subject's height against a vertical rail or ruler with a horizontal arm pressed against the top of the person's head. However, these manual measurements can be inaccurate. It is very easy for the arm placed at the top of the subject's head to be positioned at an angle rather than truly horizontal, such as because of height differences between the user taking the measurement and the subject being measured. This can occur even when the measurement arm is movably affixed along a track superimposed on the vertical ruler.
Recent developments have moved toward digital height measurement systems to avoid this user-generated error from manual measurements. Some use sensors that measure the subject's height to the floor, as the manual versions do. However, these sensors cannot be placed directly on the subject's head since they require a clear line of sight to the floor for measurement. Other objects such as bags and nearby furniture may also interfere with such downward-facing digital measurement systems.
Others have gone in the opposite direction and measure between the subject's head and the ceiling of the room, as in U.S. Pat. No. 9,026,392. In this patent, a single device is first placed on the floor of the room and a laser beam is directed to the ceiling to determine the height of the room for calibration. The same device is then placed on top of the patient's head and the laser beam is again directed to the ceiling. The difference in the second measurement from the calibration measurement provides the patient's height. However, the '392 patent also discloses that the angle of measurement is often not exactly vertical, being slightly angled when placed on the subject's head. In such cases, an inclinometer is used to determine the angle of deviation and trigonometry is then used to determine the straight vertical height.
Still others have used downward-facing sensors to automatically measure the height of a person, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,837. In this patent, a human subject stands on a scale with an integrated weight sensor to obtain a weight measurement. Simultaneously, a sonar head positioned in a stationary position above the weight scale is activated to emit sound waves from a sound wave emitter, which are received by a plurality of sound wave receptors. The sound waves bounce off the subject's head and return to the sonar head for detection. The measurement process is repeated four times. Software is used to average the various measurement runs and calculate the weight and height of the subject. The downside of this height measurement system is that the sound waves reflect off the highest point having mass on the person's head. This means that the height measured is to the top of the person's hair, not necessarily their skull. Voluminous or vaulted hair styles may render inaccurate height determinations as a result.
Therefore, there remains improvement in the field to easily and accurately measure the height of a subject that did not involve errors or correcting for same.
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for height determination of a subject. The system includes a fixed unit mounted to a surface of a room, such as a ceiling, and a mobile unit selectively movable in the room relative to the subject and through which the system is preferably controlled. The mobile unit and fixed unit are in electronic communication with one another, either wired or wirelessly, to transmit information and signals between them. The height of a subject is calculated from measurements between the fixed and mobile units.
Each of the fixed and mobile units include a transceiver through which such information and signals are transmitted. Each device also includes a logic board with a processor and memory which operates and controls the various components and functions of the device. Each device may also be in communication with a hub for central processing and computation and/or the subject's electronic medical record (EMR) which may be hosted remotely such as in the cloud in compliance with HIPAA or other security regulations for medical data.
The mobile unit is positioned in proximity to the highest or maximal point of the subject for height determination, such as the top of the subject's head or adjacent thereto. Specifically, the mobile unit includes a measurement surface that is placed on or in proximity to the subject's head for measurement. In at least one embodiment, this measurement surface extends from the body of the mobile unit, such as an arm or paddle, and may be selectively attachable to and releasable from the mobile unit. In other embodiments, the measurement surface may be an integral component of the mobile unit, such as but not limited to a screen or portion of the body or housing thereof.
The mobile unit also includes an input sensor that receives input from a user of the device. When activated, the input sensor provides corresponding instructions to the logic board of which mode of the system is being activated—calibration, marking or measurement. In at least one embodiment there are multiple input sensors, such as each corresponding to a different mode of activation. In other embodiments, a single input sensor may be activated differently, such as by holding for a certain length of time or simply pressing, to differentiate between modes of activation. There may also be a combination of some dedicated input sensors and others that are activated differently for different modes of operation. The input sensors are accessible at the exterior of the mobile unit, such as buttons or areas on a screen responsive to haptic feedback. The mobile unit may also include a display presenting information to the user, such as but not limited to the current mode of activation, input sensors, or the resulting height as determined by the system following use.
The fixed unit may include a light source such as but not limited to a laser, light emitting diode (LED) or other source of light. The light source generates and emits a light when activated by the fixed unit logic board. This light is directed at the support substrate of the room directly or substantially directly underneath the light source, producing a mark on the support substrate from the light ray. This mark indicates where the subject is to stand or be positioned for height determination. In at least one embodiment, this mark is temporary, lasting long enough to provide an indication for positioning but then ceasing for the rest of the height determination process. It may also persist for the duration of the height determination process.
The fixed unit also includes a sensor that is configured to both transmit and receive signals of a predetermined frequency, such as but not limited to in the ultrasonic and visible light ranges. When activated by a signal from the logic board, the sensor generates and emits a signal, which may be a calibration signal or a measurement signal depending on the instructions from the logic board. The signal is emitted from the sensor outwardly toward the room, and preferably directly toward the support substrate. When calibrating the system, the calibration signal is reflected by the surface of the support substrate of the room underneath the fixed unit and the return calibration signal is received by the same sensor. When using the system to make a height determination, the measurement signal that is emitted may be reflected back to the sensor by a measurement surface of the mobile unit positioned on the subject's head. This reflection of the measurement signal may be active or passive. Alternatively, the measurement surface may simply intercept and register the measurement wave without reflecting it back to the sensor. At least one of the sensor and/or logic board tracks the time between emitting and receiving the signal. This time difference is used to determine the height of the room to calibrate the system, and the distance to the subject when measuring for height determination.
The present invention is also directed to methods of determining the height of a subject using the system described herein. The method includes calibrating the system to determine the room height, marking a surface to indicate positioning of the subject, and measuring the height of the subject. In each step, the fixed unit emits a corresponding signal upon receipt of an initiation signal, which may be based on user input. Calibration of the system includes transmitting an initiation signal from the mobile unit to the fixed unit, which is then decoded as a calibration initiation signal. Operative instructions are sent to the sensor to emit a calibration signal. The calibration signal is directed at the support substrate of the room where the fixed unit is mounted. The calibration signal bounces off the support substrate and is returned to the sensor. The time it takes the calibration signal to traverse the length of the room and return is recorded and used to calculate the height of the room, which is saved as a known preselected distance for future use. In some embodiments, calibration may not be needed such as when the height of the room, i.e., the distance between the fixed unit and support substrate, is known and is stored in memory.
Marking includes receiving input from a user and transmitting a corresponding initiation signal from the mobile unit to the fixed unit where it is decoded. Operative instructions are sent to the light source of the fixed unit when the initiation signal is decoded as a marking initiation signal to activate the light source for a predetermined length of time, emitting a visible light directed at the support substrate underneath the fixed unit. When the light hits the support substrate, it creates a mark on the support substrate indicating where the subject should stand. In at least one embodiment it is temporary, lasting a few seconds. In some embodiments, the support substrate may be a hub such as a medical examination table.
Measuring includes positioning the mobile unit relative to the subject, such as on top of, proximate or adjacent to the top of the subject's head. Input is received from the user, generating and transmitting an initiation signal from the mobile unit to the fixed unit where it is decoded. Operative instructions are sent to the sensor of the fixed unit to emit a measurement signal when the initiation signal is a measurement initiation signal. The measurement signal is intercepted by the measurement surface of the mobile unit. In at least one embodiment, the measurement signal is reflected back to the sensor by the measurement surface of the mobile unit. In other embodiments, the measurement signal may be received and detected by the mobile unit, such as by the measurement surface. The time between emitting and receiving the measurement signal is used to determine a distance to the maximal point of the subject, which is subtracted from the known preselected distance or height of the room to determine the height of the subject. Either the mobile unit, fixed unit, or hub may perform these calculations. By using a surface-mounted source for the measurement signal, errors from angular deviation—and having to compensate for the same—are avoided.
The height determination systems and methods, together with their particular features and advantages, will become more apparent from the following detailed description and with reference to the appended drawings.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to a system and method for wirelessly determining the height of a subject. Specifically, the system 100 is deployable within a space 5 having a surface 2 and a support substrate 3, as shown in
The system 100 includes a fixed unit 10 mounted to the surface 2 of the space 5. The fixed unit 10 faces toward the interior of the space. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the fixed unit 10 emits and receives signals transmitting information. These signals may include, but are not limited to, waves in the ultrasonic, sonic, visible light, UV light, and other light ranges, and may be amplified and/or collimated such as through a laser. In at least one embodiment, the fixed unit 10 emits ultrasonic signals through a laser. These signals are emitted from the fixed unit 10 directed inwardly toward the space 5. When a subject 8 whose height is desired to be known is present within the space 5, the signals are emitted from the fixed unit 10 inward to the room toward a predetermined location at which the subject is positioned. A mark 20 may be displayed on the support substrate 3 by the fixed unit 10 showing a user 6 where to direct the subject 8 to stand. When the subject 8 is positioned on, over or within the location of the designated mark 20, the signals emitted from the fixed unit 10 are directed toward the subject 8. When the fixed unit 10 is mounted to a ceiling, the signals emitted therefrom are directed toward the subject's head. The subject 8 may be a human, animal or even object of whose height is desired to be known or determined and may be any age. Though described herein as a height, the same system can be used to measure any dimension of the subject 8. For instance, when the fixed unit 10 is mounted to a surface 2 that is a wall or other side boundary of the space 5, the signals it emits may be used to determine a length, width or depth of the subject 8 depending on how the subject 8 is oriented within the space 5 and relative to the fixed unit 10.
The system 100 also includes a mobile unit 30 in electronic communication with the fixed unit 10 and exchanges information therewith. This electronic communication may be wireless, such as by Wi-Fi, BlueTooth®, RF and RFID, or may be wired. The mobile unit 30 may be an electronic device that may be utilized by a user 6 when triaging the subject 8, obtaining the vital signs and basic physiological information of the subject 8, or before, during or after examining the subject 8. For instance, in at least one embodiment the mobile unit 30 may be an electronic tablet, electronic pad, smartphone, or other interactive handheld electronic device. The mobile unit 30 may be placed in proximity to the subject 8 when using the height determination system 100, such as on top of and/or beside a maximal point of the subject 8 such as the subject's head. It should be appreciated that
In at least one embodiment, the mobile unit 30 may include a measurement surface 40 which extends on or from the mobile unit 30 and may be placed on top of the subject's head during use of the height determination system 100, as shown in
In some embodiments, such as shown in
The mobile unit 30 is preferably used to control the system 100, with a user 6 providing input to the mobile unit 30 to direct the emission of waves from the fixed unit 10. Accordingly, the mobile unit 30 is in electronic communication with the fixed unit 10, capable of sending and receiving information to and from the fixed unit 10. However, in some embodiments, certain functions of the fixed unit 10 may occur automatically, such as calibrating the system 100 when a preset period of time has elapsed since the last calibration or emitting a measurement signal automatically once a presence is detected at the predetermined location which may be regularly monitored by the fixed unit 10. These are but a few illustrative and non-limiting examples.
In some embodiments, the system 100 also includes a hub 50 in electronic communication with at least one of, if not both, the fixed unit 10 and mobile unit 30. The hub 50 may be located in the same space 5 as the fixed unit 10 or in a different room or space that is within electronic communicating distance of the fixed unit 10 and/or mobile unit 30. The hub 50 may itself be an electronic device coordinating both the mobile unit 30 and fixed unit 10, or at least receiving information from the mobile unit 30 and/or the fixed unit 10. For instance, the hub 50 may be a computer or workstation used by nurses or other medical professionals in assisting with or preparing for examination of the subject. In certain embodiments, the hub 50 may be an examination table, procedure chair, or other furniture that is equipped with computing hardware and software, such as a processor, memory and wireless communication such as but not limited to Wi-Fi, BlueTooth®, RF and RFID, allowing the furniture to itself be a “smart” device. In some embodiments, the hub 50 or a portion thereof may be the predetermined location on which the subject 8 is positioned for height determination. Regardless of form, the hub 50 may in turn be in electronic communication to a network, such as but not limited to a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Wi-Fi network, enterprise network or other network allowing access to other computing devices nearby and/or the Internet. The hub 50 may also have processing capabilities to determine the body mass index (BMI) value of the subject 8 upon receipt of the height as determined by the system 100, as explained in greater detail below, in conjunction with a weight measurement determined separately, such as from a scale in electronic or digital communication with the hub 50. In some embodiments, the hub 50 itself may be able to make the weight determination, such as when the hub 50 is an examination table having an integrated scale that weighs the subject 8 when they sit or lie on the table. This may occur separately from or in conjunction with the height determination measurement. These are but a few embodiments provided for illustrative purposes.
At least one or each of the fixed unit 10, mobile unit 30 and hub 50 may be in electronic communication with a network and/or the Internet, as described above, in order to convey the height measurement (and/or BMI value derived therefrom) to the electronic medical record (EMR) 60 of the subject 8, as shown in
Now that the overall system 100 has been described generally, the specific components will be discussed in greater detail. As shown in
The fixed unit 10 may also include memory 16 that stores executable instructions, programs, information and other data. The memory 16 may be onboard memory that is part of the processor 14, or it may be a separate component that is electrically accessed by the fixed unit logic board 12. The memory 16 may be primary storage or temporary storage memory. The memory 16 may be a chip(s) installed on the fixed unit logic board 12 and accessed by the processor 14 during use of the fixed unit 10. The memory 16 may be random access memory (RAM) such as but not limited to dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) and magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM), having a double data rate of DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 or DDR5; read only memory (ROM) such as but not limited to programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM); complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and flash. The memory 16 has at least enough storage capacity to save one floating value, such as but not limited to 16 bytes of data, which may be long term or short-term storage. In at least one embodiment, the memory 16 includes 1 KB EEPROM and integrated into a breadboard or PCB using ARDUINO® logic. As noted above, the memory 16 stores executable instructions, programs, information and other data accessed and used by the fixed unit logic board 12 during use. For example, the executable instructions for sending and receiving signals and operative instructions to the other components of the fixed unit logic board 12 may be included in memory 16. The algorithm(s) and/or rules used to interpret incoming data, make calculations and determine height from the measurements received, which are discussed in greater detail below, may also be stored in the memory 16 and accessed by the processor 12 for use. The calibration measurements and information, such as room height, may be stored in the memory 16 and may be rewritten on demand with subsequent calibration steps. In some embodiments, the calibration measurements and information may be transmitted to the mobile unit 30 for storage and calculation performance, as described in detail below. These are but a few non-limiting examples.
The fixed unit 10 also includes a sensor 17 in electronic communication with the fixed unit logic board 12. The sensor 17 sends and receives measurement and/or calibration signals from the fixed unit 10. For instance, in at least one embodiment the sensor 17 is a wave emitter such as but not limited to an HC-SR04 ultrasonic range module (ELECFREAKS, Shenzhen, China) providing 40 kHz pulses over a range of 2 cm to 4 meters when activated, though other ultrasonic modules with differing operative parameters are also contemplated. Additional examples include but are not limited to the LIDAR Lite v3 (GARMIN®, Olathe, Kans.) emitting laser light at 905 nm (1.3 watts) with 4 m Radian×2 m Radian beam divergence and an optical aperture of 12.5 mm, though other LIDAR models are also contemplated herein. As noted above, the signal emitted by the fixed unit 10 may be a wave in the ultrasonic, sonic, visible light, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and other light ranges, and may be amplified and/or collimated such as through a laser. For example, the sensor 17 may be a laser or light emitting diode (LED), as a few non-limiting examples. The sensor 17 may emit the signal in a constant wave for a predetermined length of time, such as up to 100 microseconds, or as a pulsed wave with each pulse having a duration in the range of up to 10 microseconds with a pause of up to 10 microseconds between pulses. In at least one embodiment, the sensor 17 emits the signal as a constant wave at a frequency of about 40 kHz for a predetermined length of time, such as 10 microseconds. In addition to emitting the signal, the sensor 17 also detects signals of a predetermined frequency or frequency range, preferably of the same frequency or range as those it emits, though it may detect signals of different frequencies than those emitted. In at least one embodiment, the signal detected by the sensor 17 is the same signal(s) that was emitted from the sensor 17 reflected back by an object, such as the mobile unit 30, measurement surface 40 thereof and/or support substrate 3.
The fixed unit 10 also includes a light source 18 that emits light of a predetermined wavelength when activated. The light source 18 is positioned within the fixed unit 10 so it emits light directed inwardly to the space, and specifically to the support substrate 3 of the space 5, where it appears as a mark 20 on the support substrate 3, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The mobile unit 30 may also include a display 39 that presents information to the user 6 of the system 100. The display 39 may be a screen, such as a digital screen, having any level of resolution capable of presenting information to the user 6 in a legible format which may include text, images and graphical representations of the data and/or status of the system 100, such as but not limited to whether the system 100 is in calibration, measure or marking mode; the status of the fixed unit 10, such as whether it is on, off or in standby mode awaiting instructions; the status of the mobile unit 30, such as whether it is on, off or in standby mode awaiting instructions or input from the user 6; the calibration value for the room, which is also referred to interchangeably herein as the known preselected distance; the height of the subject as determined by the system 100; the status of transmitting the subject's determined height to a hub 50 or EMR 60; the status or operational mode of the hub 50, such as on, off, receiving information or in standby mode. The display 39 may also include a speaker(s) providing audio information to a user 6, such as but not limited to a sound, beep, audio of a spoken language and the like.
The mobile unit 30 also includes input/output capabilities, such as at least one input sensor 35, to receive input from a user 6. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the input sensor(s) 35 is a sensor or switch in the display 39, such as a touchscreen display responsive to haptic input, that detects or registers the contact of a user 6 with the display 39 screen and transmits the corresponding input data and/or indicated instructions to the mobile unit logic board 32 for processing and further directing of output components, such as the mobile unit transceiver 38. In at least one other embodiment, the input sensor(s) 35 may be a button or plurality of buttons on the mobile unit 30 that may be selectively actuated by the user 6 to instruct the performance of calibration, marking and/or measuring by the system 100. The button(s) as input sensor 35 may be pressed or pressed and held for a predetermined length of time, to activate. For instance, in at least one embodiment as shown in
The present invention is also directed to methods of determining the height of a subject, as at 200, using the system 100 described above. This is shown schematically in
Once the fixed and mobile units 10, 30 are powered on, the method 200 continues with receiving input from the user, as at 202. This input from the user may be any interaction with the mobile unit 30, indicating the system 100 is both on and now active. Upon receiving initial input from the user, the system checks to see if calibration data is set in memory, as at 211 in
To calibrate the system, as at 210, the user may input instructions at the mobile unit 30, such as by pressing a button or selecting an area of the display 39. In at least one embodiment, the mobile unit 30 includes a dedicated calibration button or area of the display 39 as an input sensor 35 that may be selectively activated to begin the calibration process. In other embodiments, there may be a single button or area of the display 39 as a single input sensor 35 for all user input that may be activated or held for a predetermined length of time, such as but not limited to 3 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds or other predefined length of time to indicate calibration instructions. This user input is translated into an initiation signal which is transmitted from the mobile unit to the fixed unit, as at 212 in
The initiation signal is in turn received by the fixed unit 10, such as by the overhead communication module 19, and relayed to the fixed unit logic board 12 and processor 14. There, the method continues with decoding the initiation signal, as at 213. The fixed unit processor 14 compares the initiation signal received from the mobile unit 30 to a plurality of predefined signal profiles stored in memory 16. Each of a calibration initiation signal, mark initiation signal and measurement initiation signal have a unique signal profile stored in memory. Each signal initiation profile consists of a first packet of information indicating how many bits of data are in the defined signal, and a second packet of information providing the substantive data. The first packet of information is used to instruct the processor 14 on how much of the subsequent signal should be captured and interpreted. The second packet provides the relevant information being transmitted in the signal. When any initiation signal is received at the processor 14, the processor 14 compares at least the second packet of information in the received initiation signal to the stored initiation signal profiles and identifies the received initiation signal according to which of the stored initiation signal profiles it matches. Therefore, when the received initiation signal matches the stored calibration initiation signal profile, the processor 14 decodes the received initiation signal as a calibration initiation signal and provides instructions to proceed with the calibration step 210.
Specifically, when the processor 14 decodes the initiation signal as a calibration initiation signal, it transmits operative instructions to the sensor 17 to emit a calibration signal, as at 214. These operative instructions cause the sensor 17 to activate and emit a calibration signal, as at 215, according to preconfigured settings or as contained within the operative instructions. Types and characteristics of the calibration signal 11 emitted are described above in connection with sensor 17. The method 200 also includes associating a time with emitting the calibration signal, as at 216. This may be accomplished by creating a timestamp when the calibration signal 11 is emitted from the sensor 17. In other embodiments, a timer may be started when the calibration signal 11 is emitted. Upon being emitted from the sensor 17, the calibration signal 11 is directed at the support substrate 3, preferably beneath the fixed unit 10 and in at least one embodiment reflects off the support substrate 3 and back to the sensor 17 in the fixed unit 10, as depicted in
In at least one embodiment, calibrating the system, as at 210, continues by calculating the calibration signal time difference (t1) between emitting and receiving the calibration signal, as at 219. In some embodiments, such as when timestamps of events are transmitted, this calculation may occur by subtracting the timestamp of emitting the signal from the timestamp of receipt of the reflected signal and defining the result as t1. In other embodiments, such as when timer information is transmitted, this calculation may simply be defining the timer information as t1.
Calibrating the system, as at 210, then continues with calculating the room height d1 based on t1, as at 220. To do this, the processor 14 performs the following calculation:
where x is zero and c is either the speed constant of the wave when the calibration signal is laser light, or c is equal to the following equation when the calibration signal is ultrasonic:
c=331.4+(0.606*T)+(0.0124*H) (2)
where T is the temperature of the space 5 in degrees Celsius and H is the humidity of the space 5 in grams per cubic meter. Accordingly, LIDAR may be used in at least one embodiment to calibrate the system 100 such as when a laser is used for the calibration signal. The values for both c and x are stored in memory, such as fixed unit memory 16. The speed constant c will depend on the type and frequency of the wave emitted for calibration. For example, the speed constant c will be the speed of light when the sensor 17 is a laser emitting light, whereas the speed constant c will be the speed of sound as adjusted for temperature and humidity when the sensor 17 is ultrasonic emitting ultrasonic frequencies, as shown in Equation 2. The distance d1 between the fixed unit 10 and the support substrate 3 may be up to 13 ft if the sensor 17 is ultrasonic, or up to 100 ft if the sensor 17 is a laser, though other distances are also contemplated depending on the power capacity and wave emitting features of the sensor 17 used.
Once the calibration height d1 is determined, calibration concludes with saving d1 in memory, as at 221. This may be saved in the memory 16 of the fixed unit 10 or may be transmitted to the mobile unit 30 and stored in the memory 36 there or to the hub 50 and stored in local memory there. In some embodiments, the calibration data d1 is stored in multiple memories for increased flexibility in use of the system 100.
Once the system is calibrated, the method 200 continues with marking the location for the subject to stand, which begins with receiving input from the user, as at 202. This is shown schematically in
Upon receiving the marking input from the user, the method 200 continues with transmitting an initiation signal indicative of the user input to the fixed unit, as at 212 in
The method 200 then continues with transmitting operative instructions to the light source when the initiation signal is a marking initiation signal, as a 235. These operative instructions may include instructions to activate the light source 18 for a predetermined or communicated length of time, in a particular pattern and/or at a particular frequency, as described above in discussing the light source 18. In at least one embodiment, the operative instructions provided by the fixed unit logic board 12 to the light source 18 include instructions to activate the light source 18 for 2-3 seconds, 3-10 seconds, or 5 seconds then deactivate. In other embodiments, the light source 18 need not deactivate after a predetermined period of time, but rather may remain activated during the subsequent measuring step since it may not affect the measurement signals. During this activation time, the light source 18 emits light to mark the location for positioning the subject, as at 236 in
Regardless of how light is emitted, the mark 20 denotes where the subject should stand for the system to subsequently determine their height. In at least one embodiment, the light is visible light and is colored so it is noticeable to the subject so they know where to stand and to the user so they can direct and assist the subject in positioning themselves over the mark 20. In some embodiments, the mark 20 may be displayed on a portion of the hub 50 when the subject 8 is to stand on the hub 50 of a component thereof for measurement, which in some embodiments may also have an integrated scale for obtaining weight measurements which may or may not occur simultaneously with the height determination. Regardless of where displayed, in some embodiments, the mark 20 may be larger than the size of the subject 8, such that the subject 8 stands within the perimeter or boundary of the mark 20. For example, the mark 20 may be in the range of 3-5 feet in diameter. In other embodiments, the mark 20 may be smaller than the size of the subject 8 such that the subject 8 stands over the mark 20, at least partially obscuring part of the mark 20 in doing so. Examples of such marks 20 may include but are not limited to up to 2 feet in diameter. In some embodiments, the light 21 producing the mark 20 may be emitted in a constant stream, producing a constant mark 20 for the duration of emission, such as but not limited to for 1 second, 1 minute, or the duration of use of the system 100, though other time intervals are also contemplated. In other embodiments, the light may be emitted in pulses, such as but not limited to 10-100 milliseconds or up to 1 second each in duration, repeating for the length of time the light is emitted. In certain embodiments, the light source 18 may include a filter or may be configured with a particular design stored in memory to create a pattern in the resulting mark 20 when it appears on the support substrate 3. This design of the mark 20 may be any shape, pattern, icon, image, text, number(s), or logo. In some embodiments, the mark 20 may be a common shape, such as but not limited to a diamond, triangle or square. In other embodiments, the mark 20 may be the logo of the user's employer, such as the medical practice or hospital. In other embodiments, the mark 20 may be a common icon such as but not limited to a smiley face. In still other embodiments, the mark 20 may be text or alphanumeric text, such as but not limited to the words “stand here” with a numerical countdown until the mark 20 disappears. These are a few non-limiting examples provided for illustration only. Preferably, the mark 20 is temporary, persisting only for a predetermined period of time according to the operative instructions or preset configuration provides, such as but not limited to in the range of 10 milliseconds-1 minute. This saves power, bulb or diode life, and ensures the measurement signals are not impeded by the mark 20 light. If the mark 20 disappears before the subject is properly positioned, the user may again activate the input sensor 35 to provide marking input to the mobile unit 30. This will repeat the above steps and generate another mark 20 on the support substrate 3. This process may be repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the proper positioning of the subject over the mark 20.
When the subject is positioned in the location of the mark 20, the method 200 continues with positioning the mobile unit relative to the subject, as at 238 in
Once the measurement surface is positioned appropriately, the method 200 continues with again receiving input from the user, as at 202 in
The method 200 continues with decoding the initiation signal, as at 213 in
The method 200 then continues with transmitting operative instructions to the sensor to emit a measurement signal when the initiation signal is a measurement initiation signal, as at 245. These operative instructions may include instructions to activate the wave emitter and generate a wave, according to parameters included in the operative instructions, as configured in the sensor 17, or as set in the memory 16 of the fixed unit 10 or memory onboard the sensor 17. The various parameters are discussed above in connection with the sensor 17. For instance, in at least one embodiment, the operative instructions direct the sensor 17 to generate and emit a measurement signal 13 which may be the same as those described above for the calibration signal 11.
Once activated with operative instructions, the method 200 then continues with transmitting measurement signals between the fixed unit and mobile unit, as at 250 in
Because the emitted measurement signal 13 is directed at the subject's head, where the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30 is positioned, the measurement signal 13 encounters and intercepts the measurement surface 40 when it reaches the mobile unit 30. In at least one embodiment, the measurement signal 13 bounces off the measurement surface 40 and is returned to the sensor 17 of the fixed unit 10 for detection, as shown in
In other embodiments, however, the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30 may not reflect back the measurement wave 13 upon intercepting it but may absorb the signal instead. For instance, the measurement surface 40 may include a detector 37 that detects the incident measurement signal 13. This detector 37 may operate actively or passively.
Accordingly, the method 200 includes receiving the measurement signal, as at 254 in
The method 200 also includes associating a time with receiving the measurement signal, as at 255. In embodiments where a timestamp or log was created on emission, the sensor 17 or mobile unit 30 logs the time, creates a timestamp, or sends a signal to the fixed unit logic board 12 or processor 14 to create such a log or timestamp when the measurement signal 13 is received, depending on which unit is to receive the measurement signal 13 for detection. In embodiments involving a timer, the timer is stopped or a signal is sent to the fixed unit logic board 12 or processor 14 to stop the timer upon receiving the measurement signal 13.
The method 200 continues with calculating the subject's height from the measurement signals, as at 260 in
Once the measurement signal time difference t2 is calculated or determined, the method 200 then includes calculating the distance (d2) to the mobile unit, as at 264. This distance d2 is the distance between the sensor 17 emitting the measurement surface and the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30 which intercepted and, in some embodiments, returned the reflected measurement signal 13. It is therefore also the distance the measurement signal 13 traveled. Because the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30 is also placed on, adjacent to or in close proximity to the head of the subject 8, the distance d2 also represents the distance between the sensor 17 and the subject's head. This calculation is performed by the following equation:
When the measurement signal is laser light emitted from the sensor 17, x is zero and c is the speed of light. When the measurement signal is ultrasonic waves emitted from the sensor 17, x is either the height dimension of the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30 and c is equal to the following equation:
c=331.4+(0.606*T)+(0.0124*H) (4)
where T is the temperature of the space 5 in degrees Celsius and H is the humidity of the space 5 in grams per cubic meter. In embodiments where the sensor 17 is ultrasonic, the height x may be up to 1.5 inches, such as but not limited to in the range of 0.25-1.5 inches, and in some embodiments 0.25-0.375 inch. Could also be thicker, such as up to 1.5 inches, for instance when a smartphone or tablet is used as the mobile unit and measurement surface. Accordingly, LIDAR may be used in at least one embodiment to calculate the distance d2 to the subject, such as when a laser is used to generate the measurement signal. As with the measurement signal time difference t2, either the fixed unit logic board 12, processor 14 or mobile unit logic board 32 or processor 34 may perform the calculation of distance dz. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial or desired for the fixed unit 10 to perform all the calculations, such as to keep the processing power focused in one location, allowing the mobile unit 30 to be smaller, lighter, faster or more portable. In other embodiments, it may be beneficial or desired for the mobile unit 30 to perform the calculations, such as to have the ability to move between rooms with different fixed units 10 and retain the processing power and stored information for increased mobility. In still other embodiments, it may be preferred for the hub 50 to perform the calculations. Regardless of which device 10, 30, 50 performs the calculations, the necessary values and measurements for such calculations are captured and/or transmitted to the relevant device 10, 30, 50 through the transceivers 19, 38 of the fixed and mobile units 10, 30 for computation.
Finally, the method 200 includes calculating the height (h) of the subject from d1 and d2, as at 266. This height calculation is performed according to the following formula:
h=d
1
−d
2 (5)
where d1 is the known preselected distance or calibrated measurement of the height of the space and d2 is the distance the measurement signal 13 traveled between the sensor 17 of the fixed unit 10 and the measurement surface 40 of the mobile unit 30. The difference between these two values is the height h of the subject 8. Because each of the distances d1 and d2 already account for the height of the measurement surface 40, the resulting subject height h is also accurate.
The method 200 also preferably includes transmitting the calculated subject height h to the display, hub and/or EMR, as at 270 in
In some embodiments, the method 200 may also include determining the body mass index (BMI) value of the subject from the determined height of the subject, as at 272. The BMI may be determined by the hub 50, user 6, or another source from the calculated height h and weight information collected, such as by the hub 50 or a scale in electronic communication with the components of the system 100. The BMI value may be determined as understood in the medical arts according to the relationship between height and weight. The BMI value as determined may also be transmitted to the EMR 60 for recording purposes and future use by medical or health practitioners and professionals. Accordingly, the calculated height h may be sent to any or all of the display 39, hub 50, and EMR 60 according to the system 100 configuration.
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Now that the invention has been described,