Biofeedback ring sensors

[0001] The present invention relates to biofeedback sensors and, more particularly, to biofeedback ring sensors.

[0002] Biofeedback sensors provide information about physiological aspects of a person. In some biofeedback sessions, the client sits in a chair or lays on a couch or bed. Sensors are attached to the client's skin at various locations on the body, such as, for example, the shoulders, fingers, back, and head. Electrical signals or impulses from these locations are used to provide visual or auditory feedback reflecting various information. Other variations on biofeedback sessions are possible, with the above being an exemplary type of biofeedback session for background purposes.

[0003] Some biofeedback sensors are simple electrodes attached to the client using an adhesive tab with an electrical contact or electrode. These adhesive tabs are placed in the desired locations on the client with the electrode between the client's skin and the tab. The electrode sensors are good measures of electrical information, such as epidural skin response, which is a measure of skin resistance and useful for measuring stress or the like, the use of adhesives on the client can result in an unpleasant removal experience. Sometimes the simple electrode sensor is attached to a VELCRO strip and wrapped around an appendage, such as, for example, a finger.

[0004] Another type of biofeedback sensor is an infrared sensor. Infrared sensors generally are not used to determine skin electrical responses, but may be used to determine other biometric information, such as, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, or the like. Although infrared sensor can be place on the client using an adhesive tab, they are more typically located by locating the infrared sensor on the client, and wrapping tape, VELCRO® straps, an elastic bandage, or the like around the client and the sensor to locate the infrared sensor. Again, while the sensor is adequate for measuring the biometric information, using tape, VELCRO® straps or the like leaves much to be desired. Frequently, the attachment devices wear out requiring frequent replacement.

[0005] Some infrared sensors are loaded in clip style devices, such as, for example, an ear clip or a finger clip. While these clips work somewhat better than the attachment devices above, they are frequently bulky and not well suited for all individuals.

[0006] Thus, it would be desirous to develop and improved finger sensor to read biometric information.

[0007] The present invention provides an improved finger sensor. The improved finger sensor comprises an appendage rest with a sensor coupled to the apparatus such that when an appendage of a client is in the appendage rest, the sensor measures biometric information. A cover or wing pivotally connected to the apparatus is attached to a biasing member that provides a compressive force to the appendage tending to snuggly contain the appendage in the appendage rest with the wing.

[0008] The present invention also provides a system for obtaining a plurality of biometric information using a plurality of sensors. Each of the sensors comprises an appendage rest and a cover pivotally connected to the appendage rest. The pivotal connection includes means for causing the cover to snuggly hold an appendage of the user in the appendage rest such that a plurality of sensors measures biometric information.

[0009] The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] The present invention will be explained with specific reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of particular embodiments of the present invention, and are not limiting, nor are they drawn to scale. Further, while the present invention is described in relation to a finger sensor, the sensor could be placed in other locations, such as a toe or the like. Finally, while the present invention is described using an electrode and/or an infrared biofeedback sensor, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize on reading the disclosure that other types of biofeedback sensors could be used.

[0020] Referring first to FIG. 1, an exploded view of a biofeedback sensor 100 is shown. Biofeedback sensor 100 includes a bottom 102, a finger rest 104, a pair of elastic biasing members 106, such as the springs as shown, pins 108, and a pair of top wings 110 or panels. While shown with two elastic biasing members 106 and two top wings 110, biofeedback sensor 100 could be constructed with one elastic biasing member 106 and top wing 110, but it is believed using two wings 110 provides a better fit and aesthetic design.

[0021] As shown, bottom 102 is coupled to finger rest 104 by pegs 112 on finger rest 104 frictionally engaging holes 114 on bottom 102. Pegs 112 could be replaced by through holes 702, and holes 114 could be threaded holes 704 such that screws 706 could be inserted through through holes 702 and threaded into threaded holes 704.

[0022] Bottom rest 102 has a plurality of shoulders 116 and a plurality of alignment tabs 118 with a pin hole 120 in each alignment tab. Finger rest 104 has a corresponding number of lips 122 and a plurality of alignment tabs 118 each with pin hole 120, such that when aligned, the pin holes are sufficiently aligned that pins 108 can be inserted through each of the pin holes. Pins 108 form axles that top wings 110 may pivot on, as will be explained further below. In other words, wings 110 pivot about a longitudinal axis A (as shown in FIG. 6A) rather than about a transverse axis B (orthogonal to axes A).

[0023] Top wings 110 have each have at least one alignment tab 124. Alignment tabs 124 each have pin hole 120 such that when alignment tabs 124 are positioned on finger rest 104, pin 108 is inserted through pin holes 120. Pin 108 acts similar to a hinge allowing top wings 110 to pivot about pin 108.

[0024] Elastic biasing members 106 are mounted on pins 108, as shown by FIG. 5. Elastic biasing member 106 has prongs 502 and 504. Prong 502 is substantially aligned with finger rest 104 or bottom 102 while prong 504 is substantially aligned with wing 110. Elastic biasing member 106 is generally under a compressive force, tending to cause wings 110 to pivot towards bottom 102. Thus, when placed on a finger, wings 110 pivot away from bottom 102 by the pressure associated with inserting a finger, but the compressive force associated with elastic biasing member 106 exerts a pressure tending to caused wings 110 to pivot towards bottom 102 causing a snug, but comfortable, fit on the finger of a client. Finally, while shown as a coil spring for convenience, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other tension or compression members would be equally useful, such as, for example, spring steel, plastic composites with sufficient elasticity, or the like. Basically, the elastic biasing member simply needs to supply sufficient force that wings 110 seat snuggly, but not uncomfortably, on the appendage of the client. While a number of torque values are possible, it has been found that biasing member 106 works well if the torque value is between 200 and 600 gf. For the specific design shown where the covers portions 202 and 204 are specifically contoured, it has been found that having different biasing values for each member provides a snug fit on the appendage. In this case, the torque value for the right biasing member would be in the range of about 350 gf to 400 gf and more preferably 360 gf. The torque value for the left biasing member would be a greater torque and in the range of 450 gf to 500 gf and more preferably about 460 gf.

[0025] Bottom 102 (or finger rest 104) has a recess 130. If recess 130 is in bottom 102, finger rest 104 has an opening 132 or window substantially aligned with recess 130. An electrode 126 or infrared sensor 128 resides in recess 130 having an electrical cable coupled to connector 134 or wireless transmitter 136 to transmit the biofeedback signal to a processor (not shown). Opening 132 in finger rest 104 allows sensor, which could be, for example, infrared sensor 128 to sensor biometrics from a finger or other appendage resting on finger rest 104.

[0026] FIG. 2A shows a side elevation view of a wing 110. As described above, wing 110 has alignment tabs 124 with pin holes 120. Wing 110 pivots about pin 108 that would extend between alignment tabs 124. FIG. 2B shows a side elevation view of the other wing 110. Wings 110 have cover portions 202 and 204 designed to fold together over, for example, a finger. While wings 110 could have identical shapes, individually contouring each cover portion 202 and 204 allows better fit. For example, cover portions 202 and 204 are contoured to fit the ring, middle, and index finger of a client. Other contours are possible to fit other appendages as desired. FIG. 6C shows how cover portions 202 and 204 fit together in more detail.

[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a top plan view (FIG. 3B) and a front elevation view (FIG. 3A) of finger rest 104 is shown. In FIG. 3B, bottom 102 is partially shown below finger rest 104. Finger rest 104 is designed with a rounded front end 302 and an open back end 304. While front end 302 is shown rounded, it could have other shapes, but it is believed a rounded end fits best with, for example, a finger where ring type biometric sensors are typically located on a client. A resting surface 306 has a concave shape generally contoured to the shape of an appendage, such as a finger or toe. If, for example, an index finger were resting on finger rest 104, the tip of the client's finger (or distal end of an appendage) would be placed substantially adjacent or abutting rounded front end 302. The knuckle end of the client's finger (or proximate end of an appendage) would extend out the open back end 304. The finger print part of the index finger (or corresponding part of another appendage) would reside substantially aligned with opening 132. Sensor, for example, infrared sensor 128 in recess 130 of bottom 102 would thus be proximate the appropriate part of the client's finger (or other appendage) to read the appropriate biometric information, such as, for example, blood oxygen levels, pulse, or the like.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, a top plan view of bottom 102 is shown. Bottom 102 has a concave lower surface 402 in which finger rest 104 resides. Bottom 102 has an outer surface 404. Outer surface 404 is shown as rounded to more conform to the appendage of a client, such as a client's finger, but could be flat or other shapes as a matter of design choice. Concave lower surface 402 contains recess 130, unless recess 130 is designed into finger rest 104, in which case finger rest 104 would not need opening 132.

[0029] Bottom 102 has shoulders 116. Extending from shoulders 116 are alignment tabs 118. The lips 122 of finger rest 104 may rest on shoulders 116 such that pin holes 120 in the alignment tabs 118 align sufficiently that pins 108 may be inserted through pin holes 120.

[0030] Pegs 112 of finger rest 104 are placed in holes 114 of bottom 102 to hold finger rest 104 in place. Notice, instead of a frictional engagement, pegs 112 could have a protrusion 802 and holes 114 could have a shoulder 804 such that pegs 112 and holes 114 form a snap-lock (see FIG. 8).

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 6A to 6C, a top plan, side elevation, and front elevation view of sensor 100 is provided. FIG. 6A shows how cover portions 202 and 204 of wings 110 fit together to form a snug enclosure 602 for an appendage of the client, such as, in this case, a finger. As best seen in FIG. 6C, covers 202 and 204 and front end 302 are contoured to fit a finger and could have alternative shapes to fit different appendages or for aesthetic reasons. FIG. 6C also best shows pin 108 inserted into pin holes 120 to allow wings 110 to pivot. Elastic biasing members 106 (not shown in FIG. 6) cause wings 110 to “clamp” around a finger or other appendage of the client to form a snug fit. As shown best in FIG. 6B, bottom 102 also is contoured to generally match the contour of the appendage, but bottom 102 could have alternative configurations, such as, flat, rounded, elliptical, random, or the like and the shape of bottom 102 is largely a matter of design choice. Because wings 110 “clamp” down on, for example, a finger, they may be constructed out of a plastic or have a pad 138 attached to rest on the finger. Pad 138 may be a foam or gel layer that conforms more to the finger (or appendage) than, for example, a stiffer plastic or metal.

[0032] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.