METHODS AND SOFTWARE FOR PROVIDING HEALTH INFORMATION TO A USER EXPRESSING SYMPTOMS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION VIA A WEARABLE DEVICE

In one embodiment, an apparatus (204) comprising a processor (408) that receives indicators of an allergic reaction, presents an interactive question and answer session (1600) with the user based on the indicators, and provides health information (1620) relating to an allergic reaction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of wearable technology devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people suffer from various types of allergies, and allergic reactions range from mild, such as itchy eyes and sneezing, to severe, which may include anaphylactic shock and death. Current generation wearable technology devices, such as smartwatches and health-bands, record various physiological data, including data pertaining to physiological parameters corresponding to allergy-related symptoms. For instance, U.S. Patent Application Number 20100087744 describes a wearable pulse rate and rhythm monitoring device that monitors a person's pulse for variables such as pulse rate, pulse rhythm, pulse amplitude and blood pressure versus time when a person is exposed to one or more potential allergens. The person will select a potential allergen, such as corn, from a list stored in the device when the person will be exposed to that particular potential allergen. Selecting a potential allergen will start the device to monitor the pulse for gathering the data and storing the data in the memory for a pre-selected period of time. The stored data is then downloaded into a program that will plot the pulse rate versus real time so that an allergen can be identified. By monitoring the various changes to a person's pulse versus real time instead of taking an average, even slight allergens can be identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is that a wearable device can detect indicators of an allergic reaction.

Another object of the present invention is that a wearable device can commence a question and answer session with a user based on the indicators to determine health information related to the allergic reaction.

Another object of the present invention is that a wearable device can provide health information relating to the allergic reaction to a user.

To better address such concerns, in a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprising a processor that receives indicators of an allergic reaction, presents an interactive question and answer session with the user based on the indicators, and provides health information relating to an allergic reaction. The present invention addresses a problem in the art where there is a failure to acquire real-time, substantiating feedback of indicators of allergic reaction conditions and no automatic and immediate remedial measures by commencing an interactive question and answer session with the user at the inception of detection of the condition and providing health information that is helpful to the user in remedying the condition. The question and answer session facilitates the determination of the cause and severity of the allergic reaction

In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to, prior to the presenting of the questions: receive an event time that commences a reaction time window as a function of said received indicators; and determine whether or not the reaction time window has closed, wherein when the determination is that the reaction time window has not closed, initiate the presenting of the questions. The event time may comprise a time when the user stops eating, or when the user is stung by a bee, where the reaction time window may be defined from data received by the processor from third party databases, such as medical or research databases. The databases may also include databases of other users and/or health databases (e.g., pollen status, etc.). The event time may differ for different types of allergies and/or intolerances to allergens, and such differences may be manifested in the different databases. Note that the detection of an allergic reaction condition may involve detection of allergens and/or detection of intolerances to one or more allergens. By delaying the commencement of the interactive session until receiving an event time, resources may be conserved by avoiding unnecessary processing, an important consideration for battery or renewable energy-driven wearable devices.

In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to present the questions only if the indicators indicate that the user is experiencing at least two symptoms corresponding to the allergic reaction. The indicators may include physiological symptoms and non-physiological symptoms. By delaying the interactive question and answer session until the user experiences at least two symptoms, the processor conserves energy and mitigates the risk of false alarms.

In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to assign a value to each of the answers received from the user; and generate a total of the values of the answers, wherein the health information is based on the total, which facilitates the determination of the severity of the allergic reaction.

In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to associate the total of the values of the answer to a health-risk level selected among a plurality of available health risk levels, wherein the processor is further configured to provide an alert corresponding to the health-risk level. The association with defined health risk levels and provision of alerts provide a user-friendly and responsive user interface that informs the user of his or her condition in a readily discernible format.

In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to present a suggested remedy, provide the health information to a third party device, or both present the suggested remedy and provide the health information to the third party. For instance, the third party device may be an electronic device for a clinician or medical provider, which may be of particular importance for conditions deemed most severe. The suggested remedy, in today's world of high cost of health services and long wait times for health services, provides an alternative to addressing many conditions that may be treated at home, saving expense, time, and worry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to wearable technology devices, for example, smartwatches, health-bands, fitness-bands, and smartphones, among others, and combinations thereof, that are enabled to assist their wearers in diagnosing and/or treating allergic reactions to any one or more of a variety of allergens, such as food-based allergens, airborne allergens, medicinal allergens, animal-based allergens, etc. The present inventors have discovered that there is currently no way for wearable technology to interactively participate in such diagnosis and/or treatment. Because some allergic reactions can be highly debilitating and even life-threatening, enabling wearable devices to provide such functionality can allow users of this technology to not only quickly recognize allergic reactions but also take remedial measures, for example, as directed by the wearable devices. As described below in detail, such aspects can be facilitated by various user interfaces (UIs), including graphical UIs (GUIs), and other software features running on one or more of a variety of devices, including wearable technology devices (or simply “wearable devices”), and web servers, among other devices. These broad aspects of the present invention are described below in connection with a variety of specific examples. That said, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the specific examples described are just that, examples that will inform and instruct those skilled in the art about broad features that they can then implement in a plethora of ways using only routine knowledge and skill in the art.

Turning now to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates an example high-level method100that can be performed by allergen analysis software executed on one or more devices of an allergen analysis system, such as example allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2. Before describing method100ofFIG. 1, allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2is first described to give the reader an example context in which method100may be executed. Referring now toFIG. 2, allergen analysis system200includes a wearable device204and an allergy health network device(s)208that communicate via one or more communications networks, here represented by the Internet212, via corresponding communications systems, here, labeled “Wearable Comm216” and “Network Comm220”, respectively. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that each wearable communications system may include, but not be limited to a 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, 802.11, visible light, wired, etc., communications system, or any combination thereof. Not shown, but which those skilled in the art will readily understand to be present, are the specific additional communications systems, such as wireless data communications systems (e.g., cellular-based communications systems and satellite-based communications systems, WI-FI™ communications systems, etc.) and wired communications system (e.g., optical fiber based communications systems, copper wire based communications systems, etc.), that work together to provide the point-to-point communications needed between the wearable device204and the allergy health network device208.

In the embodiment shown, the wearable device204includes, in addition to Wearable Comm216, wearable software224, a wearable sensor database228, a wearable symptoms comparison database232, a wearable condition/symptom database236, a wearable questionnaire/action database240, a wearable allergy database244, a wearable base GUI248, a wearable questionnaire GUI252, a wearable remedy GUI256, a clock260, and one or more sensors264(1) to264(N). Note that, although functionality is described herein for a wearable device, including devices worn around the wrist or other body parts or on clothing, one or more of the functionality may be implemented in other devices, including smartphones, personal digital assistants, laptops, among other portable devices in some embodiments. Also in this embodiment, the allergy health network device208includes, in addition to the Network Comm220, network software268and a network databases database272. Each of these components is described and/or referred to in the context of the examples provided below. The allergy health network device208may be used and/or associated with any suitable network of allergy experts and/or allergy information providers. As described below in example detail, the allergy health network device208may contain information that the wearable device204needs to execute allergy-based methodologies of the present disclosure. Such information may include, but not be limited to, symptom data that the wearable device204uses to determine whether or not the user is experiencing an allergic reaction, symptom and remedial measures questionnaires, and remedial measures and corresponding data.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the method100may begin at step105at which the wearable device204receives an event time that establishes a reaction time window in which the allergic reaction should occur if it is occurring at all. As an example of such an event time, for an allergic reaction to food, the event time may be selected as the time the user stopped eating. In this example, the wearable device204may receive the event time by receiving an input from the user, for example, via the wearable base GUI248, via sensor input that determines that the user has stopped chewing, or by other means. An another example, if the event is a bee sting, the event time may be determined from a user input to the wearable device204of the time, such as via the wearable base GUI248, or by a microphone sensor detecting the user yelling and/or saying “I've been stung by a bee!,” among other things. The event time may correspond to the detection of an allergen or intolerance to the allergen. At step110, the wearable device204checks sensor data for at least one symptom of a possible allergic reaction being expressed by the user. Note that in some embodiments, the data need not be wearable sensor data, or may include externally-received data in addition to wearable sensor data. For instance, the wearable device204may receive (e.g., wirelessly or over a wired connection) data from another device that corresponds to indicators of an allergic reaction, such as imaging data received from an external camera or indirectly via an intermediary device (e.g., revealing physical changes in a user that indicate an allergic reaction), sound data directly or indirectly received from another device (e.g., revealing troubled breathing), among other data. As described in an example below, the symptom(s) the wearable device204may check for may be obtained in any suitable manner, such as being downloaded from the allergy health network device208ofFIG. 2(and/or in some embodiments, some common symptoms loaded at the time of manufacture of the device204), for example, in response to the user setting up the wearable device204to check for and be responsive to a certain allergic reaction, such as a reaction to a peanut allergy. An example for a peanut allergy is described below. The sensor data that the wearable device204checks at step110is data obtained from one or more of sensors (FIG. 2) onboard (residing on) the wearable device204. The sensor data may correspond to one or more sensed physiological parameters, including indicators of a sympathetic reaction (e.g., increased heart rate, increased temperature, breathing frequency changes, blood pressure changes). Note that in some embodiments, data other than physiological data may be received (e.g., as sensed by the wearable sensors and/or communicated by coupled devices) in addition to the physiological data. For instance, the wearable device204may receive input corresponding to the environment, such as pollen count or strength, humidity, air quality, mold, etc. As another example, input may be received corresponding to food and/or food composition. That is, sensor devices including smart plates, smart utensils, spectrometers, gluten sensors, among others, may be used to sense the presence of pesticides, gluten, or other allergens. In some embodiments, the sensor devices may include imaging devices and/or code reading technology that read codes (e.g., QR codes, RFID) that may be affixed to food packaging and use accelerometer data (e.g., of arm movement) and/or other sensed data (e.g., sound detected from microphones) to detect the consuming of food. All or a portion of these sensors and sensor data may be utilized by the wearable device204.

At step115, the wearable device204determines whether or not the reaction time window has closed. If so, then the method100may end at120or, alternatively, for example, may display a follow-up message to the user indicating the user appears to be safe from an allergic reaction occurring or may continue with monitoring for one or more symptoms for a second allergic reaction. At step125, the wearable device204determines whether or not the user is experiencing the one or more symptoms for the particular allergic reaction that the wearable system is presently programmed to handle. If the wearable device204does not determine that the required symptom(s) is/are present at step125, the method100simply loops back to step110and keeps checking for the symptom(s) until either the reaction time window has closed or the wearable device204determines that the symptom(s) is/are present.

If at step125the wearable device204determines that the one or more requisite symptoms are present, at step130the wearable device204displays a questionnaire user interface, such as wearable questionnaire GUI ofFIG. 2. In some embodiments, the initiation of the questionnaire (and presentation) is automatic (e.g., without user intervention), based on the sensor data. At step135, the wearable device204displays to the user via the questionnaire user interface one or more questions soliciting one or more answers from the user relating to the allergic reaction under consideration. For example, each such question may be devised to elicit a response from the user that supplements the sensor data that the wearable device204checked at step110and determined to indicate that the user may be experiencing an allergic reaction of the type that the wearable device204is checking for. Having additional data from the answers the user provides to the question(s) asked at step135enables the wearable device204to make a better informed decision about whether or not the allergic reaction is truly occurring and its severity, since the physiological condition(s) of the sensor data at steps110and125may be due to something other than the allergic reaction.

At step140, the wearable device204receives the one or more answers the wearable system solicited at step135, and at step145the wearable device204determines the health information to provide to the user based on the one or more answers the wearable system receives via the questionnaire user interface. Examples of health information that the wearable device204may provide to the user are described below in connection with a detailed example. In one embodiment, the health information may include an identification or confirmation of the occurrence of an allergen reaction (e.g., including an alert), an identity of the cause and/or type of the allergic reaction and/or its severity, and/or suggested mitigating and/or remedial measures or actions plans to take. The remedial/mitigating measures may be based on the severity of the allergic reaction. In some embodiments, the health information may include am elimination diet along with coaching (e.g., textual, graphical, and/or audible) to assist the user in arranging meals in a manner that temporarily or permanently removes different types of foods and/or ingredients from the diet of the user. By doing so, the user may be made aware of which foods and/or their component parts cause an allergic reaction by the user, and take steps to ensure the source of the allergic reaction is avoided. At step150, the wearable device204may display the health information to the user via a suitable remedy UI, such as wearable remedy GUI256ofFIG. 2. The method100ofFIG. 1is exemplified by detailed examples provided below, as are the various features and functionalities of example allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2. Note that in some embodiments, all or a portion of the steps above may be implemented on another device or devices, such as a user device (e.g., smartphone, personal digital assistant, etc.) and/or a network device (e.g., remote server).

Before describing an example that illustrates the method100ofFIG. 1and the example allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2in more detail, attention is directed toFIG. 3, which illustrates an example symptoms-versus-data-input matrix300that shows the types of data inputs that the wearable device204can use to determine whether or not a particular symptom of an allergic reaction is present. In this example, example sensors264(1)-264(n) that may be located onboard (e.g., wearable sensors) the wearable device204and/or located externally yet in communication with the wearable device204are a microphone304, a camera308, a pulse sensor312, and a thermometer316. Note that fewer, additional, and/or different sensors may be used in some embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the camera308and/or the microphone304may be omitted. In some embodiments, the sensors264may include biomolecular detection devices that sense target markers present in bodily fluid, including blood, serum, plasma, lymph, perspiration, saliva, tears, and/or urine. The sensors264may include sensors that utilize infrared imaging of the blood (e.g., to detect the manifestation of histamines), skin conductivity or impedance, blood pressure sensors. For instance, imaging data may be used in combination with image recognition software residing in the wearable device204(or the results of image capture and recognition residing elsewhere and communicated to the wearable device204) to detect certain foods that are known allergens and/or detect physiological conditions of the user known to be suspected manifestations of an allergic reaction, such as detection of rashes or eczema, welling of the lips, face, or other parts of the body. In some embodiments, microphones on the wearable device204(or residing elsewhere with corresponding data communicated to the wearable device204) may be used alone or in conjunction with the other sensors to detect any manifestation of an allergic reaction, including wheezing, nasal congestion, breathing irregularities, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting. The questions may be presented to solicit answers to substantiate the sensor data and/or to help reveal whether or not an allergic reaction is occurring where the sensor data is unavailable or insufficient to detect some allergens and/or allergic reactions. In other words, other data input (beyond the sensor data) may be obtained via a suitable questionnaire that is presented to the user via a questionnaire UI, such as the wearable questionnaire GUI252ofFIG. 2. In this example, the questions presented by wearable questionnaire GUI252include a pain/discomfort question320, a nausea question324, an intestinal question328, a funny-taste question332, and a breathing question336, each designed to elicit a response from the user that provides more data to assist wearable device204in determining whether or not one or more of the relevant symptoms are present. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the contents of symptoms-versus-data-input matrix300is merely one example and non-limiting, since other symptoms, sensors, and questions may be used.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of an example wearable computing device400that may be configured to implement any one or more of various features and/or processes of the present disclosure, such as the features and processes illustrated in other figures of this disclosure, as well as features and processes that would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this entire disclosure. As shown, the computing device400may include a memory interface404, one or more data processors, image processors and/or central processing units408, and a peripherals interface412. Memory interface404, one or more processors408, and/or peripherals interface412may be separate components or may be integrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in computing device400may be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines.

Sensors, devices, and subsystems may be coupled to peripherals interface412to facilitate one or more functionalities. For example, a motion sensor416, a light sensor420, and a proximity sensor424may be coupled to peripherals interface412to facilitate orientation, lighting, and/or proximity functions. Other sensors428may also be connected to peripherals interface412, such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) (e.g., GPS receiver), a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor (e.g., sensing physiological or behavioral parameters), and/or one or more other sensing devices, to facilitate related functionalities, including environmental and/or food detection.

A camera subsystem432and an optical sensor436, e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, may be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as recording images and/or video. Camera subsystem432and optical sensor436may be used to collect images of a user to be used during authentication of a user, e.g., by performing facial recognition analysis. For instance, as set forth above, the camera subsystem432may be used to detect physical changes in the skin and/or body that evidences an allergic reaction. In some embodiments, the camera subsystem432may be used to detect food and/or its components (e.g., including types of food that are suspected allergens, pesticides, etc.).

Communication functions may be facilitated through one or more wireless communication subsystems440, which may include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of communication subsystem440may depend on the communication network(s) over which computing device400is intended to operate. For example, computing device400may include communication subsystems440designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi™ or WiMax™ network, and/or a Bluetooth™ network. The communication subsystem440may use near field communication technology and/or RFID or other readable code technology to identify types of food that are to be consumed. In particular, wireless communication subsystems440may include hosting protocols such that one or more devices400may be configured as a base station for other wireless devices.

An audio subsystem444may be coupled to a speaker448and a microphone452to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as speaker recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and/or telephony functions. Audio subsystem444may be configured to facilitate processing voice commands, voice-printing, and voice authentication. The audio subsystem444may also be used to detect audible manifestations of an allergic reaction, including wheezing, coughing, diarrhea, troubled and/or irregular breathing, falls to the ground, bee stings, etc.

I/O subsystem456may include a touch-surface controller460and/or other input controller(s)464. Touch-surface controller460may be coupled to a touch surface468. Touch surface468and touch-surface controller460may, for example, detect contact and movement or a lack thereof using one or more of any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and/or surface acoustic wave technologies, optionally as well as other proximity sensor arrays and/or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with touch surface468.

Other input controller(s)464may be coupled to other input/control devices472, such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. One or more related buttons or other controls (not shown) may include one or more sets of up/down buttons for volume and/or amplitude control of speaker448and/or microphone452. Using the same or similar buttons or other controls, a user may activate a voice control, or voice command, module that enables the user to speak commands into microphone to cause device400to execute the spoken command. The user may customize functionality of one or more buttons or other controls. Touch surface468may, for example, also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard.

In some implementations, computing device400may present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and/or MPEG files. In some implementations, computing device400may include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod™. Computing device400may, therefore, include a 36-pin connector that is compatible with related iPod™ hardware. Other input/output and control devices may also be used.

As shown, memory interface404may be coupled to one or more types of memory476. Memory476may include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). Memory476may store an operating system480, such as Darwin™ RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X™, WINDOWS™, and/or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. Operating system480may include instructions for handling basic system services and/or for performing hardware dependent tasks. In some implementations, operating system480may comprise a kernel (e.g., UNIX kernel). Further, in some implementations, operating system480may include instructions for performing voice authentication.

Memory476may also store communication instructions482to facilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one or more computers, and/or one or more servers. Additionally or alternatively, memory476may include: graphical user interface instructions484to facilitate graphic user interface processing; sensor processing instructions486to facilitate sensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions488to facilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaging instructions490to facilitate electronic-messaging related processes and functions; web browsing instructions492to facilitate web browsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions494to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions; GNSS/Navigation instructions496to facilitate GNSS and navigation-related processes and instructions; and/or camera instructions497to facilitate camera-related processes and functions. Memory476may store other software instructions498to facilitate other processes and functions. For example, other software instructions498may include instructions for counting steps the user takes when device400is worn.

Memory476may also store other software instructions (not shown), such as web video instructions to facilitate web video-related processes and functions and/or web shopping instructions to facilitate web shopping-related processes and functions. In some implementations, media processing instructions494may be divided into audio processing instructions and video processing instructions to facilitate audio processing-related processes and functions and video processing-related processes and functions, respectively. An activation record and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)499or similar hardware identifier may also be stored in memory476.

Each of the above identified instructions and applications may correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described herein. These instructions need not necessarily be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules. Memory476may include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Further, various functions of computing device400may be implemented in hardware and/or in software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B,FIG. 5Aillustrates an example of the wearable software224of the wearable device204ofFIG. 2, including a number of software components, namely, initial symptom software500, questionnaire/action software504, risk calculation software508, specific allergy database loading software512, and remedy software516, each of which is described in more detail below. It is noted that the term “software” as used to describe any of the software herein does not necessarily connote any particular arrangement or compartmentalization or segmentation of software code. Rather, the term is simply used in conjunction with a descriptor to indicate the functionality the software provides.FIG. 5Bis a flow diagram520illustrating the general flow of execution of component software500-516of wearable software204, including a specific allergy database loading software, initial symptom software, questionnaire/action software in cooperation with risk calculation software, and remedy software in cooperation with risk calculation software.

FIG. 6illustrates an example method600that specific allergy database loading software512ofFIGS. 5A-5Bmay perform. As seen inFIG. 6, the method600receives an initiation of specific allergy database loading software512(step605), prompts for and receives from a user preferred allergy information (step610), sends the allergy preference to allergy health network device208ofFIG. 2(step615), and receives the corresponding databases, such as wearable condition database236, wearable questionnaire/action database240, wearable symptoms comparison database232, and wearable allergy database244, from the allergy health network device (step620). This allows the user to have the wearable device204monitor the user for the occurrence of an allergic reaction to a particular allergen.

FIG. 7illustrates an example method700that the initial symptom software500ofFIGS. 5A-5Bmay perform. As seen inFIG. 7, the method700receives an initiation of initial symptom software500(step705), receives an eating time, i.e., an event time, here directed to a food allergy (step710), receives sensor data, at designated intervals, from one or more of the sensors264(1)-264(n) ofFIG. 2relevant to the allergy at issue from the method600(step715), compares the sensor data with wearable symptoms comparison database232(step720), and records matches between the sensor data and file data from wearable symptoms comparison database232(step725). At step730, the method700determines whether or not the sensor readings indicate that at least two symptoms of the allergy at issue are present in the user. If not, the method700loops back to step715. If so, method700proceeds to step735at which initial symptom software500calculates the time that has elapsed since the eating time received at step710to determine whether or not it is longer than a reaction time window that is received from allergy health network208as part of the method600ofFIG. 6. If the time since eating exceeds the reaction time window, then the method700may end at step740. However, if the time since eating is less than the reaction time, then the method700may proceed to step745at which the initial symptom software500initiates questionnaire/action software504(FIGS. 5A and 5B) with a questionnaire from wearable condition/symptom database236that matches the allergy at issue.

FIG. 8illustrates an example method800that questionnaire/action software504ofFIGS. 5A-5Bmay perform. As seen inFIG. 8, the method800receives an initiation of questionnaire/action software504(step805), displays the questionnaire noted in step745of the method700ofFIG. 7in wearable questionnaire GUI252(step810), receives from the user answers to the questionnaire via the wearable questionnaire GUI252(step815), initiates risk calculation software508(FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 9) (step820), looks up a level of risk based on the answers to the questionnaire in questionnaire/action database240(step825), and, depending on the level of risk, takes a corresponding action, here, actions830(1),830(2),830(3), and830(4) corresponding respectively to risk levels “Low Risk”, “Watch”, “Warning”, and “Emergency”.

FIG. 9illustrates an example method900that risk calculation software508ofFIGS. 5A-5Bmay perform. As seen inFIG. 9, the method900receives an initiation of risk calculation software508(step905), receives the user's answers to the questionnaire (step910), selects the first question in the questionnaire responses in wearable questionnaire/action database240and sets an accumulator (“Total”) to zero (step915), modifies the answer by a modifier and a weight and adds the result to the Total (step920), and determines whether or not the question just modified was the last question (step925). If the question just modified at step920was not the last question at step925, then method900selects the next questions at step930and loops back to step920. If, however, the question modified at step920is determined to be the last question at step925, then method900advances to step935at which the risk calculation software508returns to step825of questionnaire/action software504(FIG. 8) to determine the level of risk based on the overall total just calculated at step920of the method900ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 10illustrates example contents for wearable symptoms comparison database232ofFIG. 2. In this example and as seen inFIG. 10, the subject allergy is a peanut allergy that utilizes three sensors, here a microphone1000, a camera1004, and a thermometer1008(which can be some or all of sensors264(1)-264(n) of wearable device204ofFIG. 2) and a peanut-allergy-specific questionnaire1012. As seen inFIG. 10, for each of these data inputs, wearable symptoms comparison database232contains a refresh interval column1016containing values, here values1020(1) and1020(2) of 1 second each for microphone1000and camera1004, a value1020(3) of 1 minute for thermometer1008, and a value1020(4) of 60 minutes for peanut questionnaire1012. In the detailed example, the wearable software224(FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B) uses values1020(1) to1020(3) at step715of the method700ofFIG. 7and value1020(4) at step1110of method1100ofFIG. 11. The wearable symptoms comparison database232also includes a column1024designating the symptom relevant to the corresponding sensor, as well as column1028containing file identifiers, here file identifiers1032(1) to1032(4), for corresponding files containing data to which wearable device204compares actual measurements, readings, photographs, answers etc., the wearable system acquires in order to determine whether or not the user is likely to be experiencing an allergic reaction. In the detailed example, wearable software224(FIGS. 2, 5A, and 5B) uses data in the files identified by file identifiers1032(1) to1032(3) at steps720to730of method700ofFIG. 7and data in the file identified by file identifier1032(4) at step810of the method800ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 11illustrates an example method1100that the remedy software516ofFIGS. 5A-5Bmay perform. As seen inFIG. 11, the method1100receives an initiation of remedy software516(step1105), waits for a wait time listed in allergy database244and then displays a corresponding remedy questionnaire in remedy GUI256ofFIG. 2(step1110), receives from the user answers to the questionnaire via the remedy GUI256(step1115), and initiates risk calculation software508(FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 9) to determine a new risk score (step1120). At step1125, the method1100determines whether the new risk score is lower than the previous risk score from method800. If so, the method1100proceeds to step1130at which the method ends. However, if the new risk score is not lower than the previous risk score, the method1100proceeds to step1135to look up a level of risk, based on the new risk score, in the questionnaire/action database240. Depending on the level of risk, the method1100takes a corresponding action, here, actions1140(1),1140(2),1140(3), and1140(4) corresponding respectively to risk levels “Low Risk”, “Watch”, “Warning”, and “Emergency”.

FIG. 12illustrates example contents of the wearable condition/symptom database236of the wearable device204ofFIG. 2. In this example and as seen inFIG. 12, the wearable condition/symptom database236contains the condition (allergy)1200along with its corresponding symptoms, here symptoms1204(1) to1204(N), and a file identifier1208for the pertinent remedy questionnaire.

FIG. 13illustrates example contents of the wearable allergy database244of the wearable device204ofFIG. 2. In this example, the wearable allergy database244contains a file identifier1300for the file containing the “routine” or symptom questionnaire used at step810of the method800ofFIG. 8, along with a corresponding wait time1304. The wearable allergy database244also contains a file identifier1308for the file containing the remedy questionnaire used at step1110of the method1100ofFIG. 11, along with a corresponding wait time1312. In addition, the wearable allergy database244contains a time1316of last eating from step710of the method700ofFIG. 7, a reaction time window value1320, which wearable device204uses at step735of the method700ofFIG. 7, and a previous risk score1324calculated in the method900ofFIG. 9. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the contents of the wearable allergy database244are merely one example and are not limiting in any way.

FIG. 14illustrates example contents of the wearable questionnaire/action database240ofFIG. 2. The wearable questionnaire/action database240may include questionnaire responses data1400and level of risk data1404. The questionnaire responses data1400may include the question numbers1408, corresponding respective modifiers1412, and corresponding respective weights1416. As seen in the example questionnaire GUI252ofFIG. 2illustrated inFIG. 16, answers to each question1600(1) to1600(3) have assigned values, and risk calculation software508(FIGS. 5A and 5B) uses the corresponding respective modifiers1412and weights1416at step920of the method900ofFIG. 9to calculate a risk score1612. For example, a user may be asked if they have eaten peanut-contaminated foods. The answer may be worth five points and that may be multiplied by 10 to be 50, which then may be weighted by 30 percent for a resulting total of 15. This may be stored in the questionnaire/action database240. The weighted and modified scores are totaled up and that total is associated with the level of risk. Level of risk data1404in this example contains four levels of risk determined by the total risk calculated at by method900ofFIG. 9. For example, for a peanut allergy, a total calculated risk of 0-10 is considered low risk, a total calculated risk of 11-15 is in the watch category, a total calculated risk of 16-60 is in the warning category, and a total calculated risk of 61 or higher is in the emergency category. Also shown contained in the wearable questionnaire/action database240ofFIG. 14are an alert1420and remedy1424that wearable device204(FIG. 2) may display to the user via remedy GUI256as appropriate for the calculated risk. Here the alert1420is “Peanut exposure suspected” and remedy1424is “Use Epinephrine Pen Immediately!”.

FIG. 15illustrates an example instantiation of the wearable base GUI248of the wearable device204ofFIG. 2that is directed to a peanut allergy and corresponding allergic reaction. In this example, the wearable base GUI248includes an allergy selector1500, which here shows that a user has selected “Peanuts”. Once the user has selected the desired allergy, the wearable device204causes the wearable base GUI248to display specific information pertinent to peanut allergy, here in “Tested Symptoms” region1504and in “Time since eating” region1508. The wearable base GUI248also includes a yes/no selector1512that allows the user to control whether or not the wearable device204auto-initiates allergy testing. If the user selects “Yes” on selector1512, then the wearable software224ofFIGS. 2, 5A, and 5Bexecutes automatically (e.g., automatically runs). If the user selects “No” on selector1512, then the wearable software224can only be initiated manually. The wearable base GUI248includes an event time input means, here a soft button1516, which a user selects to indicate when they have stopped eating. The event time is based on clock260of the wearable device204ofFIG. 2, and the wearable device204uses this time in various methods, such as the method700ofFIG. 7as described above. In this example, the wearable base GUI248allows a user to initiate the remedy questionnaire manually, here using a yes/no selector1520.

As mentioned above,FIG. 16illustrates an example instantiation of questionnaire GUI252of wearable device204that the wearable system displays to a user, for example, at step810of the method800ofFIG. 8to display a questionnaire1600. As seen inFIG. 16, the questionnaire1600includes three questions1604(1),1604(2), and1604(3) and corresponding answer soft controls1608(1),1608(2), and1608(3). As readily seen, each of the answers in answer soft controls1608(1),1608(2), and1608(3) is assigned a numerical value, which the wearable software224utilizes in calculating an overall risk score1612as described above. In the embodiment shown, the questionnaire GUI252includes a “Determine Risk” soft button1616that allows the user to initiate the risk score calculation when done answering questions1604(1),1604(2), and1604(3). The questionnaire GUI252further includes a message region1620in which wearable software224displays various messages (e.g., health information) based on the overall risk score1612.

FIG. 17illustrates an example instantiation of a remedy GUI256of the wearable device204that the wearable device204displays to a user, for example, at step1110of the method1100ofFIG. 11to display a questionnaire1700. As seen inFIG. 17, the questionnaire1700repeats the three questions1604(1),1604(2), and1604(3) of questionnaire1600ofFIG. 16and corresponding answer soft controls1608(1),1608(2), and1608(3). In the embodiment shown, the remedy GUI256includes a “Determine Risk” soft button1704that allows the user to initiate the risk score calculation when done answering questions1604(1),1604(2), and1604(3) to calculate a post-remedy overall risk score1708. Remedy GUI further includes a message region1712in which the wearable software224displays various messages based on post-remedy overall risk score1708.

FIG. 18illustrates an overall method1800of utilizing the allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2. As seen, the steps of method the1800ofFIG. 18are quite self-explanatory when read in the context of the allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2and the detailed examples described above. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that method1800ofFIG. 18is merely example, and many other methods that include subsets of the steps of this method may be devised in accordance with changes to and/or alternative uses of allergen analysis system200ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 19shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a computing device in the example form of a computer system1900within which a set of instructions for causing a control system, such as any one or more of various systems of the present disclosure, such as the systems illustrated in other figures of this disclosure, as well as systems that would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this entire disclosure, to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiple computing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configured set of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to perform any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. Computer system1900includes a processor1904and a memory1908that communicate with each other, and with other components, via a bus1912. Bus1912may include any of several types of bus structures including, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any of a variety of bus architectures.

Memory1908may include various components (e.g., machine-readable media) including, but not limited to, a random access memory component, a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a basic input/output system1916(BIOS), including basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer system1900, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory1908. Memory1908may also include (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media) instructions (e.g., software)1920embodying any one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In another example, memory1908may further include any number of program modules including, but not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, program data, and any combinations thereof.

Computer system1900may also include a storage device1924. Examples of a storage device (e.g., storage device1924) include, but are not limited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-state memory device, and any combinations thereof. Storage device1924may be connected to bus1912by an appropriate interface (not shown). Example interfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technology attachment (ATA), serial ATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device1924(or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfaced with computer system1900(e.g., via an external port connector (not shown)). Particularly, storage device1924and an associated machine-readable medium1928may provide nonvolatile and/or volatile storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data for computer system1900. In one example, software1920may reside, completely or partially, within machine-readable medium1928. In another example, software1920may reside, completely or partially, within processor1904.

Computer system1900may also include an input device1932. In one example, a user of computer system1900may enter commands and/or other information into computer system1900via input device1932. Examples of an input device1932include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numeric input device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, a gamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice response system, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, an optical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a video camera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device1932may be interfaced to bus1912via any of a variety of interfaces (not shown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallel interface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a direct interface to bus1912, and any combinations thereof. Input device1932may include a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate from display1936, discussed further below. Input device1932may be utilized as a user selection device for selecting one or more graphical representations in a graphical interface as described above.

A user may also input commands and/or other information to computer system1900via storage device1924(e.g., a removable disk drive, a flash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device1940. A network interface device, such as network interface device1940, may be utilized for connecting computer system1900to one or more of a variety of networks, such as network1944, and one or more remote devices1948connected thereto. Examples of a network interface device include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local area network (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobile communications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connection between two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network, such as network1944, may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software1920, etc.) may be communicated to and/or from computer system1900via network interface device1940.

Computer system1900may further include a video display adapter1952for communicating a displayable image to a display device, such as display device1936. Examples of a display device include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and any combinations thereof. Display adapter1952and display device1936may be utilized in combination with processor1904to provide graphical representations of aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to a display device, computer system1900may include one or more other peripheral output devices including, but not limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, and any combinations thereof. Such peripheral output devices may be connected to bus1912via a peripheral interface1956. Examples of a peripheral interface include, but are not limited to, a serial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallel connection, and any combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, a first independent claim is disclosed and directed to an apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more sensors worn by a user; and a processor configured to: receive sensor data, the sensor data corresponding to indicators of an allergic reaction; present questions to the user to solicit answers from the user relating to the allergic reaction based on the sensor data; receive the answers from the user; and automatically provide health information to the user based on the answers, the health information relating to the allergic reaction. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to the presenting of the questions: receive an event time that commences a reaction time window as a function of said received sensor data; and determine whether or not the reaction time window has closed, wherein when the determination is that the reaction time window has not closed, initiate the presenting of the questions. The apparatus of the first independent claim, further comprising a user interface, wherein the processor is configured to present the questions, receive the answers, and provide the health information via the user interface. The apparatus of the prior claim, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the processor is further configured to present the health information based on comparing the sensor data with stored condition and symptom data. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the processor is further configured to receive additional sensor data corresponding to non-physiological data, the additional sensor data including any one or a combination of environmental data, data corresponding to an identity of food, or data corresponding to an identity of components of the food, the presenting of the questions based on the additional sensor data. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the processor is further configured to present the questions only if the sensor data indicates that the user is experiencing at least two symptoms corresponding to the allergic reaction. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the processor is further configured to: assign a value to each of the answers received from the user; and generate a total of the values of the answers, wherein the health information is based on the total. The apparatus of the prior claim, wherein the processor is further configured to associate the total of the values of the answer to a health-risk level selected among a plurality of available health risk levels, wherein the processor is further configured to provide an alert corresponding to the health-risk level. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to present a suggested remedy, provide the health information to a third party device, or both present the suggested remedy and provide the health information to the third party. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to initiate a remedy user interface and re-present the questions to the user via the remedy user interface. The apparatus of the first independent claim, wherein the health information further comprises an elimination diet and associated coaching. Note that in some embodiments, a single sensor may be used by in the apparatus of the first independent claim. In some embodiments, the indicators may be received from external sensors or devices (e.g., not worn by the user) that communicate the indicators to the apparatus. In some embodiments, the elimination diet may be embodied as an iterative elimination diet that is used with an aim to predict a chance of possible food allergens, including based on accumulated data on the diet prior to allergy outbreaks.

In one embodiment, a second independent claim is disclosed and directed to a machine-readable storage medium containing machine-executable instructions that causes one or more processors of a wearable device comprising plural wearable sensors to: receive sensor data from one or more of the plural wearable sensors, the sensor data corresponding to physiological symptoms corresponding to an allergic reaction; present questions to the user to solicit answers from the user relating to the allergic reaction based on the sensor data; receive the answers from the user; and automatically provide health information to the user based on the answers, the health information relating to the allergic reaction. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to, prior to the presenting of the questions: receive an event time that commences a reaction time window as a function of said received sensor data; and determine whether or not the reaction time window has closed, wherein when the determination is that the reaction time window has not closed, initiate the presenting of the questions. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to present the questions, receive the answers, and provide the health information via a user interface, wherein the user interface comprises a display screen. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to present the health information based on comparing the sensor data with stored condition and symptom data. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to receive additional sensor data, the additional sensor data including any one or a combination of environmental data, data corresponding to an identity of food, or data corresponding to an identity of components of the food, the presenting of the questions based on the additional sensor data. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to present the questions only if the sensor data indicates that the user is experiencing at least two symptoms corresponding to the allergic reaction. The machine-readable storage medium of the second independent claim, wherein the machine-executable instructions cause the one or more processors to: assign a value to each of the answers received from the user; generate a total of the values of the answers, wherein the health information is based on the total; associate the total of the values of the answer to a health-risk level selected among a plurality of available health risk levels and provide an alert corresponding to the health-risk level; and present one or any combination of a suggested remedy, provide an elimination diet and associated coaching, or provide the health information to a third party device.

In one embodiment, a third independent claim is disclosed and directed to a method, comprising: receiving sensor data from one or more wearable sensors, the sensor data corresponding to physiological symptoms corresponding to an allergic reaction; presenting questions to a user to solicit answers from the user relating to the allergic reaction based on the sensor data; receiving the answers from the user; and automatically providing health information to the user based on the answers, the health information relating to the allergic reaction.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. For instance, the wearable device204may be worn by a child, and the sensor data may be communicated from the wearable device204to other wearable devices204and/or other devices206,208to alert, for instance, a parent or guardian when the child is experiencing an allergic reaction and yet may be too young to negotiate the question and answer session. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.