Abstract:
A electronic vital-sign monitoring system is provided here, which uses an external electronic device to compute a physiological value detected by an electronic vital-sign monitoring device and obtain a heart frequency spectrum; and provide power to the electronic vital-sign monitoring system; and further transfer the computed physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum to a database for data integration and incident reporting. In addition to the original function of detecting physiological values, the electronic vital-sign monitoring system further can detect heart frequency spectrum and offers telecare service to help patients, elders and general users according to different requirements.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic vital-sign monitoring system, and more particularly to a multifunctional vital-sign monitoring system with a database such as blood pressure &amp; heart frequency spectrum monitor, blood oxygen &amp; heart frequency spectrum monitor, electrocardiogram &amp; heart frequency spectrum monitor or patient monitor for monitoring heart frequency spectrum. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    In recent years, population ageing and low birth rate have gradually become a trend. Therefore, designing and implementing for the elder community (retirement community) is a significant target for community development. Regarding to health care in the community for elders, not only portable electronic are necessary to detect physiological values such as blood pressure, heart rate etc., but a more completed telecare system is required to monitor users&#39; health status. By using medical instruments of telecare system, nursing staff or family members can monitor physiological values such as heart rate, blood pressure or heart frequency spectrum for elders, which enables long-distance caregivers to track and record health status for elders. 
         [0005]    By measuring heart rate signals, results can be obtained and then be transformed to frequency spectrum diagram. Transformation for frequency domain uses fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. Generally, the frequency spectrum diagram has 3 to 5 main frequency waveforms. The first main frequency waveform corresponds to heart rate frequency. If there are several disorder frequency waveforms beside the main frequency waveforms, it means the heart rate status appears irregular and can be considered abnormal. Thus, heart rate frequency spectrum can be used to determine heart status. 
         [0006]    Because general electronic vital-sign monitoring devices are portable and easy to operate, they are very popular over hospitals, clinics and nursing centers. However, the function of monitoring heart rate frequency spectrum is not included. For elders or patients who need special health care in the community, general electronic vital-sign monitoring devices cannot regularly monitor their heart status. 
         [0007]    Since general electronic vital-sign devices cannot detect heart frequency spectrum, users who desire to know heart status must go to major hospitals or medical center for precise examination and physician diagnose, which is very inconvenient especially for patients with mobility problems. If general electronic vital-sign monitoring devices, which are able to detect measuring blood pressure, blood oxygen, heart rate and electrocardiogram etc. used in hospital or clinics or telecare center, can also obtain information of heart frequency spectrum, heart status can be monitored in real-time and it will be very practicable and convenient to patients, elders and general users. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is highly desirable to develop an electronic vital-sign monitoring system to help patients, elders and general users to monitor their physiological values and heart status immediately. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]    The present invention relates to an electronic vital-sign monitoring system which not only has original detection functions but also can detect heart frequency spectrum and offers telecare service. For patients, elders and general users, it can provide proper assistance according to different requirements. 
         [0010]    In order to achieve objectives aforementioned, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic vital-sign monitoring system comprises a detection unit, for detecting a physiological value; a processing unit, connected to the detection unit, for computing the physiological value and obtaining a heart frequency spectrum; and a transfer unit, electrically connected to the processing unit, for transferring the physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum to a database, wherein the database is a cloud database or a local database. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electronic vital-sign monitoring device is electrically connected to an external electronic device to compose an electronic vital-sign monitoring system further comprising a database, wherein the electronic vital-sign monitoring device comprises a detection unit, for detecting an analogous signal of a physiological value; a conversion unit, connected to the detection unit, for converting the analogous signal to a digital signal of the physiological value; and a connection unit, electrically connected to the conversion unit and the external electronic device. The external electronic device computes the digital signal and obtains a heart frequency spectrum. 
         [0012]    The objective, technologies, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein certain embodiments of the present invention are set forth by way of illustration and examples. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]    The foregoing aspects and many of the accompanying advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the structure of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the structure of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    The detailed description is provided below and the preferred embodiments described are only for the purpose of description rather than for limiting the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the structure of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an electronic vital-sign monitoring system  10  comprises a detection unit  11 , for detecting a physiological value; a processing unit  12 , connected to the detection unit  11 , for computing the physiological value and obtaining a heart frequency spectrum; and a transfer unit  13 , electrically connected to the processing unit  12 , for transferring the physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum to a database  30 . 
         [0019]    Continue the above description, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic vital-sign monitoring system  10  further comprises a display unit  14 , a memory unit  15  and a power unit  16 , wherein the display unit  14  is connected to the processing unit  12  for displaying the physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum; the memory unit  15  is connected to the processing unit  12  for storing the physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum; the power unit  16  is connected to the processing unit  12  and the detection unit  11  for providing power. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the detection unit  11  is an electronic blood pressure monitor for detecting physiological information such as blood pressure. The database  20  can be a cloud database or a local database. After receiving the physiological value or heart frequency spectrum, the database will then integrate and archive the data to enable the subjects, their family members or nursing staff to view the results on the internet. Once the physiological value or heart frequency spectrum appears abnormal or exceed threshold value, reporting mechanism will be activated to inform the subjects, their family members and nursing staff. On the other hand, the electronic vital-sign monitoring system can be a single functional system for detecting physiological values or a multifunctional patient monitoring system. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an electronic vital-sign monitoring system  10  comprises an electronic vital-sign monitoring device  40 , an external electronic device  20  and a database  30 , wherein the electronic vital-sign device  40  is electrically connected to the external electronic device  20 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram schematically illustrating the structure of the electronic vital-sign monitoring system according to  FIG. 2 . As shown in the figure, the electronic vital-sign monitoring device  40  comprises a detection unit  41 , for detecting a analogous signal of a physiological value; a conversion unit  42 , connected to the detection unit  41 , for converting the analogous signal to a digital signal of the physiological value; and a connection unit  43 , electrically connected to the conversion unit  42  and the external electronic device  20 . The external electronic device  20  computes the digital signal and obtains a heart frequency spectrum and then stores the physiological value and the heart frequency spectrum to the database  30 . On the other hand, the external electronic device  20  further provides power to the electronic vital-sign monitoring device  40 . In one embodiment, the connection unit  43  is a USB port or a RS232 port. 
         [0022]    Continue the above description, the external electronic device  20  also comprises a display unit  24  for displaying information of physiological values and heart frequency spectrum. In one embodiment, the display unit  24  is LCD or LED. The external electronic device  20  can be a desktop computer, a laptop or a PDA. Users can use the external electronic device  20  to give commands to the electronic vital-sign monitoring device  40  for detection. The external device  20  can transfer the physiological value or the heart frequency spectrum to the database  30  by wired or wireless means such as wired internet, wireless internet, landline phone or mobile phone. After receiving the information of the physiological value or the diagram of the heart frequency spectrum, the database will then integrate and archive the data to enable subjects, their family members or nursing staff to view the results on the internet. Once the physiological value or heart frequency spectrum appears abnormal or exceeds threshold value, reporting mechanism will be activated to inform the subjects, their family members or nursing staff by wired or wireless means such as wired internet, wireless internet, landline phone or mobile phone. 
         [0023]    According to the aforementioned description, the present invention incorporates a new function of detecting heart frequency spectrum into general electronic vital-sign monitoring system so that it can immediately offer information of heart status to patients, elders or general users who need regular care or instant assistance. Furthermore, the database enables subjects, their family members or general users to track information of physiological values or heart frequency spectrum by wire or wireless means such as on the internet. Via the reporting mechanism, subjects, their family members or nursing staff can be urgently informed once the physiological value or heart frequency spectrum appears abnormal or exceeds threshold value so as to achieve telecare service. 
         [0024]    The present invention provides an electronic vital-sign monitoring system for detecting blood pressure, blood oxygen or electrocardiogram information with the novel function of detecting heart frequency spectrum. Regarding to patients, elders or general users who need regular care or instant assistance, this system can accurately determine heart status and offer necessary information of physiological values or heart frequency spectrum to family members, telecare center, hospital or nursing staff. Moreover, when using monitoring system to regularly monitor blood pressure, blood oxygen or electrocardiogram of patients, if heart frequency spectrum appears abnormal, nursing staff or related people can inquire patients about their body status. If feeling sick, further examination of the heart can be arranged in major hospitals. 
         [0025]    In conclusion, the present invention provides an electronic vital-sign monitoring system which not only has original detection functions but also can detect heart frequency spectrum and offer telecare service. For patients, elders and general users, it can provide proper assistance according to different requirements. 
         [0026]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific example thereof has been shown in the drawings and is herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular form disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.