Patent Publication Number: US-2022233873-A1

Title: Wcd user interface response to a change in device orientation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/394,565, filed Apr. 25, 2019, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/662,472, filed Apr. 25, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Heart arrhythmias may reduce blood flow to various parts of the body. In some instances, arrhythmias result in a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) where a person&#39;s heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. If this occurs, blood may stop flowing to the brain and other vital organs. SCA can lead to death very quickly, within minutes, unless action is taken quickly. 
     Some people have an increased risk of SCA. This includes people who have had a heart attack, a prior SCA episode, among other risk factors. Frequently, these people are recommended for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (“ICD”). The ICD is a small electronic device connected to the heart that continuously monitors the person&#39;s electrocardiogram (“ECG”). If or when the ICD detects certain types of heart arrhythmias or abnormalities, then the ICD delivers an electric pulse or shock to the heart. 
     A patient may have a period of time between being recommended for an ICD and actually receiving one. In the interim timeframe, a patient may be suited with a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) system. A WCD system is worn by the patient and includes, among other components, a defibrillator and one or more external electrodes. When a patient wears a WCD system, the WCD may monitor several patient parameters, including the patient&#39;s ECG. If a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia is detected, then the defibrillator may be activated and primed to deliver an appropriate electric shock through the patient&#39;s body which also shocks the heart. 
     When a patient is given a WCD, the patient typically must interact with the system to ensure the system is functioning properly, to receive input and stats from the WCD, and to provide feedback when needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one embodiment, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is described. The WCD includes a support structure configured to be worn by a patient. A processor is coupled to the support structure and an energy storage module configured to store an electrical charge is in communication with the processor. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage module, the discharge circuit in communication with the processor and configured to discharge the stored electrical charge through a body of the patient. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes a user interface housing at least one sensor and responsive to changes in device orientation. The processor is configured to detect a motion at the user interface and determine when the motion is patient-activated. When the motion is patient-activated, the processor determines a direction of rotation. The processor determines an orientation of a display at the user interface based on the direction of rotation and orients the display at the user interface to appear upright to the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine when the motion passes an angular threshold from a baseline plane of the user interface. In some embodiments, the angular threshold is between about 30 and about 60 degrees from the baseline plane. In further embodiments, the angular threshold is approximately 45 degrees from the baseline plane. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine a direction of motion of the user interface. In some embodiments, the direction of motion may be one of clockwise or counterclockwise. In some examples, the at least one sensor includes one or more of an accelerometer, gyroscope, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to illuminate a visual status indicator when the motion is patient-activated. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to activate the user interface when the motion is patient-activated. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to determine a lateral location of the user interface on the patient and orient content of the user interface to accommodate for the lateral location of the user interface. 
     In another embodiment, a WCD system is described. The WCD may include a support structure for wearing by a patient. A defibrillator housing is coupled to the support structure. A discharge circuit is in communication with the defibrillator housing, the discharge circuit configured to discharge a stored electrical charge through a body of the patient. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes a communication device coupled to the support structure, the communication device configured to communicate a status of the WCD to the patient. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes a user interface coupled to the communication device, the user interface configured to respond to changes in orientation. The wearable cardioverter defibrillator also includes at least one motion sensor coupled to the user interface, the motion sensor positioned to detect a movement of the user interface. The processor is configured to detect a motion at the user interface and determine when the motion is patient-activated. When the motion is patient-activated, the processor determines a direction of rotation. The processor determines an orientation of a display at the user interface based on the direction of rotation and orients the display at the user interface to appear upright to the patient. 
     In another embodiment, a WCD system is described. The WCD may include a support structure for wearing by a patient; one or more electrodes for delivering a charge to the patient, while the patient is wearing the support structure. A discharge circuit may be coupled to the electrodes, the discharge circuit configured to store an electrical charge. The WCD may include a processor for activating the discharge circuit, the processor in communication with the discharge circuit. A communication device may be coupled to the support structure, the communication device configured to communicate a status of the WCD to the patient. A user interface may be coupled to the communication device, the user interface configured to respond to changes in orientation. At least one motion sensor may be coupled to the user interface, the motion sensor configured to monitor a motion parameter of the patient while the patient wears the communication device and to transmit a motion parameter. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a sample WCD system in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are illustrations of an example of a communication device of the environment shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an example of a communication device of the environment shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one example of present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an example of a defibrillator unit of the environment shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with one example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example of a communication device of the environment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in accordance with one example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method for orienting a communication device in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating another example of a method for orienting a communication device in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating another example of a method for orienting a communication device in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as precluding other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. 
     In the following description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein. 
     Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillators (WCD) are worn by patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. When a patient wears a WCD, the patient, and sometimes a third party, may interact with the device for various reasons throughout the day and night. For example, the WCD may have an alarm and vibration alert to perform a consciousness test. If the patient is conscious, the patient may engage with the WCD to deactivate the alarm and prevent any further action. If the patient is unconscious, a third party may interact with the WCD to ensure its proper function and shock capabilities are activated. In another example, the patient may wish to monitor their heart rate and other health parameters via the WCD throughout the day. For example, the patient may be exercising or performing a strenuous task and may wish to check their pulse and heartrate. The patient may also periodically check the WCD system to ensure the components are properly attached to the patient and functioning. In any situations, either the patient or a third party may need to interact with, provide feedback to, or receive data from the WCD. A graphical user interface (GUI) may provide that information but may not always be user friendly. The GUI may not respond to changes in orientation, haptic feedback, or other information. This may make it difficult for the patient, or a third party to interact with the WCD. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system with a patient  102  wearing an example of a WCD system  104  according to embodiments described herein. The WCD system may include a communication device  106 , a support structure  110 , an external defibrillator  118  connected to defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116 , among other components. 
     The support structure  110  may be worn by the patient  102 . The support structure  110  may include a vest, shirt, series of straps, or other system enabling the patient  102  to carry at least a portion of the WCD system  104  on the patient&#39;s body. In some embodiments, the support structure  110  may comprise a single component. For example, the support structure  110  may comprise a vest or shirt that properly locates the WCD system  104  on a torso  112  of the patient  102 . The single component support structure  110  may additionally carry or couple to the various components of the WCD system  104 . 
     In other embodiments, the support structure  110  may comprise multiple components. For example, the support structure  110  may include a first component resting on a patient&#39;s shoulders. The first component may locate a series of defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  on the torso  112  of the patient  102 . A second component may rest more towards the patient&#39;s hips, whereby the second component may be positioned such that the patient&#39;s hips support the heavier components of the WCD system  104 . In some embodiments, the heavier components of the WCD system  104  may be carried via a shoulder strap, or may be kept close to the patient  102  such as in a cart, bag, stroller, wheel chair, or other vehicle. 
     The external defibrillator  118  may be coupled to the support structure  110  or may be carried remotely from the patient  102 . The external defibrillator  118  may be triggered to deliver an electric shock to the patient  102  when patient  102  wears WCD system  104 . For example, if certain thresholds are exceeded or met, the external defibrillator  118  may be engaged and deliver a shock to the patient  102 . 
     The WCD system  100  may defibrillate the patient  102  by delivering an electrical charge to the patient  102  through a series of electrodes  114 ,  116  positioned on the torso  112 . The electrodes  114 ,  116  may be electrically coupled to the external defibrillator  118  via a series of electrode leads  120 . The defibrillator  118  may administer an electric shock to the body of the patient  102  when the defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  are in good electrical contact with the torso  112  of patient  102 . In some embodiments, devices (not shown) proximate the electrodes  114 ,  116  may emit a conductive fluid to encourage electrical contact between the patient  102  and the electrodes  114 ,  116 . The electric shock may be a defibrillation shock, which may go through a heart  122  of the patient  102  in an attempt to restart the heart  122 . The brief, strong electric pulse may work to restart the heart  122  which may save the patient&#39;s life. 
     In some embodiments, the WCD system  104  may also include either an external or internal monitoring device or some combination thereof.  FIG. 1  displays an external monitoring device  124  which may also be known as an outside monitoring device. The monitoring device  124  may monitor at least one local parameter. Local parameters may include physical state of the patient  102  such as ECG, movement, heartrate, pulse, temperature, and the like. Local parameters may also include a parameter of the WCD  104 , environmental parameters, or the like. The monitoring device  124  may be physically coupled to the support structure  110  or may be proximate the support structure  110 . In either location, the monitoring device  124  is communicatively coupled with other components of the WCD  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the WCD system  104  may include a communication device  106  to enable the patient to interact with, and garnish data from, the WCD system  104 . The communication device  106  may be a part of the defibrillator  118  or may be a separate device. The communication devices  106  may include a screen  128  and one or more user inputs  130  to enable the patient to interact with the WCD system  104 . In some embodiments, the patient may view patient data, dismiss a shock if the patient is still conscious, turn off an alarm, and otherwise engage with the WCD system  104  via the communication device  106 . The communication device  106  may be wired, or wirelessly linked to the external defibrillator  118  and may be removable from the defibrillator  118  or a separate component. In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may form an inseparable assembly and share internal components with the defibrillator  118 . 
     In some embodiments, the communication device  106  or the defibrillator  118  may connect with one or more external devices  126 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the communication device  106  or the defibrillator  118  may connect to various external devices  126  such as a cloud computing network, a remote desktop, a laptop, a mobile device, or other external device using a network such as the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, virtual private networks (VPN), other communication networks or channels, or any combination thereof. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate an example of the defibrillator  118  with a communication device  106  according to embodiments described herein. The defibrillator  118  may rest on along a plane  200 . However, in this position of rest, the patient may not be able to view the communication device  106  clearly. For example, the screen (e.g. screen  128 ,  FIG. 1 ) may be skewed or simply not in view. To see the communication device  106 , the patient may rotate the defibrillator  118 . This may cause the defibrillator to rotate either clockwise about angle A 1  or counterclockwise about angle A 2 . As the defibrillator  118  rotates, the viewing angle of the communication device  106  also changes. The change in viewing angle may cause the patient to have a difficult time viewing information. Therefore, as the defibrillator  118  rotates, the screen  128  may also rotate or align the images and text projected to correlate to either viewing angle A 1  or A 2 . 
     The threshold for altering the viewing angle may be a range of angles for angle A 1  and angle A 2 . For example, the viewing angle may rotate when angle A 1  or angle A 2  ranges from 20 degrees to 60 degrees, 30 degrees to 50 degrees, or the like. A rotational range for angle A 1  and angle A 2  may prevent the screen from oscillating between various view orientations. For example, if the threshold was a strict degree threshold then the screen  128  may continuously alternate between viewpoints in an attempt to accommodate the shifting of the defibrillator  118  (e.g., a hysteresis-type effect). This may cause patient frustration in interacting with the device. However, some users may prefer a more sensitive display than others, therefore the threshold of view orientations may be personalized for the particular wearer of the WCD. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a communication device  106 . The communication device  106  may be coupled to the defibrillator  118  or may be a separate device. In this example, the communication device  106  has an orientation module  302  and a display module  304 . 
     The patient may view the communication device  106  at various times throughout the day in various different orientations. The patient may view the communication device  106  in their dominant hand most of the time. However, the communication device  106  may not always be oriented properly such that a fixed screen would naturally appear to the user. If an alarm was sounding of an impending shock, or another warning signal, the user might get flustered viewing the screen on the communication device in a disorientating or non-normal manner. For example, the user may pick up the communication device  106  upside down or in a non-dominant hand. The disorientation may cause the user to fail to deactivate the defibrillation device and as such, an unnecessary and potentially damaging shock may be delivered to the patient. 
     Similarly, the patient may view the communication device  106  coupled to a defibrillation (e.g. defibrillator  118 ,  FIG. 1 ). In these instances, the communication device  106  may be pointed away from the patient causing the patient to tilt the communication device  106  towards them. For that reason, any information displayed to the patient may be upside down or otherwise skewed. This may be true if the defibrillator  118  is coupled to the support structure or external to the support structure. 
     In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may be an LCD screen which may be coupled to the defibrillator  118  in such a manner that the screen is visible on a top side of the defibrillator  118 . 
     Further, a third party may need to interact with the WCD system but, again, the communication device  106  may not orient properly for the third party. A patient may be unable to care for themselves and a nurse or family member or other individual may be providing care and may monitor the patient&#39;s health. A patient may require assistance should a cardiac event or accident arise. 
     Regardless of the situation, if the screen has a single orientation, at some point the screen will appear skewed, upside down, or otherwise unnatural to the viewer. In emergency or high stress situations, this may cause unnecessary delays, accidental inputs, further stress on the situation, and the like. 
     The orientation module  302  may help detect incorrect screen orientation or alignment. The orientation module  302  may receive information from one or more sensors proximate the communication device  106 . The sensors may provide data readings involving the movement and orientation of the communication device  106 . For example, one or more accelerometers proximate the communication device  106  may determine when the device  106  is moving and the speed at which it moves. The accelerometer may additionally detect tilt and vibrations. The data may provide feedback to determine when predetermined thresholds are met to detect movement of the device  106 . Additionally, or alternatively, a gyroscope may provide further orientation details of the device  106 . The orientation module  302  may pull and/or receive data from these sensors, individually or collaboratively, to determine when the device  106  is in use and desired orientation features associated with that use. For example, the orientation module  302  may determine a user is picking up the communication device  106  with their left or right hand based on the sensor feedback. The orientation module  302  may further determine when the communication device  106  is flat, tilted, jilted, vibrating, or otherwise orientation. The orientation module  302  may further determine when a third party is viewing the device. The orientation module  302  may further determine if the user is interacting with the communication device  106  either on a right side or left side of their body. 
     The display module  304  may receive orientation information from the orientation module  302  and activate a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with the device  106  as determined. For example, the display module  304  may rotate the content of the GUI to appear upright to the patient. The display module  304  may provide visual indication such as a light, or other visual indicator to indicate a status of the communication device  106  or the WCD system (e.g. WCD system  104 ,  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, when motion is detected by the orientation module  302 , the display module  304  may activate a backlight or a screen to provide increased visibility of the content to the patient or other user. As the orientation module  302  depicts movement of the communication device  106 , the display module  304  may automatically activate at least a portion of the GUI. Activating a portion of the GUI may alert the patient to a status of the system, or other information. 
     In some embodiments, the patient may personalize the GUI to display criteria, parameters, or other information of important to the patient. For example, in some instances, the display module  304  may remember a preferred screen orientation. For example, the display module  304  may store patient preferences and remember whether the user wears the communication device  106  on either a left side or a right side of the body. The display module  304  may store this preference and automatically orient the communication device  106  to properly display to the user based on the user&#39;s preferences. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram displaying various functional components of one example of a defibrillator  118 . The defibrillator  118  may be an example of the defibrillator  118  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The components shown in  FIG. 4  may be contained within a single unit or may be separated amongst two or more units in communication with each other. The defibrillator  118  may include a processor  402 , memory  404 , user interface  406 , defibrillation port  408 , and ECG port  410 , among other components. In some embodiments, the components are contained within a housing  412  or casing. The housing  412  may comprise a hard shell around the components or may comprise a softer shell for increased patient comfort. 
     The processor  402 , memory  404  (including software/firmware code (SW)  414 ), user interface  406 , defibrillation port  408 , ECG port  410 , communication module  416 , measurement circuit  418 , monitoring device  420 , and energy storage module  422  may communicate—directly or indirectly—with one another (e.g., via one or more buses  424 ). One or more buses  424  may allow data communication between one or more elements and/or modules of the defibrillator  118 . In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may also communicate with the components of the defibrillator  118  using one or more buses  424 . In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may replace the user interface  406 . In still further embodiments, the communication device  106  may share components with the defibrillator  118  including the processor  402 , memory  404 , and the like. 
     The memory  404  may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash RAM, and/or other types. The memory  404  may store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code  414  including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor  402  to perform various functions (e.g., determine shock criteria, determine consciousness of patient, track patient parameters, etc.). In some embodiments, the processor  402  may include a with an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. 
     In some embodiments, the memory  404  can contain, among other things, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware and/or software operations such interactions and workings of the various components of the defibrillator  118 , and in some embodiments, components external to the defibrillator  118 . For example, the memory  404  may contain various modules to implement the workings of the defibrillator  118  and other aspects of the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a user interface  406 . In some embodiments, the user interface  406  may be a part of a communication device  106 . The user interface  406  may enable the patient to view one or metrics concerning the defibrillator  118 . For example, the user interface  406  may display an ECG of the patient, a status of the defibrillator  118 , a status of a charge (e.g. a battery charge or an energy storage module). In some embodiments, the user interface  406  may be a simple configuration and a separate device, such as an electronics module (e.g. electronics module  104 ,  FIG. 1 ). 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a defibrillation port  408 . The defibrillation port  408  may comprise a socket, opening, or electrical connection in the housing  412 . In some instances, the defibrillation port  408  may include two or more nodes  426 ,  428 . The two or more nodes  426 ,  428  may accept two or more defibrillation electrodes (e.g. defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116 ,  FIG. 1 ). The nodes  426 ,  428  may provide an electrical connection between the defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  and the defibrillator  118 . The defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  may plug into the two or more nodes  426 ,  428  via one or more leads (e.g. leads  128 ), or, in some instances, the defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  may be hardwired to the nodes  426 ,  428 . Once an electrical connection is established between the defibrillation port  408  and the electrodes  114 ,  116 , the defibrillator  118  may be able to deliver an electric shock to the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include an ECG port  410  in the housing  412 . The ECG port  410  may accept one or more ECG electrodes  430  or ECG leads. In some instances, the ECG electrodes  430  sense a patient&#39;s ECG signal. For example, the ECG electrodes  430  may record electrical activity generated by the heart muscle depolarization. The ECG electrodes  430  may utilize 4-leads to 12-leads or multichannel ECG, or the like. The ECG electrodes  430  may connect with the patient&#39;s skin. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a measurement circuit  418 . The measurement circuit  418  may be in communication with the ECG port  410 . For example, the measurement circuit  418  may receive physiological signals from ECG port  410 . The measurement circuit  418  may additionally or alternatively receive physiological signals via the defibrillation port  408  when defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  are attached to the patient. The measurement circuit  418  may determine a patient&#39;s ECG signal from a difference in voltage between the defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the measurement circuit  418  may monitor the electrical connection between the defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116  and the skin of the patient. For example, the measurement circuit  418  can detect impedance between electrodes  114 ,  116 . The impedance may indicate the effective resistance of an electric circuit. An impedance calculation may determine when the electrodes  114 ,  116  have a good electrical connection with the patient&#39;s body. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include an internal monitoring device  420  within the housing  412 . The monitoring device  420  may monitor at least one local parameter. Local parameters may include physical state of the patient such as ECG, movement, heartrate, pulse, temperature, and the like. Local parameters may also include a parameter of the WCD (e.g. WCD  102 ), defibrillator  118 , environmental parameters, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, a WCD (e.g. WCD  104 ) may include an internal monitoring device  420  and an external monitoring device (e.g. external monitoring device  124 ). If both monitoring devices  124 ,  420  are present, the devices  124 ,  420  may work together to parse out specific parameters depending on position, location, and other factors. For example, the external monitoring device  124  may monitor environmental parameters while the internal monitoring device  420  may monitor patient and system parameters. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a power source  432 . The power source  432  may comprise a battery or battery pack, which may be rechargeable. In some instances, the power source  432  may comprise a series of different batteries to ensure the defibrillator  118  has power. For example, the power source  432  may include a series of rechargeable batteries as a prime power source and a series of non-rechargeable batteries as a secondary source. If the patient is proximate an AC power source, such as when sitting down, sleeping, or the like, the power source  432  may include an AC override wherein the power source  432  draws power from the AC source. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include an energy storage module  422 . The energy storage module  422  may store electrical energy in preparation or anticipation of providing a sudden discharge of electrical energy to the patient. In some embodiments, the energy storage module  422  may have its own power source and/or battery pack. In other embodiments, the energy storage module  422  may pull power from the power source  432 . In still further embodiments, the energy storage module  422  may include one or more capacitors  434 . The one or more capacitors  434  may store an electrical charge, which may be administered to the patient. The processor  402  may be communicatively coupled to the energy storage module  422  to trigger the amount and timing of electrical energy to provide to the defibrillation port  408  and, subsequently, the patient. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a discharge circuit  436 . The discharge circuit  436  may control the energy stored in the energy storage module  422 . For example, the discharge circuit  436  may either electrical couple or decouple the energy storage module  422  to the defibrillation port  408 . The discharge circuit  436  may be communicatively coupled to the processor  402  to control when the energy storage module  422  and the defibrillation port  408  should or should not be coupled to either administer or prevent a charge from emitting from the defibrillator  118 . In some embodiments, the discharge circuit  436  may include on or more switches  438 . The one or more switches  438  may include an H-bridge. 
     In some embodiments, the defibrillator  118  may include a communication module  416 . The communication module  416  may establish one or more communication links with either local hardware and/or software to the WCD and defibrillator  118  or to remote hardwire separate from the WCD system. In some embodiments, the communication module  416  may include one or more antennas, processors, and the like. The communication module  416  may communicate wirelessly via radio frequency, electromagnetics, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), virtual private networks (VPN), RFID, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and the like. The communication module  416  may facilitate communication of data and commands such as patient data, episode information, therapy attempted, CPR performance, system data, environmental data, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  402  may execute one or more modules. For example, the processor  402  may execute a detection module  440  and/or an action module  442 . The detection module  440  may be a logic device or algorithm to determine if any or a variety thresholds are exceeded which may require action of the defibrillator  118 . For example, the detection module  440  may receive and interpret all of the signals from the ECG port  410 , the defibrillation port  408 , the monitoring device  420 , an external monitoring device, and the like. The detection module  440  may process the information to ensure the patient is still conscious and healthy. If any parameter indicates the patient may be experiencing distress or indicating a cardiac episode, the detection module  440  may activate the action module  442 . 
     The action module  442  may receive data from the detection module  440  and perform a series of actions. For example, an episode may merely be a loss of batter power at the power source  432  or the energy storage module  422 , or one or more electrodes (e.g., ECG electrodes, defibrillation electrodes) may have lost connection. In such instances, the action module  442  may trigger an alert to the patient or to an outside source of the present situation. If an episode is a health risk, such as a cardiac event, the action module  442  may begin a series of steps. This may include issuing a warning to the patient, issuing a warning to a third party, priming the energy storage module  422  for defibrillation, releasing one or more conductive fluids proximate defibrillation electrodes  114 ,  116 , and the like. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram displaying various functional components of an example communication device  106  for use with a WCD system  104 . The communication device  106  may be an example of the communication device  106  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The communication device  106  may be a part of the defibrillator  118  or may be a separate device communicatively coupled to the defibrillator  118 . The components shown in  FIG. 5  may be contained within a single unit or may be separated amongst two or more units in communication with each other. In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may include a controller  502 , memory  504 , I/O controller  506 , user interface  508 , and the like. In some embodiments, the components are contained within a housing  500  or casing. 
     If the communication device  106  is a part of the defibrillator  118 , the housing  500  may be integrated into the defibrillator  118 . In further embodiments, if the communication device  106  is a part of the defibrillator  118 , the communication device  106  may share components or functionality with the defibrillator  118 . For example, the communication device  106  may use the processor  402  and memory  404  and other such components. In still further embodiments, the communication device  106  may be movable in relation to the defibrillator  118 . For example, the communication device  106  may be linked or movably coupled to the defibrillator  118  about a pivot joint or the like. In still further embodiments, the communication device  106  may be removable from the defibrillator  118 . In still further embodiments, the communication device  106  may be a separate device. 
     The controller  502 , memory,  504  (including software/firmware code (SW)  512 ), input/output controller module  506 , user interface module  508 , transceiver module  514 , and one or more antennas  516  may communicate—directly or indirectly—with one another (e.g., via one or more buses  520 ). The transceiver module  514  may communicate bi-directionally—via the one or more antennas  516 , wired links, and/or wireless links—with the defibrillator  118  or remote devices  126  as described previously. The transceiver module  514  may include a modem which may modulate packets and provide the modulated packets to the one or more antennas  516  for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antenna  516 . While a single antenna  516  is shown, the communication device may include several antennas  516  which may concurrently transmit and/or receive multiple wired and/or wireless transmissions. In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may provide a connection using wireless techniques, including digital cellular connection, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection, and/or another connection. 
     The controller  502  may control one or more operations of the communication device  106 . The controller  502  may include of one or more processors, implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a digital signal processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other implementation. In some embodiments, the controller  502  may include a single chip combined with memory controller and a peripherals interface. 
     The memory  504  may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the memory  504  may include both persistent/non-volatile and non-persistent/volatile memory components. The memory  504  may include volatile memory, non-volatile memory (NVM), for example RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or some combination thereof. The memory  504  may store computer-readable, computer executable software/firmware code  512  that, when executed, may cause the controller  502  to perform various functions as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the memory  504  can contain, among other things, the Basic Input-Output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware and/or software operations such interactions and workings of the various components of the communication device  106 , and in some embodiments, components external to the communication device. For example, the memory  504  may contain various modules to implement the workings of the communication device  106  and other aspects of the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may include one or more sensors  518 . The one or more sensor  518  may include orientation sensors, accelerometers, motion sensors, gyroscope, ambient light sensors, touchscreen sensors, magnetometer, sound sensors, or some combination thereof. An orientation sensor may measure the orientation of the communication device  106  relative to an orthogonal coordinate frame. An accelerometer may detect acceleration, vibration, and tilt to determine movement and exact orientation along the orthogonal coordinate frame. A gyroscope may provide further and/or additional orientation details and direction like up/down and left/right. The one or more sensors  518  may work in conjunction with the orientation module  302  and display module  304  to properly orient and wake a screen for the patient to interact with the communication device  106 . 
     The user interface  508  may coordinate communication with the patient. For example, the user interface  508  may receive inputs from the user and also may generate outputs to the user. The outputs can be visual, sound, vibrations, lights, images, and so on. The user interface may include one or more individual devices such as a screen  128 , touch-screen, a keypad  130 , an optical finger interface, one or more speakers, one or more microphones, one or more accelerometers, one or more buttons, and so on. 
     The communication device  106  may also include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting communications and components for receiving communications. For example, the communication device  106  may communicate bi-directionally with the defibrillator  118 , the WCD system  104 , and/or external devices  124 . The bi-directional communication may be direct or indirect. 
     The orientation module  302  may receive information from the one or more sensors  518  to determine movement or other inputs on the user interface  508 . For example, the orientation module  302  may detect when there is a lack of movement and, as such, may put the user interface  508  into a sleep mode. The sleep mode may help preserve the battery life of the communication device  106 , or if the communication device is a part of the defibrillator (e.g. defibrillator  118 ) preserve the battery of the defibrillator. The orientation module  302  may additionally detect when sudden movements or slower movements have occurred indicating the patient or a third party is interacting with the communication device  106 . 
     The orientation module  302  may work in conjunction with a display module  304 . The display module  304  may affect the changes requires in the visual interface between the patient and the user interface  508 . For example, the display module  304  may rotate the visual display such that the display maintains an upright orientation to the user. This may include rotation about any pivot axis. 
     In some embodiments, the communication device  106  may include a power source  520 . The power source  520  may comprise a battery or battery pack, which may be rechargeable. In some instances, the power source  520  may comprise a series of different batteries to ensure the communication device  106  has power. For example, the power source  520  may include a series of rechargeable batteries as a prime power source and a series of non-rechargeable batteries as a secondary source. If the patient is proximate an AC power source, such as when sitting down, sleeping, or the like, the power source  520  may include an AC override wherein the power source  520  draws power from the AC source. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method  600  for WCD systems, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method  600  is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the systems described herein. In some examples, a separate communication device may perform one or more of the functions described below. In other embodiments, a communication device coupled to the defibrillator or the WCD system may perform one or more of the functions described below. 
     At block  602 , the method  600  may include detecting a motion at a graphical user interface. The motion may be proximate a communication device or proximate a visual display coupled to the defibrillator unit. The motion may be a lateral motion, fixed-axis rotation, or may be a gyroscopic motion. The motion may be continuous and linear, or it may be sudden and uncontrolled, or it may be some combination of those. 
     At block  604 , the method  600  may include determining an orientation of the graphical user interface based at least in part on the detection of a motion at the graphical user interface. For example, the method  600  may determine if a set threshold or threshold range has been satisfied or exceeded. The method  600  may compare the detected motion to specific user requirements on GUI orientation, or may compare the detected motion to general use profiles. In some embodiments, the method  600  may determine an action to take based on the type of motion. For example, the method  600  may determine if the user interface needs to be activated or turned on, if the user interface needs to be properly oriented, or if the user is interacting with the device using either their left hand or their right hand and a correlating user interface orientation. The method  600  may determine if the user interface needs to activate, be rotated, or if the user is interacting with the device with a specific hand, or the like. 
     At block  606 , the method may include orienting a display of the GUI. For example, once motion is detected and determined, the method may proceed to properly orient the GUI or screen such that the patient or third party is properly viewing the screen in a better orientation. 
     Thus, the method  600  may provide for the communication device reacting to one or more movements or user inputs. It should be noted that the method  600  is just one implementation and that the operations of the method  800  may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method  700  for WCD systems, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method  700  is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the systems described herein. In some examples, a separate communication device may perform one or more of the functions described below. In other embodiments, a communication device coupled to the defibrillator or the WCD system may perform one or more of the functions described below. 
     At block  602 , the method  700  may include detecting a motion at a graphical user interface. At block  702 , the method  700  may include determining if the motion is user-activated. For example, the motion may be a result of exercise, bodily movement, or other external actions or activities. Such motion may be continuous and linear or rhythmic, for example. If a patient accidently bumps the communication device, the sensors may detect motion but the motion may not be purposely induced. Such motion may be sudden and discontinuous, for example. Therefore, the method  700  may ascertain differences in movements between purposeful and environmental or accidental. 
     At block  704 , if the movement was deliberate, the method  700  may include determining an axis of rotation and a directional vector. For example, if a user is purposefully interacting with the communication device, the method  700  may determine which axis the communication device is pivoting about and in which direction. The method  700 , using this information, may then, at block  604 , determine an orientation of the GUI and, at block  606 , orient a display of the GUI. 
     Thus, the method  700  may provide for communication device reacting to one or more movements or user inputs. It should be noted that the method  700  is just one implementation and that the operations of the method  700  may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method  800  for WCD systems, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For clarity, the method  800  is described below with reference to aspects of one or more of the systems described herein. In some examples, a separate communication device may perform one or more of the functions described below. In other embodiments, a communication device coupled to the defibrillator or the WCD system may perform one or more of the functions described below. 
     Again, at block  602 , the method may include detecting a motion at a graphical user interface. At block  802 , the method  800  may include determining if the motion is user-activated. At block  804 , the method  800  may include illuminating a visual status indicator. For example, the user may have engaged the communication device to check a status of the WCD system. Therefore, the method  800  may provide visual feedback to the user of a status of the system. This may include illuminating various lights, such as LED lights, in different colors or in different orientations to display a status of the WCD system. The status indicators may include a status of a battery life, electrode connectivity, heart rate, and the like. The visual indicator may quickly indicate to the patient whether the WCD system is properly functioning without having to view a screen or further engage or interact with the WCD system. 
     Thus, the method  800  may provide for communication device reacting to one or more movements or user inputs. It should be noted that the method  800  is just one implementation and that the operations of the method  800  may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. 
     This document may include references to directions, such as “forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” “right hand,” “left hand,” “lateral,” “medial,” “in,” “out,” “extended,” etc. These references, and other similar references, are only to assist in helping describe and to understand the particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations. 
     The present document may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed. 
     The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed. 
     While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.