Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Generally speaking, a sensor is a device that measures an observable attribute and converts it into one or more electrical signals which can be recorded and/or subsequently (or concurrently) evaluated by another device (e.g., a computer system) and/or a human observer. Sensors are routinely used both to acquire biometric data (e.g., from a human test subject) and non-biometric data to measure attributes such as temperature, wind speed, humidity, salinity, barometric pressure, sound, light, and the like. 
         [0002]    Biometric data often is acquired using appropriate sensors attached to a human subject to evaluate physiological activity of various organs, such as the heart or brain. The biometric data so acquired can be analyzed to look for patterns that may assist in diagnosing various conditions. For example, the electrical activity of the heart can be monitored to track various aspects of the functioning of the heart. Cardiac electrical activity can be indicative of disease states or other physiological conditions ranging from benign to fatal. Many other types of biometric data are routinely acquired and used by clinicians to assess health related factors. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    This document describes systems and techniques by which a connector interface system is used to acquire data—either biometric data or non-biometric data—from a sensor. For example, non-biometric data corresponding to a property such as salinity of sea water may be acquired from a salinity measuring instrument and recorded for later analysis with other oceanographic data. Similarly, biometric data corresponding to a physiological characteristic such as cardiac activity or the like may be acquired from an individual (e.g., a patient, test subject or other user) and analyzed or otherwise used by human or a machine—for example, a health care professional and/or a remote data processing center. For example, a subject can be provided with a biometric data acquisition device such as a real time monitoring device for monitoring a physiological signal for events (e.g. arrhythmia events, QRS data, etc.), a recording device, or essentially any other suitable electronic device. The biometric data acquisition device can obtain, for example, ECG data from the subject for a predefined period of time and can store the ECG data on a storage medium in the biometric data acquisition device. 
         [0004]    As described in more detail below, the biometric data acquisition device optionally may include a data connector such as a USB connector (e.g., based on the USB 3.0 standard) so the subject can directly connect the biometric data acquisition device to a computer system such as the subject&#39;s personal computer. Alternatively, or in addition, the biometric data acquisition device can transfer or otherwise communicate the acquired data wirelessly or essentially in any other appropriate manner. Also, the biometric data acquisition device may be provided with program code that allows the subject to automatically upload the obtained biometric data to a remote data processing center when the biometric data acquisition device is connected to a computer using the USB connector. 
         [0005]    The uploaded data can be analyzed by a computer running an analysis program at the remote data processing center. A medical professional, such as a doctor or a technician, can provide feedback regarding the analysis. Based on the analysis and the feedback, a report can be provided to the subject from the data processing center indicating the extent to which abnormal and/or clinically significant events were detected during the predefined period of time. The report can also include a recommendation to consult further with a physician based on clinically significant events identified in the uploaded data. 
         [0006]    Implementations of the subject matter described in this document may include various combinations of the following features. 
         [0007]    In an implementation, a data acquisition device may include circuitry configured to receive data (e.g., either biometric data and/or non-biometric data) acquired from one or more sensors coupled to an object (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electrically sensitive object), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug (e.g., a USB 3.0 Type-A connector) having a pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset of pins (e.g., pins 5-9 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connector) configured to receive data signals from the one or more sensors coupled to the object and a second subset of pins (e.g., pins 1-4 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connector) configured to support standard USB communication with USB-compliant devices, a modification to the USB plug configured such that the modification facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both with standard USB-compliant devices and with an object-connected receptacle that is configured to prevent interconnection with standard USB plugs. 
         [0008]    The modification formed in the USB plug may be a slot that mates with an accommodating feature in the object-connected receptacle. For example, the slot may be formed symmetrically in at least one of the USB plug&#39;s top and bottom sides. The data acquisition device may further include circuitry to store, process and/or transmit the acquired data. 
         [0009]    In an implementation, a data acquisition receptacle may include sensor inputs configured to receive data signals (e.g., either biometric data signals and/or non-biometric data signals) from one or more sensors coupled to an object (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electrically sensitive object), and a connection prevention mechanism (e.g., a rib formed along a center portion of the receptacle) that is configured to prevent insertion of a standard USB plug and to facilitate insertion of and electrical connection with a modified USB plug having a feature that defeats the connection prevention mechanism (e.g., a slot that mates with the rib when the modified USB plug is inserted into the receptacle). The receptacle may further include either or both of a recess to receive the modified USB plug, and a substrate configured to facilitate secure connection of the modified USB plug while inserted in the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be implemented in an unshrouded configuration that lacks a recess. 
         [0010]    In an implementation a data acquisition system includes a receptacle and a data acquisition device. The receptacle may include a housing, sensor inputs configured to receive data signals (e.g., biometric and/or non-biometric data signals) from one or more sensors coupled to an object (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electrically sensitive object), and a rib that is configured to block insertion of a standard USB plug and to facilitate insertion of and electrical connection with a modified USB plug having a slot that mates with the rib when inserted. The data acquisition device may include circuitry configured to receive, store and/or process data received via the receptacle from the one or more sensors coupled to the object, a USB plug having pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset of pins configured to receive data signals from the receptacle and a second subset of pins configured to support standard USB communication with USB-compliant devices, and a slot formed in the USB plug such that the slot facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both with standard USB-compliant devices and with the receptacle, the slot mating with the rib to facilitate interconnection between the data acquisition device and the receptacle. 
         [0011]    In an implementation, a method of acquiring data may include establishing a connection between a receptacle to an object from which data is to be acquired via one or more sensors (e.g., either a living subject or a non-living, electrically sensitive object), the receptacle having a connection prevention mechanism that prevents connection of a standard USB plug to the receptacle, connecting a data acquisition device having a modified USB plug to the receptacle having the connection prevention mechanism, the modified USB plug being configured such that the modification defeats the receptacle&#39;s connection prevention mechanism while facilitating interconnection of the modified USB plug with standard USB-compliant devices, and acquiring object-related data via the one or more sensors using the connected data acquisition device. Optionally, the method of acquiring data may further include disconnecting the data acquisition device by unplugging the modified USB plug from the receptacle having the connection prevention mechanism, and connecting the data acquisition device to an electronic device having a standard USB receptacle (e.g., a computer system). 
         [0012]    Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a self-assessment kit for obtaining ECG data from a subject. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of an object-connected receptacle and an acquisition device having a modified USB plug, respectively. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C are various views of a modified USB plug. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an example system for uploading biometric data stored on a data acquisition unit. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary method for acquiring data relating to an object, via sensors coupled to the object, using a modified USB plug and an object-connected USB receptacle having a connection prevention mechanism. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a self-assessment kit for obtaining ECG data from a subject—that is, the object to which the sensors are connected is a human subject. The self-assessment kit includes a data acquisition unit  105  having a modified USB plug  230  and an object-connected receptacle  125  into which the modified USB plug can be inserted, and to which one or physiological sensors can be connected. One example of a physiological sensor is a lead-wire set  110  having, for example, a first electrode lead  121 , and a second electrode lead  122 , which may be used to obtain ECG signals from the subject. Alternatively, the object-connected receptacle  125  may be connected to essentially any other appropriate physiological sensor that can sense biometric data from a subject (e.g., blood pressure sensor, pulse oximeter, glucometer or the like). 
         [0020]    When it is desired to acquire ECG data from a subject, the kit also may include electrodes  115  in the form of removable electrode patches, and program code  120  stored on a medium such as a CD-ROM. The self-assessment kit allows a subject to obtain his or her own ECG signal, upload ECG data to a remote data processing center, and obtain an assessment from the data processing center without the need to involve a third-party medical practitioner such as a prescribing physician. Also, the self-assessment kit can be configured to allow a subject to self-monitor his or her own ECG signal for a specified period of time such as 14 days. 
         [0021]    The object-connected receptacle  125  is configured to be insertably connectable, via the modified USB plug  230 , to the data acquisition unit  105 . When connected, the data acquisition unit  105  can be hung from the neck of the subject using a lanyard  124  on the lead-wire set  110 . The object-connected receptacle  125  also includes contacts that, when connected to the data acquisition unit  105 , form electrical connections to corresponding contacts within the data acquisition unit  105  thereby enabling the data acquisition unit  105  to receive electrical signals emanating from the electrodes  115 . 
         [0022]    The electrodes  115  can be disposable electrode patches that can be connected to distal ends of the first electrode lead  121  and the second electrode lead  122 . The electrodes  115  have adhesive backing so that they can be stuck to the chest of the subject. The self-assessment kit can include enough disposable electrodes  115  for the specified period of time. 
         [0023]    While being used to acquire biometric data from a subject, the data acquisition unit  105  is connected to the object-connected receptacle  125 , and one of the electrode patches is connected to the first electrode lead  121  and another of the electrode patches is connected to the second electrode lead  122 . The subject sticks the connected electrodes to his or her chest and wears the data acquisition unit  105  around his or her neck with the lanyard  124 . The data acquisition unit  105  obtains an electrical signal from the electrode patches connected to the first electrode lead  121  and the second electrode lead  122 . The electrical signal is converted to a digital signal and stored in the data acquisition unit  105  as ECG data. 
         [0024]    Although the self-assessment kit shown in  FIG. 1  is specific to the application of acquiring ECG data from the subject, other kits and configurations are possible to collect essentially any other appropriate type of physiological data from the subject, for example, electromyography (EMG) data, electroencephalography (EEG) data or the like. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of an example implementation of the object-connected receptacle  125  and the data acquisition unit  105  having a modified USB plug  230 , respectively. As shown therein, the object-connected receptacle  125  includes a recess  210  in which a contact substrate  215  and a rib  220  are formed or otherwise disposed. The configuration of receptacle  125  shown in  FIG. 2A  is exemplary and could be implemented in other configurations depending on application and/or design criteria. For example, the receptacle  125  could be implemented in an unshrouded configuration that does not include a recess  210  formed by sidewalls of the receptacle  125 . 
         [0026]    Although the form and dimensions of the recess  210  are designed to accommodate a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, the presence of the rib  220  prevents a standard USB connector from being plugged into the object-connected receptacle  125 . In other words, the rib  220  acts as a connection prevention mechanism that effectively prevents a standard, non-modified USB plug from being inserted into the receptacle  125  to the point where electrical contact is made between one or more conductors of the USB plug and one or more conductors of the receptacle  125 . Consequently, the object is protected from potential harm that might arise, for example, if the object-connected receptacle  125 , while connected to biometric sensors on a human subject&#39;s body or non-biometric sensors on an electrically sensitive measurement instrument, was connected to a standard USB connector that in turn was connected to a power source and thus could apply a dangerous or destructive level of electrical current to the object—that is, to the human subject&#39;s body or to the measurement instrument, depending on the particular application. By including the rib  220  in the recess  210 , the object-connected receptacle prevents this potential electrical safety hazard. 
         [0027]    The receptacle  125  shown in  FIG. 2A  can be used as a connection interface for essentially any type of data sensor—either biometric or non-biometric. Regardless of the particular type of sensor involved, the receptacle  125  is configured to prevent connection to a standard USB connector, thereby protecting the sensor (and/or potentially also whatever the sensor is connected to) from harm that might arise from being connected to a power source. 
         [0028]    As shown, the data acquisition unit  105  shown in  FIG. 2B  includes a modified USB plug  230  having a slot  240  and pins  245 . The slot  240  in the plug  230  and the rib  220  in the object-connected receptacle  125  are formed such that the rib  220  suitably fits within the slot  240  when the plug  230  is inserted into the recess  210  of the object-connected receptacle  125 . When inserted, the rib  220  mates with the slot  240  and the pins  245  of the plug  230  form electrical connections with corresponding contacts within the object-connected receptacle  125 , for example, formed along tab  215  thereby enabling the data acquisition unit  105  to acquire data from the object (or subject, if the object is a human or other living organism) via whatever sensors happen to be connected to the object-connected receptacle  125 . 
         [0029]    In the illustrated implementation, the plug  230  on the data acquisition unit  105  is a modified USB connector, in this example, a USB connector based on the USB Type-A standard. The plug  230  is modified from the USB Type-A standard, however, in that it includes slot  240 , which is not present in conventional USB connectors. The presence of slot  240  enables the plug  230  to be connected to the object-connected receptacle  125 , which includes rib  220  and which, as noted above, prevents standard, unmodified USB connectors from being inserted into the object-connected receptacle  125 . The presence of slot  240 , however, does not affect the ability of the plug  230  from being inserted and fitting within a standard USB receptacle that lacks the rib  220 . Consequently, because only a single type of connector is needed—namely, a USB Type-A plug modified to have a slot  240 —both to connect to the object-connected receptacle  125  and to standard computer equipment, the number of required connection types is minimized, thereby increasing simplicity and efficiency, and reducing time and costs, both in the manufacturing and end-user contexts. 
         [0030]    Depending on the desired application, the plug  230  also may vary from the USB standard in the particular pin connections used. Specifically, if the USB 3.0 standard is used (which provides 9 conductors instead of 4 conductors used in USB 1.0 and 2.0 standards), the plug  230  can use pins 5-9 of the USB 3.0 Type-A connector for connecting to corresponding contacts in the object-connected receptacle  125  and thereby to receive data from sensors attached to the object. In such an implementation, pins 1-4 of the plug  230  are configured to comply with the conventional USB 1.x and USB 2.x standards. Consequently, this modified usage of pins enables the plug  230  to serve dual purposes—that is, it can both connect to the object-connected receptacle  125  to receive data from an object and, once disconnected from the object-connected receptacle  125 , it can then be inserted in any standard computer system or other electronic equipment having USB 1.x and/or USB 2.x connectivity to transfer the acquired data to the desired destination and/or to be used as input to an analysis program running on the computer system. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C show perspective, top planar and front planar views, respectively, of a modified USB 3.0 Type-A connector that may be used for plug  230  on data acquisition unit  105 . As shown therein, the slot  240  is formed in the center of the plug  230  but, depending on other factors, potentially could be offset to one side or the other (but requiring a corresponding change to the relative location of rib  220  within the recess  210  of object-connected receptacle  125  to ensure that the rib  240  would appropriately mate with the slot  240 ). In addition, the slot  240  should be of sufficient depth, D (for example, in the range of 8-9 mm), such that the plug  230  can be fully inserted into the object-connected receptacle  125  to form reliable connections between pins 5-9 of the plug  230  and corresponding contacts residing within the object-connected receptacle  125 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows an example system  400  for uploading the ECG data stored on the data acquisition unit  105 . The program code  120  can be run on a computer system  410  such as the subject&#39;s personal computer. The computer system  410  includes a computer and a display device. When the subject has completed the data acquisition period, the subject can disconnect the data acquisition unit  105  from the lead-wire set  110  and connect the USB plug  230  to the computer system  410 . The program code when run by the computer system  410 , supports access to a remote data processing center  420  so that the ECG data can be uploaded from the data acquisition unit  105  over a network  415  to the remote data processing center  420  where the biometric data is analyzed. The program code can support access to the remote data processing center  420  by automatically initiating a transmission of the ECG data stored on the data acquisition unit  105  upon detecting that the data acquisition unit  105  is connected to the computer system  410 . 
         [0033]    In some examples, the data processing center can obtain demographic or other clinically relevant data about the subject. This additional data can assist in the analysis of the biometric data obtained from the data acquisition unit. For example, a particular event detected in a physiological signal can be serious for one person and not serious for another based on demographics such as age. The program code, when run by the computer system  410 , can also facilitate the data processing center in obtaining clinically relevant data about the subject. 
         [0034]    In some examples, the computer  410  can include a public terminal such as a kiosk specifically provided for obtaining the subject data from the data acquisition unit and uploading the subject data to the data processing center  420 . The public terminal is provided in a public location such as in a health care facility like a doctor&#39;s office, a pharmacy, or the like. The public terminal can be pre-loaded with a program for obtaining the data from the data processing device and uploading the data over the network  415  to the data processing center  420 . The public terminal can also be configured to obtain the demographic information from the subject when the subject uploads the data. A report from the data processing center  420  can be viewed or printed directly from the public terminal. 
         [0035]    In some examples, the subject can provide the data acquisition unit  110  to a third-party for uploading the data to the data processing center  420 . For example, the self-assessment kit can include a pre-paid package for mailing the data acquisition unit  110  to a third-party or directly to the data processing center. The kit can also include a questionnaire for the subject to fill-out to provide demographic data to facilitated analysis by the data processing center  420  and to provide a location for a report to be sent to the subject either by mail or electronically. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary method for acquiring data relating to an object, via sensors coupled to the object, using a modified USB plug and an object-connected USB receptacle having a connection prevention mechanism. This method, and/or variations thereof, can be used to acquire data (either biometric or non-metric) from an object (either a human or other biological subject or a non-living object) using a USB-type connectors, the prevalence of which are widespread in the science and engineering worlds, while effectively protecting the object from potentially damaging electrical currents and/or voltages to which the object might otherwise be exposed. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , at  510 , an electrical connection is established between a USB receptacle having a connection prevention mechanism (e.g., a rib  220  such as shown in  FIG. 2A ) and, using suitable sensors, an object (e.g., a human subject or an inanimate object that has measurable properties) about which data is to be acquired. 
         [0038]    Next, at  520 , a data acquisition device (e.g., a data recorder, processor and/or transmitter) having a modified USB plug (e.g., modified with a slot  240  that mates with rib  220  on the receptacle, such as shown in  FIGS. 2B and 2A , respectively) is inserted into the USB receptacle to form an electrical connection. Even though the USB receptacle has a connection prevention mechanism, the modified USB plug is able to be inserted into and form an electrical connection with the USB receptacle because the modifications to the USB plug are such that they are complementary, and thus overcome, the obstacles to connection otherwise presented to standard USB plugs by the USB receptacle&#39;s connection prevention mechanism. 
         [0039]    Next, at  530 , the data acquisition device is operated to acquire the desired data from the object in question (and, depending on the device in question and the specific application, store the acquired data locally on the data acquisition device, process it in some manner, transmit it elsewhere, or any combination thereof). After completion of data acquisition, at  540 , the data acquisition device is unplugged, and thus disconnected, from the USB receptacle having the connection prevention mechanism. 
         [0040]    Optionally, depending on the specific application at hand, for example, if post-acquisition wired transmission of the acquired data is desired either instead of or in addition to prior or concurrent wireless transmission of the acquired data, the data acquisition device can then, at  550 , be plugged into essentially any other electronic device (e.g. a computer system) so that the data stored thereon can be transferred to, or processed by, that other electronic device. Note that the modifications to the modified USB plug used by the data acquisition device are such as not to interfere with standard mechanical or electrical connections when the modified USB plug is inserted into any standard electronic device that follows the USB 1.x and/or USB 2.x standards. 
         [0041]    The disclosed systems, techniques, and all of the functional operations described and illustrated in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of the forgoing. For example, one or more computers and/or circuitry can be operable to or configured and arranged to perform the functions and techniques disclosed herein. Apparatuses and/or systems can be implemented using a software product (e.g., a computer program code) tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor, and processing operations can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Further, the system can be implemented advantageously in one or more software programs that are executable on a programmable system. This programmable system can include the following: 1) at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system; 2) at least one input device; and 3) at least one output device. Moreover, each software program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or an interpreted language. 
         [0042]    Also, suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory, a random access memory, and/or a machine-readable signal (e.g., a digital signal received through a network connection). The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files. Such devices can include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical disks, and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying software program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, by way of example, the following: 1) semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM (electrically programmable read-only memory); EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) and flash memory devices; 2) magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; 3) magneto-optical disks; and 4) CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
         [0043]    The disclosed systems and techniques, described and illustrated in this specification can be implemented using a communications network such as a wired or wireless network. Examples of communication networks include, e.g., a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), the Internet or any combinations of such. 
         [0044]    To provide for interaction with a user (such as the health care provider), systems can be implemented on a computer system having a display device such as a monitor or LCD (liquid crystal display) screen for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball by which the user can provide input to the computer system. The computer system can be programmed to provide a graphical user interface through which computer programs interact with users. 
         [0045]    A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: g