Physiological Monitoring Systems, Methods and Apparatus

Abstract

A sensor module configured to be worn by a subject includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure physiological information from the subject and/or environmental exposure information in a vicinity of the subject, a power source coupled to the plurality of sensors, and at least one processor configured to obtain data from the plurality of sensors only at certain time intervals in order to extend a life of the power source. The sensor module also includes a wireless chip configured to communicate data obtained from the plurality of sensors to a telecommunication device. The telecommunication device is configured to communicate the data obtained from the plurality of sensors to a remote database. One or more of the plurality of sensors may be activated and/or deactivated by the telecommunication device.

1 . A sensor module configured to be worn by a subject, the sensor module comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to measure physiological information from the subject and/or environmental exposure information in a vicinity of the subject;   a power source coupled to the plurality of sensors; and   at least one processor configured to obtain data from the plurality of sensors only at certain time intervals in order to extend a life of the power source.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless chip configured to communicate data obtained from the plurality of sensors to a telecommunication device. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated into a headset, temple module, or earpiece. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is further configured to communicate audio information with a remote terminal. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated within an earpiece and wherein at least one sensor is located along a front portion of the earpiece to expose the at least one sensor to an environment in the vicinity of the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one barometric pressure sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor module is configured to receive commands from the telecommunication device to activate or deactivate one or more of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor module of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of sensors, the power source, the at least one processor, and the wireless chip are all integrated within an earpiece fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor module of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor module of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one heart rate sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor module of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one motion sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The sensor module of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one motion sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The sensor module of  claim 9 , wherein at least some of the plurality of sensors, the power source, the at least one processor, and/or the wireless chip are mounted on a flexible circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . A system for monitoring a subject, the system comprising:
 a telecommunication device;   a sensor module configured to be worn by a subject, wherein the sensor module comprises:   a plurality of sensors configured to measure physiological information from the subject and/or environmental exposure information in a vicinity of the subject;   a power source coupled to the plurality of sensors;   at least one processor configured to obtain data from the plurality of sensors only at certain time intervals in order to extend a life of the power source; and   a wireless chip configured to communicate the data obtained from the plurality of sensors to the telecommunication device; and   a database, wherein the telecommunication device is configured to communicate the data obtained from the plurality of sensors to the database.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the database is remotely located from the telecommunication device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated into a headset, temple module, or earpiece. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor module is further configured to communicate audio information with a remote terminal. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated within an earpiece and wherein at least one sensor is located along a front portion of the earpiece to expose the at least one sensor to an environment in the vicinity of the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one barometric pressure sensor. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor module is configured to receive commands from the telecommunication device to activate or deactivate one or more of the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         23 . A method of monitoring a person via a sensor module, wherein the sensor module includes a plurality of sensors, a power source coupled to the plurality of sensors, and at least one processor, the method comprising:
 sensing physiological information from the person and/or environmental information in a vicinity of the person via the plurality of sensors; and   obtaining data from the plurality of sensors via the at least one processor only at certain time intervals in order to extend a life of the power source.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sensor module includes a wireless chip, and further comprising communicating data obtained from the plurality of sensors to a telecommunication device via the wireless chip. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated into a headset, temple module, or earpiece. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated within an earpiece and wherein at least one sensor is located along a front portion of the earpiece to expose the at least one sensor to an environment in the vicinity of the subject. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one barometric pressure sensor. 
     
     
         29 . A method of monitoring a person via a sensor module, wherein the sensor module includes a plurality of sensors, a power source coupled to the plurality of sensors, a wireless chip, and at least one processor, the method comprising:
 activating one or more of the sensors via a telecommunication device in communication with the wireless chip;   sensing physiological and/or environmental information via the activated one or more sensors; and   obtaining data from the activated one or more sensors via the at least one processor only at certain time intervals in order to extend a life of the power source.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising communicating data obtained from the plurality of sensors to the telecommunication device via the wireless chip. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising deactivating one or more of the plurality of sensors via the telecommunication device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated into a headset, temple module, or earpiece. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the sensor module is configured to be integrated within an earpiece and wherein at least one sensor is located along a front portion of the earpiece to expose the at least one sensor to an environment in the vicinity of the subject. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one body temperature sensor and at least one barometric pressure sensor.