Calorie Monitoring Sensor And Method For Cell Phones, Smart Watches, Occupancy Sensors, And Wearables
An improved sensor ( 102 ) for calorie monitoring in mobile devices, wearables, security, illumination, photography, and other devices and systems uses an optional phosphor-coated broadband white LED ( 103 ) to produce broadband light ( 114 ), which is then transmitted along with any ambient light to target ( 125 ) such as the ear, face, or wrist of a living subject. Some of the scattered light returning from the target to detector ( 141 ) is passed through narrowband spectral filter set ( 155 ) to produce multiple detector regions, each sensitive to a different narrowband wavelength range, and the detected light is spectrally analyzed to determine a measure of calories, such as calories expended, calories ingested, calorie balance, or rate of calories expended, in part based on a noninvasive measure of respiration, such as respiratory rate, respiratory effort, respiratory depth, or respiratory variability. In one example, variations in concentration in components of the bloodstream over time, such as hemoglobin and water in the arteries, are determined based on the detected light, and the measure of respiration is then determined based on the variations in concentration over time. In the absence of the LED light, ambient light may be sufficient illumination for analysis. The same sensor can provide identifying features of type or status of a tissue target, such as heart rate or heart rate variability, hydration status, sleep state, or even occupancy counting. Calorie monitoring systems incorporating the sensor as well as methods are also disclosed.
1 . A method for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising the steps of:
(a) noninvasively detecting light, said detected light being at least in part backscattered from or transmitted through the subject;
(b) determining a measure of respiration, said measure determined at least in part based on a function of a concentration of components of the bloodstream over time determined by analysis of the detected light; and,
(c) generating an output that is a function of the estimated calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
2 . A method for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising the steps of:
(a) noninvasively detecting broadband light after an interaction with the subject, and further after separating or filtering said broadband light into different wavebands of light prior to detection;
(b) determining a measure of respiration, said measure based at least in part on a spectral analysis of the detected light over an interval of time; and,
(c) generating an output that is a function of the estimated calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
3 . A method for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising the steps of:
(a) noninvasively detecting broadband light arriving after interaction with the subject, and further after separating or filtering said broadband light into different wavebands prior to detection, and generating spectral data;
(b) analyzing the spectral data to computationally partition the data into more than one physiological compartment of different temporal or physiological characteristics and to computationally separate the detected light into more than one blood or tissue components;
(c) determining a measure of respiration, said measure based at least in part on the computational partitioning and the computational separation; and,
(d) generating an output that is a function of the estimated calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
4 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the detected light is broadband ambient light.
5 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the detected light is broadband LED light.
6 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the output is a measure selected from the list of measures including calories expended, calories consumed, calorie balance, and a rate of calorie expenditure over a period of time.
7 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the output is determined using a function of one or more of an estimated water, fat, or protein content of the blood.
8 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the output is measure of a condition of calories consumed being more than calories expended.
9 . The method of claim 1 , 2 , or 3 , wherein the output is measure of a condition of calories consumed being less than calories expended.
10 . A device for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising:
(a) at least one sensor configured to noninvasively detect light being backscattered from or transmitted through the subject; and,
(b) a processor, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor, the one or more programs including instructions for determining at least a measure of respiration, said measure of respiration determined at least in part based on a measure of components of the bloodstream over time determined using the detected light, and for generating an output that is a function of the calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
11 . A device for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising:
(a) one or more sensors configured to noninvasively detect broadband light after interaction with the subject, each of said sensors further comprising at least one narrowband spectral filter configured to produce one or more sensor regions, each sensor region configured to be sensitive to a predetermined waveband of light; and,
(b) a processor, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor, the one or more programs including instructions for determining at least a measure of respiration, said measure determined at least in part on a spectral analysis of detected light over an interval of time, and for generating an output that is a function of the calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
12 . A device for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising:
(a) one or more sensors configured to noninvasively detect broadband light after interaction with the subject, each sensor further comprising a narrowband spectral filter configured to be sensitive to a predetermined waveband of light; and,
(b) a processor, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor, the one or more programs including instructions for generating spectral data using the detected light, analyzing the spectral data to computationally partition the data into more than one physiological compartment of different temporal or physiological characteristics and to computationally separate the detected light into more than one blood or tissue components, determining at least a measure of respiration at least in part based on the computational partitioning and computational separation, and generating an output that is a function of the calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
13 . A device for estimating calories in a living subject, comprising:
(a) a solid-state broadband white LED illuminator configured to illuminate a target site on the subject with broadband light;
(b) three or more sensors configured to noninvasively detect light returning after interaction with the subject, each sensor further comprising a narrowband spectral filter configured to be sensitive to a predetermined waveband of light; and,
(c) a processor, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the processor, the one or more programs including instructions for generating spectral data using the detected light, determining at least a measure of respiration at least in part based on a spectral analysis of the spectral data, and generating an output that is a function of the calories expended or consumed by the subject, said output based at least in part on the measure of respiration.
14 . The device of claim 10 , 11 , 12 , or 13 wherein the device is configured as part of a system selected from the list of systems including a mobile personal health monitor, a mobile phone, a wearable device, wearable clothing, wearable glasses, a wearable bracelet, wearable earphones, wearable contact lenses, a security system, and a occupancy sensor.
15 . The device of claim 10 , 11 , 12 , or 13 , further comprising at least one spectral filter deposited directly on the sensor, wherein the sensitivity of the detector to different wavelength bands is achieved using said at least one filter.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the at least one spectral filters is configured to be a narrowband spectral filter.
17 . The device of claim 10 , 11 , 12 , or 13 , wherein the sensor is configured to operate in a non-contact manner with the subject.