This paper presents a multisensing system with wireless communication capabilities embedded on a smart wheelchair that can measure physiological parameters such as heart rate and respiratory rate in an unobtrusive way. Ballistocardiography (BCG) sensors and a three-axis inertial microelectromechanical system accelerometer are embedded on the seat or in the backrest of the wheelchair and the acquired data are transmitted by Wi-Fi to a laptop computer for advanced data processing and logging. In addition, a 3-D accelerometer with ZigBee communication capability is used to extract information about the user's posture. Considering the static and dynamic use of the wheelchair, an extended set of measurements for different utilization scenarios was analyzed. An important part of this paper is focused on BCG noise and artifacts removal and heart rate and respiratory rate accurate estimation from BCG signal using wavelet-based filtering and independent component analysis algorithms. A study on wavelet-based filtering considering different types of mother wavelets and different levels of decomposition was also carried out. In the future, other signals will also be acquired to improve the system capabilities and flexibility.

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Physiological Parameters Measurement Based on Wheelchair Embedded Sensors and Advanced Signal Processing

In this paper, we presented the design and development of a new integrated device for measuring heart rate using fingertip to improve estimating the heart rate. As heart related diseases are increasing day by day, the need for an accurate and affordable heart rate measuring device or heart monitor is essential to ensure quality of health. However, most heart rate measuring tools and environments are expensive and do not follow ergonomics. Our proposed Heart Rate Measuring (HRM) device is economical and user friendly and uses optical technology to detect the flow of blood through index finger. Three phases are used to detect pulses on the fingertip that include pulse detection, signal extraction, and pulse amplification. Qualitative and quantitative performance evaluation of the device on real signals shows accuracy in heart rate estimation, even under intense of physical activity. We compared the performance of HRM device with Electrocardiogram reports and manual pulse measurement of heartbeat of 90 human subjects of different ages. The results showed that the error rate of the device is negligible.

Design and development of a heart rate measuring device using fingertip

Controlling the electric appliances is the essential technique in the home automation, and wireless communication between the residence gateway and electric appliances is one of the most important parts in the home network system. In these days, most of the electric appliances are controlled by infrared remote controllers. However, it is very difficult to connect most of the electric appliances to a home network, since the communication protocols are different. In this paper, we propose an integrated remote controller to control electric appliances in the home network with no extra attachment of communication device to the appliances using ZigBee protocol and infrared remote controller technology. The integrated remote controller system for home automation is composed of integrated remote controller, ZigBee to infrared converter, and ZigBee power adapter. ZigBee power adapter is introduced for some appliances which do not have even infrared remote device to be connected in home network. This paper presents a prototype of the proposed system and shows a scheme for the implementation. It provides high flexibility for the users to configure and manage a home network in order to control electric appliances.

Home network configuring scheme for all electric appliances using ZigBee-based integrated remote controller

A universal remote control (URC) unit is an integrated device for controlling many different CE (consumer electronics) home appliances (with a single one). To control these various CE devices based on IR(infra-red) control signal, the URC unit has to have many preprogrammed control codes for controlling them because they are controlled with many different types of IR profile stated with lead code, control code, carrier frequency, duty cycle, duration and so forth. In this paper, we propose a dynamic control scheme for multiple legacy IR controllable digital CE appliances, which is based on IEEE 802.15.4, especially ZigBee protocol. The proposed scheme uses two main components. One is a URC unit using ZigBee based wireless network technology, WPAN (wireless personal area network). Another is a Z2IR (ZigBee to IR) conversion module which converts a control message transferred through the ZigBee network into an IR typed control signal. In this scheme, the list of CE devices to be controlled by the proposed URC, called as Z-URC (ZigBee based user remote control), is dynamically reconfigured. It is based on his location as a consumer with the proposed Z-URC goes from a room to any other place in his house. And, we apply a novel mechanism to minimize power consumption of the Z2IR module, which is based on ZigBee devices' on/off control mechanism using multiple timers. Furthermore, a user may configure its product and vendor identifiers (IDs) of the home appliance to be controlled by the IR control signal from the module. Based on this feature, the module informs Z-URC target appliance's information.

ZigBee based Dynamic Control Scheme for Multiple Legacy IR Controllable Digital Consumer Devices

This paper describes the Smart Home System for Disabled People via Bluetooth Wireless. Smart home system for disable people is the system called assistive domestics focuses on making it possible for the disabled to motivate them carry out the daily activity, safe and comfortable. However in our research work, we attempt to design the smart home system including the wireless controller via Bluetooth technology. This software application adapt in mobile phone, PDA, mobile computer (Samsung Galaxy Tab) using android's operating system (OS). This software application will control the electrical appliances switches wirelessly (Bluetooth). Results from this study found that the system was successfully produced where it is able to control any of the wireless switches at a distance of approximately 25 meter radius from the main controller. The system is seen potentially be used in hospitals, home care for the elderly and facilities for disabled users.

Smart home system for Disabled People via Wireless Bluetooth

Along with the advancement of technology and the evolution of the information home appliances, such as TVs, air conditioners, sound and stereo systems, wireless phones, and so forth, the remote controllers dazzling our eyes still have not reached a unified model or style. In view of this fact, we propose an environment controller combining the Bluetooth technology. Along with Bluetooth transmission via radio wave, we can break through those space barriers existing in our housing structure comprising multiple separating objects. The system design is as follows: microcontroller and Bluetooth module. The receiving end can comprise multiple systems, including TVs, phones, air conditioners, sound systems, etc.

The information home appliance control system - a Bluetooth universal type remote controller

Heart-sound stethoscoping is a vital reference for regular physicians diagnosing a heart function. Many heart diseases are diagnosed via this tiny stethoscope. We developed a wireless-transmission heart sound diagnosis system that combines the Bluetooth wireless function. The retrieval of heart sound signals is done through a self-made heart sound sensor. After amplifying and filtering, the signals were transmitted in wireless mode by using the Bluetooth module (CSR BC02). Another Bluetooth module in the other end was used to receive the heart sound signals. The signals were displayed and stored in a personal digital assistant (PDA) as phonocardiography (PCG) data.

The implementation of a Bluetooth-based wireless phonocardio-diagnosis system

This article reports on the new design and development of an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement instrument built on a system-on-chip (SOC) embedded system. A new approach using the peak quantification method (PQM) for measuring the human heart rate is described. A computer, some medical equipment, and other facilities are often required for conducting the traditional ECG measurements. However, the monitors of such instruments have some disadvantages, e.g., bulky, not very easy to transport, expensive, and so forth. Hence, we propose a new design for ECG measurement which is built on an embedded system. Our system adopts a SOC and ECG detection circuits to carry out a real-time, low-cost, and compact ECG measurement system. Regarding heart rate computation, the experimental results show that the new PQM algorithm, when applied to heart rate measurements, yields error smaller than 1bpm. In addition, the correlation coefficient between the measured and actual heartbeats can reach 0.94 when the heart rate is...

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Handheld electrocardiogram measurement instrument using a new peak quantification method algorithm built on a system-on-chip embedded system

This paper proposes a new method improving the peak quantification algorithm (PQA) introduced by Navakatikyan, et al. In measuring a human heart rate (HR). Experiments reveal that although the PQA can accurately measure the heart rates based on electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms, this algorithm is too complex and uses too much memory, resulting in substantial reduction in accuracy when applied such algorithm to an embedded system. The proposed improved-peak quantification algorithm (improved-PQA) can rapidly analyze the heartbeat waveforms and still accurately measure the heart rates even when it is adopted in an embedded system with a lower computational power and speed

An Improved Peak Quantification Algorithm for Automatic Heart Rate Measurements

A newly-born premature birth itifant needs to stay in an isolette for a period of time. However, current monitoring of an infant's physical signals, which uses many adhesive sensors and wires, can cause skin allergic reaction to some infants. This study hence develops a noncontact type breathing monitoring system, combined with a wireless bluetooth system, to reach a wireless condition. The whole system includes a non-contact type temperature sensor, signal processing (band pass filter), displays, preamplifier unit, an AID converter (12 bit analog and digital transform unit), a microcontroller, a wireless bluetooth module (CSR BC02), an alarming system and a computer monitoring system.

Jia-Ren Chang Chien

Papers

The information home appliance control system - a Bluetooth universal type remote controller

The implementation of a Bluetooth-based wireless phonocardio-diagnosis system

Handheld electrocardiogram measurement instrument using a new peak quantification method algorithm built on a system-on-chip embedded system

An Improved Peak Quantification Algorithm for Automatic Heart Rate Measurements

A wireless bluetooth device applied to a non-contact type breathing monitoring system