# US 11,308,013 B2 · Connector interface system for data acquisition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,308,013 B2 - Document ID: US11308013B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/166,624 - Filed: 2016-05-27 - Published: 2017-02-23 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-29 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Braemar Manufacturing, LLC - Inventors: Erich Vlach - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11308013B2 ## CPC - G06F 13/385: {for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices} - A61B 5/02438: {with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient} - G06F 13/4081: {Live connection to bus, e.g. hot-plugging (current or voltage limitation during live insertion H02H9/004)} - G06F 13/4282: {on a serial bus, e.g. I2C bus, SPI bus (on daisy chain buses G06F13/4247)} - G16H 40/63: for local operation - H01R 13/44: Means for preventing access to live contacts {(making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036)} - H01R 13/642: by position or shape of contact members - A61B 2560/0456: Apparatus provided with a docking unit - A61B 2562/226: comprising means for identifying the connector, e.g. to prevent incorrect connection to socket - H01R 27/00: Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90) - Y02D 10/00: Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract A data acquisition system includes a receptacle and a data acquisition device. The receptacle has a housing, sensor inputs to receive data signals from sensors coupled to an object, and a rib to block insertion of a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and facilitate insertion of a modified USB plug having a slot that mates with the rib. The data acquisition device includes circuitry to receive, store and process data, 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) data acquisition device comprising: a lanyard configured to be worn around a living subject's neck; one or more electrode leads each configured to connect to an electrode on the living subject; a receptacle connected to the lanyard and the one or more electrode leads; a removable USB data connector on the wearable ECG data acquisition device configured to: receive ECG data signals from the one or more electrode leads; and connect with (i) a standard USB interface and (ii) with the receptacle configured to prevent interconnection with the standard USB interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the data connector comprises a feature that defeats a connection prevention mechanism in the living subject-connected receptacle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the data connector comprises a slot that mates with a rib in the living subject-connected receptacle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising circuitry to store, process, and/or transmit the received data signals. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the standard interface is a physical interface. ### Claim 6 A wearable ECG data acquisition receptacle comprising: a lanyard configured to be worn around a living subject's neck; an input configured to receive data signals from one or more ECG electrode leads each connected to an electrode on the living subject; and a connection prevention mechanism on the wearable ECG data acquisition receptacle that is configured to: prevent interconnection with a standard interface, and facilitate insertion of and electrical connection with a removable connector having a feature that defeats the connection prevention mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the receptacle comprises a rib that mates with a slot in the data connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The receptacle of claim 7, wherein the rib is formed along a center portion of the receptacle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the data connector is configured to receive biometric data signals from the living subject. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, further comprising a substrate configured to facilitate secure connection of the data connector while inserted in the receptacle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, further comprising a recess to receive the data connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the receptacle is formed in an unshrouded configuration that lacks a recess. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The receptacle of claim 6, wherein the standard interface is a physical interface. ### Claim 14 A wearable ECG data acquisition device comprising: a lanyard configured to be worn around a living subject's neck; one or more electrode leads each configured to connect to an electrode on the living subject; a receptacle connected to the lanyard and the one or more electrode leads; a removable USB plug configured to connect with (i) a standard USB-compliant device and (ii) the receptacle, wherein the receptacle is configured to prevent interconnection with standard USB plugs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the USB plug comprises a feature that defeats a connection prevention mechanism in the living subject-connected receptacle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the USB plug comprises a slot that mates with a rib in the living subject-connected receptacle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, further comprising circuitry to store, process, and/or transmit the received data signals. ### Claim 18 A wearable ECG data acquisition receptacle comprising: a lanyard configured to be worn around a living subject's neck; one or more electrode leads each configured to connect to an electrode on the living subject; a connection prevention mechanism that prevents interconnection with standard USB plugs but that allows removable insertion of and electrical connection with a modified USB plug having a feature that defeats the connection prevention mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The receptacle of claim 18, in which the USB plug comprises a slot that mates with a rib in the living subject-connected receptacle.