# US 9,005,101 B1 · Smart surface biological sensor and therapy administration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,005,101 B1 - Document ID: US9005101B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/461,862 - Filed: 2014-08-18 - Granted: 2015-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-04 - Applicants: Julian Van Erlach - Inventors: Julian Van Erlach - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9005101B1 ## CPC - A61B 5/015: {By temperature mapping of body part} - A47C 31/123: {for beds or mattresses} - A61B 5/0036: {including treatment, e.g., using an implantable medical device, ablating, ventilating} - A61B 5/02055: {Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature} - A61B 5/1114: {Tracking parts of the body} - A61B 5/4815: {Sleep quality} - A61B 5/6892: {Mats} - A61B 17/22004: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves (A61B17/225 takes precedence)} - A61M 5/1723: {using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood sugar or pressure} - A61N 5/06: using light - G06K 19/0717: {the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure} - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - A61B 2562/046: in a matrix array - A61H 23/008: {using shock waves} - A61H 23/02: with electric or magnetic drive - A61H 23/0236: {using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers} - A61H 2201/0119: Support for the device - A61H 2201/0142: Beds - A61H 2201/0146: Mattresses - A61H 2201/10: with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy - A61H 2201/5082: Temperature sensors - A61H 2201/5084: Acceleration sensors - A61H 2201/5092: Optical sensor - A61H 2201/5097: wireless - A61H 2230/065: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61H 2230/208: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61H 2230/305: used as a control parameter for the apparatus (A61H2230/045 takes precedence) - A61H 2230/425: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61H 2230/505: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61H 2230/655: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61N 2/002: {in combination with another treatment} - A61N 5/067: using laser light - A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092}) - A61N 2005/0626: {Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods} - A61N 2005/0659: {infrared} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A method and system enabling delivery of a therapy type is provided. The method includes receiving a value of a parameter measured by physical sensors while a mammal is in contact with a first subset of the physical sensors. A second subset of the physical sensors, whose received value differs from a predetermined reference value of an environmental parameter, is determined. A physical part subset of the second subset, corresponding to a specified body part, is determined by utilizing the second subset and virtual data for identifying virtual sensors spatially distributed to map a space occupied by the mammal's body parts. In response, a therapy device positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the specified body part to effectively deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part, is determined and a control signal is generated and transmitted to the associated therapy device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for enabling delivery of a specified therapy type to a specified body part of mammal, over specified periods of time, said method comprising for each specified period of time: receiving, by a processor of a computing system from physical sensors of a plurality of physical sensors spatially distributed on or in a substrate, a value of an environmental parameter measured by said physical sensors while the mammal is on or in contact with a substrate and in contact with a first subset of the plurality of physical sensors, leaving a remaining subset of the plurality of physical sensors not in contact with the mammal; determining, by the processor, a second subset of the plurality of physical sensors as being those physical sensors whose received value differs from a corresponding predetermined reference value, of the environmental parameter by at least a predetermined threshold value, specific to said plurality of physical sensors; determining, by the processor, a physical part subset of the second subset, said physical part subset corresponding to the specified body part, said determining the physical part subset comprising utilizing the second subset and virtual data for identifying a plurality of virtual sensors representing the plurality of physical sensors and spatially distributed in virtual subsets to map a space occupied by the mammal's body parts, wherein each subset of the virtual subsets comprises a virtual representation of a differing body part of said mammal's body parts, and wherein said utilizing comprises; overlaying the virtual sensors over data retrieved from the second subset; and determining, based on results of the overlaying, a virtual part subset of the plurality of virtual sensors corresponding to the specified body part; determining based on a cross referencing process, by the processor from the physical part subset, an associated therapy device of a group of therapy devices spatially distributed on or in the substrate, wherein the associated therapy device is positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the specified body part to effectively deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; generating, by the processor, a control signal comprising instructions to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; transmitting, by the processor, the control signal to the associated therapy device to activate the associated therapy device to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; and after said transmitting, if said each specified period of time has elapsed then terminating said method, otherwise repeating said receiving, said determining said second subset, said determining said physical part subset, said determining said associated therapy device, said generating, and said transmitting. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of virtual sensors comprise torso virtual sensors corresponding to a torso of the mammal, and wherein said overlaying comprises: mapping the torso virtual sensors to the second subset of physical sensors; determining, based on results of the mapping, a torso subset of the second subset of physical sensors corresponding to the torso of the mammal; and using the torso subset of the physical sensors and the virtual part subset to determine the physical part subset. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the method comprises determining that the specified body part is within the torso of the mammal, and wherein said utilizing comprises: mapping the virtual part subset to the torso subset to determine the physical part subset. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the method comprises determining that the specified body part is external to the torso of the mammal, and wherein said utilizing further comprises: determining a set of exterior virtual sensors of the plurality of virtual sensors corresponding to an exterior body part of the mammal attached to the mammal at a point of attachment on the torso, wherein the set of exterior virtual sensors includes the virtual part subset and comprises an attachment sensor coinciding with an attachment sensor of the torso virtual sensors corresponding to the point of attachment; determining an attachment sensor of the torso subset of the physical sensors corresponding to the attachment sensor of the torso virtual sensors; determining an exterior subset of the physical sensors by mapping the set of exterior virtual sensors to the second subset in a manner that constrains the attachment sensor of the set of exterior virtual sensors to coincide with the attachment sensor of the torso subset of the physical sensors; and mapping the virtual part subset to the exterior subset of the physical sensors to determine the physical part subset. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the processor, said instructions from a source external to the computing system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating, by the processor based on the value of the environmental parameter, the instructions, wherein the instructions comprise a command selected from the group consisting of a duration for delivering the specified therapy, a frequency for delivering the specified therapy, and an intensity for delivering the specified therapy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the processor, an additional physical part subset of the second subset, said additional physical part subset corresponding to an additional body part; determining, by the processor from the additional physical part subset, a second therapy device of the group of therapy devices spatially distributed on or in the substrate, wherein the second therapy device is positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the additional body part to effectively deliver an additional therapy type to the additional body part; generating, by the processor, an additional control signal comprising additional instructions to deliver the additional therapy type to the additional body part; and transmitting, by the processor, the additional control signal to the second therapy device to activate the second therapy device to deliver the additional therapy type to the additional body part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein said transmitting the control signal and said transmitting the additional control signal are performed simultaneously such that the at least one therapy device and the second therapy device are activated to deliver the specified therapy type and the additional therapy type simultaneously. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said physical sensors and the associated therapy device are comprised by a networked electronically addressable matrix of said plurality of sensors and a plurality of therapy devices operatively integrated into said substrate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said environmental parameters comprise biological parameters selected from the group consisting of respiration rates, temperature, pulse rates, moisture attributes, acceleration, resistance, stress levels, pressure, blood oxygenation, odor, brain waves, metabolic activity, blood chemicals, and electrical activity. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said substrate is positioned in sufficiently close proximity of an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a bed, a mattress, a chair or seat, a couch, a crib, and a garment. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by said processor executing logic functions with respect to input data from said plurality of physical sensors, an attribute of an electronically controllable physical characteristic of an electronically adjustable bed or mattress, wherein the attribute is selected from the group consisting of a temperature, a stiffness, a position of an adjustable component, and motion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said specified therapy type is selected from the group consisting of magnetic therapy, light therapy, infrared therapy, laser therapy, temperature-based therapy, shockwave therapy, ultrasound therapy, acoustic therapy, vibration therapy, massage therapy, electronic therapy, chemical therapy, electromagnetic therapy, and electromechanical therapy. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by said processor, input data associated with said specified therapy type from a a network selected from the group consisting of a home network, a wireless network, a hospital network, and the Internet; and transmitting, by said processor, output data associated with said specified therapy type to a network selected from the group consisting of a home network, a wireless network, a hospital network, and the Internet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said instructions comprise a command for waking said mammal from a sleep cycle in response to a sensed reading from said one of said plurality of physical sensors. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: communicatively coupling said processor to a database comprising clinical conditions mapped to specified sensor readings associated with said plurality of physical sensors. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: programming, by a user executing said processor, said specified therapy type, wherein said specified therapy type is associated with a body portion type of said specified body part, and wherein said programming may be enabled from an input device of said computing system or a remote mobile authorized to interface with and direct activity of a computing system comprising said processor. ### Claim 18 A computer program product, comprising a computer readable hardware storage device storing a computer readable program code, said computer readable program code comprising an algorithm that when executed by a computer processor of a computing system implements a method, said method comprising: receiving, by said processor from physical sensors of a plurality of physical sensors spatially distributed on or in a substrate, a value of an environmental parameter measured by said physical sensors while the mammal is on or in contact with a substrate and in contact with a first subset of the plurality of physical sensors, leaving a remaining subset of the plurality of physical sensors not in contact with the mammal; determining, by the processor, a second subset of the plurality of physical sensors as being those physical sensors whose received value differs from a corresponding predetermined reference value, of the environmental parameter by at least a predetermined threshold value, specific to said plurality of physical sensors; determining, by the processor, a physical part subset of the second subset, said physical part subset corresponding to the specified body part, said determining the physical part subset comprising utilizing the second subset and virtual data for identifying a plurality of virtual sensors representing the plurality of physical sensors and spatially distributed in virtual subsets to map a space occupied by the mammal's body parts, wherein each subset of the virtual subsets comprises a virtual representation of a differing body part of said mammal's body parts, and wherein said utilizing comprises; overlaying the virtual sensors over data retrieved from the second subset; and determining, based on results of the overlaying, a virtual part subset of the plurality of virtual sensors corresponding to the specified body part; determining based on a cross referencing process, by the processor from the physical part subset, an associated therapy device of a group of therapy devices spatially distributed on or in the substrate, wherein the associated therapy device is positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the specified body part to effectively deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; generating, by the processor, a control signal comprising instructions to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; transmitting, by the processor, the control signal to the associated therapy device to activate the associated therapy device to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; and after said transmitting, if said each specified period of time has elapsed then terminating said method, otherwise repeating said receiving, said determining said second subset, said determining said physical part subset, said determining said associated therapy device, said generating, and said transmitting. ### Claim 19 A method for enabling delivery of a specified therapy type to a specified body part of mammal, over specified periods of time, said method comprising for each specified period of time: receiving, by a processor from a subset of physical sensors of a plurality of physical sensors spatially distributed on or in a substrate, tag data identifying a tag attached to said specified body part while the mammal is on or in contact with a substrate; determining, by the processor, a second subset of the plurality of physical sensors as being those physical sensors whose received value differs from a corresponding predetermined reference value, of the environmental parameter by at least a predetermined threshold value, specific to said plurality of physical sensors; determining, by the processor, a physical part subset of the second subset, said physical part subset corresponding to the specified body part, said determining the physical part subset comprising utilizing the second subset and virtual data for identifying a plurality of virtual sensors representing the plurality of physical sensors and spatially distributed in virtual subsets to map a space occupied by the mammal's body parts, wherein each subset of the virtual subsets comprises a virtual representation of a differing body part of said mammal's body parts, and wherein said utilizing comprises; overlaying the virtual sensors over data retrieved from the second subset; and determining, based on results of the overlaying, a virtual part subset of the plurality of virtual sensors corresponding to the specified body part; determining based on a cross referencing process, by the processor from the physical part subset, an associated therapy device of a group of therapy devices spatially distributed on or in the substrate, wherein the associated therapy device is positioned in sufficiently close proximity to the specified body part to effectively deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; generating, by the processor, a control signal comprising instructions to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; transmitting, by the processor, the control signal to the associated therapy device to activate the associated therapy device to deliver the specified therapy type to the specified body part; and after said transmitting, if said each specified period of time has elapsed then terminating said method, otherwise repeating said receiving, said determining said second subset, said determining said physical part subset, said determining said associated therapy device, said generating, and said transmitting.