F ield of the Invention

[001 ] The present invention relates to a wearable device and in particular to a wearable device for use in measuring physical conditions.

Bac kground of the Invention

[002] P hysical conditions of a patient receiving medical treatments often time needs to be measured at a healthcare facility by a medical professional before, during or after a medical procedure. The physical conditions of the patient can be indicated by multiple physical indicators. For example, the heart rate and respiratory (breath) rate of the patient are useful indicators in disease diagnosis and treatment. In measuring the breath rate, a nurse observes the breathing of the patient when the patient is at rest and counts the number of breaths during a period of time, for example, 15 seconds or one minute. Based on the observation of the breathing activities of the patient during the period of time, the nurse is able to determine the respiratory rate of the patient. S imilarly, in measuring the heart rate, the nurse places two fingers (e.g., the index finger and the third finger) on the neck of the patient to check the pulsing of the patient Alternatively, the nurse places the two fingers over the radial artery of the patient that is located on the thumb side of the patient s wrist to check the pulsing of the patient By counting the number of pulses of the patient during a period of time, for example, 1 5 seconds or one minute, the nurse is able to determine the heart rate of the patient.

[003] When measuring the physical conditions of the patient, the medical professional observes or feel physical events (for example, breathing, pulsing), counts the number of the events, and also has to record time simultaneously. This causes a heavy cognitive burden to the medical professional and thus may result in inaccurate measurements of the physical conditions of the patient

[004] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or any other country. S ummary of the Invention

[005] There is provided a wearable device for use by a user, comprising:

a hand affixing arrangement affixable to a hand of the user;

a tension sensing device coupled to the hand affixing arrangement to sense one or more tensions caused by a deformation of the hand of the user; and a recording device coupled to the tension sensing device, the recording device being adapted to record data in relation to the one or more tensions sensed by the tension sensing device.

[006] Using the wearable device described in the present disclosure significantly reduces the cognitive burden of a medical professional when conducting measurement of physical conditions of a patient as the medical professional only needs to count the number of events perceived and move his or her finger to cause the wearable device to record time and to calculate and display the occurring rate of the event.

[007] The recording device may comprise a timing device and the data recorded by the timing device comprises an instant in time.

[008] The hand affixing arrangement may comprise a flexible body having two finger holders, each of the two finger holders being configured to hold at least one finger of the hand of the user.

[009] At least one of the two finger holders may include a through-aperture formed in the body.

[010] The hand affixing arrangement may include an elongate, generally thin and flexible body.

[01 1 ] At least one of the two finger holders may be ring-shaped.

[012] One of the two finger holders may be configured to hold a thumb of the user, and the other of the two finger holders may be configured to hold a baby finger of the user.

[013] The hand affixing arrangement may comprise an elongate and flexible body that is configured to adhere to a back of the hand of the user.

[014] The tension sensing device may comprise a tension gauge to sense the one or more tensions caused by a deformation of the back of the hand of the user.

[015] The recording device may further comprise a processor being configured to determine, based on the instant recorded by the timing device, an occurring rate of an event observed by the user. [016] The observed event may comprise one or more of the following events: a breath event; and a heartbeat event.

[017] The wearable device may further comprise a display operably coupled to the processor, and the processor being configured to present the occurring rate of the event on the display.

[018] The wearable device may further comprise an orientation sensor to sense an orientation of the display, and wherein the processor is further configured to: present a graphic user interface on the display, the graphic user interface including one or more graphic user interface elements; and

change the one or more graphic user interface elements based on the orientation of the display sensed by the orientation sensor.

[019] The one or more graphic user interface elements may comprise a cursor, and the processor is further configured to change a position of the cursor on the display based on the orientation of the display.

[020] The orientation sensor may comprise an accelerometer or a gyrometer to sense a level degree of the display, and the processor is further configured to change the position of the cursor on the display based on the level degree of the display.

[021 ] The processor may be further configured to execute one or more machine- readable instructions corresponding to the position of the cursor in response to the one or more tensions sensed by the tension sensing device.

[022] The display may comprise one of the following displays:

an LE D display;

an O LE D display;

a flexible OLE D display;

a hand gesture sensor; and

a touch-sensitive display.

[023] The processor may be further configured to execute one or more machine- readable instructions in response to the user touching the touch-sensitive display.

[024] The processor may be further configured to execute one or more machine- readable instructions in response to the user s one or more hand gestures sensed by the hand gesture sensor.

[025] The one or more machine-readable instructions may cause the processor to: present a street map based on a geographic location of the user; or start a voice recorder; or

start a camera; or

invoke a system function provided by an operating system operating on the wearable device.

[026] The wearable device may further comprise one or more device interfaces to interface with one or more of the following devices:

a speaker;

a microphone;

an LE D light;

a touch-sensitive surface;

a Bluetooth device;

a mobile phone;

a web server;

a virtual reality display; and

an augmented display.

[027] The speaker may be positioned at the one of the two finger holders that is configured to hold the thumb of the user, and the microphone may be positioned at the other one of the two finger holders that is configured to hold the baby finger of the user.

[028] The processor may be further configured to send the data recorded to the web server.

[029] The wearable device may further comprise a vibrator operably coupled to the processor, wherein the processor may be further configured to actuate the vibrator to generate a vibration to be perceived by the user.

[030] The processor may be further configured to actuate the vibrator at a time interval.

[031 ] The processor may be further configured to actuate the vibrator in response to the data being recorded by the timing device.

[032] The processor is further configured to actuate the vibrator in response to the processor executing one or more machine-readable instructions.

[033] The body may include a forward edge and a rear edge and the body is configured such that, in use, the forward edge is located behind the knuckles of the user and the rear edge traverses the meta-carpals.

[034] E ach through-aperture may be asymmetrically obround. [035] E ach through-aperture may include a major axis and the major axes of the through-apertures subtend an angle of between 20 and 45 degrees.

[036] The body may include a central portion, the central portion including a forward edge and a rear edge and the central portion is configured such that, in use, the forward edge is located behind the knuckles of the user and the rear edge traverses at least a portion of the meta-carpals.

[037] The wearable device may further comprise:

a battery supplying electricity to the wearable device; and

a wireless charging mechanism configured to charge the battery.

[038] The wearable device may further comprise:

a cover detachably coupled to the hand affixing arrangement, the cover being configured to prevent the hand affixing arrangement from directly contacting the hand of the user.

[039] The wearable device may further comprise:

a switch including a first contact and a second contact, the first contact of the switch being connected to an electrical ground of the wearable device;

a flexible cable, one end of the flexible cable being connected to the second contact of the switch; and

an electrically conductive magnet attached to another end of the flexible cable; wherein the switch is configured to be switched on by the deformation of the hand of the user to electrically connect the electrically conductive magnet to the electrical ground of the wearable device so as to simulate an operation of touching the touch-sensitive display.

[040] The wearable device may further comprise:

a switch including a first contact and a second contact, the first contact of the switch being connected to an electrical ground of the wearable device;

a conductive layer connected to the second contact of the switch; and an electrically conductive magnet configured to be placed on the conductive layer;

wherein the switch is configured to be switched on by the deformation of the hand of the user to electrically connect the electrically conductive magnet to the electrical ground of the wearable device so as to simulate an operation of touching the touch-sensitive display. [041 ] The conductive layer may include a transparent sheet coated with an electrically conductive and transparent material.

[042] The electrically conductive and transparent material may include Indium Tin

Oxide (ΓΓΟ).

[043] The conductive layer may be a conductive mesh including multiple conductive wires.

[044] There is provided a wearable device for use by a user, comprising:

a hand affixing arrangement affixable to a hand of the user;

a tension sensing device coupled to the hand affixing arrangement to sense one or more tensions caused by a deformation of the hand of the user;

a recording device coupled to the tension sensing device, the recording device being adapted to record data in relation to the one or more tensions sensed by the tension sensing device; and

a device interface to connect the wearable device with a mobile phone including a processor and a display, the device interface being configured to communicate the data to the mobile phone to operate the processor and the display of the mobile phone.

B rief Des cription of the Drawi ngs

[045] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, one or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[046] F ig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure;

[047] F igs. 2(a) and (b) illustrate the scenarios where the wearable device is worn on a hand of the user in accordance with the present disclosure;

[048] F ig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure;

[049] F ig. 4. illustrates a structure diagram of a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure;

[050] F ig. 5 illustrates a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure when connected with a mobile phone;

[051 ] F ig. 6 illustrates a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure; [052] F ig. 7 illustrates a wearable device in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[053] F ig. 8 illustrates a conductive mesh in accordance with the present disclosure.

[054] It should be noted in the accompanying drawings and description below that like or the same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements.

Des cri ption of E mbod iments

[055] F ig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be noted that although the wearable device 100 is described below with reference to medical use, the wearable device 100 can also be used to other areas without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that the terms couple_, or coupled _, or its variations in the present disclosure indicate that one of the elements is connected to another mechanically or electrically or both, directly, or indirectly.

[056] The wearable device 100 includes a hand affixing arrangement 101 , a tension sensing device 103, and a recording device 105. The hand affixing arrangement 101 is affixable to a hand of a user, such that the wearable device

100 can be securely attached to the hand of the user when in use. T he user in this example is a medical professional, for example, a nurse or a doctor. The hand fixing arrangement 101 can also be detached from the hand of the user when the user decides to stop using this device 100. The hand affixing arrangement 101 includes a body 101 1 having at least one finger holders 1013 to hold one or more fingers of the user. The body 101 1 of the hand affixing arrangement 101 is made of a material that is flexible enough to adapt to various hand types but also firm enough to compress around the hand, for example, composite fibre, carbon fibre, rubber, or plastic. The material may also be a material that allows the skin of the user to breathe in order to make the user feel comfortable when wearing the wearable device 100.

[057] This way, when the wearable device 100 is worn by the user, particularly, holding at least one finger of the user in the at least one finger holder 1013 of the hand affixing arrangement 101 , the shape of the hand affixing arrangement

101 changes with a deformation of the hand of the user. T he deformation of the hand of the user is caused by relative displacement of parts of the hand. For example, if the user moves one of his or her fingers relative to another or the palm, or the user makes or attempts to make a tight fist with the hand, these actions result in a deformation of the hand of the user. As the result of the deformation of the hand, one or more tensions are applied to the hand affixing arrangement 101 of the wearable device 100. The flexible nature of the hand affixing arrangement 101 also allows the user to readily wear and take off the wearable device 101.

[058] The wearable device 100 includes the tension sensing device 103 that is mechanically and/or electronically coupled to the hand affixing arrangement 101. The tension sensing device 103 is configured to sense the one or more tensions caused by the deformation of the hand of the user, for example, movements of one or more fingers of the user. In one embodiment the tension sensing device 103 includes a tension gauge to sense the one or more tensions caused by the deformation of the back of the hand of the user. Particularly, the tension gauge measures changes in resistance caused by the deformation of hand of the user. Upon the sensing of the one or more tensions, the tension sensing device 103 actuates the recording device 105 that is mechanically and/or electronically coupled to the tension sensing device 103 to record data in relation to the one or more tensions.

[059] The data recorded by the recording device 105 indicates one or more characteristics of the one or more tensions, for example, the time instant when the tension is sensed, the duration of the tension, the strength of the tension, the direction of the tension, etc. T he recording device 105 further processes the data recorded, for example, determining an occurring rate of an event observed by the medical professional, which may be produced by a patient under medical treatment. The use of the wearable device 100 is described below in detail.

[060] F igs. 2(a) and (b) illustrate the scenarios 210, 220 where the wearable device 100 is worn on a hand of the user in accordance with the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a medical professional wears the wearable device 100 on one of their hands, specifically, left hand. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the wearable device 100 is worn on the back of the hand of the medical professional. In this scenario, the tension sensing device 103 and the recording device 105 may not be visible to the medical professional as the tension sensing device 103 and the recording device 105 are installed on the surface that is close to the back of the hand in order to better sense the one or more tensions caused by deformation of the hand. F ig. 2(b) illustrates the wearable device 100 when viewed from the palm of the medical professional. S ince the wearable device 100 is worn on the back of the hand, the body 101 1 is not visible in this scenario. T he wearable device 100 further includes a cover (not shown) detachably coupled to the hand affixing arrangement 101 , the cover being configured to prevent the hand affixing arrangement 101 from directly contacting the hand of the user for hygiene purposes.

[061 ] As shown in F igs. 2(a) and (b), the body 101 1 of the hand affixing arrangement 101 includes a flexible body having two finger holders 1013, each of the two finger holders 1013 is configured to hold at least one finger of the hand of the medical professional. Particularly, the body 101 1 of the hand affixing arrangement 101 is an elongate, generally thin and flexible body, and the finger holders 1013 shown in F igs 2(a) and (b) include through-apertures formed in the body 101 1. In one embodiment each through-aperture is asymmetrically obround, and each through-aperture includes a major axis and the major axes of the through-apertures subtend an angle of between 20 and 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the finger holders 1013 are ring-shaped to hold the fingers of the hand.

[062] In one embodiment, the body 101 1 includes a forward edge and a rear edge and the body 101 1 is configured such that, in use, the forward edge is located behind the knuckles of the user and the rear edge traverses the meta-carpals.

[063] In one embodiment, the body 101 1 includes a central portion, the central portion having a forward edge and a rear edge and the central portion is configured such that in use, the forward edge is located behind the knuckles of the user and the rear edge traverses at least a portion of the meta-carpals

[064] As shown in F ig. 2(a) and (b), one of the two finger holders 1013 holds the thumb of the medical professional, and the other finger holder 1013 holds the baby finger of the medical professional. F urther, the finger holder 1013 that holds the thumb of the medical professional is shaped to fit the anatomic structure of the thumb, and the finger holder 1013 that holds the baby finger of the medical professional is shaped to fit the anatomic structure of the baby finger. Particularly, the finger holders 1013 fit the knuckles of the fingers at the base of the fingers. The finger holder 1013 can also fit the proximal phalanx, or the middle phalanx, or the distal phalanx of the fingers in order to affix the wearable device 100 to the hand of the medical professional. The finger holder 1013 can also hold other parts of a finger without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The finger holder(s) 1013 can also hold fingers other than the thumb and the baby finger of the hand without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Using the finger holders 1013, the wearable device 100 is affixed to the hand of the medical professional without the need of any braces or belts or any form of glove. As a result activities like shaking hands, using a computer, to playing sports can still be conducted without any interruption.

[065] It should be noted that the hand affixing arrangement 101 is not limited to the structure described above. In another embodiment, the hand affixing arrangement 101 does not include the finger holder(s) 1013, but include an adhesive mechanism that uses an adhesive to be able to stick the wearable device 100 to the back of the hand of the medical professional. The adhesive mechanism may be reused after use of the wearable device 100 to enable multiple use of the wearable device 100.

[066] F ig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a wearable device 300 in accordance with the present disclosure. C ompared to the wearable device 100 shown in F ig. 1 , the recording device 105 of the wearable device 300 further includes a timing device 1051 , or a timer, and a processor 1053. The wearable device 300 further includes a display 107 operably coupled to the processor 1053. The processor 1053 further includes a memory device (not shown) to store data and one or more machine-readable instructions that cause the processor 1053 to perform the steps described in the present disclosure.

[067] The timer 1051 records the time when a tension is sensed by the tension sensing device 103, and the data recorded by the timer 1051 includes an instant in time. The time recorded by the timer 1051 can be an absolute time indicating the time when a tension is sensed. The time can also be a relative time indicating a time difference between successive tensions sensed. The processor 1053 is configured to determine, based on the instant(s) recorded by the timer 1051 , an occurring rate of an event observed by the medical professional, for example, a breath event or a heartbeat event of a patient. The processor 1053 is also configured to present the occurring rate of the event on the display 107.

[068] After the wearable device 300 is worn by a medical professional as shown in F igs. 2(a) and (b), the medical professional uses the wearable device 300 to measure physical conditions of a patient for example, a heart rate of a respiratory (breath) rate.

[069] When measuring the heart rate, the medical professional places two fingers (e.g., the index finger and the third finger) on the neck of the patient to check the pulsing of the patient. Alternatively, the nurse places the two fingers over the radial artery of the patient that is located on the thumb side of the patient s wrist to check the pulsing of the patient. When the pulsing of the patient becomes stable, the medical professional moves his or her baby finger to activate the wearable device 300. The tension sensing device 103 senses a first tension caused by the movement of the baby finger of the medical professional. In response to the sensing of the first tension, the tension sensing device 103 sends a first signal to the recording device 105 in order to actuate the timer 1051. In response to the first signal, the timer 1051 records a first instant when the first tension is sensed. Meanwhile, the medical professional counts the number of pulses of the patient when the medical professional feels the pulses. The medical profession also determines if the number of pulses of the patient reaches a predetermined number, for example, 15. It should be noted that the predetermined number is known to the processor 1053 by pre-programming this number to the recording device 105 or manually setting this number to the recording device 105 when the medical professional starts using the wearable device 300. It should also be noted that the predetermined number may vary with the physical condition being measured. For example, the predetermined number can be 5 for respiratory rate measurement.

[070] If the number of pulses reaches the predetermined number, the medical professional moves his or her baby finger again to indicate that the predetermined number has been reached. The tension sensing device 103 senses a second tension caused by the movement of the baby finger of the medical professional, and sends a second signal to the timer 1051 . In response to the second signal, the timer 1051 records a second instant when the second tension is sensed. The first and second instants are sent from the timer 1501 to the processor 1053. The processor 1 503 determines the heart rate of the patient based on the two instants. For example, the heart rate of the patient can be determined based on the following equation (1 ):

. . predetermined number ,„. [071 ] Once the heart rate is determined by the processor 1053, the processor 1053 sends the heart rate determined to the display 107 to present the heart rate on the display 107. In F ig. 3, the heart rate determined by the processor 1053 is 76 beats per minute, as shown on the display 107. The medical professional may change the predetermined number to a greater number, for example, 50. T his allows the measurement to be conducted for a longer period of time in order to obtain a better measurement result

[072] F urther, to avoid false actuation of the timer 1051 by the tension sensing device 103, the tension sensing device 103 actuates the timer 1051 only when the tension sensing device 103 senses a pattern of movements of the baby finger of the medical professional. For example, when the pulsing of the patient becomes stable, the medical professional moves his or her baby finger three times within 0.5 second. The tension sensing device 103 senses the three consecutive tensions within 0.5 second, and sends the first signal to the recording device 105 to actuate the timer 1051. In response to the first signal, the timer 1051 records the first instant. On the other hand, when the number of pulses of the patient reaches the predetermined number, the medical professional moves the baby finger three times within 0.5 second again. The tension sensing device 103 senses the three consecutive tensions within 0.5 second, and sends the second signal to the timer 1051. In response to the second signal, the timer 1051 records the second instant. The processor 1053 then determines the heart rate based on E quation (1 ).

[073] As another embodiment, when measuring the respiratory (breath) rate, the medical professional observes the breathing of the patient when the patient is at rest. If the breathing of the patient become stable, the medical professional moves his or her baby finger to activate the wearable device 300. Particularly, the tension sensing device 103 senses a first tension caused by the movement of the baby finger of the medical professional, and sends a first signal to the recording device 105 to actuate the timer 1051. In response to the first signal, the timer 1051 records a first instant when the first tension is sensed. Meanwhile, the medical professional counts the number of breaths of the patient. W hen the number of the breaths reaches a predetermined number, for example, 5, the medical professional moves his or her baby finger again to indicate that the predetermined number has been reached. When the tension sensing device 103 senses a second tension caused by the movement of the baby finger of the medical professional, the tension sensing device 103 sends a second signal to the timer 1051. In response to the second signal, the timer 1051 records a second instant when the second tension is sensed. T he first instant and the second instant are sent to the processor 1053. T he processor 1053 then determines the respiratory rate of the patient based on E quation (1 ), and displays the respiratory rate on the display 107.

[074] F ig. 4 illustrates a structure diagram of a wearable device 400 in accordance with the present disclosure.

[075] As shown in F ig. 4, the wearable device 400 includes a hand affixing arrangement 101 , a tension sensing device 103, a recording device 105, and a display 107.

[076] The tension sensing device 103 is coupled to the hand affixing arrangement 101 to sense one or more tensions caused by a deformation of the hand of the medical professional. The recording device 105 is coupled to the tension sensing device 103 and is adapted to record data in relation to the one or more tensions sensed by the tension sensing device 103.

[077] The hand affixing arrangement 101 includes a body 101 1 having two finger holders 1013, each of the two finger holders 1013 is configured to hold at least one finger of the hand of the medical professional. Particularly, the body 101 1 of the hand affixing arrangement 101 is an elongate, generally thin and flexible body, and the finger holders 1013 shown in F igs 2(a) and (b) include through- apertures formed in the body 101 1 . In other embodiments, the finger holders 1013 are ring-shaped to hold the fingers of the hand.

[078] As described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, one of the two finger holders 1013 holds the thumb of the medical professional, and the other finger holder 1013 holds the baby finger of the medical professional. F urther, the finger holder 1013 that holds the thumb of the medical professional is shaped to fit the anatomic structure of the thumb, and the finger holder 1013 that holds the baby finger of the medical professional is shaped to fit the anatomic structure of the baby finger. Particularly, the finger holders 1013 fit the knuckles of the fingers at the base of the fingers. The finger holder 1013 can also fit the proximal phalanx, or the middle phalanx, or the distal phalanx of the fingers in order to affix the wearable device 400 to the hand of the medical professional. The finger holder 1013 can also hold other parts of a finger without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The finger holder(s) 1013 can also hold fingers other than the thumb and the baby finger of the hand without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Using the finger holders 1013, the wearable device 400 is affixed to the hand of the medical professional without the need of any braces or belts or any form of glove. As a result, activities like shaking hands, using a computer, to playing sports can still be conducted without any interruption.

[079] The recording device 105 of the wearable device 400 further includes a timing device 1051 , or a timer, and a processor 1053. The display 107 is operably coupled to the processor 1053.

[080] After the wearable device 400 is worn by the medical professional as shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b), the medical professional uses the wearable device 400 to measure physical conditions of a patient, for example, the heart rate or the respiratory (breath) rate, as described above in detail with reference to F igs. 1 to 3.

[081 ] The processor 1053 further presents a graphic user interface on the display 107. The graphic user interface includes one or more graphic user interface elements, for example, buttons, menus, text boxes, checkboxes, icons, cursors, etc. for the medical professional to interact with the wearable device 400. To facilitate the interaction of the medical professional with the wearable device 400, the wearable device 400 further includes an orientation sensor (not shown) to sense an orientation of the display 170. The orientation sensor sends orientation data to the processor 1053, and the processor 1053 presents the graphic user interface elements based on the orientation of the display sensed by the orientation sensor. For example, the medical professional changes the orientation of the display 107 by moving or rotating his or her hand, the orientation sensor senses the change to the orientation of the display 107 and sends the orientation data of the display 107 to the processor 1053. In response to the change to the orientation of the display 107, the processor 1053 highlights one of the menu items to indicate that the medical professional is currently selecting the menu item. As another example, in response to the change to the orientation of the display 107, the processor 1053 changes a position of a cursor presented on the display 107 based on the orientation of the display 107 in order to facilitate the selection of a graphic user interface element by the medical professional, for example, a button, a checkbox, or a menu item in the graphic user interface.

[082] In another embodiment, the orientation sensor includes an accelerometer or gyrometer to sense a level degree of the display 107, and sends level data to the processor 1053. The processor 1053 further changes the position of the cursor on the display 107 based on the level degree of the display 107.

[083] When the cursor stays on a graphic user interface element, for example, a button, and the medical professional moves his or her baby finger, the tension sensing device 103 senses the tension caused by the movement of the finger and sends a command including position information of the cursor to the processor 1053. In response to the command, the processor 1053 extracts the position information of the cursor from the command. The process 1053 further retrieves from the memory device one or more machine-readable instructions corresponding to the position of the cursor, and executes the one or more machine-readable instructions. For example, one or more machine-readable instructions cause the processor 1053 to retrieve a treatment history of the patient from a remote database, and present the treatment history on the display 107.

[084] The display 107 can be an LE D display, an OLE D display, a flexible O LE D display, a touch-sensitive display. If the display 107 is a touch-sensitive display, the display 107 senses the touching of the display 107 by the medical professional, and sends a command to the processor 1053. According to the command from the display 107 in response to the touching of the display 107, the processor 1053 executes one or more corresponding machine-readable instructions.

[085] The display 107 can also include a hand gesture sensor to sense one or more hand gestures of the medical professional. In response to the one or more hand gestures of the medical professional, the processor 1053 executes one or more corresponding machine-readable instructions.

[086] The one or more machine-readable instructions may cause the processor 1053 to perform one or more of the following functions:

presenting a street map based on a geographic location of the user, starting a voice recorder, and

starting a camera, [087] If an operating system operates on the wearable device 400, the one or more machine-readable instructions cause the processor 1053 to invoke a system function provided by the operating system operating on the wearable device 400. The operating system includes Android, iOS , Windows, Linux, etc.

[088] The wearable device 400 further includes a vibrator 109 coupled to the processor 1053. The processor 1053 actuates the vibrator 109 to generate a vibration to be perceived by the medical professional for different purposes. For example, the processor 1053 is further configured to actuate the vibrator 109 at a time interval. This way, the medical professional is able to be aware of the operation of the wearable device 400. As another example, the processor 1053 is configured to actuate the vibrator 109 in response to the data being recorded by the timer 1051 to indicate that the data is being recorded by the timer 1051. As another example, the processor 1053 is configured to actuate the vibrator 109 in response to the processor 1053 executing one or more machine-readable instructions to indicate that the one or more machine-readable instructions are being executed.

[089] The wearable device 400 further includes a power supply 1 1 1 that provides power to the wearable device 400. The power supply 1 1 1 includes a battery supplying electricity to the wearable device 400. The power supply 1 1 1 further includes a charging mechanism configured to charge the battery. The charging mechanism includes a wireless charging mechanism.

[090] As shown in F ig. 4, the wearable device 400 further includes one or more device interfacesl , 2, 3ΰ n to interface with one or more of the following devices:

a speaker;

a microphone;

an LE D light;

a touch-sensitive surface;

a Bluetooth device;

a mobile phone;

a web server;

a virtual reality display; and

an augmented display.

[091 ] In one embodiment, the wearable device 400 includes a speaker 1 13 and a microphone 1 15, as shown in F ig. 2(b). The speaker 1 13 and the microphone 1 15 are positioned on the finger holders 1013. Particularly, the speaker 1 13 is positioned on the finger holder 1013 for the thumb, and the microphone 1 15 is positioned on the finger holder 1013 for the baby finger. P referably, the speaker 1 13 and the microphone 1 15 are positioned on the sides of the finger holders 1013 close to the inner surface (i.e., palm) of the hand of the user, as shown in F ig. 2(b). This way, when the user raises his or her hand and places the wearable device 400 next to his or her ear, it is convenient for the user to transmit his or her voice to the microphone 1 15, and hear the voice transmitted from the speaker 1 13.

[092] In one embodiment, the wearable device 400 communicates with the web server over one or more of the device interfaces. For example, the processor 1053 sends the data recorded by the timer 1051 or the determined heart rate of the patient to the web server over the device interface. The web server in turn stores the data recorded or the heart rate in association with identity information of the patient in a database. This way, a diagnosis or treatment history or part of the diagnosis or treatment history is generated for this patient. The medical professional may obtain the diagnosis or treatment history through the wearable device 400 over the device interface. Particularly, the history data is sent form the web server to the wearable device 400 and the processor 1053 presents the history data on the display 107 for a review by the medical professional.

[093] In one embodiment the wearable device 400 includes an LE D light (not shown). The LE D light enable the nurses to guide themselves during the night around the patient. The LE D light generates a well-focused light beam to reduce stray light from disturbing the patient under medical treatments.

[094] In one embodiment the wearable device 400 includes a touch-sensitive surface (not shown). The touch-sensitive surface may be positioned on the same side as the display 107. The nurse uses the touch-sensitive surface to interact with the graphic user interface presented on the display 107. For example, the nurse moves his or her finger on the touch-sensitive surface to move a cursor presented on the display 107. The nurse can also tap the touch- sensitive surface to select a menu item in the graphic user interface.

[095] In one embodiment, the wearable device 400 includes a virtual reality display or an augmented display (not shown). The respiratory rate or the heart rate determined by the processor 1053 and displayed on the display 107 can also be displayed on the virtual reality display or the augmented display. [096] F ig. 5 illustrates a wearable device 500 in accordance with the present disclosure when connected with a mobile phone.

[097] S imilar to other embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the wearable device 500 shown in F ig. 5 comprises a hand affixing arrangement 101 affixable to a hand of the user, a tension sensing device 103 coupled to the hand affixing arrangement to sense one or more tensions caused by a deformation of the hand of the user; a recording device 105 coupled to the tension sensing device 103, the recording device 105 being adapted to record data in relation to the one or more tensions sensed by the tension sensing device 103. The wearable device 500 further includes a device interface 501. The device interface 501 is configured to electrically and/or mechanically connect the wearable device 500 with a mobile phone 510, and to communicate data and commands with the mobile phone 510. The mobile phone 510 includes a processor 51 1 and a display 513. The wearable device 500 does not necessarily include its own processor 1053 and display 107. The wearable device 500 communicates with the mobile phone 510 via the device interface 501 and a separate application. The application operates on the mobile phone 510 to make use of the resources of mobile phone 510, for example, computing capabilities provided by the processor 510 and display capabilities provided by the display 513.

[098] In one embodiment the wearable device 500 does not include its own processor 1053 and display 107, or if the user prefers not to use the processor 1053 and the display 107 of the wearable device 500. The wearable device 500 communicates with the application over the device interface 501 to operate the processor 51 1 and the display 513 of the mobile phone 510. For example, after the recording device 105 records the time instants when the one or more tensions are sensed by the tension sensing device 103, the wearable device 500 sends the time instants over the device interface 501 to the application operating on the mobile phone 510. Upon receipt of the time instants, the application in turn sends the time instants to the processor 51 1 of the mobile phone 510. The processor 51 1 determines, based on the time instants, an occurring rate of an event observed by the user according to E quation (1 ). Based on the instructions issued from the application, the processor 51 1 further presents the occurring rate of the event on the display 513. [099] In one embodiment the wearable device 500 includes its own processor 1053 and display 107, and the user prefers to use the processor 1053 and the display 107 of the wearable device 500. The processor 1053 determines, based on the time instants when the one or more tensions are sensed by the tension sensing device 103, the occurring rate of the event according to E quation (1 ). The processor 1053 sends the occurring rate of the event to the application operating on the mobile phone 510. Based on the instructions issued from the application, the processor 51 1 simply presents the occurring rate of the event on the display 513. This way, the occurring rate of the event can be presented on the display 107 of the wearable device 500 and the display 513 of mobile phone 510 at the same time, at shown in F ig. 5. It should be noted that, in addition to the occurring rate of the event, audio information can also be communicated between the wearable device 500 and the mobile phone 510 via a Bluetooth connection provided by the device interface 501 therebetween.

[0100] As can be seen from the above embodiments, using the wearable device described in the present disclosure significantly reduces the cognitive burden of the medical professional when conducting measurement of physical conditions of a patient as the medical professional only needs to count the number of events perceived and move his or her finger to cause the wearable device to record time and to calculate and display the occurring rate of the event.

[0101 ] F ig. 6 illustrates a wearable device 600 in accordance with the present disclosure. S imilarly, to the wearable devices 100, 300, the wearable device 600 includes the hand affixing arrangement 101 , the tension sensing device 103, and the recording device 105. The hand affixing arrangement 101 is affixable to a hand of a user, such that the wearable device 600 can be securely attached to the hand of the user when in use. The recording device 105 of the wearable device 600 further includes the timing device 1051 , or a timer, and the processor 1053. The wearable device 600 further includes the display 107 operably coupled to the processor 1053. In this example, the display 107 is touch- sensitive display. The processor 1053 further includes a memory device (not shown) to store data and one or more machine-readable instructions that cause the processor 1053 to perform the steps described in the present disclosure. The processor 1053 is configured to present a graphic user interface on the touch-sensitive display 107. The graphic user interface includes one or more graphic user interface elements, for example, buttons, menus, text boxes, checkboxes, icons, cursors, etc. for the medical professional to interact with the wearable device 600.

[0102] In order to allow the medical professional to interact with the graphic user interface presented on the touch-sensitive display 107 using one hand when the wear device 600 is worn by the medical professional, the wearable device 600 further includes a switch 601 , an electrically conductive magnet 602, and a flexible conductive cable 603. The switch 601 is typically a momentary switch. The switch 601 includes a first contact 601 1 and a second contact 6012. The first contact 601 1 of the switch 601 is connected to an electrical ground of the wearable device 600. The electrical ground of the wearable device 600 provides a reference point in the electrical circuit of the wearable device 600 from which voltages are measured. The electrical ground of the wearable device 600 can also provide a common return path for electric current. In this example, the electrical ground can be the metallic house or chassis of the wearable device 600. The second contact 6012 is connected to one end of the flexible cable 603. The electrically conductive magnet 602 is attached to the other end of the flexible cable 603. T he switch 601 can be switched on and off electrically or mechanically. For example, the switch 601 is installed in the finger holder 1013 that holds the baby finger, and a deformation of the hand of the medical professional, which is caused by the movement of the baby finger, is able to switch on and off the switch 601 mechanically. As another example, the switch

601 includes a control contact (not shown) that is connected to the tension sensing device 103. If the tension sensing device 103 senses one or more tensions caused by the deformation of the hand of the medical professional (for example, moving the baby finger or thumb), the tension sensing device 103 sends an electrical signal to the switch 601 to switch on or off the switch 601 electrically.

[0103] ^" S witch on_ means the electrical connection between the first contact 601 1 and the second contact 6012 is established. As a result, the electrically conductive magnet 602 is electrically connected to the electrical ground of the wearable device 600. This in turn simulates an operation of touching the touch- sensitive display 107 at the position where the electrically conductive magnet

602 is placed on the touch-sensitive display 107. ^" S witch off_ means the first contact 601 1 is electrically disconnected from the second contact 6012 and the electrically conductive magnet 602 is electrically disconnected from the electrical ground of the wearable device 600.

[0104]The electrically conductive magnet 602 is placed by the medical professional at a pre-determined position on the touch-sensitive display 107. For example, the pre-determined position is where a graphic button is presented on the touch- sensitive display 107. The graphic button represents a certain function, for example, uploading the measured heart rate of the patient. During the use of the wearable device 600, if the medical professional wants to perform the function, the medical professional simply moves the baby finger. This switches on the switch 601 and simulates the operation of touching the button on the touch-sensitive display 107. In response to touching the button, the processor 1053 performs the function. This way, the medical professional is able to perform the function without actually touching the button using the other hand without the wearable device 600.

[0105] F ig. 7 illustrates a wearable device 700 in accordance with the present disclosure. The wearable device 700 is also able to simulate the touching operation. The difference between the wearable device 700 in F ig. 7 and the wearable device 600 in F ig. 6 is that, instead of using the flexible cable 603, the wearable device 700 includes a conductive layer 701 placed on the touch- sensitive display 107. The conductive layer 701 substantially covers the touch- sensitive display 107. The second contact 6012 of the switch 601 is connected to the conductive layer 701. In this example, the electrically conductive magnet 602 is placed on the conductive layer 701 at a pre-determined position where a graphic button is presented on the touch-sensitive display 107. The graphic button represents a certain function, for example, uploading the measured heart rate of the patient. T he conductive layer 701 is configured for the medical professional to be able to view the touch-sensitive display 107 in order to place the magnet 602 at the right position. In the example shown in F ig. 7, the conductive layer 701 is a transparent sheet coated with an electrically conductive and transparent material, for example, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).

[0106] During the use of the wearable device 700, if the medical professional wants to perform the function, the medical professional simply moves the baby finger. This switches on the switch 601 and simulates the operation of touching the button on the touch-sensitive display 107. In response to touching the button, the processor 1053 performs the function. [0107] F ig. 8 illustrates another example of the conductive layer 701. In this example, the conductive layer 701 is a conductive mesh 800. The conductive mesh 800 includes multiple conductive wires 801 that are vertically arranged and multiple conductive wires 802 that are horizontally arranged. T he electrically conductive magnet 602 is placed at a pre-determined position on the conductive mesh 800.

[0108]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular articles a _, ^" an _. and ^" the _. are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise and thus are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one J of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, the phrase an element _, refers to one element or more than one element.

[0109] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first _. , second _. , ^" third _. , etc., to describe a common object merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[01 10]Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words ^" comprise _. , ^" comprises _, and ^" comprising _, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[01 1 1 ]Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Industrial Applicability

[01 12] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the wearable device industry.