A photoplethysmographic system and method is provided to identify compatible sensors to monitors and/or for determining sensor attributes. The improved system includes a signal generation means for providing an interrogation signal, an identifying means coupled between a first and second sensor terminal operable to produce multiple outputs upon application of the interrogation signal in two modes of operation, and a processor to interpret the outputs. When the interrogation signal is applied to a sensor terminal in a first mode, a first output is obtained. Upon applying the same interrogation signal to the sensor terminal in a second mode, a second output is obtained. The first and second outputs may then be utilized by the processor comprising, for example, a photoplethysmographic monitor to yield enhanced sensor information. The disclosed method may be carried out utilizing the inventive photoplethysmographic system.

The present invention relates to the field of photoplethysmography and, more specifically, to an improved system and method for determining sensor attributes. The invention is particularly apt for use in pulse oximetry applications to identify compatible sensors and/or otherwise to provide for the transfer of calibration and of other information between sensors and other system components.
In the field of photoplethysmography light signals corresponding with two or more different centered wavelengths may be employed to non-invasively determine various blood analyte concentrations. For example, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels of a patient""s arterial blood may be monitored in pulse oximeters systems by measuring the absorption of red and infrared light signals. The measured absorption data allows for the determination of the relative concentration of reduced hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin and, therefore, SpO2 levels, since reduced hemoglobin absorbs more light than oxyhemoglobin in the red band and oxyhemoglobin absorbs more light than reduced hemoglobin in the infrared band, and since the absorption relationships of the two analytes in the red and infrared bands are known. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,934,277 and 5,842,979.
Pulse oximeters systems typically comprise a disposable or reusable sensor that is releasably attached to a given patient""s appendage (e.g., finger, ear lobe or the nasal septum) for a given patient monitoring procedure and include at least one red light source and one infrared light source. The light sources are focused though a patient""s tissue and the unabsorbed light that passes through is measured to determine blood analyte concentrations.
As may be appreciated, in order to accurately compute blood analyte concentrations utilizing a given sensor, it is important that information regarding the sensor be known; for example, the center wavelengths of the light sources employed. A number of approaches have been developed for identifying sensor attributes to pulse oximeter monitors. By way of primary example, many sensors contain an electrical component having a characteristic(s) that may be measured by a pulse oximeter monitor when the sensor is interconnected thereto. Once the characteristic(s) is known, the monitor may determine what center wavelengths correspond with the sensor light sources, for example, by using a stored look-up table or correlation function. In turn, an appropriate calibration value can be utilized in determining blood analyte concentrations. Generally, the information in a stored look-up table or utilized to formulate a correlation function is based on data that corresponds with sensors originating from a known source. Such sources tend to approved by the monitor manufacturers and provide sensors and corresponding data that has been determined and verified through actual clinical use such that the sensors may be used with a high level of confidence. Increasingly, however, sensors are being offered for use with pulse oximeter monitors from additional sources which may, for example, utilize the same or similar identifying means as sensors from known sources while not necessarily utilizing light sources that have center wavelengths as the sensors from the known sources, thereby presenting potential difficulties in assuring accurate performance of the monitor/sensor combinations.
In light of the foregoing, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a further improved approach for obtaining photoplethysmographic sensor information.
A related objective of the present invention is to provide for increased photoplethysmographic sensor information in a manner that does not increase sensor complexity.
Yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide for the communication of photoplethysmographic sensor information in a manner that facilitates enhanced reliability.
One or more of the above objectives and additional advantages are indeed realized by the present invention, wherein the disclosed photoplethysmographic system and method provides for the obtainment of at least one data value from a photoplethysmographic sensor in a two-mode process. In one aspect a photoplethysmographic system is provided that comprises: a signal generation means, a sensor identifying means and a processing means. More particularly, the signal generation means is able to provide at least one interrogation signal in two distinct modes of operation to the sensor identifying means. The sensor identifying means is operable to receive at least a first interrogation signal in two distinct modes of operation, wherein the interrogation signal is initially applied with a first polarity and then applied with an opposite polarity. The sensor identifying means is further operable to produce at least one output value for each mode of operation. The outputs produced by the sensor identifying means in response to the application of the two-mode interrogation signal may then be used by the processing means to determine sensor data.
By way of example, such sensor data may serve to identify a given sensor to a pulse oximetry monitor, wherein the monitor is enabled/disabled or otherwise calibrated for operation with the interconnected sensor. As will be appreciated, in conventional applications of the invention the signal generation means and processing means may be located at a pulse oximeter monitor, while the sensor identifying means may be located at a given cable interconnected thereto.
The signal generation means may further comprise a means for establishing the first and second modes of operation, wherein the interrogation signal may be applied in two distinct modes to a terminal of the sensor identifying means. For example, in the first mode, the establishing means may provide an interrogation signal to a sensor terminal with an initial polarity, while in a second mode the same interrogation signal may be applied to the same sensor terminal with an opposite polarity. The establishing means may be configured such that it automatically applies the interrogation signal in the two modes of operation when a sensor is attached to a pulse oximeter monitor. In one embodiment, the establishing means may comprise a power supply, an electrical storage means and a switching means. More particularly, the power supply may be operable to both provide an initial polarity to the sensor terminal and to provide power to charge the electrical storage means. For example, a power supply, such as a voltage divider, may supply a steady voltage to charge an electrical storage means and provide an initial interrogation signal with a steady state voltage.
With regard to the electrical storage means, an electrical potential may be stored from the power supply that may be selectively released by the switching means to change the system, for a predetermined time, from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. Releasing the stored electrical potential may cause the electrical operation in the system to be altered from a steady state operation to a transient condition. As will be appreciated, if the sensor identifying means is electrically connected to the signal generation means when the electrical operation is altered, the interrogation signal as applied to the sensor identifying means may also be altered, allowing for a second output reading to be taken during this altered state. For example, by selectively grounding a stored electrical potential, where the storage means is a charged capacitor, may cause an electrical imbalance in the signal generating system while the capacitor discharges. While discharging, the capacitor may pull electrical voltage from all electrically attached components, thus reversing the current flow and the polarity of the voltage as seen in the attached components. Typically, a processor will operate the switching means to selectively discharge the electrical storage means and change the system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.
With regard to the sensor identifying means, one or more electrical components may be advantageously connected between a first and a second sensor terminal to produce output values in response to interrogation signals. The electrical components may be arranged in a manner such that the application of a single interrogation signal in two modes of operation (e.g., positive polarity and negative polarity) will produce two different output values. For example, an identifying means may comprise a simple resistor and a diode connected in parallel between the two sensor terminals; by applying a known voltage across the terminals such that the diode is reverse-biased and by measuring the resulting voltage drop, the size of the resistor can be determined. By correlating the voltage drop and/or the resistor size with predetermined sensor data tables, characteristics of the currently attached sensor can be determined. By reversing the interrogation signal""s polarity such that the diode is forward biased, a second measurement can be made across the sensor terminals that will generally be different from the first output value since most of the current will pass through the diode. This second output may be correlated with additional predetermined sensor tables to provide additional sensor specific information. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, numerous arrangements of electrical componentry are operable to produce different outputs when the componentry is forward biased and when it is reversed-biased. Typically, pluralities of electrical components are required to produce separate output values in response to an interrogation signal applied with two polarities. Further, one of the electrical components will generally be an active component (e.g., components whose response differs in relation to the direction or magnitude of signals presented thereto), such as a diode, in order for the sensor identifying means to produce multiple outputs.
As noted, the processing means will generally be located at a monitor that will receive the outputs generated by the sensor identifying means in the two modes of operation. Additionally, the processor may be operable to measure the response of the sensor identifying means to the application of the interrogation signal in the two modes of operation. For example, in a first mode of operation (e.g., a steady state mode), the processor may take a first measurement of the sensor identifying means"" response to the interrogation signal. When the system is switched to the second mode of operation, the processor may measure the sensor identifying means"" response to the interrogation signal once or multiple times. If the second mode of operation is a transient mode of operation, the sensor identifying means"" response may vary over time such that multiple readings may be taken which define a time/response profile. This time/response profile may, for example, record the variation of the voltage across the sensor identifying means from a first point in time to a second point in time. The monitor may then compare these responses, either singly or in combination, against stored data values and/or profiles. By way of example, the monitor may use the first response/output (e.g., a voltage value) to determine if an interconnected sensor is a sensor or a class of sensors that is recognized by the system (e.g., compare the voltage value to a set of stored voltage values corresponding to a known sensor/class of sensors) and accordingly enable or disable the monitor. The monitor may then use the second response/output (e.g., compare a second voltage reading to a second stored data value) to obtain additional information regarding the sensor (e.g., the particular type of sensor from a class of sensors, calibration data etc.) that may be used to further adjust the operation of the system.
As will be appreciated, since the interrogation signal""s polarity is reversed as applied to the sensor identifying means, a single steady state electrical signal may be applied in what amounts to two interrogation signals, one with positive polarity and one with negative polarity, thus allowing for multiple sensor outputs from a steady state signal. Though discussed in reference with a single steady state interrogation signal, it will be appreciated that if more than one interrogation signal is used (e.g., 5 volts and 10 volts) multiple outputs may be obtained for each interrogation signal. Additionally, the system may be operable to generate multiple outputs in response to variable interrogation signals.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed to read at least one data value from a photoplethysmographic sensor in a two-mode process. After releasably interconnecting a sensor to a photoplethysmographic monitor wherein the sensor includes first and second sensor terminals and an identifier means electrically coupled between the first and second sensor terminals, a first interrogation signal is applied to the first sensor terminal with an initial polarity to obtain a first output. Then the interrogation signal polarity is reversed such that it is applied to the first sensor terminal with an opposite polarity to obtain a second output. Last, the first and second outputs are employed to identify sensor characteristics to the photoplethysmographic monitor.
The step of reversing may further entail charging an energy storage means with the interrogation signal initial to produce a stored electrical potential and utilizing this stored electrical potential to selectively reverse the interrogation signal""s polarity as applied to the first sensor terminal for a predetermined time. The initial interrogation signal may comprise a steady state electrical signal, such as a constant voltage, that may produce a steady state condition across the sensor identifying means. Accordingly, this steady state condition may be measured as a first output reading. Releasing the stored electrical potential on the system may then produce another mode of operation in which the polarity of the interrogation signal is reversed as applied to the first sensor terminal. During this period, at least a second condition, such as a transient response, may be produced across the sensor identifying means; accordingly, a second or multiple measurements may be taken during this period to obtain a second output.
As may be appreciated, employing the first and second outputs may include the sub-steps of first comparing a first data value corresponding with the first output (e.g., a first measured voltage drop) with a first predetermined data range and, second, comparing a second data value corresponding with the second output value (e.g., a second measured voltage drop) with a second predetermined data range. In one arrangement, if either of such comparisons indicate a data value outside of the corresponding predetermined range, the method may further provide for an output to a user (e.g., via a display) indicating that the interconnected sensor is not intended for use with the monitor. Alternatively and/or additionally, the monitor may be automatically disabled for use with the interconnected sensor. Last, when one or more output values are within the predetermined data ranges, the values can be used alone or in combination to select calibration information for use with the sensor.
Additional aspects and corresponding advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the further description that follows.


A pistol includes a carriage which receives a barrel. The carriage slides back on a handle of the pistol during discharge against the force of a return spring. The pistol includes a device for determining the number of shots fired. The device includes electronics attached to the handle and including a microprocessor with storage, a piezoelectric sensor connected to the microprocessor, a current supply, and a reading device for reading the storage, which reading device is external to the pistol. The piezoelectric sensor receives recoil impulses during discharge and sends a signal to the microprocessor in response to the impulses. The microprocessor is connected to a second sensor, which sends a second signal to the microprocessor when the carriage slides back. The microprocessor sends a count impulse to the storage during a time interval between the first signal of the piezoelectric sensor and the second signal, which corresponds to the time interval between discharge and sliding back of the carriage during a discharge.

The invention relates to a pistol including a device configured to determine the number of shots fired.
Pistols supposedly capable of determining the shots fired are known (DE 39 11 804 C2 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,191). Since the piezoelectric sensor disclosed in these references can also be subjected to other mechanical impulses, for example, when the pistol is dropped or during firing of practice rounds due to the lock or firing-pin movement during a simulated discharge, the counting of shots fired from these pistols is flawed. In order to avoid such errors, DE 40 22 038 discloses a device having three direction and acceleration dependent sensors instead of a single sensor. DE 44 17 545 A1 discloses several sensors located in the front of the pistol muzzle configured to detect a bullet as it is flying by.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cost efficient pistol having a reliable device configured to determine the number of shots. This objective is achieved by the pistol disclosed herein. Further advantageous developments of the invention are also disclosed herein.
According to the present invention, the device for determining the number of shots fired by the pistol includes a piezoelectric first sensor and a second sensor. The piezoelectric sensor transmits a first signal to a microprocessor upon receipt of a mechanical impulse. The second sensor is activated when the carriage slides back during a discharge. The time interval between the first signal produced by the piezoelectric sensor and the second signal produced by the second sensor is compared by the microprocessor. The compared time interval is that between the first signal, produced as a result of the recoil impulse during a live shot, and the second signal, produced when the carriage slides back during a live shot. When the time interval is positive a count impulse is stored. When a live shot is fired, the time interval between the first and the second signals is around a few milliseconds.
A battery can be provided as the current supply. Preferably, current is supplied for storage of the data received and for operation of a real-time clock discussed below.
The remaining electronics, including the second sensor, are only supplied with current after the first sensor is activated. Thus, the first signal, produced by the piezoelectric sensor, serves at the same time as an activation signal for the electronics. The time interval for activating the microprocessor and the other connected electronics is usually a few microseconds.
If necessary, the piezoelectric sensor can be a common ceramic piezoelement. However, the piezoelectric sensor is preferably formed by a piezoelectric polymer sensor or piezofilm sensor, preferably out of fluoropolymers, in particular polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) and copolymers of PVDF. The piezofilm sensor consists of a piezofilm piece or a small plate, having an electric layer on each side, such as a metal layer, like silver. The electrode layers are connected to the microprocessor. Each electrode layer can have a protective outer coating.
The piezofilm sensor can be attached to any desired area of the pistol handle since the recoil impulse deforms practically the entire handle during discharge. The piezofilm sensor is advantageously arranged on a printed circuit board which also houses the electronics.
The circuit board is preferably designed as a multilayer printed circuit board. The circuit board is preferably positioned on the section of the handle between the trigger and the barrel muzzle under the carriage. The piezofilm sensor can then be arranged on the side of the circuit board opposite the carriage and can be positioned between two layers of the circuit board.
The second sensor can be designed differently than the first sensor. The second sensor can also be constructed by a piezoelectric sensor, in particular a piezofilm sensor, which is deformed by the carriage when the carriage slides back during discharge. In this instance, a nose or similar projection of the carriage will operate the piezosensor when the carriage slides back. Alternatively, if the second sensor is formed by an induction coil, a permanent magnet 27 (FIG. 1) could be positioned on the carriage.
The second sensor is preferably a coil which is supplied with current from a frequency generator. Since the carriage of the pistol consists of metal, the sensor coil is damped when a section of the carriage slides back past the coil. The oscillation amplitude reduced by damping is transmitted as a signal to the microprocessor. The section of the carriage which moves past the sensor coil can, for example, be the front face wall of the carriage. The sensor coil is preferably arranged on the side of the printed circuit board facing the carriage in order to achieve the most significant damping.
In order for the device to determine the time of firing each shot, in addition to the number of shots fired, a real-time clock is also provided on the printed circuit board. Thus, since the time of firing of a shot is recorded with each fired shot based on a reading from the real-time clock the pistol can record each firing event.
A read-out of the stored data on the pistol handle can be accomplished through a cable or contacts. Preferably the read-out does not require contacts since the pistol handle will generally consist of plastic. Thus, it is preferable to provide an RF transmitter in the pistol handle which communicates with an RF receiver as the reading device outside of the pistol. In order for the microprocessor to be programmable from outside and in order for data to be read into storage, the RF transmitter in the pistol handle is also preferably an RF receiver.
The RF transmitter and, if necessary, receiver, in the pistol handle is/are preferably arranged on the printed circuit board. The antenna for the transmitter/receiver is preferably an antenna coil and is positioned on the side of the printed circuit board opposite the carriage.
The device also includes a reading device which can be designed as a hand-held reading device. The reading device can also be configured for connection to a personal computer or laptop.
The device of the present invention can also be configured to determine further characteristic data of the pistol. The characteristic data can include data for identification of the pistol and/or data regarding the owner of the pistol, which is read into storage.
For the programming and reading-in of the characteristic data, a recording device 26 (FIG. 1) outside of the pistol can be used. The recording device can be an RF transmitter which is connected to a personal computer or laptop. The recording device can also be designed as a reading device.
The pistol identification data could include the number of the weapon, which is also applied to the weapon. The pistol identification data could also include data such as the production date of the pistol, the charge number of the pistol, etc. A recording device could be installed at the production site to input this data. The pistol ownership data read into storage could include the name of the legal owner of the weapon. The name could be read into storage via a recording device by the seller when the pistol is purchased. The data could also be read in by a public authority or similar institution. In addition, if the ownership of the pistol changes, the legal name of the new owner could be read into storage.

Pistol with a device for determining the number of shots

A-9220 Velden Am Woerthersee, Oesterreich