[nfbcs] Vital Signs App

[Fred Wurtzel]

Philips iPad 2 app takes your vitals
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore
by
Elizabeth Armstrong Moore
November 22, 2011 2:22 PM PST
Last year, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media
Lab
unveiled a novel pulse-measuring technique
that used a low-resolution Webcam. It worked by imaging the human face to
detect
the slightest changes in brightness resulting from blood flow.
(Credit:
Philips)
Electronics maker Philips is now is bringing a strikingly similar technology
to market
with its
Vital Signs Camera App
, though with the rather important disclaimer that said app should not be
considered
a medical tool.
The app, released last week for 99 cents, uses the
iPad
's built-in camera to detect those tiny changes in color--which Philips
calls "micro-blushes"
--that measure blood flow to indicate one's pulse. The camera also tracks
chest movement
to determine one's respiratory rate.
To use the app, one simply needs to position one's face within the given
brackets
on the screen and hold still for a few seconds while the measurements are
taken.
The results can then be shared by Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail.
One early adopter
writes a telling review
: "Don't know if the readings are correct, but still amazing to use."
It is indeed hard to say exactly how accurate this technology is, and the
disclaimer
clarifies that measurements and statistics are provided for "entertainment
use only,"
but with Philips making its algorithms
available for licensing
, this will surely be the first of many vital-sign apps to come.
For now, as we sprawl out on couches and under tables after the inevitably
too-large
Thanksgiving meal, measuring our vital signs could certainly become one form
of holiday
entertainment.
Watch on YouTube
Philips Vital Signs Camera App

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of jeff crouch
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 11:08 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Vital Signs App

what is it fred

On 11/24/11, Fred Wurtzel <f.wurtzel at att.net> wrote:
> Hi,
>
>
>
> I found this on TwitterTech Access Weekly.  Has anyone tried it and is it
> accessible?
>
>
>
> Happy thanksgiving,
>
>
>
> Fred
>
> _______________________________________________
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-- 
jeff crouch

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