Heart rate monitor for controlling entertainment devices

• US 20060084551A1
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph C. Volpe Jr
• Original Assignee: Joseph C. Volpe Jr
• Inventors: Volpe, Joseph C. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,354,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/067 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42201 biosensors, e.g. heat sensor for presence detection, EEG sensors or any limb activity sensors worn by the user input arrangements for interaction with the human body based on nervous system activity detection G06F3/015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams

Abstract

Described is a motivational fitness device, which controls the audio output of a television or audio component in response to the heart rate. The user must exercise in their specific heart rate target training range to keep their entertainment device turned on at an enjoyable volume. A heart rate sensing device relays heart rate to a processor unit. The processor receives and compares the user'"'"'s heart rate to the specified target range and sends control signals (or not) to the entertainment device. If the user'"'"'s heart rate drops below the target range, the volume of the audio output of their entertainment device will gradually decrease until the user reacquires their target. Conversely, if the user is exercising too vigorously, the volume will increase, motivating the user to reacquire their target heart rate range.

Claims

1. Motivational fitness apparatus for a person to use while exercising with an entertainment device having a power supply, at least an audio output operable to be set at a given volume which is a comfortable listening volume, said apparatus comprising:

a controller for modulating the audio output above and below said given volume,

a processor operable to generate a command signal directed to said controller, and

a monitor operable to generate heart rate data of the person,

said processor operable to first establish a target range of data, and second to receive said heart rate data from said monitor and periodically compare said data with said target range of data, and to generate a command indicative of the variation of said heart rate data relative to said target range, and to direct said generated command to said controller.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said generated command increases the volume of the audio output above said given volume when the heart rate data is above said target range and decreases the volume of the audio output below said given volume when the heart rate data is below said target range.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said processor is operable to establish a second target range which has limits beyond said first target range, and then to compare said data with first and second target ranges and to generate a first command upon comparison with the first of said ranges, and a second signal upon comparison with the second of said ranges, said first command modulating the audio output and the second command deactivating the audio output.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said processor includes a setting device operable by the person to selectively adjust said first and second target ranges.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a head-mounted listening component coupled to the entertainment device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a headset mounting said listening component, wherein said processor is mounted on said headset, and

said monitor comprises an ear clip adapted to provide the person'"'"'s heart rate data to said processor.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said listening component comprises at least one earphone carried by said headset, said earphone having an audio output controlled by said controller and mounting said ear clip.

8. A method for motivating a person doing fitness exercises comprising the steps of:

providing an entertainment device having a power supply, at least an audio output operable to be set at a given output which is a comfortable listening output, and a processor, a controller for modulating audio output and a heart rage monitor;

generating command directed to said controller;

monitoring the heart rate of the person and generating heart rate data of the person,

comparing said heart rate data with a target range of data, and causing said command to be indicative of the variation of said heart rate data relative to said target range, and

using said generated command to modulate or deactivate or reactivate the audio output.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said monitoring and generating step produces a command to said first controller which modulates the audio output.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said command decreases the volume of said audio output when the heart rate falls below said target range.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said command increases the volume of the audio output when the heart rate rises above said target range.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein said generating step also generates a second command which deactivates the audio output when the heart rate falls outside the target range.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said generating step also generates a third command which reactivates the audio output when the heart rate falls back into the target range after falling outside the target range.