Heart rate monitor

• US 20060142665A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Simoneau, Dan, Keithline, Wilson W., Galie, Louis M., Garay, John L.
• Application Number:
  US10/846,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142665A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

A wearable fitness heart rate monitor comprising an earpiece comprising a sensor unit having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, wherein a portion of an ear is positioned therebetween, wherein the light emitting element emits light into the portion of the ear positioned intermediate the light emitting and light receiving elements, the light receiving element detects the intensity of light passing through the portion of the ear positioned intermediate the light emitting and light receiving elements, and the sensor unit comprises means for outputting an electrical signal based thereon; processor means, coupled to the sensor unit, for processing the electrical signal and determining a heart rate therefrom; and a display, coupled to the processor means, for displaying the heart rate. Alternatively, the transmitting element (LED) and the receiving element (photodiode or the like), are positioned adjacent each other, such that the transmitting element emits light into the portion of the ear and the receiving element receives reflected light therefrom, and wherein the sensor unit detects the intensity of the reflected light and outputs electrical signals based thereon.

Claims

1. A wearable fitness heart rate monitor comprising:

an earpiece comprising a sensor unit having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, wherein a portion of an ear is positioned therebetween, wherein the light emitting element emits light into the portion of the ear positioned intermediate the light emitting and light receiving elements, the light receiving element detects the intensity of light passing through the portion of the ear positioned intermediate the light emitting and light receiving elements, and the sensor unit comprises means for outputting an electrical signal based thereon;

processor means, coupled to the sensor unit, for processing the electrical signal and determining a heart rate therefrom; and

a display, coupled to the processor means, for displaying the heart rate.

2. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, including a headset, to which the earpiece is coupled, wherein the display is mechanically coupled to the headset and provided on a visor.

3. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a headset to which the earpiece is coupled; and

an eyewear unit that is physically disconnectable from the headset;

wherein the eyewear unit is provided with the display for displaying the heart rate determined by the processor means.

4. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, including a wrist worn unit, wherein the wrist worn unit comprises the display for displaying the heart rate determined by the processor means.

5. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 4, including a headset with a transmitter coupled to the processor means, wherein the wrist worn unit wirelessly communicates with the transmitter.

6. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 1, including means for storing information relating to the heart rate.

7. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 6, including means for downloading the information to a stand-alone computer unit.

8. A system for playing back stored heart rate information, including a computer coupleable to the heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the computer comprises means for displaying the information downloaded from the means for storing information.

9. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 3, including a headset with a transmitter coupled to the processor means, wherein the transmitter wirelessly communicates heart rate information to the display.

10. A wearable fitness heart rate monitor comprising:

an earpiece comprising a sensor unit having a transmitting element and a receiving element, wherein the transmitting element and the receiving element are positioned adjacent each other, wherein the sensor unit is placed proximate to a portion of an ear, wherein the transmitting element emits light into the portion of the ear positioned proximate thereto and the receiving element receives reflected light therefrom, and wherein the sensor unit detects the intensity of the reflected light and outputs electrical signals based thereon;

processor means for processing the electrical signals and determining a heart rate therefrom; and

a display, coupled to the processor means, for displaying the heart rate.

11. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 10, comprising:

a headset to which the earpiece is coupled; and

an eyewear unit that is physically disconnectable from the headset;

wherein the eyewear unit is provided with the display for displaying the heart rate determined by the processor means.

12. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 10, including a wrist worn unit, wherein the wrist worn unit comprises the display for displaying the heart rate determined by the processor means.

13. The heart rate monitor as claimed in claim 12, including a headset with a transmitter coupled to the processor means, wherein the wrist worn unit wirelessly communicates with the transmitter.