Training device and method

• US 20070016091A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Suunto Oy (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pernu, Kimmo, Butt, Phillip, Ahlstrom, Mikko
• Granted Patent: US 7,383,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data

Abstract

The invention relates to heart rate monitors. The monitor according to the invention comprises a dial, which comprises a current heart rate indicator, which is responsive to a heart rate signal measured from a user of the wristop computer and functionally connected to a heart rate scale, and a reference indicator defining a visually identifiable reference heart rate range. According to the invention, at least one of the indicators is rotatably adjustable relative to the dial, and the heart rate scale and the reference heart rate range are adjustable relative to each other. The invention also concerns a method for monitoring the heart rate of a sportsman. By means of the invention, a quickly perceivable and adjustable heart rate monitor structure can be achieved.

Claims

1. A wristop computer having a dial, the dial comprising

a current heart rate indicator, which is responsive to a heart rate signal measured from a user of the wristop computer and functionally connected to a heart rate scale, and

a reference indicator defining a visually identifiable reference heart rate range,

wherein at least one of the indicators is rotatably adjustable relative to the dial, and the heart rate scale and the reference heart rate range are adjustable relative to each other.

2. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the indicators are positioned at least partly within each other on the fringe area of the dial.

3. A wristop computer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the indicators is mechanically connected to a central part of the dial.

4. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the reference indicator comprises a lower level marker and a higher level marker separately adjustable with respect to the dial along a curved path.

5. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the reference indicator comprises an arc- or disc-shaped member having visually identifiable markers for a plurality of physical training areas.

6. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the current heart rate indicator comprises a hand rotatably attached to a central part of the dial.

7. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the indicators comprises a display portion having a plurality of display segments essentially radially arranged with respect to the dial, the display segments being highlightable one by one.

8. A wristop computer according to claim 1, which comprises a first elliptical zone and a second elliptical zone, the zones being located within each other on the dial such that the first zone comprises the current heart rate indicator and the second zone comprises the reference indicator.

9. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the reference indicator is statically positioned within the dial area.

10. A wristop computer according to claim 1, which comprises a rotatable crown for adjusting the reference heart rate range with respect to the heart rate scale.

11. A wristop computer according to claim 1, which comprises memory for storing heart rate data.

12. A wristop computer according to claim 11, which comprises a communications interface for connecting the wristop computer to a host device in order to transfer heart rate data to the host device.

13. A wristop computer according to claim 1, which comprises means for electrically adjusting the reference heart rate range.

14. A wristop computer according to claim 13, which comprises a communications interface for connecting the wristop computer to a host device in order to transfer data on the reference heart rate range to the wristop computer.

15. A wristop computer according to claim 1, wherein the indicator of reference range is statically attached with respect to the dial.

16. A wristop computer according to claim 1 or 15, wherein the reference range comprises a lower level marker and a higher level marker and the heart rate scale is adjustable such that the lower level marker points to a lower heart rate and the higher level marker points to a higher heart rate, the lower and higher heart rates being defined using premeasured data on the physical properties of the user of the wristop computer.

17. A wristop computer according to claim 1, which comprises means for manually adjusting the position of the reference indicator on the dial.

18. A wristop computer according to claim 1 or 17, wherein the position of the reference indicator on the dial is non-communicable to the electrical parts of the wristop computer.

19. A wristop computer according to claim 1 or 17, which comprises means for providing information on the position of the reference indicator to electrical parts of the wristop computer.

20. A method for monitoring a heart rate of a person using a wristop computer, the method comprising

indicating current heart rate of the person with a first element responsive to a heart rate signal measured from the person, and

indicating a reference heart rate range by at least one second element,

wherein indicating current heart rate is performed by using a heart rate scale, the heart rate scale and the reference heart rate range being adjustable relative to each other and wherein at least one of the elements is rotatable.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein indicating current heart rate is performed by rotating a mechanical first element anchored to the central part of the dial of the wristop computer.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein indicating current heart rate is performed by highlighting segments of an electronic display, the display segments being arranged circumferentially and being highlightable one by one.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein indicating the reference heart rate range is performed by using two mechanical second elements being rotatably attached relative to the common axis point of the indicators.

24. A method according to claim 20, wherein indicating the reference heart rate range is performed by highlighting display segments of an electronic display, the display segments being arranged circumferentially and being highlightable one by one.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein the reference heart rate range is static relative to a dial of the wristop computer and the heart rate scale is fitted to the reference heart rate range by using premeasured data on the physical properties of the person.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein the heart rate scale is fixed and the reference heart rate range is adjusted with respect to the heart rate scale by adjusting its lower and upper limits by at least one rotationally movable second element.