HEART RATE COUNTER, PORTABLE APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR HEART RATE COUNTING

• US 20090203998A1
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wassingbo, Tomas, KLINGHULT, Gunnar
• Application Number:
  US12/030,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203998A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/05 Image processing for measuring physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A heart rate counter comprising a light source; a camera arranged in a vicinity if the light source such that light from the light source is able to be registered through living tissue, and arranged to acquire a series of images of the light transmitted through the tissue; and an image processor connected to the camera and arranged to determine a heart rate by photoplethysmography from the series of images is disclosed. Further, corresponding portable apparatus, computer program, and method are disclosed

Claims

1. A heart rate counter comprising

a light source;

a camera arranged in a vicinity if the light source such that light from the light source is able to be registered through living tissue, and arranged to acquire a series of images of the light transmitted through the tissue; and

an image processor connected to the camera and arranged to determine a heart rate by photoplethysmography from the series of images.

2. The heart rate counter according to claim 1, further comprising a display arranged to display a result of heart rate counting.

3. The heart rate counter according to claim 2, wherein the result comprises a heart rate value in beats per time unit, an amount derived from the heart rate and parameters specific to a user, an amount derived from the heart rate and information from another application, an animation indicating the heart rate, a feedback indication indicating acquisition quality, or the series of acquired images, or any combination thereof.

4. The heart rate counter according to claim 1, wherein the camera is further arranged for general image capturing.

5. The heart rate counter according to claim 4, wherein the image processor is arranged to discriminate images of living tissue from which heart rate is determinable from general images such that a heart rate counting is initiated.

6. A mobile portable apparatus comprising

a heart rate counting application;

a light source;

a camera arranged in a vicinity if the light source such that light from the light source is able to be registered through living tissue, and arranged to acquire a series of images of the light transmitted through the tissue; and

an image processor connected to the image acquisition means and arranged to determine a heart rate by photoplethysmography from the series of images when said heart rate counting application is running.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a display arranged to display a result of heart rate counting.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the result comprises a heart rate value in beats per time unit, an amount derived from the heart rate and parameters specific to a user, an amount derived from the heart rate and information from another application, an animation indicating the heart rate, a feedback indication indicating acquisition quality, or the series of acquired images, or any combination thereof.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the camera is further arranged for general image capturing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image processor is arranged to discriminate images of living tissue from which heart rate is determinable from general images such that the heart rate counting application is initiated.

11. A method for heart rate counting comprising

illuminating living tissue by a light source of a portable apparatus;

acquiring a series of images of the light transmitted through the tissue by a camera of the portable apparatus; and

processing the series of images to determine a heart rate by photoplethysmography from the series of images by an image processor of the portable apparatus.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising displaying a result of heart rate counting on a display of the portable apparatus.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the result comprises a heart rate value in beats per time unit, an amount derived from the heart rate and parameters specific to a user, an amount derived from the heart rate and information from another application, an animation indicating the heart rate, a feedback indication indicating acquisition quality, or the series of acquired images, or any combination thereof.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising

discriminating images of living tissue from which heart rate is determinable from general images by the image processor;

and

initiating a heart rate counting application of the portable apparatus if living tissue from which heart rate is derivable is determined in the series of images.

15. A computer readable medium comprising program code, which when executed by a processor is arranged to cause the processor to perform a heart rate counting application comprising performing

illumination of living tissue by a light source;

acquisition of a series of images of the light transmitted through the tissue by a camera; and

processing of the series of images to determine a heart rate by photoplethysmography from the series of images.

16. The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the program code further causes the processor to perform displaying a result of heart rate counting on a display.

17. The computer readable medium according to claim 16, wherein the program code further causes the processor to perform provision of a heart rate value in beats per time unit, an amount derived from the heart rate and parameters specific to a user, an amount derived from the heart rate and information from another application, an animation indicating the heart rate, a feedback indication indicating acquisition quality, or the series of acquired images, or any combination thereof, to be provided as the result.

18. The computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the program code further causes the processor to perform

discrimination of images of living tissue from which heart rate is determinable from general images by the image processor;

and

initiation of the heart rate counting application of the portable apparatus if living tissue from which heart rate is derivable is determined in the series of images.