Heart rate monitor

• US 20100016741A1
• Filed: 07/02/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Mix, Roar Viala
• Original Assignee: John Mix, Roar Viala
• Inventors: Viala, Roar, Mix, John
• Application Number:
  US12/459,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20100016741A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/508
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6815 Ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6816 Ear lobe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7415 Sound rendering of measured values, e.g. by pitch or volume variation A61B5/741 takes precedence

Abstract

A waterproof heart rate monitor device, method, and system are disclosed that transmit heart rate information to a user. In operation one or more infrared sensor sits against skin of a user to measure his or her heart rate. An internal computer, or micro-processor, that is coupled to one or more sensors then calculates the number of beats/minute (b/m) that a user'"'"'s heart is beating and generates output signals to an output unit such as an ear plug or via bone conduction transducer to provide a user an audio representation of his or her heart rate.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a) a light sensor for measuring changes in light due to blood flow in the skin;

b) a micro-processor for calculating heart rate based on changes in the light detected by the infrared sensor and generating output signals; and

c) output means for converting the outputs to audio signals representative of the heart rate.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for positioning the infrared sensor at or near the temple of the user.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the means for positioning the infrared sensor at or near the temple of the user comprises a clip for attaching the sensor to a strap of a goggle or other support.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the output means comprises a bone conduction transducer for transmitting audio signals through a portion of the user'"'"'s head.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the output means comprises an ear plug.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second infrared sensor for measuring background noise and wherein the micro-processor generates a correction factor for calculating the heart rate based on the background noise.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitor can automatically sense and measure the user'"'"'s heart rate by simply having the user turn on the waterproof heart monitor during swimming.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface for controlling modes of operation.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitor is powered by an internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery and further comprising a USB port for recharging the battery.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitor'"'"'s battery is recharged through a USB port that can be plugged into a personal computer or wall adaptor.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor/memory unit for storing the history of the user'"'"'s heart rate during workouts.

12. A method comprising:

a) measuring changes in light through the skin of the user;

b) calculating a heart rate of the user based on the change in the light detected by the light sensor; and

c) generating an audio signal representative of the heart rate.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein measuring change in light through the user'"'"'s skin comprises placing an infrared sensor at or near the user'"'"'s skin.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein calculating the heart rate comprises measuring background noise and subtracting the background noise from light measured through the skin.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second infrared sensor measures background noise, and the micro-processor generates a correction factor for calculating the heart rate based on background noise.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating audio signals through a transducer attached to the ear or temple via bone conduction.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the bone conduction transducer communicates the heart rate to the user through vibrations to the user'"'"'s temple bone and to the user'"'"'s inner ear where sounds are transferred.

18. A system comprising:

a) a heart rate monitor for measuring a user'"'"'s heart rate comprising a light sensor, micro-processor, and audio output; and

b) means for generating a graphical representation of the user'"'"'s heart rate.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the heart rate monitor further comprises an infrared sensor for measuring changes in light due to blood flow in the skin, a clip to attach the heart rate monitor to the user'"'"'s goggle or other means of support, a second sensor for measuring background noise, and a micro-processor for calculating heart rate and for generating a correction factor for calculating the heart rate based on background noise.

20. The system of claim 18, comprising a computer to process workout data from the heart monitor and to generate a graphical representation of the user'"'"'s heart rate based on such data.