DATA COLLECTION UNIT WITH INTEGRATED CLOSURE SYSTEM AND SENSOR HOUSING

• US 20120221254A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Heartmiles, LLC
• Original Assignee: Heartmiles, LLC
• Inventors: Kateraas, Espen D., Medelius, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US13/505,699
• Publication Number:
  US 20120221254A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R

Abstract

A physical activity data collection unit includes one or more infrared sensors configured to provide an output indicative of a pulse rate of a user of the physical activity data collection unit, at least one temperature sensor configured to provide an output indicative of at least a body temperature of the user, and at least one accelerometer configured to provide an output indicative of movements of the user. The physical activity data collection unit can also include a microcontroller configured to determine a pulse rate, a body temperature, and movement characteristics of the user of the data collection unit based on outputs from the one or more infrared sensors, the at least one temperature sensor, and the at least one accelerometer; determine a physical exertion level of the user based on one or more of the pulse rate, the body temperature, or the movement characteristics of the user; and store, in a memory, data indicative of the physical exertion level during a time period during which the physical exertion level exceeds a predetermined threshold. The physical activity data collection unit can also include a closure system configured to secure the data collection unit to a wrist of the user.

Claims

1. A physical activity data collection unit, including:

one or more infrared sensors configured to provide an output indicative of a pulse rate of a user of the physical activity data collection unit;

at least one temperature sensor configured to provide an output indicative of at least a body temperature of the user;

at least one accelerometer configured to provide an output indicative of movements of the user;

a microcontroller configured to;

determine a pulse rate, a body temperature, and movement characteristics of the user of the data collection unit based on outputs from the one or more infrared sensors, the at least one temperature sensor, and the at least one accelerometer;

determine a physical exertion level of the user based on one or more of the pulse rate, the body temperature, or the movement characteristics of the user; and

store, in a memory, data indicative of the physical exertion level during a time period during which the physical exertion level exceeds a predetermined threshold; and

a closure system configured to secure the data collection unit to a wrist of the user.

2. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the closure system includes a pin and hole type configuration.

3. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the closure system includes a hook and loop configuration.

4. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the closure system includes rotational element configured to act on one or more tensioning elements in order to tighten the data collection to the wrist of the user.

5. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 4, further including a battery holder coupled to the rotational element.

6. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 4, further including a cradle coupled to the rotational element.

7. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 4, wherein the one or more infrared sensors, the at least one temperature sensor, and the at least one accelerometer are located within the rotational element.

8. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 4, further including a battery holder and cradle integrally formed with the rotational element.

9. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, further including a transceiver, and wherein the microcontroller is further configured to transmit data indicative of the exertion level of the user to an external data collection portal.

10. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 9, wherein the microcontroller determines the presence of stored physical exertion data and automatically initiates transmission of the stored data upon determining that the data collection has come within a predetermined range of a data collection portal.

11. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 9, wherein the microcontroller determines the presence of stored physical exertion data and initiates transmission of the stored data upon receiving an interrogation signal from a data collection portal.

12. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 9, wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit data via an optical or radio frequency link.

13. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to update the predetermined threshold based on the fitness of the user.

14. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes at least one of a thermocouple, diode, resistive temperature device, or infrared device.

15. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the one or more infrared sensors each include an infrared transceiver unit.

16. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 15, wherein the pulse rate is determined by monitoring changes in the blood oxygen saturation level.

17. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to condition the output signals provided by the one or more infrared sensors, the at least one temperature sensor, or the at least one accelerometer and store conditioned signals in the memory.

18. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to recognize potentially fraudulent use of the data collection unit and take at least one action in response to the recognized potentially fraudulent use.

19. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 18, wherein the microcontroller is configured to:

generate a signal to be emitted by the data collection unit;

detect the presence of similar signals generated in the vicinity of the data collection unit; and

shut down the data collection unit if potentially fraudulent use is recognized based on the detection of the similar signals.

20. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, further including an RFID tag to aid in recognition of the data collection unit or the user of the data collection unit.

21. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to communicate a unique code associated with the data collection unit to aid in recognition of the data collection unit.

22. The physical activity data collection unit of claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is configured to apply variable weights to the outputs of the one or more infrared sensors, the at least one temperature sensor, or the at least one accelerometer when determining the physical exertion level of the user.