WRIST-WORN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

• US 20160151669A1
• Filed: 12/01/2014
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Komulainen, Olli, Lumme, Lauri
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0015 providing information, e.g. bracelets with calendars identification bracelets G09F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/105 with links made of one piece and linked together by one connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• 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: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A wrist-worn physical activity measurement apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bracelet comprising a plurality of links, each link being formed at one side to comprise a part and at the opposite side a counterpart interlocking with a part of an adjacent link, and a flexible casing encasing the plurality of the links. The apparatus is attachable around a curvature of a wrist of a user such that the links and the adjacent links are pivotably lockable in relation to each other in order to wrap and lock around the wrist.

Claims

1. A wrist-worn physical activity measurement apparatus comprising:

a bracelet comprising a plurality of links, each link being formed at one side to comprise a part and at the opposite side a counterpart interlocking with a part of an adjacent link; and

a flexible casing encasing the plurality of the links,

wherein the apparatus is attachable around a curvature of a wrist of a user such that the links and the adjacent links are pivotably lockable in relation to each other in order to wrap and lock around the wrist.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electronics module coupled with the bracelet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronics module is attached to at least one of the links.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronics module is attached between two of the links.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein at least one of the links is a special link, in which the electronics module is integrated.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronics module comprises at least one of a biosignal measurement sensor, a processor module comprising one or more processors and one or more memories including computer program code.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electronics module, which comprises one or more processors, and one or more memories including computer program code, the one or more memories and the computer program code configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform a function related to a physical activity measurement on the user, wherein the function comprises at least one of a control of an apparatus internal sensor measuring functioning of the body of the user, a control of an apparatus external sensor measuring functioning of the body of the user, a control of a heart rate measurement of the user, a control of an acceleration measurement related to a movement of the user, a control of a well-being measurement of the user.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracelet is dimensioned and adapted such that it is attachable around the wrist by pressing it from the outwards towards the wrist by the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus forms an open loop when in open position such that it is positionable around the wrist, and the apparatus forms an open loop when in closed position wrapped and locked around the wrist, wherein the ends of the bracelet opposite to each other are closer each other in the closed position than in the open position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the links and the adjacent links are pivotable such that they exert a clamping force against the wrist.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a part of the links and the adjacent links are positioned, dimensioned and adapted such that a greater clamping force is directed towards ulna and radius bones of the wrist than towards the palm side of the wrist and the back of the hand side of the wrist.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible casing in the inside of the bracelet, which comes into contact with the wrist when attached, comprises non-skid material.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the link and the adjacent link are identical.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part and the counterpart comprise a snap-fit joint.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part and the counterpart comprise a ball and a socket joint.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part and the counterpart comprise an eccentric joint.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part and the counterpart comprise a gear wheel mechanism causing that the links and the adjacent links are pivotable in relation to each other stepwise.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising friction structures causing friction between the part and the counterpart as the link and the adjacent link are moved relative to each other.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising feedback structures causing senseable feedback to the user while pivoting the links and the adjacent links.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part and the counterpart are positioned, dimensioned and adapted such that the links and the adjacent links are pivotable in relation to each by a limited angle.