Age-based heart rate target zone method and apparatus

• US 6,163,718 A
• Filed: 02/01/1996
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Acumen Associates Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Acumen Associates Incorporated (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fabrizio, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US08/595,282
• Time in Patent Office: 1,783 Days
• Field of Search: 128/706, 128/707, 128/708, 128/709, 128/710
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient

Abstract

A method and apparatus utilizes conventional wireless heart rate monitor technology by providing a person with the ability to set upper and lower heart rates, i.e. a target zone, merely by inputting his or her age. Depending upon the physical conditioning of the user, the upper and/or lower limits can be selectively changed. The user also has the capability to program a desired time accumulation goal within the target zone and to observe, both during and after the exercise period, how much time has accumulated inside the target zone.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring heart rate of a person, comprising the steps of

(a) inputting age of the person into a unit;

(b) electronically obtaining a target zone consisting of an upper limit and lower limit of the heart rate based on the person'"'"'s age; and

(c) issuing a signal when the heart rate is outside the target zone, wherein at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit is selectively changeable by the person after obtaining the target zone in step (b).

2. A method for monitoring heart rate of a person, comprising the steps of

(a) inputting age of the person into a unit;

(b) electronically obtaining a target zone consisting of an upper limit and lower limit of the heart rate based solely on the person'"'"'s age; and

(c) issuing a signal when the heart rate is outside the target zone; and

(d) setting a time accumulation goal for an amount of time actually incurred within the target zone; and

(e) displaying accumulated time within the target zone during a monitoring period; and

wherein at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit is selectively changeable by the person after obtaining the target zone in step (b).

3. An apparatus apparatus for monitoring heart rate of a person, comprising

means for measuring a heart rate of a person during a monitoring period;

and

means for displaying the measured heart rate, wherein the displaying means includes electronic circuitry for setting a target zone having an upper heart rate limit and a lower heart rate limit based solely upon inputted age of the person, wherein the displaying means is configured to allow selective change of the target zone after setting the target zone based upon inputted age.

4. An apparatus for monitoring heart rate of a person, comprising

means for measuring a hear rate of a person during a monitoring period;

and

means for displaying the measured heart rate, wherein the displaying means includes electronic circuitry for setting a target zone having an upper heart rate limit and a lower heart rate limit based solely upon inputted age of the person, and

wherein the displaying means is configured to allow the person to set a time accumulation goal for an amount of time actually incurred within the target zone and to display accumulated time within the target zone during the monitoring period, and

wherein the displaying means is configured to allow selective change of the target zone after setting the target zone based solely upon inputted age.