Measuring device and method of controlling same

• US 6,418,394 B1
• Filed: 10/25/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Rytky, Pekka, Puolakanaho, Pertti, Loponen, Erkki
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Raymond, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/403,668
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/19, 702/41, 702/44, 702/108, 702/113, 702/127, 702/139, 702/175, 702/61, 702/176-178, 702/182-183, 702/187-188, 702/42, 702/FOR.115, 702/FOR.123, 702/FOR.124, 702/FOR.126, 702/FOR.129, 702/FOR.130, 702/FOR.134, 702/FOR.135, 702/FOR.141, 702/FOR.143, 702/FOR.151, 702/FOR.152, 702/FOR.155, 702/FOR.170, 600/523, 600/519, 600/521, 600/412, 607/122, 607/4, 607/17, 368/189, 377/20, 340/870.31
• US Class Current: 702/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7435 Displaying user selection data, e.g. icons in a graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring device (102) carried by a user during exercise for measuring non-invasively at least one signal from the body, e.g. a wireless heart rate monitor, and to a method of controlling same. The measuring device comprises a user interface (120). The user interface comprises selection means (114), e.g. push buttons (114), and display means (116,122), e.g. a liquid crystal display. The user interface (116) displays different operating modes, e.g., a watch mode (300), a set mode (306) and an operating mode (302) for measuring a signal from the body. The operating modes have different sub-operating modes for displaying parameter associated with exercising. In accordance with the invention, the user is shown specified operating modes and sub-operating modes. There is also a special help operating mode, which, when being switched on, allows each selection means available in said operating mode or sub-operating mode to be indicated to the user by automatic stepping, and the function to be performed by selecting said selection means to be specified.

Claims

1. A measuring device carried by a user during exercise for measuring non-invasively at least one signal from the body, the measuring device comprising:

a control unit for controlling and monitoring the operation of the measuring device;

a measuring unit communicating with the control unit for measuring at least one signal from the body;

a user interface communicating with the control unit, comprising;

selection means for making selections;

various operating modes comprising at least a watch mode, a set mode, and at least one operating mode for measuring a signal from the body, the operating modes comprising various sub-operating modes for displaying parameters associated with exercising; and

display means for displaying data to the user, the control unit being adapted to specify the operating modes and sub-operating modes and display them by the display means, the measuring device comprising a help operating mode, the control unit, when the help operating mode is switched on, being adapted to indicate, by the display means, using automatic stepping, alternately, each selection means in that particular operating mode or sub-operating mode and to specify the function to be performed by selecting said selection means.

2. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to receive a selection made by the selection means during the automatic stepping.

3. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to display the help text always in the same place, the help text specifying the function to be performed.

4. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection means are at least one of operating mode specific and sub-operating mode specific.

5. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display means are adapted to carry out the indication by an indicator means.

6. A measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indicator means include an arrow-shaped cursor.

7. A measuring device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the indicator means include a background light illuminating said selection means.

8. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to operate in such a way that, in set mode, the help operating mode can be switched off.

9. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to initiate indication if the user fails to make the selection required in said operating mode.

10. A measuring device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user has about 3 to 6 seconds to make the required selection before indication is initiated.

11. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when stepping, the control unit is adapted to display each function for such a duration that the user has time to detect the function title and the selection means for selecting said function within said time.

12. A measuring device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the display time is between about 2 and 4 seconds.

13. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the automatic stepping includes an automatically repeated loop sequence.

14. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selection means include push buttons.

15. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display means include a liquid crystal display.

16. A measuring device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the liquid crystal display includes a dot matrix liquid crystal display.

17. A measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal to be measured is a user heart rate, the operating mode measuring the signal from the body is a heart rate measurement mode, and the measuring device is a heart rate monitor.

18. A measuring device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the measuring unit comprises a wireless transmitter to be attached to the chest and a wireless heart rate receiver attached to the wrist.

19. A method of controlling a measuring device carried by a user during exercise for measuring non-invasively at least one signal from the body, the measuring device comprising:

a control unit for controlling and monitoring the operation of the measuring device;

a measuring unit communicating with the control unit for measuring at least one signal from the body;

a user interface communicating with the control unit, comprising;

selection means for making selections;

various operating modes comprising at least a watch mode, a set mode, and at least one operating mode for measuring a signal from the body, the operating modes comprising various sub-operating modes for displaying parameters associated with exercising; and

display means for displaying data to the user, the control unit being adapted to specify the operating modes and sub-operating modes and displaying them by the display means to the user,

the measuring device comprising a help operating mode, the method comprising the steps of;

indicating, by the display means, when the help operating mode is switched on, alternately, using automatic stepping, each selection means in that particular operating mode or sub-operating mode; and

specifying the operation to be performed by selecting said selection means.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of receiving, by the control unit, a selection made by the selection means during the automatic stepping.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of displaying the help text always in the same place, the help text specifying the function to be performed.

22. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of specifying the function of the selection means as being at least one of operating mode specific and sub-operating mode specific.

23. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the display means are adapted to carry out the indication by an indicator means.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the indicator means include an arrow-shaped cursor.

25. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the indicator means include a background light illuminating said selection means.

26. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of enabling, in set mode, the help operating mode to be switched off.

27. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of initiating indication if the user fails to make the selection required in said operating mode.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27, further comprising the step of initiating indication about 3 to 6 seconds after the user makes the required selection.

29. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of displaying, when stepping each function, for such a duration that the user has time to detect the function title and the selection means for selecting said function within said time.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the display time is between about 2 and 4 seconds.

31. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the automatic stepping includes an automatically repeated loop sequence.

32. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the selection means include push buttons.

33. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the display means include a liquid crystal display.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the liquid crystal display includes a dot matrix liquid crystal display.

35. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of measuring a user heart rate as the signal to be measured, the operating mode measuring the signal from the body being a heart rate measurement mode, and the measuring device being a heart rate monitor.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the measuring unit comprises a wireless transmitter to be attached to the chest and a wireless heart rate receiver to be attached to the wrist.