Heart rate monitoring system with illuminated floor mat

• US 6,512,947 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2001
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David G. Bartholome
• Original Assignee: David G. Bartholome
• Inventors: Bartholome, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, CARL HERNANDZ
• Application Number:
  US09/826,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 482/23, 482/74, 600/509, 600/519, 600/520, 128/903
• US Class Current: 600/519
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/065 within a certain range
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

A heart rate monitoring system for visually indicating to an individual during a workout session the status of their heart rate relative to a desired heart rate. The heart rate monitoring system includes a floor mat having a first light, a second light and a third light within thereof electronically connected to a control unit for controlling the lighting of the lights. A chest unit is attachable to a body of an individual to determine the current heart rate of the user and then transmits via a signal the heart rate data to the control unit.

Claims

1. A heart rate monitoring system, comprising:

a floor mat;

a plurality of lights within said floor mat;

a control unit having a receiver within said floor mat and electrically connected to said plurality of lights; and

a chest unit having a transmitter for detecting a current heart rate of a user and transmitting said current heart rate to said control unit.

2. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1, wherein said control unit illuminates said plurality of lights dependent upon said current heart rate.

3. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 2, wherein said floor mat includes a transparent portion above said plurality of lights.

4. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 3, wherein said plurality of lights have different colors indicating various heart rate levels.

5. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 4, wherein said plurality of lights include at least one inner light, at least one central light and at least one outer light.

6. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 5, wherein said inner light indicates a heart rate below a desired level.

7. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 6, wherein said central light indicates a heart rate at said desired level.

8. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 7, wherein said outer light indicates a heart rate above said desired level.

9. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 8, wherein said outer light is activated when said heart rate is above said desired level.

10. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 9, wherein said central light is activated when said heart rate is at said desired level.

11. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 10, wherein said inner light is activated when said heart rate is below said desired level.

12. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 11, wherein said chest unit is comprised of:

a strap;

a securing means attached to said strap;

a plurality of sensors for detecting said current heart rate; and

a transmitter electrically connected to said plurality of sensors for transmitting said current heart rate to said control unit.

13. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 12, wherein floor mat is circular in shape and wherein said plurality of lights are concentric within said floor mat.

14. A method of operating a heart rate monitoring system having a floor mat, a first light, a second light and a third light within said floor mat with a control unit controlling said lights based upon a current heart rate received from a chest unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said current heart rate from said chest unit;

(b) activating said first light if said current heart rate is above a minimal level (X);

(c) activating said second light if said current heart rate is above a minimal desired level (Y); and

(d) activating said third light if said current heart rate is above a maximum desired level (Z).

15. The method of operating a heart rate monitoring system of claim 14, including the steps of:

(e) deactivating said first light if said current heart rate is below a minimal level (X);

(f) deactivating said second light if said current heart rate is below a minimal desired level (Y); and

(g) deactivating said third light if said current heart rate is below a maximum desired level (Z).

16. A method of operating a heart rate monitoring system having a floor mat, a first light, a second light and a third light within said floor mat with a control unit controlling said lights based upon a current heart rate received from a chest unit, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving said current heart rate from said chest unit;

(b) activating said first light if said current heart rate is above a minimal level (X);

(c) activating said first light and said second light if said current heart rate is above a minimal desired level (Y); and

(d) activating said first light, said second light and said third light if said current heart rate is above a maximum desired level (Z).

17. The method of operating a heart rate monitoring system of claim 16, including the steps of:

(e) deactivating said first light, said second light and said third light if said current heart rate is below a minimal level (X);

(f) deactivating said second light and said third light if said current heart rate is below a minimal desired level (Y); and

(g) deactivating said third light if said current heart rate is below a maximum desired level (Z).