Adaptive watch

• US 8,224,429 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Prstojevich, Michael D., Robinette, Christopher A., Helprin, Theodore H., Case, Charles W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stice, Paula J
• Application Number:
  US12/498,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20090270744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 600/509, 600/519, 482 1- 9, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• 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: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• 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 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/40 respiratory characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 19/12 Arrangements for reducing power consumption during storage
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 : for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 : relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

A watch or other type of portable electronic console that employs a number of different functions in order to improve its usability. The watch may, for example, allow a user to connect the watch to one or more remote electronic devices, such as an electronic performance sensor or MP3 player. The watch then displays information related to the connected electronic devices. Still further, the watch may allow a user to control the operation of one or more connected remote electronic devices. Thus, if the watch is connected to a remote speed/distance monitor employing a calibration variable, then the watch may allow the user to adjust the calibration variable.

Claims

1. A method of determining a heart rate zone by a portable electronic device configured for attachment to a user, the method comprising:

prompting the user, by the portable electronic device, to exercise at a first level of exertion;

calculating, by the portable electronic device, a first representative heart rate based on a first measurement of the user'"'"'s heart rate after instructing the user to exercise at the first level of exertion;

designating the first representative heart rate as a lower limit value for the heart rate zone;

prompting the user, by the portable electronic device, to exercise at a second level of exertion more strenuous than the first level of exertion;

calculating, by the portable electronic device, a second representative heart rate based on a second measurement of the user'"'"'s heart rate after instructing the user to exercise at the second level of exertion; and

designating the second representative heart rate as an upper limit value for the heart rate zone.

2. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 1, further comprising:

designating the second representative heart rate as a lower limit value for a second heart rate zone;

instructing a user to exercise at a third level of exertion more strenuous than the second level of exertion;

calculating a third representative heart rate based on a third measurement of the user'"'"'s heart rate after instructing the user to exercise at the third level of exertion; and

designating the third representative heart rate as an upper limit value for the second heart rate zone.

3. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 2, further comprising:

designating the third representative heart rate as a lower limit value for a third heart rate zone.

4. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 2, wherein a period of time the user is prompted to exercise at the third level of exertion is shorter than a duration of time the user is instructed to exercise at the second level of exertion.

5. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 1, wherein the first level of exertion corresponds to aerobic exercise for the user and the second level of exertion corresponds to anaerobic exercise for the user.

6. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 1, wherein the step of instructing a user to exercise at a first level of exertion is performed for a period of time.

7. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 6, wherein the first representative heart rate is obtained by calculating an average heart rate of the user for at least a portion of the period of time.

8. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 1, wherein the step of instructing a user to exercise at a second level of exertion is performed for a period of time.

9. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 8, wherein the second representative heart rate is obtained by calculating an average heart rate of the user for at least a portion of the period of time.

10. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 8, wherein the period of time is shorter than a duration of time the user is instructed to exercise at the first level of exertion.

11. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a watch device.

12. The method of determining a heart rate zone recited in claim 11, wherein the watch device communicates at least one of audio and visual instructions.

13. A method of instructing exercise, comprising the steps of:

determining a heart rate zone having a first representative heart rate and a second representative heart rate, the heart rate zone determined in accordance with claim 1; and

instructing a user to exercise for a first period of time so that the user'"'"'s heart rate is between the first representative heart rate and the second representative heart rate.

14. The method of instructing exercise recited in claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

after the first period of time, instructing the user to exercise for a second period of time so that the user'"'"'s heart rate exceeds the second representative heart rate.

15. The method of instructing exercise recited in claim 14, wherein a duration of the second period of time differs from a duration of the first period of time.

16. The method of instructing exercise recited in claim 13, wherein the first period of time is a warm-up for the user.

17. A method comprising:

determining a heart rate zone for a user, comprising the steps of;

prompting the user, by a portable electronic device configured for attachment to the user, to exercise at a first level of exertion;

calculating, by the portable electronic device, a first representative heart rate based on a first measurement of the user'"'"'s heart rate after instructing the user to exercise at the first level of exertion;

designating the first representative heart rate as a lower limit value for the heart rate zone;

prompting the user, by the portable electronic device, to exercise at a second level of exertion more strenuous than the first level of exertion;

calculating, by the portable electronic device, a second representative heart rate based on a second measurement of the user'"'"'s heart rate after instructing the user to exercise at the second level of exertion; and

designating the second representative heart rate as an upper limit value for the heart rate zone;

instructing the user to exercise;

determining the user'"'"'s heart rate during the exercise; and

alerting the user if the user'"'"'s heart rate is not within the heart rate zone.

18. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the calculating of the first representative heart rate comprises calculating an average heart rate of the user'"'"'s heart rate for at least a portion of a period of time in response to prompting the user to exercise at the first level of exertion.

19. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the step of instructing the user to exercise includes instructing the user to exercise so that the user'"'"'s heart rate is between the first representative heart rate and the second representative heart rate.

20. The method recited in claim 17, wherein the portable electronic device is a watch device.

21. The method recited in claim 20, wherein the watch device communicates at least one of audio and visual instructions.

22. A system comprising:

a heart rate sensor configured for determining a heart rate of a user;

a computing system configured for attachment to the user, the computing system in electronic communication with the heart rate sensor, the computing system comprising;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising;

prompting the user to exercise at a first level of exertion;

obtaining a first representative heart rate for the user from the heart rate sensor after instructing the user to exercise at the first level of exertion;

designating the first representative heart rate as a lower limit value for a heart rate zone;

prompting the user to exercise at a second level of exertion more strenuous than the first level of exertion;

obtaining a second representative heart rate for the user from the heart rate sensor after instructing the user to exercise at the second level of exertion; and

designating the second representative heart rate as an upper limit value for the heart rate zone.

23. The system recited in claim 22, further comprising a speed and distance sensor for determining the speed and distance of the user and wherein the speed and distance sensor is in electronic communication with the computing system.

24. The system recited in claim 23, wherein the computing system comprises an output element for outputting the data sensed by the heart rate sensor, the speed and distance sensor, and the prompts to the user to exercise.

25. The system recited in claim 24, wherein the output element provides one or both of audio and visual output.

26. The system recited in claim 22, wherein the computing system is a watch.

27. A system comprising:

a plurality of sensors including at least one heart rate sensor configured for determining a heart rate of a user;

a watch configured for attachment to the user, the watch in electronic communication with each of the sensors, wherein the watch comprises;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the watch to perform operations comprising;

prompting the user to exercise at a first level of exertion;

obtaining a first representative heart rate for the user from the at least one heart rate sensor after instructing the user to exercise at the first level of exertion;

designating the first representative heart rate as a lower limit value for a heart rate zone;

prompting the user to exercise at a second level of exertion more strenuous than the first level of exertion;

obtaining a second representative heart rate for the user from the at least one heart rate sensor after instructing the user to exercise at the second level of exertion; and

designating the second representative heart rate as an upper limit value for the heart rate zone.

28. The system recited in claim 27, wherein the watch prompts the user to exercise by one or both of audio or visual output.