Measuring method and measuring system

• US 6,159,130 A
• Filed: 05/19/1999
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Torvinen, Vesa-Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/315,095
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 482/900-902, 600/587, 600/595, 607/77, 73/379.01, 73/379.07
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/068 kayaking, canoeing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring method and a measuring system, particularly suited for measuring the function of at least one organ of a user non-invasively. The system comprises a transmitter unit (200) attached to the user'"'"'s body, and a receiver unit (202). The transmitter unit (200) transfers its measurement data associated with at least one organ to the receiver unit (202), and at least one sensor (208, 210 to 214) measures other properties than the function of the user'"'"'s organs when the user uses an exercise device. The measuring system includes a holder (206) having a data collection unit (204). The receiver unit (202) is secured to the holder (206), and at least one said sensor (208, 210 to 214) transfers its measurement data to the data collection unit (204). The data collection unit (204) transfers the collected measurement data to the receiver unit (202) by means of inductive interaction.

Claims

1. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user, the method adapted for use in a measuring system, the measuring system including at least one sensor, a transmitter unit, and a receiver unit, the at least one sensor collecting measurement data from the at least one organ of the user, the measurement data being representative of the function of the at least one organ of the user, the transmitter unit being attached to the user, the method comprising the steps of:

transferring the measurement data from the at least one sensor to a data collection unit associated with a holder;

processing the measurement data in the data collection unit; and

transferring the processed measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit by inductive interaction.

2. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is responsive to the measurement data, the method further including the steps of:

encoding the measurement data by the transmitter unit using a first technique; and

transferring the encoded measurement data from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit by inductive interaction, wherein the step of processing the measurement data in the data collection unit includes the step of encoding the measurement data using a second technique, the second technique being different from the first technique.

3. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the transmitter unit is responsive to the measurement data, the method further including the step of transferring the measurement data from the transmitter unit to the data collection unit.

4. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the processed measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit by inductive interaction includes the step of transferring the measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit serially.

5. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the processed measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit by inductive interaction includes the step of transferring the measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit at least partially wirelessly.

6. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the measurement data from the at least one sensor to the data collection unit includes the step of transferring the measurement data by inductive interaction data from the at least one sensor to the data collection unit.

7. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, further including the steps of:

identifying an attachment of the receiver unit to the holder by the data collection unit;

transmitting a handshake signal from the data collection unit to the receiver unit in response to identifying the attachment of the receiver unit to the holder; and

setting an operational mode in the receiver unit in response to receiving the handshake signal, the operational mode being associated with exercising.

8. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, further including the step of:

selecting at least one of a first mode and a second mode in the receiver unit, the first mode being selected when the user is not exercising, the receiver unit inductively interacting with one of the transmitter unit and the data collection unit in the first mode, the second mode being selected when the user is exercising, the receiver unit inductively interacting with at least one of the transmitter unit and the data collection unit in the second mode.

9. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, further including the step of measuring at least one of a speed of an exercise device, an ambient temperature, a pressure, and a cadence by the at least one sensor.

10. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, further including the step of measuring at least one property associated with an exercise device by the at least one sensor.

11. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, further including the step of measuring at least one of a speed of a bicycle and a pedaling cadence of the bicycle by the at least one sensor.

12. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the processed measurement data from the data collection unit to the receiver unit by inductive interaction is performed at a substantially higher rate than the step of transferring the measurement data from the at least one sensor to the data collection unit.

13. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of processing the measurement data in the data collection unit further includes the step of generating a performance parameter from the measurement data.

14. A method of non-invasively measuring a function of at least one organ of a user as defined by claim 1, wherein the step of processing the measurement data in the data collection unit further includes the step of generating at least one statistical variable from the measurement data.

15. A measuring system, the measuring system being able to measure a function of at least one organ of a user, the measuring system comprising:

at least one sensor, the at least one sensor collecting measurement data from the at least one organ of the user, the measurement data being representative of the function of the at least one organ;

a transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being attached to the user;

a receiver unit; and

a holder, the holder including a data collection unit, the receiver unit being attached to the holder, the at least one sensor transferring measurement data to the data collection unit, the data collection unit performing at least one of processing and encoding the measurement data received from the at least one sensor, the data collection unit being able to transfer the measurement data to the receiver unit by inductive interaction.

16. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the transmitter unit is responsive to the measurement data, the data collection unit using a first technique of at least one of modulation and encoding to transfer the measurement data to the receiver unit, the transmitter unit using a second technique of at least one of modulation and encoding to transfer the measurement data to the receiver unit, the second technique being different from the first technique.

17. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the transmitter unit is responsive to the measurement data, the measurement data being transferred from the transmitter unit to the data collection unit.

18. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the measurement data is transferred from the data collection unit to the receiver unit serially.

19. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the measurement data is transferred from the data collection unit to the receiver unit at least partially wirelessly.

20. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor transfers the measurement data to the data collection unit by inductive interaction.

21. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the data collection unit identifies an attachment of the receiver unit to the holder, the data collection unit transmitting a handshake signal to the receiver unit in response to identifying the attachment of the receiver unit to the holder, the receiver unit being in an operational mode in response to receiving the handshake signal, the operational mode being associated with exercising.

22. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the receiver unit includes a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being selected when the user is not exercising, the receiver unit inductively interacting with one of the transmitter unit and the data collection unit in the first mode, the second mode being selected when the user is exercising, the receiver unit inductively interacting with at least one of the transmitter unit and the data collection unit in the second mode.

23. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor measures at least one of a speed of an exercise device, an ambient temperature, a pressure, and a cadence.

24. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor measures at least one of a speed of a bicycle and a pedaling cadence of the bicycle.

25. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor measures at least one property associated with an exercise device.

26. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the measurement data is transferred from the data collection unit to the receive unit by inductive interaction at a substantially higher rate than the measurement data is transferred from the at least one sensor to the data collection unit.

27. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the data collection unit generates a performance parameter from the measurement data.

28. A measuring system as defined by claim 15, wherein the data collection unit generates at least one statistical variable from the measurement data.