Heart beat analysis device and method

• US 6,607,493 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyunwon, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hyunwon, Inc.
• Inventors: Song, O. Shik
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mallari, Patricia C.
• Application Number:
  US09/880,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20020115937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 600/481, 600/500-504, 600/508, 600/509, 482/8-9, 482/901-902, 482/909-910, 482/148
• US Class Current: 600/502
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02455 provided with high/low alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/91 Portable exercise device with carrying handle, case, or cabinet

Abstract

The present invention disclosed relates to heart beat analysis device and method capable of measuring the heart beats of an individual in physical exercise, notifying the individual of a suitable exercise amount with messages or warning sounds, and allowing the individual to listen to the radio or music.

Claims

1. A heartbeat analysis method, comprising:

(1) operating, according to a user'"'"'s selection mode, in any one of

a radio reception mode,

a digital retrieval mode, or

a heartbeat measurement-related information setting mode;

(2) receiving and storing digital music files;

(3 if operating in the heartbeat measurement-related information setting mode, inputting and storing heartbeat reference values;

(4) if operating in the radio reception or digital retrieval mode, using an external unit to measure heartbeat data, including a heartbeat value, of a user during physical exercise;

(5) if operating in the radio reception or digital retrieval mode, determining that the external unit transferred the heartbeat data;

(6) comparing the heartbeat value with the reference values and outputting a signal if the heartbeat value is above an upper limit or below a lower limit of the reference values;

(7) connecting to an external personal computer and transferring the heartbeat data to the personal computer for analysis, where the analysis comprises a determination of

a change degree of the number of heartbeats by time,

a change degree of the number of heartbeats by unit time period,

a suitable exercise amount based on a change in the number of heartbeats,

an exercise effect based on a change in the number of heartbeats,

calories consumed during physical exercise, and

a percentage of body fat decomposition;

(8) outputting and storing the results of the analysis in the personal computer.

2. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 1, wherein inputting the reference values includes the step of inputting at least one of the heart beats during physical exercise, age, sex, height, and weight.

3. The heartbeat analysis method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external unit comprises a heartbeat measuring means for measuring the heartbeat data of the user in physical exercise, and step 6 comprises

a) using a means having a heartbeat signal processing unit for analyzing measured heartbeat signals from the heartbeat measuring means,

b) comparing the analyzed heartbeat signals with the reference values,

c) outputting warning messages when the user engages in excessive exercise and outputting guidance messages when the user engages in insufficient exercise.

4. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 3, wherein step 2 further comprises using the heart beat signal processing unit for receiving and outputting digital music files when the user selects the digital retrieval mode.

5. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 4, wherein steps 5 and 6 further comprise:

employing a heart beat signal reception unit for receiving heart beat measurement data from the heart beat measuring means;

employing a storage unit for storing the heart beat signal data;

employing an output unit for outputting characters and audio; and

employing a control unit for comparing the heartbeat signals with the reference values if the external unit transferred the heartbeat data, outputting an audio signal or character messages through the output unit if a corresponding result value is less than a lower limit or exceeds an upper limit of the reference values, and outputting an audio signal by digitally processing the digital music files stored in the storage unit if operating in the digital retrieval mode.

6. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 5, wherein using the control unit comprises:

employing a microcomputer for comparing the heart beat measurement data with the reference values and outputting warning and guidance messages; and

employing a digital signal processing unit for retrieving the digital music files stored in the storage unit.

7. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 3, wherein step 1 further comprises providing a radio receiver to the heart beat signal processing unit for receiving and outputting a radio signal when the user selects the radio reception mode.

8. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 7, wherein steps 5 and 6 further comprises:

employing a control unit for comparing the heartbeat signal with the reference values if the external unit transferred the heartbeat data, outputting an audio signal or character messages through the output unit if a corresponding result value is less than a lower limit or above an upper limit of the reference values, and receiving and outputting radio broadcasts if operating in the radio reception mode.

9. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heart beat measuring means) comprises:

a sensor unit for measuring the heart beats;

a band-pass filter for extracting effective signals for measuring the heart beats from signals detected from the sensor unit;

an amplification unit for amplifying the signals extracted from the band-pass filter; and

a transmission unit for transmitting the amplified signals to an external personal computer.

10. The heart beat analysis method as claimed in claim 3, wherein steps 5 and 6 further comprise:

employing a heart beat signal reception unit for receiving heart beat measurement data from the heartbeat measuring means;

employing a storage unit for storing the heart beat signal data;

employing an output unit for outputting characters and audio; and

employing a control unit for comparing the heartbeat value with the reference values if the external unit transferred the heartbeat data and for outputting an audio signal or character messages through the output unit if a corresponding result value is above the lower limit value or above the upper limit value.