User-specific performance monitor, method, and computer software product

• US 7,901,326 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Niva, Arto, Kinnunen, Hannu
• Primary Examiner(s): Rada; Rinaldi I
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONG, ROBERT FRANKLIN
• Application Number:
  US11/788,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20080214359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/148, 482/900, 377/24.2, 702/160, 235/105, 600/595
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0663 worn on the wrist, e.g. wrist bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A method for determining an exertion parameter during physical exercise, user-specific performance monitor implementing the method, and computer software product. The method includes determining a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation; determining a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s motion in the direction of the gravitational field; calculating an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable; calculating a propagation factor proportional to propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base, the propagation factor having a different calculated value based on whether the inclination factor is positive or negative for the same base value of the inclination factor; and calculating an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route in accordance with the propagation variable, the gravitational motion variable, and the propagation factor.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring a user'"'"'s performance during physical exercise, the method comprising:

determining, in a user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

determining, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s motion in the direction of the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base; and

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable and the propagation factor, wherein the user'"'"'s exertion parameter is calculated by using, when the inclination of the propagation base is negative, a first functional dependence of the exertion parameter on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable and, when the inclination of the propagation base is positive, a second functional dependence of the exertion parameter on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, wherein the second functional dependence produces, with at least one value pair of the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, an exertion parameter which is different from the exertion parameter produced by the first functional dependence with said value pair.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

measuring motion pulses generated by the user'"'"'s limb;

accepting the motion pulses that fulfill predefined criteria by filtering; and

determining the propagation variable in accordance with the accepted motion pulses.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

determining the user'"'"'s activity on the basis of the propagation variable; and

calculating the user'"'"'s exertion parameter, if the user'"'"'s activity exceeds a predefined activity limit.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining the gravitational motion variable by measuring the pressure of the environment.

5. A method of monitoring a user'"'"'s performance during physical exercise, the method comprising:

determining, in a user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

determining, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s motion in the direction of the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base; and

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable and the propagation factor, wherein the user'"'"'s exertion parameter is calculated by using, when the inclination factor is negative, a first functional dependence of the propagation factor on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable and, when the inclination factor is positive, a second functional dependence of the propagation factor on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, wherein the second functional dependence produces, with at least one value pair of the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, a propagation factor which is different from the propagation factor produced by the first functional dependence with said value pair.

6. A user-specific performance monitor, comprising:

a propagation determination unit configured to determine a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

an elevation determination unit configured to determine a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation in the direction of the gravitational field;

an inclination determination unit configured to calculate an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

a propagation efficiency estimator configured to calculate a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base; and

an exertion counter configured to calculate an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable and the propagation factor, wherein the exertion counter is configured to calculate the user'"'"'s exertion parameter by using, when the inclination of the propagation base is negative, a first functional dependence of the exertion parameter on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable and, when the inclination of the propagation base is positive, a second functional dependence of the exertion parameter on the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the second functional dependence producing, with at least one value pair of the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, an exertion parameter which is different from the exertion parameter produced by the first functional dependence with said value pair.

7. A user-specific performance monitor as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a pulse measuring device configured to measure motion pulses generated by the user'"'"'s limb;

a pulse filter configured to accept the motion pulses that fulfill predefined criteria; and

wherein the propagation determination unit is further configured to determine the propagation variable in accordance with the accepted motion pulses.

8. A user-specific performance monitor as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

an activity indicator configured to determine activity of the user in accordance with the propagation variable; and

wherein the exertion counter is further configured to calculate the user'"'"'s exertion parameter, if the user'"'"'s activity exceeds a predefined activity limit.

9. A user-specific performance monitor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elevation determination unit comprises a pressure gauge to measure the pressure of the environment, which is a gravitational motion variable.

10. A user-specific performance monitor, comprising:

a propagation determination unit configured to determine a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

an elevation determination unit configured to determine a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation in the direction of the gravitational field;

an inclination determination unit configured to calculate an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

a propagation efficiency estimator configured to calculate a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base; and

an exertion counter configured to calculate an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable and the propagation factor, wherein the the exertion counter is configured to calculate the propagation factor by using, when the inclination factor is negative, a first functional dependence of the propagation factor and, when the inclination factor is positive, a second functional dependence of the propagation factor, the second functional dependence producing, with at least one value pair of the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, a propagation factor which is different from the propagation factor produced by the first functional dependence with said value pair.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising operational instructions that, when executed by a processing device, cause the processing device to:

determine a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

determine a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s motion in the direction of the gravitational field;

calculate an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

calculate a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base, the propagation factor having a different calculated value based on whether the inclination factor is positive or negative for the same base value of the inclination factor; and

calculate an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitational motion variable, the propagation factor and a terrain factor that indicates unevenness or softness of the prorogation base.

12. A method of monitoring a user'"'"'s performance during physical exercise, the method comprising:

determining, in a user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

determining, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s motion in the direction of the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base, the propagation factor having a different calculated value based on whether the inclination factor is positive or negative for the same base value of the inclination factor; and

calculating, in the user-specific performance monitor device, an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable, the propagation factor, and a terrain factor that indicates unevenness or softness of the prorogation base.

13. A user-specific performance monitor, comprising:

a propagation determination unit configured to determine a propagation variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation on a propagation route;

an elevation determination unit configured to determine a gravitational motion variable characterizing the user'"'"'s propagation in the direction of the gravitational field;

an inclination determination unit configured to calculate an inclination factor proportional to the inclination of a propagation base in accordance with the propagation variable and the gravitational motion variable, the inclination of the propagation base being positive or negative in accordance with the user'"'"'s motion with respect to the gravitational field;

a propagation efficiency estimator configured to calculate a propagation factor proportional to a propagation efficiency of the user as a function of the inclination factor, the propagation efficiency characterizing the user'"'"'s ability to move with respect to the inclination of the propagation base, the propagation factor having a different calculated value based on whether the inclination factor is positive or negative for the same base value of the inclination factor; and

an exertion counter configured to calculate an exertion parameter that characterizes the user'"'"'s energy consumption along the propagation route based on the propagation variable, the gravitation motion variable, the propagation factor and a terrain factor that indicates unevenness or softness of the prorogation base.