Systems and methods for heart rate monitoring, data transmission, and use

• US 8,781,568 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan, Valerie G. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Valerie G., Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): So, Elizabeth K
• Application Number:
  US11/768,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027337A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,577 Days
• Field of Search: 600/481, 600/508, 600/519
• US Class Current: 600/519
• 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 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02444 Details of sensor A61B5/02427 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7282 Event detection, e.g. detecting unique waveforms indicative of a medical condition A61B5/4094, A61B5/4818, A61B5/349, A61B5/0823 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/746 Alarms related to a physiological condition, e.g. details of setting alarm thresholds or avoiding false alarms alarms per se G08B
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/747 in case of emergency, i.e. alerting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

In a first aspect, a heart rate monitoring system is provided that includes (1) a heart rate monitor adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of a heart rate of a user; and (2) a user device adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal, and determine sleep information for the user from the heart rate. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A heart rate monitoring system comprising:

a wrist strap including an integrally formed heart rate monitor including a sensor adapted to sense a heart rate of a user and a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the heart rate of the user; and

a cellular telephone adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal, and determine sleep information for the user from the heart rate;

wherein the sleep information includes heart rate measured during stages of sleep cycles collected over a plurality of nights,

wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to;

compile and analyze sleep information from different nights;

determine a number of sleep cycles during an evening'"'"'s sleep; and

compare sleep patterns for different nights.

2. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the heart rate monitor is adapted to transmit heart rate information using a wireless protocol on the cellular telephone and heart rate monitor.

3. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to cause visual or auditory stimulation so as to wake the user after a predetermined number of sleep cycles.

4. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to detect sleep apnea based on the signal from the heart rate monitor.

5. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how room temperature affects sleep.

6. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how clothing worn by the user affects sleep.

7. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how type of blankets or sheets employed affects sleep.

8. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how number of blankets or sheets employed affects sleep.

9. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how dietary habits affect sleep.

10. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to track sleep deprivation.

11. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to provide feedback to the user regarding how best to improve or obtain an optimal amount of sleep.

12. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 1 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to remind the user to start getting ready for bed based on tracked sleep or sleep deprivation.

13. A method comprising:

providing a wrist strap including a heart rate monitor including a sensor adapted to sense a heart rate of a user and a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the heart rate of the user;

providing a cellular telephone adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal, and determine sleep information for the user from the heart rate;

wherein the sleep information includes heart rate measured during stages of sleep cycles collected over a plurality of nights,

wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to;

compile and analyze sleep information from different nights;

determine a number of sleep cycles during an evening'"'"'s sleep; and

compare sleep patterns for different nights; and

employing the cellular telephone to;

compile and analyze sleep information from different nights for the user;

determine a number of sleep cycles of the user during an evening'"'"'s sleep; and

compare sleep patterns of the user for different nights.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising transmitting heart rate information using a wireless protocol on the cellular telephone and heart rate monitor.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising causing visual or auditory stimulation with the cellular telephone so as to wake the user after a predetermined number of sleep cycles.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising detecting sleep apnea with the cellular telephone based on the signal from the heart rate monitor.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining with the cellular telephone how room temperature affects sleep.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining with the cellular telephone how clothing worn by the user affects sleep.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining with the cellular telephone how type or number of blankets or sheets employed affects sleep.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising determining with the cellular telephone how dietary habits affect sleep.

21. The method of claim 13 further comprising tracking sleep deprivation with the cellular telephone.

22. The method of claim 13 further comprising providing feedback to the user with the cellular telephone regarding how best to improve or obtain an optimal amount of sleep.

23. The method of claim 13 further comprising employing the cellular telephone to remind the user to start getting ready for bed based on tracked sleep or sleep deprivation.

24. A heart rate monitoring system comprising:

a wrist strap including a heart rate monitor including a sensor adapted to sense a heart rate of a user and a transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of the heart rate of the user; and

a cellular telephone adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal, and determine sleep information for the user from the heart rate;

wherein the sleep information includes heart rate measured during stages of sleep cycles collected over a plurality of nights,

wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to;

compile and analyze sleep information from different nights;

determine a number of sleep cycles during an evening'"'"'s sleep; and

compare sleep patterns for different nights.

25. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to cause visual or auditory stimulation so as to wake the user after a predetermined number of sleep cycles.

26. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to detect sleep apnea based on the signal from the heart rate monitor.

27. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how room temperature affects sleep.

28. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how clothing worn by the user affects sleep.

29. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how number or type of blankets or sheets employed affects sleep.

30. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to determine how dietary habits affect sleep.

31. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to track sleep deprivation.

32. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to provide feedback to the user regarding how best to improve or obtain an optimal amount of sleep.

33. The heart rate monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the cellular telephone is adapted to remind the user to start getting ready for bed based on tracked sleep or sleep deprivation.