Method of determining body parameters during exercise

• US 8,979,762 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Well Being Digital Limited
• Original Assignee: Well Being Digital Limited
• Inventors: Ma, Chor Tin, Chan, Kai Kin, Wong, Ming Yip, Yeung, Kai Wai, Chau, Fo
• Primary Examiner(s): Blumel, Benjamin P
• Application Number:
  US12/195,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,399 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 600/500
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02433 for infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6817 Ear canal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7214 using signal cancellation, e.g. based on input of two identical physiological sensors spaced apart, or based on two signals derived from the same sensor, for different optical wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0688 using non-electronic means, e.g. mechanical, visual, acoustic or tactile means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 : Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 : Earpieces of the intra-aural type

Abstract

A noninvasive light sensor for detecting heart beat signals has a circular support member engageable circumferentially with a body part of a person. Light emitters and light detectors are located around a circumference of the circular support member for respectively emitting light signals into different areas of tissue surrounding the body part, and detecting reflected light signals from the different areas of tissue surrounding the body part.

Claims

1. A method of determining heart rate of a person during exercise comprising:

positioning a plurality of heart beat sensors at respective locations on a body part of the person, a circular support member circumferentially engaging the body part of the person, the plurality of heat beat sensors including;

three light emitters spaced at 120°

intervals on a circumference of the circular support member emitting light into respective areas of tissue of the body part, and

a plurality of light detectors on the circumference of the circular support member and respectively detecting the light emitted by the three light emitters that is reflected from the respective areas of tissue of the body part;

obtaining a plurality of sensor signals from the heart beat sensors, the sensor signals comprising heart beat signals and movement signals,

comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals from the sensor signals, and

determining heart rate from the heart beat signals.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals comprises comparing the sensor signals to find in-phase and out-of-phase components of the sensor signals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals comprises finding a covariance between the sensor signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining heart rate from the heart beat signals comprises match filtering using match filters.

5. A method of determining heart rate of a person during exercise comprising:

positioning a plurality of heart beat sensors at respective locations on a body part of the person, a circular support member circumferentially engaging the body part of the person, the circular support member including an audio speaker, the plurality of heart beat sensors including;

three light emitters spaced at 120°

intervals on a circumference of the circular support member emitting light into respective areas of tissue of the body part, and

a plurality of light detectors on the circumference of the circular support member and respectively detecting the light emitted by the three light emitters that is reflected from the respective areas of tissue of the body part;

obtaining a plurality of sensor signals from the heart bet sensors, the sensor signals comprising heart beat signals and movement signals;

comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals from the sensor signals; and

determining heart rate from the heart beat signals;

wherein the audio speaker selectively outputs audio content responsive to the heart rate determined from the heart beat signals.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals comprises comparing the sensor signals to find in-phase and out-of-phase components of the sensor signals.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein comparing the sensor signals to separate the heart beat signals and the movement signals comprises finding a covariance between the sensor signals.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein determining heart rate from the heart beat signals comprises match filtering using match filters.