GB2409040A

GB2409040A - Heart rate monitor with spoken audio output

Info

Publication number: GB2409040A
Application number: GB0328621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hon Sing Peter Chow
Original assignee: MATRIX TALENT Ltd
Current assignee: MATRIX TALENT Ltd
Priority date: 2003-12-10
Filing date: 2003-12-10
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: CN1650799A; GB0328621D0

Abstract

A pulse rate monitor comprises a device 12 to detect successive heart beats (e.g. a chest belt) and a processor 11 that converts measured heart beat signals into a periodic spoken audio output via a speaker 16. The monitor generates a beats per minute (bpm) signal and gives a predetermined spoken output in dependence on this signal. The monitor may provide audio output related to an exercise regime and the processor may be incorporated into a radio, music player, watch etc. The processor may be hard wired or wirelessly connected to the monitor.

Description

Heart Rate Monitor This invention relates to a heart rate monitor, and

particularly to a monitor having an audio output.

Conventional heart rate monitors usually comprise a chest belt to sense successive heart beats, and a watch-like display device for showing visually the current rate of heart beat. Communication between the belt and display device is usually by a suitable wireless transmission, for example by radio frequency signal. A hard-wired connection is also possible, but generally undesirable because it is an impediment to free movement of the user. The display device is typically adapted for wrist mounting or for mounting on a handlebar of a bicycle or exercise machine.

Many kinds of wireless heart rate monitors are known, but all suffer from the disadvantage that the output is solely visual. It will be readily understood that a watch size display is difficult to read when the user is exercising vigorously, because vision may be impaired by perspiration or tiredness. Furthermore a relatively stationary device is in any event difficult to read whilst the user is exercising because the display is somewhat distant. The device may alternatively be carried by the user, for example as a watch, but in this case is required to be moved into the eye line, thus breaking exercise rhythm; furthermore the wrist tends to move relatively to the head during exercise.

Yet another difficulty is that reading a display device requires concentration, especially when the user is tired, and this may result in an accident or collision in the case of a runner or cyclist. Such devices may thus be considered somewhat unsafe.

What is required is a means of indicating heart rate to a user so as to permit exercise at the desired level whilst overcoming the aforementioned difficulties.

According to the invcution there is provided a heart rate monitor comprising a device adapted to detect and signal successive heart beats, and a processor adapted to convert said signal for periodic spoken audio output.

For the avoidance of doubt, reference to heart beats and heart rate in this specification is intended to include pulse and pulse rate.

Preferably the processor is a separate component to the detecting device, so as to permit it to be located in a convenient place, for example on an item of clothing.

Communication between the device and processor may be for example by radio transmission, but preferably a hard-wired connection is provided for reliability of signal transmission.

The processor may include a radio, music player and/or visual display. The processor may further include a real time clock.

The processor may have an integral speaker and/or an output for an earplug or headphones.

In the preferred embodiment the heart beat detector is a chest belt, though it is envisaged that a pulse detector could serve equally well to provide a suitable signal, for example from a wrist mounted device.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of several embodiments, shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a chest belt 11 having a heart beat detector therein. A processor 12 is connected to the belt I I by lead 13 and plug 14, and includes a display 15 and speaker 16.

In use the display indicates useful information, for example elapsed time, but the invention is comprised by an internal device of the processor which is adapted to convert heart beat into a spoken audio output. For this purpose the processor includes a clock and means to compare successive heart beats to the clock so as to produce a spoken audio output using known voice generation technology. Thus the output of the heart beat detector may comprise successive electrical pulses which are compared with timing pulses of the clock to generate a beats per minute (bpm) signal. The processor typically includes a memory having a look-up table adapted to produce a pre-determined spoken audio output dependent on the bpm signal. Such audio output may be stored digitally for each bpm signal, or may be generated from several partial audio segments.

It will be understood that spoken audio output will give information to the user without requiring a break in exercise rhythm or requiring the user to avert his eyes to a display.

A volume/tone control may be included if desired.

In the example of Fig. I the processor 12 is hard-wired and can be clipped to a convenient location, for example the shoulder strap of a singlet. It will also be understood that the processor can be integrated in the chest belt for use with a hard wired speaker, and that the speaker may also be integrated in the chest belt.

The processor can be adapted to include all of the usual ancillary functions found in a conventional heart rate monitor, including for example some or all of the following: 1. Real Time Function - Year, Day of Week, Month, Day, Hour, Minute, Second.

- 12/24 Hour system selectable.

- Heart rate measurement in bpm can be disabled and enabled.

- Announcement of heart rate data and/or real time.

2. Exercise function a. Chronograph function - records a number of lap time and heart rate records for each lap.

- 3 heart rate training zones can be selected for different training target.

- Zone alarm (Above zone/In zone/Below zone) in voice announcement can be enabled/disabled.

- Calorie calculation based on heart rate data.

- Auto display of chronograph time, average heart rate, calorie sequentially.

- Announcement of split/lap time and heart rate when taking lap.

- Auto report for the chrono time, heart rate and calorie burnt.

b. Timer function - 30 segment loop count down timer with heart rate measurement. Record time and heart rate record.

- Timer segment will count down one by one sequentially if the preset count down time is not 0.

- Calorie calculation based on heart rate data.

- Auto display of timer time, average heart rate, calorie sequentially.

- Announcement of elapsed/remaining time, calorie burnt, in zone time percentage and average heart rate when a segment counts down to 0.

- Auto report for the timer time, heart rate and calorie burnt.

c. User setting (Personal Data) - Body weight setting (KG/LB selectable) Body Height setting (cm/feet selectable) - BMI, Body mass index for display only - Age - Sex s - Calorie on/off - V02 max setting d. Zone Setting - 3 zones heart rate high low limit setting for different training target - Zone I default: 50-60% MHR - Zone 2 default: 60-70% MHR - Zone 3 default: 70-80% MHR - default MHR calculated from formula 3. Data function - Review the records taken in Chronograph and Timer function.

- Display total exercise time.

- Display total calories.

- Chrono record data: Lap time and average heart rate of each lap Total exercise time Total in zone time/percentage Average heart rate Calorie burnt Maximum heart rate during the Run Minimum heart rate during the Run - Timer record data: Under each segment stores up the total time, in zone time, average heart rate.

Calorie burnt of the whole Run Maximum heart rate during the Run Minimum heart rate during the Run 4. Daily Alarm function - Alarm display: Hour, Minute - Alarm beeps output when alarm time reached 5. Auto Report Function - Auto report for the timing data and heart rate infommation in Chronograph function and Thner function.

- can be enabled or disabled.

- Auto report period can be selected from I to 60 minute.

These functions include reference to lap', by which is meant a repeated portion of an exercise regime, by reference to distance, time or a number of repetitions. The functions also refer to 'run' by which is meant a complete exercise by reference to distance, time or number of repetitions. A 'run' will typically comprise a plurality of laps'.

These functions noted above can be selected/entered using conventional buttons 17,18,19 as illustrated in Fig. 1, and displayed as required by the user.

The audio output via speaker 16 permits a number of sounds or spoken messages to be heard by the user, and these may be selected/enabled as noted above. Additional buttons may be required if all functions are provided.

The display allows the various functions to be displayed so that the user can, for example, review an exercise period to detemmine perfommance or simply check the time.

A post-exercise review may be accompanied by a spoken message corresponding to the function displayed, for example maximum heart rate may be both displayed and spoken.

The spoken audio output is repeated at a desired interval, which may be changed according to the users wishes by appropriate manipulation of buttons 17,18,19.

A particular feature of the invention is that it can provide an audible signal that the user is or is not 'in zone'. Thus a runner having a prescribed schedule may be audibly encouraged to speed up, advised to slow down or reassured that the correct pace is being adopted. Furthermore an audible warning signal can be generated if the user appears to be exercising in an unwise manner such as with an excessively raised heart rate for a prolonged period.

A second embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 2, and comprises a chest belt 21 and watch 22 having a display 23 and speaker 24. Functions of the watch are as previously described in relation to processor 12, and the data transfer from the belt is wireless, for example by RF transmission.

A third embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 3 and is similar to Fig. 1. The speaker 16 is replaced by hard-wired earphones 31, and the processor 32 includes a radio/music player provided for entertainment of the user. It will be understood that conventional interrupt techniques may be used to break into a radio/music transmission so as to provide spoken audio output of heart rate at the desired interval, or to give an alarm of for example excessive heart rate. The music player may be of any suitable kind, but an MP3 player is particularly suitable due to its small size.

The earphones 31 may be connected to a wireless processor mounted on clothing, as illustrated in relation to the watch embodiment of Fig. 2, and may themselves be wireless. However a hard-wired connection is preferred for reasons of reliability and to avoid the risk of loss of the individual components. Earphones may be provided in addition to a processor mounted speaker.

Other embodiments of the invention are envisaged within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Claims 1. A heart rate monitor comprising a device adapted to detect and

signal successive heart beats and a processor adapted to convert said signal for periodic spoken audio output.
2. A monitor according to claim l wherein said processor is adapted for wire connection to said device.
3. A monitor according to claim I or claim 2 wherein said processor comprises a housing having a speaker therein.
4. A monitor according to any preceding claim wherein said processor is adapted for connection to one or more earphones.
5. A monitor according to any preceding claim wherein said processor includes a radio.
6. A monitor according to any preceding claim wherein said processor includes a visual display.
7. A monitor according to claim 6 wherein said processor includes a real time clock.
8. A monitor according to any preceding claim wherein said device is a chest belt, and said processor includes a clip for remote attachment thereof.
9. A monitor according to claim 8 wherein said clip is adapted for attachment to clothing.
10. A heart rate monitor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.