WO2016078973A1 - Method and system for cardio fitness - Google Patents

Method and system for cardio fitness Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016078973A1
WO2016078973A1 PCT/EP2015/076232 EP2015076232W WO2016078973A1 WO 2016078973 A1 WO2016078973 A1 WO 2016078973A1 EP 2015076232 W EP2015076232 W EP 2015076232W WO 2016078973 A1 WO2016078973 A1 WO 2016078973A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heart rate
information
cardio
zone
motion information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/076232
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Francesco SARTOR
Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph Stut
Lukas Stefan GORZELNIAK
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Publication of WO2016078973A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016078973A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A61B5/0205—Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
    • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
    • A61B5/1118—Determining activity level

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and system for cardio fitness of a biological object, in particular a human being.
  • the invention further relates to a computer program product for the cardio fitness of the biological object.
  • Heart rate within a certain zone has been proven to improve cardio-respiratory fitness and exercise capacity. This zone can be referred to as heart rate (HR) cardio zone.
  • HR heart rate
  • CRF can be improved by physically exercising at a defined intensity. This exercise intensity can be monitored by using heart rate information. Physical exercise can bring the heart rate of a person to their personalized HR cardio zone, which depends on age, gender and the fitness level. Physical exercise in this zone typically improves or maintains CRF. Such cardio zones can be defined for people who are healthy and want to remain fit as well has for people who are cardiac patients and want to monitor their CRF.
  • heart rate information captured by heart rate monitors at various instances provides false positives. For instance, the person is tensed or under stressful situation and due to which his heart rate is elevated. Though this time period of elevated heart rate is counted in the zone, it is not a true depiction of the time spent by the user/patient in the HR cardio zone.
  • Garmin Forerunner 920XT Owner's Manual discloses a wrist worn device that calculates the time spent in multiple zones based on the motion detection.
  • the system for cardio fitness comprising an interface for receiving a pre-defined cardio zone of a biological object, the pre-defined cardio zone being defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold; a heart rate sensor for detecting heart rate of the biological object; a motion sensor for detecting a motion information of the biological object; and a processing unit for selecting the detected heart rate only if the detected heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the detected heart rate; and calculating a duration of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio-zone by selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate; and ii. the corresponding motion information are detected.
  • the processing unit calculates the duration of the time by adding the one or more selected time intervals.
  • the system as described above provides the advantages over the existing systems.
  • the user/patient now can precisely know/ be aware of the time spent/duration in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the system incorporates the motion sensor, the processing unit is programmed such that it selects the time interval(s) in which both heart rate in the zone and the motion information are detected.
  • Such a system thus provides measurements that are accurate and right depiction of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the system as described above performs the calculation in real time, thus, helps in instant understanding of the duration of time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • Such a system also helps doctors and fitness instructors to monitor their patients and students respectively.
  • the system further includes an information unit to provide information regarding the duration. For instance, time already spent in the cardio zone, time left to be spent in the cardio-zone.
  • the information unit can be one of a display unit or an audio unit or a haptic unit or a combination thereof.
  • the system includes a clock for synchronizing a time of the heart rate sensor a time of the motion sensor.
  • heart rate information representing the heart rate and the motion information representing motion are time stamped.
  • both the time stamped information related to motion and the heart rate can be stored in a memory. Further, these information points can be later used, i.e. not real time, to calculate the duration of time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the system selects only those heart rate data points for which it detects corresponding time stamped motion information. This can be advantageous, if the user desires to check the duration spent after he has completed the exercise. Further, such an embodiment is also beneficial for the overall power management of the system.
  • the memory further stores pre-defined cardio zone information representing the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the system as described above can be embodied in a wearable device, such as wearable on wrist, chest, etc. Thus, all the measurements and calculation of the time spent will be performed in the wearable device.
  • the system (as described above) can be split into two or more modules.
  • the wearable device can only measure the heart rate and motion information and the processing of the information can be performed in a remote server. Thereafter, the wearable device can provide the information to the user through the inbuilt information unit.
  • the functionalities of the server can be replaced by a wireless communication device, such as a mobile device.
  • the wireless communication device can receive the measurements from the wearable device to perform the calculation of the duration. Thereafter, this information can be either displayed on the mobile device or wearable device or can be sent as an email to the user/fitness instructor/doctor.
  • the system (as described above) can be embodied in a wireless communication device independently.
  • straps/bands available in the market that permit the users to strap on the wireless communication device, for instance on an arm/wrist using an armband/wristband respectively.
  • the invention further provides a method, according to the second aspect of the invention, for calculating a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold.
  • the method includes receiving the pre-defined cardio zone, heart rate information of the biological object and motion information of the biological object.
  • the method further includes selecting the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii. the corresponding motion information are present. Thereafter, the duration is determined based on the one or more time intervals.
  • the method further includes time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information.
  • the method calculates the duration by adding the selected one or more time intervals.
  • the method also provides the information regarding the calculated duration to the biological object.
  • the method is a computer implemented method.
  • the invention further provides a computer program product having computer readable program code embodied therein for calculating, when executed by a computer, a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold.
  • the calculation includes receiving the pre- defined cardio zone, heart rate information of the biological object and motion information of the biological object.
  • the program code selects the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checks if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and selects one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii.
  • the computer program product further includes program codes for time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information.
  • the program code calculates the duration by adding the one or more selected time intervals.
  • the computer program product further includes program codes for providing the information regarding the calculated duration to the biological object.
  • Fig. 1 shows a method for calculating the duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a graph representing the motion information and heart rate information according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation a system for cardio fitness according to the invention
  • Fig. 4 shows an implementation of the system as a wearable device according an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 5 shows another implementation of the system as a wearable device and a wireless communication device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a method 100 for calculating the duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone according to the invention. The method steps of FIG. 1 are explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
  • the method 100 begins at SI by receiving a pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the predefined cardio zone can be defined as a zone in which the user (biological object) is supposed to exercise or perform a physical activity in order to maintain the cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), also known as cardio -fitness.
  • CRF cardio-respiratory fitness
  • the pre-defined cardio zone can also be termed as zone of interest/ personalized HR cardio zone.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone can be either provided as an input by the person who will be performing the exercise or can be received from an instructor/ doctor. As explained earlier, the pre-defined cardio zone is dependent on various factors related to the user, such as age, gender and the fitness level.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone can be 80-110 bpm (beats per minute) and further he must spent a minimum of half an hour in this zone every day.
  • the duration such as half an hour, may be pre-defined as per the standard guidelines.
  • the duration may be received, preferably by a user/ doctor/ fitness instructor, along with the predefined cardio -zone at SI .
  • the user begins the exercise.
  • step S2 the method receives motion information of the user.
  • the motion information corresponds to the motion that the person performs while exercising. Given that exercise is a physical activity, the user is bound to produce some motion and information corresponding to the motion is captured at S2.
  • heart rate information/ value is received.
  • the physical activity will also pace/increase the heart rate of the user. This information is captured at S3.
  • the heart rate information is constantly received.
  • information/data points can be received in parallel as well.
  • the method selects, at S4, only the heart rate information that is present in the pre-defined cardio zone. For instance, the heart rate values depicted as 'a' and 'b' in FIG.2.
  • the heart rate information that is not in the pre-defined cardio zone is discarded at step S5. For instance, the heart rate values depicted as 'd' and 'e' in FIG. 2.
  • step S6 it is checked if the selected heart rate information has corresponding motion information.
  • the detection of the motion information corresponding to heart rate information is real time.
  • the method constantly monitors the heart rate information and the motion information and selects only that heart rate information, which is present in the pre-defined cardio zone, and has corresponding motion information. For instance, the heart rate value 'a 'depicted in FIG. 2. If there is no corresponding motion information then the selected heart rate information is discarded at S7. For instance, the heart rate value 'b' depicted in FIG. 2.
  • the moment in time if it is detected that the heart rate information is in the pre-defined cardio zone and correspondingly the motion information is also present, then such a time interval is selected.
  • the time interval may be a time window/duration for which the heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone and for which the corresponding motion is also present.
  • the time interval can be as small as 1 second to a few minutes, hours, etc.
  • the incoming motion information and heart rate information at S2 and S3 respectively are time stamped. This enables later analysis of the information. For instance, if at tl it is observed that the heart rate information in the pre-defined cardio zone is present and simultaneously at tl the motion information is also present then, then tl is selected. Though the example is explained with a single time point, i.e. tl, it may be apparent that the time interval can be bigger time duration, such as tl-t2.
  • time intervals in which both the heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone and the corresponding motion information is present
  • all such selected time intervals are further selected to determine/ calculate an overall duration of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone at S9.
  • the various selected time intervals are added together to calculate the overall duration of the time spent by the user in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the remaining time left to perform the physical activity can also be provided to the user. For instance, at S9, it is already calculated that so far the person has exercised for 25 minutes, then remaining 5 minutes can be provided to the user as indication of the time left to complete the physical activity.
  • the motion information data can also be set to a pre-defined threshold.
  • the heart rate information in the pre-defined cardio zone
  • the motion information is below the pre-defined threshold, then such heart rate information and thus the corresponding time interval will not be selected.
  • duration is calculated at S9, it is provided to the user at S10.
  • duration is provided to the user at S10.
  • the method as described above is embodied as a computer implemented method in which a computer or programmable processor is used which executes a computer readable program.
  • the computer readable program is embodied in a computer program product, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical discs accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components.
  • the RAM may include, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices.
  • the ROM may include, for example, a
  • the computer program product can also be an application (app) that can be installed on a computer/a wireless communication device/a portable electronic device.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation a system 300 for cardio fitness according to the invention.
  • the system 300 includes an interface 302, a motion sensor 304, a heart rate sensor 306, a processing unit 308, a memory 310 and an information unit 312.
  • the system 300 is in close proximity, preferably in contact with the skin, of the user.
  • the interface 302 receives a pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the pre-defined cardio zone has been explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1.
  • the interface 302 in an embodiment is a user interface (UI) to receive the pre-defined cardio zone directly from the user.
  • UI user interface
  • Few examples of UI include but are not limited to a touch screen, push buttons, and a Graphical User Interface.
  • the interface 302 receives the pre-defined cardio zone directly from another device, such as a server, an application (app) installed on a wireless communication device, a browser running on a client device such a computer of the user/ health practitioner.
  • the motion sensor 304 detects/receives motion information data of the user when he is involved in a physical activity.
  • the motion sensor 304 is an accelero meter.
  • accelerometers include but are not limited to optical accelerometer, triaxial (3D) accelerometers, and piezoelectric accelerometers.
  • the heart rate sensor 306 detects/receives heart rate values/information of the user.
  • the heart rate sensor 306 is a photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor.
  • the processing unit 308 processes the received heart rate values and motion information and calculates the time interval spent by the user in the pre-defined cardio zone.
  • the processing unit 308 executes steps S4-S9 as explained above to determine/calculate the overall duration.
  • processing unit may be any type of controller or processor, and may be embodied as one or more controllers or processors adapted to perform the functionality discussed herein. Additionally, as the term processor is used herein, a processor may include use of a single integrated circuit (IC), or may include use of a plurality of integrated circuits or other components connected, arranged or grouped together, such as controllers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, parallel processors, multiple core processors, custom ICs, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, adaptive computing ICs, associated memory, such as and without limitation, RAM, DRAM and ROM, and other ICs and components.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • the memory 310 stores pre-defined cardio zone information representing the pre-defined cardio zone, the heart rate information, the motion information, the calculated duration. Further, the memory 310 may store instructions (S1-S10) that are executable by the processing unit 308 for calculation of the duration of the time spent by the user in a pre- defined cardio zone. In an alternate embodiment of system 300, the memory 310 (whole or in part) can also be outside the system 300 such as in cloud server architecture (depicted with dotted lines) and can be accessed over a network 316.
  • the memory 310 may include both volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power.
  • the memory may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components.
  • the RAM may include, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices.
  • the ROM may include, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read - only memory (EEPROM), another like memory device.
  • PROM programmable read-only memory
  • EPROM erasable programmable read-only memory
  • EEPROM electrically erasable programmable read - only memory
  • the memory is a computer readable medium.
  • the calculated duration/ time spent by the user is provided to the user by the information unit 312.
  • the information unit 312 is one of a display unit, an audio unit, a haptic unit or a combination thereof.
  • the information unit 312, for instance by means of the display, can also display the remaining time that the user needs to exercise to reach the target. It may be evident that the remaining time will also be calculated by the processing unit 308. Additionally, the current time spent in the cardio zone can also be simultaneously displayed.
  • the system 300 further includes a clock 314.
  • the clock 314 synchronizes the time of the heart rate sensor 306 and the motion sensor 304.
  • the clock 314 timestamps the received motion information and the heart rate information.
  • both the time stamped information related to motion and the heart rate can be stored in the memory 310. Given that the received information is time stamped, the analysis can be thus performed later.
  • the processing unit 308 selects only that time stamped heart rate data points for which it detects corresponding time stamped motion information and thereby selects the time intervals in which both time stamped information is detected. Performing the calculation at a later point in time may also help in an improved power management of the system 300.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of a wearable device 400 in the form of wrist based device.
  • a wearable device 400 may interact with the user directly to receive the pre-defined cardio zone and to provide the duration of time spent in the physical activity.
  • the wearable device 400 may also interact simultaneously via an app installed on a wireless communication device 500 over a network 600 as depicted in FIG. 5.
  • the app receives the pre-defined cardio zone and thereafter transmits the zone
  • the wearable device 400 transmits the calculated duration to the app for further indication, such as in form of an email, display in an app, audio display, haptic feedback, and the like to the user.
  • the wearable device 400 may include only the heart rate sensor 306 and the motion sensor 304 and corresponding information can be transmitted over the network 600 to the app on the wireless communication device 500 for further calculation. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various combinations as described above are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention.
  • the wireless communication device 500 include but are not limited to a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a music player, a web pad, a tablet computer system, or other devices with like capability.
  • Various examples of the network 600/316 include but are not limited to the Internet, intranets, extranets, wired networks, wireless networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or other suitable networks, etc., or any combination of two or more such networks.

Abstract

The method, system and computer program product calculates a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone. The pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold. The method/system/computer program product further includes receiving the pre-defined cardio zone, heart rate information of the biological object and motion information of the biological object. Thereafter, method/system/computer program product selects one or more time intervals in which both i. the heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone and ii. the corresponding motion information are present and subsequently determines the duration based on the one or more time intervals.

Description

Method and System for Cardio Fitness
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for cardio fitness of a biological object, in particular a human being. The invention further relates to a computer program product for the cardio fitness of the biological object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The importance of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) is well established. Heart rate within a certain zone has been proven to improve cardio-respiratory fitness and exercise capacity. This zone can be referred to as heart rate (HR) cardio zone. The American College of Sports Medicine and other associations, such as the American Heart Association or the European Society of Cardiology, have published standard guidelines in which it is indicated that a certain number of minutes of exercise, in the heart- rate (HR) cardio zone during a day, are beneficial to increase or maintain CRF. It is essential to note that these guidelines not only state that the HR should be in the cardio HR zone, but that the person should exercise with his or her HR in the cardio HR zone.
CRF can be improved by physically exercising at a defined intensity. This exercise intensity can be monitored by using heart rate information. Physical exercise can bring the heart rate of a person to their personalized HR cardio zone, which depends on age, gender and the fitness level. Physical exercise in this zone typically improves or maintains CRF. Such cardio zones can be defined for people who are healthy and want to remain fit as well has for people who are cardiac patients and want to monitor their CRF. However, currently, heart rate information captured by heart rate monitors at various instances provides false positives. For instance, the person is tensed or under stressful situation and due to which his heart rate is elevated. Though this time period of elevated heart rate is counted in the zone, it is not a true depiction of the time spent by the user/patient in the HR cardio zone. Similar situation where such a depiction of time spent is a false positive is the elevated heart rate during the recovery phase after an exercise. Yet another example, where it is very important to know persons true depiction of time spent in the particular HR cardio zone is of patients suffering from chronotropic incompetence. Unfortunately, false positives do not give the right depiction to the concerned physician.
Garmin Forerunner 920XT Owner's Manual discloses a wrist worn device that calculates the time spent in multiple zones based on the motion detection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method, a system for cardio fitness and a computer program product for implementing the improved method.
The system for cardio fitness, according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising an interface for receiving a pre-defined cardio zone of a biological object, the pre-defined cardio zone being defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold; a heart rate sensor for detecting heart rate of the biological object; a motion sensor for detecting a motion information of the biological object; and a processing unit for selecting the detected heart rate only if the detected heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the detected heart rate; and calculating a duration of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio-zone by selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate; and ii. the corresponding motion information are detected. In an embodiment of the invention, the processing unit calculates the duration of the time by adding the one or more selected time intervals.
The system as described above provides the advantages over the existing systems. The user/patient now can precisely know/ be aware of the time spent/duration in the pre-defined cardio zone. Since, the system incorporates the motion sensor, the processing unit is programmed such that it selects the time interval(s) in which both heart rate in the zone and the motion information are detected. Such a system thus provides measurements that are accurate and right depiction of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone. Further, the system as described above performs the calculation in real time, thus, helps in instant understanding of the duration of time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone. Such a system also helps doctors and fitness instructors to monitor their patients and students respectively.
The system further includes an information unit to provide information regarding the duration. For instance, time already spent in the cardio zone, time left to be spent in the cardio-zone. In an embodiment of the invention, the information unit can be one of a display unit or an audio unit or a haptic unit or a combination thereof. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system includes a clock for synchronizing a time of the heart rate sensor a time of the motion sensor. Further, heart rate information representing the heart rate and the motion information representing motion are time stamped. In this advantageous embodiment, both the time stamped information related to motion and the heart rate can be stored in a memory. Further, these information points can be later used, i.e. not real time, to calculate the duration of time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone. Thus, the system selects only those heart rate data points for which it detects corresponding time stamped motion information. This can be advantageous, if the user desires to check the duration spent after he has completed the exercise. Further, such an embodiment is also beneficial for the overall power management of the system. The memory further stores pre-defined cardio zone information representing the pre-defined cardio zone.
The system, as described above can be embodied in a wearable device, such as wearable on wrist, chest, etc. Thus, all the measurements and calculation of the time spent will be performed in the wearable device.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system (as described above) can be split into two or more modules. In first exemplary embodiment, the wearable device can only measure the heart rate and motion information and the processing of the information can be performed in a remote server. Thereafter, the wearable device can provide the information to the user through the inbuilt information unit. In the second exemplary embodiment of the invention, the functionalities of the server can be replaced by a wireless communication device, such as a mobile device. Thus, the wireless communication device can receive the measurements from the wearable device to perform the calculation of the duration. Thereafter, this information can be either displayed on the mobile device or wearable device or can be sent as an email to the user/fitness instructor/doctor. In the third exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system (as described above) can be embodied in a wireless communication device independently. There are various straps/bands available in the market that permit the users to strap on the wireless communication device, for instance on an arm/wrist using an armband/wristband respectively.
The invention further provides a method, according to the second aspect of the invention, for calculating a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone. The pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold. The method includes receiving the pre-defined cardio zone, heart rate information of the biological object and motion information of the biological object. The method further includes selecting the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii. the corresponding motion information are present. Thereafter, the duration is determined based on the one or more time intervals. The method further includes time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information. In an embodiment of the invention, the method calculates the duration by adding the selected one or more time intervals. The method also provides the information regarding the calculated duration to the biological object. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the method is a computer implemented method.
The invention, according to the third aspect of the invention, further provides a computer program product having computer readable program code embodied therein for calculating, when executed by a computer, a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone. The pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold. The calculation includes receiving the pre- defined cardio zone, heart rate information of the biological object and motion information of the biological object. Thereafter, the program code selects the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone; checks if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and selects one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii. the corresponding motion information are present and determines the duration based on the one or more time intervals. The computer program product further includes program codes for time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information. In an embodiment of the invention, the program code calculates the duration by adding the one or more selected time intervals. The computer program product further includes program codes for providing the information regarding the calculated duration to the biological object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other aspects of the method, system, computer implemented method and computer program product according to the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the implementations and embodiments described hereinafter, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which serve merely as non-limiting specific illustrations exemplifying the more general concept.
Fig. 1 shows a method for calculating the duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a graph representing the motion information and heart rate information according to an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation a system for cardio fitness according to the invention;
Fig. 4 shows an implementation of the system as a wearable device according an embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 5 shows another implementation of the system as a wearable device and a wireless communication device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a method 100 for calculating the duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone according to the invention. The method steps of FIG. 1 are explained in conjunction with FIG. 2.
The method 100 begins at SI by receiving a pre-defined cardio zone. The predefined cardio zone can be defined as a zone in which the user (biological object) is supposed to exercise or perform a physical activity in order to maintain the cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), also known as cardio -fitness. The pre-defined cardio zone can also be termed as zone of interest/ personalized HR cardio zone. The pre-defined cardio zone is defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold. In an embodiment of the invention, the pre-defined cardio zone can be either provided as an input by the person who will be performing the exercise or can be received from an instructor/ doctor. As explained earlier, the pre-defined cardio zone is dependent on various factors related to the user, such as age, gender and the fitness level. For instance, for a person of age 30, the pre-defined cardio zone can be 80-110 bpm (beats per minute) and further he must spent a minimum of half an hour in this zone every day. In an embodiment of the invention, the duration, such as half an hour, may be pre-defined as per the standard guidelines. In an alternate embodiment, the duration may be received, preferably by a user/ doctor/ fitness instructor, along with the predefined cardio -zone at SI .
Post receiving the pre-defined cardio zone, the user begins the exercise.
Thereafter the method proceeds to step S2. At S2, the method receives motion information of the user. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the motion information corresponds to the motion that the person performs while exercising. Given that exercise is a physical activity, the user is bound to produce some motion and information corresponding to the motion is captured at S2. Thereafter, at S3 heart rate information/ value is received. In continuation to previous discussion, the physical activity will also pace/increase the heart rate of the user. This information is captured at S3. In an embodiment of the invention, the heart rate information is constantly received. Thus, though the step S2 an S3 are described as two subsequent steps, it may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that these two
information/data points can be received in parallel as well.
Thereafter, given that the heart rate information is constantly received at S3, the method selects, at S4, only the heart rate information that is present in the pre-defined cardio zone. For instance, the heart rate values depicted as 'a' and 'b' in FIG.2. In parallel, the heart rate information that is not in the pre-defined cardio zone is discarded at step S5. For instance, the heart rate values depicted as 'd' and 'e' in FIG. 2.
Subsequently, at step S6 it is checked if the selected heart rate information has corresponding motion information. In an embodiment of the invention, the detection of the motion information corresponding to heart rate information is real time. In other words, the method constantly monitors the heart rate information and the motion information and selects only that heart rate information, which is present in the pre-defined cardio zone, and has corresponding motion information. For instance, the heart rate value 'a 'depicted in FIG. 2. If there is no corresponding motion information then the selected heart rate information is discarded at S7. For instance, the heart rate value 'b' depicted in FIG. 2.
Thus, at S8, the moment in time, if it is detected that the heart rate information is in the pre-defined cardio zone and correspondingly the motion information is also present, then such a time interval is selected. The time interval may be a time window/duration for which the heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone and for which the corresponding motion is also present. The time interval can be as small as 1 second to a few minutes, hours, etc.
In another embodiment of the invention, the incoming motion information and heart rate information at S2 and S3 respectively are time stamped. This enables later analysis of the information. For instance, if at tl it is observed that the heart rate information in the pre-defined cardio zone is present and simultaneously at tl the motion information is also present then, then tl is selected. Though the example is explained with a single time point, i.e. tl, it may be apparent that the time interval can be bigger time duration, such as tl-t2.
Furthermore, there can be many such time intervals (in which both the heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone and the corresponding motion information is present) during the exercise/day which are constantly monitored (or detected). Thereafter, all such selected time intervals are further selected to determine/ calculate an overall duration of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio zone at S9. In an embodiment of the invention, the various selected time intervals are added together to calculate the overall duration of the time spent by the user in the pre-defined cardio zone. In an alternate embodiment, based on the duration calculated at S9, the remaining time left to perform the physical activity can also be provided to the user. For instance, at S9, it is already calculated that so far the person has exercised for 25 minutes, then remaining 5 minutes can be provided to the user as indication of the time left to complete the physical activity.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the motion information data can also be set to a pre-defined threshold. Thus, if the heart rate information (in the pre-defined cardio zone) corresponds to motion information, however, the motion information is below the pre-defined threshold, then such heart rate information and thus the corresponding time interval will not be selected. For instance, the heart rate value 'c' depicted in FIG. 2.
Furthermore, once the duration is calculated at S9, it is provided to the user at S10. Various ways in which duration is provided to the user is explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
The method as described above, in an alternate embodiment, is embodied as a computer implemented method in which a computer or programmable processor is used which executes a computer readable program. Further the computer readable program is embodied in a computer program product, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disks accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical discs accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetic tapes accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components. In addition, the RAM may include, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices. The ROM may include, for example, a
programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), another like memory device. The computer program product can also be an application (app) that can be installed on a computer/a wireless communication device/a portable electronic device.
FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation a system 300 for cardio fitness according to the invention.
The system 300 includes an interface 302, a motion sensor 304, a heart rate sensor 306, a processing unit 308, a memory 310 and an information unit 312. In various embodiments of the invention, the system 300 is in close proximity, preferably in contact with the skin, of the user.
The interface 302 receives a pre-defined cardio zone. The pre-defined cardio zone has been explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 1. The interface 302 in an embodiment is a user interface (UI) to receive the pre-defined cardio zone directly from the user. Few examples of UI include but are not limited to a touch screen, push buttons, and a Graphical User Interface. In another embodiment of the invention, the interface 302 receives the pre-defined cardio zone directly from another device, such as a server, an application (app) installed on a wireless communication device, a browser running on a client device such a computer of the user/ health practitioner.
The motion sensor 304 detects/receives motion information data of the user when he is involved in a physical activity. In an embodiment of the invention, the motion sensor 304 is an accelero meter. Various kinds of accelerometers include but are not limited to optical accelerometer, triaxial (3D) accelerometers, and piezoelectric accelerometers.
The heart rate sensor 306 detects/receives heart rate values/information of the user. In an embodiment of the invention, the heart rate sensor 306 is a photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor.
The processing unit 308 processes the received heart rate values and motion information and calculates the time interval spent by the user in the pre-defined cardio zone. The processing unit 308 executes steps S4-S9 as explained above to determine/calculate the overall duration.
The term processing unit, as used herein, may be any type of controller or processor, and may be embodied as one or more controllers or processors adapted to perform the functionality discussed herein. Additionally, as the term processor is used herein, a processor may include use of a single integrated circuit (IC), or may include use of a plurality of integrated circuits or other components connected, arranged or grouped together, such as controllers, microprocessors, digital signal processors, parallel processors, multiple core processors, custom ICs, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, adaptive computing ICs, associated memory, such as and without limitation, RAM, DRAM and ROM, and other ICs and components.
The memory 310 stores pre-defined cardio zone information representing the pre-defined cardio zone, the heart rate information, the motion information, the calculated duration. Further, the memory 310 may store instructions (S1-S10) that are executable by the processing unit 308 for calculation of the duration of the time spent by the user in a pre- defined cardio zone. In an alternate embodiment of system 300, the memory 310 (whole or in part) can also be outside the system 300 such as in cloud server architecture (depicted with dotted lines) and can be accessed over a network 316.
The memory 310 may include both volatile and/or nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, the memory may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drives, solid-state drives, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components. In addition, the RAM may include, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices. The ROM may include, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read - only memory (EEPROM), another like memory device. The memory is a computer readable medium.
The calculated duration/ time spent by the user is provided to the user by the information unit 312. In an embodiment of the invention, the information unit 312 is one of a display unit, an audio unit, a haptic unit or a combination thereof. The information unit 312, for instance by means of the display, can also display the remaining time that the user needs to exercise to reach the target. It may be evident that the remaining time will also be calculated by the processing unit 308. Additionally, the current time spent in the cardio zone can also be simultaneously displayed.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the system 300 further includes a clock 314. The clock 314 synchronizes the time of the heart rate sensor 306 and the motion sensor 304. The clock 314 timestamps the received motion information and the heart rate information. In this advantageous embodiment, both the time stamped information related to motion and the heart rate can be stored in the memory 310. Given that the received information is time stamped, the analysis can be thus performed later. The processing unit 308 selects only that time stamped heart rate data points for which it detects corresponding time stamped motion information and thereby selects the time intervals in which both time stamped information is detected. Performing the calculation at a later point in time may also help in an improved power management of the system 300. Further, though the clock 314 and processing unit 308 are disclosed as two separate modules in the system 300, the clock 314 can also be an inbuilt module of the processing unit 308. System 300 as described above can be embodied in as a wearable device, such as on a wrist, on the chest, etc. FIG. 4 shows an example of a wearable device 400 in the form of wrist based device. Such a wearable device 400 may interact with the user directly to receive the pre-defined cardio zone and to provide the duration of time spent in the physical activity. However, the wearable device 400 may also interact simultaneously via an app installed on a wireless communication device 500 over a network 600 as depicted in FIG. 5. Thus, the app receives the pre-defined cardio zone and thereafter transmits the zone
(information) to the wearable device 400. Subsequently, the wearable device 400 transmits the calculated duration to the app for further indication, such as in form of an email, display in an app, audio display, haptic feedback, and the like to the user. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the wearable device 400 may include only the heart rate sensor 306 and the motion sensor 304 and corresponding information can be transmitted over the network 600 to the app on the wireless communication device 500 for further calculation. It may be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various combinations as described above are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention.
Various examples of the wireless communication device 500 include but are not limited to a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a music player, a web pad, a tablet computer system, or other devices with like capability.
Various examples of the network 600/316 include but are not limited to the Internet, intranets, extranets, wired networks, wireless networks, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or other suitable networks, etc., or any combination of two or more such networks.
It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims. While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.
Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A system (300) for cardio fitness comprising:
a. an interface (302) for receiving a pre-defined cardio zone of a biological object, the pre-defined cardio zone being defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold;
b. a heart rate sensor (306) for detecting heart rate of the biological object;
c. a motion sensor (304) for detecting a motion information of the biological object; and
d. a processing unit (308) for:
1. selecting the detected heart rate only if the detected heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone;
ii. checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the detected heart rate; and iii. calculating a duration of the time spent in the pre-defined cardio-zone by selecting one or more time intervals in which both
i the selected heart rate; and
ii the corresponding motion information are detected.
2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a clock (314) for synchronizing a time of the heart rate sensor (306) and a time of the motion sensor (304).
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein heart rate information representing the heart rate and the motion information representing motion are time stamped.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit (308) calculates the duration of the time by adding the one or more selected time intervals.
5. The system according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a memory (310) to store pre-defined cardio zone information representing the predefined cardio zone, time stamped motion information, time stamped heart rate information.
6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising an information unit (312) to provide information regarding the duration.
7. The system according to claim 6, where the information unit (312) is at least one of a display unit, an audio unit and a haptic unit.
8. The system according to claim 1 is at least one of a wearable device (400) and a wireless communication device (500).
9. A method (100) for calculating a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone, the pre-defined cardio zone being defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold, the method comprising:
a. receiving the pre-defined cardio zone (SI),
b. receiving heart rate information (S3) of the biological object;
c. receiving motion information (S2) of the biological object;
d. selecting (S4-S8) the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the pre-defined cardio zone;
e. checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and
f. selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii. the corresponding motion information are present; and
g. determining the duration (S9) based on selected the one or more time intervals.
10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information.
11. The method according to claim 9 further comprising providing information (S10) regarding the duration.
12. The method according to 9-11 is a computer implemented method.
13. A computer program product having computer readable program code embodied therein for calculating, when executed by a computer, a duration of time spent by a biological object in a pre-defined cardio zone, the pre-defined cardio zone being defined by a minimum heart rate threshold and a maximum heart rate threshold, in which the calculation comprising:
a. receiving the pre-defined cardio zone,
b. receiving heart rate information of the biological object;
c. receiving motion information of the biological object;
d. selecting the received heart rate only if the received heart rate is in the predefined cardio zone;
e. checking if the motion information is present corresponding to the received heart rate; and
f. selecting one or more time intervals in which both i. the selected heart rate and ii. the corresponding motion information are present; and
g. determining the duration based on the one or more time intervals.
14. The computer program product according to claim 13 further comprising program codes for time stamping the received heart rate information and the received motion information.
15. The computer program product according to claim 13 further comprising program codes for providing information regarding the duration.
PCT/EP2015/076232 2014-11-20 2015-11-10 Method and system for cardio fitness WO2016078973A1 (en)

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