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Description  |
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FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to methods of and apparatus suitable for assisting
an individual to optimize the benefits of physical exercise. More
particularly, the invention provides a portable device for guiding the
individual during exercise to optimize exercise benefits while minimizing
influences which would be interrupting or distracting. Accordingly, the
present invention is directed to novel and improved methods and apparatus
of such character.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In 1968, Dr. Kenneth Cooper published an article in Readers Digest on
"aerobics," a method of physical exercise for producing beneficial changes
in the respiratory and circulatory systems. One principle of aerobics
requires that, to achieve optimum benefit, the subject maintain heart rate
within a prescribed range for a prescribed duration. Training and
exercising by heart rate has since become a generally accepted practice
and, even though it is distracting and inconvenient, participants have
learned to stop and take their pulse at intervals during exercise.
Recently, devices have been developed to aid the exerciser. The typical
heart monitor is a device which provides a display, usually digital, of a
subject's heart rate. A "runner's monitor" is available which senses
distance travelled by means of ultrasonic echo, provides a voice output,
and provides an input for a heart rate detector.
Heart rate monitors currently available include the following types:
1. Those which are portable.
2. Those which are not portable and are often attached to particular
exercise equipment.
3. Those which measure heart rate when requested and require the subject to
remain inactive while the reading is taken.
4. Those which measure heart rate continuously while the subject is moving.
5. Those which measure heart rate continuously and provide visual and/or
audible alarm signals when the subject's heart rate goes above/below
pre-determined limits.
6. Those which include timing functions such as a stop watch.
Since they are display-oriented devices, previously available heart
monitors share the drawback of being unable to notify the subject of other
than alarm conditions without requiring constant attention to the display.
Portable heart monitors have the further disadvantages of a relatively
small display which is difficult for an actively exercising person to read
(especially one who must wear glasses) and relatively small controls
(switches, pushbuttons) which are inconvenient for the active exerciser to
locate and actuate. Some also are cumbersome, requiring wires to be
connected from one part of the body to another.
The runner's monitor is not appropriate as an aerobic fitness aid since it
calculates average heart rate only on command and is, therefore, unable to
monitor over/under heart rate conditions. It does not instruct the user of
exercise sequence and is unwieldy in active exercise, requiring a
belt-worn electronics package and separate, wire connected, heart rate
detector and headphones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable device which
can be worn on the head while exercizing, and that can transmit
prerecorded, broadcast, or synthesized audio signals to the user.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a portable device
which will derive and communicate exercise benefit related information
(heart rate, time, pace, instructions) to a subject in a manner and form
which is compatible with active exercise.
It is another object to minimize interconnection complexity between the
input, output, control and processing components of such a device to
thereby optimize user comfort and benefit.
It is another object to provide such a device with controls which are
easily located and operated by the subject while actively exercising.
It is yet another object to provide such a device with means to present to
the subject a sequence of exercise activity related instructions.
It is still another object to provide such a device with means to recognize
and to notify the subject of the occurrence and designation of
pre-determined conditions.
It is again another object to provide such a device with no moving parts.
It is a further object to provide such a device with a means to record
information for subsequent playback.
It is a still further object to provide such a device which can be
connected to a computer for the purposes of programming the device's
functions, to provide instructions for the subject and to read out
information recorded in the device.
These and other objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with
the invention which, when embodied in hardware, is in the form of a band
adapted to be secured to the head or built into a hat, helmet, or other
headgear of a user. A self-powered data processing unit is carried by the
band and programmed to receive input data from the user, perform
arithmetic and logic operations on the input data and generate output
signals indicative of the user's vital physical signs. A plurality of
actuating devices span the band in spaced-apart relationship, each device
being capable of generating a respective first type of input data signal
to the data processing unit in response to the user's selection of one
device by pressing with the finger or hand. A plurality of sensors are
associated with the band for generating a second type of input data signal
for each of a plurality of user vital signs. A headphone transducer is
coupled to the data processing unit, for receiving the generated output
signals and producing a voice report at the user's head. By actuating
particular activation devices, the user can select a voice report of
different vital signs while engaged in physical exercise.
The device can be configured logically into a variety of modes by the
user's actuation of one or more pre-determined patterns of the actuating
devices. Preferably, at least four configuration modes are available,
including a setup mode in which the user can select which vital signs are
to be reported and whether the reports are to be imparted at the user's
demand, periodically, or when the vital signs fall outside pre-selected
limits. A monitoring mode can be selected, in which the reports selected
in the setup mode are imparted to the user during physical exercise. An
exercise guidance mode provides reports which define, during physical
exercise, sequential combinations of desired vital signs or desired
periods of time associated with a planned exercise session or routine. A
calibration mode is provided in which the user can confirm whether the
input data signals from the sensors to the data processing unit are being
generated commensurate with the physical manifestations of such vital
signs by the user's body.
Preferably, the band, the actuating devices, the sensors, and the
transducers are formed in a substantially unitary strip of
poly(vinylidene) fluoride plastic, which includes metalized electrical
leads.
In another aspect of the invention, the unitary polyfluoride band, or a
band of similar piezoelectric material, is configured as a headset, with
provision for transducing and controlling audio signals to the user's
head, which originate as prerecorded, broadcast, or synthesized input
signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described below in greater detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c show front, side and top views of a subject fitted
with the device of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device of this invention;
FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the three views of FIG. 1 for the preferred
embodiment of the device of this invention using PVDF film;
FIG. 4 is a plan drawing of the PVDF film as fabricated for this invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the pace sensor in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIG. 1, the physical exercise aid 12 of the present invention
is worn around the user's head 14 as a headband 16 or sweatband. The band
16 is adjustable o elasticized to fit subjects of different sizes. The
band contains electronic components, shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2,
housed, for the most part, in an enclosure mounted at the back of the head
which together will be referred to hereinafter as electronics 18. The
major components not contained in the enclosure are the actuation devices
22 and a pulse sensor-headphone assembly 24.
The actuation devices 22 are momentary switches, e.g., piezoelectric or
other devices capable of responding to mechanical pressure to generate an
output condition or signal which may be reliably detected by the
electronics 18 (similar to keys of a keyboard). To facilitate their
operation by an actively exercising subject, the actuation devices are
made relatively large compared to normal keyboard keys.
Preferably, the actuation devices are located, and identified, in the
manner of the positions on a twelve hour clock. As shown in FIG. 1(c), the
12 o'clock position is in the center of the user's forehead, and, in one
implementation of the invention, clock positions 1-4 are spaced apart
along the band on the right side of the user's head, and clock positions
8-11 are spaced apart along the left side of the user's head. The
electronics 18 is centered at the 6 o'clock position, and may occupy
portions of the 5 and 7 o'clock positions.
FIG. 2 shows the block diagram representation of the relationship between
the actuation devices 22, the pulse sensor and headphone assembly 24 and
the electronics 18. The electronics 18 embodies a self-powered data
processing unit which is programmed to receive input data from the user,
perform arithmetic and logic operations on the input data, and generate
output signals indicative of the user's vital physical signs. Preferably,
the data processing unit also receives and stores instructions from the
user, and generates output signals in the form of guidance or other
information to the user.
In the basic function of the present invention, a plurality of input data
pertaining to the user's vital signs, are delivered to a microcomputer 26,
on input leads 28, 32, and 36. Lead 28 carries a pace signal, lead 36
carries a heart pulse signal, and leads 32 and 34 may carry other signals,
all of which are collectively deemed a type of data signal indicative of
the user's "vital signs" i.e., indicative of physical manifestations of
the condition or performance of the user's body during exercise.
Each of the actuation devices 22 (of which nine are disclosed in the
present embodiment), has a dedicated input lead to the microcomputer 26.
The nine leads are collectively identified by reference numeral 38, which
represents another type of input data signal, by which the user can set up
and control the logical operation of the microcomputer 26.
The primary output signal from the microcomputer is delivered via address
and data bus 76 to a speech synthesizer 62, from which a voice signal is
generated. The voice signal is appropriately filtered and amplified by
operational amplifier 82, the gain of which is controlled by microcomputer
outputs 42.
Of course, sensors or the like, such as a pace sensor 44, a pulse sensor
48, and other sensors 46 are connected to their respective signal lines
28, 36 and 32-34. Similarly, a voice output transducer, such as headphone
52, is connected to the line 42. It should be appreciated that, as is
conventional in electronic signal processing, suitable operational
amplifiers or filters, typified at 54, would be associated with the "vital
sign" input data lines.
The electronics 18 also preferably includes several other components, such
as a power supply 56 carried on the headband, a crystal controlled clock
58 for generating timing pulses for the microcomputer 26, and for speech
synthesizer 62. Preferably, a separate timer 64 is connected, as by line
66, to one of the actuating devices, e.g., #2, and through lead 68, to the
crystal time base 58, such that separate timing control associated with the
user's exercise routine such as stop watch applications, can be implemented
without processing delays in the microcomputer 26.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a third type of input, and a
second type of output, are also provided. Data storage devices such as ROM
memory 72 and EEPROM memory 74 are connected via bus 76 to the
microcomputer 26 and speech processor 62, to provide customized logic and
instruction capabilities. The customization is accomplished by means of
the actuation devices in setup mode and/or by the user's personal computer
or other programming device, which is connectable to the microcomputer 26
through the serial input/output port 78. Employing the external computer,
the user can override the standard functions and procedures embodied in
the firmware of the microcomputer 26, by storing executable instructions
in the external memory devices 72, 74.
Likewise, the user may desire that the input or output data associated with
a particular period of exercise be recorded in an external device, for
long-term record-keeping purposes. Thus, the vital signs type of data, or
the control and timing data, may be temporarily stored in a memory device
and, at the end of the exercise period, downloaded to the user's computer
and exercise database, through the I/O port 78.
The pulse sensor-headphone assembly 24 is also a unique component of this
invention. It combines a transducer capable of generating sound, such as a
headphone 52, and a sensor 48 capable of detecting, from a body location on
or near the headband, each beat of the subject's heart. Such a sensor could
use the well-known phenomenon of photoplethysmography, wherein the emission
from an infrared source (e.g., an LED) in contact with the skin of the
subject is modulated in intensity by the blood flow through the
capillaries. The output of a photodiode, positioned to sense the modulated
intensity, is a-c coupled, amplified, filtered and clipped to provide pulse
signals. Alternatively, piezoelectric or other pressure sensitive devices
can be used to sense pressure changes resulting from blood flow in an
appendage such as the ear, or at the temple. Output signals could be
treated in a manner generally similar to a photoplethysmography sensor.
The pace sensor 44 is an inertial movement detector housed in the
electronics 18 to detect vertical movement of the device and, therefore,
of the subject's head. Vertical head movement is generally indicative of
the pace of the subject when running, walking, bicycling, rowing or
exercising in a rhythmic manner. To minimize the effect of movements not
related to pace, the detector 44 is damped to respond only to pace rates
below 200 per second.
The actuation devices 22 and the pulse and the pace sensors, 48, 44 can
employ piezoelectric devices. In addition, piezoelectric materials can be
made to generate sound; imposing an audio signal voltage across a
piezoelectric material causes it to move or vibrate accordingly. In 1969,
H. Kawai reported in the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 8,
pages 975-976, that a plastic film, poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF), will
exhibit piezoelectric characteristics. The piezoelectric effect in PVDF,
utilized in the manufacture of headphones and speakers, was reported in
1976 by M. Tamura, et al. in Journal, Audio Engineering Society, Vol. 23,
pages 21-26. The Oct. 23, 1986 issue of Machine Design contained an
article: "Piezoelectric Plastics Promise New Sensors," which describes the
use of PVDF as pressure sensitive switch elements.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one implementation of the present invention, which
takes advantage of such piezoelectric phenomena. The device 102 of this
embodiment uses PVDF film with selective metalization and perforations 103
(slits) for mechanical isolation between areas to form multiple,
independent signal generation elements, the pulse and pace sensors and the
headphone. Combining all of these functions into a single component reduce
cost and, since there are minimum moving parts, ruggedness and reliability
are enhanced.
Preferably, the PVDF film is an elongated, rectangular strip 104 having a
height dimension approximately three times the height of a normal headband
or the like. FIG. 4 shows the strip 104 after fabrication, but before
folding into the final configuration 102 as worn by the user. The two
longitudinal fold lines 1O6, 108 above and below the actuation devices are
shown as broken lines. The film is metalized on both sides, the portion 112
indicated by oblique lines being on the bottom of the film and serving as,
in effect, a common ground potential, and the portions 114 on the top side
indicated in solid color serving as the electrical signal conducting lines
or leads from the actuating devices. Stressing of an actuating device 116,
by the finger, produces a piezoelectric potential that is communicated
along one of the leads 114 to a corresponding one of the input terminals
of the microcomputer (as shown in FIGS. 2). Diodes may be connected to
leads 114 to limit the output voltage to levels compatible with the
microcomputer.
The pulse sensor element 118 is preferably located to be in contact with
the head of the user, to more effectively detect a pulse from the heart
beat. Other pulse detection techniques are available, however, such as
utilization of piezoelectric material which stretches in response to
heartbeat and produces an output signal which can be filtered to remove
noise or other background influence.
As shown in FIG. 5, the pace detector 134 preferably consists of a
piezoelectric or other pressure sensitive device or substance 122 mounted
between a weight 136 and a resilient but fixed base surface 138 in a
generally vertical array. The weight is held in contact with the pressure
sensitive device by a compressed spring 142 or spongy material. The
damping is provided by the combination of the resiliency of the base, the
mass of the weight, and the force of the spring. The movement of the
subject during exercise generates a force on the mass which urges the
piezoelectric 122 material against the resilient layer 138 and thereby
generates a potential in the material 122 commensurate with the area
stressed by the force of the moving mass. Thus, more vigorous exercise,
i.e., greater pace, produces a greater area of stress on the material 122
and thus a higher electric potential which is delivered by lead 130 to the
electronics 18 for further processing in accordance with the previous
description. The frame 140 of the pace sensor 134 is contained within the
enclosure of the electronics 18.
The headphone element 124, unlike the other transducers, spans the central
row 126 between the fold lines and crosses one or both fold lines 108, 106
thereby substantially spanning two or three rows. Preferably, the bottom
row 128 is folded first, covering the central row 126 of actuating devices
116. Then the top row 132 is folded over the bottom row 128 and central row
126. The resulting band 102, when worn on the head, has the row containing
the pulse sensor element 118 on the "inside" of the band against the
user's head, the row 126 containing the actuating devices 116 is at the
exterior of the band, and the row 128 containing the metalized leads 114
is intermediate the other rows. This folding sequence produces a
significant curvature in the headphone element 124, which enables this
transducer to enclose a surprisingly large volume of air, and thus
generate a louder sound for a given amount of transducer vibration.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the actuation devices 22, sensors 44, 48, and
provisions for other input signals 46, such as a bicycle wheel rotation
detector, are connected through signal conditioning circuits such as 54 to
the inputs 28-38 of microcomputer 26. The actuation device which controls
the split time function (shown as actuation device #2) is also connected
directly to the input of counter 64.
The microcomputer 26, associated RAM/ROM internal memory and serial
input/output components (not shown) may be contained in a single device
such as the Texas Instruments TMS7070C02 8-Bit Microprocessor. The speech
processor 62 may be the Texas Instruments TSP50C40A which contains an
internal ROM capable of storing over 40 seconds of high quality speech; an
ample capacity for the vocabulary of approximately sixty words required for
the device of this invention. The external ROM 72 shown in FIG. 2 is
optional to facilitate programming of the device for custom applications.
The EEPROM 74 or, alternately, a low power (CMOS) RAM permanently powered
by a long life battery, is used as non-volatile memory to store both the
subject's performance data while exercising and program code input to the
device either through setup mode or through the serial interface from an
external computer.
The actuation devices 22 are arranged around the device headband 16 at
positions which are readily located and tapped. These actuation devices
initiate all user operations; each actuation is confirmed by appropriate
voice response. The following is one example of implementation:
As shown in FIG. 1, nine actuation devices 22 are numbered according to
clock face positions with the 12 o'clock position located in the center of
the forehead. Actuation devices #8 and #4 are reserved to respectively
decrease/increase sound level one volume unit whenever touched. The device
can be configured to operate in multiple modes. To minimize inadvertent
mode selection while exercising, modes are selected by touching two
separated actuation devices simultaneously.
1. Setup Mode.
The device in setup mode allows the user to enter initial parameters and
operating conditions.
To enter setup mode, actuation devices #8 and #4 are touched
simultaneously. This initiates a sequence of parameters which may be set
or changed by the user. The parameter and its current value or setting is
announced and the user may change the value or setting if desired.
Actuation devices #9 and #10 decrement the current value, #9 by a larger
amount than #10; actuation devices #3 and #2 increment the value in the
same manner. By touching actuation device #12, the new value or setting is
entered and the setup procedure is sequenced to the next parameter. Setup
mode may be terminated at any point by again touching actuation devices #8
and #4.
__________________________________________________________________________
VOICE CHANGE BY AD # VOICE
AD #
RESPONSE 9/3 10/2 RESPONSE(S)
__________________________________________________________________________
8 & 4
SETUP, PULSE, HIGH, (VALUE)
-/+10 -/+1 (NEW VALUE)
12 SETUP, PULSE, LOW, (VALUE)
-/+10 -/+1 (NEW VALUE)
12 SETUP, PULSE, REPORT, (STATUS)
SEQUENCE: DEMAND-
PERIODIC-LIMITS-
(NEW STATUS)
12 SETUP, TIME, WARMUP, (TIME)
-/+MIN -/+ SEC (NEW TIME)
12 SETUP, TIME, EXERCISE, (TIME)
-/+MIN -/+ SEC (NEW TIME)
12 SETUP, TIME, COOLOFF, (TIME)
-/+MIN -/+ SEC (NEW TIME)
12 SETUP, TIME, REPORT, (STATUS)
SEQ:DEMAND-PERIODIC-
(NEW STATUS)
12 SETUP, BEAT, ONE, (VALUE)
-/+10 -/+1 (NEW VALUE)
12 SETUP, BEAT, TWO, (VALUE)
-/+10 -/+1 (NEW VALUE)
12 SETUP, BEAT, THREE, (VALUE)
-/+10 -/+1 (NEW VALUE)
12 SETUP, PACE, REPORT, (STATUS)
SEQ:DEMAND-PERIODIC-
(NEW STATUS)
12 SETUP, PERIODIC, REPORT, (TIME)
-/+ MIN
-/+SEC (NEW TIME)
8 & 4
SETUP, COMPLETE
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Pulse Monitor Mode
The device in pulse monitor mode:
notifies the subject of his/her pulse rate as selected either periodically
or on demand or only when the pulse rate goes above or below present
limits, and
notifies the subject of the elapsed time as selected either periodically or
on demand, and
notifies the subject of "split" times on demand (elapsed time between
subject controlled start/stop signals), and
generates a metronome beat at selected rate(s) for pace or cadence on
demand, and
notifies the subject of other information (e.g., distance, speed, subject
pace rate, etc.) as selected either periodically or on demand, and
stores information such as maximum, minimum heart rates, split times,
conditions at subject-entered milestones, etc. for recall on demand.
As an example, pulse monitor mode could be implemented by touching
actuation devices #9 and #3 simultaneously. The device resets the elapsed
and split time counters and begins operation according to setup
conditions. At any time, the user can demand reports by touching the
actuation device positions assigned to the desired information. If LIMITS
had been chosen for pulse in setup mode, heart rate will be reported at
the periodic time interval selected until the heart rate exceeds the lower
limit. The heart rate will not be announced again until it exceeds or falls
below the limits set.
__________________________________________________________________________
AD # FUNCTION VOICE RESPONSE DESCRIPTION
__________________________________________________________________________
9 & 3 PULSE MONITOR MODE
PULSE MONITOR RESETS TIMES, STARTS PERIODIC
REPORTS AS SET UP
8 DECREASE VOLUME VOLUME DECREASES
9 SPEED/DISTANCE SPEED (VALUE) GIVES VALUE - SEQUENTIALLY
DISTANCE (VALUE)
10 MILESTONE MARK SAVES PULSE, TIME, PACE
11 HEART RATE HEART (VALUE) GIVES CURRENT RATE
1 TIME TIME (ELAPSED TIME)
GIVES TIME SINCE START
2 SPLIT TIME SPLIT (SPLIT TIME)
GIVES TIME SINCE LAST SPLIT
STARTS TIMING NEW SPLIT
3 PACE PACE (VALUE) GIVES CURRENT PACE RATE
4 INCREASE VOLUME VOLUME INCREASES
8 & 9 METRONOME BEAT 1
BEAT (VALUE 1) SOUNDS AT BEAT ONE RATE
9 & 10
METRONOME BEAT 2
BEAT (VALUE 2) SOUNDS AT BEAT T | | |
