Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Cardiovascular
Patent
1999-11-12
2000-08-08
O'Connor, Cary
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Cardiovascular
600502, A61B 502
Patent
active
060994789
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a pulse counter for monitoring the amount of exercise performed by a user and the user's physical condition, and more specifically, to a pulse counter which measures the pulse rate with a high degree of accuracy regardless of whether the user is at rest or exercising.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
If an individual is able to measure his pulse rate while jogging or running a marathon, for example, then he is able to monitor the amount of exercise performed as well as his physical condition (i.e., to avoid placing himself at risk). Accordingly, for this purpose, a portable pulse counter which can measure the user's pulse rate by being affixed to his arm is proposed. This type of portable pulse counter employs a photoelectric sensor to measure the pulse signal. The pulse rate is then determined by extracting the signal corresponding to the pulse from the pulse wave signal. However, a pulse wave signal obtained while the user is jogging includes a signal component generated by the user's body motion. Accordingly, it is not possible to extract the signal corresponding to the pulse without some correction for the body motion signal.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional pulse counter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application First Publication No. Sho 60-259239. In addition to having a pulse wave detecting sensor 101, this pulse counter has a body motion detecting sensor 1003. The signals obtained from both of these sensors are subjected to frequency analysis at frequency analyzer 1002.
As shown in FIG. 13A, frequency analyzer 1002 converts the pulse wave signal detected by pulse wave detecting sensor 1001 to the spectrum expressed by waveform m. As shown in FIG. 13B, frequency analyzer 1002 converts the body motion signal detected by body motion detecting sensor 1003 to the spectrum expressed by waveform n. Here, waveform n is the result obtained after frequency analysis of the signal detected by body motion detecting sensor 1003. Accordingly, peak value B' expressing the fundamental wave component thereof represents the fundamental frequency of the body's oscillation. Thus, if the frequency of peak B' and the frequency of peak B in waveform m coincide, then the peak value B in waveform m is deemed to be the waveform due to the body's oscillation. The peak obtained by excluding peak value B from waveform m, i.e., peak A, the waveform corresponding to the pulse wave, can be read out.
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of another conventional pulse counter. Pulse wave sensor 1201 detects the pulse wave in the body, and outputs the detected pulse wave signal to pulse wave signal amplifying circuit 1203. Body motion sensor 1202 detects body motion, and outputs the detected body motion signal to body motion signal amplifying circuit 1204.
Pulse wave signal amplifying circuit 1203 amplifies the pulse wave signal, and outputs it to A/D converter 1205 and pulse waveform shaping circuit 1206. Body motion signal amplifying circuit 1204 amplifies the body motion signal, and outputs it to A/D converter 1205 and body motion waveform shaping circuit 1207. A/D converter 1205 converts the pulse wave signal and body motion signal from analog to digital and outputs the result to CPU 1208. Pulse waveform shaping circuit 1206 shapes the pulse wave signal, and outputs it to CPU 1208. Body motion waveform shaping circuit 1207 shapes the body motion signal and outputs it to CPU 1208.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the operation of the pulse counter shown in FIG. 14. As shown in the flow chart, the presence or absence of the body motion signal is confirmed, the pulse wave calculating method is switched, and the pulse rate is calculated and displayed. In FIGS. 14 and 15, CPU 1208 confirms whether or not a body motion signal is present based on the signal output from body motion waveform shaping circuit 1207, and switches the calculating method (step S1302). During the time that the body motion signal is being confirmed, the pulse wave s
REFERENCES:
patent: 5697374 (1997-12-01), Odagiri et al.
patent: 5795300 (1998-08-01), Bryars et al.
patent: 5807267 (1998-09-01), Bryars et al.
Aoshima Ichiro
Kosuda Tsukasa
Natnithithadha Navin
O'Connor Cary
Seiko Epson Corporation
Seiko Instruments Inc.
Watson Mark P.
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