Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for measuring heart rate

US5365934A · kind A · utility

199Cited by
3References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 1993
Grant dateNov 22, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/7246
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for measuring heart rate is provided which comprises a sensor for generating a signal which includes the biopotential signal produced by a heart. This signal is filtered, amplified and digitized. A computer autocorrelates the digitized signal. A plurality of signal indication routines then scan the autocorrelated output for the presence of periodic signals. Each of the signal indication routines uses different search or filter criteria, such as peak and wave form detection, and generates one (and in some cases, several) candidate heart rates. An arbitrator then selects one of the candidate heart rates according to predetermined criteria. These criteria include the value of previously selected heart rates. In one embodiment, the signal indication and arbitration routines are especially well-suited for measuring the heart rate of a user while exercising on a stair climbing machine or treadmill.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.