Minimum Heart Rate Approximation Using Awake Immobility Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heart rate monitoring systems require continuous data collection for accurate minimum heart rate approximation, which is inconvenient and limited by battery life, and may not provide accurate results without sleep time measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for approximating the minimum heart rate value using data collected during selected immobile periods when the user is awake, verifying user awakeness and immobility, and applying a function to heart rate parameters to qualify and calculate the minimum heart rate without continuous 24-hour data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous 24-hour data collection is performed to accurately approximate minimum heart rate, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimum heart rate approximation accuracyVSAvoidbattery operating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the 24-hour measurement period into multiple segments (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening measurements). Each segment represents a separate measurement session during awake periods. By segmenting the continuous measurement into discrete, manageable sessions, the system achieves sufficient accuracy without requiring continuous data collection, thus extending battery life and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by conducting measurements only during selected awake periods rather than continuously throughout 24 hours. The system performs measurements during morning, afternoon, and evening awake periods, which provides sufficient data for accurate minimum heart rate approximation without the excessive action of continuous monitoring. This partial measurement approach reduces energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring during sleep is implemented to improve minimum heart rate accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimum heart rate approximation accuracyVSAvoiduser wear convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sleep monitoring requirement from the continuous measurement process. By recognizing that minimum heart rate can be accurately approximated using only awake period data, the system removes the need for continuous monitoring during sleep. This extraction simplifies the user experience, allowing users to wear the device only during awake periods without compromising measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring continuous monitoring including sleep periods to achieve accuracy, the patent inverts the approach by demonstrating that measurements during awake periods alone are sufficient. This inversion of the conventional wisdom that 'continuous monitoring is necessary for accuracy' enables easier operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If data collection is limited to awake periods only, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser wear convenienceVSAvoidminimum heart rate approximation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the measurement protocol to focus on awake periods with specific activity states (immobile periods). By changing the temporal parameter from continuous 24-hour collection to selective awake period collection, and by adjusting the activity state parameter to focus on immobile periods, the system maintains measurement precision while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of continuous physical monitoring with a smarter selection system that identifies and utilizes only the most informative measurement periods. Instead of continuously collecting data and filtering later, the system substitutes a mechanism to directly select awake, immobile periods for measurement, achieving both convenience and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3643227B1Minimum heart rate value approximation

Publication Date: 2024.04.03 FIRSTBEAT ANALYTICS OY

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing an approximation of a minimum heart rate, (minHR) from collected heart rate data of a user. The method comprises calculating, from heartbeat signal collected from a user, a heart rate (HR) value and an artefact percentage for one or more time periods of the collected heartbeat signal and qualifying data of the time period(s) for which, the user is verified to be awake and immobile, and for which the artefact percentage is under a predetermined value. Data of the other time periods is disqualified. Method further comprises calculating heart rate parameters from the qualified data and applying a function to the heart rate parameters in order to obtain the approximation of minHR.