Hands-Free Heartbeat Audio Monitoring for Accurate Heart Sound Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart rate monitoring technologies do not provide the soothing and intimacy-promoting benefits of listening to one's own heart sounds, as they are either not hands-free or do not accurately represent heart sounds, detracting from relaxation and meditation experiences.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free heart-beat audio transmitter and receiver system that wirelessly or wiredly connects a heart monitor to headphones, allowing users to listen to their heart sounds without obstruction, with optional recording and playback features for high heart rate variability segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a stethoscope is used to listen to heart sounds, then the volume of heart sounds is increased, but the hands-free operation and intimate nature of listening are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stethoscope system with an electronic audio transmission system. A microphone captures heart sounds, converts them to electrical signals, which are then transmitted wirelessly or via cable to headphones or speakers. This substitution eliminates the need for manual stethoscope handling while preserving and enhancing heart sound amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electronic intermediaries (microphone, amplifier, transmitter, headphones) between the heart and the listener. These intermediaries capture, process, and deliver heart sounds without requiring direct physical contact or manual instrument handling, thus achieving hands-free operation while maintaining sound quality.
2Measurement precision
If electrical pulses from heart rate monitors are used, then heart rate monitoring is achieved, but accurate heart sound representation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio signal component from heart rate monitoring technology. Instead of using only electrical pulse data, the system incorporates a microphone that directly captures acoustic heart sounds, separating and prioritizing the audio fidelity aspect from the electrical measurement aspect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously provides accurate heart rate monitoring (through electrical sensors) and high-fidelity heart sound reproduction (through acoustic microphone capture). The system processes both electrical and acoustic signals to deliver comprehensive cardiac information.
3Loss of information
If a stethoscope is held against the chest during exercise or meditation, then true heart sounds can be heard, but the hands-free requirement and relaxation experience are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by placing the microphone directly on or near the heart, allowing the body to serve as its own monitoring device. The system automatically captures and transmits heart sounds without requiring the user to manually position or hold any equipment, enabling hands-free operation during exercise and meditation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct physical contact (stethoscope against chest) to wireless or remote audio transmission. Heart sounds are captured in one dimension (acoustic signal) and transmitted through another dimension (electrical/wireless signal) to the listener, eliminating the need for continuous physical contact while preserving sound accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to experience the soothing benefits of listening to their own heart sounds during meditation, relaxation, and exercise, promoting self-intimacy and relaxation through accurate heart sound representation.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone and transmitter for picking-up the hearts original sound wave input, converting the original sound wave to an electronic audio signal
Implementation Method 2
transmitting an electrical audio signal wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones worn by the user
Implementation Method 3
the headphones feature a receiver and speaker that translates the audio signal to a digital sound output
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for a hands-free transmission, reception, and processing of a heartbeat audio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a heart monitor having a microphone, configured to pick-up a heartbeat sound wave and convert the heartbeat sound wave to a heartbeat audio, and a transmitter, configured to transmit the heartbeat audio; headphones having a receiver, configured to receive the heartbeat audio from the transmitter, and a speaker configured to play the heartbeat audio for a user; and a software application configured to (i) generate an overlaid audio by overlaying a secondary audio file onto the heartbeat audio, (ii) transmit the overlaid audio to the receiver, and (iii) play the overlaid audio using the speaker while the user is meditating, relaxing, or working out.