(12) United States Patent
`Stubbs et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006736759Bl
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,736,759 Bl
`May 18,2004
`
`(54) EXERCISE MONITORING SYSTEM AND
`METHODS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jack B. Stubbs, Waynesville, OH (US);
`Kevin L. Schwieger, Lebanon, OH
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Paragon Solutions, LLC, Waynesville,
`OH (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/436,515
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 9, 1999
`
`Int. Cl? ................................................ A63B 21/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 482/8; 482/900; 482/5
`(58) Field of Search ......................... 482/1-9, 900-902;
`702/127, 141, 142, 150, 153, 97; 701/213-216,
`207
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,566,461 A
`5,081,991 A
`5,148,002 A
`5,167,230 A
`5,318,487 A
`5,345,244 A
`5,408,444 A
`5,456,262 A
`5,458,548 A
`5,464,021 A
`5,486,818 A
`5,491,474 A
`5,564,417 A
`5,575,284 A
`5,589,835 A
`5,611,346 A
`
`1!1986 Lubell eta!.
`1!1992 Chance
`9/1992 Kuo eta!.
`12/1992 Chance
`6/1994 Golen eta!.
`9/1994 Gildea eta!.
`4/1995 Kita eta!.
`10/1995 Birnbaum
`10/1995 Crossing et a!.
`11/1995 Birnbaum
`1!1996 Loponen
`2/1996 Suni eta!.
`10/1996 Chance
`11/1996 Athan eta!.
`12/1996 Gildea eta!.
`3/1997 Heikkilaet a!.
`
`5,622,180 A
`5,627,548 A
`5,632,279 A
`5,690,119 A
`5,731,757 A
`5,779,631 A
`5,781,155 A
`5,810,722 A
`5,840,039 A
`5,852,401 A
`5,884,198 A
`5,889,493 A
`5,891,042 A
`5,905,460 A
`5,919,133 A
`6,002,982 A
`6,013,007 A *
`6,032,108 A *
`6,083,248 A
`6,148,262 A
`6,148,280 A
`6,152,856 A
`6,199,550 B1
`6,285,314 B1 *
`
`4/1997
`5/1997
`5/1997
`11/1997
`3/1998
`7/1998
`7/1998
`9/1998
`11/1998
`12/1998
`3/1999
`3/1999
`4/1999
`5/1999
`7/1999
`12/1999
`1!2000
`2/2000
`7/2000
`11/2000
`* 11/2000
`11/2000
`3/2001
`9/2001
`
`Tammi eta!.
`Woo eta!.
`Heikkila
`Rytky eta!.
`Layson, Jr.
`Chance
`Woo eta!.
`Heikkila
`Heikkila
`Kita
`Kese eta!.
`En do
`Sham eta!.
`Odagiri et a!.
`Taylor eta!.
`Fry
`Roots et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482/8
`Seiple et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702/97
`Thompson
`Fry
`Kramer ...................... 703/153
`Studor eta!.
`Wiesmann et a!.
`Nagatsuma et a!.
`
`482/8
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`wo
`wo
`wo
`wo
`
`W09812599
`W09923524
`W09923525
`W00141879
`
`3/1998
`5/1999
`5/1999
`6/2001
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Glenn E. Richman
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An exercise monitoring system which includes an electronic
`positioning device; a physiological monitor; and a display
`unit configured for displaying data provided by the elec(cid:173)
`tronic positioning device and the physiological monitor.
`
`32 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
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`May 18,2004
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`Sheet 1 of 12
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`May 18,2004
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`1
`EXERCISE MONITORING SYSTEM AND
`METHODS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`amount of lactate present in an individual's bloodstream
`provides an indication of their level of exertion. While
`lactate monitoring can be a valuable tool, it requires drawing
`blood samples which are analyzed by an expensive, elec-
`tronic device. Thus, lactate monitoring is invasive, costly,
`and generally only useful for experienced athletes and their
`coaches.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One embodiment of the present invention is an exercise
`monitoring system which comprises:
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a monitoring system for
`use in a variety of physical activities, as well as training and
`analytical methods for physical activities. The present 10
`invention provides monitoring systems having an electronic
`positioning device and/or a physiological monitor (such as
`an oximeter or a heart rate monitor) in order to provide
`information concerning a subject performing a physical
`activity.
`2. Description of Related Art
`Throughout the world, more and more people are exer(cid:173)
`cising in order to improve their general health and physical
`fitness. For the average person, however, a lack of motiva(cid:173)
`tion can significantly hinder their efforts. In addition, the 20
`natural tendency is to try and achieve the greatest results in
`the shortest possible time. When typical measurements of
`physical fitness and progress such as weight loss are
`monitored, however, expectations often are not met. The
`result can be a lack of motivation, which in turn leads to a 25
`cessation of exercise.
`While athletes of all ages are usually able to overcome
`motivational hurdles, athletes often have difficulty in accu(cid:173)
`rately measuring their progress. Human nature demands
`instantaneous feedback for motivation and encouragement. 30
`In addition, many athletes also do not know how to train
`effectively for maximal improvement. For example, com(cid:173)
`petitive runners may have difficulty determining whether
`their pace on a particular day of training is too fast or too
`slow. While running on a track or treadmill may allow the 35
`runner to monitor his or her speed, speed alone is often an
`inadequate way to monitor optimal training levels.
`Currently, there are essentially three methods of providing
`feedback to individuals engaged in a physical activity. The
`first, competition, can provide feedback concerning the
`individual's past training efforts in a particular physical
`activity. Competition feedback, however, is provided long
`after the training regimen has been completed, and therefore
`only allows for adjustments in subsequent training. In 45
`addition, many individuals are only interested in improving
`their general health and physical fitness, rather than com(cid:173)
`peting against others.
`Another method of providing feedback to an individual
`engaged in a physical activity is heart rate monitoring. Heart 50
`rate monitors have become common place in the exercise
`industry and entire training programs have been developed
`based upon the data provided by these monitors. Typically,
`an ECG-type sensor is worn by the individual (such as in a
`strap which extends about the individual's chest), and heart 55
`rate (in beats per minute) is displayed on a wristwatch type
`unit. While heart rate monitoring is a useful tool, heart rate
`data can be difficult to interpret. In addition, many individu-
`als often resort to standardized tables in order to determine
`target heart rate training zones. Such standardized tables,
`however, only provide generalized guidelines which may or
`may not be appropriate for a particular individual or a
`particular physical activity.
`The third feedback technique which may be used by
`individuals performing a physical activity is lactate moni- 65
`taring. Lactate is a byproduct of the anaerobic metabolic
`process by which energy is produced in the body. The
`
`40
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exercise monitor(cid:173)
`ing system according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exercise monitor-
`15 ing system according to another embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 depicts a human subject performing a physical
`activity using one embodiment of a monitoring system of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 4 is perspective view of the data acquisition com(cid:173)
`ponent of the monitoring system depicted in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the monitoring system
`depicted in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the data
`acquisition component of the monitoring system depicted in
`FIG. 3;
`FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, wherein the modules
`have been removed from the support member of the data
`acquisition component;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an oximeter module of the
`data acquisition component of the monitoring system
`depicted in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the display component of the
`exercise monitoring system depicted in FIG. 3;
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the
`display unit of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of a portion of the data
`acquisition component of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the data acquisition
`component of FIG. 7, taken along the line 12-12 thereof;
`FIG. 13 depicts an alternative display unit according to an
`embodiment of the exercise monitoring system of the
`present invention, wherein the display unit is mounted to a
`handlebar of a bicycle;
`FIG. 14 is a side view of the display unit of FIG. 13,
`wherein the bicycle handlebar is shown in cross-section;
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a data acquisition component according to the
`present invention, wherein the data acquisition component is
`configured to be worn about the chest of a human subject;
`FIG. 16 is a plot which depicts a runner's heart rate and
`blood oxygen level as the runner's workload is progressively
`increased;
`FIGS. 17a and 17b are plots depicting a runner's blood
`oxygen level as the runner's pace is progressively increased;
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodi-
`60 ment of an oximeter used in a monitoring system according
`the present invention; and
`FIG. 19 depicts an alternative display unit of a monitoring
`system according to the present invention.
`
`UA-1006.014
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`US 6,736,759 Bl
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`3
`a. an electronic positioning device;
`b. a physiological monitor; and
`c. a display unit (or component) configured for displaying
`data provided by the electronic positioning device and
`the physiological monitor.
`The electronic positioning device is configured to receive
`electromagnetic signals from three or more sources so that
`the monitoring system can determine at least one of a
`subject's location, altitude, velocity, pace, and distance
`traveled. In one particular embodiment, the electronic posi- 10
`tioning device comprises a GPS device. The physiological
`monitor may be chosen from the group consisting of: an
`oximeter and a heart rate monitor.
`The electronic positioning device and the physiological
`monitor may be provided as part of a user-wearable data 15
`acquisition unit (or component) which is separate from the
`display unit. The data acquisition unit may further include a
`support member, wherein the electronic positioning device
`and the physiological monitor are provided on the support
`member. In one embodiment, the electronic positioning 20
`device and the physiological monitor are removably secured
`to the support member. The data acquisition unit may be
`configured to be worn by a subject in a variety of locations,
`such as the subject's waist or chest. The display unit may
`likewise be configured in a variety of manners. For example, 25
`the display unit may be configured to be worn about a human
`user's wrist, or may be configured to be mounted to a bicycle
`(e.g., mounted to the handlebars). The display unit may also
`comprise an external device to which the monitoring system
`of the present invention transmits data. For example, the 30
`monitoring system of the present invention may be config(cid:173)
`ured to display acquired data on a personal computer ("PC"),
`and even store the data on the PC for later retrieval and
`analysis. The monitoring system may also be configured to
`display data on a treadmill display screen so that the
`monitoring system will provide blood oxygen data for a
`subject walking or running on a treadmill.
`The physiological monitor of the exercise monitoring
`system may include a probe (or sensor) configured for
`acquiring physiological data from a user. The probe may be
`incorporated into the data acquisition component itself (such
`as integrally provided on or in the support member), or may
`comprise a separate unit which is in electrical communica(cid:173)
`tion with the data acquisition component (such as by means
`of a wire or cable, or by means of electromagnetic wave
`transmission). The monitoring system may further include at
`least one audible or visual alarms which is activated when
`data provided by at least one of the electronic positioning
`device and the physiological monitor does not meet a
`predetermined target (e.g., when the user's speed, blood
`oxygen level or heart rate exceeds or falls short of a
`predetermined target).
`Another embodiment of the present invention is an exer(cid:173)
`cise monitoring system which comprises:
`a. an electronic positioning device configured to receive
`electromagnetic signals from three or more sources so
`that the monitoring system can determine a subject's
`velocity or pace;
`b. a display unit configured for displaying data provided
`by the electronic positioning device; and
`c. an alarm, wherein the alarm is activated when a
`subject's velocity or pace does not meet a predeter(cid:173)
`mined target.
`The electronic positioning device in this embodiment may
`comprise a GPS device.
`Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an
`exercise monitoring system which comprises:
`
`4
`a. an oximeter configured to determine a subject's blood
`oxygen level;
`b. a display unit configured for displaying the subject's
`blood oxygen level; and
`c. an alarm, wherein the alarm is activated when the
`subject's blood oxygen level does not meet a predeter(cid:173)
`mined target.
`By way of example, the oximeter may comprise an oximetry
`probe and oximeter module, which are configured to acquire
`blood oxygen data by light absorption techniques.
`Preferably, the oximeters described herein are configured
`and positioned to determine systemic blood oxygen levels,
`rather than the blood oxygen level of targeted tissues or
`regions.
`Another embodiment of the present invention is a method
`of controlling a subjects physical activity, comprising:
`a. monitoring a subject's blood oxygen level while the
`subject performs a physical activity; and
`b. maintaining the blood oxygen level at a selected level
`while the subject continues to perform the physical
`activity.
`The subject may be human or animal (particularly horses,
`dogs, camels, and other mammals), and the monitoring step
`may even utilize the exercise monitoring systems described
`herein. It should be pointed out, however, that blood oxygen
`data may also be acquired using conventional, readily(cid:173)
`available oximeters. This method of controlling a subject's
`physical activity may be performed solely by the subject, or
`may involve another (such as a coach or trainer). In one
`particular embodiment, the method of controlling a subject's
`physical activity even provides a training method for ath(cid:173)
`letes and the like using blood oxygen data.
`The subject's blood oxygen level may be maintained at
`35 the selected level by adjusting the workload of the physical
`activity as necessary. In fact, the exercise monitoring sys(cid:173)
`tems described above may even be used for this purpose,
`since embodiments of the monitoring system can be con(cid:173)
`figured for computing and displaying the subject's workload
`40 (based on the subject's velocity and weight, and optionally
`based on elevational changes). The subject's blood oxygen
`level may also be maintained at the selected level by
`adjusting the subject's level of exertion as necessary. As yet
`another alternative, the subject's blood oxygen level may be
`45 maintained at the selected (or predetermined) level by
`adjusting the subject's oxygen intake as necessary (e.g., by
`altering breathing patterns or methods, or by restricting or
`expanding oxygen or air intake). In fact, by limiting oxygen
`intake in order to reduce the subject's blood oxygen level,
`50 athletic training (e.g., running or biking) at high altitude may
`be simulated.
`The method of controlling a subject's physical activity is
`suitable for a variety of activities, including: walking,
`running, swimming, bicycling, skating, singing, skiing,
`55 boating, climbing, wheelchairing, snowshoeing, scuba
`diving, and flying. The step of monitoring blood oxygen
`level may comprise:
`(a) providing an oximeter, the oximeter including a probe
`for non-invasively determining blood oxygen level
`(such as through light absorption measurements); and
`(b) positioning the probe on the subject at a location
`suitable for detecting the subject's blood oxygen level.
`Preferably, the probe is positioned such that the oximeter
`determines the subject's systemic blood oxygen level. The
`65 probe location may be chosen from the group consisting of
`the subject's back (particularly the subject's lower back),
`head, arm, leg, chest and torso.
`
`5
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`6
`(b) varying the subject's workload (e.g., periodically
`increasing workload) while continuing to record the
`subject's blood oxygen level; and
`(c) determining a fitness indicator of the subject on the
`basis of the recorded blood oxygen data.
`The fitness indicator may comprise, for example, the sub(cid:173)
`ject's lactate threshold or V02max (the milliliters of oxygen
`consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute). The
`subject's velocity (and optionally altitude) may be measured
`10 by a GPS device, such that the subject's workload may then
`be determined using velocity (and optionally altitude) mea(cid:173)
`surements provided by the GPS device.
`A method of stabilizing blood oxygen levels while exer(cid:173)
`cising is also provided, and comprises:
`(a) monitoring the level of blood oxygen while exercising;
`(b) adjusting breathing while continuing to exercise in
`order to stabilize the level of blood oxygen.
`Another embodiment of the present invention comprises
`a method of comparing a subject's physical fitness to their
`physical fitness on a previous occasion, comprising:
`(a) measuring an individual's blood oxygen level while
`the individual performs a physical activity at a prede(cid:173)
`termined workload, velocity or pace; and
`(b) measuring the individual's blood oxygen level on a
`subsequent occasion while the individual performs the
`physical activity (particularly at the same predeter(cid:173)
`mined workload, velocity or pace).
`For example, if the subject's blood oxygen level (e.g., the
`subject's average blood oxygen level) is higher on a subse(cid:173)
`quent occasion, the subject's fitness will have been
`improved.
`
`5
`It should be noted that the selected (or predetermined)
`blood oxygen level may comprise a range or a target
`"setpoint". In fact, multiple predetermined blood oxygen
`levels may be employed, such that the subject's blood
`oxygen level is sequentially maintained at multiple selected 5
`levels (i.e., interval training). The subject's blood oxygen
`level may be maintained at each selected level:
`(a) for a predetermined period of time;
`(b) until the subject has advanced a predetermined dis(cid:173)
`tance (e.g., as measured by a GPS system); or
`(d) until the subject has performed a predetermined
`amount of work (e.g., as measured by a GPS system).
`Each selected (or predetermined) blood oxygen level may be
`chosen on the basis of blood oxygen data previously
`obtained while the subject performed a physical activity. For 15
`example, the subject's blood oxygen level at a lactate
`threshold ("LT") may be determined. Thereafter, each
`selected blood oxygen level may be chosen on the basis of
`the subject's LT (e.g., at LT, or a predetermined percentage
`of LT). Alternatively, each selected level may be chosen on 20
`the basis of the duration of the physical activity. For
`example, the selected blood oxygen level may be higher
`when the duration of the activity is greater.
`In order to facilitate the method of controlling the sub(cid:173)
`ject's performance of a physical activity, an alarm may be 25
`provided. The alarm may be configured to indicate (i.e.,
`provide an audible and/or visible indicia) when the subject's
`blood oxygen level is not at the selected level (e.g., outside
`of a selected range, or not within a certain percentage of a
`setpoint). A display unit configured for displaying the sub- 30
`ject's blood oxygen level may also be provided in order to
`facilitate performance of the method of controlling. When
`the subject is a human, the display unit may be configured
`to display blood oxygen data to the subject or to another
`(such as a coach or trainer monitoring the subject's 35
`performance). For animal subjects, the display unit may be
`configured to display blood oxygen data to an individual
`such as a trainer or, in the case of horses and camels, a
`jockey.
`It will be appreciated that the exercise monitoring systems 40
`of the present invention may be used for the methods of
`controlling a subject's performance of a physical activity
`described herein. In fact, the subject's velocity, pace,
`workload, and/or distance traveled may be measured by an
`electronic positioning device provided on the exercise moni- 45
`taring system.
`Still another embodiment of the present invention com(cid:173)
`prises a method of reducing a subject's blood oxygen level
`variability while the subject performs a physical activity,
`comprising:
`a. periodically measuring a subject's blood oxygen level
`while the subject performs a physical activity; and
`b. adjusting the manner in which the physical activity is
`performed in order to reduce blood oxygen level vari(cid:173)
`ability.
`The time variability of the subject's blood oxygen level may
`also be indicated (e.g., displayed) to the subject. The time
`variability of blood oxygen level may be quantified in a
`variety of manners, such as the standard deviation of the
`subject's blood oxygen level. The monitoring systems of the
`present invention may even be configured to activate an
`alarm when the time variability exceeds a predetermined
`level.
`A method of determining a fitness indicator of a subject is
`also provided, wherein this method comprises:
`(a) recording a subject's blood oxygen level while the
`subject performs a physical activity;
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention provides an exercise monitoring
`system, as well as training and analytical methods useful for
`subjects (both human and animal) performing physical
`activities. The systems and methods of the present invention,
`for example, provide real-time data and feedback useful to
`individuals performing a physical activity (such as athletes).
`The monitoring system may include an electronic position(cid:173)
`ing device (such as a GPS device) and/or a physiological
`monitor (such as an oximeter or a heart rate monitor).
`The electronic positioning device uses electromagnetic
`signals from three or more sources in order to provide data
`indicative of one or more of the subject's location, altitude,
`velocity, pace and/or distance traveled. By way of example,
`50 the electronic positioning component may comprise a GPS
`device which utilizes signals from satellites of the Global
`Positioning System (i.e., "GPS") in order to provide real(cid:173)
`time data concerning at least one of the subject's location,
`altitude, heading, velocity, pace and distance traveled, and
`55 may optionally provide a precise time measurement.
`The physiological monitor may comprise an oximeter
`which measures the subject's blood oxygen level, and may
`also measure the subject's heart rate. Alternatively, the
`physiological monitor may comprise a heart rate monitor
`60 which measures the subject's heart rate.
`One embodiment of the monitoring system of the present
`invention includes both an electronic positioning device and
`a physiological monitor (such as an oximeter or heart rate
`monitor) as part of an integrated monitoring system. Such an
`65 integrated monitoring system allows velocity, pace, and/or
`distance traveled information provided by the electronic
`positioning device to be used in conjunction with data
`
`UA-1006.016
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`US 6,736,759 Bl
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`5
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`25
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`3D
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`7
`provided by the physiological monitor. In this manner,
`exercising subjects can monitor, control and/or analyze their
`performance while exercising at any location (e.g., outside
`of a laboratory).
`The present invention also provides analytical and train-
`ing methods which utilize data provided by: (a) a physi(cid:173)
`ological monitor; (b) an electronic positioning device (such
`as a GPS device); or (c) the combination of an electronic
`positioning device and a physiological monitor (such as a
`heart rate monitor or an oximeter). It should be pointed out 10
`that the various analytical and training methods of the
`present invention do not require the use of the exercise
`monitoring systems of the present invention. However, the
`exercise monitoring systems of the present invention may be
`configured for implementation of the analytical and training 15
`methods described herein.
`The monitoring systems, as well as the analytical and
`training methods, provided by the present invention may be
`used on both human and animal subjects. Hence, the term
`"subject" is intended to encompass both humans and ani(cid:173)
`mals. By way of example, embodiments of the exercise
`monitoring systems of the present invention may be used for
`the testing and/or training of horses and other animals
`typically involved in racing sports (including dogs and
`camels). Of course, these methods can also be used in the
`testing and/or training of other animals not necessarily
`involved in racing sports (such as rehabilitating an injured
`animal by putting the injured animal through a training
`program).
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an
`exercise monitoring system according to the present inven(cid:173)
`tion. The system of FIG. 1 generally comprises an electronic
`positioning device 5 and a physiological monitor 6, both of
`which are in electrical communication with a display unit 7.
`Electronic positioning device 5 is configured to receive
`electromagnetic signals from three or more sources so that
`the monitoring system can determine (and display by means
`of display unit 5) at least one of a subject's location, altitude,
`heading, velocity, pace, and distance traveled. By way of
`example, electronic positioning device 5 may be configured
`to receive electromagnetic signals, and process those signals
`in order to determine at least one of a subject's location,
`altitude, heading, velocity, pace, and distance traveled. The
`determined data may then be transmitted to display unit 7 for
`display to the subject or other individual monitoring the
`subject's performance of a physical activity. Similarly,
`physiological monitor 6 is configured to acquire physiologi-
`cal data from the subject for display by means of display unit
`5. By way of example, physiological monitor 6 may be
`configured to determine one or more physiological indicia 50
`(such as the subject's blood oxygen level or heart rate). The
`determined physiological indicia may then be transmitted to
`display unit 7 for display to the subject or other individual
`monitoring the subject's performance of a physical activity.
`FIG. 2 schematically depicts a more specific embodiment 55
`of an exercise monitoring system according to the present
`invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, electronic position(cid:173)
`ing device 5 comprises a GPS device which includes a GPS
`antenna 80, and a GPS module 30. Physiological monitor 6
`comprises an oximeter which includes a probe 41, and an 60
`oximeter module 40. Display unit 7 may comprise any of a
`variety of structures configured for displaying data. For
`example, a simple display unit may include a screen which
`displays the subject's speed (e.g., in miles per hour) and
`blood oxygen level (e.g., in terms of the percentage of 65
`oxygen saturation). The display unit may optionally be
`configured for linking to (e.g., in electrical communication
`
`8
`with) a computer 8 (such as a personal computer of "PC").
`Such linking may be provided by a cable, in infrared link, or
`other means well-known to those skilled in the art. In this
`manner, data may be stored in computer 8 for later retrieval
`and analysis.
`An exercise monitoring system according to the present
`invention may comprise a single structure, or may be
`subdivided into one or more component structures. Thus,
`one embodiment of the present invention includes a data
`acquisition component and a separate data display compo(cid:173)
`nent (i.e., display unit) which are in electrical communica-
`tion with each other through a wired link (e.g., and electrical
`cable) or a wireless link (e.g., via radio wave transmission).
`The data acquisition component may include at least one of
`an electronic positioning device and a physiological
`monitor, and may be configured to be worn by a subject
`performing a physical activity.
`A variety of configurations may be provided for the data
`acquisition component, depending in part upon the nature of
`20 h t e physical activity to be performed as well as the type of
`data to be acquired. For example, a physiological monitor
`will often include a sensor or probe which interacts with the
`subject to acquire physiological data (such as heart rate
`and/or blood oxygen level). The physiological sensor or
`probe may be incorporated into the data acquisition
`component, or may be provided as a separate unit which is
`in communication with the data acquisition component. For
`example, the physiological sensor or probe may be remote
`from the data acquisition component, yet in electrical com-
`munication with the data acquisition component over a
`wired or wireless connection (see, e.g., FIG. 18). When the
`sensor or probe is incorporated into the data acquisition
`component itself, the data acquisition component may be
`configured to ensure proper positioning of the sensor or
`probe on the subject (i.e., in a position operable to acquire
`the desired physiological data). Of course, the data acqui(cid:173)
`sition component of a monitoring system according to the
`present invention may even comprise multiple structures
`which are physically separate from each other.
`The data display component may likewise be provided in
`a variety of configurations, and its configuration may even
`be chosen based upon the particular physical activity to be
`performed. By way of example, the display component may
`45 be worn by the subject, worn by another individual, attached
`to an apparatus associated with the physical activity (e.g.,
`moun