Systems, devices and methods for continuous heart rate monitoring and interpretation

Abstract

Embodiments provide physiological measurement systems, devices and methods for continuous health and fitness monitoring. A lightweight wearable system is provided to collect various physiological data continuously from a wearer without the need for a chest strap. The system also enables monitoring of one or more physiological parameters in addition to heart rate including, but not limited to, body temperature, heart rate variability, motion, sleep, stress, fitness level, recovery level, effect of a workout routine on health, caloric expenditure. Embodiments also include computer-executable instructions that, when executed, enable automatic interpretation of one or more physiological parameters to assess the cardiovascular intensity experienced by a user (embodied in an intensity score or indicator) and the user's recovery after physical exertion (embodied in a recovery score). These indicators or scores may be displayed to assist a user in managing the user's health and exercise regimen.

1 - 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A wearable physiological measurement system comprising:
 an activity monitor for detecting an activity period by a user;   a heart rate monitor for measuring a signal indicative of the user's heart rate; and   a processor module configured to
 determine an activity period based on an initiation signal from the activity monitor, 
 determine proximity based on the signal indicative of the user's heart rate, and 
 based on the determined initiation and the determined proximity, conditionally collect heart rate data of the user, the heart rate data at least partially derived from the signal indicative of the user's heart rate. 
   
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the configuration of the processor module to conditionally collect heart rate data of the user includes continuously collecting heart rate data of the user during the activity period while the heart rate monitor is in proximity to the user's skin. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the activity monitor includes a button configured to be pressed to indicate the start of an activity period. 
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the heart rate monitor includes an optical sensor coupled with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) such that light from the one or more LEDs is directed toward the user's skin and an optical signal, indicative of the user's heart rate, is detected by the optical sensor. 
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 67 , wherein the configuration of the processor module to determine proximity includes determining proximity based on a change in the optical signal, and the configuration of the processor module to conditionally collect heart rate data includes cutting off power to the one or more LEDs based on the detected change in the optical signal. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 67 , further comprising an activity sensor for measuring activity of the user, wherein the processor module is further configured to determine activity level based on an activity signal from the activity sensor, and the configuration of the processor module to conditionally collect heart rate data of the user includes calculating heart rate data based on the optical signal and on the activity signal. 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the configuration of the processor module to conditionally collect heart rate data includes filtering the optical signal based on the activity signal. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the activity sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the processor module is further configured to categorize activity based on the activity signal from the activity sensor. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 69 , wherein the optical sensor includes a photoresistor. 
     
     
         74 . A wearable physiological measurement system comprising:
 a motion sensor for detecting motion of a user;   a heart rate for measuring a signal indicative of the user's heart rate; and   a processor module configured to
 detect motion based on a motion signal from the motion sensor, 
 detect proximity based on the signal indicative of the user's heart rate, and 
 if motion and proximity are each detected, continuously calculate heart rate data based on the signal indicative of the user's heart rate. 
   
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the heart rate monitor includes an optical sensor coupled with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) such that light from the one or more LEDs is directed toward the user's skin and an optical signal, indicative of the user's heart rate, is detected by the optical sensor. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the configuration of the processor module to determine proximity includes determining proximity based on a change in the optical signal. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the processor module is further configured to cut off power to the one or more LEDs based on the change in the optical signal. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the configuration of the processor module to calculate heart rate data includes filtering the optical signal based on the motion signal. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the motion sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         80 . A wearable physiological measurement system comprising:
 a trigger sensor for detecting whether the system is worn by a user;   a heart rate monitor for detecting a signal indicative of a user's heart rate; and   a processing module configured to
 determine a first worn status based on a trigger signal from the trigger sensor, 
 determine a second worn status based on the signal indicative of the user's heart rate, and 
 based on the first worn status and the second worn status, conditionally collect heart rate data at least partially derived from the signal indicative of the user's heart rate. 
   
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the trigger sensor includes a button that is depressed by contact with the user's skin when the system is properly secured to the user. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the configuration of the processing module to determine the second worn status includes detecting a spike in the signal indicative of the user's heart rate. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the configuration of the processing module to collect heart rate data at least partially derived from the signal indicative of the user's heart rate includes detecting frequency in the signal indicative of the user's heart rate.