Communication headset with a stress management function

Abstract

Disclosed is a method, a headset and a system for determining heart rate data of a user. The system comprising a headset for voice communication, the headset being configured to be worn at least partly at or in the ear of the user, the headset comprising: a voice communication unit for enabling a voice communication call mode for establishing a call between the headset and a far-end device; a speaker for reproduction of audio signals; a microphone for reception of audio signals; a photoplethysmograph (PPG) sensor for optically measuring through the skin of the user in or at the ear of the user; wherein the system comprises a processing unit connected to the PPG sensor, where the processing unit is configured for determining heart rate data of the user based on the PPG sensor measurements; wherein the system comprises detecting whether the user is on-call with a far-end device or off-call; and wherein the system comprises a data communication unit for providing the determined heart rate data of the user, when the user is wearing the headset, for indication of the heart rate data of the user.

1 . A system for determining heart rate data of a user, the system comprising a headset for voice communication, the headset being configured to be worn at least partly at or in the ear of the user, the headset comprising:
 a voice communication unit for enabling a voice communication call mode for establishing a call between the headset and a far-end device;   a speaker for reproduction of audio signals;   a microphone for reception of audio signals;   a photoplethysmograph sensor for optically measuring through the skin of the user in or at the ear of the user;   wherein the system comprises a processing unit connected to the PPG sensor, where the processing unit is configured for determining heart rate data of the user based on the PPG sensor measurements;   wherein the system comprises detecting whether the user is on-call with a far-end device or off-call; and   wherein the system comprises a data communication unit for providing the determined heart rate data of the user, when the user is wearing the headset, for indication of the heart rate data of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured for determining the heart rate and determining beat-to-beat intervals based on the PPG sensor measurements, and wherein the processing unit is configured for determining a heart rate variability during a time interval based on the beat-to-beat intervals. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured for determining low frequency components and high frequency components based on the heart rate variability, where the low frequency components and the high frequency components are components in a beat-to beat periodogram, where the beat-to beat periodogram is based on the determined beat-to beat intervals. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured for determining a baseline measurement of the low frequency components and the high frequency components during a first time interval T 1 , when the user is off-call, and wherein the processing unit is configured for measuring a first ratio between the low frequency components and the high frequency components during the first time interval T 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the processing unit is configured for measuring a second ratio (LF/HF-on call) between the low frequency components and the high frequency components during a second time interval T 2 , when the user is on-call. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to detect stress by detection of the heart rate exceeding a first predefined threshold value or by detection of the second ratio exceeding a second predefined threshold value. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a notification unit for providing a notification, if the processing unit detects a heart rate increase of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises a motion sensor configured for detecting head movements of the user for filtering out motion-induced artefacts in the PPG sensor measurements. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset is configured such that the PPG sensor is arranged at the preauricular skin pit area of the user for obtaining the PPG signal from the superficial temporary artery, when the user is wearing the headset. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset configured such that the PPG sensor is arranged at less than 5 mm over the skin surface, such as less than 4 mm, or such as less than 3 mm, or such as less than 2 mm, or such as less than 1 mm over the skin surface, when the user is wearing the headset. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises an earphone housing, and wherein an ear cushion is mounted on the earphone housing, and wherein the PPG sensor is mounted in the earphone housing or in the ear cushion. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the earphone housing comprises a protrusion where the PPG sensor is configured to be arranged, such that the protrusion is configured to rest/be situated at the preauricular skin pit area of the user, when the user is wearing the headset. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises a fixation part for fixing the position of the earphone housing, when the user is wearing the headset, such that the PPG sensor is arranged at the preauricular skin pit area of the user. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for determining heart rate data of a user, comprising:
 determining a heart rate;   determining beat-to-beat intervals;   determining a heart rate variability during a time interval based on the determined beat-to-beat intervals;   determining low frequency components and high frequency components based on the heart rate variability, where the low frequency components and the high frequency components are components in a beat-to beat periodogram, where the beat-to beat periodogram is based on the determined beat-to beat intervals;   determining a baseline measurement of the low frequency components and the high frequency components during a first time interval T 1 , when the user is off-call, and wherein the processing unit is configured for measuring a first ratio between the low frequency components and the high frequency components during the first time interval T 1 ;   measuring a second ratio between the low frequency components and the high frequency components during a second time interval T 2 , when the user is on-call; and   detecting stress by detection of the heart rate exceeding a first predefined threshold value or by detection of the second ratio exceeding a second predefined threshold value.   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an on-call indicator for indicating if the headset is in a call mode or in a non-call mode for detecting whether the user is on-call with a far-end device or off-call.