(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`Dickinson
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`USOO8040758B1
`
`(54) GOLF WATCH HAVING HEART RATE
`MONITORING FOR IMPROVED GOLF
`GAME
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Elisabeth Dickinson, Vancouver (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: Physi-Cal Enterprises LP, Vancouver,
`BC (CA)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`Subject. to any drsclarmer, the term ofthis
`patent rs extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 847 days.
`
`.
`( * ) Notrce:
`
`.
`(21) Appl‘ NO” 12/108’471
`.
`Flledi
`
`(22)
`
`APr- 23, 2008
`
`5,894,454 A *
`4/1999 Kondo ............................ 368/11
`
`6,675,041 B2 *
`1/2004 Dickinson
`600/509
`
`6,950,695 B2*
`9/2005 Chen ..............
`600/509
`7,163,512 B1*
`1/2007 Childre et al.
`600/500
`7,171,259 B2*
`................
`1/2007 R
`600/509
`
`7,457,201 132 * 11/2008 Jaitrkrzann et 31.
`..
`..... 368/10
`
`
`..
`7,462,151 B2 * 12/2008 Childre et al.
`600/300
`7,539,084 B2*
`5/2009 Berseth ............... 368/10
`
`7,894,888 B2*
`2/2011 Chan etal.
`..
`600/509
`7,959,351 B1*
`6/2011 Thorpe .......
`368/282
`3/2005 Almen ............... 600/509
`2005/0054940 A1*
`
`.. 128/20024
`2007/0056582 A1*
`3/2007 Wood et a1.
`.
`....... 600/301
`2007/0106132 A1*
`5/2007 Elhag etal.
`
`..
`2008/0071181 A1*
`3/2008 Stableretal.
`600/509
`2008/0294021 A1* 11/2008 Lin et al.
`........
`600/301
`
`2009/0137915 A1*
`5/2009 Childre et al.
`.
`600/515
`
`2009/0270743 A1* 10/2009 Dugan et al.
`600/500
`
`340/407.1
`2010/0201500 A1*
`8/2010 Stirling et al.
`.
`2010/0201512 A1*
`8/2010 Stirling etal.
`........... 340/53911
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(60)
`
`Il’rozgrgéonal applrcatron No. 60/915,115, filed on May
`
`Primary Examiner i Sean Kayes
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A6IB 5/04
`(2006.01)
`G043 47/06
`.
`.
`8:; Eli-dc: C1"""ilimt;"""'S'" 363/11’ 473/2133686/(f8/51019
`1e
`o
`3881 ca 1011 earc
`..............
`7
`;
`473/2127213; 600/509
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Clted
`U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,738,104 A *
`4/1998 Lo et al.
`........................ 600/521
`5,890,128 A *
`3/1999 Diaz et al.
`......................... 705/2
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`.
`,
`A1Irvlrrstiworn apparatus gor monrtonng a user 5 performlance
`w 1 e p ayrng go me u es a user 1nput, a processor, a eart
`rate monitor, a timer, a user input, a display, a processor and
`a memory for storing a plurality of inputted golf parameters
`that pertain to a round of golf. The apparatus obtains and
`displays the user’s heart rate, providing feedback on the
`user’s heart rate during a round of golf. In addition, the
`apparatus can store various inputted golf parameters and
`compute calculated statistics one or more rounds of golf.
`
`9 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`OBTAIN HEART RATE
`
`
`15°
`
`_____z_._.fi
`DISPLAY HEART RATE “-152
`
`CALCULATE HRV N154
`
`Y
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`DOES H RV INDICATE
`BALANCE?
`
`YES
`
`NOTIFY USER OF
`BALANCE
`
`
`156
`
`158
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1041
`
`APPLE 1041
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`30
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`DISPLAY
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 0f5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`112
`
`124
`
`100
`
`TIM E/DATE
`
`HEART RATE
`
`0
`
`112
`
`124
`
`HEART RATE
`
`1 12
`
`124
`
`STOPWATCH
`
`SET TIME/DATE
`
`103
`
`SET STOPWATCH
`
`ALARM rHEART RAT
`
`0
`
`HEART RATE
`
`~
`
`SET ALARM
`
`112
`
`124
`
`HEART RATE
`
`112
`
`124
`
`GOLF COURSE
`
`'
`
`SET GOLF COURSE
`
`‘
`
`109— f"
`
`GOLF ROUND
`
`HEART RATE
`
`SET GOLF ROUND
`
`1 12
`
`124
`
`RESTING HEART RATE
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`INPUT GOLF
`
`COURSE INFO
`
`STORE GOLF
`
`COURSE INFO
`
`INPUT GOLF INFO
`
`FOR HOLE PLAYED
`
`STORE GOLF INFO
`
`FOR HOLE PLAYED
`
`
`
`
`
`130
`
`132
`
`134
`
`136
`
`
`
`138
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`CALCULATE STAT
`
`FOR GOLF ROUND
`
`140
`
`
`
`DISPLAY CALCULATED
`
`GOLF ROUND STAT
`
`142
`
`
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`CALCULATE HRV
`
`154
`
`
`
`N0
`
`
`
`DOES HRV INDICATE
`
`
`BALANCE?
`
`
`
`156
`
`YES
`
`NOTIFY USER OF
`
`153
`
`BALANCE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`1
`GOLF WATCH HAVING HEART RATE
`MONITORING FOR IMPROVED GOLF
`GAME
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The Present Application claims priority to US. Provisional
`Patent Application No. 60/915,115, filed on May 1, 2007.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`This invention relates to an apparatus and method for
`monitoring, tracking and improving a person’s performance
`during a golf game. The apparatus is provided in the form of
`a portable wrist-wom device.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Golfers are always looking to improve their golfgame. One
`of the most effective ways to improve one’s golf game is to
`integrate the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the
`game. Studies suggest that to play to one’ s greatest potential,
`one must be physically relaxed and mentally engaged. Some
`researchers note that the heart rate slows down just before
`performing a specific task, such as putting, and that elite
`golfers’ heart rates slow down much more than that of begin-
`ners. Elite golfers generally display higher attention levels,
`suggesting a link between heart rate deceleration and focus
`and performance.
`Various companies, such as Polar Electro, CardioSport and
`Timex, offer heart rate monitors to help users keep track of
`their heart rate during physical activities. For example, Puola-
`kanaho et al., US. Pat. No. 6,361,502, entitled “Non-Invasive
`Measuring Device with Different Operating Modes,” disclose
`a measuring device to be carried by a user during exercise.
`The measurement device operates in different modes, includ-
`ing a watch mode, a set mode, and an operating mode. In one
`embodiment, the measuring device is a heart rate monitor that
`includes a wireless transmitter, which is attached to the user’ s
`chest, and a wireless receiver, which is attached to the user’s
`wrist.
`
`One problem with conventional heart rate monitors, how-
`ever, is that they require a separate chest strap to transmit
`heart rate information to the wrist-wom unit. Wearing a chest
`strap may not appeal to all users, as some may find a chest
`strap uncomfortable or inconvenient to wear for extended
`periods of time.
`The MioSHAPETM sports watch from Physi-Cal Enter-
`prises, the owner of the present invention, provides electro-
`cardiogram (ECG) accurate heart rate monitoring without the
`use of a chest strap. This sports watch further includes a
`calorie tracking system that can be tailored to the user’s
`personal
`file. The
`calorie
`tracking features of
`the
`MioSHAPETM sports watch are disclosed in Dickinson, US.
`Pat. No. 6,675,041, entitled “Electronic Apparatus and
`Method for Monitoring Net Calorie Intake,” which is hereby
`incorporated by reference in its entirety.
`Redwood et al., US. Pat. No. 6,275,996, entitled “Articles
`with Removable Elements,” disclose an article to be worn by
`a user, such as a glove or watch, that includes removable
`elements. The removable elements may be health enhancing,
`comfort enhancing or an electronic component. Redwood et
`
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`al. disclose that the article may be a golf glove and the elec-
`tronic component may measure heart rate, blood pressure,
`distance walked, body temperature, external temperature,
`time, strokes, and/or the speed of the hand of user, and store
`information, etc.
`In addition to the heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV)
`may also be used to monitor a person’s physiology. HRV
`refers to the beat-to-beat alterations in heart rate. The normal
`
`variability in heart rate, which can be determined from an
`ECG, or from a pulse wave, is due to the synergistic action of
`the two branches ofthe autonomic nervous system (ANS), the
`sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic ner-
`vous system. The ANS strives toward balance via neural,
`mechanical, humoral and other physiological mechanisms in
`order to maintain cardiovascular (and other bodily system)
`parameters in their most favorable ranges to facilitate optimal
`reaction to changing external or internal conditions. For most
`organs including the heart, the sympathetic nervous system
`stimulates the organ’s functioning, while the parasympa-
`thetic nervous system inhibits function of that organ. An
`increase in sympathetic stimulation causes an increase in
`heart rate. In contrast, an increase in parasympathetic stimu-
`lation causes a decrease in heart rate. At rest, both the sym-
`pathetic and parasympathetic systems are active with para-
`sympathetic dominance. The actual balance between them
`changes constantly in an attempt to achieve optimum consid-
`ering all internal and external stimuli.
`HRV may be measured using various time domain or fre-
`quency domain methods. Originally, HRV was assessed
`manually from calculation of the mean R-R interval and its
`standard deviation measured on short
`term ECGs. The
`smaller the standard deviation in R-R intervals, the lower the
`HRV. Recent developments in microprocessor technology
`have enabled the calculation of frequency measures based on
`mathematical manipulations performed on the same ECG-
`derived data. Further details regarding the various methods of
`measuring HRV are disclosed in the 1996 article, entitled
`“Heart Rate Variability: Standards of Measurement, Physi-
`ological Interpretation, and Clinical Use” by the Task Force
`of the European Society of Cardiology the North American
`Society of Pacing Electrophysiology.
`None of the above-mentioned devices, however, discloses
`a golf-specific watch that is capable of the following: (1)
`monitoring heart rate and/or HRV to improve a user’s control,
`accuracy and consistency; (2) enabling the user to input and
`store information relevant to a round of golf, including the
`number of strokes and putts; and (3) calculating, based on the
`user-input information, statistics for the round of golf.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention discloses a golf-specific watch that
`provides for heart rate and/or HRV monitoring. The watch
`includes a user input that allows the user to enter and store
`various golf parameters, such as golf course information and
`the number of strokes and putts for each hole during a round
`of golf. The watch also computes and displays to the user
`statistics for each round of golf, such as an over/under score
`for a front half, back half or full round of golf, an average
`number of putts per hole, and a fairway percentage.
`In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a
`wrist-wom apparatus for monitoring a user’s performance
`during a round of golf on a golf course includes a housing, a
`strap, a user input, a processor located in the housing, a heart
`rate monitor, a timer located in the housing and connected to
`the processor, a memory located in the housing and accessible
`to the processor, and a display. The strap, which is attached to
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`3
`the housing, secures the apparatus to the user’ s wrist. The user
`input is provided on the housing and connected to the proces-
`sor. The user input enables the user to enter a plurality of golf
`parameters pertaining to the round of golf. The inputted golf
`parameters are stored in the memory of the apparatus, where
`they are accessible to the processor. The heart rate monitor,
`which is also connected to the processor, includes a plurality
`of sensors that that are exposed on the housing. The display is
`located on the housing and connected to the processor, such
`that the processor can present on the display a heart rate ofthe
`user. The processor can also compute and present on the
`display at least one calculated statistic for the round of golf.
`The processor may further monitor and compute, using infor-
`mation from the heart rate monitor, a heart rate variability for
`the user and present on the display an indicator of when the
`user has achieved a balance between the user’s sympathetic
`and parasympathetic nervous systems.
`In accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention, a
`method for improving a user’s performance during a round of
`golf on a golf course includes providing a wrist-wom appa-
`ratus having a user input, a processor, a heart rate monitor, a
`timer, a memory and a display. The method further includes
`periodically monitoring the
`Having briefly described the present invention, the above
`and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be
`recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the fol-
`lowing detailed description of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention, in accordance with one or more
`various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to
`the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes
`of illustration only and merely depict typical or example
`embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided
`to facilitate the reader’s understanding of the invention and
`shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or
`applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for
`clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not neces-
`sarily made to scale.
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating various operational modes
`in the apparatus according to the preferred embodiment ofthe
`invention.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of calculating
`statistics for a single round of golf.
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of notifying a
`user when his or her parasympathetic and sympathetic ner-
`vous systems are in a state of balance.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of an apparatus 10
`according to the present invention. Apparatus 10 is provided
`in the form of a compact, portable, self-contained package.
`Most preferably, apparatus 10 is a wrist-worn apparatus,
`similar to a wrist watch. As shown in FIG. 2 apparatus 10 has
`a strap 40, with which apparatus 10 may be secured to a user’ s
`wrist.
`
`Apparatus 10 has a user input 11, which allows a user to set
`up apparatus 10 as described below and to provide apparatus
`10 with data regarding a golf course and the user’s round of
`golf at that golf course. User input 11 may comprise a number
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`of buttons, a keypad, a touch screen, or any other suitable,
`compact means for entering information into apparatus 10.
`The data entered by the user at user input 11 is provided to
`a processor 12, which operates as directed by a software
`program stored in ROM 13. Processor 12 may comprise a
`microprocessor. Processor 12 is preferably a type of micro-
`processor that is compact and consumes very little power.
`Various microprocessors designed for use in electronic wrist-
`watches may be used for processor 12. The model 80C51
`processor made by Intel is one example of a microprocessor
`which may be used in apparatus 10.
`Processor 12 has access to a memory 14, which processor
`12 can store data in and retrieve data from during operation.
`Memory 14 may have a plurality of memory locations 14A-
`14E. As the user enters data via user input 11, processor 12
`stores the data in a memory location of memory 14. Data
`entered by the user may include personal information, such as
`birth month and year, gender, base heart rate, which is indica-
`tive ofthe user’ s general physiological condition, and weight,
`as well as various golf parameters described in greater detail
`below.
`
`Apparatus 10 includes a timer 20 and a heart rate monitor
`24, both ofwhich are connected to processor 12. At any time,
`and particularly during a round of golf, the user can periodi-
`cally cause heart rate monitor 24 to measure the user’s heart
`rate. Heart rate monitor 24 is preferably of a type which
`detects a user’s heart rate by detecting a signal between the
`user’s wrist and a finger of the user’s opposite hand. By way
`of example only, heart rate monitor 24 may be the type of
`heart rate monitor described in US. Pat. No. 5,738,104,
`entitled “EKG Based Heart Rate Monitor” or US. Pat. No.
`5,876,350, entitled “EKG Based Heart Rate Monitor with
`Digital Filter and Enhancement Signal Processor,” both of
`which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
`Processor 12 can then present the user’s heart rate infor-
`mation on a display 30. Display 30 may be any suitable type
`of graphical display. Display 30 is preferably a liquid crystal
`display (LCD).
`FIG. 2 is a view of an apparatus 10 according to one
`possible embodiment of the invention. Apparatus 10 has the
`overall form of a wrist watch. Apparatus 10 has a strap 40 by
`means ofwhich apparatus 10 may be secured to a user’s wrist.
`Apparatus 10 has a rugged body 10A, which houses display
`30, and a pair of contacts 48, 50, which are associated with
`heart rate monitor 24. The rear face ofbody 10A forms a third
`electrical contact, which contacts the user’s wrist. Apparatus
`10 may be largely constructed using technology that is con-
`ventional for the construction of electronic watches. Such
`
`technology is not described here in detail because it is well
`known to those skilled in the art. The following description
`describes a specific embodiment ofthe invention illustrated in
`FIG. 2 as a non-limiting example ofhow the invention may be
`practiced.
`Apparatus 10 ofFIG. 2 has four control buttons 42, 43, 44,
`and 46, which collectively constitute user input 11. Button 42
`may be used to cause processor 12 to change into and out of
`operating modes, in which various parameters relevant to the
`operation of apparatus 10, can be set. Button 42 may also
`control the operation of a lamp for the illumination of display
`30. Button 43 may activate various functions,
`including
`selecting information in set modes as described below and
`inputting information into memory 14 (or updating previ-
`ously stored information). Buttons 44 and 46 may be used for
`selecting information in set modes of apparatus 10 and con-
`trolling a stopwatch. Button 44 increases a selected value and
`starts the running ofthe stopwatch, while button 46 decreases
`a selected value and stops the running of the stopwatch.
`
`8
`
`

`

`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`5
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart which illustrates various operating
`modes of apparatus 10. Apparatus 10 has a time/date mode
`100, in which the current time and date are displayed on
`display 30, a stopwatch 102, in which elapsed time is dis-
`played on display 30, an alarm mode 104, in which a time at
`which an audible, Visual or tactile alarm will be set off is
`displayed on display 30, a golf course mode 106, in which
`data pertaining to a particular golf course is displayed on
`display 30, a golfround mode 108, in which data pertaining to
`a round of golf is displayed on display 30, and a resting heart
`rate mode 110, in which the user’s resting heart rate is dis-
`played on display 30. The user can circulate apparatus 10
`through modes 100 to 110 by repeatedly pressing button 42 as
`indicated by arrows 120. Time/date mode 100 is the default
`operating mode for apparatus 10. If apparatus 10 is in any of
`operating modes 102 through 110 and none ofbuttons 42, 43,
`44 or 46 is pressed within a predetermined time interval, then
`apparatus 10 returns to time/date mode 100 as indicated by
`arrows 122.
`
`Apparatus 10 may further include additional modes, such
`as a calorie mode, in which the user’s net calorie intake is
`displayed on display 30, a target mode, in which a user’s
`target net calorie consumption is displayed on display 30, and
`a weight mode, in which a user’s weight, as set by the user, is
`displayed in display 30, all ofwhich are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,675,041, entitled “Electronic Apparatus and Method
`for Monitoring Net Calorie Intake,” which is hereby incorpo-
`rated by reference in its entirety.
`Heart rate monitor 24 is activated whenever the user places
`a finger on each of contacts 48 and 50. Processor 12 is pro-
`grammed to display the heart rate measured by heart rate
`monitor 24 on display 30 for a few seconds whenever heart
`rate monitor 24 completes the measurement of the user’s
`heart rate. The user can thereby measure his or her heart rate
`at any time. If heart rate monitor 24 fails to detect the user’s
`heart rate then, after a few seconds, apparatus 10 returns to the
`operating mode it was in before the user activated heart rate
`monitor 24 as indicated by arrows 124.
`Each of operating modes 100 through 108 has a corre-
`sponding set mode. For example, mode 100 has a correspond-
`ing set mode 101, which allows the user to set the current time
`and date by manipulating buttons 42, 43, 44 and 46. Such
`functions are conventional in electronic watches and will not
`be described here further.
`
`Prior to using apparatus 10 for the first time, the user
`provides certain information to apparatus 10 through user
`input 11. This information preferably includes the user’ s sex,
`birth month and year (from which the user’s age can be
`calculated), and resting heart rate (as measured by heart rate
`monitor 24).
`Apparatus 10 enables the user to monitor his or her heart
`rate information while playing golf, store golf-related data
`during the user’s golf game, and later calculate statistics
`based on that round of golf as well as any previously stored
`rounds of golf. Heart rate information is a good indicator of
`the user’s emotional and mental state. Apparatus 10 enables
`the user to monitor his or her physiological state during a
`round of golf and track the user’s progress during the round.
`In a preferred embodiment, apparatus 10 is capable of storing
`in memory 14 data for multiple golf courses and multiple
`rounds of golf, so that the user may track improvements over
`time.
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating how the user would utilize
`apparatus 10 to store a plurality of golf parameters during a
`round of golf and generate statistics for that round of golf. At
`step 130, the user would navigate apparatus 10, using user
`input 42, to present golf course mode 106 on display 30. In
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`golfcourse mode 106, the user may enterusing user inputs 42,
`43, 44 and 46 golf parameters related to a particular golf
`course. Golf parameters relevant to a particular golf course
`may include the following: golf course rating; slope ratings;
`and par values for each hole of the golf course. At step 132,
`data entered into apparatus 10 is stored by processor 12 in
`suitable memory locations of memory 14.
`At step 134, the user would navigate apparatus 10 to
`present golf round mode 108 on display 30. In golf round
`mode 108, the user may input golf parameters relevant a
`particular hole ofthe round ofgolfthat the user is playing. For
`example, golf parameters relevant to a particular hole include
`the following: number of strokes and putts; whether a stroke
`landed in a fairway, whether a stroke was made from a sand
`trap; any penalty shots. At step 136, the golf parameters
`entered by the user are stored in suitable memory locations of
`memory 14.
`At step 138, the user will return to step 134 and repeat steps
`134 and 136, entering additional golf parameters for each
`subsequent hole of that round of golf, until the round is
`completed. When the user has completed the round of golf, at
`step 140, processor 12 will retrieve from memory 14 the golf
`parameters entered by the user during the round of golf and
`compute various calculated statistics for the round of golf.
`Calculated statistics for a round of golf may include the
`following: total number of strokes and putts for a front half,
`back half or full round of golf; average putts per hole; over/
`under score for a front half, back half or full round of golf;
`fairway percentage; greens in regulation; penalty strokes;
`sand saves; and handicap. Processor 12 then presents on
`display 30 the calculated statistics.
`In addition to calculating and displaying statistics for a
`single round of golf, processor 12 may calculate average
`statistics for multiple rounds of golf, based on the golfparam-
`eters for those multiple rounds of golf that are stored in
`memory 14. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
`memory 14 may store data for up to twenty rounds ofgolf and
`three different golf courses. The user may review these sta-
`tistics on display 30 and track improvements in his or her golf
`game.
`At any time during a round of golf, the user may obtain
`heart rate information by placing two fingers of the opposite
`hand on contacts 48 and 50 of heart rate monitor 24. Appa-
`ratus 10 will switch to heart rate mode 112, as described
`earlier, and present on display 30 the user’s heart rate, pro-
`viding immediate feedback on the user’s current physiologi-
`cal state. The user obtains heart rate information prior to
`teeing off or putting, after a shot, or while walking between
`holes. By monitoring heart rate information, the user can
`determine the optimal heart rate for peak golf performance.
`Apparatus 10 may provide additional heart rate informa-
`tion aside from just the user’ s heart rate. Heart rate variability
`(HRV) is another indicator of a person’s physiology. The
`autonomic nervous system strives toward balance between its
`two branches, the parasympathetic and the sympathetic ner-
`vous systems. At rest, when the heart rate is lower, both the
`sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are active with
`increased parasympathetic activity.
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating how apparatus 10 incor-
`porates HRV information. At step 150, the user obtains a heart
`rate reading using heart rate monitor 24. At step 152, proces-
`sor 12 may display the measured heart rate on display 30. At
`step 154, processor 12 using pre-programmed algorithms,
`such as those developed by MedPond LLC, to calculate HRV.
`Exemplary methods of obtaining physiological data useful
`with the present invention are disclosed in US. Patent Pub-
`lication Number 2005/0251056, US. Patent Publication
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`7
`Number 2005/0251055, U.S. Patent Publication Number
`2005/0251054, US. Patent Publication Number 2005/
`0251057, U.S. Patent Publication Number 2005/0251051,
`US. Patent Publication Number 2005/0251424, all of which
`are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`HRV is a measure of an autonomic function. A thorough
`discussion of HRV is provided at www.biocomtech.com,
`which information pertaining to HRV and methods of obtain-
`ing and analyzing is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety. At step 156, processor evaluates whether the HRV
`indicates an appropriate balance between the parasympa-
`thetic and sympathetic nervous systems. If there is not an
`appropriate balance, apparatus 10 will return to step 150 and
`obtain another heart rate reading. Apparatus 10 will run
`through steps 150-154 until the HRV indicates an appropriate
`balance, signifying that the user is in a relaxed state. At that
`point, at step 158, processor 12 will provide an indicator on
`display 30, notifying the user that her or she is in a prime,
`mental, stress-free state, which is optimal for swinging or
`putting. The indicator presented on display 30 may be a series
`of flashing dots, graphical bars or any other visual feedback.
`In addition, the indicator may be accompanied by an audible
`sound, such as a series of beeps, such that the user need not
`focus on display 30 of apparatus 10 in order to determine
`whether he or she is in an optimal physiological state.
`While various embodiments of the present invention have
`been described above, it should be understood that they have
`been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation.
`Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should
`not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
`embodiments. Additionally, the invention is described above
`in terms of various exemplary environments, embodiments
`and implementations. It should be understood that the various
`features and functionality described in one or more of the
`individual embodiments, environments or implementations
`are not limited in their applicability to the particular environ-
`ment, embodiment, or implementation with which they are
`described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some com-
`bination, to one or more alternative environments, embodi-
`ments or implementations of the invention, whether or not
`such environments, embodiments or implementations are
`described and whether or not such features are presented as
`being a part of a described environment, embodiment, or
`implementation.
`Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
`thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be con-
`strued as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of
`the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean-
`ing “including without
`limitation” or the like;
`the term
`“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item
`in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and
`terms and phrases such as “known,” “apparent to one of skill
`in the art,” “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “stan-
`dard,” and terms and phrases of similar meaning shouldnot be
`construed as limiting the item described to a given time period
`or to an item available as ofa given time, but instead should be
`read to encompass conventional, known, apparent, tradi-
`tional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available
`now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items
`linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as
`requiring that each and every one of those items be present in
`the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless
`expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked
`with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring
`mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be
`read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise.
`
`8
`I claim as my invention the following:
`1. A wristwatch for monitoring a user’s performance dur-
`ing a round of golf on a golf course, the golf course having a
`plurality of holes, the wrist-worn apparatus comprising:
`a housing;
`a strap attached to the housing for securing the housing to
`the user’s wrist;
`a user input on the housing;
`a processor located in the housing and connected to receive
`information from the user input;
`a heart rate monitor connected to the processor, the heart
`rate monitor including a plurality of sensors exposed on
`at least two surfaces of the housing;
`a timer located in the housing and connected to the proces-
`sor;
`a memory located in the housing and accessible to the
`processor, the memory including a memory location for
`storing a plurality of inputted golf parameters, the plu-
`rality of inputted golfparameters pertaining to the round
`of golf;
`a display on the housing, the display being connected to the
`processor,
`wherein the processor is adapted to present on the display
`a heart rate of the user, and the processor is adapted to
`compute and present on the display at least one calcu-
`lated statistic for the round ofgolf; the heart rate monitor
`neither transmits nor receives heart rate information
`
`wirelessly; wherein the processor is adapted to compute
`a heart rate variability from a heart rate obtained by the
`heart rate monitor; and the processor is adapted to
`present on the display an indicator of when the user has
`achieved a balance between the user’s sympathetic and
`parasympathetic nervous systems, the processor deter-
`mining the balance based upon the user’s heart rate
`variability.
`2. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the indi-
`cator includes an audible sound notifying the user of the
`balance between the user’s sympathetic and parasympathetic
`nervous systems.
`3. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the plu-
`rality of sensors of the heart rate monitor include first and
`second sensors located on a front surface of the housing and
`a third sensor located on a rear surface of the housing, the
`third sensor adapted to be in contact with the user’ s wrist, the
`first and second sensors adapted to be contacted by first and
`second fingers of the user’s opposite hand.
`4. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the plu-
`rality of inputted golf parameters includes a number of
`strokes and a number of putts for each hole of the round of
`golf on the golf course.
`5. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the at least
`one calculated statistic for the round of golf includes at least
`one of: (a) a total number of strokes and a total number of
`putts for a portion ofthe round ofgolf, the portion ofthe round
`of golf including at least two holes of the golf course; (b) a
`total number of strokes and a total number of putts for an
`entire round of golf on the golf course; and (c) an average
`number of putts per hole.
`6. The wristwatch according to claim 4, wherein the plu-
`rality of inputted golf parameters further includes at least one
`of: (a) a golf cour