United States Patent
`US 8,040,758 B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Dickinson
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`
`US008040758B1
`
`(54) GOLF WATCH HAVING HEART RATE
`MONITORING FOR IMPROVED GOLF
`GAME
`Inventor: Elisabeth Dickinson, Vancouver (CA)
`
`(75)
`
`(73) Assignee: Physi-Cal Enterprises LP, Vancouver,
`BC (CA)
`:
`:
`:
`:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 847 days.
`
`:
`(*) Notice:
`
`.
`(21) Appl. No. 12/108,471
`:
`(22)
`Filed:
`Apr. 23, 2008
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) oyisional application No. 60/915,115, filed on May
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A6IB 5/04
`(2006.01)
`GOAB 47/06
`.
`.
`(52) US. Ch..cores 368/11; 473/213; 600/509
`(58) Field of Classification Search .............. 368/10-11;
`lication
`file
`fi
`ae2i 600/509
`See applicationfile for complete search
`history.
`:
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`5,738,104 A *
`5,890,128 A *
`
`4/1998 Loetal. woe 600/521
`3/1999 Diazet al. oo. 705/2
`
`5,894,454 A *
`4/1999 Kondo wus 368/11
`
`6,675,041 B2*
`... 600/509
`1/2004 Dickinson
`
`6,950,695 B2*
`9/2005 Chen ou.
`... 600/509
`7,163,512 B1*
`1/2007 Childre etal.
`... 600/500
`7,171,259 B2*
`1/2007 Rytky wo...
`... 600/509
`7,457,201 B2* 11/2008 hyty etal. ccc 368/10
`7A62,151 B2* 12/2008 Childre et al.
`..
`... 600/300
`
`5/2009 Berseth .....ccccceee 368/10
`7,539,084 B2*
`
`
`..- 600/509
`7,894,888 B2*
`2/2011 Chanetal.
`7,959,351 B1L*
`6/2011 Thorpe....
`.. 368/282
`2005/0054940 AL*
`3/2005 Almen oe 600/509
`2007/0056582 Al*
`3/2007 Wood etal.
`.
`"'128/200.24
`
`2007/0106132 A1*
`5/2007 Elhagetal. ww... 600/301
`2008/0071181 A1*
`3/2008 Stableret al.
`...
`.. 600/509
`2008/0294021 Al* 11/2008 Linetal.
`.........
`... 600/301
`2009/0137915 Al*
`5/2009 Childre etal.
`..
`... 600/515
`2009/0270743 Al* 10/2009 Duganetal. ............. 600/300
`
`... 340/407.1
`2010/0201500 Al*
`8/2010 Stirling etal.
`..
`........... 340/539. 11
`2010/0201512 Al*
`8/2010 Stirlingetal.
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Sean Kayes
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`ree
`.
`;
`Apristworn apparatus a monitoring a user’s performance
`while playing golf
`includes a user input, a processor, a heart
`rate monitor, a timer, a user input, a display, a processor and
`a memory forstoring 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
`&
`e
`apparatus can store various inputted golf parameters and
`compute calculated statistics one or more roundsof golf.
`
`9 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`OBTAIN HEART RATE[159
`
`
`
`
`
`¥
`[154
`
`BALANCE
`
`er
`DISPLAY HEART RATE (~~152
`
`CALCULATE HRV
`
`NOTIFY USER OF
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1044
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1044
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`30 PROCESSOR
`DISPLAY 24
`
`HEART RATE
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`112
`
`124
`
`100
`
`TIME/DATE
`
`HEART RATE
`
`‘
`
`412
`
`124
`
`HEART RATE
`
`STOPWATCH
`
`HEART RATE
`
`SET TIME/DATE
`
`112
`
`HEART RAT
`
`'
`
`112
`
`HEART RATE
`
`412
`
`HEART RATE
`
`112
`
`RESTING HEART RATE
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`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
`
`439
`
`134
`
`136
`
`
`
`138
`
`
`
`
`140
`
`142
`
`CALCULATE STAT
`FOR GOLF ROUND
`
`DISPLAY CALCULATED
`GOLF ROUND STAT
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 18, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`>| OBTAIN HEART RATE
`
`150
`
`DISPLAY HEART RATE
`
`[7-154
`
`CALCULATE HRV
`
`“454
`
`
`
`DOES HRV INDICATE
`
`
`NO
`
`
`
`156
`
`YES
`
`NOTIFY USER OF
`BALANCE
`
`158
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 8,040,758 B1
`
`1
`GOLF WATCH HAVING HEART RATE
`MONITORING FOR IMPROVED GOLF
`GAME
`
`CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`The Present Application claimspriority to U.S. 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-worn device.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Golfers are always looking to improvetheir 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 suggestthat to play to one’s greatest potential,
`one mustbe 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 morethanthat 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 physicalactivities. For example, Puola-
`kanahoet al., U.S. 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 measurementdevice 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 monitorthat
`includesa 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-worn unit. Wearing a chest
`strap may not appealto all users, as some may find a chest
`strap uncomfortable or inconvenient to wear for extended
`periods oftime.
`The MioSHAPE™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
`MioSHAPE™sports watch are disclosed in Dickinson, U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,675,041, entitled “Electronic Apparatus and
`Method for Monitoring Net Calorie Intake,” which is hereby
`incorporated by referencein its entirety.
`Redwoodet al., U.S. 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. Redwoodet
`
`2
`al. disclose thatthe 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-beatalterationsin 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 branchesofthe autonomic nervous system (ANS), the
`sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic ner-
`vous system. The ANSstrives toward balance via neural,
`mechanical, humoral and other physiological mechanisms in
`order to maintain cardiovascular (and other bodily system)
`parametersin their mostfavorable rangesto facilitate optimal
`reaction to changing externalor 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 domainorfre-
`quency domain methods. Originally, HRV was assessed
`manually from calculation of the mean R-R interval andits
`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 enabledthe 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.
`Noneof 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 auser’s control,
`accuracy and consistency; (2) enabling the user to input and
`store information relevant to a round ofgolf, including the
`numberofstrokes 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 numberof 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
`numberof 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, amemory locatedin 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 apparatusto the user’s wrist. The user
`input is provided on the housing and connectedto the proces-
`sor. The user input enables the user to entera plurality of golf
`parameters pertaining to the round ofgolf. The inputted golf
`parameters are stored in the memory of the apparatus, where
`they are accessible to the processor. The heart rate monitor,
`whichis also connected to the processor, includes a plurality
`of sensorsthat that are exposed on the housing. The display is
`located on the housing and connected to the processor, such
`that the processor can presenton 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 embodimentofthe invention, a
`methodfor improving a user’s performance during a round of
`golf on a golf course includes providing a wrist-worn 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 drawingsare 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 madeto 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 accordingto a
`preferred embodimentofthe invention.
`FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating various operational modes
`in the apparatus accordingto the preferred embodimentofthe
`invention.
`
`FIG.4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of calculating
`statistics for a single roundofgolf.
`FIG.5 is a flow chart illustrating a methodof notifying a
`user when his or her parasympathetic and sympathetic ner-
`vous systemsare 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 shownin FIG.2 apparatus 10 has
`a strap 40, with which apparatus 10 may be securedto a user’s
`wrist.
`
`Apparatus 10 has a user input 11, which allows a userto set
`up apparatus 10 as described below andto provide apparatus
`10 with data regarding a golf course and the user’s round of
`golfat that golf course. User input 11 may comprise a number
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
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`30
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`35
`
`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
`
`4
`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 consumesvery little power.
`Various microprocessors designedfor use in electronic wrist-
`watches may be used for processor 12. The model 80C51
`processor madebyIntel 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 andretrieve data from during operation.
`Memory 14 may havea plurality of memory locations 14A-
`14E. Asthe 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 andyear, gender, base heart rate, which is indica-
`tive ofthe user’s general physiological condition, and weight,
`as well as various golf parameters described in greaterdetail
`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 U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,104,
`entitled “EKG Based Heart Rate Monitor” or U.S. 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 referencein 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 embodimentof the invention. Apparatus 10 has the
`overall form of a wrist watch. Apparatus 10 hasa strap 40 by
`meansofwhich 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 formsa third
`electrical contact, which contacts the user’s wrist. Apparatus
`10 maybe largely constructed using technologythat is con-
`ventional for the construction of electronic watches. Such
`technology is not described here in detail because it is well
`knownto those skilled in the art. The following description
`describes a specific embodimentofthe inventionillustrated in
`FIG.2 as anon-limiting example ofhow the invention may be
`practiced.
`Apparatus 10 of FIG. 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 relevantto the
`operation of apparatus 10, can be set. Button 42 may also
`control the operation of a lamp for the illuminationof 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 maybe 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 whichillustrates 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 timeis 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 roundof 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 noneofbuttons 42, 43,
`44 or 46 is pressed within a predeterminedtime 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 consumptionis displayed on display 30, and
`a weight mode, in which a user’s weight, as set by theuser, 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 24is activated wheneverthe user places
`a finger on each of contacts 48 and 50. Processor 12 is pro-
`grammedto display the heart rate measured by heart rate
`monitor 24 on display 30 for a few seconds wheneverheart
`rate monitor 24 completes the measurement of the user’s
`heart rate. The user can thereby measure hisor her heart rate
`at any time. If heart rate monitor 24fails to detect the user’s
`heart rate then, after a few seconds, apparatus 10 returnsto the
`operating modeit 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 allowsthe userto setthe current time
`and date by manipulating buttons 42, 43, 44 and 46. Such
`functions are conventionalin 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.
`Ina preferred embodiment, apparatus 10 is capable of storing
`in memory 14 data for multiple golf courses and multiple
`roundsof 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 generatestatistics 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
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`6
`golfcourse mode 106, the user may enter using 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 ofgolfthatthe useris playing. For
`example, golf parameters relevant to a particular hole include
`the following: numberof 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 userare stored in suitable memory locations of
`memory 14.
`Atstep 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. Whenthe user has completed the roundofgolf, 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 numberofstrokes 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 calculatedstatistics.
`In addition to calculating and displaying statistics for a
`single round of golf, processor 12 may calculate average
`statistics for multiple roundsof 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 maystore data for up to twenty rounds ofgolf and
`three different golf courses. The user may review thesesta-
`tistics on display 30 and track improvementsin his or hergolf
`game.
`At any time during a roundof golf, the user may obtain
`heart rate information by placing twofingers 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 nervoussystem strives toward balance betweenits
`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 measuredheart rate on display 30. At
`step 154, processor 12 using pre-programmedalgorithms,
`such as those developed by MedPond LLC,to calculate HRV.
`Exemplary methods of obtaining physiological data useful
`with the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent Pub-
`lication Number 2005/0251056, U.S. Patent Publication
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`Number 2005/0251055, U.S. Patent Publication Number
`I claim as my invention the following:
`2005/0251054, U.S. Patent Publication Number 2005/
`1. A wristwatch for monitoring a user’s performance dur-
`ing a round of golf on a golf course, the golf course having a
`0251057, U.S. Patent Publication Number 2005/0251051,
`plurality of holes, the wrist-worn apparatus comprising:
`USS. Patent Publication Number 2005/0251424, all of which
`a housing;
`are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
`a strap attached to the housing for securing the housing to
`HRVis a measure of an autonomic function. A thorough
`the user’s wrist;
`discussion of HRV is provided at www.biocomtech.com,
`a user input on the housing;
`which information pertaining to HRV and methodsof obtain-
`a processorlocatedin the housing and connectedto receive
`ing and analyzing is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`information from the user input;
`entirety. At step 156, processor evaluates whether the HRV
`a heart rate monitor connected to the processor, the heart
`indicates an appropriate balance between the parasympa-
`rate monitor includingaplurality of sensors exposed on
`thetic and sympathetic nervous systems. If there is not an
`at least two surfaces of the housing;
`appropriate balance, apparatus 10 will return to step 150 and
`a timerlocatedin the housing and connectedto the proces-
`obtain another heart rate reading. Apparatus 10 will run
`SOr;
`through steps 150-154 until the HRV indicates an appropriate
`a memory located in the housing and accessible to the
`balance, signifying that the user is in a relaxed state. At that
`processor, the memory including a memory location for
`point, at step 158, processor 12 will provide an indicator on
`storing a plurality of inputted golf parameters, the plu-
`display 30, notifying the user that her or she is in a prime,
`rality of inputted golfparameters pertaining to the round
`mental, stress-free state, which is optimal for swinging or
`of golf;
`putting. The indicator presented on display 30 may bea series
`a display on the housing,the display being connectedto the
`processor,
`offlashing dots, graphical bars or any other visual feedback.
`In addition, the indicator may be accompanied by an audible
`wherein the processor is adapted to present on the display
`sound, such as a series of beeps, such that the user need not
`a heart rate of the user, and the processor is adapted to
`focus on display 30 of apparatus 10 in order to determine
`compute and present on the display at least one calcu-
`whetherheor she is in an optimal physiologicalstate.
`lated statistic for the roundofgolf; the heart rate monitor
`neither transmits nor receives heart rate information
`While various embodimentsof the present invention have
`been described above, it should be understood that they have
`wirelessly; wherein the processor is adapted to compute
`been presented by way of example only, and not oflimitation.
`a heart rate variability from a heart rate obtained by the
`Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should
`heart rate monitor; and the processor is adapted to
`not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
`present on the display an indicator of when the user has
`embodiments. Additionally, the invention is described above
`achieved a balance betweenthe user’s sympathetic and
`in terms of various exemplary environments, embodiments
`parasympathetic nervous systems, the processor deter-
`and implementations. It should be understoodthat the various
`mining the balance based upon the user’s heart rate
`features and functionality described in one or more of the
`variability.
`individual embodiments, environments or implementations
`2. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the indi-
`are not limitedin their applicability to the particular environ-
`cator includes an audible sound notifying the user of the
`ment, embodiment, or implementation with which they are
`balance betweenthe user’s sympathetic and parasympathetic
`nervous systems.
`described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some com-
`bination, to one or more alternative environments, embodi-
`3. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the plu-
`ments or implementations of the invention, whether or not
`rality of sensors of the heart rate monitor include first and
`such environments, embodiments or implementations are
`second sensors located on a front surface of the housing and
`described and whether or not such features are presented as
`a third sensor located on a rear surface of the housing, the
`being a part of a described environment, embodiment, or
`third sensor adapted to be in contact with the user’s wrist, the
`implementation.
`first and second sensors adapted to be contacted byfirst and
`Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
`second fingers of the user’s opposite hand.
`thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be con-
`4. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the plu-
`strued as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of
`rality of inputted golf parameters includes a number of
`the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean-
`strokes and a numberof putts for each hole of the round of
`ing “including without
`limitation” or the like;
`the term
`golf on the golf course.
`“example”is used to provide exemplary instancesofthe item
`5. The wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the at least
`in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and
`one calculated statistic for the round of golf includesat least
`terms andphrases such as “known,”“apparent to one of skill
`one of: (a) a total number of strokes and a total number of
`in the art,’ “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “stan-
`putts for a portion ofthe roundofgolf, the portion ofthe round
`dard,” and terms and phrases of similar meaning should not be
`of golf including at least two holes of the golf course; (b) a
`construedas limiting the item describedto a given time period
`total number of strokes and a total numberof putts for an
`orto an item available as ofa given time, but instead should be
`entire round of golf on the golf course; and (c) an average
`read to encompass conventional, known, apparent, tradi-
`numberofputts per hole.
`tional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available
`6. The wristwatch according to claim 4, wherein the plu-
`now orat any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items
`rality of inputted golf parameters further includes at least one
`linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as
`of: (a) a golf course rating; (b) a slope rating for each hole of
`requiring that each and every oneofthose itemsbe present in
`the golf course; and (c) a par value for each hole of the golf
`course.
`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.
`
`7. The wristwatch accordingto claim 6, wherein the at least
`one calculated statistic for the round of golf includesat least
`one of: (a) an over/under score for a portion of the round of
`golf, the portion of the round of golf including at least two
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`holes of the golf course; (b) a fairway percentage fo