Noninvasive Method and System for Monitoring Physiological Characteristics

Abstract

Monitoring systems for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters of a subject, including (i) a wearable monitoring garment adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject's torso, and (ii) a magnetometer system that is embedded in the monitoring garment, the magnetometer system including at least paired first transmission and receiver magnetometers and paired second transmission and receiver magnetometers, the magnetometer system being responsive to changes in distance between the paired magnetometers.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An athletic performance monitoring system, comprising:
 a data acquisition subsystem comprising a physiological sensor configured to acquire a signal representative of a physiological characteristic associated with a monitored subject;   a control-data processing subsystem configured to determine athletic performance information associated with the monitored subject as a function of the signal;   a data monitoring subsystem configured to display the athletic performance information; and   a data transmission subsystem configured to control transmissions between the data acquisition subsystem, the control-data processing subsystem, and the data monitoring subsystem.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a garment, wherein a portion of the data acquisition subsystem is disposed thereon.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the data acquisition subsystem, control-data processing subsystem, data monitoring subsystem, and data transmission subsystem are powered by a single power source. 
     
     
         24 . They system of the  claim 21 , further comprising:
 an audio sensor configured to monitor sounds generated by the monitored subject.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the data monitoring subsystem is remote from the data acquisition subsystem. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a magnetometer system comprising a first and second magnetometer configured to be positioned on the monitored subject, the magnetometer system responsive to changes in distance between the first and second magnetometer.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of whether the monitored subject is in an aerobic or anaerobic state. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of a ventilatory threshold of the monitored subject. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the physiological characteristic comprises a respiratory characteristic. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of the monitored subject's progress toward a fitness goal. 
     
     
         31 . An athletic performance monitoring garment, comprising:
 a sensor configured to acquire a signal representative of a physiological characteristic associated with a monitored subject;   a processor configured to determine athletic performance information associated with the monitored subject as a function of the signal; and   a transceiver configured to control transmissions between the sensor, the processor, and a display configured to display the athletic performance information.   
     
     
         32 . The garment of  claim 31 , further comprising a first and second magnetometer, the first and second magnetometers configured to be responsive to changes in distance therebetween. 
     
     
         33 . The garment of  claim 31 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to control transmissions to a plurality of displays configured to display the athletic performance information. 
     
     
         34 . The garment of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 an audio sensor configured to monitor sounds generated by the monitored subject.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of whether the monitored subject is in an aerobic or anaerobic state. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of a ventilatory threshold of the monitored subject. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the physiological characteristic comprises a respiratory characteristic. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the performance information comprises an indication of the monitored subject's progress toward a fitness goal. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the signal comprises an indication of a movement of the subject's chest wall. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to determine an orientation of the monitored subject.