Noninvasive Method and System for Monitoring Physiological Characteristics and Athletic Performance

Abstract

A physiological monitoring system for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters of a subject, comprising a fitness monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes (i) a monitoring garment adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject's torso, (ii) a magnetometer subsystem including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer, wherein the first and second magnetometers are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the magnetometer subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a signal representative of a change in the distance between the first and second magnetometers, wherein the first and second magnetometers are incorporated into the monitoring garment, and wherein the first and second magnetometers are proximate to the subject's chest region when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A garment, comprising:
 a garment portion configured to be worn by a subject engaged in a physical activity;   a sensor coupled to the garment portion, the sensor configured to generate a physiological signal related to the subject;   a first communication link configured to transmit the signal from the sensor;   a local data unit proximate to the sensor and coupled to the garment portion, comprising:
 a processor configured to receive and preprocess the transmitted signal; 
 a memory to store the preprocessed signal; and 
 a second communication link configured to communicate the stored signal to a remote monitor. 
   
     
     
         58 . A fitness monitoring system for monitoring parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, comprising:
 a sensor configured to generate a physiological signal related to the subject;   a first communication link configured to transmit the signal from the sensor;   a local data unit proximate to the sensor, comprising:
 a processor configured to receive and preprocess the transmitted signal; 
 a memory to store the preprocessed signal; and 
 a second communication link configured to communicate the stored signal to a remote monitor. 
   
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 58 , the processor further configured to:
 determine a physiological parameter during preprocessing of the signal;   check the physiological parameter for conditions indicating an abnormal condition; and   transmit one of a visual, audible, and tactile indication to the subject if an abnormal condition exists based on the determined physiological parameter.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 58 , the processor further configured to:
 determine a physiological parameter during preprocessing of the signal;   check the physiological parameter for conditions indicating an acceptable condition; and   transmit one of a visual, audible, and tactile indication to the subject if an acceptable condition exists based on the determined physiological parameter.   
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 58 , the processor further configured to:
 transmit one of a visual, audible, and tactile indication to the subject if an indication is received by the second communication link from the remote monitor that an abnormal condition exists based on the communicated signal.   
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 58 , the processor further configured to:
 transmit one of a visual, audible, and tactile indication from the remote monitor that an acceptable condition exists based on the communicated signal.   
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the remote monitor is a first remote monitor, and wherein the second communication link is further configured to:
 determine relative signal strength between the local data unit and the first remote monitor, and between the local data unit and a second remote monitor; and   subsequently communicate the stored signal to the one of the first remote monitor and second remote monitor with the greater relative signal strength.   
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the determination of relative signal strength is initiated by a change of location of the local data unit. 
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 58 , the second communication link being further configured to transmit an identification message and a control message between the local data unit and the remote monitor. 
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 59 , the local data unit further configured to:
 periodically transmit a status message to the remote monitor if the signal indicates there is no abnormal condition, and   to transmit a portion of the signal to the remote monitor if the signal indicates there is an abnormal condition.   
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 58 , the local data unit further comprising:
 a display configured to display data related to the signal.   
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the sensor comprises a spatial parameter sensor configured to detect orientation and motion of the subject, the spatial parameter sensor being further configured to generate and transmit a spatial parameter signal representative of a detected motion of the subject via the first communication link. 
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 58 , further comprising:
 a spatial parameter sensor coupled to the subject configured to detect orientation and motion of the subject, the spatial parameter sensor being further configured to generate and transmit a spatial parameter signal representative of a detected motion of the subject via the first communication link; and   a second local data unit configured to receive and store the spatial parameter signal.   
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 58 , further comprising:
 a remote monitor comprising a display configured to display data related to the signal.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the first local data unit is configured to wirelessly transmit data to a mobile device via the second communication link. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the memory includes stored adverse physiological parameters, and wherein the processor is further configured to:
 process the signal into a detected physiological parameter; and   to generate and transmit a warning signal if the detected physiological parameter is one of the stored adverse physiological parameters.   
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 58 , wherein the local data unit is incorporated into a monitoring garment. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the garment comprises a shirt. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 73 , wherein the garment comprises a vest. 
     
     
         76 . The fitness monitoring system of  claim 58 , wherein the processor is further configured process the signal into a physiological parameter, and wherein the physiological parameter is selected from the group consisting of an electrical activity of the heart, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation level, skin temperature, EMG, ECG, EEG, and core temperature.