Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Docket No. 0184-235CAPT
Patent
BREATHING COACH APPLICATION
B ACKGROUND
Smart watches (or other smart biometric devices) have the ability to monitor
the
respiration rate of the user. This measurement is typically used to provide
statistics after the
fact. There is a need to use these measurements to provide instant feedback to
a user to alter
their respiration pattern to help with anxiety and relaxation. By taking
control of their
breathing in real time, the user can impact their well-being all-day long.
BRIEF SUMMARY
In a first embodiment, a breathing coach system and method is disclosed
comprising
a biometric device capable of measuring the respiration rate of a user, an
application
coupled to the biometric device monitoring the respiration rate and notifying
said user when
the respiration rate of the user is different from a predetermined respiration
rate.
In another embodiment, the application is executed on a processor on a smart
watch.
In another embodiment, the biometric device is executed on a processor on a
smart
watch.
In another embodiment, the predetermined respiration rate is a baseline
respiration
rate recorded by said user.
In another embodiment, the predetermined respiration rate is a respiration
rate
following a specific pattern.
In another embodiment, the specific pattern is a 4,4,4 box breathing pattern.
In another embodiment, the notifying is done by a vibration on the smart
watch.
In another embodiment, the notifying is done by playing a tone on the smart
watch.
In another embodiment, the notifying is done when the monitored respiration
rate is
faster than the baseline respiration rate.
In another embodiment, the notifying is done to match said baseline
respiration rate.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most
significant
digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that
element is first
introduced.
FIG. 1 illustrates a wearable smart device in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the breathing coach system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this
specification
are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
features,
aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the
description, the
drawings, and the claims.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
FIG. 1 depicts a wearable smart device 106 (for example, but not limited to a
smart
watch) capable of measuring respiration rate or receiving respiration rate
measurements
from a biometric device. An application downloaded on the wearable smart
device 106
displays bars reflecting the inhale level 102 and the exhale level 104 of the
users as
measured and compared to a baseline natural conscious breathing of the user.
In another embodiment, the biometric device is a separate device coupled with
the
application device via a communication protocol.
As per FIG. 2, the user initializes the application by recording the baseline
conscious
breathing pattern 202. The conscious breathing pattern is stored in the
wearable smart
device 106 as the baseline.
Then the application measures respiration rate 204 and displays target
respiration
rate 206 by showing the inhale level 102 and exhale level 104 on the screen of
the wearable
smart device 106. The levels and speed can be shown using bars as shown in
FIG. 1. For
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Patent
example, the inhale level 102 is shown with bars lighting up from left to
right and the
exhale level 104 with the bars going from right to left. If the application is
configured to
have a pause between the inhale and the exhale, and/or the exhale and the
inhale, then
another graphic icon can be used as a counter for the pause.
The display could be of any designs that allow to show the two dimension of
the
respiration, the rate and the depth.
If the measured respirate rate does not match the baseline 208, the user is
notified
210 using a vibration or a sound generated by the wearable smart device 106.
For example if
the user tries to exhale before the 4th bar of the inhale is reached.
The user can configure the application to make different sounds, types of
vibrations
and levels thereof.
The application measures respiration rates 204 on an ongoing basis and
continuously
compares to the baseline to provide continuous feedback. Optionally, the
application can be
configured via setting to only provide feedback during specific times of day.
As the user goes on about its day and forgets to breath consciously, the watch
will
constantly remind the user to go back to their baseline natural conscious
breathing pattern.
In another embodiment, the application can be configured to implement
different
types of breathing rhythms including a pause after the inhale and/or before
the exhale.
Optionally, the application can use different types of vibration for the
inhale, pause, exhale.
For example, but not limited to, the 4,4,4 box breathing technic used navy
seals. Any other
types of breathing techniques can be programmed into the application.
Using the application, the user does not need to worry about counting and they
can
focus on the breath and visualize toxic energy leaving their body. A subtle
vibration of the
wearable smart device 106 on the wrist triggers the user to inhale and hold
their breath for 4
seconds, then another vibration will notify the user to exhale. The
application acts as a
metronome for the breathing of the user causing ongoing real-time relaxation.
In another embodiment, the application on the wearable smart device 106 will
cause
the user to take deeper breaths than the baseline to increase relaxation.
Using this setting the
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vibration may optionally feel different or a different sound can be played. In
this
embodiment, the application acts as a metronome for breathing.
In another embodiment, the application records the breathing pattern of the
user.
Using this data, the application can display the breathing pattern in
comparison with
previous time segments or in comparison with the baseline conscious breathing
pattern to
show improvements achieved using the notifications.
In another embodiment, the application provides statistics of the number of
time the
notifications are sent, these statistics can show the user improvement over
time.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention
have
been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not
intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms
disclosed.
Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the
above teaching.
The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain
the
principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby
enable others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications
as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that
various omissions or
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or
render
expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without
departing from
the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
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