IBM Develops Heart Rate Monitor That Calls Cell Phone for Help; Tiny, Portable, Wireless Device for Runners, Bikers, People ``in Distress''.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers ARMONK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2002 IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) said today it has demonstrated a tiny device that measures heart rate and is able to sense when the person wearing it is in distress, then call a cell phone for immediate help. The "distress" signal is sent wirelessly via Bluetooth, a short-range, low-power radio technology that makes communication possible between personal digital assistants, laptop computers A portable computer that has a flat LCD screen and usually weighs less than eight pounds. Often called just a "laptop," it uses batteries for mobile use and AC power for charging the batteries and desktop use. Today's high-end laptops provide all the capabilities of most desktop computers. , printers and mobile phones -- and now, for the first time, the heart rate device joins this list. There have been heart rate measurement devices on the market for some time. They are especially popular with joggers and bikers and generally are worn strapped strapped adj. Informal In financial need: We are strapped for cash right now. strapped Adjective strapped for Slang to the chest. These devices measure how many times an athlete's heart athlete's heart, common term for an enlarged heart associated with repeated strenuous exercise. As a result of the increased workload required of it, the heart will increase physiologically by enlarging chambers and muscle mass, or hypertrophy by enlarging the size beats per minute beats per minute Cardiac pacing The unit of measure for the frequency of heart depolarizations or contractions each minute–or pulse rate . But the utility ends there. Now, however, in a technology demonstration, inventors at IBM have taken the device one important step further. "We've not only built a new concept model but have actually demonstrated this first-of-a-kind device, proving it works," said Pat Toole, general manager of IBM Engineering & Technology Services. That demonstration took place in front of more than 100 people. During the demo, someone wearing a standard heart rate monitor chest strap was given a radio frequency relay device (about the size of a pack of chewing gum chewing gum, confection consisting usually of chicle, flavorings, and corn syrup and sugar (or artificial sweeteners). Prehistoric people are believed to have chewed resins. ) and a personal digital assistant with special IBM software. A volunteer from the audience, posing as a concerned relative or fitness coach, was given a standard cell phone with what is known as short message service capability. The relay device is very small, lightweight and "hands-free," perfect for runners or bikers who want to continue with vigorous exercise vigorous exercise A form of exercise that is intense enough to cause sweating and/or heavy breathing/ and/or ↑ heart rate to near maximum; VE is formally defined as that which requires > 6 METs; there is a graded inverse relationship between total physical but have had certain heart problems in the past, creating a need to "watch and listen." When the person performing the demonstration reached the "at risk" level the device instantly sent a message and the audience volunteer read the actual heart rate to the crowd. "A device such as this that sends out an alarm also could be worn by an elderly person who might find additional comfort in knowing any significant heart-related episode would be reported," Toole said. "This could offer great peace of mind for those in need of assisted living as·sist·ed living n. A living arrangement in which people with special needs, especially older people with disabilities, reside in a facility that provides help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. ." IBM said this step forward in radio frequency wireless technology could be applied in a variety of other applications, such as incorporating it into a running shoe to track exercise data and then share that collected data with team mates and coaches on an Internet web site. About IBM IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate in·no·vate v. in·no·vat·ed, in·no·vat·ing, in·no·vates v.tr. To begin or introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time. v.intr. To begin or introduce something new. . Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of on demand e-business. For more information about IBM Engineering & Technology Services, visit www.ibm.com/technology. |
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