Abstract:
A trip stress monitoring method and device comprise receiving a geo-location data point, receiving a physiological measurement of a user and associating the physiological measurement to the received geo-location data point, storing the received geo-location data point and associated physiological measurement, continuing receiving geo-location data points and associated physiological measurements, displaying a map superimposed with the stored geo-location data points graphically forming a travel route, displaying a graphical representation of stored physiological measurements having a plurality of segments each representing an average physiological measurement value, and correlating each segment in the graphical representation to points in the travel route shown on the map.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a mobile application, method, and device, and in particular in the field of stress and heart rate trip monitoring. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In one nationwide survey, Eight out of ten drivers ranked aggressive driving as a “serious” or “extremely serious” risk that jeopardizes their safety. Statistically, aggressive driving accounts for more than half of all traffic fatalities. As roads become more congested and more drivers using the roads for their daily commutes in some city centers, incidents of road rage are on the rise. Many drivers feel extreme stress when they are stuck in traffic, get cut off by other drivers, and encounter rude drivers. 
         [0003]    Stress isn&#39;t always bad. Stress within your comfort zone can help us perform under pressure and motivate us to do our best. However, when stress becomes overwhelming, it can damage our health, our mood, our productivity, our relationships, and our quality of life. Under stress our body releases chemicals that can shut down our ability to think, feel and act and hamper our body&#39;s ability to repair itself. For some people, untreated chronic stress can result in serious health conditions including anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, high blood pressure and a weakened immune system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 3-5  are exemplary screen shots of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  is another simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIGS. 7-13  are further exemplary screen shots of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 14  is another simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 15  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary mobile computing device  14  according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method  10  according to the present disclosure. A mobile application  12  is adapted for execution on one or more mobile computing devices  14 , including a mobile telephone, a wearable device, a vehicle, and other suitable computing devices. The mobile application  12  and the mobile computing device  14  are further in wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth or another suitable protocol) with a physiological parameter monitor  16  that may be worn by the user or in the user&#39;s vicinity. The physiological parameter monitor  16  is operable to measure at least one physiological parameter of the user, including, but not limited to, heart (pulse) rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, perspiration, and facial expression, etc. that may be analyzed for indications of mental stress, anger, or anguish. The physiological parameter monitor  16  may be worn by the user around the wrist, ankle, forehead, face, waist, chest, body, etc. or incorporated into a piece of clothing or headgear. The physiological parameter monitor  16  may also be located somewhere close to the user&#39;s vicinity. The physiological parameter monitor may include a camera that may capture facial expressions of the user and using analysis to determine the emotion and stress level of the user. For example, images of the user&#39;s facial expression may show a relaxed, happy (smiling or laughing), angry, upset, sad, and sleepy countenance that may be analyzed to yield a stress level of the user. 
         [0012]    The mobile application  12  and the mobile computing device  14  may be in communication with remote servers and/or databases  18  via a telecommunication network and the Internet  20  to access data as well as store data. Further, the mobile application  12  further includes a GPS utility or function in communication with the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation  22  to determine the present geographical location of the mobile computing device  14 . The mobile application  12  further includes a mapping function that enables the display of a map on the screen of the mobile computing device  14 . Alternatively the mobile application  12  may include an API (application programming interface) that provides an interface to an existing mapping algorithm, such as Google Maps. The GPS utility and the mapping function may be incorporated in one application that reside and execute on the mobile computing device  14 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method  30  according to the present disclosure. The method begins in block  31 . In block  32 , upon the start of the stress and heartrate trip monitoring application (upon execution of the application), the GPS and mapping functions are initiated. The screen may display the current location in the form of an address as shown in the exemplary screen shot in  FIG. 3  and/or a map of the current location. In  FIG. 4 , the mobile computing device  14  is connected or in communication with the physiological parameter monitor  16 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the screen may display a graphical representation of the strength of the Bluetooth connection between the two devices. In block  34 , a start trip input is received from the user. Alternatively, the method  30  may automatically begin the process. For example, the method  30  may start if it detects that the user is embarking on a familiar route, or simply that the user opened and began execution of the software application. The user may walk, jog, run, drive, or otherwise travel along a route (path, walkway, road, etc.). The mobile application  12  begins to receive and record the physiological parameter (heart rate) measurement and the GPS location data, as shown in blocks  36 - 40 . The heart rate measurements are associated with the GPS locations so that the user&#39;s heart rate or physiological parameter value is known at every point of the trip. The physiological parameter and associated GPS location data are continually received and stored in memory until an indication of the end of the trip is received from the user, as shown in block  42 . The data stored in memory may be continually uploaded to a remote server as they become available. Alternatively, the mobile application may operate without Internet connection and upload the user data when Internet communication becomes enabled or available. 
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary screen shot of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure.  FIG. 5  shows an exemplary screen shot that may be displayed at the completion of the trip upon the user&#39;s stop input or automatic stop detection. Alternatively, the method  30  may automatically determine or detect a trip stopping point. A map is displayed with the route traveled by the user superimposed on the map. In addition, a graphical representation, such as in the form of a pie chart, shows representative average heart rate measurements (in beats per minute or BPM) recorded during the trip. The user may set a display preference for average heart rate, median heart rate, discrete heart rate values, etc. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the user had average measured heart rates of 42, 57, 50, 69, 40, and 89 BPM during this trip. The chart may additionally graphically represent proportionately the amount of time the user had spent with a certain heart rate. For example, the user may spend most of the time during the trip with a heart rate at 50 BPM. As a result, the pie chart may show 50 BPM occupying the largest percentage of the chart. Although the foregoing description focuses on displaying the heart rate, the user may selective change the display to show other physiological parameter measurements. 
         [0015]      FIG. 6  continues from  FIG. 2  and is another simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure. In block  50 , the graphical representation or pie chart is shown with heart rate segments: 42, 57, 50, 69, 40, and 89 BPM. The mobile application  12  receives a user selection (e.g., click, touch, swipe, or voice input) of any displayed heart rate segment in the pie chart, as shown in block  52 . In response, the mobile application  12  pinpoints a trip location that is associated with the selected heart rate.  FIGS. 7-12  provide exemplary screen shots where different heart rate segments are selected and shown with the corresponding trip location. 
         [0016]      FIG. 13  is another exemplary screen shot of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method according to the present disclosure. The screen display in  FIG. 13  provides a data summary of past trips for this particular user. The list of trips is displayed with unique identifiers for the trips, dates, and start and end times. Additionally, this data summary may show the lowest and highest heart rates recorded during the trips, a graphical representation of heart rate changes, and/or a graphical representation of the terrain elevational profiles for the trips. The user may select a trip from the list, and the corresponding route map and graphical representation are displayed for review. Past trip data may be stored on the mobile computing device  14  or in a remote database  18  and accessible with user authentication. 
         [0017]    By studying the trip data, the user is able to determine at which points during the route he/she is experiencing the highest level of mental and/or physical stress. The high heart rate may be due to the difficulty of the terrain traveled, the elevation changes in the route, or in the case of car travel, where another driver may have veered into the lane and nearly cause a collision or encountering a rude or discourteous driver. In the case of mental stress during the daily commute, for example, the user can pinpoint specific routes, intersections, or locations that cause high anxiety and stress, and can avoid them in future travels. For example, the user may recognize that his/her heart rate nearly always becomes elevated at a specific intersection at a certain time of the day. This intersection may be particularly congested due to pedestrian traffic or a bus stop where many buses pick up and drop off passengers, for example. As a result, the user can avoid this intersection in the future or employ de-stressing techniques (e.g., play soothing music) to dial down the stress level experienced during his/her commute. It should be noted that although the focus of the description herein is on heart rate measuring and monitoring, other physiological parameters may be measured and associated with the trip locations. 
         [0018]      FIG. 14  is yet another simplified flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a stress and heart rate trip monitoring system and method employing automatic intervention techniques according to the present disclosure. The system and method are capable of continually monitoring the user&#39;s physiological parameters and maintaining a set of baseline measurements, as shown in block  60 . As described above, the physiological parameter monitor  16  is operable to measure at least one physiological parameter of the user, including, but not limited to, heart (pulse) rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood pressure, perspiration, etc. that may be analyzed for indications of mental stress, anger, or anguish. In block  62 , the one or more measured values are compared with baseline measurements stored in memory. In block  64 , if at least one of the current parameter values exceed or deviate from a preset threshold in comparison to the baseline measurement, e.g., the heart rate is more than 10% faster than the baseline heart rate measurement or the respiratory rate is more than 35 times per minute, then the system has identified physiological deviations and determined that the driver is experiencing a level of stress that warrants intervention. The system enters an intervention mode, as shown in block  66 . In block  68 , one or more intervention techniques are deployed. The user may have previously indicated or selected intervention preferences. For example, the user may prefer audio forms of intervention such as favorite song, audio track of a favorite comedian, recordings of loved ones (e.g., child saying “I love you, Mommy,” child&#39;s laughter), positive life affirming messages, etc. Another form of intervention may be visual, such as displaying still or moving images of breathtaking scenery, famous sites, family members, etc. Yet other forms of intervention may include regulating the interior temperature setting, adjusting/changing the driver&#39;s seat setting, initiate the massage/vibration functions of the driver&#39;s seat, etc. The intervention deployment may continue until the user&#39;s physiological parameters have returned to normal. 
         [0019]      FIG. 15  is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary mobile computing device  14  according to the teachings of the present disclosure. The mobile computing device  14  includes a microprocessor  70  having a central processing unit  72  and memory  74 . The microprocessor  70  is coupled to a transceiver  76  with an antenna  78  for wireless communication of data. The microprocessor  70  is further coupled to a speaker  80 , a microphone  82 , and a user interface  84  (e.g., touch screen, keypad, display screen). The microprocessor  70  is further coupled to a GPS receiver  86  and its antenna  88 . A Bluetooth communication component  90  is further included in the mobile computing device  14 . It should be noted that the mobile computing device  14  and the physiological parameter monitoring device  16  may be incorporated into one integrated device within a single housing. 
         [0020]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth below with particularity in the appended claims. However, modifications, variations, and changes to the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the system and method described herein thus encompasses such modifications, variations, and changes and are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.