Patents by Inventor Sami Saalasti

Sami Saalasti has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10123730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for determining the cardiorespiratory fitness level of a person, with the aid of freely performed exercise in which training: •the physiological intensity of the person is measured periodically during the exercise session (5) •the external work output of the exercise session is measured simultaneously relative to the measured intensity (6), •from each period's measured intensity value and external work output, the representativeness of the values measured is determined (8.1, 8.2), in order to determine the fitness level using the following criteria: ?the physiological intensity should be stabilized relative to the external work output, ?the external work output should be within a selected range, ?the physiological intensity should be greater than a selected lower limit, in which case, a fitness level estimate is defined (8.3) for each accepted period as well as a fitness from several estimates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen
  • Patent number: 9693727
    Abstract: A method and system for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) of a user in a freely performed physical exercise. A physiological response of a user is measured by heart rate and measured heart rate values are recorded as heart rate data. An external workload values are recorded and are each associated with one measured heart rate values to form a plurality of data points. The data points are filtered to form accepted data points, which are classified within a plurality of heart rate segments representing a heart rate within an anaerobic threshold (AnT) of the user. A data point with highest probability is stored for each segment. A first probability factor for each accepted data point is calculated. The calculated first probability factor is compared to a stored probability factor in each segment, and the higher probability factor is retained. AnT is calculated using the stored probabilities in each segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies OY
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Kaisa Hämäläinen, Tero Myllymäki
  • Patent number: 9675267
    Abstract: A device for physiological measurement. The device includes at least two terminal units connectable to each other, of which a first terminal unit includes an electric circuit, an ECG-electrode and a first connector assembly having at least one ECG-contact for connecting at least one other ECG-electrode. A second terminal unit includes other ECG-electrodes and a second connector assembly having a counter ECG-contact adapted to be fitted to the ECG-contact of the first connector assembly. The first and second terminal are together arranged to connect the ECG-electrode of each second terminal unit to the electric circuit in the first terminal unit and, as separated, are arranged to enable the use of the function contacts of the first connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Kauko Laakkonen, Toni Järvitalo, Aku Kalajo, Sami Saalasti
  • Publication number: 20170143262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving recognition of anaerobic sections of exercise and to providing feedback on training load or training effect reflecting energy systems used and trained during exercise. The method determines an ‘oxygen debt’ like cumulative physiological sum (usually training effect TE as EPOC value) brought on by a change in a body homeostasis and its aerobic and anaerobic values. Particularly anaerobic value may be determined by a procedure, where a total EPOC (or TRIMP) is determined as a total sum and an aerobic part calculated in a known manner, is deducted from the total sum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Veli-Pekka KURUNMÄKI, Tero MYLLYMÄKI, Tuukka RUHANEN, Sami SAALASTI, Mikko SEPPÄNEN
  • Publication number: 20170049334
    Abstract: A method and system for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) of a user in a freely performed physical exercise. A physiological response of a user is measured by heart rate and measured heart rate values are recorded as heart rate data. An external workload values are recorded and are each associated with one measured heart rate values to form a plurality of data points. The data points are filtered to form accepted data points, which are classified within a plurality of heart rate segments representing a heart rate within an anaerobic threshold (AnT) of the user. A data point with highest probability is stored for each segment. A first probability factor for each accepted data point is calculated. The calculated first probability factor is compared to a stored probability factor in each segment, and the higher probability factor is retained. AnT is calculated using the stored probabilities in each segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami SAALASTI, Kaisa HÄMÄLÄINEN, Tero MYLLYMÄKI
  • Patent number: 9517028
    Abstract: A method and system for determining anaerobic threshold intensity (AnT) of a user in a freely performed physical exercise. A physiological response of a user is measured by heart rate and measured heart rate values are recorded as heart rate data. An external workload values are recorded and are each associated with one measured heart rate values to form a plurality of data points. The data points are filtered to form accepted data points, which are classified within a plurality of heart rate segments representing a heart rate within an anaerobic threshold (AnT) of the user. A data point with highest probability is stored for each segment. A first probability factor for each accepted data point is calculated. The calculated first probability factor is compared to a stored probability factor in each segment, and the higher probability factor is retained. AnT is calculated using the stored probabilities in each segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Kaisa Hämäläinen, Tero Myllymäki
  • Patent number: 9519755
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for evaluating a physiological state depicting a person's resources, in which method the alternatives of physiological states depicting resources are determined, one or more contexts are selected, one or more variables are selected for each context, in which case in the evaluation the person's physiological information is measured and recorded, the measurement-background data of the measurement are determined and recorded, a value is defined for a variable of the context, corresponding temporal periods are defined for each context, and the person's physiological state is determined. Further, in the method a preselected correlation function is defined, a value is computed for the correlation function, a reference value is computed for each physiological state, and the physiological state of the person is determined. A corresponding system employing the method for evaluating a person's physiological state is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Joni Kettunen, Satu Tuominen, Jaakko Kotisaari
  • Publication number: 20160184637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining body's readiness to respond to physical exercise and for providing feedback to a user. In the method the user starts to perform an exercise, an earlier performance level is determined before starting a performance check having steps of: an instant performance level of the user is determined, the earlier performance level is compared to the instant performance level, a readiness index is determined according to the said comparison and optionally with background and/or training history of the user, a feedback is given according to the determined readiness index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Aki PULKKINEN, Sami SAALASTI, Kaisa HÄMÄLÄINEN
  • Patent number: 9237868
    Abstract: This document describes a fitness test application which allows the user to exercise freely (running and cycling outdoors, bicycle ergometer, rowing ergometer, treadmill) and which provides an estimate of user's fitness during and/or after the exercise. The analysis can be performed either as real-time or as post-analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies OY
    Inventors: Mikko Seppanen, Aki Pulkkinen, Veli-Pekka Kurunmaki, Sami Saalasti, Joni Kettunen
  • Publication number: 20150272466
    Abstract: A device for physiological measurement. The device includes at least two terminal units connectable to each other, of which a first terminal unit includes an electric circuit, an ECG-electrode and a first connector assembly having at least one ECG-contact for connecting at least one other ECG-electrode. A second terminal unit includes other ECG-electrodes and a second connector assembly having a counter ECG-contact adapted to be fitted to the ECG-contact of the first connector assembly. The first and second terminal are together arranged to connect the ECG-electrode of each second terminal unit to the electric circuit in the first terminal unit and, as separated, are arranged to enable the use of the function contacts of the first connector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: FIRSTBEAT TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Kauko Laakkonen, Toni Järvitalo, Aku Kalajo, Sami Saalasti
  • Publication number: 20140288448
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for evaluating a physiological state depicting a person's resources, in which method the alternatives of physiological states depicting resources are determined, one or more contexts are selected, one or more variables are selected for each context, in which case in the evaluation the person's physiological information is measured and recorded, the measurement-background data of the measurement are determined and recorded, a value is defined for a variable of the context, corresponding temporal periods are defined for each context, and the person's physiological state is determined. Further, in the method a preselected correlation function is defined, a value is computed for the correlation function, a reference value is computed for each physiological state, and the physiological state of the person is determined. A corresponding system employing the method for evaluating a person's physiological state is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Joni Kettunen, Satu Tuominen, Jaakko Kotisaari
  • Publication number: 20140088444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for determining the cardiorespiratory fitness level of a person, with the aid of freely performed exercise in which training: •the physiological intensity of the person is measured periodically during the exercise session (5) •the external work output of the exercise session is measured simultaneously relative to the measured intensity (6), •from each period's measured intensity value and external work output, the representativeness of the values measured is determined (8.1, 8.2), in order to determine the fitness level using the following criteria: ?the physiological intensity should be stabilized relative to the external work output, ?the external work output should be within a selected range, ?the physiological intensity should be greater than a selected lower limit, in which case, a fitness level estimate is defined (8.3) for each accepted period as well as a fitness from several estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: FIRSTBEAT TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen
  • Patent number: 8465397
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for guiding a person to a physiological cumulative state in physical exercise, in which the exercise has a physiological target in the form of a physiological state at the end of the exercise, a duration, and a performance parameter. At the start of the exercise the physiological target is set, as is the value of the performance parameter, and during the exercise at regular intervals: at least one quantity proportional to the momentary intensity is measured. The present physiological state and an estimate of the physiological state at the end of the exercise are calculated with the aid of momentary intensity and the exercise performed. A guidance range for the momentary intensity is defined, in order to reach the target state and the performance parameter. The user is guided by feedback to remain within the guidance intensity range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen, Joni Kettunen, Mikko Seppanen
  • Publication number: 20120035021
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for guiding a person to a physiological cumulative state in physical exercise, in which the exercise has a physiological target in the form of a physiological state at the end of the exercise, a duration, and a performance parameter. At the start of the exercise the physiological target is set, as is the value of the performance parameter, and during the exercise at regular intervals: at least one quantity proportional to the momentary intensity is measured. The present physiological state and an estimate of the physiological state at the end of the exercise are calculated with the aid of momentary intensity and the exercise performed. A guidance range for the momentary intensity is defined, in order to reach the target state and the performance parameter. The user is guided by feedback to remain within the guidance intensity range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: FIRSTBEAT TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen, Joni Kettunen, Mikko Seppänen
  • Patent number: 8052580
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for guiding a person to a physiological cumulative state in physical exercise, in which the exercise has a physiological target in the form of a physiological state at the end of the exercise, a duration, and a performance parameter. In the method at the start of the exercise the physiological target is set, as is the value of the performance parameter, and during the exercise at regular intervals: at least one quantity proportional to the momentary intensity is measured, and the present physiological state and an estimate of the physiological state and the end of the exercise are calculated with the aid of the momentary intensity and the exercise performed, and a guidance range for the momentary intensity is defined, in order to reach the target state and the performance parameter. The user is guided by means of feedback to remain within the said guidance intensity range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies OY
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen, Joni Kettunen, Mikko Seppänen
  • Publication number: 20110040193
    Abstract: This document describes a fitness test application which allows the user to exercise freely (running and cycling outdoors, bicycle ergometer, rowing ergometer, treadmill) and which provides an estimate of user's fitness during and/or after the exercise. The analysis can be performed either as real-time or as post-analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: FIRSTBEAT TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Mikko Seppanen, Aki Pulkkinen, Veli-Pekka Kurunmaki, Sami Saalasti, Joni Kettunen
  • Publication number: 20100216601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for guiding a person to a physiological cumulative state in physical exercise, in which the exercise has a physiological target in the form of a physiological state at the end of the exercise, a duration, and a performance parameter. In the method at the start of the exercise the physiological target is set, as is the value of the performance parameter, and during the exercise at regular intervals: at least one quantity proportional to the momentary intensity is measured, and the present physiological state and an estimate of the physiological state and the end of the exercise are calculated with the aid of the momentary intensity and the exercise performed, and a guidance range for the momentary intensity is defined, in order to reach the target state and the performance parameter. The user is guided by means of feedback to remain within the said guidance intensity range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen, Joni Kettunen, Mikko Seppänen
  • Patent number: 7717827
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and system for controlling a training plan for a user having a chosen aim for training, where at least one parameter describing physical characteristics of the user is determined, and a training plan consists of plurality of days, each day having one or more training sessions or rest, and each performed and coming session having a training load described by one or more parameters a training template is determined according to the aim and the said one or more parameters describing physical characteristics, each training template having a cumulative training load target according to the said parameter and the chosen aim and consisting of one or more training sessions or rest in each day, each training session of the template having a pre-selected training load, and an adapting window is determined, the adapting window consisting of a plurality of days, which include one or more previous sessions and one or more coming sessions according to the training template, and training l
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Veli-Pekka Kurunmäki, Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen
  • Publication number: 20090069156
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and system for controlling a training plan for a user having a chosen aim for training, where at least one parameter describing physical characteristics of the user is determined, and a training plan consists of plurality of days, each day having one or more training sessions or rest, and each performed and coming session having a training load described by one or more parameters a training template is determined according to the aim and the said one or more parameters describing physical characteristics, each training template having a cumulative training load target according to the said parameter and the chosen aim and consisting of one or more training sessions or rest in each day, each training session of the template having a pre-selected training load, and an adapting window is determined, the adapting window consisting of a plurality of days, which include one or more previous sessions and one or more coming sessions according to the training template, and training l
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Veli-Pekka Kurunmäki, Sami Saalasti, Aki Pulkkinen
  • Patent number: 7460901
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method of tracking minute ventilation from R-R intervals that are based on the acquisition of ECG signal. Sub-methods (RDF1), which are mainly based on heart rate variability, are used, wherein the respiratory frequency is determined from a pattern of rhythmic changes in heart beat data. The sub-methods (RDF1-n) are combined using an expert function, wherein each sub-method (RDF1-n) determines an estimate of the respiratory frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Firstbeat Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Joni Kettunen, Sami Saalasti