Patents by Inventor Kimmo Pernu

Kimmo Pernu 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: 9555286
    Abstract: An arrangement, a communication module, a sensor unit and a method for monitoring physical performance includes at least one communication module having means for providing an output DC power by wire, and means for receiving at least one sensor signal representative of measured physiologic activity from at least one sensor unit. Said at least one sensor unit adapted to measure physiologic activity and to generate analog measurement signals in response thereof and is connected to said DC power wire and having means for processing and sending a sensor signal representative of measured physiologic activity by a wire to said communication module. A processing unit is adapted to form from said analog measurement signals data messages in predetermined transmission time slots. A wireless communication unit is used for transmitting the data messages at successive time slots using a wireless communication protocol to a wireless receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20160375305
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement and a method for configuring equipment for personal performance monitoring comprising at least one carrier item having a mounting zone for receiving a communication module, one or more sensors and/or actuators and a first processing unit functionally connected to said mounting zone and said sensors and/or actuators. The first processing unit is configured to process sensor signals from the sensors and/or actuators and to communicate with a communication module that is mounted on the mounting zone of the carrier item and having a second processing unit configured to further process said sensor/actuator signals and to communicate processed signals to a remote device over a wireless communication protocol. A remote device is adapted to provide a predefined code to configure the equipment to process sensor or actuator signals according to a use of said carrier item as identified by said predefined code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman, Terho Lahtinen
  • Publication number: 20160303426
    Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement and a method for configuring equipment for personal performance monitoring comprising at least one carrier item having a mounting zone for receiving a communication module, one or more sensors and/or actuators and a first processing unit functionally connected to said mounting zone and said sensors and/or actuators. The first processing unit is configured to process sensor signals from the sensors and/or actuators and to communicate with a communication module that is mounted on the mounting zone of the carrier item and having a second processing unit configured to further process said sensor/actuator signals and to communicate processed signals to a remote device over a wireless communication protocol. A remote device is adapted to provide a predefined code to configure the equipment to process sensor or actuator signals according to a use of said carrier item as identified by said predefined code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman, Terho Lahtinen
  • Patent number: 9468835
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication module, monitoring unit and method of monitoring a physical performance. The module has a receiving unit, processing unit and wireless communications unit. With these units the module continuously receives sensor signals from a sensor connected to the communication module, processes the sensor signals to form a plurality of successive data messages containing data at least partly derived from the sensor signals, and transmits the formed data messages to an external wireless receiver device at a plurality of successive transmission time slots using a wireless communication protocol. The processing unit is adapted to add information to the data messages regarding the difference between first time points based on predefined characteristics of the sensor signals and second times points corresponding to transmission slots. The invention allows for relating the individual signals temporally with each other for better overall analysis of the performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20160143579
    Abstract: The invention concerns wearable electronic devices, systems and methods for sports performance monitoring. In one embodiment, the invention provides a device comprising a heartbeat sensor for providing a heartbeat signal, a motion sensor for providing a motion signal and processing means adapted to calculate at least one performance parameter depicting said sports performance and/or the person using temporal characteristics of periodic features of the heartbeat signal compared with temporal characteristics of periodic features in the motion signal. The invention allows for utilization of an existing relation between cadence and heart rate for characterizing the performance or the person in a novel way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Heikki Nieminen, Kimmo Pernu, Olli-Pekka Ojanen, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20160143592
    Abstract: The invention relates to wearable electronic equipment and method for measuring heart rate or muscular activity of a person. The equipment comprises one or more heartbeat or muscular activity sensors for providing a heartbeat or muscular activity signal, respectively, and a motion sensor for providing a motion signal corresponding to movement of the person. In addition, there are provided processing means for detecting from the heartbeat or muscular activity signal first events corresponding to individual heartbeats or muscle activations, respectively, and from the motion signal second events corresponding to movement changes stronger than a predefined threshold. The processing means are further programmed to form a first time series of said first events, and to determine the heartbeat or muscular activity parameter using the first time series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Heikki Nieminen, Kimmo Pernu, Olli-Pekka Ojanen, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20160144235
    Abstract: The invention relates to sports monitoring equipment and methods. The invention provides a device or system comprising means for reading a heartbeat signal corresponding to heartbeat of the person during the performance, and means for reading a motion signal corresponding to motion of the person during the performance. There are also computing means for estimating energy consumption of the person during the performance using one or both of said signals. According to the invention, the device or system further comprises means for determining the type of the sports performance. The computing means for calculating the energy consumption parameter are adapted to utilize said heartbeat signal, said motion signal or both signals in combination in a manner depending on the type of the sports performance determined. The invention allows for accurate estimation of energy consumption in versatile sports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Heikki Nieminen, Kimmo Pernu, Olli-Pekka Ojanen, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20160007919
    Abstract: Described herein is a biometric sensor package. In particular, a biometric sensor package for integration with a garment. Furthermore, methods of manufacturing of such biometric sensor packages are disclosed. Still yet, methods of integrating biometric sensor packages in to garments are disclosed. The biometric sensor packages described herein can easily be manufactured by current biometric sensor manufactures, for example heart rate monitor belt manufacturers. The biometric sensor packages described here can then be easily integrated in to garments by current garment manufacturers without requiring any special knowledge or tooling relating to the actual biometric sensor arrangements within the biometric sensor packages. Through the use of biometric sensor packages described herein biometric sensor arrangements, such as heart rate monitors and EEG sensors can be easily integrated into garments, such as sports bras, shirts and shorts, without disrupting existing supply chains and factories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Mikko Martikka, Andrea Hartleb
  • Publication number: 20150182841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication module for personal physical performance monitoring and/or facilitation, and a related system and method. The module comprises means for mounting the communication module to a mounting zone on a sports item, the means for mounting comprising two or more electronic contact terminals for making an electronic contact with the sports item while being mounted thereon. The module additionally comprises a wireless communication unit for communicating with a remote monitoring device, and a processing unit functionally connected to said contact terminals and to said wireless communication unit and capable of processing data received through the contact terminals and/or the wireless communication unit according to data processing instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20150182795
    Abstract: An arrangement, a communication module, a sensor unit and a method for monitoring physical performance includes at least one communication module having means for providing an output DC power by wire, and means for receiving at least one sensor signal representative of measured physiologic activity from at least one sensor unit. Said at least one sensor unit adapted to measure physiologic activity and to generate analog measurement signals in response thereof and is connected to said DC power wire and having means for processing and sending a sensor signal representative of measured physiologic activity by a wire to said communication module. A processing unit is adapted to form from said analog measurement signals data messages in predetermined transmission time slots. A wireless communication unit is used for transmitting the data messages at successive time slots using a wireless communication protocol to a wireless receiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Publication number: 20150182842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication module, monitoring unit and method of monitoring a physical performance. The module comprises means for continuously receiving sensor signals from a sensor connected to the communication module, a processing unit adapted to continuously process the sensor signals and to form a plurality of successive data messages containing data at least partly derived from the sensor signals, and a wireless communication unit for transmitting the formed data messages to an external wireless receiver device at a plurality of successive transmission time slots using a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Kimmo Pernu, Erik Lindman
  • Patent number: 8886281
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thin, low thickness snap integrated within or built within a heart rate monitor belt or snap and electrode assebly. The snap can be integrated or built directly in to a heart rate monitor belt. Furthermore, the heart rate monitor belt can be integrated within a textile or garment, for example a compression shirt, sports bra or cycling shorts. The snap can be flushly integrated into the belt or garment such the snap does not take away from the general wearability of the heart rate monitor belt or garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby, Phillip Lindberg, Jukka Manni, Jorma Liljemark, Tapio Savolainen, Hannu Putkinen, Jari Akkila, Satu Rahkonen, Erik Lindman
  • Patent number: 8814574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device which has a male connection portion for connection with a female snap. The male connection portion comprises a conductive stud which is or can be screwed in to a portion of the electronic device via threading on the stud. Furthermore, an adhesive can be added to the stud or an opening of the electronic device in order to provide a secure and water tight seal between the stud and the electronic device. The stud generally makes an electrical connection between a conductive portion of the female snap and an electronic component within the electronic device. The male portion of the stud may also comprise a cavity or opening for receiving a tool for screwing the stud in to the electronic device and/or for receiving a guiding pin of the female snap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Tapio Selby, Kimmo Pernu
  • Publication number: 20140187063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic device which has a male connection portion for connection with a female snap. The male connection portion comprises a conductive stud which is or can be screwed in to a portion of the electronic device via threading on the stud. Furthermore, an adhesive can be added to the stud or an opening of the electronic device in order to provide a secure and water tight seal between the stud and the electronic device. The stud generally makes an electrical connection between a conductive portion of the female snap and an electronic component within the electronic device. The male portion of the stud may also comprise a cavity or opening for receiving a tool for screwing the stud in to the electronic device and/or for receiving a guiding pin of the female snap portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SUUNTO OY
    Inventors: Tapio Selby, Kimmo Pernu
  • Publication number: 20140183073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casing for electronic and similar devices. Such casing has a body part and a cover part for covering and to seal the content in the body part. The cover part is a flexible and impermeable foil that extends over an aperture in said body part and onto an essentially even surface surrounding said aperture. The cover part is attached to said surrounding surface by an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SUUNTO OY
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby
  • Publication number: 20140187900
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thin, low thickness snap for use, for example, in a heart rate monitor belt. The snap can be integrated or built directly in to a heart rate monitor belt. Furthermore, the heart rate monitor belt can be integrated within a textile or garment, for example a compression shirt, sports bra or cycling shorts. The snap can be flushly integrated into the belt or garment such the snap does not take away from the general wearability of the heart rate monitor belt or garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SUUNTO OY
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby
  • Patent number: D739942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby, Timo Yliluoma, Ossi Lehtinen
  • Patent number: D739943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby, Timo Yliluoma, Ossi Lehtinen
  • Patent number: D739944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby, Timo Yliluoma, Ossi Lehtinen
  • Patent number: D764894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Kimmo Pernu, Tapio Selby, Timo Yliluoma, Ossi Lehtinen