Apple iWatch Samsung and Motorola Have more funds...

andysowards .com

Although the Bluetooth 4.0 heartrate monitor watch was a noble idea, Apple, Samsung, LG and Motorola have more R&D funds as well as engineers to create products with the same idea.

I have transitioned the project onto a weight scale using the same Bluetooth electronics:

     http://opnfit.blogspot.com

We could still use your help in firmware improvements iOS/Android apps or Hardware. E-mail sales [at] femtogen {dot} com if interested.

Project transitioning into another product

I will be transitioning the code/hardware into another product since measuring the heart rate through pulse oximetry on the wrist was very delicate.  My algorithm also needed some more work for it was +/- 5 BPM in measurement error.  I have decided to transition this into another product and will use the same hardware/code.  Link and information will be posted soon.

Volunteers Needed - Firmware, DSP

With my full time employer, I have little time to work on Firmware, signal processing and Bluetooth power optimization.  If you would like to contribute to this Open Source Hardware Software project, please contact me by leaving a comment.

Volunteers needed for:

• Customize Bluetooth 4.0 stack code provided from Texas Instruments
• Signal processing on the 8051 processor for heart rate detection.
• Timer on/off optimization for low power.

Do you own a TI CC2540DK-MINI development kit? Then you can develop and test at home!

Are you a Product Designer or into Industrial Design?

• We need a watch enclosure to house these electronics.

Please leave a comment if you are interested with which topic you can contribute on!

I aim to post the final project on Kickstarter.com for funding and compensation can be provided after we obtain funds, depending on level of participation.

Prototype of Pulsar Heart Rate Watch Board

Using a reflow oven (custom made), I was able to assemble the bluetooth watch board with the system on chip (SoC) part, lithium ion battery charger, LEDs, connectors, etc.  This board is the main board doing the signal processing and Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy radio transmission of the heart rate data to a smartphone.

The crucial part to assembling a board with QFN package parts is the solder mask stencil.  The QFN parts are 0.5mm pitch (0.5mm from the middle of lead to another) which makes it almost impossible to solder without a reflow oven or a reflow heat gun.  I obtained the stencil from pololu.com.  For one sheet with 1.23" by 1.23" board size total cost was about $30 with shipping.  Although what you get seems like a transparency paper with some holes, it is definitely worth the time saved during assembly.

I can't wait to power up and test the prototype.

Pulsar Bluetooth Heart Rate Watch Board prototype:
LEFT: sensor connector
TOP: USB micro connector
MIDDLE: 2 Red LEDs
BOTTOM: Push-Button
UNDER: LiIon Battery connector

Watch Board prototype has arrived

Watch Board has arrived the other day, and it looks great.  I ordered 3 for prototyping and testing the electronics.  All the parts are in except for one. Sadly it's the much needed stencil for surface mount assembly.  The bluetooth IC is 0.5mm pitch spacing so I gave up trying to put solder paste on each pin.

Look forward to assembling the electronics next week.

Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor Project - No Chest Strap!

Hi Everyone,

Paper scale component fit check - Watch Board

I'm pushing along on this personal project but I need your sleek industrial design help.  I call it Pulsar - a continuous heart rate monitor for iPhone and Android without a chest strap, and without having to touch a metal surface every so often... it continuously takes readings and charts them on a smartphone.  There are already apps available like CardioMapper.  The electronics are almost done, being manufactured.

Please let me know if you'd like to take part in this open hardware project.  Will need 3D sketches/design and need someone who has created high volume, low cost products like a watch.  It is a useful product and a great project to build on your portfolio.

Thanks