Monitoring device, method and system

A method of monitoring a user's vital signs, the method comprising:

• generating a digital signal corresponding to the flow of blood through an artery of the user, the digital signal generated from an optical sensor in proximity to the artery of the user;
• processing the digital signal to obtain an average pulse value of a first set of time periods;
• processing the digital signal to obtain an average pulse value of a second set of time periods, the second set of time periods less than the first set of time periods;
• subtracting the average pulse value of the second set of time periods from the average pulse value of the first set of time periods to generate a first filtered pulse data value;
• processing the first filtered pulse data value to obtain a first heart rate value;
• using the first heart rate value to filter the subsequent average pulse values generated from the digital signal to obtain a real-time heart rate value of the user;
• processing the real-time heart rate data of the user for analysis of calories expended by the user and for real-time display of a plurality of the user's vital signs;
• and
• displaying the plurality of user's vital signs on a display member disposed on an exterior surface of an article, the display of the plurality of user's vital signs controlled by the user using a control component extending from the article.