Physical activity monitoring device and method of indicating a level of physical activity

• US 10,617,329 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2018
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steven M. Mendelsohn
• Original Assignee: Steven M. Mendelsohn
• Inventors: Mendelsohn, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jhin, Chanel J
• Application Number:
  US15/891,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20180228406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6822 Neck
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a physical monitoring device is in the form of a necklace or pendant and includes an object (e.g., stone, gem, glass, crystal, or other transparent or translucent object that conveys light signals or color). The physical activity monitoring device includes one or more sensors to measure physical activity or motion of the user (e.g., steps, distance traveled by foot, body motion, etc.). The object is illuminated or changed to different colors to openly and outwardly indicate a level of physical activity of the user.

Claims

1. A method of measuring and indicating a level of physical activity comprising:

measuring physical activity of a user via a necklace including an activity sensor and a stone, wherein the physical activity includes exercise of the user, wherein the activity sensor includes an accelerometer and/or pedometer;

determining a quantity of occurrences of the physical activity based on measurements from the activity sensor; and

changing an appearance of the stone to a plurality of different colors based on the quantity of occurrences satisfying corresponding thresholds, wherein each threshold is associated with a corresponding one of the different colors.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the quantity of occurrences of the physical activity includes steps taken.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the appearance of the stone resets to its initial color after a set period.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a power source that is rechargeable or replaceable.