Portable device comprising an acceleration sensor and method of generating instructions or device

• US 20040249315A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kersh Risk Management, LLC
• Original Assignee: Move2Health Holding BV
• Inventors: Damen, Erik Petrus Nicolaas
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration

Abstract

The invention pertains to a portable device comprising a housing, a display, a storage medium, at least one acceleration sensor, means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display. The said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof.

Claims

1. A Portable device comprising:

a housing;

a display;

a storage medium;

at least one acceleration sensor; and

means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display, wherein the said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof, which is calculated by multiplying an average of the absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant.

2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the said average is at least multiplied by a metabolic factor.

3. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the said average is at least multiplied by a calibration factor which depends on the sensor.

4. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a rectifier for rectifying the signal generated by the acceleration sensor and a capacitor which is charged by the rectified signal.

5. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an input/output connector which enables the transfer of at least some of the stored information to a computer connectable to at least one of an electronic database and an electronic algorithm.

6. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a clip for attaching the device to an item of clothing, of a wearer such that rotation of the device with respect to the wearer is substantially avoided and wherein the sensor is positioned at an angle in the range from 30 to 60 degrees to the horizon when the wearer is standing upright.

7. A method of generating instructions or advice on how to increase physical activity and tailored to objective needs and/or preferences of an individual, which method comprises:

electronically obtaining a parameter concerning that individual; and

selecting, based on the said parameter, one or more instructions or advice components from a database, wherein the said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the said parameter is uploaded to a remote server system, which selects, based on this parameter, one or more instructions or advice components from a database and wherein the selected items or a processed version thereof are subsequently downloaded.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein an identification code is uploaded to the remote rver system.

10. The computer program comprising program code means for performing all the steps of claim 7 when said program is run on a computer.

11. The computer program product code means stored in a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 7 when said program product is run on a computer.