Activity monitoring device and weight management method utilizing same

• US 20060052727A1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Laurence Palestrant
• Original Assignee: Laurence Palestrant
• Inventors: Palestrant, Laurence
• Application Number:
  US10/938,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052727A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• 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 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

An activity monitoring device (20) includes a movement sensor (44) for producing a movement signal (118) in response to an activity level of an individual. A stationary interval timer (38) determines a stationary interval (126) during which the movement signal (118) fails to exceed a movement intensity threshold (48). When the stationary interval (126) exceeds a stationary interval threshold (50), an indicator (54, 56) alerts the individual. The activity monitoring device (20) is worn by the individual and is utilized in a weight management method. In particular, the device (20) alerts the individual whenever the stationary interval (126) exceeds the stationary interval threshold (50) so that the activity level of the individual can be increased, for example, by fidgeting.

Claims

1. An activity monitoring device comprising:

a movement sensor for producing a movement signal in response to an activity level of an individual;

a timer in communication with said movement sensor, said timer determining an interval during which said movement signal fails to exceed a movement intensity threshold; and

an indicator in communication with said timer, said indicator alerting said individual when said interval exceeds a stationary interval threshold.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movement sensor is a tilt and vibration sensor.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said timer is a first timer, and said device further comprises a second timer in communication with said movement sensor, said second timer measuring a duration for which said movement signal exceeds said movement intensity threshold.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second timer accrues a total movement time of a plurality of movement durations for a monitoring period, said duration being one of said plurality of movement durations.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a memory element in association with said second timer for retaining said total movement time.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a display in communication with said second timer for presenting said total movement time to said individual.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator is an audio alarm.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator is a vibrator element.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator is a display.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an input element in communication with said sensor for selecting a magnitude of said movement intensity threshold.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an input element in communication with said timer for selecting a magnitude of said stationary interval threshold.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is configured to be worn by said individual.

13. A weight management method utilizing an activity monitoring device worn by an individual comprising:

producing, at said activity monitoring device, a movement signal in response to an activity level of said individual;

determining, at said activity monitoring device, an interval during which said movement signal fails to exceed a movement intensity threshold;

alerting said individual, from said activity monitoring device, when said interval exceeds a stationary interval threshold; and

increasing said activity level of said individual in response to said alerting operation.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising discontinuing said alerting operation when said movement signal exceeds said movement intensity threshold.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising:

measuring a plurality of movement durations for which said movement signal exceeds said movement intensity threshold;

accruing a total movement time of said plurality of movement durations for a monitoring period; and

presenting said total movement time to said individual.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising selecting a magnitude of said movement intensity threshold.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising selecting a magnitude of said stationary interval threshold.

18. An activity monitoring device comprising:

a movement sensor for producing a movement signal in response to an activity level of an individual;

a timer in communication with said movement sensor, said timer measuring a duration for which said movement signal exceeds a movement intensity threshold; and

a memory element in association with said timer for retaining a total movement time of a plurality of movement durations for a monitoring period, said duration being one of said plurality of movement durations.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a display in communication with said timer for presenting said total movement time to said individual.

20. A device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising an input element in communication with said movement sensor for selecting a magnitude of said movement intensity threshold.

21. An activity monitoring device comprising:

a movement sensor for producing a movement signal in response to an activity level of an individual; and

an indicator in communication with said movement sensor, said indicator alerting said individual when said movement signal fails to exceed a movement intensity threshold.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21 further comprising an input element in communication with said movement sensor for selecting a magnitude of said movement intensity threshold.

23. A device as claimed in claim 21 wherein said device further comprises a memory element in communication with said movement sensor, for accruing a plurality of movement durations for which said movement signal exceeds said movement intensity threshold.

24. A device as claimed in claim 23 further comprising a display in communication with said memory element for presenting a total movement time of said movement durations to said individual.