Wireless communications device with integrated user activity module

• US 20070146116A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kimbrell, Jacob
• Application Number:
  US11/316,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20070146116A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.520
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• 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 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 temperature
• 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: G01K 13/20 Clinical contact thermometers for use with humans or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A wireless communications device comprises a sensor and a processor. The sensor measures a user'"'"'s performance. The processor monitors the user'"'"'s measured performance to determine a progress of the user towards the completion of a predetermined objective. Based on the measured performance, the processor selects and renders appropriate multimedia effects to inform the user of their progress. The processor may also render reminder notifications to the user based on data associated with a scheduled event, and activate and de-activate the motion detector based on the scheduled event data.

Claims

1. A method of providing a user of a wireless communications device with performance-based feedback, the method comprising:

receiving data from a scheduling application executing on a user'"'"'s wireless communications device that indicates a scheduled exercise activity associated with the user, the wireless communications device being configured to transmit and receive wireless signals with a remote party via a wireless communications network

using a sensor associated with the wireless communications device to measure a user'"'"'s performance during a scheduled exercise activity;

comparing the measured performance of the user to a predetermined objective;

selecting a media file stored in memory of the wireless communications device based on the comparison; and

rendering the selected media file to coach the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein using a sensor to measure a user'"'"'s performance comprises detecting the user'"'"'s motion using a motion detector.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein using a sensor to measure a user'"'"'s performance during exercise comprises using a biometric sensor to measure a biometric characteristic of the user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein using a sensor to measure a user'"'"'s performance comprises:

receiving successive indications of the user'"'"'s performance from the sensor; and

maintaining a value representing the measured performance responsive to the successive indications.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting a second media file stored in memory of the wireless communications device independent of the user'"'"'s measured performance; and

rendering the selected media file to coach the user.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising calculating the predetermined objective based at least in part on historical data representing one or more previously measured performances of the user.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting a media file stored in memory of the wireless communications device based on the comparison comprises:

selecting a first pre-recorded voice file if the comparison indicates that the user achieved the predetermined objective; and

selecting a second pre-recorded voice file if the comparison indicates that the user did not achieve the predetermined objective.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating an activation signal to activate the sensor based on a start time of the scheduled exercise event.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a de-activation signal to de-activate the sensor based on the end time of the scheduled exercise event.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising generating a reminder notification based on the start time of the scheduled exercise event, and rendering the reminder notification to the user.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising re-scheduling the exercise event responsive to user input.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising rendering a selected play list stored in memory of the user'"'"'s wireless communications device during exercise.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising saving the user'"'"'s measured performance to a log file stored in memory of the wireless communications device.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising activating and deactivating the sensor based on user input.

8. (canceled)

16. A wireless communications device comprising:

a transceiver to transmit and receive wireless communications signals to a remote party;

a controller; and

an application module executed by the controller, the application module including logic configured to;

access data associated with a scheduling application executing on the wireless communications device, the data indicating a scheduled exercise event associated with the user;

monitor a measured performance of the user during the scheduled exercise event to determine the user'"'"'s progress toward achieving a predetermined objective;

select a multimedia effect stored in memory of the wireless communications device based at least in part on the measured performance of the user; and

render the selected multimedia effect to coach the user.

17. The device of claim 16 further comprising a sensor communicatively connected to the controller to measure the performance of the user.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the sensor comprises a motion detector that detects the user'"'"'s motion.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the motion detector comprises a pedometer.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the sensor comprises a biometric sensor that monitors a biometric characteristic of the user.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the biometric sensor monitors the user'"'"'s heart beat.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the biometric sensor monitors a body temperature of the user.

23. The device of claim 16 wherein the application module further includes logic configured to calculate the predetermined objective based on one or more previously measured performances of the user.

24. The device of claim 16 wherein the application module further includes logic configured to select a first multimedia effect if the user'"'"'s monitored progress indicates that the user is achieving the predetermined objective, and a second multimedia effect if the user'"'"'s monitored progress indicates that the user is not achieving the predetermined objective.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein at least one of the first and second multimedia effects comprises a pre-recorded voice file.

27. The device of claim 16 wherein the application module further includes logic configured to monitor the user'"'"'s measured performance based on the data associated with the scheduling application.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the data associated with the scheduling application comprises a start time, and wherein the application module further includes logic configured to cause the controller to activate the sensor based on the start time.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein the data associated with the scheduling application further comprises an end time, and wherein the application module further includes logic configured to cause the controller to de-activate the sensor based on the end time.

30. The device of claim 16 wherein the application module further includes logic configured to generate a reminder notification to the user based on the data associated with the scheduling application.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein the reminder notification comprises a pop up dialog.

32. The device of claim 30 wherein the reminder notification comprises a pre-recorded voice file.

33. The device of claim 30 wherein the reminder notification comprises a pre-determined tactile function pattern.

34. The device of claim 16 further comprising a speaker, and wherein the application module further includes logic configured to cause the controller to render a selected play list stored in the memory to the user over the speaker while monitoring the measured performance of the user.

35. The device of claim 16 wherein the application module further comprises logic to receive signals generated by the sensor.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein the application module further comprises logic to interface with a first application module associated with the sensor to receive the generated signals.

26. (canceled)