METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FITNESS ACTIVITY TRACKING AND GAMING

• US 20080033581A1
• Filed: 08/03/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: introPLAY LLC
• Original Assignee: introPLAY LLC
• Inventors: Howsden, Michael, DOSHI, Anil
• Granted Patent: US 8,920,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/92
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/00 Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

An approach is provided for tracking and analyzing physical activities. Inputs are received from a plurality of users. The inputs specify one or more physical activities. The inputs are analyzed to quantitatively compare the activities among the users. A score is assigned to each user based on the analysis. The scores can be presented to the users over a communication network.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving inputs from a plurality of users, the inputs specifying one or more physical activities;

analyzing the inputs to quantitatively compare the activities among the users;

assigning a score to each user based on the analysis; and

presenting the scores to the users over a communication network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the users utilize either a telephony device, a mobile device, or a computer to provide the inputs.

3. A system, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive inputs from a plurality of users, the inputs specifying one or more physical activities; and

a processor configured to analyze the inputs to quantitatively compare the activities among the users, and to assign a score to each user based on the analysis, wherein the scores are presented to the users over a communication network.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the inputs are received from a web server.

5. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a data entry, tracking, and assessment subsystem (DTA) configured to allow a user to enter and track activity statistics across a multitude of activities.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the DTA is further configured to parse user transmitted data into appropriate parameter fields, and to distribute the parsed data to another subsystem.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the DTA is further configured to accept data from the other subsystem for generating reports for users to track performance.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the system provides a user with a list of recommended physical activities in response to a user inquiry as to improving particular muscle groups.

9. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a quantitative subsystem configured to compare data across the activities as to allowing a user to quantify the exerted effort of the user in each activity on a normalized scale.

10. A communications system comprising:

a fitness analysis system for receiving and analyzing inputs from a plurality of users specifying one or more physical activities to quantitatively compare the activities among the users, assign a score to each user based on the analysis, and present the scores to the users over a communication network; and

a web server interface for interfacing the users with the fitness analysis system over the communication network.

11. The communications system of claim 10, wherein the web server interface comprises a main home page providing access to a website by registered users.

12. The communications system of claim 11, wherein a main locker room web page on the website permits users to enter and view information relative to physical well being.

13. The communications system of claim 12, wherein the users are permitted to enter personal health statistics.

14. The communications system of claim 12, wherein the users are permitted to view displays of current leagues of users, the number of players in the leagues, and the length of time each league has been active.

15. The communications system of claim 12, wherein a user is permitted to view a display of the user'"'"'s most recent workout history.

16. The communications system of claim 11, wherein a web page on the website includes information regarding different leagues and teams within those leagues, the information comprising a team'"'"'s object, current members of a team, members invited to join the team, and the leader of the team.

17. The communications system of claim 11, wherein a web page on the website permits users to start their own teams by adding a name for the team, start and end times for the team'"'"'s activities, and a description of the team, the web page permitting the users to selectively send email to other users inviting the other users to join the team.

18. The communications system of claim 11, wherein a web page on the website displays to a user various workout options and recent and/or current workout session information.

19. The communications system of claim 18, wherein the web page comprises an area in which the user selectively enters notations that are then selectively viewable by the user.

20. The communications system of claim 18, wherein a user earns points for a workout session and the web page displays the user'"'"'s workout history and the number of points earned.

21. The communications system of claim 20, wherein a user may view on a web page information relating to other users'"'"' workout histories and numbers of points earned.

22. The communications system of claim 11, wherein the website includes a discussion board for interaction between registered users.

23. A method of fitness analysis comprising:

receiving inputs from a plurality of users, the inputs specifying one or more physical activities;

analyzing the inputs to quantitatively compare the activities among the users;

assigning a score to each user based on the analysis;

presenting the scores to the users over a communication network; and

comparing the scores on a normalized scale.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the comparison step comprises a comparison between a user'"'"'s performance and the user'"'"'s historical performance.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the comparison step comprises a comparison between a user'"'"'s performance and the performance of other users.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the comparison step comprises assigning a base point value for an activity performed over a predefined period of time.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein base point values are assigned by learning the base point values using previously entered aggregated data.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein base point values are adjusted for the relative skill of a particular user.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the adjustment comprises adjusting a relative length of time engaged in an activity by an intensity multiplier to arrive at an assigned point value per activity completed.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the adjustment comprises adjusting a number of sets of the activity performed by an intensity multiplier to arrive at an assigned point value per activity completed.

38. The method of claim 27 wherein the learning step is performed by a software algorithm.

31. A method comprising:

accessing a fitness analysis system for recording a user'"'"'s activity;

receiving numerical points responsive to an amount of effort exerted by the user in a particular activity;

assigning additional points based on dietary behavior and lifestyle;

grouping selected users into teams;

totaling the number of points earned by all of the users on each individual team during a predetermined period of time; and

comparing the total number of points earned by each team during the predetermined period of time to determine a winning team.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

displaying a user'"'"'s point totals relative to the user'"'"'s historical performances; and

displaying other users'"'"' point totals relative to the other users'"'"' historical performances.

33. A method comprising:

logging into a fitness analysis system;

setting up a database to accept data relative to particular activities and parameters associated with the activities;

determining a length of play time and the number of individuals on a team;

establishing privacy settings;

creating criteria for joining the league;

customizing a scoring system; and

setting the availability of league functionality.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein customizing a scoring system comprises allowing or excluding points for specified activities.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein points are allowed for performing healthful activities.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein points are excluded for performing non-healthful activities.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein league functionality comprises one or a plurality of setting up a draft for selecting teams, trading players, establishing activity disputes, assessing penalties, creating rules, or allowing for midseason modifications.

39. A fitness analysis system comprising:

a subsystem for entering and tracking vital and activity statistics across a plurality of activities and statistical parameters;

a subsystem for accepting the vital and activity statistics and quantifying a user'"'"'s exerted effort in each activity on a normalized scale based on the vital and activity statistics;

a subsystem for accepting the normalized quantities of the user'"'"'s exerted effort in each activity and for allowing the user to access activity records;

a subsystem for tracking one or more activity goals of the user and for determining whether the one or more activity goals was successfully achieved; and

a subsystem for providing real-time analysis to the user across the plurality of activities, such that the analysis is sent to the entering and tracking subsystem for transmission to the user.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising:

a subsystem for goal aggregation and analysis (GAA) for allowing users to form teams and to create, monitor, and assess one or more individual and/or team goals.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the GAA is configured to be cyclic, whereby while one goal is on progress or concluded, one or more other goals may be created and tracked independently or simultaneously.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the GAA determines whether one or more goals was successfully achieved.

43. The system of claim 40, further comprising:

an exercise-based competitive game subsystem (EBG) for accepting the normalized quantities from the quantitative subsystem and establishing an exercise-based competitive game, whereby users record their activities, receive numerical points for their efforts in the one or more physical activities, and view their point totals relative to their own performances as well as to other users.

44. The system of claim 40, further comprising:

an aggregate exercise data analysis and services subsystem (DAS) for providing real-time analysis to the users relative to the physical activities and within select groups of individuals, and wherein the DAS passes the analysis to the DTA for transmission back to the user.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the real-time analysis is provided to the users visually.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the real-time analysis is provided to the users audibly.