Dynamically adaptive scheduling system

• US 20080076637A1
• Filed: 03/27/2007
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pacurariu, Mihnea Calin, Gilley, Glenn Gregory, Ubillos, Randall Hayes, Dorogusker, Jesse Lee, Brody, Sarah A., Borchers, Robert Edward, Ginsburg, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/921 Diet management

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user'"'"'s performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user'"'"'s goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.

Claims

1. A method for a portable electronic device to interact with one or more exercise machines, the method comprising:

accepting first identification data from a first exercise machine, wherein the first identification data comprises data for identifying the first exercise machine;

accepting first sensor data indicative of a user'"'"'s performance metrics when the user is interacting with the first exercise machine;

linking the first sensor data with the first identification data;

storing the first identification data and the first sensor data in memory of the portable electronic device; and

generating a first control signal for influencing operation of the first exercise machine, wherein the first control signal is based on the first sensor data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting second identification data from a second exercise machine;

accepting second sensor data indicative of the user'"'"'s performance metrics when the user is interacting with the second exercise machine;

linking the second sensor data with the second identification data;

storing the second identification data and the second sensor data in the memory of the portable electronic device; and

generating a second control signal for influencing operation of the second exercise machine, wherein the second control signal is based on the second sensor data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensor data comprises sensor data from first and second sensors that are duplicative data sources, the method further comprising identifying the sensor generating the more accurate sensor data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein identifying the sensor generating the more accurate sensor data comprises comparing the first sensor data with data stored in memory.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing entertainment media files stored in memory of the portable electronic device; and

transmitting media data from the entertainment media files through a media output of the portable electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the media output comprises an audio output.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the media output comprises a display.

8. A portable media device comprising:

a first communication module for accepting sensor data indicative of a user'"'"'s performance metrics;

memory for storing first and second adjustable parameter values respectively associated with first and second activities; and

a controller configured to adjust at least one of the first and second adjustable parameter values based on the sensor data.

9. The portable media device of claim 8, further comprising a user input component through which a user can input data about the user'"'"'s activities, wherein the controller is configured to adjust at least one of the first and second adjustable parameter values based on the data input by the user.

10. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein:

the sensor data is indicative of the user'"'"'s performance metrics for the first activity; and

the controller is configured to adjust the first adjustable parameter value based on the sensor data.

11. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein:

the sensor data is indicative of the user'"'"'s performance metrics for the first activity; and

the controller is configured to adjust the second adjustable parameter value based on the sensor data.

12. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to:

detect user fatigue based on the sensor data; and

adjust at least one of the first and second adjustable parameters responsive thereto.

13. The portable media device of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to detect user fatigue by comparing a change in at least a first user performance metric with a predetermined value.

14. The portable media device of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to weight the change by a weighting factor indicative of an expected intensity of the first activity.

15. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein the adjustable parameter comprises an adjustable fitness parameter.

16. The portable media device of claim 15, wherein the adjustable fitness parameter comprises an amount of time allocated for an associated fitness activity.

17. The portable media device of claim 15, wherein the adjustable fitness parameter comprises a repetition number for an associated fitness activity.

18. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein the adjustable parameter comprises an adjustable nutrition parameter.

19. The portable media device of claim 18, wherein the adjustable nutrition parameter comprises an amount of food allocated for an associated nutrition activity.

20. The portable media device of claim 18, wherein the adjustable nutrition parameter comprises a selection of food recommended for an associated nutrition activity.

21. The portable media device of claim 8, wherein the adjustable parameter comprises an adjustable medical parameter.

22. A computer readable medium for adjusting an activity based on a user'"'"'s performance, the computer readable medium comprising:

a first instruction code for accepting sensor data indicative of a user'"'"'s activities;

a second instruction code for storing at least a first adjustable parameter value associated with a first activity to be performed by the user; and

a third instruction code for adjusting the first adjustable parameter value based on the sensor data.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein:

the sensor data is indicative of the user'"'"'s performance metrics for the first activity; and

the third instruction code is configured to adjust the first adjustable parameter value based on the sensor data.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein:

the sensor data is indicative of the user'"'"'s performance metrics for a second activity; and

the third instruction code is configured to adjust the first adjustable parameter value based on the sensor data.

25. A computer readable medium for adapting a user'"'"'s goals based on the user'"'"'s performance, the computer readable medium comprising:

a first instruction code for conducting a user interview, wherein the user interview comprises questions to identify the user'"'"'s goals;

a second instruction code for storing a user profile based on user interview responses, wherein the user profile comprises goal data related to the user'"'"'s goals;

a third instruction code for accepting first sensor data indicative of a user'"'"'s performance metrics; and

a fourth instruction code for adjusting the goal data based on the first sensor data.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein:

the questions comprise questions to identify a calorie burning goal; and

the fourth instruction code is configured to adjust goal data related to the calorie burning goal.

27. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein:

the questions comprise questions to identify a fitness goal; and

the fourth instruction code is configured to adjust goal data related to the fitness goal.

28. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein:

the questions comprise questions to identify a nutrition goal; and

the fourth instruction code is configured to adjust goal data related to the nutrition goal.

29. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein:

the questions comprise questions to identify a medical goal; and

the fourth instruction code is configured to adjust goal data related to the medical goal.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 25, further comprising a fifth instruction code for generating a progress report that provides information about the user'"'"'s progress towards the user'"'"'s goals.

31. The computer readable medium of claim 30, further comprising a sixth instruction code for visually distinguishing an adjusted user goal on the progress report.