Portable Electronic Device, Method, and Computer Software Product

• US 20080150731A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Original Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
• Inventors: Kiuru, Eeva, Laukkanen, Raija
• Granted Patent: US 8,159,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable electronic device, a method, and a computer software product. The portable electronic device comprises an active time unit (102) for determining a user activity level during a predetermined period of time; and a processing unit (106) for determining a user inactivity level during a predetermined period of time on the basis of the determined activity level.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

an active time unit for determining a user activity level during a pre-determined period of time; and

a processing unit for determining a user inactivity level during a pre-determined period of time on the basis of the determined activity level.

2. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in order to determine the user activity level, the active time unit is configured to add up periods of time during which an instantaneous motion intensity value meets predetermined activity conditions.

3. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active time unit comprises at least one activity sensor for measuring the user activity level, and the processing unit is configured to use the measured activity level in determining the inactivity level.

4. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one activity sensor is configured to measure muscular activity of a user.

5. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one activity sensor is configured to measure heart rate of the user.

6. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the active time unit comprises at least one acceleration sensor for measuring acceleration from movement of the device when the user is moving, and the processing unit is configured to use the measured acceleration in determining the inactivity level.

7. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to detect reaching at least one predetermined threshold value in the determined inactivity level.

8. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detected predetermined threshold value is an optimal inactivity level during the predetermined period of time.

9. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the detected predetermined threshold value is a maximum inactivity level during the predetermined period of time.

10. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an indicator for indicating the determined inactivity level.

11. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the indicator is configured to indicate reaching at least one predetermined threshold level in the inactivity level.

12. A portable electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a wrist device.

13. A method comprising:

determining a user activity level during a predetermined period of time on the basis of a portable electronic device used by the user; and

determining a user inactivity level on the basis of the determined activity level; and

determining a user inactivity level during a predetermined period of time on the basis of the determined activity level.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising, in order to determine the user activity level, adding up periods of time during which an instantaneous motion intensity value meets predetermined activity conditions.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising measuring the user activity level by means of at least one activity sensor, and using the measured activity level in determining the inactivity level.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising measuring muscular activity of a user by means of at least one activity sensor.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, comprising measuring heart rate of the user by means of at least one activity sensor.

18. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising measuring acceleration from movement of the device when the user is moving by means of at least one acceleration sensor, and using the measured acceleration in determining the inactivity level.

19. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising detecting reaching at least one predetermined threshold value in the determined inactivity level.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, comprising the detected pre-determined threshold value being an optimal inactivity level during the predetermined period of time.

21. A method as claimed in claim 19, comprising the detected pre-determined threshold value being a maximum inactivity level during the predetermined period of time.

22. A method as claimed in claim 13, comprising indicating the determined inactivity level.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, comprising indicating reaching at least one predetermined threshold value in the inactivity level.

24. A computer software product comprising encoded instructions for executing a computer process in a digital processor, wherein the computer process comprises:

determining a user activity level during a predetermined period of time on the basis of data produced by a portable electronic device used by the user; and

determining a user inactivity level during a predetermined period of time on the basis of the determined activity level.

25. A computer software product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the computer process further comprises:

adding up periods of time during which an instantaneous motion intensity value meets predetermined activity conditions.

26. A computer software product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the computer process further comprises:

measuring the user activity level by means of at least one activity sensor, and using the measured activity level in determining the inactivity level.

27. A computer software product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the computer process further comprises:

measuring acceleration from movement of the device when the user is moving by means of at least one acceleration sensor, and using the measured acceleration in determining the inactivity level.

28. A computer software product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the computer process further comprises:

detecting reaching at least one predetermined threshold value in the determined inactivity level.

29. A computer software product as claimed in claim 24, wherein the computer process further comprises:

indicating the determined inactivity level.

30. A computer software product as claimed in claim 29, wherein the computer process further comprises:

indicating reaching at least one pre-determined threshold value in the inactivity level.