System and Method for Implementing an Interactive Online Community Utilizing an Activity Monitor

• US 20080176655A1
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Grant K. James, Terry L. James
• Original Assignee: Grant K. James, Terry L. James
• Inventors: James, Grant K., James, Terry L.
• Application Number:
  US11/625,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20080176655A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• 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 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

An interactive online community utilizes an activity monitor that is operable to measure data, transmit data, and receive data. One or more servers coupled to a communication network provide access to the World Wide Web (“web”). A web portal located on one or more servers is operable to transmit data to the activity monitor and receive data from the activity monitor. The web portal includes a gaming and communication environment that utilizes the data from the activity monitor. Users engage in physical activity and participate in the gaming and communication environment with other users.

Claims

1. A method for an interactive online community, comprising:

operating one or more servers coupled to a communication network providing access to the World Wide Web, wherein the network is operable to communicate with an activity monitor, and wherein the activity monitor is operable to measure data and transmit and receive the data; and

providing a web portal located on one or more servers, the web portal operable to transmit data to the activity monitor and receive data from the activity monitor, wherein the web portal includes a gaming and communication environment, and wherein the gaming and communication environment utilize the data from the activity monitor, whereby a user is enabled to participate in the gaming and communication environment with other users.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data from the activity monitor is a primary metric, the primary metric being a selected metric of a group of metrics, the group consisting of:

a) calories;

b) distances;

c) activity monitor points;

d) steps;

e) life zone minutes;

f) health zone minutes;

g) sports zone minutes;

h) game statistics; and

i) counter data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity monitor links to a computer device connected to a communication network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the activity monitor automatically logs the user into the web portal.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to convert the primary metric into a digital currency, wherein the user utilizes the currency in the gaming environment.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the user converts the currency into one or more game elements in the gaming environment, the game elements consisting of:

a) gasoline in a car racing game;

b) life points in an action game;

c) strength in a combat game; and

d) special powers in a fantasy game.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the gaming environment enables users to compete with other users and select rules for a game.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the web portal receives data from one or more activity monitors while the users participate in the game.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine a result in terms of win, lose, tie, or placement based on data from the activity monitor.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the gaming environment enables a user to participate in a game that begins at a specified time and ends at a specified time.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the user may receive one or more rewards at the end of a game, the rewards consisting of:

a) displaying a customizable skin on the user'"'"'s webpage;

b) discounts on consumer products;

c) unlocking a new game;

d) digital currency; and

e) tangible gifts.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user may receive one or more trophies at the end of a game.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the server utilizes one or more algorithms to calculate a user'"'"'s rank, experience points, and level at the end of a game.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication environment is a plurality of user web pages.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein each user webpage is operable to display one or more user chosen features in different sizes and in different locations on the webpage, the features consisting of:

a) a display of a user'"'"'s progress;

b) a display of a group'"'"'s progress;

c) a display for messages;

d) a display for instant messages;

e) a display for friends;

f) a display for a leader board;

g) a display for a trophy case;

h) a display for activity zones;

i) a display for goals;

j) a display to participate in a game;

k) a display for a news feed;

l) a display for instructional media;

m) a display for creating a profile, a group, or a customizable graphical user interface;

n) a display for record holders;

o) a display for an online store;

p) a display for searching for friends;

q) a display for pictures and videos;

r) a display for color schemes;

s) a display for skins;

t) a display for transitions;

u) a display for wallpaper;

v) a display for special effects;

w) a display for privacy settings;

x) a display for profile layout;

y) a display for monthly leader;

z) a display for yesterday'"'"'s top users;

aa) a display for new users; and

bb) a display for announcements.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the leader board displays one or more features, the features consisting of:

a) a rank;

b) a username;

c) a level;

d) total points;

e) average points;

f) days worn;

g) percent won;

h) health zone average;

i) sports zone average;

j) life zone average;

k) last dock;

l) current streak; and

m) longest streak.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the leader board is for a universal ranking, a specific game ranking, or a universal level.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine the rank of a user on the leader board.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine the level of a user on the leader board.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the user can create a profile, one or more groups, one or more goals for one or more categories, and a customizable graphical user interface.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the customizable graphical user interface is operable to use customizable skins and to customize the way features of the user webpage are displayed.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the categories of a goal may include distances, life zone minutes, health zone minutes, sports zone minutes, or calories.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the web portal continuously updates the one or more goals of the user based on the data received from the activity monitor.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the web portal transmits the updates of the one or more goals of the user to the activity monitor or computer device.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the user may receive a trophy or reward upon the user achieving a goal.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the activity zones include a life zone, a sports zone, and a health zone.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to convert the data from the activity monitor into data for the life zone, the sports zone, and the health zone.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the user website further displays an activity zone for a user, a group, and a population.

29. The method of claim 14, wherein the user can transmit and receive messages and instant messages to other users.

30. A system for an interactive online community, comprising:

an activity monitor, wherein the activity monitor is operable to measure data and to transmit and receive data;

one or more servers coupled to a communication network providing access to the World Wide Web;

a web portal located on one or more servers, the web portal operable to transmit data to the activity monitor and receive data from the activity monitor, wherein the web portal includes a gaming and communication environment, wherein the gaming and communication environment utilize the data from the activity monitor; and

one or more users, wherein the one or more users participate in the gaming and communication environment with other users.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the data from the activity monitor is a primary metric, the primary metric being a selected metric of a group of metrics, the group consisting of:

a) calories;

b) distances;

c) activity monitor points;

d) steps;

e) life zone minutes;

f) health zone minutes;

g) sports zone minutes;

h) game statistics; and

i) counter data.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the activity monitor links to a computer device connected to a communication network.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the activity monitor automatically logs the user into the web portal.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to convert the primary metric into a digital currency, wherein the user utilizes the currency in the gaming environment.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the user converts the currency into one or more game elements in the gaming environment, the game elements consisting of:

a) gasoline in a car racing game;

b) life points in an action game;

c) strength in a combat game; and

d) special powers in a fantasy game.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the gaming environment enables users to compete with other users and select rules for a game.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the web portal receives data from one or more activity monitors while the users participate in the game.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine a result in terms of win, lose, tie, or placement based on data from the activity monitor.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the gaming environment enables a user to participate in a game that begins at a specified time and ends at a specified time.

40. The system of claim 30, wherein the user may receive one or more rewards at the end of a game, the rewards consisting of:

a) displaying a customizable skin on the user'"'"'s webpage;

b) discounts on consumer products;

c) unlocking a new game;

d) digital currency; and

e) tangible gifts.

41. The system of claim 30, wherein the user may receive one or more trophies at the end of a game.

42. The system of claim 30, wherein the server utilizes one or more algorithms to calculate a user'"'"'s rank, experience points, and level at the end of a game.

43. The system of claim 30, wherein the communication environment is a plurality of user web pages.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein each user webpage is operable to display one or more user chosen features in different sizes and in different locations on the webpage, the features consisting of:

a) a display of a user'"'"'s progress;

b) a display of a group'"'"'s progress;

c) a display for messages;

d) a display for instant messages;

e) a display for friends;

f) a display for a leader board;

g) a display for a trophy case;

h) a display for activity zones;

i) a display for goals;

j) a display to participate in a game;

k) a display for a news feed;

l) a display for instructional media;

m) a display for creating a profile, a group, or a customizable graphical user interface;

n) a display for record holders;

o) a display for an online store;

p) a display for searching for friends;

q) a display for pictures and videos;

r) a display for color schemes;

s) a display for skins;

t) a display for transitions;

u) a display for wallpaper;

v) a display for special effects;

w) a display for privacy settings;

x) a display for profile layout;

y) a display for monthly leader;

z) a display for yesterday'"'"'s top users;

aa) a display for new users; and

bb) a display for announcements.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the leader board displays one or more features, the features consisting of:

a) a rank;

b) a username;

c) a level;

d) total points;

e) average points;

f) days worn;

g) percent won;

h) health zone average;

i) sports zone average;

j) life zone average;

k) last dock;

l) current streak; and

m) longest streak.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the leader board is for a universal ranking, a specific game ranking, or a universal level.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine the rank of a user on the leader board.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to determine the level of a user on the leader board.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein the user can create a profile, one or more groups, one or more goals for one or more categories, and a customizable graphical user interface.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the customizable graphical user interface is operable to use customizable skins and to customize the way features of the user webpage are displayed.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein the categories of a goal may include distances, life zone minutes, health zone minutes, sports zone minutes, or calories.

52. The system of claim 44, wherein the web portal continuously updates the one or more goals of the user based on the data received from the activity monitor.

53. The system of claim 44, wherein the web portal transmits the updates of the one or more goals of the user to the activity monitor or computer device.

54. The system of claim 44, wherein the user may receive a trophy or reward upon the user achieving a goal.

55. The system of claim 44, wherein the activity zones include a life zone, a sports zone, and a health zone.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the server utilizes an algorithm to convert the data from the activity monitor into data for the life zone, the sports zone, and the health zone.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the user website further displays an activity zone for a user, a group, and a population.

58. The system of claim 43, wherein the user can transmit and receive messages and instant messages to other users.