VIRTUAL TRAINER SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20080220941A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Health Hero Network Incorporated (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen J., Shaw, Rocky
• Granted Patent: US 7,931,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• 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 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/38 for collecting sensor information

Abstract

A system, apparatus and method for managing health of different individuals by means of a virtual trainer over a network. Reference training data is made available to at least one individual. The exercise motion of the individual or end-user is recorded by using a plurality of sensing elements. The exercise motion of the end-user is processed into a user data. The user data is forwarded to a remote server via a user communication device. A virtual coach application is provided in the remote server that compares the reference training data with the user data and provides a corrective feedback to the end-user. The corrective feedback to the end-user may be provided on the user communication device such as a personal computer, digital assistant, or mobile phone.

Claims

1. A virtual trainer system comprising:

a remote server;

reference training data stored on said remote server;

at least one sensing element adapted to sense exercise motion of a user;

a processor adapted to create user data based on the sensed exercise motion of said user;

a user communication device adapted to receive said user data and transmit said user data to said remote server; and

a virtual coach application component operatively connected to said remote server and adapted to compare said reference training data with said user data and provide corrective feedback to said user.

2. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said reference training data comprises standard training programs created by an expert trainer.

3. The virtual trainer system of claim 2, wherein said remote server is adapted to store a computer-executable application adapted to create user health management reports accessible by said expert trainer.

4. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said reference training data is adapted to be accessible to said user in any of multimedia form and text form.

5. The virtual trainer system of claim 2, wherein said standard training programs includes a strength training program, a rehabilitation/physical therapy program, a sports conditioning program, a weight management program, and a health-maintenance program.

6. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element is adapted to be attached to said user.

7. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element comprises an equipment-sensing element adapted to be attached to exercising equipment.

8. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein the sensing element is adapted to be configured in exercising equipment.

9. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein the exercise motion comprises a plurality of exercise parameters of said user.

10. The virtual trainer system of claim 9, wherein said exercise parameters comprise any of mileage, calories burnt, pulse-count, temperature, moisture, tension, time, movement, blood pressure, and repetitions of said movement.

11. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said reference training data comprises common technique mistakes of said user.

12. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said corrective feedback is provided on said user communication device.

13. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said user communication device is adapted to wirelessly receive said user data.

14. The virtual trainer system of claim 1, wherein said user communication device comprises any of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile telephone.

15. A method for providing virtual coaching, said method comprising:

providing reference training data in a remote server;

sensing exercise motion of a user by using a plurality of sensing elements;

creating user data in a user communication device based on the sensed exercise motion of said user;

transmitting said user data from said user communication device to said remote server;

comparing said reference training data with said user data using a virtual coach application component operatively connected to said remote server;

providing corrective feedback to said user based on the comparisons of said reference training data with said user data.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said reference training data comprises standard training programs created by an expert trainer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said remote server is adapted to store a computer-executable application adapted to create user health management reports accessible by said expert trainer.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said reference training data is adapted to be accessible to said user in any of multimedia form and text form.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein said standard training programs includes a strength training program, a rehabilitation/physical therapy program, a sports conditioning program, a weight management program, and a health-maintenance program.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing element is adapted to be attached to said user.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing element comprises an equipment-sensing element adapted to be attached to exercising equipment.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensing element is adapted to be configured in exercising equipment.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the exercise motion comprises a plurality of exercise parameters of said user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said exercise parameters comprise any of mileage, calories burnt, pulse-count, temperature, moisture, tension, time, movement, blood pressure, and repetitions of said movement.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein said reference training data comprises common technique mistakes of said user.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein said corrective feedback is provided on said user communication device.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein said user communication device is adapted to wirelessly receive said user data.

28. The method of claim 15, wherein said user communication device comprises any of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, and a mobile telephone.