NON-EXERCISE ACTIVITY THERMOGENESIS (NEAT) GAMES AS UBIQUITOUS ACTIVITY BASED GAMING

• US 20080262786A1
• Filed: 04/21/2008
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Houston System
• Original Assignee: University of Houston System
• Inventors: PAVLIDIS, Ioannis
• Application Number:
  US12/106,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262786A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0015 Comparing movements or motion sequences with computerised simulations of movements or motion sequences, e.g. for generating an ideal template as reference to be achieved by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

A system for tracking physical activity comprising a sensor that detects movement carried by a first user, converts the movement into an electrical data signal and transmits the signal to a receiver, a receiver that transfers the movement data in the electrical data signal to a storage medium, and a processor that executes instructions to convert the movement data to a graphic representation of the first users movement. A method for monitoring physical activity, comprising attaching a sensor to a user wherein the sensor detects physical movement of the used and converts the physical movement into movement data indicative of the movement, transmitting and receiving the movement data signal, storing the movement data in a storage medium, and analyzing the movement data to monitor physical activity of the user.

Claims

1. A system for tracking physical activity, the system comprising:

at least one sensor, wherein the sensor is carried by a first user, detects physical movement by said first user, and converts the movement into a signal containing data indicative of the movement;

a transmitter that transmits the signal;

a receiver that receives the signal and transfers the movement data contained in the signal to a storage medium; and

a processor that executes instructions to convert the movement data to a graphic representation of the first user'"'"'s movement.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a three axis accelerometer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is a short range transmitter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the short range transmitter comprises at least one chosen from the group consisting of optical transmitters, radio frequency transmitters, and magnetic field transmitters.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage medium contains simulated movement data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor compares the first user movement data to the simulated data.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver exchanges a signal containing the first user movement data with a communications network.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver transmits a signal comprising first user movement data to a communications network.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a signal from a communications network, said signal comprising movement data from at least one alternate user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the receiver transfers the at least one alternate user movement data to a storage medium.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the receiver differentiates the movement data from the first user, and the at least one alternate user prior to transfer to the storage medium.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor compares the first user movement data and the at least one alternate user data.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor displays a graphical comparison of the difference between the first user movement data and the at least one alternate user movement data.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor delivers a reward based on the first user movement data.

16. A device for monitoring human activity, comprising at least one sensor, wherein said sensor is configured for

unobtrusive carriage on the person being monitored;

converting physical motion into an electrical signal;

said sensor coupled to at least one microprocessor, at least one transmitter, configured for transmitting said electrical signal to a receiver.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor is configured for attachment to a person'"'"'s clothing.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the transmitter is a wireless data transfer system.

21. The device of claim 20, where in the transmitter consists of at least one chosen from a group consisting of optical transmitters, radio frequency transmitters, and magnetic field transmitters.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a largest dimension of less than about 60 mm.

23. A method for monitoring physical activity, comprising:

attaching a sensor to a user, wherein the sensor detects physical movement of said user, converts said physical movement into movement data indicative of the movement;

transmitting the movement data signal;

receiving the movement data signal;

storing the movement data, wherein the data signal is transferred to a storage medium; and

analyzing the movement data to monitor the physical activity of the user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving the movement data signal further includes receiving at least one additional user movement data signal from a communications network and storing at least one additional user movement data on a storage medium.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein analyzing the movement data comprises comparing the movement data to data on the storage medium.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein analyzing the movement data comprises comparing the movement data to additional users movement data.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein analyzing the movement data further comprises converting the data signals into graphics.