SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A DEVICE BASED ON A RECORD OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• US 20090171788A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Switch2Health, Inc.
• Inventors: Batour, Amado, Tropper, Seth A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,924,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.610
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 : Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 : Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 : based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 : Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 : Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 : for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

In a redeemable coupon there is a housing, a motion detector coupled to the housing, wherein the motion detector detects an amount of motion of the coupon, and an indicator coupled to the motion detector, wherein the indicator is activated by the motion detector upon detecting the amount of motion. Additionally, in a method of providing an incentive for a user to exercise, providing the user with a coupon to be coupled to the user, monitoring the motion of the user with a motion sensor included in the coupon, and activating the coupon when the motion sensor has detected a predetermined amount of motion such that the coupon becomes redeemable by the user.

Claims

1. A redeemable coupon comprising:

a housing;

a motion detector coupled to the housing, wherein the motion detector detects an amount of motion of the coupon; and

an indicator coupled to the motion detector, wherein the indicator is activated by the motion detector upon detecting the amount of motion.

2. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the coupon is redeemed via an electronic network.

3. The coupon of claim 2, wherein the electronic network is at least one of the Internet and a wireless communication network.

7. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the coupon is redeemable for at least one of money, points and prizes.

8. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the coupon is redeemable for an item relating to an electronic game.

9. The coupon of claim 8, wherein the item is at least one of an avatar, life, strength, a weapon, a potion, money, health, ammunition, special power, food, an accessory, a pet, an article of clothing, a clue, and a key.

10. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the motion is monitored during a predetermined time interval.

11. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the motion is monitored from a first predetermined point in time until a second predetermined point in time.

12. The coupon of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first predetermined point in time and the second predetermined point in time is a preset date.

13. The coupon of claim 11, wherein the first predetermined point in time is an activation of the motion detector.

14. The coupon of claim 11, wherein the second predetermined point in time is determined from the first predetermined point in time and a predetermined time interval.

15. The coupon of claim 11, further comprising computer programmable code including instructions that implement an electronic game.

16. The coupon of claim 15, wherein the information indicated by the indicator corresponds to at least one of a point and a reward based on a level of motion detected by the motion detector.

17. The coupon of claim 1, wherein a user may interact with an online game using the redeemable coupon.

18. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the indicator presents a code.

19. The coupon of claim 18, wherein the redeemable coupon is used to interact with an online game by entering the code from the indicator.

20. The coupon of claim 17, wherein a user is rewarded upon detection of a predetermined level of motion by the motion detector.

21. The coupon of claim 20, wherein the reward is at least one of money, a prize, a game item and points.

22. The coupon of claim 21, wherein the game item is at least one of an avatar, life, strength, a weapon, a potion, money, health, ammunition, special power, food, an accessory, a pet, an article of clothing, a clue, and a key.

23. The coupon of claim 1, wherein a user is rewarded based on at least one of a level of motion and an amount of motion detected by the motion detector.

25. The coupon of claim 1, wherein the redeemable coupon is provided with a product offered to consumers.

26. The coupon of claim 25, wherein the redeemable coupon comprises at least one of a packaging and a label for the product.

4-6. -6. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

27. (canceled)