PORTABLE DEVICE COMPRISING AN ACCELERATION SENSOR AND METHOD OF GENERATING INSTRUCTIONS OR ADVICE

• US 20100185125A1
• Filed: 03/15/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Move2Health Holding BV
• Original Assignee: Move2Health Holding BV
• Inventors: Damen, Erik Petrus Nicolaas
• Application Number:
  US12/724,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20100185125A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• 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 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration

Abstract

The invention pertains to a portable device comprising a housing, a display, a storage medium, at least one acceleration sensor, means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display. The said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A portable device comprising:

a housing;

a display;

a storage medium;

at least one acceleration sensor; and

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with a signal generated by the at least one acceleration sensor, including;

determining an average of absolute values of the signal or samples of a signal;

calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device;

storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and

showing the calculated activity parameter in the display.

13. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor.

14. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons.

15. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time.

16. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the portable device is operably connectable to a remote computer having computer program code stored therein and configured for executing instructions including:

electronically obtaining the activity parameter; and

selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

17. The portable device according to claim 16, wherein the computer program code is configured to execute further instructions, including:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.

18. A method comprising:

determining an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal generated by at least one acceleration sensor of a portable device having a storage medium and a display;

calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device;

storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and

showing the calculated activity parameter in the display.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time.

22. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

uploading the activity parameter from the portable device to a remote computer; and

selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.

24. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

determining an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of at least one acceleration sensor of a portable device having a storage medium and a display;

calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device;

storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and

showing the calculated activity parameter in the display.

25. The logic according to claim 24, wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor.

26. The logic according to claim 24, wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons.

27. The logic according to claim 24, wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time.

28. The logic according to claim 24, further comprising:

uploading the activity parameter from the portable device to a remote computer; and

selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

29. The logic according to claim 28, further comprising:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.

30. A method, comprising:

electronically obtaining an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, wherein the activity parameter is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and

selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal related to physical activity of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.

32. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

electronically obtaining an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, wherein the activity parameter is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and

selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

33. The logic of claim 32, further comprising:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal related to physical activity of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.

34. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer configured to execute instructions associated with an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, including;

electronically obtaining the activity parameter, which is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and

selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the computer is configured to execute further instructions, including:

electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;

determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and

downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.