EXERCISE AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

• US 20110003664A1
• Filed: 06/30/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maertz J. Richard
• Original Assignee: Maertz J. Richard
• Inventors: RICHARD, MAERTZ J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,350 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/083 Measuring rate of metabolism by using breath test, e.g. measuring rate of oxygen consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0836 Measuring rate of CO2 production
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• 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 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7246 using correlation, e.g. template matching or determination of similarity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0081 Coaching or training aspects related to a group of users
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/205 P-CO2, i.e. partial CO2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• 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 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation

Abstract

An exercise and communications system includes an interactive device, a remote device, and an external device, wherein the interactive device is configured to gather data relating to a user of the system and transmit the same to the remote device, and the remote device is configured to provide analyze the data and transmit a response to the interactive device, which in turn communicates the response to the user and additionally communication with an external device for retrieval of instructions, programs, and data, inter alia. An exercise and communications system facilitates communication between a plurality of users, each having an interactive device and a remote device.

Claims

1. An interactive device, comprising, in combination:

one or more sensors, configured to sense at least one physiological parameter of a user during an activity, the physiological parameter being at least one of heart rate, oxygen saturation and end tidal carbon dioxide;

a remote interface, configured to communicate data corresponding to the at least one physiological parameter to a remote device during the activity, and further configured to receive from the remote device a response corresponding to the at least one physiological parameter, wherein the response is determined by the remote device based on whether the at least one physiological parameter is within a predetermined criteria;

a user interface, configured to communicate the response to the user.

2. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises an audio speaker configured to transmit audible messages to the user.

3. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors and the remote device are integrated in a single housing configured to be disposed within or clipped to an ear of the user.

4. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the physiological parameter is end tidal carbon dioxide and the sensor is mounted on a tube located in front of the user'"'"'s mouth.

5. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the parameter sensed by the interactive device corresponds to a measurable aspect of an activity of the user.

6. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a device configured to be supported by a user during an activity.

7. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the remote device is one of a watch, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and an arm mount fixation device.

8. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the interactive device is in wireless communication with the remote interface.

9. The interactive device of claim 1, wherein the remote device is in operative communication with an external device.

10. The interactive device of claim 9, wherein the external device is at least one of an entertainment system, a computing system and a video game console.

11. A method performed by a remote device in data communication with an interactive device, comprising, in combination:

determining a selected exercise mode, wherein the selected exercise mode is selected by a user from among a plurality of exercise modes;

receiving, from an interactive device, data corresponding to a parameter sensed by the interactive device;

comparing the data to a predetermined criteria associated with the selected exercise mode;

selecting a predetermined response based on whether the data is within the criteria associated with the selected exercise mode;

transmitting the predetermined response to the interactive device, whereby the predetermined response is communicated to the user via the interactive device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined response is communicated to the user via an audio output device of the interactive device.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the parameter sensed by the interactive device corresponds to a physiological parameter of the user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the physiological parameter is at least one of heart rate, temperature, oxygen saturation and end tidal carbon dioxide.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote device and interactive device are integrated into a single housing configured to be disposed within or clipped to an ear of the user.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising transmitting the data corresponding to the parameter to an external device and/or retrieving associated responses and criteria from an external device.

17. The method of claim 16, whereby the external device distributes at least one of the data corresponding to the parameter and a response to at least one other user.

18. An exercise and communications system, comprising, in combination:

an interactive device configured to collect biometric information from a first user'"'"'s ear during an activity;

a remote device in operative communication with the interactive device, the interactive device and the remote device being integrated into a single housing configured to be disposed within or clipped to the user'"'"'s ear; and

an external device in operative communication with the remote device, the external device including at least one of an entertainment system, a computing system, a video game console and a second user, the external device receiving the collected biometric information from the remote device;

wherein at least one of the interactive device and remote device responds to the collected biometric information by effecting alterations to the activity of the first user; and

wherein the external device responds to the collected biometric information by at least one of transmitting information to the interactive device and providing real time audio communication to the first user during the activity.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the biometric information is collected by pulse oximetry.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the biometric information is at least one of heart rate, end tidal carbon dioxide and oxygen saturation.