PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MONITORING AND RECORDING SYSTEM AND DEVICE

• US 20120215328A1
• Filed: 01/05/2012
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Juniper Holding Corp.
• Original Assignee: Juniper Holding Corp.
• Inventors: Schmelzer, Richard
• Application Number:
  US13/344,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20120215328A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/91
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for monitoring motion or other activity and using the successful completion of a goal to unlock or lock functionality or features of an electronic device or applications running on a computing system. In particular, media devices and the features within can be disabled unless a proof of completion of a physical activity goal or other challenge is provided to the media device or a server controlling features of the media device. Alternatively, features can be unlocked on the media device when proof of completion of a physical activity goal or other challenge is provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing user activity data in a memory, where the user activity data describes a user activity;

accessing the user activity data in the memory via a processor;

converting the user activity data to a value via the processor;

storing the value in the memory;

receiving a request to enable a user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application;

determining if the request can be met with the value in the memory, via the processor; and

fulfilling the request if there is sufficient value.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising associating the value with a first user, the first user being the one making the request.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising disabling a user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application if the first user has insufficient value to meet the request.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising decreasing the value as the request is fulfilled.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising disabling the user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application when insufficient value remains.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user activity data describes motion.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving encrypted user activity data and decrypting the encrypted user activity data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fulfilling of the request occurs after the user activity has finished.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor and the memory are of one or more remote servers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is of the user device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a second user determines a conversion ratio defining what quantity and quality of user activity data converts to different values.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein fulfilling the request includes transmitting instructions to the user device.

13. A system comprising:

a memory for storing user activity data that describes a user activity; and

a processor configured to;

convert the user activity data to a value;

store the value in the memory;

receive a request to enable a user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application;

determine if the request can be met with the value; and

fulfill the request if there is sufficient value.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising associating the value with a first user, the first user being the one making the request.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising disabling a user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application if the first user has insufficient value to meet the request.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising decreasing the value as the request is fulfilled.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising an input interface configured to receive the user activity data from a motion sensor.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising an input interface configured to receive the user activity data from a network.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the value can be selected from the group consisting of:

credits, points, or electronic currency.

20. A tangible computer readable media embodying a method of locking and unlocking user devices, features, applications, and features of applications, the method comprising:

storing user activity data in a memory, where the user activity data describes a user activity;

accessing the user activity data in the memory via a processor;

converting the user activity data to a value via the processor;

storing the value in the memory;

receiving a request to enable a user device, user device feature, user device application, or feature of a user device application;

determining if the request can be met with the value in the memory, via the processor; and

fulfilling the request if there is sufficient value.