SEDENTARY ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS USING DATA FROM A DATA-CAPABLE BAND FOR MANAGING HEALTH AND WELLNESS

• US 20140085077A1
• Filed: 09/26/2012
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: AliphCom, Inc. (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Luna, Michael Edward Smith, Utter, Max Everett II
• Application Number:
  US13/627,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20140085077A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• 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 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

Data-capable personal worn or carried device can be used to detect sedentary activity for facilitating achievement of health and wellness goals. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data representing an activity originating from a wearable device, determining the data representing the activity is a sedentary activity, and characterizing the sedentary activity based on a sedentary characteristic of the sedentary activity. Also, the method can initiate generation of notification alert information indicative of the presence of a value associated with the sedentary characteristic. In some embodiment, the method can cause a vibratory energy source in the wearable device to impart the notification alert information (e.g., haptically).

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data representing an activity including at least a subset of data representing a detected quantity of motion actions originating from a wearable device;

determining the data representing the activity is a sedentary activity;

characterizing the sedentary activity based on a sedentary characteristic of the sedentary activity;

initiating generation of notification alert information indicative of the presence of a value associated with the sedentary characteristic; and

causing a vibratory energy source in the wearable device to impart the alert notification information haptically.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the vibratory energy source to impart the notification alert information comprises:

imparting vibrations to a user, the vibrations being modulated as a function of the value associated with the sedentary characteristic relative to one or more other values of the sedentary characteristic.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein characterizing the sedentary activity based on the sedentary characteristic comprises:

determining either a type of the sedentary activity or a duration of the sedentary activity, or both, as the sedentary characteristic,

wherein the value represents either the type of a subset of types or the duration, or both.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the value representing the type or the duration of the sedentary activity is indicative of prolonged immobility of one or more limbs of a user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the value representing the type or the duration of the sedentary activity represents a time interval over which the user is engaged in desk-related work activities or travelling-related activities.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating generation of the alert notification information further comprises:

causing presentation of the notification alert information as optically-perceptible information on a user interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a target score based on a subset of activities in which a user including the wearable device engages;

calculating a sedentary score based on the sedentary activity; and

modifying the target score using the sedentary score;

wherein the target score is indicative of a desired level of the ability of the user to perform the subset of activities.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an activity profile including one or more activities, an activity including data representing a quantity of motion actions and a quantity of time units;

determining a difference between a target score and a projected score due to the sedentary activity; and

modifying the quantity of motion actions or the quantity of time units, or both, to compensate for the sedentary activity to reduce the difference.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the sedentary activity is a quasi-sedentary activity;

determining the quasi-sedentary activity is a restorative activity; and

suppressing classification of the quasi-sedentary activity as one of a number of sedentary activities.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein data representing the restorative activity comprises data representing a sleep activity or a meal activity.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining the sedentary characteristic for the quasi-sedentary activity meets a threshold value; and

converting classification of the quasi-sedentary activity to one of the number of sedentary activities.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining whether to convert the classification of the quasi-sedentary activity is based on a score representing an amount of one or more non-sedentary activities in which a user engages.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating generation of the alert notification information further comprises:

transmitting data representing the notification alert information to a computing device; and

causing presentation of the notification alert information on a user interface of the computing device.

14. The method of claim 13, the notification alert information urges a user to engage in a non-sedentary activity.

15. A device comprising:

a sedentary activity manager configured to receive data representing an activity including at least a subset of data representing a quantity of motion actions originating from a wearable device, the sedentary activity manager comprising;

a sedentary activity manager configured to determine that the data representing the activity is a sedentary activity;

a sedentary activity classifier configured to characterize the sedentary activity based on a sedentary characteristic of the sedentary activity; and

a sedentary activity tracker configured to initiate generation of notification alert information indicative of the presence of a value associated with the sedentary characteristic, and further configured to generate signals by the wearable device indicating a duration over which a characteristic of the sedentary activity indicates a degree of immobility of one or more limbs of a user.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising:

a haptic engine configured to impart vibratory energy; and

a display engine configured to generate a graphical representation on an interface,

wherein the haptic engine and the display engine are disposed in a notification status module and are configured to convey the notification alert information.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising an activity profile manager configured to modify a quantity of motion actions or a quantity of time units to establish a target score that urges the user to compensate for engaging in the sedentary activity.

18. A computer readable medium including instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

receiving data representing an activity including at least a subset of data representing a quantity of motion actions originating from a wearable device;

determining the data representing the activity is a sedentary activity;

characterizing the sedentary activity based on a sedentary characteristic of the sedentary activity;

initiating generation of notification alert information indicative of the presence of a value associated with the sedentary characteristic; and

causing an energy source in the wearable device to impart the alert notification information haptically.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein causing the energy source to impart the alert notification information haptically comprises.

applying a control signal to a vibratory energy source;

and

imparting the alert notification information as vibrations from the wearable device to a user.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining a target score based on a subset of activities in which a user including the wearable device engages;

calculating a sedentary score based on the sedentary activity; and

modifying the target score using the sedentary score,

wherein the target score is indicative of a desired level of the ability of the user to perform the subset of activities.