Accelerometer for data collection and communication

• US 7,373,820 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kersh Risk Management, LLC
• Original Assignee: Terry L. James
• Inventors: James, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Hezron
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah; Samir M.
• Application Number:
  US10/996,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 734/88
• US Class Current: 73/488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02

Abstract

A method for communicating data is provided that includes collecting data associated with an individual using an accelerometer. The accelerometer is operable to monitor activity associated with the individual. The method also includes communicating the data to a computing device, which can receive the data and perform any number of operations.

Claims

1. A method for communicating data, comprising:

collecting data associated with an individual using an accelerometer, wherein the accelerometer is operable to monitor activity associated with the individual, and wherein the data is only accessible by persons authorized to do so, whereby the accelerometer provides feedback to the individual based on a combination of the collected data and additional data that is unique to the individual, the additional data being associated with a profile of the individual, and whereby activity calculations made by the accelerometer are based on a conversion of gravity or of motion to an electrical signal; and

communicating the data to a computing device, wherein the accelerometer uniquely identifies the individual, and wherein a decision to display the data is executed by an administrator of the device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing the data from the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying at least a portion of the data on the accelerometer to the individual.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining the data such that it can be transmitted over a communication link.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication link is a selected one of a group of communication links, the group consisting of:

a) a universal serial bus cable;

b) a modem; and

c) a wireless connection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data from the accelerometer is communicated to the computing device using IEEE 802.15 protocol.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the data such that it may be reviewed, wherein the stored data may be processed using one or more software applications.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating a selected one of location information and activity information provided by the accelerometer using a selected one of a group of protocols, the group consisting of;

a) a global positioning system (GPS) protocol;

b) a geo-fencing protocol; and

c) a triangulation protocol.

9. An apparatus to be used in collecting data, comprising:

an accelerometer operable to monitor activity associated with an individual, the accelerometer being operable to collect and to store data associated with the activity, wherein the accelerometer is further operable to communicate the data to a computing device, and wherein the data is only accessible by persons authorized to do so, whereby the accelerometer provides feedback to the individual based on a combination of the collected data and additional data that is unique to the individual, the additional data being associated with a profile of the individual, and whereby activity calculations made by the accelerometer are based on a conversion of gravity or of motion to an electrical signal; and

wherein the accelerometer uniquely identifies the individual, and wherein a decision to display the data is executed by an administrator of the device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computing device is a base station operable to receive the data from the accelerometer, the base station being further operable to relay the data to a next destination via a selected one of a telephone network and an Internet network.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer includes a display that is operable to provide one or more activity measurements obtained by the accelerometer.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer is operable to maintain the data such that it can be transmitted over a communication link.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication link is a selected one of a group of communication links, the group consisting of:

a) a universal serial bus cable;

b) a modem; and

c) a wireless connection.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computing device is further operable to store the data such that it may be accessed and reviewed.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer includes wireless technology that is operable to transmit the data to a next destination in a wireless fashion, the wireless technology being included in a group of technologies, the group consisting of:

a) IEEE 802.15 technology; and

b) infrared technology.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer is further operable to communicate a selected one of location information and activity information included within the accelerometer using a selected one of a group of protocols, the group consisting of:

a) a global positioning system (GPS) protocol;

b) a geo-fencing protocol; and

c) a triangulation protocol.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a management server operable to receive the data from the accelerometer and to aggregate one or more sets of data collected by the accelerometer.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the management server is operable to be accessed by a selected one of a physician, a nurse, and an administrator who is authorized to have access to the data.

19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the accelerometer is distributed to a group of persons, the group being a selected one of a plurality of employees in a work environment, a plurality of patients in a healthcare environment, and a plurality of students in a school environment.

20. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the data is processed using one or more software applications at the computing device, and wherein the data may be displayed on the computing device using a selected one or more of a graph, a chart, a spreadsheet, and a graphic illustration.