Computer interfaces including physiologically guided avatars

• US 8,790,255 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2011
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adidas AG
• Original Assignee: Adidas AG
• Inventors: Behar, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Archer, Marie
• Application Number:
  US13/239,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20120071771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 600300-301, 600363-365, 600372-374, 600377-379, 600382-384, 600386-394, 600/481, 600/485, 600500-503, 600/508, 600515-519, 600529-531, 600544-547, 600/549, 600587-595
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• 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 5/0531 Measuring skin impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/08 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for evaluating the respiratory organs A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/744 Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30004 Biomedical image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30104 Vascular flow; Blood flow; Perfusion
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 : Medical
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2215/16 : Using real world measurements to influence rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 : for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 : Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

This invention provides user interfaces that more intuitively display physiological data obtained from physiological monitoring of one or more subjects. Specifically, the user interfaces of this invention create and display one or more avatars having behaviors guided by physiological monitoring data. The monitoring data is preferably obtained when the subject is performing normal tasks without substantial restraint. This invention provides a range of implementations that accommodate user having varying processing and graphics capabilities, e.g., from handheld electronic devices to ordinary PC-type computers and to systems with enhanced graphics capabilities.

Claims

1. A system for displaying physiological information of a user comprising:

a wearable sensor for acquiring real time physiological data of the user including cardiac stroke volume;

a processor operatively connected to the sensor, the processor adapted to receive the real time physiological data from the sensor; and

a display for visually presenting an avatar, the avatar including a graphical element representing the real time physiological data of the user,

wherein the graphical element is a substantially realistic heart image representing the real time cardiac data of the user,

wherein the processor dynamically changes a size of at least a portion of the substantially realistic heart image in proportion to the cardiac stroke volume.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the physiological data includes real time respiratory data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the avatar includes a second graphical element representing the real time respiratory data of the user,

wherein the second graphical element expands and contracts in proportion to the real time respiratory data of the user.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the avatar includes a torso image, and

wherein the graphical element and the second graphical element are displayed in the torso image.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the display presents a plurality of avatars representing the real time physiological data of multiple users.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a memory device to store the real time physiological data of the user.

7. A method for displaying physiological data of a user during an athletic activity, comprising:

receiving from a wearable sensor real time physiological data of the user including real time respiratory volume during the athletic activity;

displaying on a display a torso image; and

displaying on a display a graphical element corresponding to the real time physiological data in the torso image, wherein the size of at least a portion of the graphical element dynamically changes in proportion to the real time respiratory volume.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the physiological data includes respiratory data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the physiological data includes cardiac data including real time cardiac stroke volume.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising displaying a second graphical element that is a substantially realistic heart image, wherein the substantially realistic heart image expands and contracts in proportion to the real time cardiac stroke volume.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the graphical element expands and contracts in proportion to the real time respiratory volume.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the graphical element represents a lung and wherein the graphical element expands and contracts in proportion to real time respiratory volume.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the graphical element comprises an avatar including a visual image of the user.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the wearable sensor and the display are separate devices.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the sensor and display are part of the same device.

16. A method for displaying physiological data of a user during an athletic activity comprising:

providing a wearable sensor configured to collect real time physiological data of the user including activity data representing the intensity of the athletic activity, respiratory data and cardiac data during the athletic activity;

receiving the real time physiological data;

displaying on a display a first avatar including a first graphical element having an outer border, the first graphical element corresponding to the real time respiratory data;

displaying on a display a second avatar including a second graphical element having an outer border, the second graphical element corresponding to the real time cardiac data; and

displaying on a display a third avatar including a third graphical element corresponding to the real time activity data,

wherein the outer border of at least a portion of the first graphical element dynamically changes in proportion to the real time respiratory data, and

wherein the outer border of at least a portion of the second graphical element dynamically changes in proportion to the real time cardiac data.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the real time respiratory data is respiratory volume.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the real-time cardiac data is cardiac stroke volume.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the outer border of the first graphical element increases and decreases in size in proportion to the real time respiratory data.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the first graphical element is a lung, and

wherein the first graphical element expands and contracts in proportion to the real time respiratory data of the user.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the second graphical element is a substantially realistic heart image and wherein the substantially realistic heart image expands and contracts in proportion to the real time cardiac data of the user.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the wearable sensor and the display are separate devices.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the sensor and display are part of the same device.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying multiple avatars corresponding to real time physiological data of multiple users.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying on a display a fourth avatar including a fourth graphical element corresponding to real time psychological stress of the user.