Methods, systems and devices for activity tracking device data synchronization with computing devices

• US 8,972,220 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2014
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Park, James, Burton, Barry, Panther, Heiko, Friedman, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): COSIMANO, EDWARD R
• Application Number:
  US14/261,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20140236493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 731/78.R, 733/790.1, 734/321, 738/658, 738/663, 235/105, 340/500, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/540, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 340/870.16, 340/944, 342/104, 342/105, 342/106, 342/107, 342/109, 342/113, 342/350, 342/352, 342/357.06, 342/357.07, 342/357.08, 342/357.09, 342/357.12, 342/357.13, 342/357.14, 342/357.17, 342/357.2, 342/450, 342/451, 342/458, 342/460, 370/235, 370/240, 377/1, 377/13, 377/15, 377/19, 377/24, 377/24.2, 600/300, 600/301, 600/481, 600/508, 600/509, 600/529, 600/531, 600/532, 600/587, 600/595, 702/1, 702/19, 702/85, 702/94, 702/95, 702/96, 702/97, 702/127, 702/141, 702/142, 702/143, 702/149, 702/150, 702/151, 702/152, 702/155, 702/158, 702/160, 702/166, 702/182, 702/183, 702/184, 702/185, 702/187, 702/188, 702/189, 708/100, 708/105, 708/200, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/220, 709/221, 709/222, 709/223, 709/225, 709/230, 709/232, 709/233
• US Class Current: 702/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0271 using a remote monitoring unit
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02405 Determining heart rate variability
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• 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 5/4812 Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6829 Foot or ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/00 : Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels G01C3/20, G01C3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 : Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 : Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 3/00 : Counters with additional facilities generating electric pulses at random intervals H03K3/84
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 : of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0281 : Proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0464 : using hop-by-hop encryption, i.e. wherein an intermediate entity decrypts the information and re-encrypts it before forwarding it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0471 : applying encryption by an intermediary, e.g. receiving clear information at the intermediary and encrypting the received information at the intermediary before forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/00 : Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/35 : Protecting application or service provisioning, e.g. securing SIM application provisioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 : Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup

Abstract

Methods, devices and system are provided. One method includes capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device. The activity data is captured over time, and the activity data is quantifiable by a plurality of metrics. The method includes storing the activity data in storage of the device and, from time to time, connecting the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link. The method defines using a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time. The first transfer rate is used following startup of an activity tracking application on the computing device The method also defines using a second transfer rate for transferring activity data from the device to the computing device for display of the activity data in substantial-real time on the computing device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising,

capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device, the activity data being captured over time, the activity data quantified by a plurality of metrics;

storing the activity data in storage of the device;

connecting the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link;

using a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time, the first transfer rate used following startup of an activity tracking application on the computing device; and

using a second transfer rate for transferring activity data from the device to the computing device for display of the activity data in substantial-real time on the computing device, the method is executed by a processor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transfer rate is selected for transferring the activity data from the storage of the device to the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

transferring the activity data to an activity management server to update the plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user, the activity management server, from time to time, synchronizing activity data and settings with the computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second transfer rate is selected to transfer activity data, upon or substantially after being produced in the device, to the computing device for display on the computing device in substantial real-time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transfer rate is set at a scaled-up connection interval, while the second transfer rate is set at a scaled-down connection interval, the first transfer rate being higher than the second transfer rate.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving setting configurations from the activity management server, as obtained from the computing device, the setting configurations being received from a user account that is associated with the device, the activity management server configured to render graphical user interfaces on a website to display the plurality of metrics in various illustration configurations, the transferring of the activity data in the first transfer rate and the second transfer rate acting to obtain activity data from the device and synchronize the plurality of metrics for display on the computing device and on the website.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

transferring firmware updates, using the first transfer rate, to the device, in response to installation instructions obtained from a server.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of metrics include one or more of step count metrics, or stair count metrics, or distance traveled metrics, or active time metrics, or calories burned metrics, or heart rate metrics, or sleep metrics, or combinations two or more thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

detecting the device being within a proximity distance from the computing device, the proximity distance being within a low energy wireless communication link distance;

and

enabling connection.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising,

determining that the device is connectable with the computing device and that the activity tracking application is currently closed;

and

when the determination is true, enabling the second transfer rate for processing background transfers of activity data from the device to the computing device, the background transfers occurring at predefined intervals.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of metrics include a time of day metric and metrics representing activity data captured by the device or sensed by the device.

12. A device configured for capture of activity for a user, comprising,

a housing;

a sensor disposed in the housing to capture activity data associated with activity of the user;

a memory for storing the captured activity data; and

a processor for managing connection of the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link, the processor configured to use a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored in memory of the device, and configured to use a second transfer rate for transferring activity data for display in substantial-real time on the computing device as the sensor captures the activity data.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the housing is part of a wearable wrist attachable structure, or an attachable structure that can be carried or worn by the user.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising one or both of an altimeter and an accelerometer.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the first transfer rate is further used by the processor for receiving data that is to be applied as firmware updates at the device.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the second transfer rate is slower than the first transfer rate.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured such that the first transfer rate is set at a scaled-up connection interval, while the second transfer rate is set at a scaled-down connection interval, the first transfer rate being higher than the second transfer rate.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor, in first transfer rate, enables transfer of firmware updates to the device, as directed by a server application.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured such that detection of the device within a proximity distance from the computing device is performed, the proximity distance being within a low energy wireless communication distance;

and

the processor is configured to then enable the connection.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the processor, in response to analysis of the update condition, further determines, that the device is connected with the computing device and the activity tracking application is closed, and

enables the second transfer rate for processing background transfers of activity data from the device to the computing device, the background transfers occurring a predefined intervals while the device remains connectable with the computing device and the tracking application remains closed and is installed on the computing device.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein the housing further includes wireless communication logic for transferring data over the wireless communication link.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the wireless communication logic includes one of a wireless connection processing logic, or a low energy wireless processing logic, or radio processing logic.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the computing device is configured for access with an activity management server.

24. A method, comprising,

capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device, the activity data being captured over time, the activity data quantified by a plurality of metrics and storing the activity data in storage of the device;

connecting the device to a computing device over a wireless communication link;

setting a data transfer rate between the device and the computing device, the transfer rate being one of a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time or a second transfer rate for transferring activity data that is displayable in substantial-real time on the computing device; and

transferring the activity data from the device to the computing device at the selected first or second transfer rate;

wherein the first transfer rate is set in response to scaling-up a connection interval and the second transfer rate is set in response to scaling-down the connection interval, the method is executed by a processor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second transfer rate is selected to transfer activity data, upon or substantially after being produced in the device, to the computing device for display on the computing device, in the substantial real-time.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein substantial real-time includes a delay of less than 1 second from a time at which activity data is produced on the device to being displayed on the computing device.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the first transfer rate additionally enables transfer of firmware updates to the device.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the plurality of metrics include a time of day metric and metrics representing activity data captured by the device, measured by the device or sensed by the device.

29. A computer readable medium for storing program instructions executable by a processor, the computer readable medium comprising,

program instructions for capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device, the activity data being captured over time, the activity data quantified by a plurality of metrics and storing the activity data in storage of the device;

program instructions for connecting the device to a computing device over a wireless communication link;

program instructions for setting a data transfer rate between the device and the computing device, the transfer rate being one of a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time or a second transfer rate for transferring activity data that is displayable in substantial-real time on the computing device; and

program instructions for transferring the activity data from the device to the computing device at the selected first or second transfer rate;

wherein the first transfer rate is set in response to scaling-up a connection interval and the second transfer rate is set in response to scaling-down the connection interval, the method is executed by a processor.

30. The computer readable medium of claim 29, wherein the second transfer rate is selected to transfer activity data, upon or substantially after being produced in the device, to the computing device for display on the computing device, in the substantial real-time, and the plurality of metrics include a time of day metric and metrics representing activity data captured by the device, measured by the device or sensed by the device.