System and method for activating a device based on a record of physical activity

• US 9,089,760 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Tropper, Seth A., Batour, Amado
• Primary Examiner(s): Niquette, Robert R
• Application Number:
  US13/869,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20140141865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• 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 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 : Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 : Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 : based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 : Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 : Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 : for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• 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 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

In a redeemable coupon there is a housing, a motion detector coupled to the housing, wherein the motion detector detects an amount of motion of the coupon, and an indicator coupled to the motion detector, wherein the indicator is activated by the motion detector upon detecting the amount of motion. Additionally, in a method of providing an incentive for a user to exercise, providing the user with a coupon to be coupled to the user, monitoring the motion of the user with a motion sensor included in the coupon, and activating the coupon when the motion sensor has detected a predetermined amount of motion such that the coupon becomes redeemable by the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus for encouraging physical activity of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a wearable device comprising a removable component having one or more motion sensors that monitor physical activity of the user based on a motion of the removable component,

wherein the removable component includes a computer memory,

wherein the removable component includes circuitry configured to disregard physical activity monitored by the one or more motion sensors that is less than a value of a threshold amount of physical activity set in the computer memory, the circuitry further configured to record in the computer memory physical activity monitored by the one or more motion sensors that is greater than the value of the threshold amount of physical activity set in the computer memory,

wherein the removable component includes a visual indicator that indicates an amount of the monitored physical activity recorded in the memory; and

wherein the removable component wirelessly communicates information related to the monitored physical activity recorded in the memory to at least one secondary device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary device comprises a mobile device, a computer, a gaming console, or a toy.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wearable device further comprises a wearable housing that is securable to a body of the user, and from which the removable component is detached.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wearable housing comprises a bracelet, anklet, necklace, headband, hat, scarf, glove, clothing, footwear, pin, clip, eyewear, belt, or neckwear.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the removable component is configured to fit into a second wearable housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable component wirelessly communicates information related to the monitored physical activity to the at least one secondary device via a wireless transmitter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer memory is configured to store information related to multiple different types of activity represented in the monitored physical activity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more motion sensors are configured to detect one or more activity types comprising the monitored physical activity.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more activity types include running and walking.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the visual indicator comprises a plurality of indicators, each of which corresponds to a different activity type.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one secondary device provides one or more rewards based on the information related to the monitored physical activity.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a wearable device including a removable component having one or more motion sensors that monitor physical activity of a user wearing the wearable device based on a motion of the removable component,

wherein the removable component includes a memory configured to store a value for a threshold amount of movement, the threshold amount of movement indicating either a number of steps, or a number of stairs, or a combined number of steps and stairs,

wherein the removable component includes a visual indicator that indicates an amount of the monitored physical activity, the visual indicator including a series of light emitting diodes arranged in a line and spatially separated from each other, the series of light emitting diodes configured to turn on in a progression from one end of the line toward another end of the line, an amount of the progression indicating a current progress of an amount of physical activity monitored by the one or more motion sensors toward the threshold amount of movement as recorded in the memory, and

wherein the removable component includes a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate information related to the monitored physical activity to at least one secondary device.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the series of light emitting diodes includes at least three light emitting diodes.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the series of light emitting diodes includes five light emitting diodes.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

an electrical contact provided at an exterior surface of the removable component.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the electrical contact is configured to connect with an electrical contact of a coupling device to enable charging of the removable component through the coupling device.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the transmitter is configured to generate and transmit radio frequency signals in accordance with a communication protocol.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the at least one secondary device is one or more of a computer, a game, a toy, a game controller, a computer interface device, a cell phone, a mobile data communication device, and a microprocessor.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the wearable device includes a wristband having a pocket configured to receive and hold the removable component.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the wristband includes a clasp.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the light emitting diodes of the series of light emitting diodes are the only light emitting components of the visual indicator.