Portable monitoring devices and methods of operating same

• US 9,167,991 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2011
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Yuen, Shelten Gee Jao, Park, James, Friedman, Eric Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Sean
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leedy, Megan
• Application Number:
  US13/156,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 600/30, 600/301, 600/531, 600/532, 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 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 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• 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 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• 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 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 : combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4809 : Sleep detection, i.e. determining whether a subject is asleep or not
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4812 : Detecting sleep stages or cycles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4815 : Sleep quality
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 : Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6801 : specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• 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 5/7278 : Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 : using sound
• 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 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/73 : Altitude
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 : heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• 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: G01C 22/00 : Measuring distance traversed on the ground by vehicles, persons, animals or other moving solid bodies, e.g. using odometers, using pedometers
• 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: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/003 : Kinematic accelerometers, i.e. measuring acceleration in relation to an external reference frame, e.g. Ferratis accelerometers G01P15/001, G01P15/16, G01P15/165 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 : Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0453 : worn on the body to detect health condition by physiological monitoring, e.g. electrocardiogram, temperature, breathing detecting, measuring or recording for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00
• 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

Abstract

The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, comprising a motion sensor to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user, and an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user. The portable monitoring device may include processing circuitry to: calculate data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user using (i) the data which is representative of motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user, calculate first calorie burn using the data which is representative of motion of the user, and calculate second calorie burn by adjusting the first calorie burn based on data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user. The portable monitoring device may include a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user.

Claims

1. A portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, the portable monitoring device comprising:

a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user;

a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user;

an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of an amount of altitude change of the user; and

processing circuitry, disposed in the housing and coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, configured to;

calculate slope over an interval traveled by the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user,

calculate a first calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on the data which is representative of the motion of the user,

calculate a second calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on the multiplication of the slope by a multiplication factor such that the multiplication factor is decreased in value when (a) the slope is determined to be negative and (b) the absolute value of the slope is determined to have exceeded a first threshold slope amount, wherein the decrease in value is with respect to the value of the multiplication factor under conditions where the slope is determined to be negative and determined to have an absolute value less than the first threshold slope amount, and

calculate a third calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on the addition of the first calorie burn to the second calorie burn.

2. The portable monitoring device of claim 1, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output the third calorie burn.

3. The portable monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user when the data which is representative of the motion of the user exceeds a first threshold and the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user exceeds a second threshold.

4. The portable monitoring device of claim 3, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate data which is representative of an accumulation of amounts of elevation change of the user by summing the data which is representative of amounts of elevation change of the user in response to detecting a predetermined motion of the user based on the data which is representative of the motion of the user.

5. The portable monitoring device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate an altitude metric using the data which is representative of the accumulation of amounts of elevation change of the user.

6. The portable monitoring device of claim 5, wherein the altitude metric includes a number of stairs and/or a number of flights of stairs.

7. The portable monitoring device of claim 6, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output the altitude metric.

8. The portable monitoring device of claim 4, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, and wherein:

the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate data which is representative of an increase and/or decrease in elevation for a given time period using the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user, and

the display outputs the data which is representative of (i) the increase and/or decrease in elevation for a given time period, and (ii) the third calorie burn.

9. The portable monitoring device of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate the second calorie burn based at least in part on a term that is a continuous function of the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change.

10. The portable monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is a pedometer and wherein the altitude sensor is sampled based at least in part on data which is representative of determining a step by the user.

11. A portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, the portable monitoring device comprising:

a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user;

a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user;

an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of an amount of altitude change of the user; and

processing circuitry, disposed in the housing and coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, configured to;

calculate slope over an interval traveled by the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user,

calculate a speed of the user over the interval based at least in part on the data which is representative of the motion of the user,

calculate a first calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user, (ii) the multiplication of the slope by a multiplication factor such that the multiplication factor is decreased in value when (a) the slope is determined to be negative and (b) the absolute value of the slope is determined to have exceeded a first threshold slope amount, wherein the decrease in value is with respect to the value of the multiplication factor under conditions where the slope is determined to be negative and determined to have an absolute value less than the first threshold slope amount, and (iii) the speed of the user.

12. The portable monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate:

an activity state of the user using data which is representative of an ambulatory speed of the user; and

a second calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user, (ii) the speed of the user, and (iii) the activity state of the user.

13. The portable monitoring device of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the activity state of the user based at least in part on input data or an input instruction.

14. The portable monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user; and

calculate an altitude metric based at least in part on the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user.

15. The portable monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the altitude metric includes a number of stairs and/or a number of flights of stairs.

16. The portable monitoring device of claim 15, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output the altitude metric.

17. The portable monitoring device of claim 14, further including circuitry, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output data which is representative of:

(i) the altitude metric and (ii) the calorie burn.

18. The portable monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the amount of elevation change of the user when (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user exceeds a first threshold and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user exceeds a second threshold.

19. The portable monitoring device of claim 14, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to correlate the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user to a number of stairs and/or a number of flights of stairs.

20. The portable monitoring device of claim 14, further including a display that is coupled to the processing circuitry, wherein:

the processing circuitry is further configured to calculate data which is representative of an increase and/or decrease in elevation for a given time period using the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user; and

the display outputs the data which is representative of the increase and/or decrease in elevation.

21. The portable monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user; and

calculate data which is representative of an accumulation of amounts of elevation change of the user by summing data which is representative of amounts of elevation change of the user in response to detecting a predetermined motion of the user based on the data which is representative of the motion of the user.

22. A portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, the portable monitoring device comprising:

a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user;

a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user;

an altitude sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of an amount of altitude change of the user; and

processing circuitry, disposed in and coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, configured to;

calculate slope over an interval traveled by the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user,

calculate an activity state of the user over the interval based at least in part on the data which is representative of the motion of the user,

calculate calorie burn over the interval based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user, (ii) the activity state, and (iii) the multiplication of the slope by a multiplication factor such that the multiplication factor is decreased in value when (a) the slope is determined to be negative and (b) the absolute value of the slope is determined to have exceeded a first threshold slope amount, wherein the decrease in value is with respect to the value of the multiplication factor under conditions where the slope is determined to be negative and determined to have an absolute value less than the first threshold slope amount.

23. The portable monitoring device of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the activity state of the user based on input data and/or an input instruction.

24. The portable monitoring device of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user; and

calculate an altitude metric based on the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user and the data which is representative of the motion of the user.

25. The portable monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the altitude metric is representative of a number of stairs and/or flights of stairs traversed by the user.

26. The portable monitoring device of claim 24, further including circuitry, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output data which is representative of:

(i) the altitude metric and (ii) the calorie burn.

27. The portable monitoring device of claim 24, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, to output the altitude metric and the calorie burn.

28. The portable monitoring device of claim 24, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to determine the amount of elevation change of the user when (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user exceeds a first threshold and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user exceeds a second threshold.

29. The portable monitoring device of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user; and

calculate data which is representative of an accumulation of amounts of elevation change of the user by summing data which is representative of amounts of elevation change of the user in response to detecting a predetermined motion of the user based on the data which is representative of the motion of the user.

30. The portable monitoring device of claim 22, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user; and

correlate the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user to a number of stairs and/or a number of flights of stairs.

31. The portable monitoring device of claim 22, further including a display, coupled to the processing circuitry, and wherein:

the processing circuitry is further configured to;

calculate data which is representative of an amount of elevation change of the user based at least in part on (i) the data which is representative of the motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of the amount of altitude change of the user, and

calculate data which is representative of an increase and/or decrease in elevation for a given time period based at least in part on the data which is representative of the amount of elevation change of the user and the data which is representative of the motion of the user; and

the display outputs the data which is representative of the increase and/or decrease in elevation.