Methods, systems and devices for generating real-time activity data updates to display devices

• US 9,188,460 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Panther, Heiko, Friedman, Eric, Yuen, Shelten, Brumback, Christine, Roberts, Timothy, Burton, Barry, Park, James
• Primary Examiner(s): COSIMANO, EDWARD R
• Application Number:
  US14/050,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20140035761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 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, 342/357.2, 342/450, 342/451, 342/458, 342/460, 370/229, 370/235, 375/240, 377/1, 377/13, 377/15, 377/19, 377/24, 377/24.2, 600/300, 600/301, 600/529, 600/531, 600/532, 600/587, 600/595, 702/1, 702/85, 702/94, 702/95, 702/96, 702/97, 702/127, 702/141, 702/142, 702/143, 702/149, 702/150, 702/151, 702/155, 702/158, 702/160, 702/166, 702/182, 702/183, 702/184, 702/187, 702/188, 702/189, 708/100, 708/105, 708/200, 709/201, 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: 1/1
• 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 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• 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 5/1112 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 5/6838 Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• 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: 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

Methods, systems and devices are provided for displaying monitored activity data in substantial real-time on a screen of a computing device. One example method includes capturing motion data associated with activity of a user via an activity tracking device. The motion data is quantified into a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user. The method storing the motion data in storage of the activity tracking device. The method connects the activity tracking device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, and sending motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device. The sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured and sent to the computing device. The metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time.

Claims

1. A method, comprising,

capturing motion data associated with activity of a user via an activity tracking device, the motion data quantified into a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user;

storing the motion data in storage of the activity tracking device;

connecting the activity tracking device with a computing device over a wireless data connection;

sending motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device; and

detecting the activity tracking device being within a proximity distance from the computing device, the proximity distance being within a low energy wireless communication distance that enables the wireless data connection;

wherein the sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured and while the activity tracking device is within the proximity distance, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time for the received motion data sent when the activity tracking device was within the proximity distance, and further comprising,

pausing the sending of motion data when the activity tracking device is beyond the proximity distance;

continuing to store motion data captured by the activity tracking device in the storage;

reestablishing the connection between the activity tracking device and the computing device; and

sending motion data from the storage to computing device, the sent motion data acting to increment the metric to include metric data stored in the activity tracking device while the connection was paused the method being executed by a processor.

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

a housing;

a sensor disposed in the housing to capture motion data associated with activity of the user via a device, the motion data being captured over time, the motion data quantified to define a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user;

a memory for storing the captured motion data; and

a processor for managing connection of the device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, the processor further managing sending of motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device, the sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time while the device is within a proximity distance;

wherein the processor further,

manages detection of the device being within the proximity distance from the computing device, the proximity distance being within a wireless communication distance; and

manages enablement of the wireless data connection.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein in response to processing by the processor, the metric of the plurality of metrics is defined as a step count quantified from the motion data.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein in response to processing by the processor, the metric is defined as a step count that is shown increasing numerically or graphically on the graphical user interface of the computing device as motion quantified as steps is captured by the device and the step count is shown to pause when the motion quantified is insufficient or lacking to qualify as a step count.

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

a housing;

a sensor disposed in the housing to capture motion data associated with activity of the user via a device, the motion data being captured over time, the motion data quantified to define a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user;

a memory for storing the captured motion data; and

a processor for managing connection of the device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, the processor further managing sending of motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device, the sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time while the device is within a proximity distance, wherein the processor further,

manages pausing the sending of motion data when the device is beyond the proximity distance;

manages continuing to store motion data captured by the device in the storage;

manages reestablishing the connection between the device and the computing device when within the proximity distance; and

manages sending motion data from the storage to the computing device, the sent motion data acting to increment the metric to include metric data stored in the device while the connection was paused;

wherein the housing is part of a wearable wrist attachable structure, or an attachable structure than can be carried or worn by the user.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the wearable wrist attachable structure is defined at least partially from a plastic material.

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

a housing;

a sensor disposed in the housing to capture motion data associated with activity of the user via a device, the motion data being captured over time, the motion data quantified to define a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user;

a memory for storing the captured motion data;

a processor for managing connection of the device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, the processor further managing sending of motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device, the sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time while the device is within a proximity distance, wherein the processor further,

manages pausing the sending of motion data when the device is beyond the proximity distance;

manages continuing to store motion data captured by the device in the storage;

manages reestablishing the connection between the device and the computing device when within the proximity distance; and

manages sending motion data from the storage to the computing device, the sent motion data acting to increment the metric to include metric data stored in the device while the connection was paused,

wherein the housing further includes wireless communication logic for transferring data over the wireless data connection.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication logic includes one a wireless processing logic, or a low energy wireless processing logic, or a radio processing logic.

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

a housing;

a sensor disposed in the housing to capture motion data associated with activity of the user via a device, the motion data being captured over time, the motion data quantified to define a plurality of metrics associated with the activity of the user;

a memory for storing the captured motion data;

a processor for managing connection of the device with a computing device over a wireless data connection, the processor further managing sending of motion data to the computing device for display of a metric, of the plurality of metrics, on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device, the sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional motion data is captured, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in an increasing numerical or graphical form in substantial real-time while the device is within a proximity distance for the wireless data connection; and

a screen for displaying the plurality of metrics;

wherein the computing device is configured for access with an activity management server over the Internet, the activity management server receives the motion data of the device.

10. A wrist attachable device, comprising,

a battery;

an altimeter for producing altitude data;

an accelerometer for capturing motion data associated with activity of a user;

a screen for displaying data, including metrics that quantify the captured motion data and altitude data, the screen having dead front operation that is configured to remain in an off-state until activated;

a communication circuit for enabling wireless communication with a computing device;

a memory for storing the captured motion data and altitude data; and

a processor for managing connection of the wrist attachable device with the computing device, the processor further managing sending data to the computing device for display of a metric on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device, the sending of data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional data that is displayable is available for sending, the metric displayed on the graphical user interface is shown to change in state in substantial real-time, in response to data sent from the wrist attachable device to the device.

11. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein the communication circuit includes one of a wireless processing logic, or a low energy wireless processing logic, or a radio processing logic.

12. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein the screen having dead front operation is transiently visible.

13. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein the screen is lit to enable display of the metric or data, and is not lit when off.

14. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is a 3-axis accelerometer.

15. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, further comprising a clock for displaying time of day, the clock used in setting or managing vibration alarms at particular times of day.

16. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein the processor sets a data transfer rate based on a scaled-down connection interval between the wrist attachable device and the computing device while sending the motion data for substantial real-time display on a screen of the computing device.

17. The wrist attachable device of claim 10, wherein in response to processing by the processor, the metric is quantified as a step count that is shown increasing numerically or graphically on the graphical user interface of the computing and the step count is shown to pause when the motion quantified is insufficient or lacking to be quantified as a step count.