Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the operation of notifications based on changes in physical activity level

• US 9,210,566 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2013
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ziemianska, Natalia A., Varoglu, Devrim
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US13/744,547
• Publication Number:
  US 20140206327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/550.1, 455/567, 455/90.1, 455/90.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• 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: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A processor-based personal electronic device (such as a smartphone) is programmed to automatically respond to data sent by various sensors from which the user'"'"'s activity may be inferred. One or more of the sensors may be worn by the user and remote from the device. A wireless communication link may be used by the device to obtain remote sensor data. Data from on-board sensors in the device—such as motion sensors, location sensors, and the like—may also be used to deduce the user'"'"'s current activity. In one embodiment, an extended period of inactivity triggers a reminder to the user to get up, stretch and move about. In other embodiments, transitions in a user'"'"'s activity level may be used to trigger reminders and/or set the state of the device (such as a Do Not Disturb state wherein notifications and alarms are suppressed).

Claims

1. A non-transitory program storage device comprising instructions stored thereon to cause one or more processors to:

receive data from at least one sensor responsive to a user'"'"'s physical activity level;

determine, based on the received sensor data, that the user has initiated a workout; and

change a notification state of a device based at least in part on determining that the user has initiated a workout, wherein the notification state determines whether the device generates a notification of an incoming communication.

2. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of motion sensors, pulse rate sensors, breathing rate sensors, orientation sensors, ambient light sensors, proximity sensors and location sensors.

3. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises an apparatus selected from the group consisting of accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, photocells, charge coupled devices, global navigation satellite system receivers, Wi-Fi transceivers, cellular telephone transceivers and Assisted GPS receivers.

4. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a remote sensor worn by the user.

5. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 further comprising instructions to activate a preselected notification in response to determining that the user has initiated a workout.

6. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the notification state is changed to a do not disturb state.

7. A non-transitory program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:

suppress a notification to perform a certain activity if the activity is detected within a preselected time period.

23. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein determining, based on the received sensor data, that the user has initiated a workout includes:

detecting a pattern of motion indicative of a workout activity; and

determining that the pattern of motion continues for at least a preset duration.

24. A program storage device as recited in claim 23 wherein the pattern of motion indicative of a workout activity includes a pattern of motion indicative of running.

25. A program storage device as recited in claim 24 wherein detecting the pattern of motion indicative of running includes detecting, based on location sensor data, that the device is moving at a speed consistent with running.

26. A program storage device as recited in claim 24 wherein detecting the pattern of motion indicative of running includes detecting, based on accelerometer data, that the device is moving in a rhythmic pattern consistent with running.

27. A program storage device as recited in claim 23 wherein detecting the pattern of motion indicative of a workout activity includes detecting, based on accelerometer data, that the device is moving at an increased rate.

28. A program storage device as recited in claim 23 wherein detecting the pattern of motion indicative of a workout activity includes detecting, based on pulse rate sensor data, that the user has an elevated heart rate.

29. A program storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the incoming communication includes at least one of:

a phone call;

a text message;

an alarm;

or

a social-media notification.

8. A processor-based system comprising:

a processor;

at least one sensor responsive to the activity level of a user and in data communication with the processor; and

,

a memory storing instructions for causing the processor to

receive data from at least one sensor responsive to a user'"'"'s activity level;

determine, based on the received sensor data, that the user has initiated a workout; and

,

change a notification state of a device based at least in part on determining that the user has initiated a workout, wherein the notification state determines whether the device generates a notification of an incoming communication.

9. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of motion sensors, pulse rate sensors, breathing rate sensors, orientation sensors, ambient light sensors, proximity sensors and location sensors.

10. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises an apparatus selected from the group consisting of accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, photocells, charge coupled devices, global navigation satellite system receivers, Wi-Fi transceivers, cellular telephone transceivers and Assisted GPS receivers.

11. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor is a remote sensor worn by the user.

12. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to activate a certain, preselected reminder in response to determining that the user has initiated a workout.

13. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the notification state is changed to a do not disturb state.

14. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to suppress a notification to perform a certain activity if the activity is detected within a preselected time period.

30. A processor based system as recited in claim 8 wherein the incoming communication includes at least one of:

a phone call;

a text message;

an alarm;

a social-media notification;

or

a non-workout-related communication.

15. A non-transitory program storage device comprising instructions stored thereon to cause one or more processors to:

receive data from at least one sensor responsive to a user'"'"'s physical activity level;

determine, based on the received sensor data, that the user has initiated a workout; and

,

activate a do not disturb function of a device based at least in part on determining that the user has initiated a workout.

16. A program storage device as recited in claim 15 further comprising instructions to activate a music playlist in response to determining that the user has initiated a workout.

17. A program storage device as recited in claim 16 wherein the change in physical activity level is a change to running activity.

18. A program storage device as recited in claim 17 wherein the running activity is determined at least in part by translational movement within a preselected range of speeds.

19. A program storage device as recited in claim 17 wherein the running activity is determined at least in part by periodic accelerations in a preselected direction.

20. A program storage device as recited in claim 15 further comprising activating a display of previously suppressed notifications after the workout ends.

21. A program storage device as recited in claim 15 further comprising instructions to measure the duration of a change in the user'"'"'s activity level and activate the function only if the duration of the change exceeds a preselected period.

22. A program storage device as recited in claim 15 further comprising instructions to:

prompt a user to input a desired reminder to be displayed upon a preselected change in activity level.