Methods and systems for processing social interactive data and sharing of tracked activity associated with locations

• US 9,215,290 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2014
• Issued: 12/15/2015
• 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, Lee, Hans Christiansen
• Primary Examiner(s): Kundu, Sujoy
• Assistant Examiner(s): RABOVIANSKI, IVAN I
• Application Number:
  US14/447,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20140336980A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 702/150, 224/267
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• 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 5/02055 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 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• 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 5/4806 Sleep evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence; devices for inducing sleep A61M21/02
• 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 5/6801 specially adapted to be attached to or worn on the body surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• 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 5/743 : 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: A63B 2024/0068 : Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 : Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/73 : Altitude
• 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: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 : Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 : Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 : Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 13/00 : Indicating or recording presence, absence, or direction, of movement electric switches H01H; counting moving objects G06M7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 : Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• 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 67/535 : Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

A method includes determining a location of a first monitoring device used while performing an activity. The first monitoring device is worn by a first user. The method includes determining a location of a second monitoring device used while performing an activity. The second monitoring device is worn by a second user. The method further includes determining whether the locations of the first and second monitoring devices are within a range and whether the activities are similar. The method includes sending a prompt to the first monitoring device upon determining that the activities are similar and the locations are within the range. The prompt includes a request for permission from a first user account to allow a second user account to access information from the first user account regarding the activity performed using the first monitoring device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving by a server a geo-location at which a first monitoring device is located, wherein the geo-location at which the first monitoring device is located is received from a global positioning system, wherein the first monitoring device is for use by a first user;

receiving by the server a geo-location at which a second monitoring device is located, wherein the geo-location at which the second monitoring device is located is received from the global positioning system, wherein the second monitoring device is for use by a second user;

receiving by the server activity data measured by the first monitoring device for providing to a first user account;

receiving by the server activity data measured by the second monitoring device for providing to a second user account;

determining by the server a type of an activity performed during use of the first monitoring device based on the activity data measured by the first monitoring device and the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device;

determining by the server a type of an activity performed during use of the second monitoring device based on the activity data measured by the second monitoring device and the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device;

determining by the server whether the first and second geo-locations are within a threshold distance from each other;

determining by the server whether the type of activity performed during use of the second monitoring device is of the type of activity performed during use of the first monitoring device; and

producing by the server data to allow the second user account associated with use of the second monitoring device to access the activity data that is measured by the first monitoring device and that is associated with the first user account, wherein producing the data is performed upon determining that the first and second geo-locations are within the threshold distance from each other and the type of activity performed using the second monitoring device is of the type of activity performed using the first monitoring device;

sending from the server to the first user account the data for allowing access to the second monitoring device to the activity data that is measured using the first monitoring device;

after sending the data for allowing access to the second monitoring device, receiving by the server from the first user account permission to allow the second monitoring device to access the activity data that is measured using the first monitoring device; and

in response to receiving the permission, providing from the server to the second monitoring device access to the activity data measured using the first monitoring device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the type of activity performed during use of the first monitoring device based on the activity data measured by the first monitoring device and the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device comprises:

determining whether the activity data measured by the first monitoring device exceeds a limit;

determining that the type of activity is performed during use of the first monitoring device upon determining that the activity data measured by the first monitoring device exceeds the limit;

determining whether the type of activity determined based on the limit is consistent with the geo-location; and

determining that the type of activity determined based on the limit is the type of activity performed during use of the first monitoring device upon determining that the type of activity that is determined based on the limit is consistent with the geo-location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the type of activity performed during use of the first monitoring device is an activity performed while the first user is using the first monitoring device, wherein the type of activity performed during use of the second monitoring device is an activity performed while the second user is using the second monitoring device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the type of activity performed during use of the second monitoring device is of the type of activity performed during use of the first monitoring device comprises determining whether a combined activity level measured over a time period by the first monitoring device is within a pre-determined range of a combined activity level measured over the time period by the second monitoring device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device includes a latitude of the first monitoring device and a longitude of the first monitoring device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device includes a latitude of the second monitoring device and a longitude of the second monitoring device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device is measured by the first monitoring device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device is measured by the second monitoring device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device is measured by a computing device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device is measured by another computing device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity data measured by the first monitoring device includes a number of calories burned by the first user, or a blood pressure of the first user, or a heart rate of the first user, or a weight gained by the first user, or a weight lost by the first user, or a number of stairs ascended by the first user, or a number of stairs descended by the first user, or a number of steps taken by the first user, or a number of floors ascended by the first user, or a number of floors descended by the first user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity data measured by the second monitoring device includes a number of calories burned by the second user, or a blood pressure of the second user, or a heart rate of the second user, or a weight gained by the second user, or a weight lost by the second user, or a number of stairs ascended by the second user, or a number of stairs descended by the second user, or a number of steps taken by the second user, or a number of floors ascended by the second user, or a number of floors descended by the second user.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity performed using the first monitoring device includes walking, or running, or jogging, or swimming, or resistance training, or rock climbing, or skiing, or snowboarding, or hiking, or skating, or rollerblading.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user account associated with the second monitoring device is accessed by the second user when information regarding the second user provided by the second user is authenticated.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first monitoring device is wearable by the first user.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first monitoring device is a wristwatch, or a wristband, or a bracelet.

14. A method comprising:

receiving by a server a geo-location associated with a first monitoring device, wherein the first monitoring device is for use by a first user, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device is received from a global positioning system;

receiving by the server a geo-location associated with a second monitoring device, wherein the second monitoring device is for use by a second user, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device is received from the global positioning system;

receiving by the server an activity level measured using the first monitoring device;

receiving by the server an activity level measured using the second monitoring device;

determining by the server a descriptive location of the first monitoring device based on the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device and the activity level measured using the first monitoring device;

determining by the server a descriptive location of the second monitoring device based on the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device and the activity level measured using the second monitoring device;

determining by the server whether the descriptive location of the first monitoring device is within a threshold distance of the descriptive location of the second monitoring device;

generating by the server data to allow the second monitoring device to access the activity level measured using the first monitoring device upon determining that the descriptive location of the first monitoring device is within the threshold distance of the descriptive location of the second monitoring device;

sending by the server the data to the first monitoring device for allowing access to the activity level measured using the first monitoring device to the second monitoring device;

after sending the data for allowing access to the activity level measured using the first monitoring device to the second monitoring device, receiving by the server from the first monitoring device permission to allow the second monitoring device to access the activity level measured using the first monitoring device; and

in response to receiving the permission, providing from the server to the second monitoring device access to the activity level measured using the first monitoring device such that the second monitoring device indicates the activity level measured using the first monitoring device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining the descriptive location of the second monitoring device based on the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device and the activity level measured using the second monitoring device comprises:

identifying the descriptive location of the second monitoring device based on the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device;

determining whether the activity level measured using the second monitoring device exceeds a limit;

determining that a type of activity is performed using the second monitoring device upon determining that the activity level measured using the second monitoring device exceeds the limit;

determining whether the type of activity that is determined based on the limit is consistent with the descriptive location of the second monitoring device; and

confirming that the descriptive location of the second monitoring device is accurate upon determining that the type of activity that is determined based on the limit is consistent with the descriptive location of the second monitoring device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device includes a latitude of the first monitoring device and a longitude of the first monitoring device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device includes a latitude of the second monitoring device and a longitude of the second monitoring device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device is measured by the first monitoring device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device is measured by the second monitoring device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the geo-location associated with the first monitoring device is measured by a computing device, wherein the geo-location associated with the second monitoring device is measured by the computing device.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the activity level measured using the second monitoring device includes a number of calories burned by the second user, or a blood pressure of the second user, or a heart rate of the second user, or a weight gained by the second user, or a weight lost by the second user, or a number of stairs ascended by the second user, or a number of stairs descended by the second user, or a number of steps taken by the second user, or a number of floors ascended by the second user, or a number of floors descended by the second user.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the activity level measured using the first monitoring device or the activity level measured using the second monitoring device is of an activity, wherein the activity includes walking, or running, or jogging, or swimming, or resistance training, or rock climbing, or skiing, or snowboarding, or hiking, or skating, or rollerblading.

21. A method comprising:

receiving a geo-location of a first monitoring device from a global positioning system (GPS) device of a computing device;

measuring using the first monitoring device activity data of an activity performed by a first user, the first monitoring device for use by the first user;

providing the activity data to a server;

providing the geo-location to the server;

receiving prompt data in the first monitoring device to allow a user account to access the activity data,

wherein the prompt data is generated based on a determination that the geo-location of the first monitoring device and a geo-location of a second monitoring device is within a threshold distance from each other and upon determining that a type of the activity performed using the second monitoring device is of a type of an activity performed using the first monitoring device, wherein the second monitoring device is for use by a second user, and

after receiving the prompt data, sending permission to the user account to access the activity data, wherein the second monitoring device is allowed access to the activity data when the permission is sent to the user account,

wherein the method is performed by the first monitoring device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the type of the activity performed using the second monitoring device is of the type of the activity performed using the first monitoring device comprises determining whether a combined activity level measured over a time period by the second monitoring device is within a pre-determined range of a combined activity level measured over the time period by the first monitoring device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein providing the activity data to the server comprises sending the activity data via a computer network to the server.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the computing device includes a smart phone, or a watch connected to a computer network, or a tablet, or a laptop, or a desktop, or a smart television.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the access to the activity data is provided to display the activity data on a display device.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the user account is accessed when information regarding a user provided by the user is authenticated.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein each geo-location includes a latitude and a longitude.

28. A method comprising:

measuring using a first monitoring device a first activity level of a type of an activity performed by a first user;

receiving a first geo-location, wherein the first geo-location is received from a global positioning system;

providing the first activity level and the first geo-location to a server;

receiving prompt data in the first monitoring device to allow access to the first activity level,

wherein the prompt data is generated upon determining that a first descriptive location of the first monitoring device is within a threshold distance of a second descriptive location of a second monitoring device, the second monitoring device for use by a second user, the first descriptive location determined based on the first geo-location and the first activity level, the second descriptive location determined based on a second geo-location of the second monitoring device and a second activity level measured by the second monitoring device, wherein the second geo-location is received from the global positioning system, and

after receiving the prompt data, sending permission to a user account to access the first activity level, wherein the second monitoring device is allowed access to the first activity level when the permission is sent to the user account.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein determination of the first descriptive location based on the first geo-location and the first activity level comprises:

identifying the first descriptive location based on the first geo-location;

determining whether the first activity level exceeds a limit;

determining that the type of activity is performed upon determining that the first activity level exceeds the limit;

determining whether the type of activity that is determined based on the limit is consistent with the first descriptive location that is identified; and

confirming that the first descriptive location is accurate upon determining that the type of activity that is determined based on the limit is consistent with the first descriptive location that is identified.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the first monitoring device is wearable by the first user.