Method and system to estimate day-long calorie expenditure based on posture

• US 9,526,430 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 12/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Srinivas, Umamahesh, Moore, Richard Channing III, Singh Alvarado, Alexander, Tan, Xing, Narasimha Rao, Bharath, Agarwal, Mrinal, Raghuram, Karthik Jayaraman, Pham, Hung A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stout, Michael C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kolderman, Nicholas E
• Application Number:
  US14/501,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20160058329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0204 of power management
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• 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 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4884 inducing physiological or psychological stress, e.g. applications for stress testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 : Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7246 : using correlation, e.g. template matching or determination of similarity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/725 : using specific filters therefor, e.g. Kalman or adaptive filters A61B5/316 take precedence
• 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 5/7275 : Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 : performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method, including obtaining, by the fitness tracking device, motion data of the user over a period of time, wherein the motion data can include a first plurality motion measurements from a first motion sensor of the fitness tracking device; determining, by the fitness tracking device, using the motion data an angle of the fitness tracking device relative to a plane during the period of time; estimating by the fitness tracking device, using the motion data, a range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device through space during the period of time; and comparing, by the fitness tracking device, the angle of the fitness tracking device to a threshold angle and comparing the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to a threshold range of linear motion to determine whether the user is sitting or standing.

Claims

1. A method of determining posture, the method comprising:

collecting, a first motion sensor of a fitness tracking device being wearable on a wrist of a user, motion data of the user over a period of time, wherein the motion data comprises a first plurality motion measurements, wherein the fitness tracking device further comprises a processor, the processor communicatively coupled to the first motion sensor, the processor further coupled to a non-transitory readable storage medium, wherein the processor is configured to read instructions stored on the medium;

receiving, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the motion data;

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, using the motion data an angle of the fitness tracking device relative to a plane during the period of time;

calculating, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, using the motion data, a range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device through space during the period of time;

comparing, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the angle of the fitness tracking device to a threshold angle and comparing the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to a threshold range of linear motion, wherein the threshold range of linear motion is an interquartile range of linear motion of a first axis of an accelerometer of the fitness tracking device;

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the user is standing, wherein determining that the user is standing comprises;

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device is greater than the threshold range, and

correlating, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to an amount of back-and-forth swaying of an arm of the user during the time period; and

outputting, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, an indication that the user is standing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold angle is approximately 0radians relative to the plane, wherein the plane is a horizontal plane, and wherein determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the user is standing further comprises:

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the angle is less than the threshold angle; and

correlating, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the angle of the fitness tracking device to an orientation of an arm of the user below the horizontal plane.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the user is standing further comprises:

analyzing the motion data, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, to estimate a frequency of changing direction of linear motion of the fitness tracking device during the period of time; and

comparing, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the frequency of changing direction of linear motion to a threshold frequency of changing direction of linear motion.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that the user is standing further comprises:

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, that a companion device is inside a pocket of the user;

receiving, by the fitness tracking device, orientation data of the companion device from a second motion sensor of the companion device via a wireless communication protocol; and

analyzing, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, the orientation data of the companion device inside the pocket of the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the processor of the fitness tracking device, a first rate of energy expenditure of the user based on the indication that the user is standing; and

determining, by the fitness tracking device, a second rate of energy expenditure of the user associated with the user sitting,

wherein the first rate of energy expenditure for standing is higher than the second rate of energy expenditure for sitting.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising resetting a sedentary timer of the fitness tracking device to zero seconds after determining that the user is standing.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying, by a display of the fitness tracking device, the indication that the user is standing.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to output the indication that the user is standing to a display of the fitness tracking device.

9. An apparatus for determining posture, the apparatus comprising:

a fitness tracking device being wearable on a wrist of a user, the fitness tracking device including a motion sensor; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the motion sensor, wherein the processor is configured to;

receive motion data of a user from the motion sensor over a period of time, wherein the motion data comprises a first plurality motion measurements from the motion sensor of the fitness tracking device;

determine, using the motion data, an angle of the fitness tracking device relative to a plane during the period of time;

calculate, using the motion data, a range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device through space during the period of time; and

compare the angle of the fitness tracking device to a threshold angle and compare the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to a threshold range of linear motion, wherein the threshold range of linear motion is an interquartile range of linear motion of a first axis of an accelerometer of the fitness tracking device;

determine that the user is standing, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to;

determine that the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device is greater than the threshold range, and

correlate the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to an amount of back-and-forth swaying of an arm of the user during the time period; and

output an indication that the user is standing.

10. The fitness tracking device apparatus of claim 9, wherein the threshold angle is approximately 0 radians relative to the plane, wherein the plane is a horizontal plane, and wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

determine that the angle is less than the threshold angle; and

correlate the angle of the fitness tracking device to an orientation of an arm of the user below the horizontal plane.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

analyze the motion data to estimate a frequency of changing direction of linear motion of the fitness tracking device during the period of time; and

compare the frequency of changing direction of linear motion to a threshold frequency of changing direction of linear motion.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

determine that a companion device is inside a pocket of the user;

receive orientation data of the companion device from a second motion sensor of the companion device via a wireless communication protocol; and

analyze the orientation data of the companion device inside the pocket of the user.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

determine a first rate of energy expenditure of the user based on the indication that the user is standing; and

determine a second rate of energy expenditure of the user associated with the user sitting,

wherein the first rate of energy expenditure for standing is higher than the second rate of energy expenditure for sitting.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a sedentary timer,

wherein the processor is configured to reset the sedentary timer to zero seconds after determining that the user is standing.

15. An article of manufacture comprising:

a non-transitory processor readable storage medium; and

instructions stored on the medium;

wherein the instructions are configured to be readable from the medium by a processor of a fitness tracking device being wearable on a wrist of a user, wherein the fitness tracking device comprises a motion sensor, the instructions thereby causing the processor to;

receive motion data of a user from the motion sensor over a period of time, wherein the motion data comprises a first plurality motion measurements from the motion sensor of the fitness tracking device;

determine, using the motion data, an angle of the fitness tracking device relative to a plane during the period of time;

calculate, using the motion data, a range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device through space during the period of time;

compare the angle of the fitness tracking device to a threshold angle and compare the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to a threshold range of linear motion, wherein the threshold range of linear motion is an interquartile range of linear motion of a first axis of an accelerometer of the fitness tracking device;

determine that the user is standing, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to;

determine that the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device is greater than the threshold range, and

correlate the range of linear motion of the fitness tracking device to an amount of back-and-forth swaying of an arm of the user during the time period; and

output an indication that the user is standing.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the threshold angle is approximately 0 radians relative to the plane, wherein the plane is a horizontal plane, and wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further caused to:

determine that the angle is less than the threshold angle; and

correlate the angle of the fitness tracking device to an orientation of an arm of the user below the horizontal plane.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

analyze the motion data to estimate a frequency of changing direction of linear motion of the fitness tracking device during the period of time; and

compare the frequency of changing direction of linear motion to a threshold frequency of changing direction of linear motion.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

determine that a companion device is inside a pocket of the user;

receive orientation data of the companion device from a second motion sensor of the companion device via a wireless communication protocol; and

analyze the orientation data of the companion device inside the pocket of the user.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein to determine that the user is standing, the processor is further configured to:

determine a first rate of energy expenditure of the user based on the indication that the user is standing; and

determine a second rate of energy expenditure of the user associated with the user sitting,

wherein the first rate of energy expenditure for standing is higher than the second rate of energy expenditure for sitting.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured output the indication that the user is standing to a display of the fitness tracking device.