Method for tracking and rewarding a child's exercise activity by use of a pedometer and computer interface

• US 20080027673A1
• Filed: 07/26/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ryan M. Trumm
• Original Assignee: Ryan M. Trumm
• Inventors: Trumm, Ryan M.
• Application Number:
  US11/492,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20080027673A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/160
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers

Abstract

A method for tracking and rewarding a child'"'"'s exercise activity by use of a pedometer and computer interface with the steps of providing a pedometer having a pet shape connecting with a computer and associated web site. The user connects the pedometer to the computer to download the site information to the pedometer and upload the pedometer information to the site. The uploaded data shows the amount of activity the user has achieved. The personal web site prompts the user to exercise for an appropriate period of time to keep the virtual pet happy. The user periodically uploads pedometer data to the web page and views amount of points gained. The points relate to the health of the virtual pet. Points can be used in games or traded for prizes.

Claims

1. A Method for tracking and rewarding a child'"'"'s exercise activity by use of a pedometer and computer interface comprising the steps of:

providing a pedometer having a pet shape or a pet type graphic panel with the capability of connecting with a computer;

said computer capable of connecting with a dedicated web site;

a user capable of registering his or her pedometer on said web site as a virtual pet, giving it a pet name and creating a password so that said user has exclusive access to his or her virtual pet;

said user to have a custom home page on said web site;

said home page including pet name, and personal data such as age, weight, name, likes and dislikes;

said user connects said pedometer to said computer via a USB port or other standard connection means and presses sync button on said web page to download said site information to said pedometer and upload said pedometer information to said site;

said uploaded data showing the amount of activity the user has achieved as measured by said pedometer and said activity capable of being viewed in the form of charts and graphs, history to date, average health to date and reward points;

said personal web site page capable of prompting said user to exercise for an appropriate period of time to keep said virtual pet happy;

said personal web site page also capable of allowing said user to play exercise related games, explore health related topics and have access to sponsor links;

said user turning on said pedometer by means of an on/off button at which point said virtual pet'"'"'s eyes light up indicating that said pedometer is in the on mode;

said user placing said pedometer on his or her clothing by means of a belt clip or clothing grip;

said user'"'"'s walking or running activity being recorded on said pedometer thereby accumulating points;

said pedometer making audible sounds and vibrating periodically to communicate said user'"'"'s level of physical activity;

said pedometer making positive sounds or comments if activity is at proper health level and said pedometer making negative sounds or comments if activity is at less than proper health level;

said pedometer optionally can operate in a silent mode where said activity level can be communicated via an LCD display or other visual means;

said user periodically uploading said pedometer data to said personal web page and viewing amount of points gained within a given time period;

said points relating to the health of said virtual pet, adequate points resulting in a healthy pet, very low points resulting in the possible death of the pet;

and said points capable of being used in games or traded for prizes.

2. Method for tracking and rewarding a child'"'"'s exercise activity by use of a pedometer and computer interface as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pedometer includes;

a belt clip;

a clothing gripping means;

an LCD screen;

a power source such as a battery;

an on/off button;

a keypad;

a microprocessor capable of managing, recording and transmitting exercise related information;

a pair of LED'"'"'s located in the eye area of said pet shape or graphic;

an audible and vibratory means for periodically communicating to the user the amount of walking or running type exercise has been done within a fixed period of time; and

a USB port or other standard computer connection means to allow said activity related information to be uploaded to said computer or downloaded from said computer.