Physical Activity Reward System

• US 20100125028A1
• Filed: 07/23/2009
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Life4Kids, LLC
• Original Assignee: Life 4 Kids LLC
• Inventors: Heppert, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/508,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20100125028A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• 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

Abstract

A physical activity reward system and method which rewards a person performing physical activity with a reward, such as use of an appliance such a TV viewing time. The system includes a physical activity monitor capable of generating activity information proportionate to the amount of exertion or work done. The system may be used to record and keep track of the reward points or information. The system may further control the supply of electricity to an appliance through an electrical control module. The electrical control module may be interposed between a source of household electrical current and an electrical appliance such as a TV set.

Claims

1. A physical activity reward system, comprising:

a physical activity monitor capable of generating activity information related to physical activity;

a communication device for transferring the activity information from the physical activity monitor to a computer;

wherein the computer is configured to convert the activity information to reward information.

2. The physical activity reward system of claim 1, wherein the communication device is a wireless communication device.

3. The system of claim 1, comprising:

an electric flow control device installed between a source of electrical power and an electrical appliance, wherein the computer is configured to activate the electric flow control device based upon the reward information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein electric flow control device is activated to allow flow of electricity from the source of electrical power to the electrical appliance.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the electric flow control device comprises an bypass that allows flow of electricity from the source of electrical power to the electrical appliance through electric control device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer is configured to transmit a signal to close the bypass.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the computer is configured to transmit the signal to close the bypass at regular intervals.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the reward information comprises an amount of time that the electric flow control device is to be activated.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the computer is configured to be capable of allocating reward information to activate the electric control device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a point of reward information may be allocated to activate the electric control device for a period of time.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the reward information is calculated based upon a mathematical function of the activity information.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical activity monitor comprises at least one of a heart rate monitor, an accelerometer, a global positioning satellite device, a pedometer, camera, or combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the physical activity monitor is capable of storing activity information.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the physical activity monitor is capable of transferring the activity information to the computer.

15. A method of rewarding physical activity, comprising:

monitoring physical activity using a physical activity monitor,

generating physical activity information,

transferring the physical activity information to a computer, and

converting the physical activity information into reward information.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising allocating the reward information to certain activities or rewards.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein allocating the reward information includes remotely controlling operation of an electrical supply to an appliance.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the appliance is a computer, television, or video game system.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the appliance relies upon household electrical supply to operate such that an electricity control module may be interposed between the household electrical supply and the appliance.

20. A method of rewarding physical activity, comprising:

entering reward information into a computer,

allocating at least a portion of the reward information to operating an electrical appliance, and

activating electric flow control device capable of allowing flow of electricity from the source of electrical power to the electrical appliance for a period of time.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising:

earning reward information by completing a task.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising:

entering the reward information into a processing unit.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising:

reducing the reward information based upon the length of the period of time that the electric flow control device is activated.