SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A DEVICE BASED ON A RECORD OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

• US 20140141865A1
• Filed: 04/24/2013
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Switch2Health, Switch2Health, Inc.
• Inventors: Tropper, Seth A., Batour, Amado
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0412 Low-profile patch shaped housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0004 characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6896 Toys
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• 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 5/743 Displaying an image simultaneously with additional graphical information, e.g. symbols, charts, function plots
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• 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 13/50 : Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 : Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 : Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0264 : based upon schedule
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 : Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 : Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 : for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 : for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment

Abstract

In a redeemable coupon there is a housing, a motion detector coupled to the housing, wherein the motion detector detects an amount of motion of the coupon, and an indicator coupled to the motion detector, wherein the indicator is activated by the motion detector upon detecting the amount of motion. Additionally, in a method of providing an incentive for a user to exercise, providing the user with a coupon to be coupled to the user, monitoring the motion of the user with a motion sensor included in the coupon, and activating the coupon when the motion sensor has detected a predetermined amount of motion such that the coupon becomes redeemable by the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus for encouraging physical activity of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a wearable device comprising a removable component having one or more motion sensors that monitor physical activity of the user based on a motion of the removable component;

wherein the removable component comprises a visual indicator that indicates an amount of the monitored physical activity; and

wherein the removable component wirelessly communicates information related to the monitored physical activity to at least one secondary device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary device comprises a mobile device, a computer, a gaming console, or a toy.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wearable device further comprises a wearable housing that is securable to a body of the user, and from which the removable component is detached.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the wearable housing comprises a bracelet, anklet, necklace, headband, hat, scarf, glove, clothing, footwear, pin, clip, eyewear, belt, or neckwear.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the removable component is configured to fit into a second wearable housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable component wirelessly communicates information related to the monitored physical activity to the at least one secondary device via a wireless transmitter.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable component further comprises a memory that stores the information related to the monitored physical activity.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more motion sensors are configured to detect one or more activity types comprising the monitored physical activity.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more activity types include running and walking.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the visual indicator comprises a plurality of indicators, each of which corresponds to a different activity type.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one secondary device provides one or more rewards based on the information related to the monitored physical activity.

13. A method of providing one or more rewards based on a recorded level of physical activity of a user, the method comprising:

receiving at a mobile device, via a wireless network, information from an activity monitoring device relating to an amount of physical activity of the user; and

determining, by the mobile device, one or more rewards for the user based on the received information relating to the amount of physical activity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the received information comprises information measured via one or more motion sensors of the activity monitoring device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the wherein the one or more rewards include at least one of virtual currency or a game-related reward.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more rewards include at least one of cash, points, a prize, or a gift card.

17. A computer-implemented method of providing game-related rewards based on a level of physical activity of a user, the method comprising:

obtaining, via a computer, information related to an amount of physical activity of the user recorded by an activity monitoring device; and

determining, by the computer, one or more rewards related to a game executing on the computer for the user based on the information related to the amount of physical activity, wherein the one or more rewards include at least one of points, virtual currency, a prize, a game item, a special playable character, or a special playable level for the game.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the obtained information comprises information recorded via one or more motion sensors of the activity monitoring device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the game item includes at least one of an additional game, an avatar, a game life, strength, a weapon, a potion, character energy or health, ammunition, special power, food, a pet, costumes for a character, or a game accessory.

20. A computer-implemented method of managing currency earned based on a level of physical activity of a user, the method comprising:

obtaining, via a computer, information related to an amount of physical activity of the user recorded by an activity monitoring device associated with the user;

awarding an amount of currency to the user, wherein the amount of the currency is determined, by the computer, based on the information related to the amount of physical activity;

establishing, by the computer, an account for the user; and

crediting the account with the amount of currency.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the currency comprises virtual currency.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the currency comprises cash.