Portable interactive device integrated with housing and multi-purpose clip for physical fitness activity

• US 7,385,589 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2004
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fitness Professionals Limited
• Original Assignee: Companion Worlds, Inc.
• Inventors: Bartels, Dirk, Meyerhoffer, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US10/826,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345168-179, 345/184, 345/901, 345/903, 345/905, D14/324, D14/328, D14/344, D14371-375, 248/166, 248/454, 361/681, 379/446, 379/454, 455/557, 455/575.6
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A device is disclosed that provides a multifunctional clip mounted on a portable, programmable, interactive apparatus. One embodiment of the device comprises a housing configured to be carried by a user, a display for displaying information to the user, an interface operable by the user, and fixed-arm clip. The user may hold the device with one hand with the fixed arm clip while operating the interface with the same hand.

Claims

1. A portable interactive device integrated with a housing for physical fitness activity, said device comprising:

an integrated housing including;

a fixed-arm clip formed coupled to a back of said housing, wherein said fixed-arm clip acts as a stand for said portable interactive device, allows said portable interactive device to be held in one hand by a user, and allows said portable interface device to be attached to another article; and

a user interface formed into said housing, said user interface providing controls for said portable interactive device, said user interface arranged such that said user may operate said controls with said one hand while holding said portable interactive device with said one hand;

a memory for storing data relating to programs, workouts, exercises and user inputted data;

a processor in communication with a display, a storage, an interface, and said memory operable to control said display and to control said storage and retrieval of data from said memory;

said device interface includes an enter button, an up/down button, a menu button and a back button;

said device displays physical fitness information; and

said device in said housing is operable to mount into a docking station.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixed-arm clip includes a rubber cover around said fixed-arm clip providing a secure grip.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixed-arm clip is arranged such that said portable interactive device is suitable for hanging from said one hand.

4. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said one hand fits between said fixed-arm clip and said back of said housing.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said fixed-arm clip may strap onto a belt of said user.

6. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said user interface includes a plurality of buttons.

7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said plurality of buttons has a profile substantially flush with a surface of said housing.

8. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of said plurality of buttons is a toggle switch extending out from a surface of said housing.

9. A portable interactive device enabling a user to perform a mobile activity, said device comprising:

an integrated housing configured to be transported by said user, said housing including;

a fixed-arm clip formed on a back of said housing, wherein said fixed-arm clip acts as a stand for said portable interactive device, allows said portable interactive device to be held in one hand by a user, and allows said portable interface device to be attached to another article; and

a user interface formed into said housing, said user interface providing controls for said portable interactive device, said user interface arranged such that said user may operate said controls with said one hand while holding said portable interactive device with said one hand;

a display for displaying information to said user;

a memory for storing data relating to said mobile activity; and

a processor in communication with said display, said user interface, and said memory, said processor operable to control said display and to control said storage and retrieval of data from said memory.

10. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 9, wherein said one hand fits between said clip and said back of said housing.

11. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 9, wherein said fixed-arm clip may strap on to a belt of said user.

12. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 9, wherein said housing is operable to mount into a docking station.

13. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 12, wherein said user may access an external computer while said device is in said docking station.

14. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 13, wherein said user may access the Internet while said device is in said docking station.

15. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 9, wherein said mobile activity is a physical fitness activity.

16. A portable interactive device as recited in claim 15, wherein a heart rate monitor is connected to said device.