Methods and apparatus for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness

• US 8,337,367 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2011
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dugan Patents, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/305,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20120070806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 705/1, 705/15, 705/26, 705/28, 600/300, 700/90, 707/104.1
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/12 Healthy persons not otherwise provided for, e.g. subjects of a marketing survey
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• 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: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0092 Nutrition
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/02 with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 : relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 : for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

employing a PDA to monitor exercise level information of a user;

employing the PDA to communicate the exercise level information to a WEB server;

employing the PDA to communicate geographic information about the user to the WEB server;

employing the PDA to retrieve product information consistent with achieving a diet or exercise goal of the user by communicating with the WEB server; and

displaying the product information on the PDA.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising employing the PDA to communicate food intake information to the WEB server.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising employing the PDA to monitor food intake information of the user.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising employing the PDA to receive weight information about the user.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the weight information is communicated from an electronic scale.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the retrieved product information is based on the monitored exercise level information.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein employing a PDA to monitor exercise level information of a user comprises employing the PDA to monitor a pulse of the user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein employing a PDA to monitor exercise level information of a user comprises employing the PDA to monitor calories burned by the user.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the product information comprises food information.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying on the PDA a cost of a prepared food.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the WEB server is in communication with a restaurant.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the product information relates to a product line.

13. A method, comprising:

employing a PDA to monitor food intake information of a user;

employing the PDA to communicate the food intake information to a WEB server;

employing the PDA to communicate geographic information about the user to the WEB server;

employing the PDA to retrieve product information consistent with achieving a diet or exercise goal of the user by communicating with the WEB server; and

displaying the product information on the PDA.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising employing the PDA to receive weight information about the user.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the weight information is communicated from an electronic scale.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the retrieved product information is based on the monitored food intake information.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying on the PDA a cost of a prepared food.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the WEB server is in communication with a restaurant.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the product information relates to a product line.