Calibration techniques for activity sensing devices

• US 9,154,554 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ananny, John Meron, Kalayjian, Nicholas Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): HENSON, DEVIN B
• Application Number:
  US12/165,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,654 Days
• Field of Search: 600/595, 600/549, 600/502, 702/150, 702/160, 702/182
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/02 Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• 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 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 25/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 : Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 : involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Improved techniques and systems to calibrate an electronic device that is providing activity sensing are disclosed. The activity being sensed can, for example, correspond to walking or running by a user. In one embodiment, calibration can be performed by a portable electronic device so that activity data it receives from a remote sensor device can be more accurately processed. The improved techniques and systems to calibrate can be used to monitor, process, present and manage data captured by a remote sensor. The portable electronic device can also offer a convenient user interface that can be visual and/or audio based, customized to a particular application, user-friendly and/or dynamic. The portable electronic device can pertain to a portable media player and thus also provide media playback.

Claims

1. A method for calibrating an activity monitoring system associated with a user, the method comprising:

performing a first calibration to produce first modified calibration data, including;

receiving, at a portable electronic device associated with the activity monitoring system and from an activity sensor, first activity data measurements;

generating the first modified calibration data from existing calibration data and the first activity data measurements; and

subsequently performing a second calibration to produce second modified calibration data including;

receiving, at the portable electronic device, an input of an actual distance;

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from the activity sensor, second activity data measurements;

determining, using the first modified calibration data and the second activity data measurements, an estimated elapsed distance generated during the second calibration;

determining an accuracy ratio based upon the estimated elapsed distance and the actual distance;

comparing the accuracy ratio to a threshold value;

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be greater than the threshold value, aborting the second calibration, wherein the accuracy ratio greater than the threshold value indicates that the estimated elapsed distance diverges from the actual distance by more than a set margin; and

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be less than the threshold value, generating the second modified calibration data using the accuracy ratio.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system monitors running or walking performed by a user.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the activity monitoring system is internal the portable electronic device.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the portable electronic device is one of a portable media player, a mobile telephone, or a wristwatch.

5. A method as recited in claim 1,

wherein the first calibration is with respect to a user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a first pace, and

wherein the second calibration is with respect to the user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a second pace.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the activity is running or walking by the user, and wherein the second pace is different from the first pace.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in multiple locations.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the portable electronic device can operatively connect to a computer, and

the second modified calibration data is stored in both the wearable portable electronic device and the computer.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the second modified calibration data is stored in both the portable electronic device and the activity sensor.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the input of the actual distance comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a user associated with the portable electronic device, a user input providing the actual distance.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a characteristic of a wearable associated with a user of the portable electronic device;

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the characteristic of the wearable; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a type of surface on which the user activity is performed;

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the determined type of surface; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least computer program code for calibrating an activity monitoring system associated with a user, said non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that are configured to cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

performing a first calibration to produce first modified calibration data, including;

receiving, at a portable electronic device associated with the activity monitoring system and from an activity sensor, first activity data measurements; and

generating the first modified calibration data from existing calibration data and the first activity data measurements; and

subsequently performing a second calibration to produce second modified calibration data, including;

receiving, at the portable electronic device, an input of an actual distance;

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from the activity sensor, second activity data measurements;

determining, using the first modified calibration data and the second activity data measurements, an estimated elapsed distance generated during the second calibration;

determining an accuracy ratio based upon the estimated elapsed distance and the actual distance;

comparing the accuracy ratio to a threshold value;

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be greater than the threshold value, aborting the second calibration, wherein the accuracy ratio greater than the threshold value indicates that the estimated elapsed distance diverges from the actual distance by more than a set margin; and

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be less than the threshold value, generating the second modified calibration data using the accuracy ratio.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the activity monitoring system monitors physical activity performed by a user.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the physical activity includes running or walking.

16. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the activity monitoring system is internal to the portable electronic device.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the first calibration or the second calibration is performed using one of a portable media player, a mobile telephone, or a wristwatch.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13,

wherein the first calibration is with respect to a user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a first pace, and

wherein the second calibration is with respect to the user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a second pace.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the activity is running or walking by the user, and wherein the second pace is different from the first pace.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in multiple locations.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the portable electronic device can operatively connect to a computer, and wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in both the wearable portable electronic device and the computer.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in both the portable electronic device and the activity sensor.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein receiving the input of the actual distance comprises:

receiving, from a user associated with the activity monitoring system, a user input providing the actual distance.

24. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a characteristic of a wearable associated with a user of the portable electronic device

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the characteristic of the wearable; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.

25. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 13, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a type of surface on which the user activity is performed;

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the determined type of surface; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.

36. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 24, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a characteristic of a wearable associated with a user of the portable electronic device;

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the characteristic of the wearable; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.

26. An activity monitoring system arranged to monitor physical activity of a user, comprising:

a calibration engine arranged to calibrate the activity monitoring system by performing operations comprising;

performing a first calibration to produce first modified calibration data, including;

receiving, at a portable electronic device associated with the activity monitoring system and from an activity sensor, first activity data measurements; and

generating the first modified calibration data from existing calibration data and the first activity data measurements; and

subsequently performing a second calibration to produce second modified calibration data, including;

receiving, at the portable electronic device, an input of an actual distance;

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from the activity sensor, second activity data measurements;

determining, using the first modified calibration data and the second activity data measurements, an estimated elapsed distance generated during the second calibration;

determining an accuracy ratio based upon the estimated elapsed distance and the actual distance;

comparing the accuracy ratio to a threshold value;

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be greater than the threshold value, aborting the second calibration, wherein the accuracy ratio greater than the threshold value indicates that the estimated elapsed distance diverges from the actual distance by more than a set margin; and

if the accuracy ratio is determined to be less than the threshold value, generating the second modified calibration data using the accuracy ratio.

27. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein the physical activity is running or walking.

28. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26,

wherein the first calibration is with respect to a user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a first pace, and

wherein the second calibration is with respect to the user performing an activity that is monitored by the activity monitoring system at a second pace.

29. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 28 wherein the second pace is different from the first pace.

30. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in multiple locations.

31. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device can operatively connect to a computer, and wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in both the wearable portable electronic device and the computer.

32. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26,

wherein the second modified calibration data is stored in both the portable electronic device and the activity sensor.

33. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein the activity monitoring system is internal to the portable electronic device.

34. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein the portable electronic device is one of a portable media player, a mobile telephone, or a wristwatch.

35. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein receiving the input of the actual distance comprises:

receiving, from a user associated with the activity monitoring system, a user input providing the actual distance.

37. An activity monitoring system as recited in claim 26, wherein performing the first calibration comprises:

receiving, at the portable electronic device and from a second sensor, data indicating a type of surface on which the user activity is performed;

selecting, from the existing calibration data, a calibration model based on the determined type of surface; and

generating the first modified calibration data from the selected calibration model and the first activity data measurements.