Activity Monitor for Collecting, Converting, Displaying, and Communicating Data

[0001] This invention relates in general to an activity monitor and, more particularly, to an activity monitor operable for collecting, converting, displaying, and communicating data.

[0002] Obesity increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, asthma, hypertension, gallbladder disease, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and heart disease. Thirty percent of adults in the United States, who are twenty years or older, are obese. Unfortunately, the same obesity-related diseases and health conditions are becoming more common in younger people as well. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. The percentage of obese children and adolescents is at an all time high. Inactivity and sedentary behavior are among the biggest contributors to the increase of obesity in children, adolescents, and adults.

[0003] The United States Surgeon General recommends moderate physical activity for children once a day for at least sixty minutes. Moderate and regular physical activity is good for a person's overall health. Physical activity decreases the risk for cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and arthritis. Physical activity also helps control a person's weight, which also positively affects a person's general well being. Physical activity is any bodily movement that results in an expenditure of calories. Moderate physical activity is enough; physical activity does not have to be strenuous to provide benefits to a person's health.

[0004] People need more than knowledge to engage in physical activity. Simply referring the general population to the latest medical literature on the risks associated with obesity is not a viable solution. An individual's reasons to engage in physical activity can vary and include: maintaining weight, living a healthy lifestyle, and complying with physician's orders.

[0005] Current activity monitors do not permit the user the option of selecting multiple metrics to characterize their physical activity. Most monitors are limited to one or two metrics. They display distance or calories or intensity as a single metric of activity. A person is more likely to become physically active if the individual is able to see the immediate results of their own physical activity being displayed in a customized format that features a metric which appeals to them. Additionally, a person is more likely to engage in physical activity and sustain that activity if the person can continually monitor their preferred metric and not have to retrieve that metric on a website at a delayed time. Furthermore, a person is more likely to comply with a doctor's orders when a person can view those doctor's orders and monitor their progress in complying with such orders. Providing an incentive for people to engage in physical activity presents a significant challenge and an immense opportunity for those relegated with the onerous task of controlling the population's health.

[0006] In accordance with the present invention, a method, a system, and an apparatus for collecting, converting, displaying, and communicating data is provided, which substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems, methods, and apparatuses.

[0007] In one somewhat detailed embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a web portal located on one or more servers, such that the web portal is operable to transmit and receive data with an activity monitor. The method also involves operating one or more servers coupled to a communication network providing access to the World Wide Web, such that the network is operable to communicate with one or more activity monitors.

[0008] The activity monitor may include: i) a skin, such that the skin is replaceable with one or more skins being a different color, material, and texture; ii) an accelerometer, such that the accelerometer is operable to track activity data by a user; iii) a memory, such that the memory stores data manually inputted by the user, data received from the accelerometer, and data received by the web portal; iv) a processor, such that the processor is operable to convert data from the accelerometer into one or more metrics based on data received from the memory; v) a communication port, such that the communication port is operable to transmit data to communication network or computer devices and receive data from communication network or computer device; vi) a display; vii) one or more input buttons; and viii) a mode button, such the mode button selects a mode to be displayed.

[0009] The modes may include daily points accumulated, average daily points accumulated for a week, activity zone minutes, daily calories expended, total weekly calories expended, daily distance traveled, total weekly distance traveled, an auxiliary mode, wherein the user manually inputs data, a special event mode, and a clock.

[0010] In a more particular embodiment, the activity monitor is operable to automatically log the user into the web portal. The user can enter user's height, weight, sex, and age on the web portal, and the user can create one or more goals. The web portal is operable to transmit information including but not limited to the user's goals, height, weight, sex, and age to the activity monitor via the communication network. The activity monitor is operable to convert the data from the accelerometer into calories expended based on the information received from the web portal. The activity monitor is further operable to track and display the user's one or more goals received from the web portal. The activity monitor is operable to communicate with a machine (for example, a treadmill) to begin a special event and to end a special event, while activity monitor collects data during the special event.

[0011] Important technical advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention include the web portal transmitting user specific data to the activity monitor, such that the data displayed is customized for each user. The present invention is operable to track a user's consumption of vegetables, fruits, and other nutritional data as well as pill consumption. The present invention enables a physician to monitor the activity and goals of one or more patients. The present invention further enables a user or machine to begin a special event and to end a special event either manually or by electronic signaling. Additionally, certain modes can be turned off so that they do not appear on the display of the activity monitor. For example, the calorie mode or auxiliary mode can be turned off independent of the user at the server so the user cannot see or utilize that modality.

[0012] Other technical advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a communication system 10 for collecting, displaying, converting, and communicating data. System 10 includes a communication network 18, one or more users 12, one or more computer devices 16, one or more activity monitors 14, one or more servers 32, one or more databases 34, and a web portal 40. Other architectures and components of system 10, including various architectures and components of server 32, may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0022] In general, users 12 can wear an activity monitor 14 to track one or more primary metrics. Users 12 can couple activity monitor 14 to one or more computer devices 16, which provide users access to a web portal 40. Activity monitor 14 can transmit data to web portal 40.

[0023] In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, communication system 10 achieves an effective way for users 12 to view activity data. Web portal 40 is operable for users 12 to input customized data, such that the data is unique to each user 12. Web portal 40 is operable to transmit this customized data to activity monitor 14. Activity monitor 14 is operable to monitor, calculate, and display user's physical activity in a format selected by user 12. Activity monitor 14 can display user's current level of performance, or activity monitor can continually update and display user's progress for achieving one or more goals.

[0024] System 10 offers advantages to a group of users who seek to monitor physical activity. This is due, at least in part, to activity monitor 14, which is capable of displaying several different activity modes. For example, user 12 can select to view the progress towards achieving a goal, the number of calories expended in the past week, the number of pills taken for the day, the distance traveled during a special event, or the number of points accumulated for the day. Details relating to these operations are explained below in FIG. 2.

[0025] Communication network 18 couples and facilitates wireless or wire line communication between computer devices 16, activity monitors 14, and servers 32. Communication network 18 may, for example, communicate Internet Protocol (IP) packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells, voice, video, data, and other suitable information between network addresses. Communication network 18 may also communicate data via wireless communications, such as by Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard protocols, including 802.11, third-generation (3G) protocols (such as W-CDMA or CDMA 2000, for example), Bluetooth, or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) protocols, for example. Communication network 18 may include one or more local area networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), interactive television networks, all or a portion of the global computer network known as the Internet, and/or any other communication system or systems at one or more locations.

[0026] Users 12 may include any individual, group, or business entity desiring to use an activity monitor 14 or a computer device 16 to access web portal 40. Users 12 may wear activity monitors 14 and couple activity monitors 14 to one or more computer devices 16 to connect to web portal 40. Some users 12 might not wear activity monitors 14, but these users 12 may monitor the activity data of one user 12 or a population of users 12 by accessing and viewing web portal 40. For example, user 12 may be a physical education instructor who uses the computer device 16 to create a curriculum on web portal 40 that utilizes activity monitor 14. Users 12 may also include physical education students who couple their activity monitors 14 to computer device 16 to transmit the data from activity monitor 14 to web portal 40. Web Portal 40 allows teachers to view the physical activity data of their students and use this information to grade the students according to the curriculum.

[0027] In another embodiment, user 12 may be a business entity that utilizes activity monitor 14 to attract potential users to the business. Activity monitor 14 may provide helpful information to user about the business. Activity monitor 14 can grant users 12 access to the business's web portal 40 that serves as an online business center. Multiple forms of communication and information can be passed from the business to users 12 via web portal 40. Activity monitor 14 will engage users to visit the business's web portal 40.

[0028] In another embodiment, users 12 may include one or more doctors and one or more patients such that doctors can utilize web portal 40 and activity monitors 14 to provide treatment to patients. Patients may wear activity monitor 14 and transmit their physical activity data to web portal 40. Doctors can access and monitor their patients' daily and weekly physical activity data. Doctors can also monitor their patients' compliance to consuming fruits, vegetables, and pills.

[0029] Activity monitors 14 are generally operable to measure body movement of a user, store data, receive data, transmit data, display data, and convert data for a multitude of purposes. For example, activity monitors 14 are operable to continuously communicate with server 32 using wireless communication, such that server 32 and activity monitor 14 are continuously updated with real time data. For example, activity monitor 14 may measure a primary metric that includes calories, distances, points, life zone minutes, health zone minutes, or sports zone minutes. User 12 can wear activity monitor 14 for an entire day or only for an event for a specified period of time. Memory in activity monitor 14 may include volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. In general, the memory may store various data including metrics, a user's account information, a user's goals, and a user's weight, height, age, and sex in any suitable format. For example, user's account information may include a unique identification number associated with each user 12. Activity monitor 14 is operable to receive data from web portal 40, computer device 16, machine, or any other device. Activity monitor 14 is further operable to transmit data to web portal 40, computer device 16, or any other device. Activity monitor 14 may include a graphics card to display streaming video and data stored in memory. Activity monitor 14 may include a processor to convert data and utilize algorithms. For example, activity monitor 14 may apply an algorithm to measure distance traveled or calories burned by utilizing data transmitted from web portal 40 to the memory of activity monitor 14. Activity monitor 14 is further operable such that activity monitor 14 can be disabled from displaying data, from transmitting data, and from receiving data. A feature of the present invention includes a subscription model that may include users 12 paying to use web portal 40 and paying to use activity monitor 14. For example, server 32 and activity monitor 14 are operable for server 32 to disable and/or enable certain functions and modes of activity monitor. Server 32 can configure all activity monitors 14 of a group of users 12, such that all activity monitors 14 used by a particular business entity are configured with the same functionality. If user 12 is delinquent in subscription payments, activity monitor 14 may be disabled completely and access to web portal 40 may be blocked. Additional details of activity monitor 14 are listed below in FIG. 2.

[0030] Software and/or hardware may reside in activity monitor 14 in order to achieve the teachings of collecting data, converting data, displaying data, and communicating data of the present invention. However, due to their flexibility, activity monitor 14 may alternatively be equipped with (or include) any suitable component, device, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), processor, microprocessor, algorithm, read-only memory (ROM) element, random access memory (RAM) element, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable element or object that is operable to facilitate the operations thereof. Considerable flexibility is provided by the structure of activity monitor 14 in the context of communication system 10 and, accordingly, it should be construed as such.

[0031] Computer devices 16 may comprise computer systems that include appropriate input devices, output devices, mass storage media, processors, memory, or other components for receiving, processing, storing, and/or communicating information with other components of system 10. As used in this document, the term “computer” is intended to encompass a docking station, personal computer, workstation, network computer, wireless data port, wireless telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular telephone, game console, one or more processors within these or other devices, or any other suitable processing device. It will be understood that any number of computer devices 16 may be coupled to other computer devices 16 or communication network 18. Computer devices 16 are generally operated by users 12 or coupled with activity monitors 14 to access the interactive community.

[0032] A particular computer device 16 may comprise a browser application, such as an Internet web browser, for example. Browser application may allow user 12 of computer device 16 to navigate through, or “browse,” various Internet web sites or web pages. Computer device 16 may also comprise one or more graphics applications, such as a FLASH™ application for example, operable to display various types of data received via communication network 18, such as graphics, video, and streaming data (such as video and/or audio), for example.

[0033] A particular activity monitor 14 can be coupled to computer device 16 such that user 12 can access the web portal 40 without intervention from a third party (for example, a webmaster forwarding information). Activity monitor 14 functions as a digital key to web portal 40 so that users instantly access web portal 40 without having to launch an Internet web browser or type in a username or password. The user will be able to instantly interact with web portal 40.

[0034] Servers 32 are generally operable to provide an interface between users 12 and web portal 40. One or more servers 32 may be web application servers or simple processors operable to allow users 12 to participate with web portal 40 via the communication network 18 using a standard user interface language such as, for example, the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). In some embodiments, one or more servers 32 may be physically distributed such that each server 32, or multiple instances of each server 32, may be located in a different physical location geographically remote from each other. In other embodiments, one or more servers 32 may be combined and/or integral to each other. One or more servers 32 may be implemented using a general purpose personal computer (PC), a Macintosh, a workstation, a UNIX-based computer, a server computer, or any other suitable processing device. Server 32 may include a processor to convert data and utilize algorithms. For example, server 32 may apply an algorithm to convert distance traveled into calories burned by utilizing data from the memory like a user's height, weight, and sex.

[0035] In some embodiments, servers 32 are operable to provide security and/or authentication of users 12 or other persons or entities attempting to access web portal 40. For example, servers 32 may essentially provide a firewall for entities attempting to access web portal 40. In addition, servers 32 may be operable to translate one or more data protocols used by web portal 40 with one or more protocols used by applications hosted by one or more computer devices 16.

[0036] In particular embodiments, one or more servers 32 are web application servers operable to communicate dynamically updated information to particular computer devices 16 via communication network 18 including the identity of user 12. For example, one or more servers 32 may communicate updated information on web portal 40 to particular computer devices 16 or activity monitors 14 via communication network 18.

[0037] Servers 32 further comprises a memory that may be accessed or otherwise utilized by one or more components of interactive community. The memory may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. In general, the server memory may store various data including a user's account information, a user's goals, a user's activity data, and a population's activity data.

[0038] Databases 34 are operable to store various data associated with web portal 40, such as information regarding users 12, computer devices 16, and activity monitors 14. Databases 34 may communicate with servers 32 such that servers 32 may store information, retrieve information, and share information with each other. Databases 34 may provide a backup in the case of outages or other failures of various components of web portal. Other architectures and components of servers 32 may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] Web portal 40 comprises one or more web sites and hardware and software that provide users of the web with the ability to search for information on the web including information in the web portal 40, documents, media, or other resources coupled to the web. The web sites on web portal 40 may include user's websites and informational websites. Web portal 40 provides a central location for users to get together with each other.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram that illustrates activity monitor 14 apparatus for collecting, displaying, converting, and communicating data in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention. Activity monitor 14 includes an accelerometer 50, a processor 52, a memory 54, a port 56, a display 58, a mode button 60, a special event button 62, one or more input buttons 64, a skin 70, and a clip 80. Display 58 is operable to display an activity meter 59 and several different modes including daily points 58A, average daily points for a week 58B, activity zone minutes 58C, daily calories 58D, total weekly calories 58E, daily distance traveled 58F, total weekly distance traveled 58G, auxiliary mode 58H, special event mode 58I, and a clock 58J.

[0041] Accelerometer 50 is a device that is used to convert an acceleration from gravity or from motion into an electrical signal. The input for accelerometer 50 is generally gravity or motion. Accelerometer 50 can measure acceleration in units of “g's”. One “g” is defined as the earth's gravitational pull on an object or a person. For example, 1 g represents the acceleration exerted by the Earth's gravity on an object or person (for example, a cell phone on a desk experiences 1 g of acceleration). The acceleration range experienced by a person when walking is between 0.1-2.0 g. Accelerometer 50 measures all user activity by instantaneously tracking the full motion and force (for example, acceleration and deceleration) of user's hips and torso.

[0042] Processor 52 controls the operation and administration of activity monitor 14 by processing information and signals. Processor 52 includes any suitable hardware, software, or both that operate to control and process signals. Processor 52 may be microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing devices, resources, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic. For example, processor 52 may be used to calculate calories by utilizing data from accelerometer 50 and data from web portal 40.

[0043] Memory 54 may be accessed or otherwise utilized by activity monitor 14. Memory 54 may take the form of volatile or non-volatile memory including, without limitation, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), removable media, or any other suitable local or remote memory component. In general, memory 54 may store various data including data from accelerometer, data from processor, and data from web portal.

[0044] Port 56 may communicate information and signals to one or more computer devices 16 and receive information and signals from one or more computer devices 16. Port 56 may also communicate information and signals to communication network 18 and receive information and signals from communication network 18. Port 56 represents any connection, real or virtual, including any suitable hardware and/or software that may allow activity monitor 14 to exchange information and signals with communication network 18, one or more computer devices 14, and/or other elements of system 10. For example, port 56 enables activity monitor 14 to receive data from web portal 40. Port 56 further enables activity monitor 14 to transmit data to web portal 40 including all updated activity data.

[0045] Display 58 is operable to display one or more images in one or more formats. Images viewed in display 58 may include daily points 58A, average daily points for a week 58B, activity zone minutes 58C, daily calories 58D, total weekly calories 58E, daily distance traveled 58F, total weekly distance traveled 58G, auxiliary mode 58H, special event mode 58I, a clock 58J, and an activity meter 59.

[0046] Daily points 58A can be viewed on display 58. Daily points 58A are the points user 12 has accumulated in one day. Points can be in a format that is easier for user 12 to understand than other data formats. For example, points may be a two digit number that is easily understood by user 12 to quickly indicate how active user 12 has been during the course of user's 12 daily life routine. Points may be calculated by multiplying the following ratio by 100, wherein the ratio is the amount of user's energy expended while active and the amount of user's energy expended while at rest. Walking for half an hour may result in seven to fourteen points. Running for half an hour may result in fifteen to thirty points. The exact number of points accumulated will depend on the user's activity. The daily points 58A provide user 12 with a simple and straightforward method to quantify and express the total amount of activity that user 12 achieves over a single day. The average daily points for a week 58B allows user 12 to track how consistent user 12 has been active for the past seven days. Web portal 40 or other literature may indicate the amount of daily points 58A users 12 should strive to accumulate to achieve a healthy lifestyle. A younger user may need to accumulate a high number of points to lead a very active lifestyle, while an older user may need to accumulate a lower number of points to lead a very active lifestyle. By displaying a simple format like points, activity monitor 14 engages user 12 to stay active until user 12 has accumulated enough points because user 12 does not have to track more complicated metrics.

[0047] Activity zone minutes 58C can be viewed on display 58. Activity zones may display life zone minutes, health zone minutes, and sport zone minutes. Life zone minutes may include activity consisting of physical activity experienced in the course of daily living such as walking around the house. Health zone minutes may include walking activity or comparable activity consistent with recommendations from the medical community necessary for a beneficial health effect, i.e., such as walking thirty minutes a day most days of the week. Sport zone minutes may include running activity or activity with similar physical intensity. Web portal 40 or other literature may indicate the amount of time user 12 should strive to accumulate in the activity zones to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Displaying activity zone minutes 58C engages user 12 to stay active until user 12 has accumulated enough activity zone minutes 58C.

[0048] Daily calories expended 58D can be viewed on display 58. Activity monitor 14 can calculate an accurate amount of calories expended by user 12 by utilizing user's weight, height, sex, and age. Activity monitor 14 receives updated information from web portal 40 every time that activity monitor 14 connects to web portal 40 such that user 12 never has to manually input data like height, sex, age, and weight into activity monitor 14. For example, activity monitor 14 can continuously be connected to web portal 40, such that activity monitor 14 continuously received information from web portal 40. The total weekly calories expended 58E can also be viewed on display 58. Web portal 40 or other literature may indicate the amount of calories user 12 should expend to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Displaying the amount of calories expended engages user 12 to stay active until user 12 has expended enough calories.

[0049] Daily distance traveled 58F can be viewed on display 58. Activity monitor 14 may allow user 12 to set the measurement of distance including feet, miles or kilometers, etcetera. Total weekly distance 58G traveled can also be viewed on display 58. Web portal 40 or other literature may indicate the amount of distance users 12 should travel to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Displaying the amount of distance traveled engages user 12 to stay active until user 12 has traveled far enough.

[0050] Auxiliary mode 58H can be viewed on display 58. In auxiliary mode 58H, user 12 can manually input numbers into activity monitor 14. For example, a physician may give user 12 a regimen to take three pills a day or eat five vegetables a day. Physician or user 12 may input this information into web portal 40. Web portal 40 can transmit this information to activity monitor 14 such that activity monitor 14 can display this information. Activity monitor is operable for user 12 to manually input each time user 12 takes a pill or eats a vegetable, such that the auxiliary mode displays the updated information. User 12 may press a button on activity monitor 14 for every pill or vegetable. User 12 can connect activity monitor 14 to web portal 40, such that auxiliary mode 58H information is automatically transmitted to web portal 40. Physician may monitor web portal 40 to make sure user 12 is in compliance of a regimen (for example, user is taking the number of pills per day and eating the number of vegetables per day). Auxiliary mode 58H enables user 12 to properly track a diet regimen. Users 12 may not remember how many pills that they have taken throughout the day, and auxiliary mode 58H enables users 12 to track their personal regimen. Physicians can also monitor their patients to make sure that patients are compliant with the regimen prescribed for them.

[0051] Special event mode 58I can be viewed on display 58. Special event mode 58I enables user 12 to begin special event 58I and to end special event 58I. Additionally, special event mode 58I enables machines, like a treadmill, to begin a special event and to end a special event. For example, a treadmill may send a signal to activity monitor 14 to begin a special event when the treadmill is turned on and to end a special event when the treadmill is turned off. The activity monitor 14 will track the activity data during the special event 58I time period, such that user 12 can monitor activity of specific events. Alternatively, user 12 can manually press a button for special event 58I to begin at the start of a marathon and manually press a button for special event 58I to end when user 12 crosses the finish line. Special event mode 58I enables users to monitor specific activity events, which engages users 12 to become more active.

[0052] Clock 58J can be viewed on display 58. Clock 58J can be the time of day. Clock 58J can also be a stopwatch to monitor the amount of time spent on an activity. Activity meter 59 can be viewed on display 58. Activity meter 59 can be one or more bars such that no bars are displayed while user 12 is stationary, and the number of bars displayed will increase as user's current activity level increases.

[0053] Mode button 60 on activity monitor 14 enables user 12 to toggle through one or more display modes for user 12 to view. For example, user 12 can press mode button 60 to toggle display 58 from daily points to daily calories expended 58D to special event mode 58I, etcetera. Special event button 62 on activity monitor 14 enables user 12 to begin and to end a special event. One or more input buttons 64 on activity monitor 14 enable user 12 to input information like incrementing the counter in auxiliary mode 58H.

[0054] Skin 70 encases the outside of activity monitor 14. Skin 70 can be removable with one or more skins 70. Skin 70 can have different features including a different color, material, and texture. Clip 80 can attach to back of activity monitor 14. Clip 80 enables user 12 to easily attach activity monitor 14 to an article of clothing. Clip 80 can be removable with one or more clips 80. Clip 80 can have different features including a different color, material, and texture. Removable, unique skins 70 and clips 80 allows user 12 to customize the appearance of activity monitor 14. Users 12 are more likely to wear activity monitor 14 by customizing the look of activity monitor 14.

[0055] For purposes of teaching and discussion, it is useful to provide some overview as to the way in which the following invention operates. The following foundational information may be viewed as a basis from which the present invention may be properly explained. Such information is offered earnestly for purposes of explanation only and, accordingly, should not be construed in any way to limit the broad scope of the present invention and its potential applications.

[0056] Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for a multitude of illnesses. Precise quantification of physical activity is critical in any environment, whether it be in the realm of heightened physical fitness or in situations where some individual is in poor health. Physical activity is especially important in measuring the outcomes in frail, sedentary populations, and in the elderly, because small improvements in physical functioning such as walking and balance may translate into significantly improved higher-order function and life quality. Nonetheless, although daily monitoring of physical activity is of great interest to investigators and clinicians alike, methods to precisely measure this vital dimension of function have only been recently available.

[0057] Methods in current use for measuring daily activity include direct observation, self-report questionnaires and diaries, radioisotope techniques (doubly-labeled water measurement of energy expenditure), and heart-rate monitoring. These methods suffer from several problems. Direct observation is both time-consuming and intrusive, and self-report questionnaires and diaries that rely on memory are imprecise (especially in the elderly) and are time-intensive for subjects. Radioisotope methodology is both costly and technologically complex. Heart-rate monitoring is both expensive and imprecise in patients whose heart rates may vary due to medication use and other causes unrelated to physical activity. In addition, neither radioisotope and heart-rate monitoring technologies are capable of providing information on specific patterning of activity.

[0058] Accelerometer 50 movement sensors are a practical alternative to other methods, providing a high degree of precision across a wide range of activity levels at a relatively low cost. Single-axis accelerometers measure movement in one plane and have been widely used to study physical activity and energy consumption in healthy young people and the elderly. In addition to having only one plane of measurement, a major disadvantage of some activity monitors is inadequate data storage and retrieval technology, which requires study subjects to read and record output from activity monitor 14. More recently, a new generation of multi-axis activity monitors 14 have been developed that have improved sensitivity and are more suitable for research purposes. (Note that activity monitor 14 may be a single plane, dual-plane, tri-plane, or multi-plane device.) Activity monitor 14 is operable to transmit activity zone data 58C to web portal 40. Web portal 40 is operable to monitor energy expenditure in normal, active populations, and to monitor activity in relatively sedentary clinical populations, including nursing home residents, outpatients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and obese children.

[0059] Activity monitor 14 measurement of walking would assist greatly in clarifying the role of walking behavior as a marker and perhaps determinant of physical functioning in the elderly and persons with chronic illness. Walking is the activity targeted for improvement in most pulmonary rehabilitation programs and other health-maintenance regimens aimed at improving physical functioning, prolonging life, and preventing illness associated with sedentary living. In other scenarios, accelerometer measurements of running sessions or workouts provide an invaluable training tool for the serious athlete. Activity monitor 14 can accurately gauge activity associated with vigorous training regimens. In addition, the collected data may serve as a terrific training log for any athlete, as his progress and daily energy expenditures may readily be determined.

[0060] When looking at energy utilization, there are generally four types of approaches for measuring energy expended by an individual, they are: i) oxygen consumption; ii) heart-rate monitoring; iii) pedometers; and iv) accelerometers 50. Pedometers are highly inaccurate, heart-rate monitoring measurements are often skewed (for example, due to conditioning, deconditioning, drugs, etcetera), and direct oxygen consumption measurements are time-consuming, cumbersome, and expensive. Hence, accelerometers 50 provide a viable alternative to these flawed devices.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a simplified flowchart that illustrates an example method of the communication system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart begins at step 302, where user 12 purchases activity monitor 14 and connects activity monitor 14 to web portal 40. At step 304, user 12 inputs personal information into web portal 40 including user's height, weight, age, and sex. At step 306, user 12 also inputs personal goals into web portal 40. For example, user 12 may set one or more personal goals including eating three vegetables a day, expending four hundred calories per day, and spending five hours in the sport zone per week. At step 308, web portal 40 transmits user's data and goals to activity monitor 14.

[0062] At step 310, user 12 wears activity monitor 14 by attaching clip 80 to an article of user's clothing. If activity monitor 14 is in auxiliary mode 58H during step 312, then the user 12 can manually input data into activity monitor 14 at step 314. For example, user 12 may press a button to increment the counter for the number of pills user 12 has taken for the day. In step 316, activity monitor 14 is constantly tracking user's 12 activity throughout the day while user 12 is wearing activity monitor 14. Activity monitor 14 is operable to dynamically update user's 12 personal goal information stored in activity monitor 14. For example, if user 12 has a daily goal of expending fifty calories and user has expended ten calories for the day, then the activity monitor 14 will update the goal such that user 12 only needs to expend thirty more calories to achieve his goal.

[0063] At step 318, user 12 can depress mode button 60 to toggle through the activity modes being displayed 58. If the activity mode displayed 58 does not have a goal associated with that activity, then activity monitor 14 displays the current activity data to user 12. An example of this display 58 is detailed below in FIG. 5A. If the activity mode displayed 58 does have a goal associated with that activity, then the activity monitor 14 displays the current activity and the activity remaining to achieve user's goal. An example of this display 58 is detailed below in FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C.

[0064] At step 320, the collected data may be transmitted to one or more computing devices 16 or web portal 40. This may be achieved in a wireless fashion, via a modem, a universal serial bus (USB) connection, or any other suitable connection, link, or port.

[0065] At step 322, the collected data may be accessed by any suitable entity authorized to do so. For example, user 12 himself may review the collected data via his home personal computer. In other scenarios, an employer may seek to review this collected data. In still other scenarios, a provider of healthcare may wish to ascertain this information. The collected data may be presented to these entities in any suitable format, which may be based on user preferences.

[0066] Note that the benefit of exercise has been well-documented. However, this descriptive information has not been quantified. For example, a study could suggest that the occurrence of a second heart attack could be reduced significantly if exercise was increased in the target population. But the bigger question would be: what level of activity and how much activity would solicit this positive response? Hence, activity monitor 14 readings should be translated into some metric that provides a tool for ascertaining the dosage of exercise necessary to achieve a health objective. This would allow activity to be quantified for individuals and groups. Furthermore, this would allow the physician to prescribe a given dose of activity for a disease state such as coronary artery disease. For example, physician could prescribe the patient a dosage of activity, such as an exercise regimen that instructs the patient to use activity monitor 14 and walk thirty minutes a day in the health zone for five days a week. The patient would know if he had achieved the prescribed dosage of activity from the data displayed on the activity monitor and the physician would be able to monitor the compliance of the patient by viewing the performance of the patient on the web portal.

[0067] Activity zones allow the physician and patient to know the amount of energy expended, energy intensity and time that was spent in a given zone. Hence, the activity component and the health benefits of various states can be accurately quantified. This would offer a powerful tool in evaluating, monitoring, quantifying, and managing the effects of activity of a given individual and his disease state.

[0068] In addition, an overall activity level of an individual or a group could be readily determined. This would allow for a correlation of health care costs (i.e. associated medical costs) and activity levels for various groups. Also, productivity levels could be correlated to activity levels identified through activity monitor 14. The measurements of activity monitor 14 could be used to provide a verifiable metric for comparing any number of various characteristics amongst individuals or groups.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart that illustrates an example method of the special event feature of the activity monitor 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 402, user 12 wears activity monitor 14 by attaching clip 80 to an article of user's 12 clothing.

[0070] If user 12 is not interacting with machines operable to communicate with activity monitor 14 during step 404, then user 12 can manually input for special event 58I to begin at step 406. For example, user 12 can depress special event button 62 before user 12 runs a marathon. At step 408, user 12 engages in special event like running on a marathon. Activity monitor 14 measures all activity during the special event 58I. At step 410, user 12 can manually input for the special event 58I to end. For example, user 12 can depress special event button 62 again to end the special event when user 12 crosses the finish line at a marathon. At step 418, the activity monitor 14 displays the activity data measured during the special event 58I.

[0071] If user 12 is interacting with machines operable to communicate with activity monitor 14 during step 404, then special event mode 58I can automatically begin by a signal from the machine at step 412. For example, a treadmill may send a signal to activity monitor 14 to begin special event 58I when the treadmill is turned on. At step 414, user 12 engages in special event 58I like running on a treadmill. Activity monitor 14 measures all activity during the special event 58I. At step 416, machine can send a signal to activity monitor 14 to automatically end special event 58I. For example, a treadmill may send a signal to activity monitor 14 to end a special event 58I when the treadmill is turned off. At step 418, the activity monitor 14 displays the activity data measured during the special event 58I. Any of the special event data can be transmitted from activity monitor 14 to computing device 16, web portal 40, or server 32.

[0072] It is important to note that the stages and steps described above illustrate only some of the possible scenarios that may be executed by, or within, the present system. Some of these stages and/or steps may be deleted or removed where appropriate, or these stages and/or steps may be modified, enhanced, or changed considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, a number of these operations have been described as being executed concurrently with, or in parallel to, one or more additional operations. However, the timing of these operations may be altered. The preceding example flows have been offered for purposes of teaching and discussion. Substantial flexibility is provided by the tendered architecture in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies, configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departing from the broad scope of the present invention. Accordingly, communications capabilities, data processing features and elements, suitable infrastructure, and any other appropriate software, hardware, or data storage objects may be included within communication system 10 to effectuate the tasks and operations of the elements and activities associated with executing compatibility functions.

[0073] FIG. 5A is an example display 58 of user's daily points 58A, first introduced in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Activity monitor 14 can display customized messages because web portal 40 has transmitted user's personal data to activity monitor 14. In this example, user 12 does not have a goal associated with daily points 58A so only the current daily points 58A are displayed.

[0074] FIG. 5B is an example display 58 of user's goal for total weekly calories expended 58E, first introduced in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Activity monitor 14 can display customized messages because web portal 40 has transmitted user's personal data to activity monitor 14. In this example, user 12 has a goal associated with calories expended for the week 58E. As a result, both the current weekly calories expended 58E and the remaining weekly calories to be expended 58E to achieve user's goal are displayed.

[0075] FIG. 5C is an example display 58 of user's goal for pills consumed in auxiliary mode 58H, first introduced in FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Activity monitor 14 can display customized messages because web portal 40 has transmitted user's personal data to activity monitor 14. In this example, user 12 can have a goal, such as a nutritional regimen or pill regimen displayed in auxiliary mode 58H. As a result, both the current daily pills taken and the remaining daily pills to be taken to achieve user's goal or diet regimen are displayed.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that various other changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The illustrated network architecture of FIG. 1 has only been offered for purposes of example and teaching. Suitable alternatives and substitutions are envisioned and contemplated by the present invention: such alternatives and substitutions being clearly within the broad scope of communication system 10. For example, the use of the LAN could easily be replaced by a virtual private network (VPN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), or any other element that facilitates data propagation. Using analogous reasoning, the computer device illustrated by FIG. 1 may be supplanted by docking stations, gaming consoles, or any other suitable devices that are conducive to network communications. Furthermore, the activity monitor is not confined to displaying only the modes shown in FIG. 2.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described with several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.