CN104516844A - Method, system and device for generating real-time activity data updates for display devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, systems, and devices for displaying monitored activity data in substantially real-time on a screen of a computing device. An example method includes capturing, via an activity tracking device, motion data associated with user activity. Quantizing the motion data into a plurality of metrics associated with the user activity. The method stores the motion data in a storage of the activity tracking device. The method connects the activity tracking device with a computing device via a wireless data connection and transmits motion data to the computing device to display a metric, metrics on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device. The sending of motion data to the computing device is configured to persist while additional motion data is captured and sent to the computing device. The metrics displayed on the graphical user interface are shown to change in incremental numerical or graphical form in substantially real-time.

Description

Method, system and device for generating real-time activity data updates for display devices

technical field

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for capturing activity data over a period of time and synchronizing data transfer between a tracking device and a client device.

Background technique

In recent years, the demand for health and fitness has grown significantly. This increase has occurred due to a better understanding of the benefits of good fitness habits for overall physical and mental health. Sadly, while today's modern culture brings with it many new technologies such as the internet, connected devices, and computers, people's activities have become less and less. In addition, many office jobs require people to sit in front of computer screens for long periods of time, which further reduces personal activity levels. Additionally, many of today's entertainment options involve viewing multimedia content, computer social networking, and other types of computer-related interactions. While such computer activity can be extremely productive and entertaining, such activity tends to reduce an individual's overall physical activity.

Fitness trackers are often used to provide health and fitness-conscious users with a way to measure or account for their activity or lack of activity. Fitness trackers are used to measure activity such as walking, exercising, running, sleeping, inactivity, cycling, exercising on an elliptical trainer, etc. Typically, data collected by such fitness trackers may be transmitted to and viewed on a computing device. However, such data is often provided in the form of basic accumulations of activity data with complex or confusing interfaces. Additionally, updates between trackers and client devices often require wired connectors and/or complex synchronization schemes.

It is against this background that the embodiments described herein arise.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments described in this disclosure provide systems, apparatus, computer-readable media, and methods for tracking user activity data and enabling the activity to be displayed in substantially real-time on a computing device. The displayed activity data may be a metric shown to increase in value on the computing device as the user engages in the tracked activity. In some embodiments, the data does not have to increase in value, but can simply be changed or updated. In one example, as the user walks, the step count metric may be displayed as changing and/or increasing as the user walks. In one embodiment, the transfer rate for sending real-time updates may be set by scaling up or down the connection interval for data transfers, depending on the type/amount of data to be transferred according to the update conditions.

In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes capturing, via an activity tracking device, athletic data associated with user activity. The athletic data is quantified into a plurality of measures associated with user activity. The method stores the athletic data in a storage device of the activity tracking device. The method connects the activity tracking device with the computing device via a wireless data connection, and sends the athletic data to the computing device to display the measure, the measures on a graphical user interface of an activity application of the computing device. Sending the athletic data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional athletic data is captured and sent to the computing device. The metrics displayed on the graphical user interface are shown to change substantially in real-time, either incrementally numerically or graphically. The method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a device configured to capture user activity and cause the activity data to be displayed substantially in real time is provided. The device includes a housing and a sensor disposed in the housing to capture motion data associated with user activity via the device. Athletic data is captured over time, and the athletic data is quantified to define a number of metrics associated with user activity. The device includes memory for storing captured motion data. The device also includes a processor for managing connecting the device with a computing device via a wireless data connection. The processor manages sending the athletic data to the computing device to display the measure, the measures on a graphical user interface of an active application of the computing device. Sending the athletic data to the computing device is configured to continue while additional athletic data is captured and sent to the computing device. A metric configured to be displayed on a graphical user interface is shown to change in incremental numerical or graphical form substantially in real time.

In another embodiment, a wrist attachment device is disclosed. The device includes a battery, an altimeter for generating altitude data, an accelerometer for capturing motion data associated with user activity, and a screen for displaying the data. Data includes metrics that quantify captured motion data and altitude data. Screens with dead front actions are configured to remain off until enabled. The device further includes communication circuitry for enabling wireless communication with the computing device, and memory for storing the captured motion data and altitude data. Further included is a processor for managing the connection of the wrist-attached device to the computing device. The processor further manages sending the data to the computing device to display the metrics on a graphical user interface of an active application of the computing device. Sending the data to the computing device is configured to continue while displayable additional data is available for sending. The metrics displayed on the graphical user interface appear to change in state substantially in real time in response to data sent from the wrist-attached device to the device.

A computer readable medium storing program instructions executable by a processor for managing data transfer between an activity tracking device and a computing device client is also provided.

Other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the embodiments described in the present disclosure.

Description of drawings

The various embodiments described in the present disclosure are best understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1A shows a block diagram of an activity tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure IB shows an example of an activity tracking device according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1C illustrates another example of an activity tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of an activity tracking device including exemplary components for tracking activity and motion of the device, and associated interfaces of a display screen, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of an activity tracking device in communication with a remote device and interfacing with a server according to one embodiment of the invention.

4A-4C illustrate an embodiment of communication operations between an activity tracking device, a client device, and a backend server.

5 is a diagram showing dynamic switching between a first connection interval setting and a second connection interval setting according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram showing various time periods during which transfers may occur between an activity tracking device and a client device, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram associated with one embodiment of the present invention in which connection intervals are scaled up or down depending on update conditions detected between an activity tracking device and a computing device (client device).

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of a computing device communicating with the device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a user wearing an activity tracking device on his wrist and accessing a computing device.

10B shows an example of a user wearing a computing device in the form of computing glasses, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of a user climbing a staircase and achieving a floor count increase, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 shows another example of a user engaging in physical activity.

13 illustrates an example of various types of activity of a user that may be captured or collected by an activity tracking device according to various embodiments of the invention.

detailed description

Embodiments described in this disclosure provide systems, apparatus, computer-readable media, and methods for tracking user activity data and enabling the activity to be displayed in substantially real-time on a computing device. The displayed activity data may be metrics that appear to change and/or increase in value on the computing device as the user engages in the tracked activity. For example, while a user is walking, the step count metric may be displayed as changing and increasing as the user walks. In one embodiment, the connection interval for transferring data to and from the activity tracking device may be scaled depending on the update condition.

A computing device may be a computer executing an activity tracking application (APP). The computing device may take any form so long as it can process information, load and execute applications, and communicate wirelessly with the activity tracking device. For purposes of example, a computing device may be a computer, tablet, smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, watch computer, eyewear computer, or any device with access to memory and processing capabilities.

The scaling of the connection interval enables dynamic setting of a data transfer rate between the activity tracking device and the computing device based on determined update conditions. The update condition may include detecting that an application (eg, an activity tracking application) on the computing device has been opened, thereby causing the first transfer rate to be set. The first transfer rate has a scaled-up connection interval that allows a higher frequency of packets to be sent between the activity tracking device and the computing device (eg, changing the packet transfer frequency).

The scaled-up connection interval of the first transfer rate enables faster download of larger data blocks and/or data records from the activity tracking device to the computing device, so that it can be displayed when the application is not open or the computing device is not in the same state as the activity. Tracked or Monitored information collected while a tracking device is within range of a wireless connection. In some embodiments, the scaled-up connection interval also enables transfer of data for firmware updates to devices when updates are needed, scheduled, or required. In one configuration, the connection interval may be scaled down to set a second data transfer rate between the activity tracking device and the computing device if the update condition dictates that the activity tracking device generates data that may be transferred to the computing device when the application is opened . In one embodiment, during the first transfer rate, the transfer of data from the activity tracking device is set directly to the site, eg, storage associated with the website managing the account related to the activity tracking information. In some embodiments, the computing device acts as a transmission conduit between the activity tracking device and the website.

The second transfer rate is used to transfer updates to be able to define metrics on the monitored or captured activity data. In the scaled-down connection interval, the data transfer rate is slower than the scaled-up connection interval, but the amount of data to be transferred is usually less or exactly the data detected/monitored by the activity tracking device. Accordingly, the second transfer rate of the scaled-down connection interval is sufficient to enable the transfer of updates to the activity data captured, monitored or collected by the activity tracking device to the computing device. Transmitting updates enables such activity data to be processed by the computing device and displayed on a screen of the computing device in substantially real time as the activity just occurs and a connection between the activity tracking device and the computing device can be maintained. In one embodiment, the second transfer rate is sufficient to enable an external device (eg, computing device, smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, watch computer, glasses computer, etc.) to act as a real-time data display.

In addition, the data transmitted need not be only sports data or activity data, but the data can include any type of data, such as altitude or relative altitude data, air pressure data, heart rate data, temperature data, alarm data, target data, historical status data, Processed data, raw data, etc.

Additionally, while a computing device typically has access to an Internet connection, not every transfer between an activity tracking device and a computing device requires an Internet connection. When the computing device is connected to the Internet, the computing device can then synchronize the data to the server. In one embodiment, a server may be one or more distributed servers, a data center, a virtualized server in a distributed data center, or the like. In one embodiment, the server executes an activity management application, thereby enabling user accounts to access metrics associated with the activity tracking device.

It should be noted that there are many inventions described and illustrated herein. The present invention is not limited to any single aspect or embodiment thereof, nor to any combination and/or permutation of such aspects and/or embodiments. Furthermore, each aspect and/or embodiment of the invention may be used alone or in combination with one or more other aspects and/or embodiments of the invention. For the sake of brevity, many of those permutations and combinations will not be individually discussed herein.

Furthermore, in describing and illustrating the present invention, various circuits, architectures, structures, components, functions and/or elements have been set forth, as well as combinations and/or permutations thereof. It is to be understood that circuits, architectures, structures, components, functions and/or elements other than those expressly described and illustrated as well as combinations and/or permutations thereof are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention.

Figure 1A shows a block diagram of an activity tracking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The activity tracking device 100 is contained in a housing that can be worn or held by a user. The housing may be in the form of a wristband, device clip, wearable device, or may be grasped by the user in the user's hand or held in a pocket or attached to the user's body. The activity tracking device 100 includes device components 102, which may be in the form of logic, storage and glue logic, one or more processors, microelectronics, and interfacing circuits. In one example, component 102 includes processor 106 , memory 108 , wireless transceiver 110 , user interface 114 , biometric sensor 116 , and environmental sensor 118 .

Environmental sensors 118 may be in the form of motion detection sensors. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be one or more of the following: an accelerometer, or a gyroscope, or a rotary encoder, or a calorie measuring sensor, or a heat measuring sensor, or a humidity measuring sensor, or a displacement sensor, or an ultrasonic sensors, or pedometers, or altimeters, or linear motion sensors, or angular motion sensors, or multi-axis motion sensors or combinations thereof. Biometric sensors 116 may be defined to measure physiological characteristics of a user using activity tracking device 100 . User interface 114 provides a means of communicating with activity tracking device 100 in response to user interaction 104 . User interaction 104 may be in the form of physical contact (eg, without limitation, tap, slide, rub, multi-tap, gesture, etc.).

In some embodiments, user interface 114 is configured to accept user interaction 104 in the form of non-contact input. Contactless input may be via proximity sensors, keys, touch screen input, graphical user interface input, voice input, sound input, and the like. Activity tracking device 100 may communicate with clients and/or servers 112 using wireless transceiver 110 . Wireless transceiver 110 allows activity tracking device 100 to communicate using a wireless connection enabled by wireless communication logic. The wireless communication logic may be in the form of a circuit with wireless communication capability. The wireless communication capability may be in the form of a Wi-Fi ^™ connection, a BLUETOOTH ^™ connection, a low energy BLUETOOTH ^™ connection, or any other form of tethering or near field communication. In other embodiments, the activity tracking device 100 may communicate with other computing devices using wired connections (not shown). As mentioned, environmental sensors 118 may detect motion of activity tracking device 100 .

A motion may be a user activity such as walking, running, climbing stairs, and the like. Motion may also be in the form of physical contact received on any surface of activity tracking device 110, so long as environmental sensor 118 can detect such motion caused by the physical contact. As explained in more detail below, the physical contact may be in the form of a single tap or multiple taps of a finger on the housing of the activity tracking device 100 .

FIG. 1B shows an example of an activity tracking device 100 having a housing 130 in the form of a wearable wrist-attached device. The sensors of activity tracking device 100 may detect motion exerted and received on surface 120 of housing 130 , such as physical contact, as described above. In the example shown, the physical contact 124 is in the form of a tap or taps on the surface 120 . In one embodiment, device component 102 is contained within housing 130 . The location at which device component 102 is integrated into housing 130 may vary. For example, device part 102 may be integrated at various locations around housing 130 and is not limited to the central portion of the wrist-attached device. In some embodiments, device component 102 may be integrated into or integrated with a smart watch device.

In other embodiments, the device component 102 is located substantially in the center of the wrist-attached device, such as below or near where the display screen 122 is located. In the example shown, housing 130 also includes button 126 . Button 126 may be pressed to activate display screen 122 , to navigate to various metrics displayed on screen 122 , or to turn off screen 122 .

FIG. 1C shows another example of an activity tracking device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The form factor of the activity tracking device 100 is shown as a clickable device comprising a screen 122, buttons 126 and device parts 102 integrated in a housing [[130']] 130. Housing [[130']] 130 may include a clip that allows attachment to a user's clothing or items, or simply place the device within a user's pocket or holder. Accordingly, the physical contact 124 shown with respect to FIG. 1B may also be implemented on the surface 120 of the activity tracking device 100 of FIG. 1C . Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the form factor of activity tracking device 100 may take various configurations and should not be limited to the exemplary configurations provided herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the activity tracking device 100 of FIG. 1A , showing some additional exemplary components for tracking the activity and motion of the device, and an interface associated with the display screen 122 . In this example, a user's finger can be used to tap and provide physical contact 124 on any surface 120 of the activity tracking device 100 . Physical contact, when sensed by sensor 156 of activity tracking device 100 , will cause activity tracking device 100 to respond and thus provide some measure on display screen 122 . In one embodiment, examples of the display screen 122 may include, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, a light emitting diode (LED) screen, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen, a plasma display screen, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2 , activity tracking device 100 includes logic 158 . Logic 158 may include activity tracking logic 140 , physical contact logic 142 , display interface logic 144 , alarm management logic 146 , wireless communication logic 148 , processor 106 , and sensors 156 . Additionally, storage (eg, memory) 108 and battery 154 may be integrated into activity tracking device 100 . Activity tracking logic 140 may include logic configured to process motion data generated by sensors 156 in order to quantify motion and generate an identifiable measure associated with the motion.

Some sports generate and quantify various types of metrics, such as steps, stairs climbed, distance traveled, minutes of active activity, calories burned, and the like. Physical contact logic 142 may include logic to calculate or determine when a specific physical contact may qualify as input. To qualify as an input, the physical contact detected by the sensor 156 should have a specific pattern recognizable as an input. For example, the input may be predefined as a double-tapping input, and physical contact logic 142 may analyze the motion in response to analyzing sensory data generated by sensor 156 to determine whether a double-tapping did occur.

In other embodiments, the physical contact logic can be programmed to determine when a specific physical contact occurs, the time between physical contacts, and whether one or more physical contacts are eligible for a predefined motion profile indicating that an input is required. )Inside. If a physical contact occurs that is not within some predefined configuration feature or pattern, the physical contact logic does not indicate or qualify the physical contact as an input.

Display interface logic 144 is configured to interface with the processor and physical contact logic to determine when particular metric data is to be displayed on display screen 122 of activity tracking device 100 . Display interface logic 144 is operable to turn on a screen, display metric information, display alphanumeric information, display GUI graphics, or a combination thereof. Alarm management logic 146 is operable to provide a user interface and settings for managing and receiving input from a user for setting alarms. Alarm management logic can interface with a timekeeping module (eg, clock, calendar, time zone, etc.) and can trigger activation of an alarm. The alarm can be in the form of an audible alarm or a non-audible alarm.

Non-audible alerts can provide such alerts via vibration. Vibrations may be generated by motors integrated in the activity tracking device 100 . Vibration can be defined to include various vibration patterns, intensities and custom set patterns. Vibrations generated by one or more motors of activity tracking device 100 may be managed by alarm management logic 146 in conjunction with processing by processor 106 . Wireless communication logic 148 is configured to enable the activity tracking device to communicate with another computing device via wireless signals. Wireless signals may be in the form of radio signals. As mentioned above, the radio signal may be in the form of a Wi-Fi ^™ signal, a BLUETOOTH ^™ signal, a low energy BLUETOOTH ^™ signal, or a combination thereof. Wireless communication logic may interface with processor 106, storage 108, and battery 154 of device 100 for communicating activity data stored in storage 108, which may be in the form of athletic data or processed athletic data, to the computing device.

In one embodiment, processor 106 functions in conjunction with various logic components 140 , 142 , 144 , 146 , and 148 . In one embodiment, processor 106 may provide the functionality of any or all of the logic components. In other embodiments, multiple chips may be used to separate the processing performed by any of the logic components and processor 106 . Sensor 156 may communicate with processor 106 and/or logic via a bus. Storage 108 is also in communication with the bus to provide storage for athletic data processed or tracked by activity tracking device 100 . A battery 154 is provided to power the activity tracking device 100 .

FIG. 3 shows an example of an activity tracking device 100 in communication with a remote device 200 . Remote device 200 is a computing device capable of wirelessly communicating with activity tracking device 100 and the Internet 160 . The remote device 200 may support installation and execution of application programs (eg, APP, mobile APP, etc.). Such applications may include activity tracking application 202 . Activity tracking application 202 may be downloaded from a server. The server can be a dedicated server or a server that provides applications to devices, such as an application store. Once the activity tracking application 202 is installed in the remote device 200, the remote device 200 can communicate or be configured to communicate with the activity tracking device 100 (device A). Remote device 200 may be a smartphone, handheld computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or any other computing device capable of interfacing with device A wirelessly. In one embodiment, the remote device may also have circuitry and logic to communicate with the Internet. However, it should be appreciated that an Internet connection is not required in order for the remote device 200 to communicate with the activity tracking device 100 .

In one embodiment, the remote device 200 communicates with the activity tracking device 100 via a BLUETOOTH ^™ connection. In one embodiment, the BLUETOOTH ^™ connection is a low energy BLUETOOTH ^™ connection (eg, BLUETOOTH ^™ LE, BLE or BLUETOOTH ^™ Smart). BLUETOOTH ^™ Low Energy is configured to provide low power consumption relative to standard BLUETOOTH ^™ circuitry. In one embodiment, BLUETOOTH ^™ Low Energy uses a 2.4 GHz radio frequency, which allows dual-mode devices to share a single radio antenna. In one embodiment, a low energy BLUETOOTH ^(TM) connection is functional over a distance of up to 50 meters and has a data rate via radio in the range between 1-3 megabit (Mb)/sec. In one embodiment, the proximity distance for communication may be defined by a particular wireless link and is not limited to any particular standard. It should be appreciated that proximity distance limits will change according to changes in existing standards and in view of future standards and/or circuits and capabilities.

Remote device 200 may also communicate with Internet 160 using an Internet connection. The Internet connection of the remote device 200 may include a cellular connection, a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi ^™ , and combinations thereof (eg, connected to a switch between different types of connection links). The remote device as described above may be a smartphone or tablet computer, or any other type of computing device that has access to the Internet and the ability to communicate with the activity tracking device 100 .

In one embodiment, a server 220 interfaced with the Internet 160 is also provided. Server 220 may include a number of applications that serve activity tracking device 100 and associated users of activity tracking device 100 via user accounts. For example, server 220 may include campaign management application 224 . Activity management application 224 may include logic to provide access to various devices 100 associated with user accounts managed by server 220 . Server 220 may include storage 226 that includes different user profiles associated with different user accounts. User A's user account 228a and user N's user account 228n are shown as including different information.

Information may include, but is not limited to, device-user account pairing 300, system configuration, user configuration, settings and data, and the like. Storage 226 will include a number of user profiles, depending on the number of registered users with user accounts with their corresponding activity tracking devices. It should also be noted that a single user account can have various or multiple devices associated with it, and that multiple devices can be independently customized, managed and accessed by the user. In one embodiment, server 220 provides a user with access to view user data 302 associated with an activity tracking device. User data may include historical activity data.

The data viewable by the user includes tracked athletic data processed to identify a number of metrics associated with the athletic data. The metrics are displayed in various graphical user interfaces of the website enabled by server 220 . The website may include various pages having a graphical user interface for presenting and displaying various metrics for viewing by a user associated with the user account. In one embodiment, the website may also include an interface that allows data entry and configuration by the user.

Configuration may include defining which metrics are displayed on the activity tracking device 100 . Additionally, configuration may include identifying which metrics will be the first metrics displayed on the activity tracking device. The first metric displayed by the activity tracking device may be in response to user input at the activity tracking device 100 . As mentioned above, user input may be via physical contact. The physical contact is qualified by the processor and/or logic of the activity tracking device 100 to determine whether the physical contact should be processed as input. The input may trigger or cause a display screen of the activity tracking device 100 to turn on to display the particular metric selected by the user as the first metric to be displayed. In another embodiment, the first metric displayed in response to an input may be predefined by the system as a default.

The configuration provided by the user via server 220 and activity management application 224 may also be provided via activity tracking application 202 of computing device 200 . For example, activity tracking application 202 may include multiple screens that also display metrics associated with the captured athletic data of activity tracking device 100 . The activity tracking application 202 may also allow for user input and configuration at various graphical user interface screens to set and define which inputs generate displays.

4A-4C illustrate an embodiment of communication operations between an activity tracking device, a client device, and a backend server, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The communications described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A-4C should only be considered as exemplary illustrations of operations occurring between the activity tracking device, client device (computing device), and backend server (server). In this illustrated example, thick arrows indicate that the connection interval has been scaled up to operate data transfer at the first data transfer rate, while thin arrows indicate that the connection interval has been scaled down to operate data transfer at the second data transfer rate.

In one embodiment, the first transfer rate is designed to allow the transfer of relatively large amounts of data that have been stored on the activity tracking device over a period of time, such as since a last connection to the computing device was made. Activity tracking data stored on an activity tracking device may include, for example, athletic data associated with various activities performed by a user, data sensed by the activity tracking device, or data measured by the activity tracking device.

Various activities may include, but are not limited to, walking, running, jogging, walking up and down stairs, and general locomotion. Other information that may be stored by the activity tracking device may include, for example, measured information such as heart rate information, temperature information, and the like. In one embodiment, the storage device of the activity tracking device stores this information for a period of time until connection is made with a client device, such as a computing device configured to synchronize with the activity tracking device. In one embodiment, the computing device (client device) may be a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or general computing device.

In one embodiment, the first transfer rate is defined by scaling up the connection interval of the communication channel established between the activity tracking device and the client device. For example, if the communication channel is a low energy BLUETOOTH ^(TM) connection, the connection interval may be scaled to enable more frequent packet transmissions than the second transmission rate.

First transfer rate (connection interval scaled up)

The connection interval of the first transfer rate may be scaled up to set the throughput of packets such that each packet is transferred in less than about 200 milliseconds (ms). In an exemplary embodiment, the first transmission rate is set to transmit one packet every about 10 ms to about 30 ms. In another exemplary embodiment, the first transfer rate may be one packet every about 20 ms. In one embodiment, each packet is about 20 bytes.

In one embodiment, the first data transfer rate may be defined in frequency as being in a range between about 500 Bps (bytes per second) and about 2 kBps (kilobytes per second). In one example, the data transfer rate is about 1 kBps (kilobytes per second).

Second transfer rate (connection interval scaled down)

The connection interval of the second transmission rate may be scaled down to set the throughput of the packets such that each packet is transmitted at intervals greater than about 200 milliseconds (ms). In an exemplary embodiment, the second transmission rate is set to transmit one packet every 500 ms. In some implementations, the delivery rate may be set to update after only a few seconds (eg, about 1-10 seconds) depending on the frequency of events or the presence or absence of events. In one embodiment, each packet is about 20 bytes.

In one embodiment, the second data transfer rate may define a frequency value less than 500 bps (bytes per second). In another embodiment, the second data transfer rate may be set to a value less than 100 bps (bytes per second). In another example, the second data transfer rate may be about 1 Bps (1 byte/second). In some implementations, the transfer rate may be scaled down even further depending on event frequency or presence or absence of events.

It should be appreciated that these exemplary rates, parameters, and/or sizes may vary over time, depending on standards, customization, and/or optimization. Therefore, these parameters should only be considered as instances. It should be further appreciated that the methods and apparatus defined herein may implement implementations involving more than two data transfer rates. In fact, the number of data transfer rates may include any number based on a predefined number of scaled-up or scaled-down connection intervals. Of course, the number of intervals will vary depending on the implementation.

By scaling up or down the connection interval, it is not the actual throughput that is changed, but actually the possible bandwidth that can be supported by the channel. In the first data transfer rate, the scaled setting uses almost all of the channel bandwidth. In the second data transfer rate, most of the available channel bandwidth is unused. A consideration for both transfer rates is latency, so the system does not want to wait too long before a single event (eg, essentially a bit of information) can reach the other from one device.

Returning to FIG. 4A , activity begins at operation 402 , where the activity tracking device detects and stores activity data associated with motion or data collected by the device. In the example of FIG. 4A , assume that the activity tracking device never synchronizes the server's website (eg, site). Therefore, the pairing of the activity tracking device to the site needs to occur 403 at least once.

In operation 408, the client device may detect that the application on the client device is open. The opened application is, for example, the activity tracking application 202 . In operation 410 , the client device begins pairing with the activity tracking device 403 . Pairing may occur, for example, when a user requests to initiate pairing.

In this embodiment, the pairing is between the activity tracking device and a site enabled via the computing device client. For example, scanning, connection and data transfer at the computing device enables pairing with a station. If the activity tracking device has activity data, it is also synchronized with the site, as shown in 424 and 425 . Communication between the computing device and the activity tracking device occurs according to a first transfer rate that transfers data using a scaled-up connection interval. The first transfer rate may include, for example, command data 430 requesting data from the activity tracking device, sending data 432, and acknowledgment information 434 for received data. At this point, the user may wish to close the application 414 at the client computing device.

In FIG. 4B , an example of a connection according to one embodiment of the invention is shown where the activity tracking device has previously been paired to a site on the server. In operation 402, activity data is detected and stored on an activity tracking device. At some point in time, an application at the computing device is started 408 . As mentioned above, the application may be the activity tracking application 202 . The update condition is detected by the client device, which is identified by opening the application. The update condition is used to scale up the connection interval so as to set the first data transfer rate.

Thick arrows 430, 432, and 434 represent a first data transfer rate, which is a faster transfer rate than a second transfer rate. Once the synchronization 404 and synchronization 425 with the site is complete using scanning, connection and data transfer 412 of the client, the operation of the real-time client display update 406 is processed.

The update condition has now been changed, causing the connection interval between the activity tracking device and the computing device to be scaled down. As mentioned above, this causes the second transfer rate to control the data exchanged to the computing device for real-time data display. In one embodiment, arrow 436 indicates a request for real-time updates 420 from a computing device. Arrow 438 indicates data transfer using the second data transfer rate for any data transfer available. Arrow 439 indicates that the client device has closed application 414 so that the device can stop sending updated commands.

Figure 4C illustrates an embodiment in which the activity tracking device is connected to a computing device and not to a server. In the absence of a server connection, the computing device (client) does not establish a pairing with the server, but instead only establishes a connection with the activity tracking device to perform real-time client display updates. As mentioned above, the activity tracking device will be set to communicate with the computing device using a second transfer rate that is a result of scaling down the connection interval for performing update transfers.

In this embodiment, the transmission of the updates to the computing device occurs, which can display the updates from the tracker in substantially real time. In one embodiment, updates are delivered at a rate substantially imperceptible to a user viewing a changing screen or display of a computing device (eg, a display of a smartphone, smart watch, eyewear device, etc.). In one example, the substantially real-time update occurs with a transfer delay of the display of less than about 2 seconds. In other embodiments, the delivery delay is less than about 1 second. In other embodiments, the delivery delay is less than about 0.6 seconds. To human perception, the updates appear to occur in real time, with updated activity data being continuously updated to the client device, and the display changing continuously or intermittently, depending on whether activity is captured or not. In some embodiments, the real-time display will show changing numbers on the screen, such as footstep count, stair count, showing distance traveled, etc.

Communication between the client device and the server is performed using an Internet connection link, such as a Wi-Fi ^™ connection or a cellular connection. As mentioned in this disclosure, the activity tracking device may be a wearable device on the user's wrist, or a device that may be grasped by the user or attached to the user's clothing. When a user engages in a sport or activity, the captured information can be communicated directly to a client device, such as a smartphone with an activity tracking application 202 .

If the activity tracking application 202 is turned on and the user views one or more screens or data provided by the activity tracking application, the motion or activity data is transmitted to the smartphone for display. Thus, if a user is currently viewing a screen displaying metric data associated with an activity performed by the user, the activity may be updated substantially in real time as the user engages in the activity. For example, if a user looks at a screen showing step counts while walking, the step count could appear to increase as the user walks and looks at the display on the smartphone.

As shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4A-4C , communications between the activity tracking device, the computing device, and the backend server are managed. It should be appreciated, however, that communication between the activity tracking device and the client device can occur without any Internet connection or connection to a backend server, as mentioned with respect to FIG. 4C. When the client device establishes an internet connection at some point, the client device can then sync with the backend server, such as during a background sync, or when the application on the client device is started again.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating dynamic switching between a first connection interval setting 502 and a second connection interval setting 504 according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example, the vertical axis is transfer rate and the horizontal axis is time. At some point, at 510, an application at the client device is started. In one example, the opened application is activity tracking application 202, as depicted in FIG. When the activity tracking application 202 is on, the communication between the activity tracking device and the client device is scaled up in connection interval. The connection interval defines a first transfer rate 506 at which packets are sent over a period of time or at a certain frequency.

As mentioned above, the first connection interval setting 502 may transmit a packet every about 10 ms to about 30 ms. Packet transfer occurs via a low energy BLUETOOTH ^(TM) connection, saving energy on the activity tracking device. In one embodiment, the first connection interval setting 502 is maintained during data transfer. The data transfer that occurs after the application 202 is first opened is the transfer of data that has been stored in the activity tracking device for some time. This data may include data maintained by the activity tracking device for hours, days or even months.

Thus, during the first connection interval setting 502, such collected and stored data is downloaded to the client device to enable the client device to process the data and display it in one or more graphical user interfaces of the activity tracking application 202. display information. In one embodiment, the first connection interval setting 502 may also be used to transfer firmware from the client device to the activity tracking device.

Transferring firmware to an activity tracking device generally involves transferring larger data blocks, and the increased or scaled-up connection interval allows such transfers to occur at a relatively fast rate. By using the scaled-up connection interval, the scaled-up connection interval provides a substantially serialized transmission channel between the client device and the activity tracking device via the BLUETOOTH ^™ low energy connection. In BLUETOOTH ^™ Low Energy, serial data transfer is not allowed, but by scaling up the connection interval, it is possible to simulate an actual serial connection. In the case of firmware updates, it should be noted that the firmware image is running on the activity tracking device, so the update needs to be coordinated with the transfer of commands to save the state, stop running the image, install the image, and resume performing the firmware image update. Because the connection between the activity tracking device and the client device is essentially serialized (due to the scaled-up connection interval setting), firmware image files and update commands can be managed by the server.

When it is determined that an update is needed, the server can issue instructions to scale up the connection interval, deliver the firmware update, and coordinate installation directly from the server. In one embodiment, by coordinating the firmware update from the server, there is no need for an application running on the client device to manage the update, thereby also avoiding coordination with application stores and sites to effectuate the firmware update. The determination, making and coordination of updates can be directed by the server on any schedule or when updates are needed. In this configuration, the client device merely acts as a communication conduit allowing controls and data/firmware from the server to be communicated and exchanged directly to the activity tracking device.

In one embodiment, device 100 may have two operating systems (OS) such that each operating system may be updated independently without risking the device being unable to communicate via BLUETOOTH ^™ . In one configuration, the firmware update scheme includes deciding which OS the tracker will boot. A site on the server stores information about each firmware version and can calculate deltas and data migration instructions from any version to any other. For example, a computing device client may repeatedly query the current status from the device 100, send the status to the site, receive in response a specific command to send to the device, and then query the device again for its current status after executing the command. In this way, the client does not need to know details about any specific version, since the site can manage firmware updates.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 5 , at point 512 , it is detected that the data download has ended or the firmware update has ended, and at this point the connection interval is scaled down to the second connection interval setting 504 . The second connection interval setting 504 is used to reduce the transfer rate to a second transfer rate. As mentioned above, the second transfer rate is used because the amount of data transferred during this time only represents updates to the data stored in the client device. For example, the updated data may include the currently monitored step count, which is sent to the client device as a small packet update.

The client device may then display the updates on one or more graphical user interface screens provided by the activity tracking application 202 in substantially real time. As mentioned above, one example of the second transmission rate may be to transmit one packet every 500 ms. This transfer rate is sufficient to update one or more metrics captured by the activity tracking device and configured to be displayed on the client device (the screen of the smartphone) in substantially real time. The second connection interval setting 504 is to be maintained for a period of time when updates to activity data changes are captured by the activity tracking device or when data is ready to be transmitted. When the activity tracking application 202 is closed, substantially real-time updates will stop or terminate.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram 550 showing various time periods when a transfer occurs between an activity tracking device and a client device, according to one embodiment of the invention. In an example, data transfers (eg, updates) occur during background updates 602 , download updates 604 , real-time updates 606 , and no updates during periods out of range of computing device 608 . In this example, a first transfer rate 506 and a second transfer rate 508 are shown in the vertical axis. The horizontal axis shows time.

Background update 602 is enabled when the activity tracking application 202 is not open, but the computing device is within communication range with the activity tracking device. Background updates are programmed at predetermined times, depending on how often or infrequently updates are received from the activity tracking device. In the figure, background updates occur at times t1-t2, t3-t4, and t5-t6. In one embodiment, a background sync can be triggered by the tracker by telling the tracker that it has data to sync, and typically the actual global time between these data syncs is 15-90 minutes, or typically in the 20-30 minute range happen within. However, background mode update/sync is enabled when the activity tracking device is within communication range of the computing device (client device). In one embodiment, the range may be defined by the capabilities of the low energy BLUETOOTH ^™ standard, and also takes into account the environment and/or structure between the tracker and the client.

In other embodiments, other communication distances may be enabled if other wireless standards are used now or in the future. As further shown, in one implementation, the background update 602 occurs at the first transfer rate 502 implementing the first connection interval setting. In an alternative implementation, the background update 602 may be performed using the second interval connection setting 504 . Also, the connection may or may not be persisted when the application is closed. In other words, even when the application is closed, there may be a constant "second transfer rate" connection that is scaled up to the "first transfer rate" at certain intervals in order to synchronize data. But it is also possible that there is no connection between background data sync intervals. But in either case, data synchronization can happen at the first transfer rate, so that we keep the BTLE hardware in high power transfer state for as short a time as possible.

Downloading the update 604 occurs at the first connection interval setting, where a larger chunk of data from the activity tracking device's storage is transferred when the application is detected to have been opened at time t7. Between times t7 and t8, a download update 604, or firmware update for the activity tracking device, occurs.

The transfer rate is set at the first transfer rate by scaling up the connection interval between the activity tracking device and the computing device (transmitting at the first connection interval setting 502). After detecting that the application has been closed at time t8, the second connection interval setting 504 is set by scaling down the connection interval. Scaling down can occur immediately or after a certain period of time, or based on a predefined state or condition. This places real-time updates 606 at the second transfer rate 508 . As shown by the vertical bar, during this time the transfer is less continuous and depends on whether the data is generated by the activity tracking device and whether there is a need to transfer the data to the client device. For any such transfer of data, the transfer occurs at the second transfer rate, as specified by the second connection interval setting 504 . At time t9, it is determined that the application program has been closed. No update occurs during time 608 if the computing device is out of range of the activity tracking device.

Figure 7 shows a flow diagram associated with one embodiment of the present invention in which the connection interval is scaled up or down depending on the update condition detected between the activity tracking device and the computing device (client device). The method begins at operation 702, where activity data is collected using an activity tracking device. Activity data is the result of movement data generated by a user wearing, holding, or carrying a connected tracking device. Activity data may also be associated with data monitored by the device, such as blood pressure, heart rate, barometric pressure readings, and other measures associated with environmental conditions or user conditions. At operation 704, the collected activity data is stored in a storage device of the activity tracking device. The storage device may be any type of memory, such as non-volatile memory.

In one example, update conditions are determined at operations 706 and 708 . For example, in operation 706, a determination is made as to whether an application (eg, activity tracking application 202) is open and connectable (eg, within connection range) with the activity tracking device. If the application is not open, in operation 708 it is determined whether the computing device is connectable with a device within transmission range. If the computing device is within transmission range, the method moves to operation 712 . In operation 712, a background data transfer to the computing device is performed using a first transfer rate at a predefined scaled interval connection speed.

In another embodiment, the background transfer can be performed at the second transfer rate. If in operation 708 it is determined that the device is not within transmission range of the computing device, the method returns to operation 702 where the activity tracking device continues to collect data. If in operation 706 it is determined that the application is on and within transfer range, the method moves to operation 710 where the download of the data stored in the activity tracking device's storage is transferred to the computing device at a first transfer rate. As mentioned above, the first transfer rate is faster than the second transfer rate and is designed to transfer larger amounts of data over a low energy BLUETOOTH ^™ wireless connection.

The first transmission rate may for example enable packets to be transmitted every 10 ms to 30 ms, and the second transmission rate may enable packets to be transmitted after more than 200 ms, or after more than 300 ms, or after 400 ms, or after 500 ms. In operation 714, it is determined that the application is connected to the activity tracking device and turned on. If the application remains open, a real-time update 716 is performed such that one or more metrics associated with the collected activity data are communicated from the activity tracking device to the computing device. This information may be displayed substantially in real time on one or more screens of the activity tracking application 202 presented on the computing device 200 (eg, smartphone, tablet, etc.). If in operation 714 it is determined that the application is no longer open, the method will return to 702 where the activity tracking device continues to track the data and store it in operation 704 .

Figure 8 shows a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, operation 802 includes collecting activity data by an activity tracking device. As mentioned above, the types of data collected by an activity tracking device may be associated with athletic data, monitored data from a user, monitored data from ambient conditions, and the like. At operation 804, the collected activity data is stored in a storage device of the activity tracking device.

In operation 806, update conditions for the current connection between the activity tracking device and the computing device are determined. The update condition may identify if the application has just been started, if the application remains open after the first transfer rate has finished transferring stored data or performing a firmware update, or if a background update is required. Depending on update conditions, determines whether to scale up or down the connection interval to optimize data transfer operations. In operation 808, it is determined that during downloading of data from the activity tracking device to the client device, or downloading of firmware updates from the client device to the activity tracking device, the connection interval should be scaled up to the first transfer rate.

In operation 810, it is determined that the connection interval should be scaled down to the second transfer rate to update changes in metrics associated with the collected activity data. Updates associated with the one or more metrics may be transmitted to the client device for display on the one or more graphical user interface screens at a scaled-down connection interval rate, eg, the second transmission rate. Graphical user interface screens may include metric data that changes on the fly as the user generates activity.

For example, if a user views one or more graphical user interface screens of a client device (eg, running activity tracking application 202 ) while walking, the step count is displayed as increasing with each step the user takes. In another example, if the user climbs the stairs, the rung count will keep increasing. In another example, the hyperactive minutes count may be shown to dynamically increase if the user generates hyperactivity. Similarly, calorie counts burned may be shown to dynamically increase as the user performs an activity.

In one embodiment, synchronization (eg, synchronization) is a process that occurs between the activity tracking device and the website. For example, a client device can be viewed as a silent conduit that simply transmits data to a website and then transmits the response to an activity tracking device. If no Internet connection is available for the client device, then no synchronization with the website is performed. Synchronization can then occur at a later time when an Internet connection has been established. In one embodiment, a "store and forward" type of approach that introduces only asynchronous latency may be implemented. The client fetches data from the tracker when it can, stores it, then relays the data to the site and gets a response from the site later when there is an internet connection. In one embodiment, the client may send the stored response to the tracker later when the tracker becomes available again.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of computing device 200 communicating with device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example, computing device 200 is shown executing activity tracking application 202 . Although activity tracking application 202 may include many screens, icons, pages, navigation features, graphics, etc., for ease of discussion, some metrics are presented.

Metrics include, for example, steps, steps or floors climbed or descended, distance traveled, calories burned, altitude measurements, speed information, heart rate information, and other metrics that may be measured, calculated, monitored, obtained, or captured. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, computing device 200 is capable of communicating with Internet 160 . The server 220 can be made accessible via the Internet so that access to the campaign management application 224 can be provided.

In one embodiment, real-time updates between computing device 200 and activity tracking device 100 can occur without an Internet connection. As mentioned above, the communication providing real-time updates can occur utilizing the second data transfer rate. The second data transfer rate is set based on scaling down the connection interval between computing device 200 and activity tracking device 100 . The second data transfer rate is sufficient to provide information from the activity tracking device 100 to the computing device, and the computing device 200 displays the changing information on the screen.

The changing information may be represented as numerically increasing data that changes as the athletic data/activity data from the activity tracking device 100 changes. In some embodiments, the data need not be increased in value, only some change or update is generated, displayed or displayed. Thus, the change in value on the display appears to the user to occur substantially in real time. As mentioned above, substantially real time may include slight delays, such as less than 2 seconds, less than 1 second, or less than a fraction of a second. In one embodiment, the delay is configured to be less than a data delay normally perceived by a human. Accordingly, the screen output changes as the motion produced by the activity tracking device 100 changes.

FIG. 10A shows an example of a user who wears activity tracking device 100 on his wrist and has access to computing device 200 . While the user is walking, jogging, or running, the user can view the activity captured by the activity tracking device 100 on the display screen of the computing device 200 . As shown, the user may select a screen of the activity tracking application 202 in which the step count is displayed.

At time t1, the number of steps is displayed as 9623, at time t2, the number of steps is displayed as 9624, at time t3, the number of steps is displayed as 9625, and at time t4, the number of steps is displayed as 9626. In this example, the display of the number of steps will continue to increase in value as the user continues to engage in an exercise that can be classified as a number of steps. Movements classified as steps may include simple walking activities, jogging activities, writing activities, sprinting activities, or simple movement of an activity tracking device.

FIG. 10B shows an example of a user wearing a computing device 200 in the form of computing glasses, according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example, the computing glasses are configured to include a screen that displays the selected metric. In this example, the chosen metric is step count. As time progresses and the user's motion continues to vary, the step count is shown to vary from 7265 to 7266, then to [[2920]]7920. If the user stops walking or moving, the step count display pauses and keeps the current step count without incrementing. When the user resumes motion, then the step count resumes and increments in value and/or changes state or updates from the current or previous step count.

By communicating step counts to the user's glasses, the information provided to the user can be monitored substantially in real time as the user walks or engages in activities. Providing information to the user's glasses, which include a display connected to the computing device with wireless communication logic, also eliminates the need for the user to hold the computing device in his or her hands. This may become more important when certain activities require the user to fully use his or her hands, but the user still wishes to view or understand current physical activity and metrics associated with physical activity as the physical activity changes. Certain activities may include, for example, running a marathon, engaging in an obstacle course run, biking, working in an office, walking in a park, walking at home, or requiring the user to use his or her hands more freely, but still provide the user with information about Events Live updates of any event.

Through this example, it should be appreciated that the activity tracking device 100 can be made to communicate with many devices. Devices may include smartphones, watch computers, glasses, wearable displays, tablets, dock touch computers, desktop computers, etc. as described above.

Figure 11 illustrates an example of a user climbing a staircase and achieving a floor count increase, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the user is engaged in a multi-floor climbing motion shown as climbing 52 floors at time t1. As the user climbs another floor, the floor metric shows 53 floors on the screen of computing device 200 . The changes are dynamic and substantially real-time as the user continues to move between floors. While measurement of floor counts takes place, step counts (and all other metrics that can be calculated based on motion) are also calculated at the same time. If the activity tracking application 202 remains open, the user can navigate to another screen and view steps, distance traveled, calories burned, altitude, speed, heart rate, or other metrics that may change (or have changed since the last time viewed).

In some embodiments, the screen may provide metric information on multiple metrics. In this configuration, real-time changes in more than one metric can occur simultaneously. For example, the number of steps may increase at the same time as the calorie increase changes, and at the same time the distance also changes. Accordingly, many viewing configurations may be provided to the user, depending on the navigation screens provided by the activity tracking application 202 .

Figure 12 shows another example of a user engaging in physical activity. At time t1 , the user is shown walking while viewing a heart rate measurement on computing device 200 . As the user continues to walk and exert physical effort, at time t2, the user's heart rate exhibits a real-time increase from 67 bpm (heart beats per minute) to 84 bpm. Although only 67 bpm and 84 bpm are shown in the illustration, it should be appreciated that as the heart rate changes from 67 to 84, the substantially real-time display of computing device 200 may show a progression up to 84 beats/minute.

In one embodiment, heart rate may be monitored by activity tracking device 100 using various techniques. One technique may include the use of optical sensors that measure the pulsation of a user's blood vessels as activity occurs. An optical sensor can shine light toward a blood vessel and then measure the reflection from the blood vessel. The reflected light can then be processed to determine the beats per minute associated with the current monitoring. In one embodiment, the measurement of jerkiness may occur at the wrist on which the activity tracking device 100 is worn. In another embodiment, the user can place his or her finger on the activity tracking device 100 (e.g., on a sensing location), which then allows the activity tracking device to measure the beating from the user's hand or finger, which then generates a pulse in the form of a heartbeat. Heart rate per minute meter.

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. Devices are defined in terms of wearable wrist attachment structures. In one embodiment, the device has a housing constructed or formed at least in part from a plastic material. In one embodiment, the housing of the device includes an altimeter. Definitions may further include instantaneously visible displays, or dead front displays, touch screen displays, monochrome displays, digital displays, color displays, or combinations thereof.

In one instance, a screen with a dead front-end operation configures the screen to remain off until enabled. In one embodiment, the dead front display is only visible when it needs to be lit. For example, it can hide LEDs or printed messages on display windows, measurement data, time of day, warning lights, warning lights, or data that might go unnoticed when the normal transparent LEDs are always visible. In one embodiment, the dead front display can be blended with the background of the device. Thus, the dead front end acts to "clear" the appearance of the panel and avoid confusion for the end user during operation. In addition, power savings are achieved because the device is turned off/unlit when not in use or when the user does not need to display information, and is turned on when activated by the user.

In another embodiment, a device may include one or more accelerometers. In one particular example, a device may include a 3-axis accelerometer. In another embodiment, the 3-axis accelerometers may be replaced or duplicated by using separate accelerometers (eg, 3 accelerometers) positioned orthogonal to each other.

Figure 13 illustrates an example in which various types of activities of users 1300A-1300I may be captured by activity tracking device 100, according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, various types of activities can generate different types of data that can be captured by activity tracking device 100 . Data, which may be represented as athletic data (or processed athletic data), may be transmitted 1320 to network 176 for processing and storage by a server, as described above. In one embodiment, the activity tracking device 100 can communicate with the device using a wireless connection, and the device can communicate and synchronize the captured data to an application running on a server. In one embodiment, an application running on a local device such as a smartphone or tablet or a smart watch can capture or receive data from the activity tracking device 100 and represent the tracked athletic data in multiple metrics.

In one embodiment, a device collects one or more types of physiological and/or environmental data from embedded sensors and/or external devices, and communicates or relays such metric information to other devices, including devices capable of serving as A device that is an Internet-accessible data source, thereby allowing the collected data to be viewed, for example, using a web browser or web-based application. For example, when a user wears an activity tracking device, the device may use one or more sensors to count and store the user's step count. The device then transmits data representing the user's steps to an account on a web service, computer, mobile phone or health kiosk where the data can be stored, processed and observed by the user. In fact, the device may measure or calculate a number of other physiological metrics in addition to, or instead of, the user's step count.

Some physiological measures include, but are not limited to, energy expenditure (e.g., calories burned), floors climbed and/or walked down, heart rate, heart rate variability, heart rate recovery, position and/or orientation (e.g., via GPS), altitude, walking speed and/or distance traveled, laps swam, bike distance and/or speed, blood pressure, blood glucose, skin conductance, skin and/or body temperature, EMG, EEG, body weight, body fat, calorie intake, intake from food Nutrient intake, medication intake, sleep period (i.e., clock time), sleep stage, sleep quality and/or duration, pH level, hydration level, and respiration rate. The device may also measure or calculate metrics related to the user's surroundings, such as air pressure, weather conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, pollen count, air quality, rain/snow conditions, wind speed), light exposure (e.g., ambient light, UV light exposure, time and/or duration spent in the dark), noise exposure, radiation exposure, and magnetic fields.

Still further, other metrics may include, but are not limited to, calories burned by the user, weight gain by the user, weight loss by the user, steps climbed by the user, such as climbs, steps walked down by the user, steps taken by the user during a walk or run. Step count, number of rotations of bicycle pedals rotated by the user, sedentary activity data, driving a vehicle, number of golf club swings by the user, number of forehands while the user is exercising, number of backhands while the user is exercising, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, sedentary activity data is referred to herein as inactive activity data or passive activity data. In some embodiments, a user is active when the user is not sedentary and not asleep. In some embodiments, a user may stand on a monitoring device that determines physiological parameters of the user. For example, a user stands on a scale that measures the user's weight, body fat percentage, biomass index, or a combination thereof.

Additionally, a device or system collating a data stream may calculate metrics derived from this data. For example, a device or system may calculate a user's stress and/or relaxation level via a combination of heart rate variability, skin conduction, noise pollution, and sleep quality. In another example, a device or system may determine the efficacy of a medical intervention (eg, medication) via a combination of medication intake, sleep, and/or activity data. In another example, a device or system may determine the efficacy of an allergy medication via a combination of pollen data, medication intake, sleep, and/or activity data. These examples are provided for illustration only and are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive.

This information can be associated with user accounts that can be managed by an activity management application on the server. Event management applications may provide access to user accounts and data stored on them. The campaign management application running on the server may be in the form of a web application. The web application may provide access to multiple website screens and pages showing information about metrics in various formats. This information can be viewed by the user and synchronized with the user's computing device, such as a smartphone.

In one embodiment, the data captured by the activity tracking device 100 is received by the computing device, and the data is synchronized with an activity measurement application on the server. In this example, data viewable on a computing device (eg, smartphone) using an activity tracking application (app) can be synchronized with data residing on the server and associated with a user account. In this way, information entered into the activity tracking application on the computing device can be synchronized with the application shown in different screens of the activity management application provided by the server on the website.

Accordingly, a user may use any device with Internet access to access data associated with a user account. Data received by the network 176 can then be synchronized with the user's various devices, and analysis on the server can provide analysis of the data to provide recommendations for additional activity and or improved physical fitness. Thus, the process continues as data is captured, analyzed, synchronized, and recommendations generated. In some embodiments, the data captured can be itemized and segmented based on the type of activity performed, and such information can be accessed via a graphical user interface, or via an application executing on the user's smartphone (via a graphical user interface) to provide to users on the site.

In one embodiment, one or more sensors of device 100 may determine or capture data to determine the amount of movement of the monitoring device over a period of time. Sensors may include, for example, accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, or combinations thereof. Broadly speaking, these sensors are inertial sensors that capture some motion data in response to movement of device 100 . An amount of motion (eg, sensed motion) may occur when a user performs an activity of climbing stairs, walking, running, etc. for a period of time. The monitoring device may be worn on the wrist, carried by the user, worn on clothing (using a clip, or placed in a pocket), attached to the leg or foot, attached to the user's chest, waist, or integrated into an article of clothing, such as an integrated In shirts, hats, pants, shirts, glasses, etc. These examples are not limiting of all possible ways in which a device's sensors can be associated with a monitored user or thing.

In other embodiments, biosensors may determine a number of physiological characteristics of the user. As another example, biosensors may determine a user's heart rate, hydration level, body fat, bone density, fingerprint data, sweat rate, and/or bioimpedance. Examples of biosensors include, but are not limited to, biometric sensors, physiological parameter sensors, pedometers, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, data associated with user activity can be monitored by servers and applications on the user's device, and activity associated with the user's friends, acquaintances, or social network peers can also be shared based on user authorization. This enables friends to compete about their fitness, achieve goals, receive medals for achieving goals, get reminders for achieving such goals, rewards or discounts for achieving certain goals, etc.

As mentioned, the activity tracking device 100 may communicate with a computing device (eg, a smartphone, tablet computer, desktop computer, or computer device with wireless communication access and/or Internet access). In turn, computing devices may communicate via a network such as the Internet or an intranet to provide data synchronization. The network can be a wide area network, a local area network, or a combination thereof. A network can be connected to one or more servers, one or more virtual machines, or a combination thereof. A server, virtual machine, controller of a monitoring device, or controller of a computing device is sometimes referred to herein as a computing resource. Examples of controllers include processors and storage devices.

In one embodiment, the processor may be a general purpose processor. In another embodiment, the processor may be a custom processor configured to run specific algorithms or operations. Such processors may include digital signal processors (DSPs) designed to execute or interact with specific chips, signals, wires, and to perform certain algorithms, procedures, state diagrams, feedback, detection, execution, and the like. In some embodiments, a processor may include or interface with an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), Central Processing Unit (CPU), a combination thereof, or the like.

In some embodiments, one or more chips, modules, devices, or logic may be defined to execute instructions or logic, which may collectively be considered or described as a processor. Thus, it should be understood that a processor is not necessarily a single chip or module, but may be defined by a collection of electronic or connected components, logic, firmware, code, and combinations thereof.

Examples of storage devices include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The storage devices may be flash memory, redundant array of disks (RAID), hard disks, or combinations thereof.

Embodiments described in this disclosure may be practiced with various computer system configurations, including handheld devices, microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers and analogs. Some embodiments described in this disclosure can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a wired or wireless network.

With the above embodiments in mind, it should be appreciated that many of the embodiments described in this disclosure may employ various computer-implemented operations involving data stored in computer systems. These operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Any of the operations described in this disclosure are useful machine operations that form part of the various embodiments described in this disclosure. Several embodiments described in this disclosure also relate to apparatus or apparatus for performing these operations. An apparatus may be specially constructed for a certain purpose, or an apparatus may be a computer selectively enabled or configured by a computer program stored in the computer. In particular, various machines may be used with computer programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may be more convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required operations.

Various embodiments described in this disclosure can also be embodied as computer readable code on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of computer readable media include hard drives, network attached storage (NAS), ROM, RAM, compact ROM (CD-ROM), CD-recordable (CD-R), CD-rewritable (RW), magnetic tape, and other Optical and non-optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium may comprise computer readable tangible media that is distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

Although method operations are described in a particular order, it should be understood that other housekeeping operations may be performed between the various operations, or that operations may be performed in an order other than shown, or that operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times. occur, or may be distributed in a system that allows processing operations to occur at different intervals associated with the processing.

While the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be evident that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, and the various embodiments described in this disclosure are not limited to the details given herein, but may be found within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. be modified within.

Claims (30)

1. a method, it comprises,

Catch the exercise data be associated with User Activity via movable tracking equipment, described exercise data is quantized into be associated with described User Activity multiple and measures;

Described exercise data is stored in the memory storage of described movable tracking equipment;

Connect via wireless data and described movable tracking equipment is connected with computing equipment; And

Exercise data is sent to described computing equipment to measure to show one on the graphic user interface of the applications active of described computing equipment, multiplely to measure;

Wherein said exercise data is sent to described computing equipment be configured to additional movements data captured and be sent to described computing equipment time continue, measure described in described graphic user interface shows to be shown as and to change with incremental value or graphic form in real time haply, described method is performed by processor.

2. the method for claim 1, wherein said multiple measure in described in measure be the step number quantized from described exercise data.

3. the method for claim 1, wherein said measuring is step number, when the motion quantized as step number by described movable tracking equipment to catch time, described step number to be shown as on the described graphic user interface of described computing equipment numerically or graphics mode increases progressively, and when the described hypomotility quantized or when lacking as step number qualification, described step number is shown as time-out.

4. the method for claim 1, it comprises further,

Detect that described movable tracking equipment is in the adjacency of described computing equipment, described adjacency is in Bluetooth wireless communication distance; And

Enable described wireless data to connect.

5. method as claimed in claim 4, it comprises further,

When described movable tracking equipment exceed described close to distance time, the described transmission of pause motion data;

The exercise data of being caught by described movable tracking equipment is continued to be stored in described memory storage;

Re-establish described movable tracking equipment to be connected with described between described computing equipment; And

Exercise data is sent to computing equipment from described memory storage, measures described in the exercise data of described transmission is used for making and increase progressively, the metric data be stored in described movable tracking equipment when described connection suspends is included.

6. the method for claim 1, wherein described exercise data is sent to described computing equipment from the described memory storage of described movable tracking equipment, and when synchronous operation, to be connected via internet by described computing equipment and described exercise data is sent to campaign management services device, what campaign management services device was associated for the described exercise data upgraded with produce via described User Activity described multiplely measures.

7. the method for claim 1, it comprises further,

Receive as by as described in computing equipment obtain the setting from campaign management services device configuration, described setting configuration pin couple described user that the user account associated with described movable tracking equipment is associated receive, described campaign management services device is configured to present graphic user interface on website, to show described multiplely to measure with various configuration illustrated, described exercise data is transferred into described campaign management services device and measures the described graphic user interface synchronization with described website to make on described computing equipment described multiple.

8. the method for claim 1, wherein said multiple measure in described in measure and comprise step number and measure, or step counting is measured, or travel distance is measured, or the activity time measure, or consume calorie measure, or sleep measure, or two or more combination.

9. method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said measure be displayed on described movable tracking equipment in addition screen on.

10. the method for claim 1, wherein when sending described exercise data to show in real time haply on the screen of described computing equipment, data transfer rate sets based on the scaled connection interval between described equipment and described computing equipment.

11. 1 kinds are arranged to the equipment of catching User Activity, and it comprises,

Shell;

Sensor, it is settled in the housing to catch the exercise data be associated with described User Activity via equipment, and described exercise data is passed in time and is captured, and described exercise data is quantized to define be associated with described User Activity multiple and measures;

Storer, it is for storing caught exercise data; And

Processor, it connects the connection with computing equipment for managing described equipment via wireless data, described processor manages further and exercise data is sent to described computing equipment and measures to show one on the graphic user interface of the applications active of described computing equipment, multiplely to measure, described exercise data is sent to described computing equipment be configured to additional movements data captured and be sent to described computing equipment time continue, measure described in described graphic user interface shows to be shown as and to change with incremental value or graphic form in real time haply.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein in response to the process by described processor, described multiple measure in described in measure the step number being defined as and quantizing from described exercise data.

13. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein in response to the process by described processor, described measuring is defined as step number, when the motion quantized as step number by described equipment to catch time, described step number to be shown as on the described graphic user interface of described computing equipment numerically or graphics mode increases progressively, and when the described hypomotility quantized or when lacking as step number qualification, described step number is shown as time-out.

14. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein said processor is further,

Management is to the detection of described equipment in the adjacency of described computing equipment, and described adjacency is in Bluetooth wireless communication distance; And

Manage enabling of described wireless data connection.

15. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein said processor is further,

When described equipment exceed described close to distance time, the time-out of the described transmission of management movement data;

Management continues the exercise data of being caught by described equipment to be stored in described memory storage;

To re-establish between described equipment with described computing equipment described is connected in management; And

Exercise data is sent to computing equipment from described memory storage by management, measures and increase progressively described in the exercise data sent is used for making, so as by described connect suspend time the metric data stored in the apparatus included.

16. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein said shell is the part can wearing wrist attachment structure, or can by described user carry or wear can the part of attachment structure.

17. equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein said wrist attachment structure of wearing is defined by plastic material at least in part.

18. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein said shell comprises further for connecting the radio communication logic transmitting data via described wireless data.

19. equipment as claimed in claim 18, wherein said radio communication logic comprise following in one: WiFi processing logic, or bluetooth (BT) processing logic, or radio processing logic.

20. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein said computing equipment is configured to utilize campaign management services device to visit via described internet, and described campaign management services device receives the described exercise data of described equipment.

21. equipment as claimed in claim 11, it comprises further for showing described multiple screen measured.

22. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein when sending described exercise data to show in real time haply on the screen of described computing equipment, described processor carrys out setting data transfer rate based on the scaled connection interval between described equipment and described computing equipment.

23. 1 kinds of wrist attached peripheral device, it comprises,

Battery;

Altitude gauge, it is for generation of altitude information;

Accelerometer, it is for catching the exercise data be associated with User Activity;

Screen, it is for showing data, and described data comprise measuring of exercise data that quantification catches and altitude information, and described screen has dead front operation, and described dead front operation is configured to keep closed condition until enable;

Telecommunication circuit, it is for enabling the radio communication with computing equipment;

Storer, it is for storing caught exercise data and altitude information; And

Processor, it is for managing the connection of described wrist attached peripheral device and described computing equipment, described processor manages further and sends data to described computing equipment, measure to show on the graphic user interface of the applications active of described computing equipment, describedly send data to described computing equipment and be configured to continue for when sending at displayable excessive data, measure described in described graphic user interface shows and be shown as in response to the data being sent to described equipment from described wrist attached peripheral device and change in state in real time haply.

24. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said telecommunication circuit comprise following in one: WiFi processing logic, or bluetooth (BT) processing logic, or radio processing logic.

25. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, the described screen wherein with dead front operation is instantaneous visible.

26. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, wherein light described screen to make it possible to measure or data described in display, and do not light when closing.

27. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said accelerometer is 3 axis accelerometers.

28. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, it comprises the clock of display time on the same day further, and described clock is used for the vibration alarming setting or manage the concrete time on the same day.

29. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, wherein when sending described exercise data to show in real time haply on the screen of described computing equipment, described processor carrys out setting data transfer rate based on the scaled connection interval between described wrist attached peripheral device and described computing equipment.

30. wrist attached peripheral device as claimed in claim 23, wherein in response to the process by described processor, described measuring is quantified as step number, described step number to be shown as on the described graphic user interface of described computing equipment numerically or graphics mode increases progressively, and when the described hypomotility quantized is to be quantified as step number, or wantage is when turning to the described motion of step number, described step number is shown as time-out.