GB2583740A

GB2583740A - A system for controlling access to electronics and electrical devices via physical activities

Info

Publication number: GB2583740A
Application number: GB1906434.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shin Hyun-Jae; H A Al-Habaibeh Amin
Original assignee: Amin H A Al Habaibeh
Current assignee: Amin H A Al Habaibeh
Priority date: 2019-05-07
Filing date: 2019-05-07
Publication date: 2020-11-11
Also published as: GB201906434D0

Abstract

A control device 100 that captures an electrical signal 180 from an exercise apparatus 120,130 to be used as a measure of an individual’s physical activity, and subsequently allow control of the user’s access to electronic equipment as the control system unit 100 with it’s auxilliary devices 210 will act as a gateway or switch, using displays 150, 170 to show the status of the . The switch enables powering or charging 201 of portable devices such as a mobile phone 140 or tablet 141, or connecting a signal 270 via a media adaptor 210 and a connector plug 260, to one or more items of electronic equipment such as a TV set-top box 230, video game console 240, or computer 250, calibrated to allow or stop their functionality for a certain time duration associated with the physical activity and time available for functionality, which is displayed via an electronic display 220.

Description

A system for controlling access to electronics and electrical devices via physical activities.

Desription The invention generally relates to encouraging healthy living and to reduce the number of hours people spend in front of a screen and/or encourage them to exercise. It is related to a system for rewarding access to electronics and screen-based devices via measuring physical activities.

This is also more important for children where parents want to have more control and to encourage them to do in-door or outdoor exercising. The invention will allow individuals to monitor and restrict their access to electronic equipment based on their physical activities.

Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading risk factors for global mortality. Increasing physical activity can improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. The habitual physical activity developed at a young age may likely progress through adulthood. The recent rapid increase in childhood obesity has been attributed to sedentary behaviours such as TV watching and the use of handheld computing devices which have contributed to physical inactivity.

Physical activity is now being a priority in daily life and many health organisations recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Whilst dietary intervention and treatment could bring an impact towards reducing obesity, however, other mediums of intervention such as associating the physical activity with balanced sedentary behaviour have more potential to bring both short and longer-term impacts. Therefore, it is important to deliver information on individual's physical exercise and the use of electronics contributing to sedentary behaviour to balance their lifestyle.

An improved system is needed to allow individuals to monitor their physical activities, monitor the use of electronics contributing to sedentary behaviour, and more importantly helping people to make goals to balance their lifestyle.

Measuring physical activity or another form of exercise and controlling the access to electronics, particularly controlling the access via electricity supply or signal connection for a certain period based upon received input data associated with physical activity.

Embodiments of the invention relate to monitoring the input data associated with physical activity or exercise, controlling and supplying the power to connected electronics, and controlling the access to screen is disclosed. Control System Unit will receive an input signal data from a sensor associated with physical activities. A valid extent of input signal data will be recorded and configured by a Control Unit System. Control System Unit will supply the power to an adaptor for a certain time duration based upon the calibrated extent of received input data. Recalibration can be applied for input signal data to decrease the time of power supply and/or access to the screen which may increase the intensity of physical activity to increase the availability of power supply to connected electronics and/or screen access time.

The recording of input signal data and the duration of power supply and screen access can occur at the same time. The processing unit within the embodiment of the Control System Unit can store both input data (sensor signal associated with physical activity) and the output data (time of supplying electricity to connected devices and screen time transmitted via the adaptor). The feedback display interface will indicate the credit which is the available time of power supply and/or screen viewing time which can be increased by the Control System Unit receiving more input data and the indication can also show the decrease of available time whilst electrical current flows to the connected device(s); or screen viewing time begins. The pace of decrease and increase of credit can be calibrated by the Control Unit System. For example, an hour is calibrated to supply the electricity to connected electronics in order to compensate the received valid extent of input data. The time it takes to send the valid extent of input data may vary by individual and the intensity of physical activity. The time-calibrated and programmed to supply the electricity and allowing access to the screen can flux depending on how many inputs are received by the Control Unit System. The time can also halt and be saved for later use.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the system configuration of controlling and measuring physical activity and controlling access to charging portable electronic equipment and/or controlling the video connection to screen equipment.

Figure 2 shows one of the system configurations for the Control System Unit which includes wiring connections and the user interface.

Figure 3 shows the system configuration of controlling and measuring physical activity, and controlling access to charge portable devices and/or controlling the power to a screen device.

Figure 4 shows the system configuration of controlling and measuring physical activity via a wireless connection, and controlling access to charge portable devices and/or controlling the power to a screen device via wireless connections.

Figure 5 shows the Control System Unit as a portable device that could measure activities indoor and out-door and could be connected to other outdoor devices.

Figure 6 presents examples of physical activities the user could use indoor or outdoor.

Figure 7 presents the addition of a portable and detachable component to the Control System Unit to allow outdoor physical activities that will control access to electronic equipment.

Figure 8 presents the schematic diagram of the portable and detached component that could be attached and detached from the Control System Unit.

Figure 9 presents the use of a docking station to allow the Control System Unit to be portable and detached for outdoor and indoor physical activities measurement.

Figure 10 shows a Control System Unit configuration with the combined docking station.

Figure 11 shows a docking station with wiring connections and the feedback indicators that connects to a Control System Unit which is portable and could be detached for in-door and out-door measurement of physical activities.

Figure 12 presents a schematic diagram of the Control System Unit which connects to a docking station with user interface indicators and wiring connections.

Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of a time-based lack-of-movement detection system to control access to electronic equipment and screen.

In Figure 1, unit (100) presents a configuration of the Control System Unit which includes a feedback display interface (150) which shows the accumulative time credit earned or lost; as well as feedback towards the screen watching time. The interface (170) will indicate instant feedback of active physical activity. The Control System Unit (100) will be powered by either the mains voltage (110) an external low voltage power adaptor (111) with power cable (190) connected to the device. Physical activities performed by one or combination of exercise devices such as dancing matt 020) or Cycling (130) generate the digital pulse or an analogue signal (180) which gets processed by the Control System Unit (100) to display (150) the extend of input data.

Connected electronic equipment or hand-held computing devices (140) and (141) can be recharged via one or more USB cable (201) connected to a USB insert (160) within the embodiment of the Control System Unit (100). Connected devices such as hand-held computing system or Tablet or Smart Phone (140) and (141) will be recharged using the low voltage retrieved from the Control System Unit (100).

A media adaptor (210) which includes a relay or an electric switch to control the transmission of video and audio analogue or digital signals between an electronic device such as TV setup box (230) or Game Console (240) or Computer (250) and connected screen (220). The relay or switch system connects the connections (270) with (230) via the media adopter (210). The media adaptor is connected to the Control System Unit (100) via a connection (200) which could either be a special output or from the USB output (160). The current-voltage required in powering the relay or an electric switch is retrieved from the Control System Unit(100). Audio, video or digital signals from the electronic equipment are connected via a connector plug (260) and the cable (270) which can be Digital Video Interface, High Definition Multimedia Interface, Component Video, S-Video, Display Port or HD15.

In Figure 2 the configuration of the Control System Unit (100) is presented which includes calibration feature (159) that can adjust the interval speed of earning credit based upon received input data from exercise devices. For example, 1 hour of cycling at average pedalling speed can give 1 hour of charging time and/or screen time which is granted via giving credits but it can be adjusted to give less or more credit upon valid extend of input data The Control System Unit (100) includes a microprocessor board (158) which has a memory (155) that can be detachable, a counter (157) and a microprocessor chip (156) with the possibility of the wireless interface such as WiFi, Blue tooth, Zigbee. The microprocessor controls the display output (150) and (170). For flexible use, there is a battery (153) and a charging circuit (154). The unit (100) could also utilise an internal sensor or group of sensors (163) which could be a GPS system, motion sensor based vibration or tilt system. The external input (164) for the signal (180) is connected to the microprocessor board via a connection (164a). The output from the unit to control the media adaptor will be via a connection (166) through a relay switch (151). Recharging the electronic equipment can be done through an output (165) via a power interface (165b) and internal wiring connection (165a). USB output (160) powered by the USB control unit (152) can be used to recharge electronic equipment or to control external adaptors. The counter (157) will count the pulses from (180) to estimate the time allows for the use and the software will capture the data to save in the memory (155). (159) is a voltage divider which will input an analogue signal to the microprocessor board (158) to allow calibration of the time gained or lost. The input (161) is the power input to the unit (100) and the terminal (162) is an interface to auxiliary devices to allow the portable application of the technology.

Figure 3 depicts the use of the invention to control the power to other external devices. Control System Unit(100) can be used to control a relay in the media adaptor (210) to allow mains as well as low voltage power to screen equipment (220) or electronic equipment via a connection (200). The cable (250) will transfer mains power or low voltage power. The unit (210) will act as an electrical relay switch to the power cable (230) of the device using the low voltage from cable (200).

Figure 4 shows the same configuration in Figure 1, but with the possibility of wireless communication between the components. An exercising signal (180) will be connected to a wireless module (181) which will communicate wirelessly (182) to the Control System Unit (100). The control signal will communicate wirelessly (201) to the media adaptor (210) which will control the systems as described in Figures 1 Luid 3.

In Figure 5, the Control System Unit (100) can be battery powered, and to be used in outdoor activities such as walking or cycling; and the signal measuring the physical activity can be captured by an internal sensor (163) of Figure 2 such as GPS or a motion sensor or a vibration sensor or through a pulse generator sensor attached to a standard bicycle. In this case, the signal of the bicycle will be connected to the input (164) in Figure 2.

In Figure 6, an example of indoor or outdoor physical exercises is also presented. Activities could include a pressure mattress (120) where the sensor or group of the sensor can be used as pressure or on/off sensor (121). Cycling (130) can be used with an embedded sensor (131) which could be a magnetic pulse sensor, a voltage genrator or optical that gives an analogue or digital signal in relation to the speed of cycling A hanging boxing (300) and standing sandbag (400) can be used for exercising with sensors (301) and (401) that can be one or more or a combination of vibration sensor, tilt sensor, or a force sensor. A treadmill (500) can be used to measure physical exercising with an output signal (501) to be connected to the Control System Unit (100).

Figure 7 shows the possibility of attaching a portable auxiliary device (101) to the Control System Unit (100) to allow more flexible use and more portability. The unit (101) will provide the portable capability to the Control System Unit (100) that could permanently installed in indoor locations.

Figure 8 includes the configuration of the portable auxiliary unit (101) which allows more flexibility to the Control System Unit (100). It can be interfaced with (101) via an interface connection (162) and it has some similar capability to the Control System Unit (100) which includes internal sensors (163), microprocessor board (158), and a battery (153). The unit (101) will also have a display unit (169) to show the operational status of charging to the user. It has the external input (164), in this case, a unit (101) will act as a portable version of the Control System Unit (100). The advantage for this case is to increase the portability as the unit (101) will be smaller in size compare unit (100) and an easier method to attach and detach connections.

Figure 9 shows the possibility of the modification of the Control System Unit (100) to remove all external output interfaces to a docking station (102) and to become a much easier portable device (105). in this case, (105) will still have a user interface of the unit (100) to allow portable use.

Figure 10 shows the configuration of the unit (105) which is no different from the unit (100) other than the introduction of docking station feature (102). It allows external wiring to be connected via a docking interface (168) of Figure 11. Unit (105) will still have input (164) directly for portability or indirectly via a docking station for indoor use. For example, the user could have an indoor cycling device connected via a docking station (102) but when (105) is in outdoor use, the input (164) could be utilised directly for output from a sensor attached to a standard bicycle. The docking station (102) is simply a wiring system to allow (161,164,165, 166) to be connected to the unit control system (105) via the docking interface (168). Where (161) is the power connected via (161a), (164) is the exercise signal connected via (164a), (165b) is the power control connected via (165a), and (166) is the relay switch connected via (166a).

Figure 11 shows an additional configuration of the Control System Unit (100) where the wiring, as well as visual interface, becomes part of the docking station. In this case, the docking station (104) includes the majority of the user interface and the wiring to the Control System Unit (103). This will allow more portability and most of the control modules will is located in the docking station (104).

Figure 12 shows the configuration of the unit (103) which is no different from the unit (100) other than the introduction of docking station feature (104). The Control System Unit (103) includes microprocessor boards (158), battery (153) with a charging unit (154) to allow portability, it has also the internal sensor (163) and the calibration option (159) but still has the external input (164), and a simple indicator (169). All the rest of the wiring and the user interface indicators are connected via a docking station interface (168) to the docking station (104). The docking station (104) includes USB interface (152), the relay system (151), and the power control system (165b). The docking system (104) will have input signal (164) and the two output of the relay (166) and the power control (165). The system (104) will also have the power input (161) to the unit (103). A USB connection (160) will be attached to the docking station as well as the display unit (150) and (170).

Figure 13 is a slight modification of the application of unit (100) to become a unit (106) which has an additional input (181). The application here is to automatically discharge the available screen time if a person remains physically idle for a specific amount of time. In this case, the person has to leave his/her chair or desk for a specific time to allow the unit (106) to charge more screen time. This will encourage desk-based employees or users to take a break away from the screen at every specific amount of time. (182) is a pressure sensor that captures the existence of a person and transfers the signal to the microprocessor board (158) via connected input (181); but other visual or magnetic sensors could also be used.

Claims

Claims 1 A device comprising either digital or analogue electronic components, or both, that captures an electrical signal or more from an exercise apparatus or from an individual's movement to be used as a measure of individual's physical activity where the said device will act as a gateway or a switch to allow powering and/or charging and or connecting power or a signal to one or more electronic equipment to allow or stop its functionality for a certain time duration associated with the physical activity performed; where the said device has a calibration between the said physical activity and time available for functionality which is done via analogue voltage, digital input, or software modification where the time available for the individual to have access to the said electronic equipment is displayed via electronic display screen or an array of light indicators; where the said device is interfaced and wired directly or indirectly via an auxiliary docking station which performs part of the tasks of the said device.
2. A device as in claim 1 where a digital memory is used to capture the data of exercising activity and the use of connected electronic equipment which can be downloaded or uploaded to other digital systems for presentation and reporting.
3. An auxiliary device which acts as a switch for audio, video or digital signals, to limit and control access to electronic or screen equipment, which is connected and controlled by the said device in claim 1.
4. A device as in claim 1 where the output of the device is a USB connection.
5. A device as in claim 1, where the output of the device is a low power voltage or mains voltage.
6. A device as in claim 1, where its power supply is from a low voltage adaptor or from the mains supply.
7. A device as in claim 1, where an array of lights or a display indicate the physical activity, time available and charging frequency.
8. A device as in claim 1 where a removable memory storage unit can be used to transfer data between the said device and any other computer system.
9. A device as in claim 1, where a wireless technology can be used to capture an electrical signal or more from an exercise apparatus or from an individual's movement and to wirelessly control the access to the electronic equipment.
10. A device as in claim 1, where a wireless technology can be used to transfer the data to and from other computer systems.
11. A device as in claim 1, where a computer system can be connected wirelessly or by a wired connection to the said device to reconfigure or reprogramme or recalibrate the system.
12. A device as in claim 1, where an individual's physical activity can be indoor or outdoor and can take the form of walking, running, cycling, dancing, moving, and boxing; using one or more or a combination of GPS sensor, vibration sensor, optical sensor, magnetic sensor, tilt sensor, pressure sensor, visual camera or infrared camera.
13. A device as in claim 1, where the lack of movement of an individual is captured via one or more or a combination of GPS sensor, vibration sensor, optical sensor, magnetic sensor, tilt sensor, pressure sensor, visual camera or infrared camera; where the time allowed to access electronic equipment is decreased continuously until the change in status of an individual's movement is captured for a specific amount of time based on which the availability of the electronic equipment's time is renewed for a certain time duration.