ITBO20150252A1 - METHOD AND COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR ANALYSIS OF THE MOVEMENT OF A USER IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF A USER DUE TO MOVING ALONG A PATH. - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

? METHOD AND COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM FOR THE ANALYSIS OF

MOVEMENT OF A USER IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE ACTIVITY? PHYSICS OF A USER DUE TO MOVING LONG UN

PATH?

The present invention relates to a method and a computerized system for analyzing the movement of a user in order to increase the activity? physics of a user (in particular the use of the bicycle) due to movement along a path.

As it is known, ? a particularly felt need on the part of the population is to monitor, and encourage, activity? physics (in particular to the use of the bicycle in urban and extra-urban movements).

In particular, as is known, most of the population has a particularly sedentary lifestyle: in this sense? particularly felt the need to have incentives to carry out the activity? physics.

Medical studies have confirmed that a certain amount? of activity? daily or weekly physical activity has extremely beneficial effects on the health of practitioners.

Furthermore, the majority of the population uses in mobility? short range (less than 2/3 km) cars or similar motorized vehicles.

AND? particularly felt the need to have methodologies and solutions that can reduce the environmental impact due to use in mobility? short range of cars or similar motorized vehicles and at the same time stimulate the benefits deriving from the execution of activities? periodic physics.

Purpose of the present invention? therefore that of satisfying the need expressed above.

In particular, the purpose of the present invention? that of providing a method and a system implemented by a computer for the analysis of the physical movement of a user along a path to incentivize the activity? physical of said user that satisfy the above requirement. A further object of the present invention? that of making available a method and a computerized system for monitoring the activity? physics of a user that is particularly simple and effective. In accordance with the invention, this purpose is achieved by a method and a computerized system for monitoring the activity. physical of a user.

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below, and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent a purely embodiment exemplary and not limiting, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the computerized system for analyzing the physical movement object of the present invention;

Figures 2 to 9 illustrate some screens made available by the mobile device and relating to computerized instructions forming part of the system object of the present invention.

According to the invention, a computer-implemented method of analyzing the physical movement of a user along a PS path remains defined to incentivize activity. physical of said user due to the movement of the user along a PS path.

The method includes the following steps:

- providing a remote computer 2 configured to receive data and to transmit data, said remote computer 2 being provided with at least one processing processor;

- preparing a database 5 containing identification information of at least one user (preferably a plurality) and a credit or score associated with said user (preferably users);

- providing processing (operating) instructions 6 configured to be executed on a mobile device 3 of a user 4 and installing said processing instructions 6 on said mobile device 3 of a user 4; - detecting, by executing said processing instructions 6, the position of said mobile device 3 of a user 4 at predetermined time intervals;

- execute, by executing said processing instructions 6, a processing on the basis of the detected position at two or more? different time instants of the mobile device 3 to derive an indication of physical movement of the user 4 along a path PS;

- transmitting said indication of physical movement of the user from said mobile device 3 to said remote computer 2;

- modifying, in the data base 5, the value of said credit or score associated with said user 4 on the basis (of the value) of the indication of physical movement transmitted by said mobile device 3.

It should be noted that the processing (operating) instructions 6 are computerized instructions, which can be executed on the mobile device 3. It should be noted that, preferably, these processing (operating) instructions 6 define an? APP? or they are software instructions suitable to be installed on the mobile device 3.

Preferably, the mobile device 3? a cellular telephone, or alternatively any device 3 of the mobile type equipped with an interface (not shown in the figures) for connection to a mobile telephone network.

Preferably, the mobile device 3 therefore comprises a SIM card, and? suitable for allowing the use of mobile telephone services (voice telephony services, etc.).

Observe that the remote processor 2 includes one or more? unit? computerized, equipped with one or more? hardware and software modules.

According to another aspect, said movement indication comprises at least a first value, representative of an absence of physical movement along the aforementioned path PS, and a second value, representative of a presence of physical movement along the said path PS.

The indication of movement can? then understand one or more? parameters (able to assume continuous or discrete values) or pu? be a single variable or include a plurality? of variables.

Notice that the movement indication? representative of the quantity? of physical movement performed by the user 4 along a path, or the movement of the user 4 along said path performed by means of his own muscular effort (e.g. walking, running, bicycle).

Therefore, by means of instructions 6, a movement calculation is performed? due to the activity? physical - of user 4 along the PS path (through the analysis of the positions at different and consecutive instants of time): on the basis of this calculation, an indication of physical movement of user 4 is derived, representative of the quantity? of movement performed by user 4 (while moving along the PS path).

It should be observed that the indication of physical movement of the user 4, according to an embodiment, can? comprise a length measurement of said path PS performed by the user 4.

In other words, on the basis of the positions detected by the user 4, by means of the operating instructions 6, an estimate of the length of the path followed by the user 4 during his movement (displacement) is derived, representative of the physical movement performed by the user 4 .

According to another aspect, the step of modifying in the data base 5 the value of said credit or score associated with said user 4 on the basis of the indication of physical movement of the user 4 transmitted by said remote processor 2 comprises a step of increasing the value of said credit or score if said indication of physical movement has assumed the second value, representative of an actual movement along the aforementioned PS path.

Advantageously, according to this aspect, if the user 4 has performed physical movement which has determined a movement along the PS path, the fact of increasing a credit or score following this action causes the user 4 to be stimulated to perform further movement. , or the? activity? physics.

Preferably, according to another aspect, in the step of preparing a database 5 containing identification information of users 6 and a credit or score associated with said users 6, said credit? a credit convertible into telephone services.

It should be noted that said user identification information may include personal data of each user, so? as a mobile network number associated with said user.

According to this aspect, the method implemented by a computer for the analysis of the physical movement of a user 4 along a PS path allows to stimulate the activity? physical of a user 4, against an incentive in terms of increase in telephone credit (usable for telephone services).

According to yet another aspect, the method comprises a step of associating a mobile network telephone number to said mobile device 3 and a step of transmitting said number to said remote computer 2 (preferably simultaneously with said indication of physical movement of the user) mobile network telephone.

According to this aspect, said user identification information 6 comprises a mobile network telephone number.

According to this aspect, the remote processor 2 receives the information regarding the telephone number in order to increase the score or credit on the telephone number chosen by the user (by associating the number with the mobile device 3), updating the database 5 of data. .

According to yet another variant, the method comprises the following steps:

- a step of associating a mobile network telephone number to said mobile device 3,

- a step of storing said association between said mobile network telephone number and said mobile device 3 in the data base 5;

- a step of generating a user identification code, storing said user identification code in the database 5 and transmitting said identification code to the mobile device 3;

- a step of transmitting said user identification code to said remote processor 2 (preferably simultaneously with the transmission of said indication of physical movement of the user).

When the user wants to associate a telephone number to the mobile device 3, according to the variant described above, the operations to be performed are as follows:

- enter the new telephone number on the mobile 3 device;

- transmitting said entered telephone number from the mobile device 3 to the remote computer 2;

- check if said telephone number entered? present in the data base 5;

- if said telephone number entered is present in the data base 5, send (preferably by means of an SMS) the activation code to said mobile device 3.

It should be noted that, after receiving the activation code, the user enters (or stores) said activation code in the mobile device 3, determining the association of the pre-selected telephone number with the mobile device 3.

In this regard, note that the 3 mobile device? equipped with a memory.

As previously described, the remote processor 2 receives the information regarding the telephone number in order to increase the score or credit on the telephone number chosen by the user (by associating the number to the mobile device 3), updating the base 5 of data.

Preferably, said activation code is stored in the mobile device 3, causing a permanence (until any modification or cancellation) of the association established between the preselected telephone number and the mobile device 3.

Advantageously but not limitedly, in this way, the method can? allow you to increase the telephone credit of the mobile device 3 used or in any case selected.

According to another aspect, the method comprising a step of displaying the path traveled PS by the user on a map.

Said display? performed on said mobile device 3, by executing said processing instructions 6,.

Advantageously, according to this aspect, the user can? view the PS route performed directly on your mobile 3 device.

According to another aspect, the step of executing, by means of the execution of said processing instructions, a processing on the basis of the position of the two or more mobile device 3? different time instants, to derive an indication of movement along a path PS, comprises a step of deriving, on the basis of the position at two or more? different instants of time, at least one measure of velocity? user average 6 and a step to compare at least one measure of speed? derived mean with a predetermined first threshold value.

It should be noted that said indication of physical movement of the user derived? dependent on the outcome of said comparison (ie the value of one or more of the transmitted parameters defining the indication of physical movement depends on the outcome of said comparison).

Note that preferably the first threshold value? a value between 20 and 35 km / h, even more? preferably between 20 and 27 km / h. Even more? preferably, the first threshold value? a value of 25 km / h. According to this aspect, preferably, the phase of comparing the at least one measure of velocity? derived average with a predetermined first threshold value includes a step to verify if the speed measurement? mean derivative exceeds said predetermined first threshold value.

According to this aspect, if the measurement of speed? mean derivative exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,? there is a phase of reducing or canceling the measurement of the length of the path PS derived for at least a portion or for the whole? of said path PS.

According to this arrangement, if the speed? average of the user exceeds the first threshold value in the stretch of the route considered (example in one km of route), there? ? index of the fact that the user is probably using a motorized vehicle (car, motorcycle, etc.), or is he moving without performing activities? motor physics.

Therefore, according to the aspect described above, the length is reduced or canceled for at least a part of the path PS, in order to attribute a lower weight to (or not to weigh at all the) section where the speed? average has exceeded the first threshold value, indicating that the user has probably used a motorized means of locomotion to move.

According to another aspect, the movement indication comprises a movement time (for example the time elapsing from the start of the movement to the end of the movement itself or the start time of a predetermined function on the mobile device 3 side).

Therefore, this aspect defines a control regarding the movement of the user, allowing to identify anomalous handling conditions along the PS path.

Preferably, the aforementioned comparison? performed on stretches of predetermined length of the PS path (for example every km traveled).

According to another aspect, the step of executing, by means of the execution of said processing instructions 6, a processing based on the position of the two or more mobile device 3? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user along a path PS, comprises a step of deriving on the basis of the position of the mobile device 3 to two or more? different instants of time at least one measure of velocity? maximum of the user 6 along the path PS and a phase of comparing the at least one measure of speed? maximum derivative with a predetermined second threshold value.

It should be noted that said indication of physical movement of the user derived? dependent on the outcome of said comparison.

It should be noted that preferably the second threshold value? a value greater than the first threshold value.

Preferably, the second threshold value? a value between 30 and 55 km / h, even more? preferably between 35 and 45 km / h.

Even more? preferably, the first threshold value? a value of 40 km / h. According to this aspect, preferably, the phase of comparing the at least one measure of velocity? maximum derivative with a predetermined second threshold value includes a phase of verifying whether the speed measurement? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value.

Observe that, preferably, if the measurement of velocity? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,? there is a phase of reducing or canceling the measurement of the length of the path PS derived for at least a portion or for the whole? of said path PS.

How already? highlighted with reference to the speed? media, this aspect defines a control regarding the movement of the user, allowing to identify anomalous handling conditions along the PS path (due for example to the absence of physical activity).

Preferably, the aforementioned comparison? performed on stretches of predetermined length of the PS path (for example every km traveled).

Preferably, if the speed measurement? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,? a step is envisaged to cancel the length measurement of the path PS derived for the portion of the path PS in which? was detected the condition that the measurement of speed? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value.

According to another aspect, the step of executing, by means of the execution of said processing instructions 6, a processing based on the position of the two or more mobile device 3? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user along a path PS, includes a step of deriving two or more? different time instants (preferably corresponding to two positions) at least one acceleration measurement of the user 6 along the path PS by means of a reading of a sensor (acceleration or gyroscope) of the mobile device 3 and a step of comparing the at least one measurement of derived acceleration with a predetermined third threshold value (acceleration), said indication of physical movement of the user derived being dependent on the outcome of said comparison.

It should be noted that the step of comparing the at least one derived acceleration measurement with a predetermined third threshold value comprises a step of verifying whether the derived acceleration measurement exceeds said third predetermined threshold value.

It should be noted that, preferably, if the derived acceleration measurement exceeds said third predetermined threshold value,? there is a phase of reducing or canceling the measurement of the length of the path PS derived for at least a portion or for the whole? of said path PS.

How already? highlighted with reference to the speed? average and maximum, this aspect defines a control regarding the movement of the user, allowing to identify anomalous handling conditions along the PS path (due for example to the absence of physical activity).

Preferably, the aforementioned comparison? performed on stretches of predetermined length of the PS path (for example every km traveled).

According to yet another aspect, the method involves a step of deriving velocity? at different time instants (preferably associated with each position or a velocity is derived for each position).

According to this aspect, the method foresees a step of filtering the speeds? acquired.

This step of filtering the speeds? acquired pu? comprising, according to one aspect, a filtering step performed on the basis of an acceleration signal of the mobile device 3 (the acceleration signal can be derived directly from an acceleration sensor - present on the mobile device 3 or it can be calculated by means of the speed data acquired at two different time instants).

It should be noted that this filtering phase allows to discard or not a speed measurement, so? to substantially reduce the risk of including speed measurements in subsequent processing? so-called? outliers? that is abnormal for the normal physical exercise conditions of the user.

This aspect has the purpose of compensating for any anomalies in the derived measurements of speed? caused by low quality GPS sensors? (often installed in mobile 3 devices).

Observe that speed filtering phase? acquired pu? also? comprising a further step of carrying out a filtering on the basis (also, or preferably in addition to the acceleration signal mentioned above) of other signals, such as for example, the signal of a gyroscope present on board the mobile device 3.

According to another aspect, the step of transmitting said movement indication from said mobile device 3 to said remote computer 2 comprises a step of transmitting said physical movement indication of the user 6 through a mobile telephone network to an interface 7 operatively connected to said mobile telephone network, and a transmission step of said indication of physical movement of the user from the interface 7 to the remote computer 2.

It should therefore be observed that the interface separates the remote processor 2 from the mobile telephone network, and allows the remote processor 3 to exchange data to and from said mobile telephone network.

Preferably, the database 5? resident inside the remote computer 2.

It should be noted that, preferably, the remote computer is made up of two distinct units.

It should be noted that, preferably, the data base 5? resident in a first unit ?.

The second unit? includes a plurality? of software modules, configured to implement different services.

In particular, a first of these modules deals with receiving data from the mobile device 3.

Instead, a second of these modules deals with managing the requests from the mobile device 3 relating to the credit or score stored in the data base 5.

Finally, a third module is responsible for generating an activation code, to be sent to the mobile device 3, in response to a request coming from the same mobile device 3. This aspect, related to the activation code,? already? been described above.

It should be noted that, preferably, the activation code is sent by means of an SMS from the remote processor 2 to the mobile device 3. According to the invention, it also remains? defined a computerized system of analysis of the physical movement of a user along a PS path, to encourage the execution of activities? physical by that user, comprising:

- a remote processor 2 configured to receive data and to transmit data and provided with at least one processing processor;

- a database 5 containing user identification information and a credit or score associated with said users;

- a plurality? of operating instructions 6 configured to be executed on a mobile device 3 of a user, said instructions 6 being configured to perform the following operations during their execution:

- detecting the position of said mobile device 3 of a user at predetermined time intervals;

- perform a processing on the basis of the position of two or more? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user 6 along a path PS performed by the user 6 himself;

- transmitting said physical movement indication of user 6 from said mobile device 3 to said remote computer 2, said remote computer 3 being configured to modify the value of said credit or score associated with said user 6 on the basis of the transmitted movement indication from said mobile device 3.

It should be noted that, advantageously, the system 1 object of the present invention allows the user 6 to be stimulated to perform activities? physics. Preferably, according to another aspect, the operating instructions 6 are configured to make available a mode selection interface. of activity? physical performed by the user.

In particular, according to this aspect, the selection interface allows you to select two modes? of activity? physics:? bicycle? and? walk ?. Observe that, preferably, in the mode? ?bike? the indication of physical movement (transmitted from the mobile device 3 to the remote computer 3) includes a time (relating to the use of the bicycle).

It should be noted that, preferably, according to another aspect, the operating instructions 6 are configured to make available a credit or score display interface.

In particular, according to this aspect, the data base 5 includes (or has memorized) information regarding the increase in credit or score, associated with the time of occurrence.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS 1. Method implemented by a computer for the analysis of the physical movement of a user along a path (PS) to incentivize the activity? physics of said user due to the movement along said path (PS), characterized in that it comprises the following phases: - providing a remote computer (2) configured to receive data and to transmit data, said remote computer (2) being provided with at least one processing processor; - prepare a data base (5) containing user identification information and a credit or score associated with said users; - providing processing instructions (6) configured to be executed on a mobile device (3) of a user and installing said processing instructions (6) on said mobile device (3) of a user (4); - detecting, by executing said processing instructions (6), the position of said mobile device (3) of a user at predetermined time intervals; - execute, by executing said processing instructions (6), a processing on the basis of the position of two or more? different time instants of the mobile device (3) to derive an indication of physical movement of the user along the path (PS); - transmitting said indication of physical movement of the user from said mobile device (3) to said remote computer (2); - modifying, in the data base (5), the value of said credit or score associated with said user on the basis of the indication of physical movement transmitted by said mobile device (3). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said movement indication comprises at least a first value, representative of an absence of physical movement along the aforementioned path (PS), and a second value, representative of a presence of physical movement along the aforementioned path path (PS). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the step of modifying in the data base (5) the value of said credit or score associated with said user (4) on the basis of the indication of physical movement of the user received from said processor ( 2) remote comprises a step of increasing the value of said credit or score if said physical movement indication has assumed the second value, representative of an actual movement along the said path (PS). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of preparing a data base (5) containing user identification information (6) and a credit or score associated with said users (6), said credit? a credit convertible into telephone services. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of associating a mobile network telephone number to said mobile device (3) and a step of transmitting said telephone number from said mobile device (3) to said remote computer (2) mobile network, and in which said user identification information (6) comprises a mobile network telephone number. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of displaying the path traveled (PS) by the user on a map, on a display of said mobile device (3). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of executing, by executing said processing instructions, a processing based on the position of the two or more mobile device (3)? different time instants, to derive an indication of movement along a path (PS), includes a phase of deriving, on the basis of the position at two or more? different instants of time, at least one measure of velocity? user average (6) and a step to compare at least one measure of speed? derived average with a predetermined first threshold value, said derived indication of physical movement of the user being dependent on the outcome of said comparison. 8. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the step of comparing the at least one measurement of velocity? derived average with a predetermined first threshold value includes a step to verify if the speed measurement? average derivative exceeds said predetermined threshold value. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of carrying out, by executing said processing instructions (6), a processing based on the position of the two or more mobile device (3)? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user along a path (PS), comprises a step of deriving on the basis of the position of the mobile device (3) with two or more? different instants of time at least one measure of velocity? maximum of the user (6) along the path (PS) and a phase of comparing the at least one measure of speed? derivative maximum with a predetermined second threshold value, said indication of physical movement of the user derived being dependent on the outcome of said comparison. 10. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the step of comparing the at least one measurement of velocity? maximum derivative with a predetermined threshold value includes a step to verify if the measurement of speed? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aforementioned indication of physical movement of the user along the aforementioned path (PS) comprises a measurement of the length of said path (PS) performed by the user. Method according to claim 11 and claim 8, wherein if the velocity measurement? mean derivative exceeds said first predetermined threshold value,? there is a phase of reducing or canceling the measurement of the length of the path (PS) derived for at least a portion or for the whole? of said path (PS). 13. Method according to claim 11 and claim 10, wherein if the speed measurement? maximum derivative exceeds said second predetermined threshold value,? there is a phase of reducing or canceling the measurement of the length of the path (PS) derived for at least a portion or for the whole? of said path (PS). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of transmitting said motion indication from said mobile device (3) to said remote computer (2) comprises a step of transmitting said physical motion indication of the user (6) through a mobile telephone network to an interface (7) operatively connected to said mobile telephone network, and a transmission step of said indication of physical movement of the user from the interface (7) to the remote computer (3). Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of carrying out, by executing said processing instructions (6), a processing based on the position of the two or more mobile device (3)? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user along a path (PS), includes a step of deriving two or more? different time instants at least one measurement of acceleration of the user (6) along the path (PS) by means of a reading of a sensor of the mobile device (3) and a step of comparing the at least one measurement of acceleration derived with a predetermined third value threshold, said indication of physical movement of the user derived being dependent on the outcome of said comparison. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the step of comparing the at least one derived acceleration measurement with a predetermined third threshold value comprises a step of verifying whether the derived acceleration measurement exceeds said third predetermined threshold value. Method according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein? expected to derive for each position a velocity? and the method includes a step of filtering the speeds? acquired, performed on the basis of an acceleration signal or on the basis of the signal of a sensor on board the mobile device (3), and a subsequent step of discarding or not one of said speed measurements? on the basis of the result of said filtering. 18. Computerized system of analysis of the physical movement of a user along a path (PS), to encourage the execution of activities? physical by said user due to the movement along said path (PS), comprising: - a remote processor (2) configured to receive data and to transmit data and provided with at least one processing processor; - a data base (5) containing user identification information and a credit or score associated with said users; - a plurality? of operating instructions (6) configured to be executed on a mobile device (3) of a user, said instructions (6) being configured to perform the following operations during their execution: - detecting the position of said mobile device (3) of a user at predetermined time intervals; - perform a processing on the basis of the position of two or more? different time instants, to derive an indication of physical movement of the user (6) along a path (PS) performed by the user (6) himself; - transmitting said indication of physical movement of the user (6) from said mobile device (3) to said remote computer (2), said remote computer (3) being configured to modify the value of said credit or score associated with said user (6) on the basis of the movement indication transmitted by said mobile device (3).