WO2015085800A1

WO2015085800A1 - Method, device and system for monitoring exercise activities

Info

Publication number: WO2015085800A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/086184
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kai Liu; Shihai CHENG; Quanzhan SHI; Anqi REN; Nongfei Pan; Huihui CHEN; Liangliang FAN
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-12-09
Filing date: 2014-09-10
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: CN104144201A

Abstract

Methods, devices and systems for monitoring exercise activities are disclosed. A user terminal can acquire a device identifier associated with a health monitoring device, such as a monitoring wristband or a treadmill, through a communication program (e. g., an instant messaging program). The user terminal can communicate with a server of the communication program so that the server binds the device identifier with a user ID. The communication program can receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the health monitoring device. The association of the user ID and the device identifier allows the user to share the health monitoring information from the health monitoring device with other users through the server using the communication program. In addition, the connected users can participate in real-time competitions and share information related to the competition using the communication program, thereby improving user experience and making exercise and competition more attractive.

Description

METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING EXERCISE

ACTIVITIES

PRIORITY CLAIM AND RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310665106.9,

"Method, Device and System for Monitoring Exercise Activities," filed on December 9, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to network technology, and in particular to methods, devices and systems for monitoring exercise activities.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0003] Different levels of physical activity have different effects on people's health.

Monitoring the exercising and sports activities and recording real-time changes of physiological conditions may provide a solid foundation and scientific guidance for the studies of human health and exercise. In addition, such monitoring can also help a person to have a better understanding of his/her own health and physical condition. The traditional method of monitor exercising activity usually employs different kinds of sensors to collect data based on the activities.

[0004] With the traditional approach, after the data for exercising activities is collected, such data, e.g. speed of a running exercise, is usually directly displayed on the exercising device.

However, the user may often use multiple exercising devices and equipments, which may collect and display different kinds of exercising data. The traditional method lacks an effective managing system for the collected data, making it difficult for the user to record and use the data for later exercises and health management. For example, the user is often compelled to record the data from different equipments manually or to improve the hardware of the equipment for better recording. Therefore, the traditional method for monitoring exercise activities has the intrinsic problem of inefficiency and high cost. It is also difficult for the user to share the data with friends and family, particularly if they do not have exactly the same brand or model of devices as the user.

SUMMARY

[0005] The above deficiencies and other problems associated with the existing technology may be addressed using the technology disclosed below. In some embodiments, the technology is implemented in a computer system that has one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. Instructions for performing these functions may be included in a computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors.

[0006] In one aspect, a computer-implemented method is performed by a computer system, such as a first user terminal. In particular, the first user terminal may acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device. After sending a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID, the first user terminal may receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[0007] In another aspect, a computer system, such as a first user terminal is disclosed. The first user terminal includes memory, one or more processors, and one or more program modules stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors. The one or more program modules include: an acquiring module configured to acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device; a transfer module configured to send a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID; and a server receiving module configured to receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group in response to sending the request, wherein the notification is for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[0008] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions, which when executed by a first user terminal cause the first user terminal to perform the methods described herein.

[0009] Some embodiments may be implemented on either the terminal side or the server side of a terminal- server network environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The aforementioned features and advantages of the application as well as additional features and advantages thereof will be more clearly understood hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an exercise monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow chart for acquiring a user ID bound with an apparatus in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for counting exercise data of a user and a friend in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for accepting an invitation from a friend to participate in a sport in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 5 is an application scenarios diagram of an exercise monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments, showing the process of data sharing of a real-time competition;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments, showing the process of data sharing of a real-time competition;

[0020] FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of an exercise monitoring apparatus in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 11 is a structural block diagram of a user ID acquisition module in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 12 is a structural block diagram of an exercise monitoring apparatus according to another embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 13 is a structural block diagram of an exercise monitoring apparatus according to one more embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 14 is a structural block diagram of an exercise monitoring apparatus according to further more embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 15 is a structural block diagram of an exercise monitoring system in accordance with some embodiments; [0026] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a server in accordance with some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrative of units in a real-time competition module in accordance with some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments of the current application.

[0032] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a server in accordance with some embodiments of the current application.

[0033] Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter presented herein. But it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like in the present application may be used for describing various elements and components, but are not intended to limit the elements and components. The terms are merely used for distinguishing one element from another element. For example, a first user terminal may be called a first user terminal in one embodiment but a second user terminal in another embodiment without departing from the scope of the present application. Similarly, the second user terminal may be called a first user terminal in some embodiments. In the same embodiment, the first user terminal and the second user terminal refer to different user terminals.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment provides an exercise monitoring method, wherein the method is illustrated and explained by applying the method into terminals having a wireless communication function. The terminals include, but are not limited to a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, a smartphone, an e-book reader, a

MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer III) or MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group

Audio Layer IV) player, and the like. The method comprises the following steps.

[0038] Step 102: Acquiring a device identifier of a health monitoring device through a wireless network.

[0039] The device identifier is used for identifying a health monitoring device uniquely, and may be written in a chip of the health monitoring device when the health monitoring device is produced. In the embodiment, the health monitoring device has a wireless communication function. For example, the health monitoring device may establish a connection with a terminal through short distance wireless communication, and then the health monitoring device may send the device identifier to the terminal through the wireless network, so that the terminal may acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device. In addition, the terminal may also acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device through the wireless network initiatively. For example, the terminal may acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device in such manners as scanning a two-dimensional code, radio frequency identification, and the like.

[0040] Step 104: Acquiring a user ID bound with the device identifier.

[0041] The user ID may be a user ID relevant to a network application on the terminal, and is used for uniquely identifying a user. For example, if the network application is an instant messaging application, the user ID may be an instant messaging number. If the network application is a game application, the user ID may be an account number for logging in the game application. If the network application is a social application, the user ID may be an ID number for logging in the social application, and the like. Specifically, a binding relationship between the device identifier and the user ID may be stored on a server wherein one user ID may be bound with a plurality of device identifiers, then the terminal may acquire the user ID bound with the device identifier directly from the server.

[0042] Step 106: Receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network.

[0043] In the embodiment, the terminal establishes a connection with the health monitoring device through short distance wireless communication, then the terminal and the health monitoring device may send data mutually. The health monitoring device may be connected with various sensors, for example, a triaxial accelerograph, a triaxial gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like, and collect the exercise data through the various sensors, wherein the exercise data includes, but is not limited to speed, respiration frequency, calorie depletion, cardiac rate, pulse, and the like. The various exercise data collected by the health monitoring device through the sensors is sent to the terminal through the wireless network. Then the terminal may receive the exercise data uploaded by at least one health monitoring device through the wireless network.

[0044] Step 108: Uploading the exercise data and the user ID to the server to store them

correspondingly.

[0045] Specifically, the terminal may upload the exercise data and the user ID received to the server together. The server stores the exercise data and the user ID correspondingly, wherein one user ID may correspond to the exercise data collected by a plurality of health monitoring devices, so as to perform comprehensive management on the exercise data of the user. Therefore, the cost can be reduced. In addition, receiving the device identifier sent by the health monitoring device and the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network is more convenient than wired connection.

[0046] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the step 104 comprises the following steps.

[0047] Step 202: Detecting whether the user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server. If yes, going to the step 206; if not, going to step 204.

[0048] Step 204: Acquiring the user ID used for logging in the network application, and binding the device identifier with the user ID used for logging in the network application.

[0049] If the user ID bound with the device identifier does not exist on the server, it indicates the health monitoring device of the user is not registered yet. Further, whether the user logs in the network application may be detected. If yes, acquire the user ID logged in the network application; otherwise, prompt the user to log in the network application and acquire the user ID logged in the network application. Afterwards, the terminal may send the user ID logged in the network application and the device identifier together to the server. The server correspondingly stores the user ID and the device identifier, that is, the server binds the device identifier with the user ID, wherein one user ID may be corresponding to a plurality of device identifiers.

[0050] Step 206: Judging whether the user ID existing on the server is the same as the user ID logged in the network application. If yes, then going to step 208; otherwise, going to step 210.

[0051] Step 208: Acquiring the user ID bound with the device identifier.

[0052] In the embodiment, when detecting that the user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server, the user ID logged in the current network application may be acquired, and then the user ID is judged whether to be the same as the user ID existing on the server. If yes, it indicates the user ID logged in the network application is bound with the device identifier in advance, and the user ID bound with the device identifier may be acquired directly.

[0053] Step 210: Not receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device. [0054] If the user ID existing on the server is different from the user ID logged in the current network application, the user bound with the device identifier in advance is not the current user. That is, the current user cannot use the health monitoring device corresponding with the device identifier. Therefore, the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device is not received. After the binding relationship between the user ID existing on the server and the device identifier is unbound, the current user can use the health monitoring device corresponding with the device identifier only. In this way, the ID of the user using the health monitoring device can be verified. The terminal can only receive the exercise data produced through using and operating the apparatus by the user whose ID is bound with the device identifier, thereby improving the counting accuracy of the exercise data.

[0055] In one embodiment, the exercise monitoring method further comprises: receiving a control instruction and attribute setting information of the health monitoring device inputted through the network application; and controlling the health monitoring device according to the control instruction and the attribute setting information. In the embodiment, the network application may provide an interface for setting the attribute of the health monitoring device, and the user may set the attribute of the health monitoring device through the interface. The terminal receives the inputted control instruction and the attribute setting information of the health monitoring device through the interface provided by the network application, wherein the control instruction may comprise, but is not limited to a collection instruction of the exercise data, and the like, and the attribute setting information may comprise, but is not limited to the time parameter of the exercise data and the type of the exercise data, and the like.

[0056] Further, the terminal sends the control instruction and the attribute setting information to the health monitoring device through the wireless network, then the health monitoring device may collect the exercise data according to the control instruction and the attribute setting information. For example, the health monitoring device may collect the exercise data according to the received time parameter and send the exercise data to the terminal, for example, the exercise data is collected and sent to the terminal in a fixed time period every day.

[0057] In the embodiment, because the attribute of the health monitoring device may be set through the terminal, and the exercise data uploaded by multiple health monitoring devices may be received, statistical analysis performed on the exercise data of user is convenient, and also the user can conveniently know his/her health condition more directly. For example, graphical representation or table in a certain format may be outputted according to the received exercise data uploaded by the multiple health monitoring devices, and a fixed time may be set in advance to count the exercise data, and the like. [0058] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the exercise monitoring method may be also implemented to count exercise data of a user and a friend, specifically comprising the following steps.

[0059] Step 302: Acquiring a contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID.

[0060] The contacts relationship chain may either be a friend relationship chain corresponding to the user ID such as a friend relationship chain on an instant messaging tool, or a contact list corresponding to the user ID such as a contact list in a phone book of the terminal or a contact list in a email system, and the like. The Contacts relationship chain comprises an ID of a user in at least one contact list corresponding to the user ID. Specifically, the terminal may acquire the contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID from a server, and may also send the user ID to the server. And the server may find out the corresponding contacts relationship chain according to the user ID and returns the contacts relationship chain to the terminal.

[0061] Step 304: Acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the user ID from the server according to the Contacts relationship chain.

[0062] The user in the contact list is namely a friend or contact of the user. Massive amounts of user IDs and corresponding exercise data are stored on the server. After the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the user ID is acquired according to the Contacts relationship chain, exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user may be searched, and the server may return the searched exercise data to the terminal.

[0063] Step 306: Sorting the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[0064] In one embodiment, the terminal, after receiving the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list returned by the server, may sort the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list. For example, the exercise data comprises speed, then sorting may be carried out according to the speed. The faster the speed is, the higher the rank is. In another embodiment, the server, after searching the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list, may sort the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list, and then return the sorted exercise data to the terminal.

[0065] Step 308: Displaying the sorted exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the sorted exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[0066] Specifically, the terminal may display the sorted exercise data through the interface provided by the network application.

[0067] In the embodiment, through counting the exercise data of the user and the exercise data of a user in the contact list of the user and sorting the exercise data, the user may search a rank of the exercise data of a user in the contact list. In this way, the mode of traditional sport competition in reality is changed, and great convenience is brought to the user.

[0068] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the exercise monitoring method may be further implemented to invite the contact or friend to participate in the sport, specifically comprising the following steps.

[0069] Step 402: Receiving an invitation instruction, wherein the invitation instruction carriers the ID of the user in the contact list of the user.

[0070] Specifically, the terminal of the friend or contact may initiate a sport invitation to the terminal of user, then the terminal of user receives the invitation instruction, wherein the invitation instruction carries the ID of the user in the contact list. In addition, the invitation instruction further carries a sport type, so as to be convenient for the user to know the sport invited by the friend.

[0071] Step 404: After confirming the invitation, receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network and unloading the exercise data and the user ID to the server to store them correspondingly.

[0072] The terminal may display the invitation from the friend through the interface provided by the network application. It comprises displaying the sport type invited by the friend, and providing a confirmation button so that the user can confirm the invitation. When a click operation on the confirmation button is acquired, the invitation is confirmed. The terminal may initiate a control instruction to the health monitoring device through the wireless network. The health monitoring device collects the exercise data produced by the exercise of the user and uploads the data to the terminal. The terminal, after receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device, uploads the exercise data together with the user ID to the server to store them correspondingly.

[0073] Step 406: Acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list from the server, and displaying the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[0074] The terminal of a user in the contact list may also send the exercise data of the user to the server to correspondingly store the exercise data and the ID thereof. Therefore, the terminal of user may acquire the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list from the server. Further, the terminal may sort the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list, and then display the sorted exercise data.

[0075] In the embodiment, because the contact or friend may also be invited to perform instant sport competition, and a competition result may be displayed on the terminal, the mode of the traditional instant sport competition that is only participated in reality is changed, so that the instant sport competition between the user and the contact or friend can be participated in through the network, which brings great convenience to the user, and further saves the cost.

[0076] The principle of the exercise monitoring method according to each of foregoing embodiments is explained with a specific application scenario hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 5, the exercise monitoring method is explained by being applied to a system comprising a health monitoring device, a terminal and a server.

[0077] Specifically, a first health monitoring device 502 establishes a connection with a first terminal 504 through short distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth, near field communication NFC and the like, and sends an device identifier to the first terminal 504 through a wireless network; the first terminal 504 after receiving the device identifier sent by the first health monitoring device 502 through the wireless network, acquires a first user ID bound with the device identifier. The first terminal 504 may control the first health monitoring device 502 through an interface provided by a network application so as to collect exercise data, and receive the exercise data uploaded by the first health monitoring device 502 through the wireless network. Afterwards, the first terminal 504 uploads the exercise data and the first user ID to a server 506.

[0078] The server 506 receives the exercise data and the first user ID, and correspondingly stores the exercise data and the first user ID. The server 506 may acquire a Contacts relationship chain corresponding to the first user ID, acquire exercise data corresponding to an ID of a user in the contact list corresponding to the first user ID, and then send the exercise data of a user in the contact list to the first terminal 504; the first terminal 504 after receiving the exercise data of a user in the contact list, may display the exercise data together with the exercise data of the first user.

[0079] A second terminal 508 is a terminal of a second user who is in the contact list of the user, and the second terminal 508 establishes connection with a second health monitoring device 510 through short distance wireless communication. The second terminal 508 may initiate an invitation instruction to the server 506 through network; and the server 506 forwards the invitation instruction to the first terminal, wherein the invitation instruction carries a second user ID (namely the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the first user ID). The first terminal 504 after confirming the invitation, may receive the exercise data uploaded by the first health monitoring device 502 through the wireless network, and sends the exercise data and the first user ID to the server 506 to store them correspondingly.

[0080] The second terminal 508 may also receive the exercise data uploaded by the second health monitoring device 510 through the wireless network, and send the exercise data and the second user ID to the server 506 to store them correspondingly. [0037] The first terminal 504 may acquire the exercise data corresponding to the second user

ID from the server 506 and display the exercise data corresponding to the first user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the second user ID. The second terminal 508 may also acquire the exercise data corresponding to the first user ID from the server 506 and display the exercise data corresponding to the first user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the second user ID.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments.

[0039] As shown by step S602 of FIG. 6, the first user terminal can acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal.

[0040] The first user terminal herein involved may be any device having basic

communication and computational capabilities. For example, the user terminal, e.g. the first user terminal, may be terminals such as but not limited to a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a smart phone, an e-book reader, a MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer III) or MP4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer IV) player, a vehicle computer, and a wearable device having computational and communication capabilities. In some embodiments, the user terminal can communicate with other devices wirelessly, e.g. through a wireless connection or network.

[0041] The health monitoring device may refer to any device that can monitor, display, record, and/or transfer data related to one or more parameters extracted from information of a user's health and/or exercise or sport activities. Such parameters may include but not be limited to: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device has data transfer capability, e.g.

through a wireless network. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device has data processing activities, e.g. accumulation, recording, categorization and/or ranking. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device can display data. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device can record and store data.

[0042] The health monitoring device can be a specifically designed apparatus that monitors health or exercise information. For example, the health monitoring device can be bracelet or wristband or other wearable devices (e.g., shoes, clothing, accessories, exercise equipment, etc.) that can monitor, record, and/or transfer parameters such as but not limited to heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device may or may not have other functions. The health monitoring device, e.g. a wristband, can be worn or carried by a user; the health monitoring device, e.g. a sensor and chip, can be embedded or attached to an exercising or sport apparatus, e.g. a treadmill, an elliptical, or a dumbbell.

[0043] The health monitoring device can be an exercising or sport apparatus or part of such an apparatus, which is used for exercise and/or sports activities. For example, the health monitoring device can be devices such as but not limited to an abdomenizer, a balance board, a bowflex, a bench-press, a dumbbell, an elliptical, an exercise ball, an exertris, a fitness trail, gravity boots, grippers, a gymnasticon, a heart rate monitor, a rower, a nordic track, a pedometer, an exercise power tower, a power-plate, a punching bag, a motion ranger, a resistance band, a rocker, a roller, a stair master, a stepping stool, a stationary bicycle, a streetrisder, a thighmaster, a total gym, a treadmill, a stabilizer, a wheelchair trainer, and a yoga mat. As indicated, the health monitoring device can also be part of such devices.

[0044] In some embodiments, the health monitoring device may comprise or be connected to various sensors such as but not limited to a tri-axial accelerometer, a tri-axial gyroscope, and a geomagnetic sensor. In some embodiments, the health monitoring device collects the health monitoring information through the various sensors.

[0045] A device identifier, e.g. the first device identifier, refers to signals, marks, texts, icons, drawings, patterns, codes, numbers, frequencies, or any combination thereof, that can be used to uniquely identify a device, e.g. a health monitoring device. For example, the device identifier may be written or recorded in a chip of the health monitoring device. Alternatively, the device identifier may be a code or number that can be displayed by the health monitoring device, wherein the code or number can be scanned or read.

[0046] In some embodiments, the health monitoring device has a wireless communication function. For example, the health monitoring device may establish a connection with a user terminal through short distance wireless communication, and then the health monitoring device may send the device identifier to the terminal through the wireless network, so that the terminal may acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device. Alternatively, the user terminal may trigger the identifier acquiring process by sending a request to the health monitoring device; the health monitoring device can respond to the request based on determination as to whether the user terminal is authorized to access the device identifier; if the user terminal is authenticated and authorized, the health monitoring device sends the device identifier to the user terminal. In some embodiments, the device identifier can be acquired by a user in close proximity to the health monitoring device. For example, the health monitoring device may display a two-dimensional code that encrypts the device identifier, wherein the terminal may acquire the device identifier by scanning and decrypting the two-dimensional code. Alternatively, the user terminal can acquire the device identifier through Bluetooth^® or radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies.

[0047] The communication program can be any program that assists and facilitates communication between the users. In some embodiments, the communication program is a social networking program. The communication program may have embedded functionalities such as but not limited to: instant messaging, walkie-talkie, audio call, video call, document transfer, conference call, group messaging, bulletin board posting, photographing, videoing, scanning, and audio recording.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first user terminal acquires the first device identifier through the communication program. For example, the scanning functionality of the communication program installed on the first user terminal can be used to scan a code (e.g., a 2D bar code), number or icon that encrypts or encodes the first device identifier; or the first device identifier can be sent to the user terminal through the messaging or document transfer functionalities of the communication program. Alternatively, the first user terminal acquires the first device identifier through other programs, wherein the communication program can access and use the first user identifier that has been acquired.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first user terminal is configured to control or manage the health monitoring device. For example, the health monitoring device can be a peripheral device of the first user terminal and the health monitoring device is controlled and/or managed by the first user terminal through the communication program. The first user terminal may be equipped with communication interfaces (e.g. Bluetooth™) and the communication program may have user interfaces (e.g. control buttons to collect data) that are compatible with the health monitoring device.

[0050] In some embodiments, the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID. The server may be a computer system having computational and networking capabilities. As indicated, the communication program can be a social networking application. The server can manage or operate a social network platform for the communication program, where users exchange information such as messages, audio, picture, and video. The server can be a chat server, an instant messaging server, a microblog server (e.g. Tweeter^® or Weibo^®), or a blog server. In some embodiments, to log in the server through the communication program, the users use user IDs. Here, the communication program installed on the user terminal is configured to communicate with the server using a first user ID, wherein the first user ID is associated with the user of the user terminal. In some embodiments, the user of the user terminal logs into an account of the communication program using the first user ID. In some embodiments, when the first user terminal acquires the first device identifier, the first user ID has been logged in.

[0051] In some embodiments, the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device. The monitored subject may refer to a person using the health monitoring device. The monitored subject may be the user of the user terminal, wherein the user is associated with the user ID. The monitored subject may also be a person who is not the user of the user terminal.

[0052] The health monitoring information may be information related to health, physical condition, and/or exercise or sport activity of the monitored subject. For example, the health monitoring information may include information related the type of exercise/sport activity such as but not limited to: walking, running, climbing, eclipsing, cycling, weight lifting, stretching, swimming, object throwing, and any combination thereof. The activity may also refer to more complex behavior such as but not limited to: body weight adjustment and sleep training. The types of exercise and/or sport activities are almost limitless. The health monitoring information may also include one or more parameters of a user's health and/or exercise or sport activities. Such

parameters may include but not be limited to: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof.

[0053] As shown by step S604 of FIG. 6, the first user terminal sends a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID. In some embodiments, there is no need to associate the health monitoring device with the user ID. In some embodiments, however, the device identifier can be bound to the user ID so that the server establishes a corresponding relationship between the device identifier and the user ID.

[0054] The request may comprise informational items that allow the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID. For example, the request to the server may include informational items such as but not limited to: the first device identifier associated with the first health monitoring device, the first user ID, and a request that the server binds the first device identifier with the first user ID. In some embodiments, the request includes the first device identifier without the first user ID because the server can identify the first user ID based on which device sends out the request. If there is an existing corresponding relationship between the first user terminal and the first user ID, the server can identify the first user ID based on information such as but not limited to a user terminal identifier, wherein the user terminal identifier is sent to the server together with the first device identifier or separately. In some embodiments, the server can establish a corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and the first user ID of the social networking platform.

[0055] The form of the corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and the first user ID may vary. In some embodiments, the first device identifier and the first user ID uniquely correspond to each other: a search with the first device identifier for user ID will find only the first user ID; and a search with the first user ID for device identifier will find only the first device identifier. In some embodiments, the first device identifier uniquely corresponds to the first user ID: a search with the first device identifier for user ID will find the first user ID and possibly other user IDs that are associated with other users and other user terminals; but a search with the first user ID for device identifier will find only the first device identifier. In this case, the first device identifier, which can be used to identify the first health monitoring device, is possibly associated with more than one user ID and more than one user terminal— the first health monitoring device is used by more than one user in the embodiments of the current method. In some embodiments, the first user ID corresponds to the first device identifier: a search with the first device identifier for user ID will find only the first user ID; but a search with the first user ID for device identifier will find the first device identifier and possibly other device identifiers that are associated with other health monitoring devices. In this case, the user ID, which is associated with the first user terminal and can be used to identify a user of the first user terminal, can be associated with more than one device identifier— the user of the first user ID and the first user terminal can be using more than one health monitoring device. In some embodiments, the first device identifier and the first user ID correspond to each other, but not uniquely: a search with the first device identifier for user ID will find the first user ID and possibly other user IDs; and a search with the first user ID for device identifier will find the first device identifier and possibly other device identifiers.

[0056] After receiving the request from the first user terminal, the server can identify at least one second user ID from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID based on the first device identifier, wherein each of the at least one second user ID is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device. In addition, the server can form a respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user ID for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device and the respective second health monitoring device of the at least one second user ID. The server can then send a notification to the first user terminal regarding the social network group. [0057] As shown by step S606 of FIG. 6, in response to sending the request, the first user terminal can receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[0058] In the communication program, a user ID is usually linked with a number of other user IDs, forming a social network structure. Some of the user IDs are directly connected, forming a "direct contact," "good buddy," or "zero degree contact" relationship. In some cases, such direct connections usually allow two user IDs to send and receive messages in a communication directly and not in a group context. In some cases, such direct connections allow two user IDs to view and share certain information through postings, e.g. friend circles. In addition to the direct connections, two user IDs may be connected through other user IDs, making it an indirect connection. Based on the minimum number of interim user IDs, the connections between two user IDs can be categorized based on the "degree" of connection. For example, a zero degree connection refers to the direct connection where two user IDs are connected without any interim user ID; a first degree connection refers to the connections with one interim user ID; a second degree connection refers to the connections with two interim user IDs, etc.

[0059] After the server establishes a corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and the first user ID, the server identifies at least one second user ID from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID. If the first user ID is not sent to the server, the server can conduct a search based on the first device identifier and find the first user ID; if the first user ID is not uniquely identified the server can ascertain the first user ID based on additional conditions. The second user ID can be from the social network contacts of the first user ID in the communication program. In some embodiments, each of the at least one second user ID is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitoring subject of the respective second health monitoring device.

[0060] When the server identifies the at least one second user ID, the server can first use different degree of contact. For example, the server can identify all the zero degree contacts of the first user ID and select all the identified contacts as the second user IDs. The server can also identify contacts of the first user ID to a pre-determined and/or adjustable degree, e.g. first degree contacts or second degree contacts. In some embodiments, the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID consists of all user IDs that are contacts of at least a predetermined degree to the first user ID.

[0061] In some embodiments, the process of identifying the at least one second user ID based on the first device identifier may include determining a respective device type for the first health monitoring device based on the first device identifier, e.g. the server can apply additional conditions to select from the identified contacts. For example, the server can select all the identified contacts that have been associated with at least one device identifier. In some embodiments, the server can select all the identified contacts that have been associated with device identifiers of certain types of health monitoring devices. The health monitoring device may be any device that monitors, records, or transfers information related to health, exercise, and/or sports. The health monitoring device may have a device type (e.g. treadmill, eclipse, heart rate monitoring wristband, etc.) that is reflected or encoded by the device identifier. Based on the device identifier, e.g. the first device identifier for the first health monitoring device, the server can determine the device type. For each of the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID, the user terminal can determine whether the social network contact is associated with a respective device identifier for a device of the respective device type, and in accordance with a determination that the social network contact and the first user ID are both associated with the respective device identifiers of the same device type, the user terminal includes the social network contact as one of the at least one second user ID.

[0062] In some embodiments, the respective device type is predefined based on a type of activity that is monitored by the first health monitoring device. For example, the device type may be "devices that can monitor running activities" and devices such as treadmills (or the monitoring accessories of treadmills) and pedometers may have the same device type. The identification of the second user ID based on device types, therefore, may allow the identification of user IDs associated with similar functions.

[0063] In some embodiments, the respective device type is predefined based on a type of health or exercise data that is provided by the first health monitoring device. For example, devices that can measure the heart rate of the user can be identified to have the same device type. The user IDs associated with device identifiers of these devices may be included in the second user ID for the social network group for sharing the health monitoring information.

[0064] In some embodiments, the respective device type is applicable to identify user IDs that are associated with health monitoring devices of different brands, manufacturers, and data format. Therefore, a same device type may be defined by different criteria in different embodiments and there is no need that a same device type means that every aspect of the health monitoring device is the same. For example, both a wristband and a treadmill can monitor heart rate of the user; though the wrist hand and the treadmill have different brands, are from different manufacturers, and use different data format, in some embodiments the wristband and the treadmill can still be considered to have the same device type and the user IDs associated with the wristband and the treadmill can be considered the second user IDs and included in the social network group. Such an approach allows health monitoring devices that have significant differences to be used by the same social network group through the same communication program, providing more compatibility and flexibility.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first device identifier is associated with at least two device types or at least two exercise data types, and wherein forming the respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user ID further comprises: forming a respective social network group for each of the at least two device types or each of the at least two exercise data types, wherein the respective social network group includes the first user ID and one or more of the at least one second user ID that correspond to the same device type or exercise data type. For example, the first device identifier can be a wristband that has global positioning system (GPS) functions and the wristband can monitor the heart rate of the user and the speed of the user. The server, therefore, can form two social network groups, wherein one group includes the first user ID and respective second user IDs that share heart rate information during exercise, and the other social network group includes the first user ID and respective second user IDs that share speed information during exercises involved activities such as running and cycling. Therefore, it is possible for the server to form more than one social network group for the same first user ID and the respective second user ID to share different health monitoring information.

[0066] Besides the degree of contact, association with device identifier, and type of health monitoring device, other and/or addition criteria can also be used by the server in identification of the respective second user IDs and formation of the social network group. For example, the server can identify contacts that are in a geological area (e.g. in a same city as the user of the user terminal) as the second user ID. It should also be noted that the user associated with the first user ID may also be able to configure how the server identifies the second user ID. For example, the user terminal may present a series of choices, selections, and criteria to the user of the user terminal so that the user can partially control the server's identification of the second user ID.

[0067] In some embodiments, the server identifies at least one second user ID that form a social network group with the first user ID. If the server cannot identify at least one second user ID, the server can change the identification criteria automatically and/or send a notification to the user terminal to allow the user to adjust the criteria to increase the chance of finding a second user ID.

[0068] After identifying the at least one second user ID, the server can form a respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user identifier for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device and the respective second health monitoring device of the at least one second user ID. In some embodiments, such a social network group is formed solely for the sharing of the health monitoring information. In some embodiments, the social network group is formed to share other information as well. In some embodiments, the formation of the social network group may also require individual consent from the second user IDs. In some embodiments, the formation of the social network group does not require addition consent from the second user IDs that have previously consented, e.g. in an agreement to the server when setting up the user ID, to be added to such social network groups automatically.

[0069] The server may send a notification to the user terminal regarding the social network group. Therefore, in response to sending the request, the user terminal receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[0070] The notification allows the first user terminal to keep a record of what social network group has been formed to share health monitoring information. In some embodiments, the members of the social network group are disclosed in the notification. In some embodiments, the user of the first user terminal is allowed to edit, e.g. deleting, the members of the social network group, at least the members that will receive health monitoring information from the first user terminal.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments of the current application, illustrating a determination process. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 reflects the determination process after the user terminal has acquired a device identifier, e.g. the first device identifier. While FIG. 6, steps S602-S606 focus on the binding of the first device identifier with the first user ID, FIG. 7 demonstrates that after acquiring the device identifier, the method can proceed to binding the device identifier with the user ID or directly to information sharing because the user ID and the device identifier have been bound previously.

[0072] As shown by step S702 of FIG. 7, after acquiring the first device identifier, the user terminal can detect, through the server or only on the user terminal itself, whether the first user ID is bound to the first device identifier. If steps, e.g. steps S602-S604 of FIG. 6, have been taken, the determination of step S702 can be positive and the method proceeds to to step S706. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step S704, where the user terminal sends a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID, e.g. step S604 of FIG. 6.

[0073] As shown by step S706 of FIG. 7, the user terminal can determine whether the acquired device identifier is properly associated with the user ID associated with the user terminal. In some embodiments, such a determination can be considered a verification and can be made by the server or through communications between the user terminal and the server. In particular, as indicated by step S706, the user terminal and the server can determine whether the first user ID logged in the communication program on the user terminal matches a saved user ID on the server. For example, after acquiring the first device identifier, the user terminal can send the first device identifier and the first user ID to the server, wherein the server conducts a search with the first device identifier to identify a saved user ID and compare the saved user ID with the first user ID— the results is positive (successful) when the saved user ID and the user ID from the user terminal are the same. However, it should also be noted that the verification step described in step S706 can use alternative approaches. For example, the user terminal and the server can search with the first user ID to find a saved device identifier and compare the saved device identifier with the acquired first device identifier— if the device identifiers match then the verification result is positive (successful).

[0074] As shown by step S708 of FIG. 7, when the verification is successful, the user terminal receives first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device. On the other hand, as shown by step S710 of FIG. 7, when the verification is unsuccessful, the user terminal may refuse to receive health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device.

However, it should also be noted that the user terminal may take different approach to the failure of verification. For example, the user terminal may receive the health monitoring information before the verification as described for step S706 is fully conducted; the user terminal may then refuse to process and/or send the health monitoring information to the server if the verification is unsuccessful.

[0075] When the verification is successful, the first user terminal can receive first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device, as indicated by step S608 of FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the health monitoring information is based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first user, the first user terminal, and the first user ID have unique corresponding relationships between one another. As indicated, "first" does not refer to any particular user, device or identifier, but to user, device, or identifier that is being described to conduct the actions herein provided.

[0077] The monitored activities are activities that can be performed on the health monitoring device or devices associated with the health monitoring device. For example, the monitored activity can be walking, running, climbing, eclipsing, cycling, weight lifting, stretching, swimming, object throwing, and any combination thereof. The monitored activity may also refer to more complex behavior such as but not limited to: body weight adjustment and sleep training.

[0078] The health monitoring information, e.g. first health monitoring information, is information from a health monitoring device, e.g. first health monitoring device. The health monitoring information can include parameters such as but not be limited to: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the health monitoring information includes information related to the type of the activity this is being monitored.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first health monitoring device monitors activities of the first user associated with the first user terminal, collects first health monitoring information, and sends the first health monitoring information to the first user terminal. The first health monitoring device may or may not filter the information that has been collected. In some embodiments, the user terminal may control what information is collected by the health monitoring device or what information can be considered health monitoring information that is sent to the user terminal.

[0080] As shown by step S610 of FIG. 6, the first user terminal sends the first device identifier, the first user ID and the first health monitoring information to the server. In some embodiments, the server categorizes the first health information based on parameters extracted from the first health information, and shares each category of the first health information with a respective group of second user IDs according to a preset schedule.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first user terminal processes the health monitoring information before sending the information to the server. For example, the first user terminal may extract only the necessary parameters for a particular social network group from the health monitoring information and send only the parameters to the server. In some embodiments, the first user terminal transfers the first health monitoring information to the server without processing.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first user terminal sends both the first device identifier and the first user ID to the server so that the server can verify the corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and the first user ID, as shown by steps S706 and S708 of FIG. 7. In some embodiments, however, the first user terminal only sends the first device identifier or the first user ID to the server because the corresponding relationship between the first user identifier and the first user ID allows the identification of one item with the other.

[0083] The server can categorize the health monitoring information based on different parameters for different embodiments. As indicated, the parameters include but are not limited to: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the parameters may also include the device type of the health monitoring device. For example, the server can extract the information related to heart rate of the user from the health monitoring information and share the information with a particular social network group. In some embodiments, the server can extract the device type, e.g. treadmill or eclipse, from the health monitoring information and share the health monitoring information between the respective social network groups. For example, the server may share the information of the first user using the treadmill to exercise with the social network group including second user ID associated with treadmill users.

[0084] The health monitoring information can be shared— transferred from the server to the respective user terminals associated with the second user IDs in the respective social network group. In some embodiments, after categorizing the first health monitoring information based on at least the first device identifier or parameters extracted from the first health monitoring information, the server share the first health monitoring information in the respective social network group. In some embodiments, the sharing of the first health monitoring information is conducted based on a preset schedule, which determines, at least in part, how the health monitoring information is shared between the user IDs in the social network group.

[0085] In some embodiments, the preset schedule involves the timing of the sharing and possibly provides other criteria. For example, the user or a default set up can control the preset schedule so that the health monitoring information is shared immediately. In some embodiments, the sharing is immediate and the information is transferred to the user terminals of the second user IDs. In some embodiments, the sharing only takes place when certain conditions are met. For example, the health monitoring information can be transferred to the user terminal of the second user IDs when the health monitoring information indicates that the first user has exercised more than 10 minutes or when the heart rate of the first user has been sustained at a high level, e.g. 150/min, for more than a certain time, e.g. 3 minutes. In some embodiments, the health monitoring information can be shared after a fixed period of time, e.g. 4 hours. In some embodiments, the health monitoring information can be shared after the server has collected health monitoring information from, e.g. at least two members of the social network group. It should also be noted that in some embodiments the preset schedule does not involve the timing of sharing.

[0086] FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrative of an exercise activity monitoring method in accordance with some embodiments of the current application, showing the process of data sharing of a real-time competition. FIG. 8 describes some embodiments where the first user terminal receives invitation from other user terminals to participate in a real-time competition.

[0087] As shown by step S802 of FIG. 8, the first user terminal receives an invitation from a connected user in the respective social network group for a real-time competition related to an activity. For example, when a user in the respective social network group intends to participate in an activity, e.g. running, and wants to involve other users in a real-time competition, the user can send out an invitation to other designated users or to a group of users to participate. FIG. 8 describes the embodiments where the first user terminal is a receiver of an invitation from a connected user. [0088] In some embodiments, the connected user is a member of the social network group, as described in steps S606 of FIG. 6. The connected user may have a respective second user ID corresponding to a second device identifier associated with a second health monitoring device. In some embodiments, the formation of the social network group and the types of activities allowed to be shared in the social network group enable the users in the group to participate in a real-time competition and effectively share the health monitoring information related to the real-time competition in the group. For example, the social network group is formed based on the activity, e.g. running, being monitored. When the users in the group are running under the monitoring of the health monitoring devices, the collected data— the health monitoring information— can be shared. For a real-time competition, a user, e.g. a second user associated with a second user terminal, a second user ID, a second device identifier, and a second health monitoring device, can send an invitation to the social network group to participate in real-time competition of running.

[0089] It should be noted that the invitation is sent through the server. In particular, the server may first receive an invitation request from a second user terminal to one or more connected users, e.g. the first user terminal, in the respective social network group for a real-time competition related to an activity. In accordance with the invitation request, the server may send a respective invitation to each of the one or more connected users, e.g. the first user. The first user terminal then receives the invitation. In some embodiments, the invitation request specifies which users should be contacted regarding joining the real-time competition. In some embodiments, the server determines which users should be contacted, e.g. users in a social network group that is formed by processes described in steps S602-S606 of FIG. 6.

[0090] As shown by step S804 of FIG. 8, after receiving the invitation, the first user terminal presents the invitation at the first user terminal. The first user terminal can implement the technology through the communication program so that the user can determine whether to participate in the realtime competition. In some embodiments, when the user is engaged in the same activity, the step of S804 may or may not be omitted. For example, the first user is already running on a treadmill when an invitation comes in for a real-time competition of running from the second user ID, it is possible to present the invitation to the first user and it is also possible to omit the steps of seeking permission from the first user and present only a notification that the first user has been entered into the realtime competition of running. This approach may require previous permission from the first user to allow such automatic participation.

[0091] As shown by step S806 of FIG. 8, the first user terminal receives user input accepting the invitation to join the real-time competition. The invitation can be presented in a user interface, where the first user can accept or deny the invitation. In some embodiments, the first user accepts the invitation by making a user input to join the real-time competition.

[0092] As shown by step S808 of FIG. 8, the first user terminal sends a response to the server regarding the acceptance of the invitation. In this regard, the first user terminal informs the server to continue with the connecting process and allow the first user to join the real-time competition. After receiving the notification from the connected users, e.g. the first user, that the user agrees to join the real-time competition, the server forms a competition group including the first user ID that has responded to the invitation and the connected user that sends out the invitation. When more connected users respond to the respective invitations to confirm the intention to join, these users can be added to the competition group in which the health monitoring information related to the real-time competition can be shared.

[0093] In some embodiments, the competition group can be formed without invitation from any particular user. For example, when the server detects transmission of real-time health

monitoring information from respective user terminals of two or more user IDs in the respective social network group, the server can proactively form a competition group by sending invitations to the users already engaged in the activity. In particular, in response to detecting the transmission, the server can proactively, without request from the respective user terminals of the two or more user IDs in the respective social network group, generates an invitation for the two or more user IDs to participate in a real-time competition based on an activity monitored by the real-time health monitoring information, and sends the invitation to each of the two or more user IDs. When the users respond to the respective invitations to indicate that they agree to join the real-time competition, the server can form the competition group.

[0094] As shown by step 810 of FIG. 8, during the real-time competition, the first user terminal sends respective real-time health monitoring information collected from the first health monitoring device to the server for sharing with each user participating in the competition. In some embodiments, the server processes the respective real-time health monitoring information. In some embodiments, the server generates a ranking list or provide a comparison (real-time and/or after completion) of the participating users based on parameters extracted from the real-time health monitoring information. In some embodiments, the server does not process the respective real-time health monitoring information and sends the received health monitoring information to the other user terminals in the competition group.

[0095] On the server side, the server may receive respective real-time health monitoring information from each user participating in the competition group. Thereafter, the server may share competition information extracted from the real-time health monitoring information received from each user participating in the competition group with other users in the competition group.

[0096] In some embodiments, the server can provide real-time comparison of the competition information extracted from the real-time health monitoring information received from each user participating in the competition group to each user participating in the competition group. In addition or alternatively, the server can provide a final comparison of the competition information extracted from the real-time health monitoring information received from each user participating in the competition group to each user participating in the competition group.

[0097] As show by step S812 of FIG. 8, the first user terminal receives competition information extracted from real-time health monitoring information gathered from each user participating in the competition by the server. As indicated, the real-time health monitoring information may or may not have been processed by the server. The information may include a realtime or after-completion comparison of the competition information extracted from the real-time health monitoring information. In some embodiments, such comparison is presented in the form of a ranking list. By receiving the respective real-time health monitoring information, the first user becomes aware of the progress of the real-time competition.

[0098] FIG. 9 describes some embodiments where the first user terminal sends invitation from other user terminals to participate in a real-time competition.

[0099] As shown by step S902 of FIG. 9, the first user terminal can present a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a real-time competition with the first user ID for an activity monitored by the first health monitoring device.

[00100] As shown by step S902 of FIG. 9, the first user terminal can send an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first real-time competition for the activity monitored by the first health monitoring device. In some embodiments, the invitation needs to be transferred by the server.

[00101] Alternatively, the first user terminal may present a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a competition with the first user ID for a category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device, and the first user terminal may send an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first competition for a first category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device.

[00102] FIGS. 5, 10-22 illustrate the computer system and devices that may be used to perform the methods described above. To avoid redundancy, not all the details and variations described for the method are herein included for the devices. Such details and variations should be considered included for the description of the devices as long as they are not in direct contradiction to the specific description provided for the methods.

[00103] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exercise activity monitoring system in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. As shown in FIG. 5, the exercise activity monitoring system comprises a first user terminal 504, a server 506, a first health monitoring device 502, and one or more second health monitoring device 508 associated with respective one or more health monitoring devices 510.

[00104] After acquiring a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device 502 through a communication program, the first user terminal 504 can send a request to the server 506 to bind the first device identifier with a first user ID. , In some embodiments, the communication program is configured to communicate with the server of a social network platform using the first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device 502.

[00105] Upon receiving the first device identifier associated with the first health monitoring device 502 from a first user terminal 504, the server 506 can establish a corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and the first user ID of the social networking platform, wherein the first user ID corresponds to a first user associated with the first user terminal 504. In addition, the server can identify at least one second user ID from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID based on the first device identifier, wherein each of the at least one second user ID is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device 510 that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device. In some embodiments, each of the respective second health monitoring device 510 is associated with a second user terminal 508.

[00106] The server 506 can then form a respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user ID for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device 502 and the respective second health monitoring device 510 of the at least one second user ID. The server 506 can send a notification to the first user terminal 504, wherein the first user terminal 504 receive the notification from the server 506 regarding the respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device 502 with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[00107] After receiving first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device 502 based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal, the first user terminal 504 sends the first device identifier, the first user ID and the first health information to the server 506, wherein the server 506 categorizes the first health information based on parameters extracted from the first health information, and shares each category of the first health information with a respective group of second user IDs associated with second user terminals 508.

[00108] The first user terminal 504 or the respective second user terminal 506 can also send invitations through the server 506 to join a competition group for sharing real-time competition information collected by the first health monitoring device 502 and the respective second health monitoring device 510 through monitoring real-time competitions of an exercise activity.

[00109] As shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, an exercise monitoring apparatus is further provided with a device identifier acquisition module 1002, a user ID acquisition module 1004, an exercise data receiving module 1006 and a data association module 1008.

[00110] The device identifier acquisition module 1002 is used for acquiring an device identifier of a health monitoring device through a wireless network.

[00111] The device identifier is used for identifying a health monitoring device uniquely, and may be written in a chip of the health monitoring device when the health monitoring device is produced. In the embodiment, the health monitoring device has a wireless communication function. For example, the health monitoring device may establish a connection with an exercise monitoring apparatus through short distance wireless communication, and then the health monitoring device may send the device identifier to the exercise monitoring apparatus through the wireless network, so that the exercise monitoring apparatus may acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device.

[00112] In addition, the exercise monitoring apparatus may also acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device through the wireless network initiatively. For example, the exercise monitoring apparatus may acquire the device identifier of the health monitoring device in such manners as scanning a two-dimensional code, radio frequency identification, and the like.

[00113] The user ID acquisition module 1004 is used for acquiring a user ID bound with the device identifier.

[00114] The user ID may be a user ID relevant to a network application on the terminal, and is used for uniquely identifying a user. For example, if the network application is an instant messaging application, the user ID may be an instant messaging number. If the network application is a game application, the user ID may be an account number for logging in the game application. If the network application is a social application, the user ID may be an ID number for logging in the social application, and the like. Specifically, a binding relationship between the device identifier and the user ID may be stored on a server, wherein one user ID may be bound with a plurality of device identifiers, then the user ID acquisition module 1004 may be used for acquiring the user ID bound with the device identifier directly from the server. [00115] The exercise data receiving module 1006 is used for receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network.

[00116] In the embodiment, the exercise monitoring apparatus establishes a connection with the health monitoring device through short distance wireless communication, then the exercise monitoring apparatus and the health monitoring device may send data mutually. The health monitoring device may be connected with various sensors, for example, a triaxial accelerograph, a triaxial gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like, and collect the exercise data through the various sensors, wherein the exercise data includes, but is not limited to speed, respiration frequency, calorie depletion, cardiac rate, pulse, and the like. The various exercise data collected by the health monitoring device through the sensors is sent to the exercise data receiving module 1006 through the wireless network. Then the exercise data receiving module 1006 may receive the exercise data uploaded by at least one health monitoring device through the wireless network.

[00117] The data association module 1008 is used for uploading the exercise data and the user ID to the server to store them correspondingly.

[00118] Specifically, the data association module 1008 may be used for directly uploading the exercise data and the user ID received to the server together. The server stores the exercise data and the user ID correspondingly, wherein one user ID may correspond to the exercise data collected by a plurality of health monitoring devices, so as to perform comprehensive management on the exercise data of the user. Therefore, the cost can be reduced. In addition, receiving the device identifier sent by the health monitoring device and the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network is more convenient than wired connection.

[00119] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the user ID acquisition module 1004 comprises:

[00120] A detection module 1014, used for detecting whether a user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server.

[00121] An ID binding module 1024, used for acquiring an user ID used for logging in a network application if no user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server, and binding the device identifier with the user ID used for logging in the network application.

[00122] If the user ID bound with the device identifier does not exist on the server, it indicates the health monitoring device of the user is not registered yet. Further, the detection module 1014 can be used for detecting whether the user logs in the network application. If yes, acquire the user ID logged in the network application; otherwise, prompt the user to log in the network application and acquire the user ID logged in the network application. Afterwards, the ID binding module 1024 can be used for sending the user ID logged in the network application and the device identifier together to the server. The server correspondingly stores the user ID and the device identifier, that is, the server binds the device identifier with the user ID, wherein one user ID may be corresponding to a plurality of device identifiers.

[00123] A judging module 1034 used for, if the user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server, judging whether the user ID exists on the server is same as the user ID logging in the network application. If yes, the user ID bound with the device identifier is acquired; and if not, then the exercise data receiving module 1006 does not receive the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device.

[00124] In the embodiment, when the detection module 1014 detects that the user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server, the judging module 1034 can be used for acquiring the user ID logged in the current network application, and then judging whether the user ID is the same as the user ID existing on the server. If yes, it indicates the user ID logged in the network application is bound with the device identifier in advance, and the user ID bound with the device identifier may be acquired directly.

[00125] If the user ID existing on the server is different from the user ID logged in the current network application, the user bound with the device identifier in advance is not the current user. That is, the current user cannot use the health monitoring device corresponding to the device identifier. Therefore, the exercise data receiving module 1006 does not receive the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device. After the binding relationship between the user ID existing on the server and the device identifier is unbound, the current user can use the health monitoring device corresponding with the device identifier only.

[00126] As shown in FIG. 12, in one embodiment, an exercise monitoring module further comprises a control module 1010 used for receiving the control instruction and the attribute setting information of the health monitoring device inputted through the network application, and controls the health monitoring device according to the control instruction and the attribute setting information. In the embodiment, the network application may provide an interface for setting the attribute of the health monitoring device, and the user may set the attribute of the health monitoring device through the interface. The control module 1010 is used for receiving the inputted control instruction and the attribute setting information of the health monitoring device through the interface provided by the network application, wherein the control instruction may comprise, but is not limited to a collection instruction of the exercise data, and the like, and the attribute setting information may comprise, but is not limited to the time parameter of the exercise data and the type of the exercise data, and the like.

[00127] Further, the control module 1010 is used for sending the control instruction and the attribute setting information to the health monitoring device through the wireless network, then the health monitoring device may collect the exercise data according to the control instruction and the attribute setting information. For example, the health monitoring device may collect the exercise data according to the received time parameter and send the exercise data to the terminal, for example, the exercise data is collected and sent to the terminal in a fixed time period every day.

[00128] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the exercise monitoring apparatus may further comprise a contacts relationship chain acquisition module 1012, a first exercise data acquisition module 1014, a sorting module 1016 and a first displaying module 1018.

[00129] The contacts relationship chain acquisition module 1012 is used for acquiring a contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID.

[00130] The contacts relationship chain comprises an ID of a user in at least one contact list corresponding to the user ID. Specifically, the Contacts relationship chain acquisition module 1012 can be used for acquiring the contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID from a server, and may also be used for sending the user ID to the server. And the server searches the

corresponding Contacts relationship chain according to the user ID and returns the contacts relationship chain to the Contacts relationship chain acquisition module 1012.

[00131] The first exercise data acquisition module 1014 is used for acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the user ID from the server according to the contacts relationship chain.

[00132] The sorting module 1016 is used for sorting the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[00133] In one embodiment, after the first exercise data acquisition module 1014 receives the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list returned by the server, the sorting module 1016 can be used for sorting the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list. For example, the exercise data comprises speed, then sorting may be carried out according to the speed. The faster the speed is, the toper the rank is.

[00134] The first displaying module 1018 is used for displaying the sorted exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the sorted exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[00135] Specifically, the first displaying module 1018 can be used for displaying the sorted exercise data through the interface provided by the network application. In the embodiment, through counting the exercise data of the user and the exercise data of the contact or friend and sorting the exercise data, the user may search a rank of the exercise data of the contact or friend. In this way, the mode of traditional sport competition in reality is changed, and great convenience is brought to the user.

[00136] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the exercise monitoring apparatus may further comprise an invitation instruction receiving module 1020, a user data acquisition module 1022, a second exercise data acquisition module 1024 and a second displaying module 1026.

[00137] The invitation instruction receiving module 1020 is used for receiving an invitation instruction, wherein the invitation instruction carriers the ID of the user in the contact list of the user.

[00138] Specifically, the terminal of the friend or contact may initiate a sport invitation to the terminal of user, then the terminal of user receives the invitation instruction, wherein the invitation instruction carries the ID of the user in the contact list. In addition, the invitation instruction further carries a sport type, so as to be convenient for the user to know the sport invited by the friend.

[00139] The user data acquisition module 1022 is used for, after confirming the invitation, receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device through the wireless network and unloading the exercise data and the user ID to the server to store them correspondingly.

[00140] The exercise monitoring apparatus may display the invitation from the friend through the interface provided by the network application. It comprises displaying the sport type invited by the friend, and providing a confirmation button so that the user can confirm the invitation. When a click operation on the confirmation button is acquired, the invitation is confirmed. The user data acquisition module 1022 can be used for initiating a control instruction to the health monitoring device through the wireless network. The health monitoring device collects the exercise data produced by the exercise of the user and uploads the data to the exercise monitoring apparatus. The user data acquisition module 1022, after receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device, uploads the exercise data together with the user ID to the server to store them correspondingly.

[00141] The second exercise data acquisition module 1024 is used for acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list from the server.

[00142] The second displaying module 1026 is used for displaying the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[00143] The terminal of the friend or contact may also send his/her exercise data to the server to correspondingly store the exercise data and the ID thereof. Therefore, the second exercise data acquisition module 1024 can be used for acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list of the user. Further, the second displaying module 1026 may sort the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list, and then display the sorted exercise data.

[00144] In the embodiment, because the contact or friend may also be invited to perform instant sport competition, and a competition result may be displayed on the terminal, the mode of the traditional instant sport competition that is only participated in reality is changed, so that the instant sport competition between the user and the contact or friend can be participated in through the network, which brings great convenience to the user, and further saves the cost.

[00145] In one embodiment, an exercise monitoring system 1500 is further provided with a first terminal 1520 and a server 1540. As shown in FIG. 15, the first terminal 1520 and the health monitoring device 1510 (e.g., sport equipment 1515) perform data interaction through a wireless network; and the server 1540 may also communicate with the second terminal 1530.

[00146] Specifically, the first terminal 1520 is used for acquiring an device identifier of the health monitoring device 1510 through the wireless network, and acquiring a user ID bound with the device identifier; and is further used for receiving exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device 1510 through the wireless network, and uploading the exercise data and the user ID to the server 1540.

[00147] The server 1540 is used for storing the exercise data and the user ID correspondingly.

[00148] In one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 may further be used for detecting whether an user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server 1540. If no, then acquiring the user ID used for logging in the network application, and uploading the user ID used for logging in the network application and the device identifier to the server 1540. The server 1540 is further used for binding the device identifier with the user ID used for logging in the network application.

[00149] Further, in one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 is further used for, if the user ID bound with the device identifier exists on the server 1540, judging whether the user ID exists on the server 1540 is the same as the user ID used for logging in the network application. If yes, then acquiring the user ID bound with the device identifier from the server 1540; if not, then not receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device 1510.

[00150] In one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 is further used for receiving a control instruction and attribute setting information of the health monitoring device inputted through the network application, and controlling the health monitoring device 1510 according to the control instruction and the attribute setting information.

[00151] In one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 is further used for acquiring a contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID, and acquiring the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the user ID from the server 1540. [00152] In one embodiment, the server 1540 is further used for acquiring a Contacts relationship chain corresponding to the user ID, querying the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list corresponding to the user ID according to the Contacts relationship chain, and sending the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list to the first terminal 1520.

[00153] Further, in one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 is also used for sorting the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[00154] In one embodiment, the first terminal 1520 is further used for receiving an invitation instruction sent by the second terminal 1530, wherein the invitation instruction carries the ID of the user in the contact list of the user. The first terminal 1520 is further used for, after confirming the invitation, receiving the exercise data uploaded by the health monitoring device 1510 through the wireless network and sending the exercise data and the user ID to the server 1540. The server 1540 is further used for storing the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list uploaded by the second terminal 1530, and sending the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list to the first terminal 1520. The first terminal 1520 is further used for displaying the exercise data corresponding to the user ID and the exercise data corresponding to the ID of the user in the contact list.

[00155] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, all or a part of the flows of the methods according to the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing relevant hardware. The program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the program can be stored in a storage medium of a computer system, and executed by at least one processor in the computer system, so as to implement the flows of the methods according to the foregoing embodiments. The storage medium may be a disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and the like.

[00156] FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. The first user terminal may comprise an acquiring module 1602, a transfer module 1604, a server receiving module 1606, and a device receiving module 1608.

[00157] The acquiring module 1602 can be configured to acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal. In some embodiments, the communication program is configured to

communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device.

[00158] The transfer module 1604 is configured to send a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID.

[00159] The server receiving module 1606 is configured to receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group in response to sending the request. In some embodiments, the notification is for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

[00160] The device receiving module 1608 is configured to receive first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal. In some embodiments, the respective social network group includes one or more second user IDs identified from the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID that are each associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device. In addition, in some

embodiments, the transfer module 1604 is further configured to send the first device identifier, the first user ID and the first health information to the server, wherein the server categorizes the first health information based on parameters extracted from the first health information, and shares each category of the first health information with a respective group of second user IDs according to a preset schedule.

[00161] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a server in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. As shown in FIG. 17, the server may comprise a receiving module 1702, an establishing module 1704, an identifying module 1706, and a forming module 1708.

[00162] The receiving module 1702 is configured to receive a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device from a first user terminal. In some embodiments, the first user terminal is configured to communicate with the first health monitoring device to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device.

[00163] The establishing module 1704 is configured to establish a corresponding relationship between the first device identifier and a first user ID of the social networking platform. In some embodiments, the first user ID corresponds to a first user associated with the first user terminal.

[00164] The identifying module 1706 is configured to identify at least one second user ID from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID based on the first device identifier. In some embodiments, each of the at least one second user ID is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device.

[00165] The forming module 1708 is configured to form a respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user ID for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device and the respective second health monitoring device of the at least one second user ID.

[00166] FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. The first user terminal may comprise an acquiring module 1602, a transfer module 1604, a server receiving module 1606, a device receiving module 1608, and a real-time competition module 1610. The real-time competition module 1610 is configured allow the first user terminal to join a real-time competition or deny an invitation to join the real-time competition. The real-time competition module 1610 is further configured to allow the first user terminal to share real-time competition information with other user terminals.

[00167] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrative of units in a real-time competition module 1610 in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. As shown by FIG. 19, the realtime competition module 1610 may comprise a presenting unit 1902 and a transfer unit 1904. The first user terminal embodiment shown in FIG. 19 can be configured to invite user of other user terminals to join a real-time competition.

[00168] The presenting unit 1902 is configured to present a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a real-time competition with the first user ID for an activity monitored by the first health monitoring device.

[00169] The transfer unit 1904 is configured to send an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first real-time competition for the activity monitored by the first health monitoring device. In some embodiments, the invitation is sent through the server.

[00170] Alternatively, the presenting unit 1902 is configured to present a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a competition with the first user ID for a category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device; and the transfer unit 904 is configured to send an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first competition for a first category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device.

[00171] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrative of modules in a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. The first user terminal may comprise an acquiring module 1602, a transfer module 1604, a server receiving module 1606, a device receiving module 1608, and a real-time competition module 1610, which comprises a presenting unit 1902, a transfer unit 1904, and user receiving unit 1906. The functionalities of the acquiring module 1602, the transfer module 1604, the server receiving module 1606, and the device receiving module 1608 are described above. In addition to sending out invitations to other user terminals to participate in a real-time competition, the real-time competition module 1610 of the first user terminal can join a real-time competition after receiving invitations.

[00172] The server receiving module 1606 may be further configured to receive an invitation transferred from the server, which the invitation is sent by a connected user in the respective social network group for a real-time competition related to an activity.

[00173] The presenting unit 1902 is further configured to present the invitation at the first user terminal.

[00174] The user receiving unit 1906 is configured to receive user input accepting or deny the invitation to join the real-time competition.

[00175] The transfer unit 1904 is further configured to sending a response to the server regarding the acceptance of the invitation if the user accepts the invitation.

[00176] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a first user terminal in accordance with some embodiments of the current application. The exemplary first user terminal 2100 typically includes one or more processing units (CPU's) 2101, one or more network or other communications interfaces 2104, memory 2110, and one or more communication buses 2102 for interconnecting these components. The communication buses 2102 may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The first user terminal 2100 may include a user interface 2103, for instance, a display and a keyboard . When the first user terminal 2100 is a smart phone or tablet, the user interface 2103 may be a touch screen, which is both a display and an input device. Memory 2110 may include high speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices. Memory 2110 may include mass storage that is remotely located from the CPU's 2101. In some embodiments, memory 2110 stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:

• an operating system 2120 that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;

• a network communication module 2125 that is used for connecting the first user terminal 2100 to the server and other user terminals, and/or other computers via one or more communication networks (wired or wireless), such as the Internet, other wide area networks, local area networks, metropolitan area networks, and so on; • a user interface module 2130 configured to receive user inputs through the user interface 2103;

• and a number of information sharing program modules 2135 including the following:

• an acquiring module 1602 configured to acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device;

• a transfer module 1604 configured to send a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID;

• a server receiving module 1606 configured to receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group in response to sending the request, wherein the notification is for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID;

• a device receiving module 1608 configured to receive first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal, wherein the respective social network group includes one or more second user IDs identified from the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID that are each associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device; and

• a real-time competition module 1610 configured to manage the first user terminal's participation in a real-time competition and data sharing.

[00177] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a server in accordance with some embodiments. The exemplary server 2200 typically includes one or more processing units (CPU's) 2201, one or more network or other communications interfaces 2204, memory 2210, and one or more

communication buses 2202 for interconnecting these components. The communication buses 2202 may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The first user terminal 2200 may include a user interface 2203, for instance, a display and a keyboard. Memory 2210 may include high speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices.

Memory 2210 may include mass storage that is remotely located from the CPU's 2201. In some embodiments, memory 2210 stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:

• an operating system 2220 that includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;

• a network communication module 2225 that is used for connecting the server 2200 to user terminals and/or other computers via one or more communication networks (wired or wireless), such as the Internet, other wide area networks, local area networks, metropolitan area networks, and so on;

• optionally, a user interface module 2230 configured to receive user inputs through the user interface 2203;

• and a number of information sharing program modules 2235 including the following:

• a receiving module 2302 configured to receive a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device from a first user terminal;

• an establishing module 2304 configured to establish a corresponding relationship

between the first device identifier and a first user ID of the social networking platform;

• an identifying module 2306 configured to identify at least one second user ID from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID based on the first device identifier;

• a forming module 2308 configured to form a respective social network group including the first user ID and the at least one second user ID for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device and the respective second health monitoring device of the at least one second user ID;

• a categorizing module 2310 configured to categorize the first health monitoring

information based on at least the first device identifier or parameters extracted from the first health monitoring information;

• a producing module 2312 configured to produce a sharing list of health monitoring information including the first health monitoring information received from the first user terminal, wherein the sharing list is accessible by the respective social network group; • a real-time competition module 2314 configured to manage the formation of competition groups for real-time competition and the sharing of health monitoring information related to real-time competition; and

• a proactive invitation module 2316 configured to proactively detect real-time health monitoring information and send invitations to user terminals to participate in a realtime competition.

[00178] While particular embodiments are described above, it will be understood it is not intended to limit the technology to these particular embodiments. On the contrary, the technology includes alternatives, modifications and equivalents that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough

understanding of the subject matter presented herein. But it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[00179] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the technology and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A method for sharing information, comprising:

at a first user terminal having one or more processors and memory storing programs executed by the one or more processors,

acquiring a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device;

sending a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID; and

in response to sending the request, receiving a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective social network group includes one or more second user IDs identified from the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID, and each of the one or more second user IDs is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal; and

sending the first device identifier, the first user ID and the first health information to the server, wherein the server categorizes the first health information based on parameters extracted from the first health information, and shares each category of the first health information with a respective group of second user IDs according to a preset schedule.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the respective second health monitoring devices associated with the respective group of second user IDs have the same device type as the first health monitoring device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the same device type is predefined based on a type of activity that is monitored by the first and the respective second health monitoring devices.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the same device type is predefined based on a type of health or exercise data that is provided by the first and the respective second health monitoring devices.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the same device type is applicable to identify health monitoring devices of different brands, manufacturers, and data formats.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the first device identifier is associated with at least two device types or at least two exercise data types, and wherein the respective social network group includes a respective sub-group for each of the at least two device types or each of the at least two exercise data types, wherein the respective sub-group includes the first user ID and one or more of the at least one second user ID that correspond to the same device type or exercise data type.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID consists of all user IDs that are contacts of at least a predetermined degree to the first user ID.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an invitation from a connected user in the respective social network group for a real-time competition related to an activity;

presenting the invitation at the first user terminal;

receiving user input accepting the invitation to join the real-time competition; and sending a response to the server regarding the acceptance of the invitation.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

during the real-time competition:

sending respective real-time health monitoring information collected from the first health monitoring device to the server for sharing with each user participating in the competition; and receiving competition information extracted from real-time health monitoring information gathered from each user participating in the competition by the server.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the received competition information includes a ranking list of the users participating in the competition based on health monitoring information that the server received during the real-time competition from each participant of the competition.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a real-time competition with the first user ID for an activity monitored by the first health monitoring device; and

sending an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first real-time competition for the activity monitored by the first health monitoring device.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a competition with the first user ID for a category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device; and

sending an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first competition for a first category of activity information monitored by the first health monitoring device.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the health monitoring information is categorized based on parameters selected from the group consisting of: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood sugar level, sleep quality, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), pedometer value, speed, distance, slope, duration, frequency, weight, resistance, calories, and any combination thereof.

16. A first user terminal comprising:

one of more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs modules stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more program modules including:

an acquiring module configured to acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device;

a transfer module configured to send a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID; and

a server receiving module configured to receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group in response to sending the request, wherein the notification is for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.

17. The first user terminal of claim 16, further comprising:

a device receiving module configured to receive first health monitoring information from the first health monitoring device based on monitored activities of a first user associated with the first user terminal, wherein:

the respective social network group includes one or more second user IDs identified from the plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID, and each of the one or more second user IDs is associated with a respective second device identifier for a respective second health monitoring device that provides health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the respective second health monitoring device; and

the transfer module is further configured to send the first device identifier, the first user ID and the first health information to the server, wherein the server categorizes the first health information based on parameters extracted from the first health information, and shares each category of the first health information with a respective group of second user IDs according to a preset schedule.

18. The first user terminal of claim 16, wherein:

the respective second health monitoring devices associated with the respective group of second user IDs have the same device type as the first health monitoring device.

19. The first user terminal of claim 16, further comprising a real-time module, wherein:

the real-time module comprises a presenting unit and a transfer unit,

the presenting unit is configured to present a list of user IDs that are available to participate in a real-time competition with the first user ID for an exercise activity monitored by the first health monitoring device, and

the transfer unit is configured to send an invitation to one or more user IDs in the list to join a competition group for a first real-time competition for a first exercise activity monitored by the first health monitoring device.

20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein one or more instructions, which, when executed by a first user terminal, cause the first user terminal to:

acquire a first device identifier associated with a first health monitoring device through a communication program installed on the first user terminal, wherein the communication program is configured to communicate with a server of a social network platform using a first user ID, and the communication program is further configured to receive health monitoring information of a respective monitored subject of the first health monitoring device;

send a request to the server to bind the first device identifier with the first user ID; and in response to sending the request, receive a notification from the server regarding a respective social network group for sharing the health monitoring information received from the first health monitoring device with at least one second user ID identified from a plurality of social network contacts of the first user ID.