U.S. patent application number 14/029759 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-17 for portable monitoring devices and methods of operating the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fitbit, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christine Boomer Brumback, Eric Nathan Friedman, James Park, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen.
Application Number | 20140197963 14/029759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51164718 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140197963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; James ; et
al. |
July 17, 2014 |
PORTABLE MONITORING DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME
Abstract
In one aspect of the disclosed implementations, a device
includes one or more motion sensors for sensing motion of the
device and providing activity data indicative of the sensed motion.
The device also includes one or more processors for monitoring the
activity data, and receiving or generating annotation data for
annotating the activity data with one or more markers or indicators
to define one or more characteristics of an activity session. The
device also includes one or more feedback devices for providing
feedback, a notice, or an indication to a user based on the
monitoring. The device further includes a portable housing that
encloses at least portions of the motion sensors, the processors
and the feedback devices.
Inventors: |
Park; James; (Berkeley,
CA) ; Yuen; Shelten Gee Jao; (Berkeley, CA) ;
Friedman; Eric Nathan; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Brumback; Christine Boomer; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fitbit, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51164718 |
Appl. No.: |
14/029759 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61830600 |
Jun 3, 2013 |
|
|
|
61752826 |
Jan 15, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/870.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 40/67 20180101;
A61B 5/021 20130101; G06F 19/00 20130101; G08B 5/22 20130101; G08B
25/10 20130101; A61B 5/01 20130101; A61B 2562/0219 20130101; G08C
17/02 20130101; A61B 5/4806 20130101; G08B 6/00 20130101; A61B
5/1118 20130101; A61B 5/002 20130101; G08B 21/0446 20130101; A61B
5/02055 20130101; A61B 5/681 20130101; A61B 5/0022 20130101; A61B
5/0002 20130101; G08B 21/02 20130101; G08B 21/06 20130101; G08B
21/18 20130101; A61B 5/7475 20130101; G06F 16/22 20190101; A61B
5/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/870.01 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/18 20060101
G08B021/18; G08C 17/02 20060101 G08C017/02 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: one or more motion sensors for sensing
motion of the device and providing activity data indicative of the
sensed motion; one or more processors for: monitoring the activity
data; and receiving or generating annotation data for annotating
the activity data with one or more markers or indicators to define
one or more characteristics of an activity session; one or more
feedback devices for providing feedback, a notice, or an indication
to a user based on the monitoring; and a portable housing that
encloses at least portions of the motion sensors, the processors
and the feedback devices.
2-30. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/752,826
(Attorney Docket No. FTBTP002P2), filed 15 Jan. 2013, and titled
"PORTABLE MONITORING DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME," and to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/830,600 (Attorney Docket
No. FTBTP002X1P), filed 3 Jun. 2013, and titled "PORTABLE
MONITORING DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME," both of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Increasing consumer interest in personal health has resulted
in the development of a variety of personal health monitoring
devices. Such devices have tended to be complicated to use or
typically designed for use with only one activity: for example,
running or bicycling, but not both. Relatively recent advances in
the miniaturization of sensors, power sources, and other
electronics or components have enabled personal health monitoring
devices to be offered in smaller sizes, form factors, or shapes
than were previously feasible or industrially practical. For
example, the Fitbit Ultra (manufactured by Fitbit Inc.
headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.) is a biometric monitoring
device that is approximately 2'' long, 0.75'' wide, and 0.5'' deep.
The Fitbit Ultra has a pixelated display, battery, sensors,
wireless communications capability, power source, and interface
button, as well as an integrated clip for attaching the device to a
pocket or other portion of clothing, all packaged within this small
volume.
SUMMARY
[0003] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter
described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying
drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and
advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings,
and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following
figures may not be drawn to scale unless specifically indicated as
being scaled drawings.
[0004] In one aspect of the disclosed implementations, a device
includes one or more motion sensors for sensing motion of the
device and providing activity data indicative of the sensed motion.
The device also includes one or more processors for monitoring the
activity data, and receiving or generating annotation data for
annotating the activity data with one or more markers or indicators
to define one or more characteristics of an activity session. The
device also includes one or more feedback devices for providing
feedback, a notice, or an indication to a user based on the
monitoring. The device further includes a portable housing that
encloses at least portions of the motion sensors, the processors
and the feedback devices.
[0005] In some implementations, the device further includes a
memory and the processors are further configured to store the
activity data or data derived from the activity data in the memory.
In some such implementations, the processors are further configured
to store the annotation data in the memory. In some
implementations, the processors are further configured to determine
one or more activity metrics based on the activity data. In some
such implementations, the processors are further configured to
determine one or more activity metrics based on the annotation
data. In some implementations, the device further includes one or
more user input devices included in or on the housing for receiving
or sensing user input, and the processors are further configured to
receive and interpret the user input received or sensed via the
user input devices. In some such implementations, the motion
sensors themselves also can function as user input devices by
sensing a user's touch, tapping, or other physical gesture made on
or with the device. In some implementations, the device further
includes transmitting and receiving circuitry. In some such
implementations, the user input is input by the user via an
external or remote device and then communicated to the receiving
circuitry. In some such implementations, the processors are further
configured to receive and interpret the user input received from
the receiving circuitry. In some such implementations, the
transmitting and receiving circuitry is configured for wireless
communication over a computer network, and the user input is input
via a web or mobile application.
[0006] In some implementations, the device is configured to enable
a user to input the annotation data via user input. In some such
implementations, the user input is input based on a physical
interaction with the device that is then interpreted by the
processors. In some other implementations, the user input is input
to an external device that is communicatively-coupled with the
device via one or more wired or wireless connections or networks.
In some implementations, the device is configured to enable a user
to initiate, indicate, or mark a start time or an end time of a
user-defined activity session in response to user input received
via one the one or more user interface devices. In some
implementations, the device is configured to enable a user to
indicate a particular user activity performed during a user-defined
activity session in response to user input received via one the one
or more user interface devices.
[0007] In some implementations, the device is configured to
automatically annotate the activity data or to generate the
annotation data. In some such implementations, the device is
configured to automatically annotate the activity data or to
generate the annotation data based on a device state. In some
implementations, the device is configured to automatically annotate
the activity data or to generate the annotation data based on an
analysis of the activity data. In some implementations, the
processors are configured to automatically determine the activity
data to track or the activity metrics to calculate based on the
annotation data.
[0008] In some implementations, the housing includes a wrist- or
arm-band, is configured for physical attachment to or coupling with
a wrist- or arm-band, or is configured to be inserted into a wrist-
or arm-band. In some implementations, the device further includes
one or more of: one or more gyroscopes, one or more physiological
sensors, one or more biometric sensors, one or more altitude
sensors, one or more temperature sensors, and one or more
heart-rate sensors.
[0009] In another aspect of the disclosed implementations, a method
of monitoring one or more activity metrics using a portable
monitoring device is described. In some implementations, the method
includes sensing, by one or more motion sensors within the device,
motion of the device. The method also includes outputting, by the
one or more motion sensors, activity data indicative of the sensed
movement. The method also includes receiving, by one or more
processors within the device, the activity data. The method
additionally includes receiving or generating, by the one or more
processors, annotation data. The method further includes annotating
the activity data based on the annotation data.
[0010] In some implementations, the method further includes
receiving the annotation data from a user. In some other
implementations, the method includes generating the annotation data
based on the activity data. In some implementations, the processors
are further configured to determine or calculate one or more
activity metrics based on the activity data and the annotation
data.
[0011] In still another aspect of the disclosed implementations, a
device includes one or more motion sensors for sensing motion of
the device and providing activity data indicative of the sensed
motion. The device also includes one or more processors for
monitoring the activity data, and for switching among a plurality
of activity-tracking modes. The device also includes one or more
feedback devices for providing feedback, a notice, or an indication
to a user based on the monitoring. The device further includes a
portable housing that encloses at least portions of the motion
sensors, the processors and the feedback devices.
[0012] In some implementations, the processors are further
configured to determine one or more activity metrics based on the
activity data. In some implementations, the processors are further
configured to determine the one or more activity metrics based on
which of the activity-tracking modes is currently active. In some
implementations, the device is configured to enable a user to set
or select a particular activity-tracking mode to switch into based
on user input. In some implementations, the device is configured to
automatically determine or select a particular activity-tracking
mode to switch into in response to the activity data. In some
implementations, the plurality of activity-tracking modes include
one or more activity-specific activity-tracking modes and a
sleep-tracking mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The various implementations disclosed herein are illustrated
by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals may
refer to similar elements.
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example portable
monitoring device.
[0015] FIG. 2 depicts a portable monitoring device that may be
inserted into a holder with a belt clip or into a pocket on a
wristband.
[0016] FIG. 3 depicts a portable monitoring device that may be worn
on a person's forearm like a wristwatch.
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts another example of a portable monitoring
device that may be worn on a person's forearm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present disclosure relates generally to portable
monitoring devices (also referred to herein as "portable tracking
devices" or simply as "devices"), and more particularly, to
wearable monitoring devices including wearable biometric monitoring
devices. Various implementations relate to a portable monitoring
device capable of monitoring and tracking movements or activities
and related data. For example, the portable monitoring device can
include one or more motion sensors for detecting movement data or
various other biometric, physiological, or environmental sensors
for detecting biometric data, physiological data, environmental
data, or related data (hereinafter also collectively referred to as
"activity data"). In some example implementations, the portable
monitoring device includes a general or default activity-tracking
mode. In some such implementations, the default activity-tracking
mode is an "annotation mode." In some such implementations, the
activity data monitored or tracked (hereinafter "monitored" and
"tracked" may be used interchangeably) while in the annotation mode
can be annotated or otherwise marked to indicate, specify, or
delineate the starting and ending time points, a duration, or other
time points of or within an activity session.
[0019] For purposes of this disclosure, an "activity session" may
generally refer to a user-defined duration of time, or a duration
of time associated with a particular activity or time of day, in
which the device is monitoring activity data. In some
implementations, the activity data monitored while in the default
annotation mode also can be annotated or otherwise marked to
indicate, specify, or define a specific activity that is being
performed by the user during the activity session such as, for
example, walking, running, stair climbing, bicycling, swimming, or
even sleeping. In various implementations, the user can annotate
the activity data prior to, during, or after completion of an
associated activity. In various implementations, one or more
activity metrics can be determined, calculated, or analyzed based
on the activity data. In some such implementations, the activity
metrics are communicated to the user via a display, lighting,
noise, or via vibrational or haptic feedback. In some
implementations, one or more achieved goals, progress indicators,
alerts, or other activity-based notifications may be communicated
to the user based on one or more of the activity metrics.
Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, one or more
alarms, reminders, or other time-, physiologically-,
biometrically-, state-, condition-, or environment-based
notifications also can be communicated to the user. Such achieved
goals, progress indicators, alerts, or other notifications can be
communicated to the user via a display, lighting, noise, or via
vibrational or haptic feedback.
[0020] In some other implementations, the portable monitoring
device is capable of switching among two or more modes such as two
or more activity-tracking modes. In some such implementations, the
two or more activity-tracking modes include one or more
activity-specific activity-tracking modes including, for example, a
walking mode, a running mode, a stair-climbing mode, a bicycling
mode, a swimming mode, a climbing mode, and a golfing mode, among
other example activity-tracking modes configured for other
corresponding activities. In some implementations, the two or more
activity-tracking modes also can include a sleep-tracking mode. In
some implementations, the portable monitoring device itself can
determine which activity data to monitor or which activity (or
sleep) metrics (hereinafter "sleep metrics" also may generally be
referred to as "activity metrics") to determine, compute,
calculate, track or analyze (hereinafter used interchangeably)
based on which of the activity-tracking modes is currently active
or initiated. Additionally or alternatively, in some
implementations, one or both of an external computing device or a
back-end server can request certain activity data from the portable
monitoring device based on which of the activity-tracking modes is
currently active or initiated. Additionally or alternatively, in
some implementations, one or both of an external computing device
or a back-end server can receive all activity data monitored by the
portable monitoring device and subsequently filter or otherwise
selectively process certain activity data to determine certain
activity (or sleep) metrics based on which of the activity-tracking
modes is currently active or initiated.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example portable
monitoring device 100. The portable monitoring device 100 includes
one or more sensors 102. The portable monitoring device 100 also
includes a processing unit 104, a memory 106, a user interface 108,
and input/output (I/O) interface 110. The one or more sensors 102,
the processing unit 104, the memory 106, the user interface 108,
and the I/O interface 110 are communicatively connected with one or
more of one another via one or more communication paths
collectively referred to as communication bus 112. The portable
monitoring device 100 further includes a power source 114, such as,
for example, one or more rechargeable or a removable batteries.
[0022] The sensors 102 include one or more motion sensors
configured for sensing and outputting movement data indicative of
the motion of the portable monitoring device 100. For example, the
motion sensors can include one or more accelerometers for sensing
movement data. In some implementations, the portable monitoring
device 100 includes one or more accelerometers for sensing
acceleration or other movement data in each of, for example, three
directions, which may be orthogonal. The sensors 102 additionally
can include one or more gyroscopes for sensing rotation data. In
some implementations, the portable monitoring device 100 includes
one or more gyroscopes for sensing rotation about each of, for
example, three axes, which may be orthogonal. As will be described
later, movement data and rotation data also can be used to capture
user input. The sensors 102 additionally can include one or more
altimeters (hereinafter also referred to as "altitude sensors." For
example, the portable monitoring device 100 can include a pressure
or barometric altimeter. The sensors 102 additionally can include
one or more temperature sensors for sensing one or both of a
temperature of the environment outside of the user's body or an
internal temperature of the user's body. The sensors 102
additionally can include one or more light sensors (for example,
photodetectors). For example, the light sensors can be used to
detect an ambient light level of the environment for use in, for
example, determining a suitable or optimal intensity of a display
of the portable monitoring device 100. Other light sensors can be
used to gather other biometric data such as an oxygen level of the
user's blood. The sensors 102 also can include one or more pressure
or proximity sensors for receiving user input. Such pressure or
proximity sensors can be based on mechanical designs or on, for
example, capacitive, resistive, or other electrical or optical
designs. The portable monitoring device 100 also can be coupled
with external sensing devices such as an external heart rate
monitor (for example, a chest-strap heart rate monitor) for sensing
a user's hear rate. The portable monitoring device 100 also can
include or be coupled with other physiological or biometric
sensors. In some implementations, the portable monitoring device
100 additionally is configured to sense or monitor one or more
other types of biometric data or to measure, calculate, or
determine biometric data based on the movement, rotation, or other
data described above. Biometric data, as used herein, may refer to
virtually any data pertaining to the physical characteristics of
the human body, and as described above, activity data may also
refer to such biometric data.
[0023] The processing unit 104 can include one or more processors,
processing circuits, computing units, computing circuits,
controllers, or microcontrollers (hereinafter used
interchangeably). Each of the processors can be implemented by a
general- or special-purpose processor (or set of processing cores)
and can execute sequences of programmed instructions ("code") to
perform tasks and effectuate various operations. Additionally or
alternatively, the processing unit 104 can include a custom-built
hardware ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), or can be
programmed into a programmable logic device such as an FPGA
(field-programmable gate array). In some implementations, the
memory 106 stores executable instructions that, when executed by
the processing unit 104, cause the processing unit 104 to control
one or more of the sensors 102, to sample or extract data received
from the sensors 102, to store the received data in the memory 106,
and to retrieve or load data previously stored in the memory 106.
The activity data received from the sensors 102 may be stored in
raw format in the memory 106 by the processing unit 104, or may be
pre-processed prior to storage in the memory 106. For example, the
processing unit 104 may store or buffer the most recent 10 minutes
of activity data in raw form, but may then store data from prior to
the ten-minute window as filtered data, for example, with a lower
sampling rate or with some form of numerical analysis, such as a
moving average, performed, or as converted data: for example,
acceleration data may be converted to activity metrics such as
"steps taken," "stairs climbed," or "distance traveled."
[0024] Activity data from the sensors 102, including raw data or
post-processed data, may be further analyzed to determine if the
activity data is indicative of a pre-defined biometric state or
condition that is associated with a user input. If such analysis
indicates that such data has been collected, the processing unit
104 may then treat such an event as equivalent to a user input. In
some implementations, the processing unit 104 also may derive
secondary data based on the raw activity data. In some
implementations, the processing unit 104 also performs an analysis
on the raw activity data received from the sensors 102 or on raw or
previously-processed ("post-processed") activity data retrieved
from the memory 106 and initiates various actions based on the
analysis. For example, the processing unit 104 may track,
determine, compute, calculate or analyze one or more physiological,
biometric, activity or sleep metrics (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "activity metrics") based on the raw, pre-processed
or secondary activity data (also collectively referred to herein
generally as "activity data").
[0025] The memory 106 can include any suitable memory architecture.
In some implementations, the memory 106 includes different classes
of storage devices or units to store different classes of data. In
some implementations, the memory 106 includes non-volatile storage
media, such as fixed or removable semiconductor-, optical-, or
magnetic-based media, for storing executable code (also referred to
as "executable instructions") and related data for enabling the
implementations and carrying out the processes described herein. In
some implementations, the memory 106 also is configured for storing
configuration data or other information for implementing various
default or user-defined settings, or for implementing the default
or activity-specific activity-tracking modes described herein. The
memory 106 also can be configured for storing other configuration
data used during the execution of various programs or instruction
sets or otherwise used to configure the portable monitoring device
100. Additionally, any of the afore-described raw activity data
generated by the sensors 102, as well as pre-processed or derived
data, can be stored in the non-volatile storage media within the
memory 106 for later analysis or other use. Additionally, in some
implementations, the activity metrics calculated by the processing
unit 104 or received from an external computing device or server
also can be stored in the non-volatile storage media within the
memory 106 for later analysis, viewing or other use. In some
implementations, the memory 106 also includes volatile storage
media, such as static or dynamic random-access memory (RAM), for
temporarily or non-permanently storing more transient information
and other variable data as well as, in some implementations,
executable code retrieved from the non-volatile storage media. The
volatile storage media may also store any of the afore-described
data generated by sensors 102 or data derived from sensed data (for
example, including activity- or sleep tracking metrics) for later
analysis, later storage in non-volatile media within memory 106, or
for subsequent communication over a wired or wireless connection
via I/O interface 110. The processing unit 104 can additionally or
alternatively include its own volatile memory, such as RAM, for
loading executable code from non-volatile memory for execution by
the processing unit 104, or for tracking, analyzing, or otherwise
processing any of the afore-described data generated by sensors 102
or data derived from sensed data (for example, including activity-
or sleep tracking metrics) for later analysis, later storage in
non-volatile media within memory 106, or for subsequent
communication over a wired or wireless connection via I/O interface
110.
[0026] As will be described in more detail below, the processing
unit 104 also can be configured to track and determine when the
activity data received from the sensors 102 or retrieved from the
memory 106, or the activity metrics generated from such activity
data, indicate that a goal has been achieved or a progress point
has been reached. For example, such a goal can be a specific
activity metrics such as a distance, a number of steps, an
elevation change, or number of calories burned, among other goals
as described in more detail below. The processing unit 104 may then
notify the user of the achievement of the goal or progress
indicator via the user interface 108. For example, the processing
unit 104 may cause a display to show content on the display marking
or celebrating the achievement of the goal. Additionally or
alternatively, the processing unit 104 may cause one or more lights
(for example, LEDs) to light up, flash, change intensity, or
otherwise reflect a visual pattern or display that notifies the
user of the achievement of the goal. Additionally or alternatively,
the processing unit 104 may cause one or more sound-producing
devices to alert, beep or otherwise make noise that notifies the
user of the achievement of the goal. Additionally or alternatively,
the processing unit 104 may cause one or more vibrating devices to
vibrate or otherwise provide haptic feedback in the form of one or
more vibration patterns and, in some implementations, with
differing or varying vibrational characteristics to notify the user
of the achievement of particular goals.
[0027] In some implementations, user interface 108 collectively
refers to and includes one or more user input devices and one or
more output devices. The memory 106 also can store executable
instructions that, when executed by the processing unit 104, cause
the processing unit 104 to receive and interpret user input
received via the user interface 108, or to output or communicate
information to a user via the user interface 108. In various
implementations, the user interface 108 can incorporate one or more
types of user interfaces including, for example, visual, auditory,
touch, vibration, or combinations thereof. For example, user
interface 108 can include one or more buttons in or on a device
housing that encloses the processing unit 104, the memory 106 and
other electrical or mechanical components of the portable
monitoring device 100. The buttons can be based on mechanical
designs and electrical designs, and may incorporate, for example,
one or more pressure sensors, proximity sensors, resistive sensors,
capacitive sensors, or optical sensors. The user interface 108 also
can include a touchpad or a touchscreen interface, which may be
disposed over or integrated with a display, and which can
incorporate these or other types of sensors.
[0028] In some implementations, the afore-described motion sensors,
gyroscopes, or other sensors also can be used to detect a physical
gesture corresponding to a user input. This allows a user to
interact with the device using physical gestures. For example,
accelerometers and gyroscopes can be used to detect when a user
"taps," shakes, rotates, flips or makes other "gestures" with the
portable monitoring device. As another example, the portable
monitoring device 100 can include a magnetometer, which may be used
to detect the device's orientation with respect to the Earth's
magnetic field. Other gestures that may be used to cause the
portable monitoring device 100 to perform some action include, but
are not limited to, multiple taps, or a specific pattern of taps.
For example, a user may tap anywhere on the exterior (for example,
the housing) of the portable monitoring device two times within a
specific time period to cause the display to show particular
content, to annotate activity data, or to change device modes.
[0029] As just described, the user interface 108 also can include a
display can be included on or in the housing that encloses the
processing unit 104 and the memory 106. In various implementations,
the display can be configured as an alphanumeric display,
transiently-visible display, or dead-front display. The display
also can include or be based on any suitable display technology
including liquid crystal display (LCD) technology or light-emitting
diode (LED) technology among other suitable display technologies.
The display can be configured to display various information to a
user. In some implementations, a user can input a selection,
navigate through a menu, or input other information via a button, a
pressure sensor, a proximity sensor, a resistive sensor, a
capacitive sensor, an optical sensor, or a touchscreen
incorporating these or other types of sensors.
[0030] In various implementations, the display can show activity
data, biometric data, contextual data, environmental data, system
or intrinsic condition data, or data derived from activity or other
sensed data, one or more activity metrics, one or more sleep
metrics, a currently-active activity-tracking mode, one or more
menus, one or more settings, one or more alarms or other
indicators, a clock, a timer, a "stopwatch," among other suitable
information. In some implementations, the information that is
displayed is customizable by the user or, additionally or
alternatively, dependent on a current device state or mode of the
portable monitoring device 100. For example, as a consequence of
limited display space (to keep the portable monitoring device as
small, portable or wearable as possible without sacrificing
functionality or ease of use), the data displayed in association
with each device state or mode may be partitioned into a plurality
of different data display pages, and a user may "advance" through
the data display pages associated with a given device state or mode
by providing input to the biometric monitoring device.
[0031] The term "data display page" as used herein may refer to a
visual display including text, graphics, and/or indicators, e.g.,
LEDs or other lights such as are used on the Fitbit Flex, that are
arranged to communicate data measured, produced, or received by a
portable monitoring device 100 to a user viewing a display of the
portable monitoring device. In order to more dynamically change the
display or the notifications provided to a user, the portable
monitoring device 100 may track its device state through a variety
of mechanisms and transition through different device states as
contextual states, environmental states, or modes change. In some
implementations, the device may include and be capable of operating
in multiple active modes, multiple active environmental states,
multiple active contextual states, or combinations of these,
simultaneously. In such a case, the device state may be different
for each different combination of environmental states, contextual
states, or modes.
[0032] In implementations that include an annotation mode, an
annotation data display page may indicate that the portable
monitoring device 100 is in annotation mode. When the portable
monitoring device 100 is in the annotation mode (or said
differently, when the annotation mode is active or initiated),
information related to the activity being annotated may be
displayed. For example, data display pages for various types of
activity data or activity metrics may show quantities measured
while the portable monitoring device 100 is in the annotation mode.
For example, while operating in the annotation mode, a data display
page for "steps taken" may only display a quantity of steps that
have been taken while the portable monitoring device 100 is in the
annotation mode or in an activity session defined using annotation
data (rather than, for example, the quantity of steps taken
throughout the entire day, week, month, year or during the lifetime
of the device).
[0033] In an example implementation, if the portable monitoring
device 100 is in a device state associated with the wearer being
asleep (for example, an annotated sleep-tracking state or a
sleep-tracking mode), it may be less likely for the wearer to input
information into or otherwise interact with the portable monitoring
device. Thus, in some implementations, the processing unit 104 may
decrease the sensitivities of various user input detection
mechanisms, especially a touchscreen, (or turn the display or the
entire device completely off) to reduce the risk of accidental
inputs or to save power. In other device states, it may be
desirable to change the user input method based on the limitations
of various input mechanisms in various environments. For example,
if the portable monitoring device 100 determines that it is in a
device state associated with swimming (for example, the portable
monitoring device 100 can be configured to independently determine
through moisture sensors or pressure sensor data that it is in
water), or if the portable monitoring device is actively placed
into a swimming mode by the user via the user interface 108, then,
in some implementations, a touchscreen interface or other user
interface of the portable monitoring device 100 may be deactivated
since it may not function well in water. The wearer may instead
interact with the portable monitoring device 100 using physical
buttons or other appropriate or suitable input mechanisms,
including physical gesutres sensed by the device.
[0034] In additional to a display, the portable monitoring device
100, and particularly the user interface 108, also can include
other mechanisms to provide feedback or other information to a
user. For example, the user interface 108 can include one or more
lights, such as one or more LEDs, in addition to the display for
communicating information, such as the achievement of a goal, an
alarm, an alert, indicator or other notification, a current state,
a current mode, or a power level, to the user. For example, the
processing unit 104 can control the intensities, colors, or
patterns of flashing of one or more of the LEDs of the user
interface 108 based on what information is being communicated. In
some implementations, the user interface 108 additionally or
alternatively includes one or more speakers or sound-producing
devices. The user interface 108 also can include one or more
microphones or other audio devices.
[0035] In some implementations, the user interface 108 includes one
or more vibramotors (also referred to herein as "vibrators" or
simply as "vibrating devices") for communicating information with
or to the user. For example, the processing unit 104 can utilize
the vibramotors to communicate one or more alarms, achieved goals,
progress indicators, inactivity indicators, reminders, indications
that a timer has expired, or other indicators, feedback or
notifications to a user wearing or holding the portable monitoring
device 100. In some such implementations, the portable monitoring
device 100 can utilize the vibramotors to communicate such
information to the user in addition to communicating the same or
similar information via the display, the lights, or the
sound-producing devices. In some other such implementations, the
portable monitoring device 100 can utilize the vibramotors to
communicate such information to the user instead of or in lieu of
communicating the same or similar information via the display, the
lights, or the sound-producing devices. For example, in the case of
an alarm, the vibramotors can cause the portable monitoring device
100 to vibrate to wake the user from sleep while not making noise
so as to not wake the user's partner. As another example, in the
case of a goal-achievement or progress indicator, the vibramotors
can cause the portable monitoring device 100 to vibrate to alert
the user that the user's goal has been achieved or that a milestone
or other progress point en route to the goal has been reached
without requiring the user to look at a display or hear an
indication output from a speaker. In some implementations, a user
can define one or more custom vibration patterns or other
vibrational characteristics and assign such differing vibration
patterns or other vibrational characteristics to different alarms,
goals, or other vibrating indicators so that the user can
distinguish among the vibrating indicators to determine what
information is being communicated by the portable monitoring device
100. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, a user
can select one or more default vibration patterns or other
vibrational characteristics stored in the memory 106 and assign
such differing vibration patterns or other vibrational
characteristics to various vibrating indicators. In various
implementations, the user can customize such patterns,
characteristics, or settings or make such selections via the user
interface 108, or via an application or program (including a web
application, mobile application, or client-side software program)
executing on an external computing device (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device) communicatively coupled
with the portable monitoring device 100 via the I/O interface 110
and one or more wired or wireless connections or networks.
[0036] In some implementations, as described above, one or more of
the sensors 102 themselves also can be used to implement at least a
portion of the user interface 108. For example, one or more
accelerometers or other motion sensors 102 can be used to detect
when a person taps the housing of the portable monitoring device
100 with a finger or other object, and then interpret such data as
a user input for the purposes of controlling the portable
monitoring device 100. For example, double-tapping the housing of
the portable monitoring device 100 may be recognized by the
processing unit 104 as a user input that will cause a display of
the portable monitoring device to turn on from an off state or that
will cause the portable monitoring device to transition between
different monitoring states, sessions, or modes. For example, in an
implementation in which the portable monitoring device includes a
single annotation or other general activity-tracking mode, the
tapping may cause the processing unit 104 to switch from a state
where the portable monitoring device 100 collects and interprets
activity data according to rules established for an "active" person
to a state where the portable monitoring device collects and
interprets activity data according to rules established for a
"sleeping" or "resting" person. As another example, tapping the
housing of the portable monitoring device 100 may be recognized by
the processing unit 104 as a user input that will annotate
monitored activity data, such as by, for example, indicating a
starting or ending time of an activity session of user-defined
duration. In some other implementations, such as in implementations
in which the portable monitoring device 100 includes two or more
activity-specific activity-tracking modes, the tapping may cause
the processing unit 104 to switch from one activity-specific
activity-tracking mode to another. For example, tapping may cause
the processing unit 104 to switch from a walking mode where the
portable monitoring device 100 collects and interprets activity
data according to rules established for a "walking" person to a
bicycling mode where the portable monitoring device interprets data
according to rules established for a bicycle rider.
[0037] In some implementations, the processing unit 104 may
communicate activity data received from the sensors 102 or
retrieved from the memory 106 via the I/O interface 110 to an
external or remote computing device (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device) or to a back-end server
over one or more computer networks. In some implementations, the
I/O interface 110 includes a transmitter and a receiver (also
referred to collectively herein as a "transceiver" or simply as
"transmitting and receiving circuitry") that can transmit the
activity data or other information through a wired or wireless
connection to one or more external computing devices or to one or
more back-end servers (either directly via one or more networks or
indirectly via an external computing device that first receives the
activity data and subsequently communicates the data via one or
more networks to the back-end servers). For example, the memory 106
also can store executable instructions that, when executed by the
processing unit 104, cause the processing unit 104 to transmit and
receive information via the I/O interface 110. In some
implementations, the one or more computer networks include one or
more local-area networks (LANs), private networks, social networks,
or wide-area networks (WANs) including the Internet. The I/O
interface 110 can include wireless communication functionality so
that when the portable monitoring device 100 comes within range of
a wireless base station or access point, or within range of certain
equipped external computing devices (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device), certain activity data
or other data is automatically synced or uploaded to the external
computing device or back-end server for further analysis,
processing, viewing, or storing. In various implementations, the
wireless communication functionality of I/O interface 110 may be
provided or enabled via one or more communications technologies
known in the art such as, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID,
Near-Field Communications (NFC), Zigbee, Ant, optical data
transmission, among others. Additionally or alternatively, the I/O
interface 110 also can include wired-communication capability, such
as, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
[0038] In some implementations, one or more back-end servers or
computing systems can support a web-based application ("web
application"), web site, web page or web portal (hereinafter "web
application," "web page," "web site," and "web portal" may be used
interchangeably) enabling a user to remotely interact with the
portable monitoring device 100, or to interact with or view the
activity data or activity metrics calculated based on the activity
data, via any computing device (for example, a personal computer,
smartphone or multimedia device) capable of supporting a web
browser or other web client suitable for use in rendering the web
page or web-based application. For example, in some
implementations, the data can be stored at an Internet-viewable or
Internet-accessible source such as a web site (for example,
www.Fitbit.com) permitting the activity data, or data or activity
metrics derived or calculated therefrom, to be viewed, for example,
using a web browser or network-based application. Hereinafter,
reference to a web application, web page, web site or web portal
may refer to any structured document or user interface made
available for viewing on a client device (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device) over any of one or more
of the described networks or other suitable networks or
communication links.
[0039] For example, while the user is wearing a portable monitoring
device 100, the processing unit 104 may calculate the user's step
count based on activity data received from one or more sensors 102.
The processing unit 104 may temporarily store the activity data and
calculated step count in the memory 106. The processing unit 104
may then transmit the step count, or raw or pre-processed activity
data representative of the user's step count, via I/O interface 110
to an account on a web service (for example, www.fitbit.com), an
external computing device such as a personal computer or a mobile
phone (especially a smartphone), or to a health station where the
data may be stored, further-processed, and visualized by the user
or friends of the user.
[0040] Other implementations relating to the use of short range
wireless communication are described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/785,904, titled "Near Field Communication System, and
Method of Operating Same" filed Mar. 5, 2013 which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0041] In various implementations, the activity metrics that can be
tracked, determined, calculate or analyzed by the processing unit
104, or by an external computing device or back-end server based on
activity data transmitted from portable monitoring device 100,
include one or more of, for example: energy expenditure (for
example, calories burned), distance traveled, steps taken, stairs
or floors climbed or descended, elevation gained or lost (e.g.,
based on an altimeter or global positioning satellite (GPS)
device), pace, maximum speed, location, direction, heading,
ambulatory speed, rotation or distance traveled, swimming stroke
count, swimming lap count, swimming distance, bicycle distance,
bicycle speed, heart rate, heart rate variability, heart rate
recovery, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood oxygen level, skin
conduction, skin or body temperature, electromyography data,
electroencephalography data, weight, body fat, caloric intake,
nutritional intake from food, medication intake, sleep periods,
sleep phases, sleep quality, sleep duration, pH levels, hydration
levels, and respiration rate. In some implementations, the
processing unit 104 also tracks, determines, or calculates metrics
related to the environment around the user such as, for example,
one or more of: barometric pressure, temperature, humidity,
rain/snow conditions, wind speed, other weather conditions, light
exposure (ambient light), ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, time or
duration spent in darkness, pollen count, air quality, noise
exposure, radiation exposure, and magnetic field. Some of the data
used to calculate one or more of the metrics just described may be
provided to the portable monitoring device from an external source.
For example, the user may input his height, weight, or stride in a
user profile on a fitness-tracking website and such information may
then be communicated to the portable monitoring device 100 via the
I/O interface 110 and used to evaluate, in conjunction with
activity data measured by the sensors 102, the distance traveled or
calories burned by the user.
[0042] A general listing of potential types of sensors 102 and
activity data types is shown below in Table 1. This listing is not
exclusive, and other types of sensors other than those listed may
be used. Moreover, the data that is potentially derivable from the
listed sensors may also be derived, either in whole or in part,
from other sensors. For example, an evaluation of stairs climbed
may involve evaluating altimeter data to determine altitude change,
clock data to determine how quickly the altitude changed, and
accelerometer data to determine whether biometric monitoring device
is being worn by a person who is walking (as opposed to standing
still).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Sensor Type Activity Data
Potentially-Derivable Activity Data Accelerometers Accelerations
experienced at Rotation, translation, velocity/speed, location worn
distance traveled, steps taken, elevation gained, fall indications,
calories burned (in combination with data such as user weight,
stride, etc.) Gyroscopes Angular orientation and/or rotation
Rotation, orientation Altimeters Barometric pressure Altitude
change, flights of stairs climbed, local pressure changes,
submersion in liquid Pulse Oximeters Blood oxygen saturation
(SpO2), Heart rate variability, stress levels, heart rate, blood
volume active heart rate, resting heart rate, sleeping heart rate,
sedentary heart rate, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, pulse
transit time, heart rate recovery time, blood volume Galvanic Skin
Electrical conductance of skin Perspiration, stress levels,
Response Sensors exertion/arousal levels Global Positioning
Location, elevation Distance traveled, velocity/speed System (GPS)
Electromyographic Electrical pulses Muscle tension/extension
Sensors Audio Sensors Local environmental sound levels Laugh
detection, breathing detection, snoring detection, respiration type
(snoring, breathing, labored breathing, gasping), voice detection,
typing detection Photo/Light Ambient light intensity, ambient
Day/night, sleep, UV exposure, TV Sensors light wavelength
watching, indoor v. outdoor environment Temperature Temperature
Body temperature, ambient Sensors environment temperature Strain
Gauge Weight (the strain gauges may be Body Mass Index (BMI) (in
Sensors located in a device remote from conjunction with
user-supplied height the biometric monitoring device, and gender
information, for example) e.g., a Fitbit Aria .TM. scale, and
communicate weight-related data to the biometric monitoring device,
either directly or via a shared account over the Internet)
Bioelectrical Body fat percentage (may be Impedance Sensors
included in remote device, such as Aria .TM. scale) Respiration
Rate Respiration rate Sleep apnea detection Sensors Blood Pressure
Systolic blood pressure, diastolic Sensors blood pressure Heart
Rate Sensors Heart rate Blood Glucose Blood glucose levels Sensors
Moisture Sensors Moisture levels Whether user is swimming,
showering, bathing, etc.
[0043] In addition to the above, some biometric data may be
calculated or estimated by the portable monitoring device 100
without direct reference to data obtained from the sensors 102. For
example, a person's basal metabolic rate, which is a measure of the
"default" caloric expenditure that a person experiences throughout
the day while at rest (in other words, simply to provide energy for
basic bodily functions such as breathing, circulating blood, etc.),
may be calculated based on data entered by the user via the user
interface 108, or via an application or program (including a web
application, mobile application, or client-side software program)
executing on an external computing device (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device) communicatively coupled
with the portable monitoring device 100 via the I/O interface 110
and one or more wired or wireless connections or networks. Such
user-entered data may be used, in conjunction with data from an
internal clock indicating the time of day, to determine how many
calories have been expended by a person thus far in the day to
provide energy for basic bodily functions.
[0044] As described above, in some example implementations, the
portable monitoring device 100, and particularly processing unit
104, includes a default activity-tracking mode also referred to
herein as an "annotation" mode. In some such implementations, the
activity data monitored while in the default annotation mode can be
annotated or otherwise marked to indicate, specify, or delineate
the starting and ending time points or other time points of and
within an activity session. Again, for purposes of this disclosure,
an "activity session" may generally refer to a user-defined
duration of time, or a duration of time associated with a
particular activity or time of day, in which the device is
monitoring activity data. In some implementations, the activity
data monitored while in the annotation mode also can be annotated
or otherwise marked to indicate, specify, or define a specific
activity that is being performed by the user during the activity
session such as, for example, walking, running, stair climbing,
bicycling, swimming, or even sleeping. In various implementations,
the user can annotate the activity data prior to, during, or after
completion of an associated activity.
[0045] In some implementations, a user can annotate an activity
session via physical interactions with the portable monitoring
device 100, itself. For example, the user can annotate the activity
data using, for example, any of the components described above that
may be included within user interface 108. Additionally or
alternatively, the user can annotate the activity session via an
external or remote computer (for example, a personal computer, a
smartphone, or a multimedia device). In some such implementations,
one or both of the portable monitoring device 100 and a coupled
external computing device also can communicate with one or more
back-end servers as described above. In some such implementations,
the portable monitoring device or external computing device can
transmit the annotations (also referred to herein as "annotation
data"), the activity data, as well as information about the
portable monitoring device or the user, to the servers for storage
and, in some implementations, for additional processing or
analysis.
[0046] In some such implementations, the portable monitoring device
100, and particular the processing unit 104, is configured to use
the sensors 102 to monitor the same type of activity data in the
same way regardless of the activity being performed or in which the
user in currently engaged. That is, in some implementations,
regardless of what activity the user is engaging in, be it walking,
running, stair climbing, bicycling, swimming, or even sleeping, the
same sensors are used to sense movements or other sensed activity
data in the same way. In some implementations in which the
processing unit 104 is configured to determine, calculate or
analyze one or more activity metrics, the processing unit, itself,
can determine which activity metrics to determine, calculate or
analyze based on the annotation data received for the activity
session.
[0047] In some implementations, the portable monitoring device 100
can automatically annotate one or more activity sessions. In some
such implementations, the processing unit 104 can analyze the
activity data from the sensors 102 dynamically (for example,
substantially in real time) and automatically determine a starting
point, an ending point, or other time points for which to record
timestamps or store markers or digital flags in the memory 106 to
annotate the activity data monitored in an activity session. In
some other implementations, the processing unit can analyze
activity data retrieved from the memory 106 to automatically
annotate the stored activity data. In still other implementations,
the processing unit 104 can transmit the activity data via I/O
interface 110 to one or both of an external computing device (for
example, a personal computer, a smartphone or a multimedia device)
or a back-end server (either directly over one or more wired or
wireless networks or indirectly by way of an external computing
device, such as a personal computer, a smartphone or a multimedia
device, in conjunction with one or more wired or wireless networks)
that then automatically annotates the received activity data. In
some of the aforementioned implementations, the annotation data can
be stored with the corresponding activity data; that is, together
with the activity data in the same locations within the memory 106.
In some other implementations, the annotation data can be stored
separately from the activity data within the memory 106 but linked
to the activity data by way of, for example, one or more tables and
timestamps.
[0048] In an example implementation, if the portable monitoring
device 100 is placed in an annotation mode prior to the wearer
going to sleep and then taken out of the annotation mode after the
wearer wakes up, e.g., via user interactions or based on sensed
biometric or other activity data, the portable monitoring device
100 may record biometric data that indicates that the wearer was
largely stationary and horizontal during the time that the
biometric monitoring device was in the annotation mode. This, in
combination with the time of day that the annotated biometric data
was collected, may cause the portable monitoring device to
automatically annotate such data as a "sleeping" activity. A wearer
of the biometric monitoring device may, alternatively, indicate
that the annotated biometric data is associated with a particular
activity, e.g., by entering a label or other identifier of the
activity in association with the annotated data after the biometric
data is exported from the portable monitoring device to a one more
back-end servers via a website, web application, mobile
application, or other application or by inputting such a label or
other identifier into an external computing device (for example, a
smartphone, multimedia device, or personal computer) that is paired
with the portable monitoring device and within communication range
of the portable monitoring device, and particularly the I/O
interface 110.
[0049] In some other example implementations, the portable
monitoring device 100 may automatically detect or determine when
the user is attempting to go to sleep, entering sleep, is asleep,
or is awoken from a period of sleep. In some such implementations,
the portable monitoring device 100 may employ physiological, motion
or other sensors to acquire activity data. In some such
implementations, the processing unit 104 then correlates a
combination of one or more of: motion, heart rate, heart rate
variability, respiration rate, galvanic skin response, or skin or
body temperature sensing to detect or determine if the user is
attempting to go to sleep, entering sleep, is asleep or is awoken
from a period of sleep. In response, the portable monitoring device
100 may, for example, acquire physiological data (such as of the
type and in the manner as described herein) or determine
physiological conditions of the user (such as of the type and in
the manner as described herein). For example, a decrease or
cessation of user motion combined with a reduction in user heart
rate and/or a change in heart rate variability may indicate that
the user has fallen asleep. Subsequent changes in heart rate
variability and galvanic skin response may be used to determine
transitions of the user's sleep state between two or more stages of
sleep (for example, into lighter and/or deeper stages of sleep).
Motion by the user and/or an elevated heart rate and/or a change in
heart rate variability may be used to determine that the user has
awoken.
[0050] Real-time, windowed, or batch processing to maybe used to
determine the transitions between wake, sleep, and sleep stages, as
well as in other activity stages. For instance, a decrease in heart
rate may be measured in a time window where the heart rate is
elevated at the start of the window and reduced in the middle
(and/or end) of the window. The awake and sleep stages may be
classified by a hidden Markov model using changes in motion signal
(e.g., decreasing intensity), heart rate, heart rate variability,
skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and/or ambient light
levels. The transition points may be determined through a
changepoint algorithm (e.g., Bayesian changepoint analysis). The
transition between awake and sleep may be determined by observing
periods where the user's heart rate decreases over a predetermined
time duration by at least a certain threshold but within a
predetermined margin of the user's resting heart rate (that is
observed as, for instance, the minimum heart rate of the user while
sleeping). Similarly, the transition between sleep and awake may be
determined by observing an increase in the user's heart rate above
a predetermined threshold of the user's resting heart rate.
[0051] In some implementations, a back-end server determines which
activity metrics to calculate or analyze based on annotation data
generated by the server or another server and stored in one or both
of the servers, annotation data received from an external computing
device, or annotation data also received from the portable
monitoring device 100. Additionally, the servers also can determine
which activity metrics to calculate or analyze based on an analysis
of the tracked activity data. In some such implementations, the
portable monitoring device 100 may not track, determine, calculate
or analyze any activity metrics at all; rather, the portable
monitoring device may monitor the sensed activity data and
subsequently store or transmit the activity data for later analysis
and processing by an external computing device or back-end
servers.
[0052] As described above, one or output mechanisms--visual,
auditory, or motion/vibration--may be used alone or in any
combination with each other or another method of communication to
communicate any one of or a plurality of the following information
notifications: that a user needs to wake up at certain time (e.g.,
an alarm); that a user should wake up as they are in a certain
sleep phase (e.g., a smart alarm); that a user should go to sleep
as it is a certain time; that a user should wake up as they are in
a certain sleep phase or stage and in a preselected or
previously-user-defined time window bounded by the earliest and
latest time that the user wants to wake up; that an email, text or
other communication was received; that the user has been inactive
for a certain period of time (such a notification function may
integrate with other applications like, for instance, a meeting
calendar or sleep tracking application to block out, reduce, or
adjust the behavior of the inactivity alert); that the user has
been active for a certain period of time; that the user has an
appointment or calendar event (e.g., a reminder); or that the user
has reached a certain activity metric or combination of activity
metrics. Also as described above, one or output mechanisms--visual,
auditory, or motion/vibration--may be used alone or in any
combination with each other or another method of communication to
communicate that the user has met or achieved or made progress
towards one or more of the following goals: the traversal of a
certain distance; the achievement of certain mile (or other lap)
pace; the achievement of a certain speed; the achievement of a
certain elevation gain; the achievement of a certain number of
steps; the achievement of a certain maximum or average heart rate;
the completion of a certain number of swimming strokes or laps in a
pool.
[0053] These examples are provided for illustration and are not
intended to limit the scope of information that may be communicated
by the device (for example, to the user). As described above, the
data used to determine whether or not a goal is achieved or whether
the condition for an alert has been met may be acquired from the
portable monitoring device 100 or another device. The portable
monitoring device 100 itself may determine whether the criteria for
an alert, goal, or notification has been met. Alternatively, a
computing device in communication with the device (e.g. a server
and/or a mobile phone) may determine when the alert should occur.
In view of this disclosure, other information that the device may
communicate to the user can be envisioned by one of ordinary skill
in the art. For example, the device may communicate with the user
when a goal has been met. The criteria for meeting this goal may be
based on physiological, contextual, and environmental sensors on a
first device, and/or other sensor data from one or more secondary
devices. The goal may be set by the user or may be set by the
device itself and/or another computing device in communication with
the device (e.g. a server).
[0054] In one example implementation, upon detecting or determining
that the user has reached a biometric or activity goal, the
portable monitoring device 100 may vibrate to notify the user. For
example, the portable monitoring device 100 may detect (or be
informed) that the wearer has exceeded a predefined goal or
achievement threshold, for example, 10,000 steps taken in one day,
and may, responsive to such an event, vibrate to alert or
congratulate the user. In some such implementations, if the user
then presses a button, the display may turn on and present data
about the goal that the user reached, for example, what goal was
reached, if the goal was previously reached one or more times on a
different day, week, month, or year, or how long it took to reach
the goal). In another example, the color and/or intensity of one or
more LEDs may serve as notifications that the user is winning or
losing against a friend in a competition in, for example, step
count. In yet another example, the biometric monitoring device may
be a wrist-mounted device that may vibrate or emit audio feedback
to notify the user of an incoming email, text message, or other
alert. In some such implementations, if the user then moves his or
her wrist in a gesture similar to checking a watch, the display of
the biometric monitoring device may be turned on and a data display
page relating data relevant to the alert may be presented to the
user. In yet another example, the biometric monitoring device may
present increasingly noticeable feedback methods based on the
importance or urgency of the alert. For example, a high priority
alert may include audio, vibration, and/or visual feedback, whereas
a low priority alert may only include visual feedback. The criteria
to distinguish a high priority alert from lower-priority alerts may
be defined by the user. For example, a high-priority alert may be
triggered if an email message or text is sent with a particular
priority, e.g., "urgent," if an email message or text is sent from
a particular person, e.g., a person that the user has identified as
being high-priority, if a meeting notification or reminder is
received or occurs, if a certain goal is achieved or if a dangerous
health condition, such as a high heart rate is detected.
[0055] As described above, in some other implementations, the
portable monitoring device 100 may operate within or according to a
plurality of modes. For example, various modes may include: a
general or default activity-tracking mode such as the annotation
mode described above, a timer mode, a stopwatch mode, a
clock/time/watch mode, a sleep-monitoring (or "sleep-tracking")
mode, a work mode, a home mode, a commute mode, as well as one or
more activity-specific activity-tracking modes for tracking user
activities such as biking, swimming, walking, running,
stair-climbing, rock climbing, weight-lifting, treadmill exercise,
and elliptical machine exercise. In some multi-mode
implementations, the portable monitoring device 100 also enables a
user to annotate activity data monitored in one or more modes
including one or more activity-specific activity-tracking modes as
described above.
[0056] The processing unit 104 may automatically determine or
select a mode for the device to operate in based on a plurality of
signals, data or other information. For example, the processing
unit may automatically select a mode based on one or more activity
metrics (for example, a step count, stair or floor count, or a
number of calories burned) or, additionally or alternatively, based
on one or more of: contextual or environmental data (for example,
time of day, GPS or other determined or entered location or
position data, ambient light brightness, temperature, or humidity);
physiological or other person-centric data (for example, heart
rate, body temperature, hydration level, or blood oxygen level); or
system condition data (for example, in response to a low battery or
low memory); or based on one or more user-defined conditions being
met.
[0057] In some implementations, the portable monitoring device
itself can determine which activity data to monitor, or,
additionally or alternatively, which activity (or sleep) metrics
(hereinafter "sleep metrics" also may generally be referred to as
"activity metrics") to determine, calculate or analyze, based on
which of the activity-tracking or other modes is currently active
or initiated. Additionally or alternatively, in some
implementations, one or both of an external computing device or a
back-end server can request certain activity data from the portable
monitoring device based on which of the activity-tracking modes is
currently active or initiated. Additionally or alternatively, in
some implementations, one or both of an external computing device
or a back-end server can receive all activity data monitored by the
portable monitoring device and subsequently filter or otherwise
selectively process certain activity data to determine, calculate
or analyze certain activity metrics based on which of the
activity-tracking modes is currently active or initiated.
[0058] In some multi-mode implementations, a user can select which
of the modes is currently active or initiated via the user
interface 108, or via an application or program (including a web
application, mobile application, or client-side software program)
executing on an external computing device (for example, a personal
computer, smartphone or multimedia device) communicatively coupled
with the portable monitoring device 100 via the I/O interface 110
and one or more wired or wireless connections or networks. For
example, a user may select the mode of the portable monitoring
device 100 using an application on a smartphone that sends the mode
selection to a server. The server, in turn, sends the mode
selection to an external computing device that then sends the mode
selection to the portable monitoring device 100 via the I/O
interface 110. Alternatively, the smart phone application (or the
server) may send the mode selection directly to the portable
monitoring device 100.
[0059] In some implementations, a user also can select which
activity metrics to track while in each of the corresponding
activity-tracking modes. As described above, in some
implementations, the portable monitoring device 100 also can be
configured to automatically switch among two or more
activity-tracking or other modes. In some such implementations, the
processing unit 104 can analyze the activity data from the sensors
102 and automatically determine a most suitable, appropriate, or
optimal activity-tracking or other mode to switch into based on the
analysis of the activity data dynamically in substantially
real-time. In some other such implementations, the processing unit
104 can transmit the activity data via I/O interface 110 through a
wired or wireless connection to one or both of an external
computing device or back-end server that then analyzes the activity
data, determines the most suitable, appropriate, or optimal
activity-tracking or other mode to switch into, and subsequently
transmits one or more instructions to the portable monitoring
device 100 that, when executed by the processing unit 104, cause
the processing unit 104 (in conjunction with one or more other
components described above) to switch into the determined mode.
[0060] In some implementations, the portable monitoring device 100
includes an alarm clock function intended to wake the wearer or
user from sleep or otherwise alert the user. In some such
implementations, the portable monitoring device 100 acts as a
wrist-mounted vibrating alarm to silently wake the user from sleep.
The portable monitoring device also can be configured to track the
user's sleep quality, waking periods, sleep latency, sleep
efficiency, sleep stages (e.g., deep sleep vs REM), or other
sleep-related metrics through one or a combination of heart rate,
heart rate variability, galvanic skin response, motion sensing
(e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer), and skin
temperature. In some implementations, the user may specify a
desired alarm time or window of time (e.g. set alarm to go off
between 7 and 8 am). In some such implementations, the processing
unit 104 uses one or more of the sleep metrics to determine an
optimal time within the alarm window to wake the user. In some
implementations, when the vibrating alarm is active, the user may
cause it to hibernate, snooze, or turn off by slapping or tapping
the device (which is detected, for example, via motion sensor(s), a
pressure/force sensor and/or capacitive touch sensor in the
device). In one specific implementation, the portable monitoring
device 100 can be configured to attempt to arouse the user at an
optimum point in the sleep cycle by starting a small vibration at a
specific user sleep stage or time prior to the alarm setting. It
may progressively increase the intensity or noticeability of the
vibration as the user progresses toward wakefulness or toward the
alarm setting. Similar to the way a conventional alarm clock
functions, the wearer or user may have the ability to set one or
more daily, periodic, or other recurring alarms. Additionally, the
alarm function can be configured to "snooze," i.e., temporarily
stop the alarm for a short period of time, typically minutes, and
then have the alarm re-trigger.
[0061] As a result of the small size of many portable monitoring
devices, many such monitoring devices have limited space to
accommodate various user interface components. For example, Fitbit
manufactures a variety of extremely compact portable monitoring
devices, including biometric tracking units, that each incorporate
a suite of sensors, a battery, a display, a power-charging
interface, and one or more wireless communications interfaces. In
some such examples, the portable monitoring devices also
incorporate a vibramotor and/or a button. These components may be
housed, for example, within housings measuring approximately 2''
long, 0.75'' wide, and 0.5'' thick (Fitbit Ultra.TM.);
approximately 1.9'' in length, 0.75'' wide, and 0.375'' thick
(Fitbit One.TM.); approximately 1.4'' long, 1.1'' wide, and 0.375''
thick (Fitbit Zip.TM.); and approximately 1.3'' in length, 0.5''
wide, and 0.25'' thick (Fitbit Flex.TM.). Of course, housings of
other sizes may be used in other implementations of biometric
monitoring devices; the above list is merely intended to illustrate
the small size of many such biometric monitoring devices.
[0062] Despite the small sizes of the above-listed Fitbit devices,
each includes a display of some type--the Fitbit Ultra, Fitbit One,
and Fitbit Zip, for example, all include small pixelated display
screens capable of outputting text, numbers, and graphics. The
Fitbit Flex, due to its smaller size, uses discrete light-emitting
diode (LED) indicators, e.g., 5 LEDs arranged in a row, to convey
information visually. Each of the above-listed Fitbit devices also
have an input mechanism that allows a user to affect some aspect of
the device's operation. For example, the Fitbit Ultra and Fitbit
One each include a discrete pushbutton that allows a user to affect
how the device operates. The Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Flex, by
contrast, do not have a discrete pushbutton but are instead each
configured to detect, using their biometric sensors, when the user
taps the housing of the device; such events are construed by the
processor or processors of such devices as signaling a user input,
i.e., acting as the input mechanism.
[0063] One component of the portable monitoring device 100 that may
be limited in size or performance is the power source 114, for
example, a rechargeable, removable, or replaceable battery,
capacitor, etc. In some implementations, the portable monitoring
device 100 can be configured to remain in an "always on" state to
allow it to continually collect activity data throughout the day
and night. Given that the sensors 102 and processing unit 104 of
the portable monitoring device must generally remain powered to
some degree in order to collect the activity data, it can be
advantageous to implement power-saving features elsewhere in the
device, such as by, for example, causing a display to automatically
turn off after a period of time. The Fitbit Ultra.TM. is an example
of a portable monitoring device that includes a data display that
is typically turned off to save power unless the device is being
interacted with by the user. A typical user interaction may be
provided by, for example, pressing a button on the device.
[0064] In some implementations, a housing of the portable
monitoring device 100 itself is designed or configured such that it
may be inserted into, and removed from, a plurality of compatible
cases, housings, or holders (hereinafter "cases," "housings," and
"holders" may be used interchangeably). For example, in some
implementations, the portable monitoring device 100 is configured
for removable insertion into a wristband or armband that can be
worn on a person's wrist, forearm or upper arm. In some
implementations, the portable monitoring device is additionally or
alternatively configured for removable insertion into a belt-clip
case or configured for coupling with a clip that can be attached to
a person's belt or clothing. As used herein, the term "wristband"
may refer to a band that is designed to fully or partially encircle
a person's forearm near the wrist joint. The band can be
continuous, for example, without any "breaks`; that is, it may
stretch to fit over a person's hand or have an expanding portion
similar to a dress watchband. Alternatively, the band can be
discontinuous, for example, having a clasp or other connection
enabling a user to close the band similar to a watchband. In still
other implementations, the band can simply be simply "open," for
example, having a C-shape that clasps the wearer's wrist.
Hereinafter, a portable monitoring device that is inserted,
combined, or otherwise coupled with a separate removable case or
some other structure enabling it to be worn or easily carried by or
attached to a person or his clothing may be referred to as a
"portable monitoring system."
[0065] As mentioned above, various implementations of portable
monitoring devices described herein may have shapes and sizes
adapted for coupling to the body or clothing of a user (e.g.,
secured to, worn, borne by, etc.). Various examples of such
portable monitoring devices are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 2
depicts a monitoring device similar in shape to a Fitbit One, which
may be inserted into a holder with a belt clip or into a pocket on
a wristband. Portable monitoring device 200 has a housing 202 that
contains the electronics associated with the biometric monitoring
device 200. A button 204 and a display 206 may be
accessible/visible through the housing 202. FIG. 3 depicts a
portable monitoring device that may be worn on a person's forearm
like a wristwatch, much like a Fitbit Flex. Portable monitoring
device 300 has a housing 302 that contains the electronics
associated with the biometric monitoring device 300. A button 304
and a display 306 may be accessible/visible through the housing
302. A wristband 308 may be integrated with the housing 302. FIG. 4
depicts another example of a portable monitoring device that may be
worn on a person's forearm like a wristwatch, although with a
bigger display than the portable monitoring device of FIG. 3.
Portable monitoring device 400 has a housing 402 that contains the
electronics associated with the portable monitoring device 400. A
button 404 and a display 406 may be accessible/visible through the
housing 402. A wristband 408 may be integrated with the housing
402.
[0066] Further embodiments and implementations of portable
monitoring devices can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/156,304, titled "Portable Biometric Monitoring Devices and
Methods of Operating Same" filed Jun. 8, 2011 which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0067] Unless the context (where the term "context" is used per its
typical, general definition) of this disclosure clearly requires
otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words
"comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an
inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense;
that is to say, in a sense of "including, but not limited to."
Words using the singular or plural number also generally include
the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words
"herein," "hereunder," "above," "below," and words of similar
import refer to this application as a whole and not to any
particular portions of this application. When the word "or" is used
in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all
of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in
the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the
items in the list. The term "implementation" refers to
implementations of techniques and methods described herein, as well
as to physical objects that embody the structures and/or
incorporate the techniques and/or methods described herein.
[0068] There are many concepts and implementations described and
illustrated herein. While certain features, attributes and
advantages of the implementations discussed herein have been
described and illustrated, many others, as well as different and/or
similar implementations, features, attributes and advantages, are
apparent from the description and illustrations. As such, the above
implementations are merely exemplary and are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms,
techniques, materials and/or configurations disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of this
disclosure. Other implementations may be utilized and operational
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure. As such, the scope of the disclosure is not limited
solely to the description above because the description of the
above implementations has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description.
[0069] Importantly, the present disclosure is neither limited to
any single aspect nor implementation, nor to any single combination
and/or permutation of such aspects and/or implementations.
Moreover, each of the aspects of the present disclosure, and/or
implementations thereof, may be employed alone or in combination
with one or more of the other aspects and/or implementations
thereof. For the sake of brevity, many of those permutations and
combinations will not be discussed and/or illustrated separately
herein.
* * * * *
References