Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOBILE FITNESS AND PERSONAL CALORIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(e) to United
States
Provisional patent application serial No. 61/061869 filed 16 June 2008, and
entitled "Mobile
Fitness Enabling Device".
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile fitness and caloric management
system, and
more particularly a personal caloric management system which is operable to
both coach and
allow one or more users to continuously monitor both their daily caloric
intake, and also
caloric expenditure or burn over a 24 hour period or longer, to achieve a more
balanced
personalized fitness and/or weight loss goal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computerized fitness systems used in health clubs are well known. These
systems
allow a user to input into a health club computer a target weight or physical
fitness goal.
During in-club exercise workouts, the computer operates to provide the user
with feedback as
to whether or not pre-selected milestones, such as target heart rates or reps,
have in fact been
reached.
The inventor's United States patent application publication No. US
2007/0232455 Al
to Hanoun, published 04 October 2007, describes one such computerized physical
activity
monitoring system. The system described in Hanoun allows individuals to pre-
program a
desired level of physical fitness as part of a health club facility workout.
Using a unique radio
frequency identifier (RFID) or chip containing data tag, information is
collected from various
club exercise machines and workstations which are fitted with sensors related
to the user's
workout regime. Collected data, such as heart rate information is stored on
the tag at each
workstation. This information is then downloaded to the health club computer
at the end of
the exercise workout, to allow the user to extrapolate his or her performance
and/or compare
it to performance information previously stored in the database or selected
target workout
intensities. The system described in United States patent application
publication No. US
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2007/0232455 Al advantageously provides users with specific information
relating to their
performance during a selected workout at the health club. Heretofore, however,
conventional
exercise management systems have failed to allow users to accurately monitor
and manage
caloric expenditures in light of caloric intake, and which is an important
factor in achieving
any balanced weight management and overall health.
Other systems have been proposed which allow the user to input estimated
caloric
consumption. These systems are however, inheritably inaccurate, as they rely
on the user's
own calculations as to the likely amount of consumed calories. Furthermore, an
individual
user may not have the necessary expertise to accurately determine the actual
calories which
are consumed. In addition, such systems typically operate on an honour basis,
and may be
subject to inadvertent or intentional omissions. As a result, conventional
computerized
monitoring systems have proven ineffective in correlating the participant's
monitored
physical activity with his or her caloric input. As such, if a user tends to
consume excess
and/or unhealthy calories, despite the improved heart rates, the participants
may continue to
suffer from increased weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle.
In addition, various nutrition focused weight-loss programs exist which allow
users to
select meals and food choices by caloric loading, as part of weight management
programs.
Typically, these programs allow participants to purchase prepared meals which
are chosen
and portion-sized to provide a predetermined measured caloric intake. The user
may
therefore select from a number of different types of pre-selected foods or
prepared meals
which provide a reduced caloric input chosen to achieve a desired weight loss
over a given
period of time, and which are delivered to the user on enrolment. Nutrition
focused weight
loss management systems do not, however, provide any feedback as to whether or
not the
participant is adhering to the selected dietary regime, or otherwise cheating
by consuming
meals or snacks outside those which are supplied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a mobile fitness and caloric management
system which allows one or more users to monitor and manage both their total
daily caloric
intake, as well as their total daily caloric expenditure as part of an overall
fitness and/or
wellness regime.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a caloric management system
which
allows multiple users to pre-select a user specific desired fitness and/or
weight level, and to
purchase from third parties, prepared meals and/or exercise programs which are
tailored to
achieve an optimum balance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure to
best achieve
the desired fitness or weight level.
Another object is to provide a system which allows a user and/or third parties
to
continuously monitor an individual's daily caloric expenditure, and which
provides the user
with visual and/or aural feedback, exercise programs and/or motivational
prompts, in the
event the actual measured caloric expenditures do not meet or exceed a target
caloric
expenditure for a particular time of day.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a coaching, programming and
monitoring system for ensuring compliance with a pre-selected exercise and/or
dietary-
programme which is selected to achieve a desired weight loss and improve
overall health.
A further object of the invention is to provide a computerized weight
management
system which allows one or more users to order from third parties pre-selected
dietary meals
and/or pre-proportioned foods which are tailored to provide a predetermined
caloric intake
selected to achieve desired weight loss and/or fitness goals. More preferably,
the system
allows for the monitoring by the user and/or the third party of the user's
total daily caloric
expenditures to provide an indication of whether or not the user is consuming
foods outside
the pre-selected program, and/or modifies or adjusts the exercise programmes
and/or future
meal or food choices, depending on whether or not the user achieves the target
caloric
expenditure.
In a simplified construction, a personal digital assistant or caloric
monitoring unit
(CMU) is provided for measuring the user's total caloric expenditure
throughout the day. The
caloric monitoring unit is designed to be portable, so as to be easily and
comfortably worn by
the user when not only exercising at a health club, but at substantially all
times throughout his
or her waking day. The CMU preferably includes one or more of a heart rate
monitor, an
accelerometer, a global positioning system (GPS), an Mp3 player and an audio
and/or video
output operable to provide motivational prompts to the user. More preferably,
the CMU
provides motivational prompts in the event the caloric expenditure does not
equal or exceed a
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pre-selected target optimal caloric expenditure chosen to achieve a desired
weight loss or
overall fitness level. In a preferred construction, the CMU includes a display
which is used to
provide a visual display providing an indication of whether or not the user
has achieved the
pre-selected optimum caloric burn or expenditure over a particular time
segment at a
particular time of day.
The CMU is provided as part of an overall fitness programme monitoring system
and
is operable to electronically communicate with a central processing unit
(CPU). The CPU
may take the form of a personal computer, a computer server housed in a health
club, or a
remote computer maintained by third parties, and which connects to the CMU via
the internet
or other suitable electronic connection. The CPU most preferably contains a
reference
datafile which stores a number of exercise programmes, each tailored to
achieve a preferred
target heart rate and/or joule or caloric expenditure. Most preferably, the
exercise
programmes are furthermore correlated to an individual's age, sex, weight
and/or other
biometric parameters. More preferably, the exercise programmes are furthermore
correlated
to lifestyle profile parameters which may include without restriction the
user's daily caloric
intake, factors such as whether or not the user is a smoker and/or has other
disabilities or
impairments, as well as indications of the user's overall health or fitness
(i.e. whether the user
is presently extremely fit, moderately fit, morbidly obese, etc.).
A client database is provided for storing both target fitness and/or weight
loss data as
well as client data which is unique to the individual users. Input client data
most preferably
includes particulars such as the individual's biometric parameters (i.e. age,
sex, weight, etc.)
as well as lifestyle information. Upon receiving input client data, the
central processing unit
is operable to download to the CMU an exercise programme which correlates to
the input
data, and which is selected to achieve a desired weight loss and/or overall
fitness result.
Most preferably the user inputs information as to his or her age, sex, daily
weight, as
well as fitness and/or weight goals which are to be obtained into a computer
(PC) for
uploading either wirelessly or via the internet onto the host computer/portal
or central
processing unit (CPU). Target fitness levels may be related to selected
fitness goals, or may
represent average fitness or Personal Activity Level for individuals of
comparable age, and
optionally, those performing a similar job function. Alternately, the user may
select unique
target fitness levels having regard to desired weight loss and/or weight gain.
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More preferably, the CMU is provided with an internal calendar/clock and a
processor
and/or memory which compares the optimum caloric expenditure for a given time
over a pre-
selected daily routine (typically the user's waking day over a fifteen to
eighteen hour period),
against the user's actual measured caloric expenditure for the actual measured
time. The
CMU may thus be operable either inside and/or outside health club environments
to
continuously record and monitor the user's "real-world" activities.
In one mode of operation, the system operates automatically, based on
understanding
the user's body type, age, height, body mass index, and/or with other
biometric variables to
calculate and predetermine the amount of calories an individual has been
consuming on a
daily basis to arrive at their current body weight. The approach of
calculating calories, also
referred to as "trending caloric intake" TCI, does not require the use of any
meal planning or
food selection in order to measure the number of calories an individual is
consuming. This
approach simplifies the engagement for users to establish an effective
exercise for selected
health goals, designed specifically to burn off at least the minimum trending
caloric intake in
order to maintain a current weight and/or burn off additional calories through
exercise and
daily activity.
The process of determining trending caloric intake occurs each time the user
enters
their body weight in the system software. By factoring all of the user
biometric variables, and
tracking historical physical activity performed by the user while wearing the
CMU, the
system is operable to estimate exercise benefits on the body.
In a further operational mode, the system is operable to determine the health
of one's
individual heart without the use of dedicated heart measuring sensors, such as
the heart chest
straps or ECG type modalities. This is done based on understanding the
biometric data for an
individual; tracking accurately their health activity using CMU over a period
of time; and
determining the exertion levels that were required and duration of time that
the activity was
sustained to yield an energy burn for the muscles in order to sustain such
activity. With the
forgoing information, it is possible to extrapolate that in order for the body
(in particular
musculoskeletal system) to sustain the activity, an energy burn would require
the
cardiovascular system to be able to support a predetermined level of exertion.
For each given
time period, the higher the activity, the more stress the body experiences,
the more demand
the heart is going to be under to deliver the required blood flow to the
muscles.
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On the assumption that the heart is able to deliver blood flow to the
musculoskeletal
system, it is possible to determine and convert that level of work into a
heart health score.
Over a measured period of time it is possible to calculate and establish a
correlation between
the energy burned through physical activity compared to the predicted response
and the effort
required by the heart.
In addition, by the periodic optional use of a heart belt or heart monitoring
sensor, (or
through some other modality used to establish heart rate) the user's heart
rate can be used as a
baseline or benchmark to validate calculated algorithms and the predictions
used to calculate
heart function, and reset the assumptions for subsequent calculations.
Similarly to calculating trending caloric intake, the CMU may be used to
calculate and
track, on average based on a defined timeline, the trending caloric output as
well. By
accurately tracking body movement on a selected time (i.e. minute by minute)
basis over an
extended period of time, data can be tabulated. The tabulated output can be
used to inform
the user of the resulting comparison of the user's energy or caloric output,
the trending caloric
input, predicting weight loss or weight gain.
Although not essential, in an alternate embodiment, a reference database
stores as
lifestyle profile parameters, caloric information related to a number of pre-
selected pre-
proportioned meals and/or food choices. The client database allows the user to
pre-select and
order a number of such pre-selected meals and/or foods (via a home computer or
internet
login, etc.) for purchase and delivery to the user. In this manner the
individual exercise
programme which is downloaded to the user's CMU may be adjusted to compensate
for the
user's anticipated caloric intake for a pre-selected period of time. If the
information uploaded
from the CMU indicates that the target fitness levels or fitness goals are not
being met, the
CPU may then adjust the meal choices which are available and/or which are
shipped to the
user, to provide a reduced number of calories and/or reflect either the
compliance and/or non-
compliance with the selected exercise programme.
In another construction, a caloric monitoring unit (CMU) is provided for
measuring
the user's caloric consumption and/or dynamic energy and/or caloric
expenditure over an
extended period of time. Preferably the time period extends over the bulk of
at least one
waking day, and most preferably over a dietary programme lasting at least one
to four weeks.
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The CMU includes internal memory, one or more of a heart rate monitor, a unit
accelerometer
and a global positioning system (GPS). Optionally the CMU may also be provided
with a
digital audio and/or video Mp3 player and an audio and/or video output. The
audio/video
output is preferably operable to provide information and/or motivational
prompts to the user
in the event the heart rate, energy expenditure and/or caloric expenditure
falls below or
exceeds pre-selected target expenditures which are correlated to a specific
pre-selected meal
plan over a particular time segment of the selected time period. In a
preferred construction,
the CMU includes a display to provide periodically an updated visual
indication of whether or
not the user has achieved the pre-selected caloric burn or energy expenditure
having regard to
caloric input for that particular time segment. The CMU is preferably provided
with wireless
communication capability, allowing for its interface with a health club
computer system
during an in-club workout session, so as to allow the user to upload and
download heart rate,
dynamic energy and/or caloric expenditure data and/or programming for a
variety of in-club
exercise activities, such as a selected physical fitness regime, staffed or
unstaffed aerobic
classes and the like. The health club computer system may be operable to
provide for the
downloading of heart rate and/or joule expenditure data directly to the CMU,
or in an
operable configuration may connect electronically directly to the CPU to
update the fitness
profile for the individual user in the stored client database.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention resides in a fitness
monitoring and
coaching system for ensuring a user's compliance with a pre-selected fitness
programme over
a selected time period, the system comprising, a data management system
including, a
reference database for storing datafiles providing preferred target heart rate
and joule
expenditure standards for a plurality of exercise programmes, said exercise
programmes
correlated to a user's biometric parameter and a lifestyle profile parameter,
said biometric
parameters comprising at least one of said user's age and weight, a client
database for storing
input client data indicative of said user's biometric parameters and a
lifestyle profile
information for said user, a processing unit operable to output as said pre-
selected fitness
programme a selected one of said exercising programmes correlated to said
input client data, a
wearable monitoring device for communicating with said data management system
and being
operable to measure said user's caloric and/or joule expenditure over the
selected time period,
the monitoring device including, an internal clock, a display, memory for
storing said pre-
selected exercise programme as downloaded user specific heart rate and joule
expenditure
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standards over the selected time period, an output for outputting heart rate
data singles
indicative of said user's actual measured or estimated heart rate over the
selected time, an
accelerometer for monitoring and outputting joule data signals indicative of
at least one of
movement by said user; an internal processor for comparing said heart rate
data signals and
said joule data signals to said user specific heart rate and joule expenditure
standards over said
selected time period, and outputting a compliance output value which is
dependent on the
comparison, and wherein the wearable monitoring device is operable to provide
on said
display in substantially real time a visual representation of said compliance
output value,
suggestive of a modification to the user's heart rate and/or joule
expenditure.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in anmonitoring system for
monitoring
and validating compliance with a pre-selected fitness programme by a user, the
system
including, a data management system including, a reference database for
storing a plurality of
datafiles providing preferred target heart rate and caloric and/or joule
expenditure standards
for a plurality of exercise and nutrition programmes correlated to a selected
target weight and
fitness profile, and at least one pre-selected biometric parameter selected
from a user's age,
and weight, a client database for storing client data indicative of biometric
parameters of said
user, a processing unit operable to output as said pre-selected fitness
programme a selected
one of said exercise and nutrition programmes which correlates at least in
part to at least one
of said user's weight and fitness profile, and said pre-selected biometric
parameters, a
wearable monitoring device for communicating with said data management system
and being
operable to measure said user's total daily caloric expenditure, the
monitoring device
including, an internal clock, memory for storing said selected wellness and
rehabilitation
physiotherapy programme as time dependent user specific heart rate and caloric
and/or joule
expenditure standards for a pre-selected time period, a heart rate monitoring
sensor for
monitoring and outputting heart rate data signals indicative of said user's
heart rate, and an
accelerometer for monitoring and outputting caloric and/or joule data signals
indicative of at
least one of movement by said user and physical force on at least part of said
user's body, a
processor for receiving said heart rate data signals and said caloric and/or
joule data signals as
input values and validating said input values to said user specific heart rate
and caloric and/or
joule expenditure standards over said pre-selected time period, and outputting
a compliance
output data indicative of any difference between said input values and said
user specific heart
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rate and caloric and/or joule expenditure standards, a display for providing
said user with a
visual representation of said compliance output data.
In yet a further aspect, the present invention resides in a method of using a
wearable
monitoring device for validating a user's compliance with an exercise
programme, the
wearable monitoring device including an output for outputting heart rate data
signals
indicative of said user's actual measured or estimated heart rate, and an
accelerometer for
monitoring and outputting caloric and/or joule data signals indicative of at
least one of
movement by said user and physical force on at least part of said user's body,
the method
comprising, providing a reference database storing a plurality of datafiles
for preferred target
heart rate and caloric and/or joule expenditure standards for a plurality of
fitness programmes,
said fitness programmes correlated to pre-selected biometric parameters and
target weight
and/or fitness levels, said biometric parameters comprising at least said
user's age and weight,
providing a client database storing input client data indicative of a user's
age and weight,
downloading to the wearable monitoring device as said exercise programme a
selected one of
said fitness programme correlated to the user's input client data, validating
as input values
said heart rate data signals and said caloric and/or joule data signals to
said user specific heart
rate and caloric and/or joule expenditure over a pre-selected time period, and
outputting a
compliance output data indicative of any difference between said input values
and said user
specific heart rate and caloric and/or joule expenditure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description, taken together
with
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIGURE 1 shows schematically a caloric management system in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIGURE 2 shows schematically the communication of the caloric monitoring unit
and
central processing unit of the system shown in Figure 1;
FIGURE 3 illustrates schematically the caloric monitoring unit (CMU) used in
the
system of Figure 1;
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FIGURE 4 shows a perspective view of the personal digital caloric monitoring
unit
(CMU) for use in the system of Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 illustrates schematically the operation of the CMU of Figure 2 as
part of a
circuit training workout in a health club environment; and
FIGURE 6 illustrates schematically the operation of the CMU as part of a group
fitness
workout in a health club environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is made to Figure 1 which schematically illustrates a mobile fitness
and
personal caloric management system 10 in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the
invention. As will be described, the system 10 is most preferably used in the
management
and monitoring of a user's 8 compliance with a pre-selected nutrition and
exercise
programme. As will be described, the system 10 provides an advantage over
conventional
fitness monitoring systems in that unlike existing systems, which focus on in-
health club
activity over a 45 minute to 1 hour workout, the monitoring system 10 provides
for both the
monitoring and prompting to maintain compliance with a pre-selected nutrition
and exercise
regime over an entire waking day for periods of upto weeks or even months. The
selected
exercise and dietary programmes are chosen having regard to the individual-
specific weight
loss and fitness needs of the user S. In use, the present system 10 is
operable to provide
periodic or real-time visual and aural behavioural modification guides and/or
prompts to the
user 8 throughout the day.
The system 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 20, and at least one,
and
preferably a number of portable and wearable caloric monitoring units (CMU) 30
operable to
be concurrently worn by different multiple users 8 as part of the system
operation. Each
CMU 30 is configured to download and upload data from the central processing
unit (CPU)
20 via a personal computer 40 or a dedicated health club kiosk 42. The CMU 30
has an
overall size and configuration selected to be easily carried and worn by the
user 8 during both
exercise workouts, as well as throughout the daily waking routine, without
significantly
encumbering daily activities.
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The central processing unit 20 is most preferably housed as part of a
mainframe
computer housed either at a centralized health club facility, or nutrition
management
administrator. Figure 2 shows best the central processing unit 20 as including
a reference
programme databank 22, and a pre-selected meal databank 50. The reference
programme
databank 22 contains a series of exercise or fitness modules which are
correlated to various
biometric profile factors such as a user's weight, age, sex, overall fitness
(high fitness, low
fitness, poor fitness, etc.). Each of the exercise programmes constitute at
least an entire day
and preferably a whole week exercise programme which is selected to achieve
preferred heart
rate and expenditure standards selected to obtained a desired target weight
loss and/or fitness
level. Most preferably, the exercise programmes are furthermore correlated to
the user's
anticipated daily caloric input, so as to balance both caloric expenditures
with the calories
which are consumed by the user 8. The reference programme databank is
electronically
connected to the administrator meal selection databank 50.
The meal selection databank 50 contains caloric and nutritional information
with
respect to a number of pre-selected and pre-proportioned meals and foods which
are classified
by meal type (i.e. snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner), food type (i.e. beef,
vegetarian, seafood,
etc.) and caloric weighting. Although not essential, the pre-selected meals co-
relate to actual
pre-packaged prepared meals which are available for direct purchase and
shipping to the user
8 as part of an overall weight loss programme. The meal selection databank
file 50 may be
housed on the CPU 20 itself, or alternately stored at a remote location and
linked to the CPU
20 electronically via a local or global computer network connection. Also on
the central
processing unit 20 is the user's 8 specific client datafile 24. The client
datafile 24 includes a
client database 26 which stores input client data related to the specific
biometric information
of the user, as well as lifestyle profile information, and which is either
input directly or more
preferably uploaded from the user's home PC 40. The input client data
preferably contains
information specific to the individual user 8 and allows the user 8 to choose
a desired fitness
goal, such as a target health wellness profile and weight to be achieved over
a pre-selected
period of time. The pre-selected fitness goal is stored by the CPU 20 as
uploaded profile
datafile 26 which is unique to the user 8. The user biometric information most
typically
consists of the user's age, sex and weight. User input lifestyle information
may, for example,
include an indication of whether or not the user 8 is a smoker or non-smoker,
an indication of
the user's 8 overall fitness level (i.e. highly fit, moderately fit, morbidly
obese, etc.), an
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indication of any disability of the user, and most preferably a selection of
the user's 8
preferred meal choices chosen from the meal databank 50.
As shown best in Figure 3, the data file 24 also includes memory 28 for
storing
specific data including data relating to the pre-selected meals shipped to the
user 8 and caloric
input, as well as downloaded fitness programmes which are selected having
regard to the
uploaded user specific information contained in the datafile 24. Information
related to the
validation of the user's performance and/or adherence with the downloaded
fitness
programme is furthermore stored as validation record 32 within the client data
file 24.
Optionally, other types of lifestyle parameters 26 may also be included as
part of the
uploaded user data file 26. These may include particulars as to the type of
the user's
profession and indications of the user's leisure activities. Leisure activity
particulars may
include whether the individual's daily job activity results in periods of high
or low physical
activities for a particular time segment during the day (i.e. postman vs.
clerical worker) as
well as preferred daily caloric indications. The lifestyle parameters may
advantageously
provide an overall fitness weighting (i.e. active, inactive) or performance
index (PI) for the
user.
As indicated, the reference programme databank 22 includes a series of
individual
downloadable pre-selected fitness modules. The fitness modules each include
for a selected
individual age and gender, pre-selected heart rate and fitness targets or
goals, and which may
include therein a number of pre-stored downloadable daily exercise programmes.
Each of the
exercise programmes typically consist of aural instructions and/or video and
music which
provide a physical workout to the user 8 which are of a duration and/or
intensity selected to
achieve a predetermined caloric burn. The fitness modules preferably
furthermore stipulate
preferred user-specific target heart rates, and preferred caloric and energy
or joule expenditure
standards for both particular types of exercise, as well as for activities
throughout the day, and
are furthermore linked to the biometric and lifestyle parameters for the user
8 over a pre-
selected period of time.
In one possible mode of operation, the fitness module provides the user 8 with
instructions to undertake physical activities ranging from stair climbing, to
walking or lifting;
to more intense cardiovascular workouts which are of a chosen duration and/or
intensity when
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the user 8 is performing daily tasks. The physical activities are selected
having regard to the
particular time of day, the user's 8 chosen caloric intake (i.e. pre-selected
meal/foods) and are
chosen to achieve a predetermined heart rate and caloric and/or energy bum.
The fitness
programmes stored in the databank 22 each provide preferred heart rate and
caloric and joule
expenditure standards to be achieved throughout individual time segments, such
as each half-
hour, hour or two-hour period of an average waking day. The caloric
expenditure standards
preferably account for user activities both when the user 8 is at a health
club and performing
in-club exercises for a selected time segment (i.e. a particular hour), as
well as when
undertaking day-to-day activities over a given period.
Ordering software is provided to allow the user 8 to select and order meals
via the PC
40, for consumption for a given day, week or month. Typically meals are chosen
from the
meal databank 50 for the upcoming week or weeks. Following receipt of a meal
purchase-
order from the PC 40, the CPU 20 transmits the order information to the
warehouse 100 for
shipping of the pre-prepared foods to the user 8. Meal choices and daily
caloric input value of
each meal is logged in the CPU 20 in the user's data file 26 for each day over
the pre-selected
period. The CPU 20 then may adjust the caloric expenditure required for the
user 8 to achieve
the pre-selected fitness goal having regard to the user's 8 caloric input. In
a preferred mode
of operation, if the validated user performance data 32 uploaded to the CPU 20
indicates that
the user 8 is not achieving the desired caloric expenditure or target heart
rate levels stipulated
by the downloaded fitness profile, the CPU 20 may adjust the type and/or size
of meal
selections which are available to the user 8 in the meal databank 50 to reduce
the permitted
caloric intake. Similarly, if the uploaded validated user performance
indicates that the user is
exceeding the target joule expenditure and/or heart rates, the CPU 20 may
allow the user 8 to
choose a wider selection of prepared meals or foods from the pre-selected meal
databank 50.
In a more preferred possible construction, the user 8 lifestyle parameters
include the
user's 8 general class of job category. Job categories for each user 8 are
preferably pre-
allocated with an average daily caloric/joule expenditure for selected time
segments (i.e. each
hour/pre-breakfast, mid-morning, lunch hour,etc.) throughout the day. As a
result the
downloaded fitness programme is operable to provide fitness prompts to the
user 8 throughout
the working day. In particular, the exercise programme provided by the CPU 20
is most
preferably calibrated to increase or decrease desired heart rate and/or
physical activity target
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expenditures in accordance with projected expenditures having regard to
equivalent lifestyle
parameters, the specific time of day and anticipated activity. For example,
during weekday
business hours, the downloaded fitness programme adjusts to reflect that the
user's 8 ability to
provide elevated heart rates and physical activities may be limited by his or
her employment
duties. During these time segments, the target data operates to provide only
moderate aural
and/or visual cues to the user 8 to adjust heart rate or activities tailored
to both desired
rehabilitative exercises and real world expectations.
Figures 3 and 4 show schematically the caloric monitoring unit 30 in
accordance with
a preferred embodiment. As will be described, the CMU 30 is operable to
communicate with
the central processing unit 20 to both download and store a user specific
fitness programme,
as well as to upload the user's validated performance or compliance data. In a
simplified
mode of operation, data transfer between the CPU 20 and the CMU 30 is achieved
by the
uploading and downloading of datafiles via the PC 40 through a communicating
network 35
(Figure 1) such as a conventional home internet connection. The PC 40 may also
be used to
download fitness progress reports from the CPU 20 to monitor the overall
progress of the user
8 in meeting his or her fitness goals.
Data downloading between the CMU 30 and the network 35 is achieved either
wirelessly or through a hardwired connection to the PC 40.
Figure 3 shows best each CMU 30 as having an internal USB connector port 44
for
electronically coupling the CMU 30 with the PC 40 so as to facilitate the
electronic
downloading and uploading of programmes and data. The CMU 30 may also
incorporate a
BluetoothTM or other wireless radio module 46 operable to communicate to both
the health
club kiosk having an RFID reader and/or a house box, such as a wireless router
on a PC
network. Wireless module communications may be activated through a hall-effect
sensor
which is operable to detect a magnet housed in the docking station at a health
club or home
PC 40. Alternatively, the PC 40 could be omitted entirely, with either
wireless or direct wired
communication occurring between the CPU 20 and CMU 30, or by hardwiring, or
direct plug-
in.
The CMU 30 has an overall size and weight selected so as to be comfortably
worn by
the user 8 as a fully portable device. The CMU 30 is therefore preferably
provided as a small
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multi-function mobile fitness monitoring and tracking device. The CMU 30 is
adapted to be
worn comfortably by the user 8 both during health club exercising, as well as
throughout the
remainder of the entire waking day, and also most daily tasks. The CMU 30 is
operated by
way of a rechargeable battery 48 and preferably is approximately the size of a
small cell
phone or pager. The rechargeable battery 48 may be chargeable through the USB
connection
port 44 in a conventional manner, as for example during data downloading and
uploading
from the PC 40, or a wall charging device. A sleep mode and wake-up function
are preferably
used to conserve power and provide an expected battery life in excess of seven
days.
In addition to the battery 48, the CMU 30 is provided internally with an
internal
calendar/clock processor 52, a performance sensor array 54 and internal
portable data
storage/memory 56. The sensor array 54 includes a number of different types of
sensors used
to measure different physical attributes of the user 8 over the course of the
pre-selected time
segments, such as each hour, throughout the waking day. The sensor array 54 is
electronically linked to both the clock/processor 52 and the data
storage/memory 56 to allow
for the comparison and validation of measured user data, such as heart rate,
caloric burn
and/or energy burn, against both the input caloric values correlated to the
pre-selected target
values provided by the fitness programme 45 downloaded from the CPU 20 and
stored in the
memory 56. In a simplified construction a master output display 80 and
operational mode
control buttons 82 (Figure 4), allow the user 8 to select a specific operating
mode for the
CMU 30, and either upload to the CPU 20 data relating to the validation of the
user's 8 heart
rate, caloric and/or energy expenditures and/or download exercise programmes
for playback.
The device memory 56 is used to receive and store the pre-selected exercise
programme 45
which is downloaded by the CPU 20 and which is tailored specifically having
regard to user's
8 caloric input, the input client data, and the specific user 8 physical
fitness or weight loss
goal.
The sensor array 54 includes an optional heart rate sensor 60, an internal
unit
accelerometer 62, and optionally a global positioning sensor (GPS) 64. The CMU
30 may
furthermore be operable to communicate with and receive signals from health
club equipment
sensors 66 via the radio module 46. In this manner the CMU 30 is operable to
receive data
from sensors 66a, 66b, 66c mounted to health club exercise bikes 102,
treadmills 104, rowers
106 and the like.
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In one possible construction, the heart rate sensor 60 includes a remote
contact sensor
pad 70 which is adapted for placement against a pulse point on the user's 8
skin in the
monitoring and recording of heart rate data signals which reflect the user's 8
heart rate during
CMU 30 operation. Most preferably the sensor 60 is operable to wirelessly
receive heart rate
pulse data from a wireless chest strap heart rate sensor. Heart rate data is
monitored and stored
periodically (i.e. every 5 minutes) in the memory 56. More preferably heart
rate variability is
also calculated and stored as a value. In a preferred mode, the heart rate
sensor 60 is used to
monitor whether or not a prescribed target heart rate has been achieved for a
number of given
time segments throughout the entire day. This measured heart rate is then
compared against
the target heart rate for the corresponding time segment in the downloaded
fitness programme
45.
The internal accelerometer 64 is preferably of a 3-axis operational design
which is
used to measure whole body motion when the CMU 30 is worn on the user 8. By
providing a
belt mount 70 (Figure 1), the orientation of the accelerometer 62 with
relation to the user's 8
body is advantageously fixed so that the output from each axis is
directionally known. In one
preferred operational mode, the x-axis is down (giving a + 1 g signal when
stationary). The y-
axis is selected forward and the z-axis is inwardly towards the body (i.e.
twisting). In general,
signals from the accelerometer 62 are continuously analysed together with
signals from the
GPS sensor 64 and the type of activity determined, with both the activity type
and activity
dynamic energy stored in memory 56. The data is analyzed in real time,
allowing the types
and extent of the user's 8 activity to be determined, as for example:
= Walking and distance; (Note: Position the device)
= Running and distance; (as a body motion and analysis)
= Jumping and distance; (device that can be used to determine steps as one of
its
functions)
= Sitting/Standing;
= Lying Down;
= Rolling;
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= Passive transportation distance (i.e. car or other transportation journey);
= Dynamic energy and activity.
The accelerometer 62 is thus operable to monitor and output joule data signals
which provide
an indication of the movement of the user 8. Additionally, the microprocessor
52 provides an
analysis algorithm used to filter the accelerometer 62 data and determine the
validity of a step.
Step count and time is then recorded and saved as time-stamped measured user
performance
data in the memory 56 periodically (i.e. every 5 minutes). In addition the
bounce height of
the x-axis is analysed to gain a measure of distance travelled during each
step.
For in health club use, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, health club equipment
sensors
66a, 66b, 66c provide joule data signals to the processor 52 which are
indicative of the user's
8 activation and movement of the specific exercise equipment, such as exercise
bikes 102,
treadmills 104, rowers 106, and/or the physical force or exertion performed by
the user 8
thereon during a health club workout. Sensors 66 are most preferably
wirelessly linked to the
CMU 30, although hardwired sensors may also be used.
In one possible mode of operation, during an independent in-club exercise
workout
(Figure 5), the user 8 scans the CMU 30 at the individual workstations (i.e.
rower 106 or bike
102). The CMU 30 receives the uploaded machine and heart rate data from the
applicable
sensors 66c, 66a via the radio module 46.
The CMU 30 sends the user and CMU identification to the health club computer
120
which returns the information to the user 8 via the CMU 30 or a club display
as feed back.
Optionally the health club computer 120 may be used to upload heart rate and
joule
expenditure data directly to the CPU 20.
In an alternative club mode during group exercising, an instructor selects the
desired
in-club programme. The user's "login" is identified by a club RFID reader 122.
The group
programme and activity parameters are downloaded to the CMU 30 from the club
computer
120 via the radio module 46. During the workout the CMU 30 collects data from
the sensors
60, 62, 64, 66 and transmits it to the club computer 120. The club computer
120 may then
both display the user performance on a projector array 126 as feedback, and
upload the heart
rate and energy joule data to the CPU 20.
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The clock/micro-processor 52 allows the data collected by the heart rate
sensor 60,
accelerometer 62, GPS 64 and health club equipment sensors 66 to be time-
stamped and
compared against the caloric input values for the pre-selected meals. The
microprocessor 52
preferably also controls all CMU 30 operational features, and includes self-
testing and
diagnostic functions. This information is uploadable to the CPU 20 so that
functional errors
with the CMU 30 can be indicated to the user 8. The microprocessor 52 manages
the CMU
30 data storage/memory 56.
In another mode of operation the heart rate sensor 60 may be omitted and the
CMU 30
and CPU 20 operated to extrapolate heart rate data and/or indications of the
health of the
user's 8 heart. In particular, the user's 8 lifestyle and/or biometric
parameters and health
activity level used to extrapolate heart activities required to achieve
caloric expenditures
and/or weight gain/loss over a selected time segment.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the CMU display 80 consists of a circular
LED
array which is divided into multiple sections. Although not essential, each
section is
preferably operable to provide feedback to the user 8 through a colour
indication display. In a
simplified design, the sections of the display 80 incorporate LEDs which are
operable to emit
the colours red, yellow or green as visual prompts to the user 8. The display
colours provide a
visual indication of whether or not the user's 8 heart rate, caloric and/or
joule expenditure and
overall physical activity or total energy (joule) expenditure meets or exceeds
the pre-selected
target standards for the pre-selected fitness goal and the user's 8 caloric
input at each
particular time segment or time of day. The display 80 provides a visual
colour indicator of
the comparison of the measured state of the user's heart rate, caloric and
energy consumption,
activity rate, and health against pre-defined programme goals for both the
particular day, and
particular time segment as determined by the clock/microprocessor 52. The
colour indicator
feedback is activated by the output switch array 82, with the goal for the
user 8 to achieve
green for each section. It is to be appreciated that in an alternate
construction the display 80
could include a video display operable to output video images and/or graphics
to the user 8.
The internal processor 52 is operable to compare both the heart data signals,
as well as
the caloric and joule input and expenditure data signals which are received
from the
accelerometer sensor 62, GPS 64 and any health club equipment sensors 66. The
processor
52 then compares the user's 8 caloric input and/or the measured user heart
rate and joule data
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with the heart rate and joule expenditure standards which are contained in the
pre-selected
fitness programme 45 stored in the memory 54 and provide validated user
performance data
88. Although not essential, most preferably the comparison between the
measured data and
the stored standards is performed on a real-time basis by the processor 52
throughout the
entire day, as the user 8 wears the device. Concurrently, the display 80
provides the user 8
with a visual indication of his/her compliance with the heart rate and
expenditure standards.
This advantageously allows the user 8 to implement minor, or if necessary,
major adjustment
to his or her physical activities either in real-time or following each time
segment, to ensure
continued compliance with the pre-selected fitness programme 45. In one
possible mode, the
CMU 30 may produce a data table used to control the feedback light. This data
is uploadable
from the CMU 30 to the CPU 20 during the time it is connected to a PC 40. For
the user 8,
the data table is based on their information in a unique user account 24
stored on the CPU 20
at the portal. Data may, for example, include the following Table 1.
Date and Time
Degree of Movement
Movement Type
Heart Rate
HRV
Dynamic Energy
Activity Type
Table 1
The total PI expected could be calculated using Basal Metabolic Rate and
Activity
level (or similar), with or without other values based on the specific fitness
goals of the user 8
depending on the user's 8 personal profile. This value is then allocated to
specific pre-
selected daily periods, as for example, is shown in Table 2.
Time Time General PI Physiotherapy Special or
Segment to be Targets Additional
Achieved Activity Targets
1 12 am -6 am 200 100 0
2 6 am- 8 am 400 0 0
3 1 pm- 3 pm 300 100 200
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4 5 pm- 9 pm 600 0 0
Table 2
The present system preferably also allows the user 8 at the end of each
segment to "top up" by
performing additional caloric burning exercises so as to reach the total
target caloric and/or
joule burn and/or heart rate levels for a particular day. With the indication
that the target
heart and/or overall caloric and/or energy expenditure levels for a time
segment has not yet
been achieved, the user 8 may download from the CPU 30 supplemental exercise
routines
consisting of music, video and/or instructions. This downloaded routine is
selected to enable
the user 8 to complete the required level of necessary physical activity to
achieve the target
fitness level and target heart level, and having regard to the actual measured
values for the
particular day. Following at the end of each day, the user may then upload
from the CMU 30
data representative of actual physical activities and heart rate data.
In a preferred mode, the user's physical activity is measured throughout the
day and
tracked by the CMU 30 using the sensor array 54. The collected data is
converted to the
universal Performance Index (PI) scale based on the user's 8 pre-input
physical characteristics
and meal/caloric choices. Feedback is customized to activity and energy
expenditures
throughout a day based on the user's 8 weight loss and fitness goals and
correlated fitness
programme which has been pre-selected. The portability and light weight of the
CMU 30
allows it to be worn by the user 8 throughout his or her waking day to collect
data relating to
the user's 8 overall heart rate, and energy and/or caloric expenditure. The
data collected is
uploaded (via PC 40) to the CPU 20 as a validated user performance data 32 to
provide
feedback to the user's nutritionist or weight loss consultant. The uploaded
performance data
32 provides an indication of whether the user's 8 caloric and/or joules
expended as a result of
the user's 8 physical activity equals or exceeds the target level, and
provides an indication if
whether the user 8 is adhering to the meal plan.
Although the preferred embodiment describes the CMU 30 as having a
clock/processor 52 and memory 56 operable to store and validate measured user
performance
data 32 with the downloaded standards, the invention is not so limited. In a
more economical
construction, data storage and validation processing may be achieved by way of
a user's home
personal computer 40. The PC 40 may also be provided to facilitate date and
firmware
downloads between the CPU 20 and CMU 30. User performance information from the
CMU
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30 may also be stored directly on the PC 40, allowing the user 8 to monitor
any changes in
performance data and obtain feedback therefrom. In a more preferred
construction, a
firmware version is saved which is unique to the device ID for the CMU 30 at
the CPU 20.
Any firmware updates will be posted on the CPU 20 and downloaded as
appropriate.
In another embodiment the CMU 30 operates, based on understanding the user's 8
body type, age, height, body mass index, and/or with other biometric variables
stored in the
CPU 40 to calculate and predetermine the amount of calories a user 8 has been
consuming on
a daily basis to arrive at their current body weight. The approach of
calculating this "trending
caloric intake" TCI, does not require the use of stored meal planning or food
selection data
which measures the number of calories an individual is consuming but rather,
may be
calculated from tabulated empirical data for a variety of like activities, and
similar biometric
profiles. This approach advantageously minimizes data entry requirements
otherwise needed
to establish an effective exercise for selected health goal.
The process of determining trending caloric intake may be achieved each time
the user
8 enters their body weight in the system software. By factoring all of the
user biometric
variables, comparing the variables with predetermined standards therefore, and
tracking
historical physical activity performed by the user 8 while wearing the CMU 30,
the CPU 40 is
operable to estimate exercise benefits on the body.
In an alternative operational mode, the CMU 30 is operable to determine the
health of
one's individual heart without the use of dedicated heart measuring sensors.
The CMU 30
and CPU 40 compares biometric data for a target user; and tracks accurately
the user's 8
health activity over a period of time. By determining the exertion levels
required and duration
of time exercise/physical activity was sustained to yield an energy burn
necessary to sustain
such activity, it is possible to extrapolate the energy necessary (in
particular musculoskeletal
system) to sustain the identified activity, an energy burn would require the
cardiovascular
system to be able to support a predetermined level of exertion.
Although not essential, in a preferred construction a digital audio player 98
is
preferably also provided within the CMU 30. The digital audio player 98 is
controlled by a
volume control 91 (Figure 4) and connects to an ear phone jack 93, allowing
music and/or
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audio instructions related to the pre-selected fitness programme to be
downloaded from the
CPU 20 for playback to the user 8.
Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various preferred
embodiments, the invention is not so limited. Many modifications and
variations will occur
to persons skilled in the art. For a definition of the invention, reference
may now be had to
the appended claims.
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