Pedometers Patents (Class 235/105)
  • Patent number: 11833391
    Abstract: A method implementing an accelerometer for analyzing biomechanical parameters of a runner's stride. The method includes fastening a device (1) on the runner that has a triaxial accelerometer (17), a chronograph (16), a digital processor (19) and a display (11). The method measures a sequence of acceleration data in at least the vertical direction using the accelerometer, while the runner runs a certain distance (D) along a running course. During or at the end the running course, the processor calculates the biomechanical parameters of the stride, including lowering the center of gravity and/or the elevation (E) of the center of gravity and/or the sum of the lowering and of the elevation (E) and/or the vertical mechanical work of the center of gravity, based on the acceleration data, of the distance (D) and a period of time measured by the chronograph (16); and displays the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: MYOTEST SA
    Inventors: Patrick Flaction, Jacques Quièvre, Jean-Benoit Morin
  • Patent number: 11490852
    Abstract: A wearable device consists of a smart band and a display unit. The smart band comprises a microbial biosensor, a particulate matter sensor, an enviro sensor, a single board computer, a power supply unit, a band fastener, and a set of watch adapters. The microbial biosensor detects, measures, and monitors beneficial microorganisms and pathogens in a nasal cavity, an oral cavity, or on a surface. The microbial biosensor sterilizer kills pathogens. The particulate matter sensor detects, measures, and monitors a set of suspended particles in the surrounding air comprising beneficial microorganisms, pathogens, pollen grains, dust mite allergens, and an air quality index. The enviro sensor detects, monitors, and measures environmental conditions surrounding the user. A computing system comprises a wearable device, a microbiome mobile application, a user, a mobile device, a laboratory testing facility, a cloud server, and a physician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventors: Hemal B Kurani, Hetal B Kurani
  • Patent number: 11395939
    Abstract: A method implementing an accelerometer for analyzing biomechanical parameters of a runner's stride. The method includes fastening a device (1) on the runner that has a triaxial accelerometer (17), a chronograph (16), a digital processor (19) and a display (11). The method measures a sequence of acceleration data in at least the vertical direction using the accelerometer, while the runner runs a certain distance (D) along a running course. During or at the end the running course, the processor calculates the biomechanical parameters of the stride, including lowering the center of gravity and/or the elevation (E) of the center of gravity and/or the sum of the lowering and of the elevation (E) and/or the vertical mechanical work of the center of gravity, based on the acceleration data, of the distance (D) and a period of time measured by the chronograph (16); and displays the parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Myotest SA
    Inventors: Patrick Flaction, Jacques Quièvre, Jean-Benoit Morin
  • Patent number: 11272873
    Abstract: A cognitive function evaluation device includes an acquisition unit that acquires body motion data representing a body motion of a person to be evaluated during walking; a calculation unit that calculates a displacement of a body of the person to be evaluated during walking based on the acquired body motion data; and an evaluation unit that evaluates a cognitive function of the person to be evaluated based on a frequency peak representing a cycle of walking of person-to-be-evaluated obtained by performing a frequency analysis on the calculated displacement, and to output the evaluation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsumura, Takashi Okada, Takashi Nishiyama, Kengo Abe
  • Patent number: 11188915
    Abstract: A device may receive transaction data indicating that a transaction occurred. The transaction may be between a first user of a first device and a second user of a second device. The device may receive, from the first device, first sensor data indicating a first location recorded by a first sensor of the first device at a first point in time associated with the transaction; and receive, from the second device, second sensor data indicating a second location recorded by a second sensor of the second device at a second point in time associated with the transaction. Based on the transaction data, the first sensor data, and/or the second sensor data, the device may determine whether the transaction occurred and perform an action based on the determination of whether the transaction occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Phillips, Zhe Liu, Kurry Tran
  • Patent number: 11175158
    Abstract: To reduce false counts of a device that counts a user's step count. A pedometer device, a step counting method, and a recording medium are provided. The pedometer devices includes: an acquiring unit that acquires a sensor signal output by a sensor carried by a user; an extracting unit that extracts a feature quantity from the sensor signal; a storage unit that stores a walking model which represents walking motions, the walking model being formed based on a feature quantity extracted from a sensor signal corresponding to a predetermined number of steps of walking; a comparing unit that compares the feature quantity extracted at the extracting unit with the walking model; and a deciding unit that decides whether the user has walked a predetermined number of steps, based on a result of the comparison performed by the comparing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Shigeta, Shiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11089825
    Abstract: A step triggered light up footwear device that creates a flash of one or more lights when a wearer moves or takes a step. The device includes a body with a battery holder, a battery, a manual switch, and a motion sensor. It includes a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a control circuit connected to and powered by the battery. The control circuit is also connected to the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, and may be further connected to receive inputs from the manual switch and the motion sensor, such that operation of the manual switch causes the control circuit to provide power to light the first light-emitting element for a first time period, and such that a motion sensed by the motion sensor causes the control circuit to provide power to light the second light-emitting element for a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Jacob M. Ell
  • Patent number: 11052286
    Abstract: A footwear system that includes a left having a left toe region, left forefoot region, a left arch region and a left heel region, a left outsole, a left upper secured to the left outsole, and a left sensor system that includes at least a first left heel pressure sensor positioned in the left heel region, and at least a first left forefoot pressure sensor positioned in the left forefoot region. The footwear system also includes a right shoe that includes a right toe region, a right forefoot region, a right arch region and a right heel region, a right outsole, a right upper secured to the right outsole, and a right sensor system that includes at least a first right heel pressure sensor positioned in the right heel region, and at least a first right forefoot pressure sensor positioned in the right forefoot region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Enterprise Engineering Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Aswin Reddy
  • Patent number: 11047693
    Abstract: A system provides feedback to a user to guide the user to point a part of the body at a target of interest. An angle sensor senses the angle in which the part of the user's body is pointing, such as the head or the hand. The system computes the angle to a target and compares to the angle in which the part of the user's body is pointing and the feedback indicates to the user how to point more closely to the direction of the target. Additional sensors allow the system to update the angle to the target as the position of the user changes. A walking sensor is disclosed to accurately measure the position of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Philip Raymond Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11033206
    Abstract: A method is provided which includes providing a sensor operable to measure movement over time on a user. The sensor includes an alert unit. The sensor is configured with a threshold to activate the alert unit when the measured movement over time is below the threshold. The measurements of movement over time are obtained, and it is determined whether the measured movement over time is below the threshold. When the measured movement is below the threshold, the alert unit at the sensor is activated to alert the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Circulex, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Roh
  • Patent number: 11016111
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for stride monitoring are disclosed. In one example, a first sensor monitors a first user motion parameter during a user running activity and provides a first sensor output and a second sensor monitors a second user motion parameter during the user running activity and provides a second sensor output. The first sensor output and the second sensor output are processed to determine a user parameter associated with both the first sensor output and the second sensor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Chu-Shan Chuang
  • Patent number: 10967221
    Abstract: A device and method for monitoring exercise performance and configured to be worn on a limb of a user. The device includes a position determining module configured to generate position data for a present exercise session of the user utilizing one or more signals; a motion sensor configured to detect motion of the device and generate motion data; and a processor. The processor is operable to calculate at least one of speed, pace, and distance of the device; calculate a limb motion of the user to obtain limb motion data throughout the present exercise session; determine whether an inaccurate interval is present during the present exercise session; obtain a matching interval; and replace at least one of the speed, pace, and distance data during the inaccurate interval with a corresponding at least one of speed, pace, and distance data of the matching interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: James L. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10806603
    Abstract: Disclosed is a walking assist method including acquiring arm motion data; creating walking data based on the arm motion data; and assisting a walking based on the created walking data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Kwon Choi, Keehong Seo, Youngbo Shim, Taesin Ha, Seungyong Hyung
  • Patent number: 10758778
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for athletic performance monitoring are disclosed. In one example, a system includes an inertial sensor configured to measure an acceleration in a moving direction of a user foot of a user during locomotion and output an acceleration signal, a memory storing a stride acceleration motion profile, and a processing system configured to process the acceleration signal and the stride acceleration motion profile to identify a reduced user overstride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Chu-Shan Chuang
  • Patent number: 10729936
    Abstract: A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Prstojevich
  • Patent number: 10709632
    Abstract: To measure the number of steps of a user in a more precise manner, the pedometer of the present invention comprises a state variable detection unit for detecting a state variable indicating a walking movement of a user, a walking step determination unit for determining each walking step of the user from an output of the state variable detection unit, a walking information storage unit for incrementing a step count each time a walking step is determined by the walking step determination unit and storing the incremented step count and the associated time information obtained by a clock, and a walking step count computation unit for computing a walking step count of the user from a time point of initiating the measurement operation to a time point of terminating the measurement operation to a decimal part according to the step count and the associated time information stored in the walking information storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Endo
  • Patent number: 10638927
    Abstract: Described herein are customized, intelligent outerwear created through additive manufacturing and integrated with a plurality of sensors, actuators and other electronics to monitor user activity and provide various diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. The outerwear is additively manufactured using a three-dimensional (“3D”) printer to provide for dynamic configurations of the sensors, actuators and other electronics depending on the specific needs of an individual. In addition to sensors for tracking motion, resistance, temperature and temporal features, the actuators may include piezoelectric components and microfluidic components to provide for therapeutic treatments, medical treatments and accident avoidance features. The combination of sensors and other electronics may also provide applications for monitoring overall health and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: CASCA DESIGNS INC.
    Inventors: Lucy A. Beard, Nigel P. Beard
  • Patent number: 10599816
    Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring and tracking may provide multiple ways in which to track athletic movement and activity. Workouts may also be tagged with various parameters including mood, weather, terrain, athletic equipment, friends used and the like. Workout information may be shared to social messaging and networking outlets. Workout information shared may include map information including images of maps, interactive maps, links to maps, route information and the like and/or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, an application may be configured to execute within a context of a social networking system to facilitate athletic activity data transfer and generation of workout entries in the social networking site. Recommended activities to be performed or a recommended time to perform an activity may be determined based on a user's schedule, weather or conditions forecasts, or a location of the user or the potential activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Levi Orenstein, Katie Anne Ruoff, Michael E. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10602313
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for state-based location monitoring and determining a location of a mobile device. An application processor identifies a desired movement state. The application processor notifies a coprocessor of the desired state and enters a low power mode. The coprocessor monitors movement data to determine whether the desired state has occurred. In the event the desired state has occurred, the coprocessor will notify the application processor. The application processor can then determine whether it should switch to a high power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Jensen, Michael P. Dal Santo, Stephen J. Rhee, Danil Y. Zvyagintsev
  • Patent number: 10548514
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure help automatically identify athletic maneuvers performed by actors and/or their sports equipment using data from sensors. Among other things, various embodiments help judges and spectators of extreme sports to assess athletic maneuvers based on objective, empirical data and allow action sport participants to objectively compare tricks performed at different times and/or different locations. A computer-implemented method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises receiving, by a computer system, sensor data related to motion by an actor over a time period; determining, by the computer system and based on the sensor data, a plurality of motion characteristics; and identifying, based on the plurality of motion characteristics, an athletic maneuver associated with the motion by the actor during the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ALPINEREPLAY, INC.
    Inventors: Anatole M. Lokshin, Vitaly A. Kuzkin
  • Patent number: 10460337
    Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for monitoring and rewarding athletic performance and use of a product worn by a person, thereby motivating use of the product and promoting customer loyalty. The present invention includes and system and method for measuring, tracking, and recording use of the product, preferably related to the athletic performance of an athlete, using a portable, remote device; transferring that data from the remote device to a common location, such as an Internet web site service; calculating, assigning, and tracking rewards based on the level of use determined from the data; and allowing the user to redeem his or her rewards or compare his or her performance level with other athletes using other remote devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Y. S. Shum, Allan M. Schrock
  • Patent number: 10269017
    Abstract: A device may receive transaction data indicating that a transaction occurred. The transaction may be between a first user of a first device and a second user of a second device. The device may receive, from the first device, first sensor data indicating a first location recorded by a first sensor of the first device at a first point in time associated with the transaction; and receive, from the second device, second sensor data indicating a second location recorded by a second sensor of the second device at a second point in time associated with the transaction. Based on the transaction data, the first sensor data, and/or the second sensor data, the device may determine whether the transaction occurred and perform an action based on the determination of whether the transaction occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Phillips, Zhe Liu, Kurry Tran
  • Patent number: 10251601
    Abstract: Articles of footwear and other devices include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the footwear or other devices. Such devices may include an authentication or activation system for providing power or otherwise determining the connection of a sensor in the article of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Berner, Jr., Albert Shum, Charles W. Case, Allan M. Schrock, James A. Niegowski, William F. Rauchholz
  • Patent number: 10238916
    Abstract: A physical activity monitoring method and system may include a competition component requiring users to compete based on various metrics. The challenge may be device-specific, activity type-specific, user-type specific and the like. In some examples, the users' performance might only affect the status of the competition if the user synchronizes the information to an activity monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Mestas
  • Patent number: 10183216
    Abstract: A game apparatus includes a micon, and the micon measures step counts in correspondence with the magnitude of accelerations indicated by acceleration data from an acceleration sensor when a user carries the game apparatus in a sleep mode in which the apparatus is closed. The step counts are converted into earned coins. In each of a plurality of games executed by the game apparatus, by using the earned coins, a special item is purchased, playing in a special course is permitted, a hint is displayed, and a game is played in fast-forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Kawamoto, Kanako Tsugihashi, Ryutaro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10178965
    Abstract: An activity feedback system for an individual is disclosed. The activity feedback system can be wearable by the individual and provide activity information and possibly other information to the individual. The individual can, for example, be a pregnant woman. The activity information can, for example, be used by a pregnant woman to monitor the amount of activity by the woman during as well as after her pregnancy. Besides activity information, the activity feedback system can also monitor, record or provide other information that is beneficial for individuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, Angeline Hadiwidjaja, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 10154789
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method including obtaining, by a heart rate sensor of a fitness tracking device, a heart rate measurement of a user of the fitness tracking device; obtaining, by at least one motion sensor, motion data of the user; analyzing, by the fitness tracking device, the motion data of the user to estimate a step rate of the user; estimating, by the fitness tracking device, a load associated with a physical activity of the user by comparing the heart rate measurement with the step rate of the user; and estimating, by the fitness tracking device, an energy expenditure rate of the user using the load and at least one of the heart rate measurement and the step rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, Hung A. Pham, Richard Channing Moore, III, Alexander Singh Alvarado, Umamahesh Srinivas, Xing Tan, Dan Marvin Trietsch, Gunes Dervisoglu, Craig H. Mermel, Ronald K. Huang, Adeeti Ullal
  • Patent number: 10109175
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for motion-activated display of messages on an activity monitoring device. In one embodiment, method for presenting a message on an activity monitoring device is provided, including the following method operations: downloading a plurality of messages to the device; detecting a stationary state of the device; detecting a movement of the device from the stationary state; in response to detecting the movement from the stationary state, selecting one of a plurality of messages, and displaying the selected message on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Roberts, Nichiketa Choudhary
  • Patent number: 10092065
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper configured to receive a foot of a wearer and a sole structure fixedly attached to the upper, the sole structure including a ground-contacting outer member and a removable midsole. The footwear may further include a motorized tensioning system including a power source, a control unit, a tensile member, and a motorized tightening device, the motorized tightening device being attached to an outer surface of the upper, and the tightening device being configured to apply tension in the tensile member to adjust the size of an internal void defined by the article of footwear. In addition, the power source and the control unit of the tensioning system may be configured to be removably disposed in the removable midsole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Rushbrook, Tiffany A. Beers
  • Patent number: 10080530
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for generating alarms and congratulatory messages to reduce sedentary time. One method includes an operation for capturing motion data using an activity tracking device. The method further includes operations for storing the motion data in memory, and for identifying one or more intervals during a day. Each interval includes a start time and an end time, and a near-end time is defined between the start and the end time. For each interval, the number of steps taken during the interval is determined, and the number of steps is compared against a goal defined by a number of steps to be taken during the interval. A first notification is displayed when the number of steps is less than the goal and the near-end time has been reached. A second notification is displayed congratulating the user if the interval goal is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Yeqing Cheng, Yasaman Baiani, Jacob Antony Arnold, Allison Maya Russell, Alan McLean, Delisa Lopez, Nicholas Myers
  • Patent number: 10061900
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking fitness data of a cardholder by using a fitness payment card and a fitness tracking computing device is provided. The method includes storing registration data, wherein the registration data includes an account identifier associated with the fitness payment card and the cardholder. The method also includes receiving, by the fitness tracking computing device, a fitness data transfer message that includes the registration data and fitness data of the cardholder, wherein the fitness data is collected by the fitness payment card. The method further includes determining that the fitness payment card is registered in a fitness tracking program based on the registration data. The method also includes electronically generating a fitness report including at least the fitness data of the cardholder and providing the fitness report to the cardholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dexter E. Bryant, II
  • Patent number: 10048652
    Abstract: An analog timepiece includes a main casing, a main core unit, a main dial, at least one time indicating hand, and a steps illustrating arrangement. The steps illustrating arrangement includes a steps sensor, a control unit, a first steps dial and a second steps dial, a first steps indicating hand, a gear unit, and a second steps indicating hand. When the steps sensor senses a predetermined number of steps, the control unit is configured to drive the first steps indicating hand to rotate for one fine steps marking on the first steps dial. When the first indicating hand move over a predetermined number of fine steps markings, the to second indicating hand is arranged to be driven to move one collective steps marking on the second steps dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Tai Wai Luk
  • Patent number: 10030993
    Abstract: A filter processes acceleration magnitude signals from an accelerometer device to output spectral content related to walking and running. A device containing the accelerometer determines steps by qualitatively analyzing the processed acceleration signals to determine whether increased acceleration magnitude results from a step impact from running or walking activity. The device may analyze the acceleration signals to determine crossings of an axis at zero magnitude, which crossings typically correspond to a person's foot impacting the ground, and may analyze the period between the zero crossings. The step count can indicate whether the device, in a height determination mode, is moving in a vehicle; if analysis of accelerometer signals indicates no stepping or running, but another circuit of the device indicates rapid movement, the device assumes it is moving in a vehicle, and resets a height above ground value to zero upon determining resumption of walking or running activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Connect Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Barfield
  • Patent number: 10006931
    Abstract: An inertial device that is integratable in a portable electronic device includes: an inertial sensor for generating at least one raw acceleration signal in response to accelerations caused by movements of walking and running of a user of the pedometer; and a processing unit, associated to the inertial sensor for counting a number of steps of the user of the pedometer on the basis of the raw acceleration signal. The inertial sensor and the processing unit are both encapsulated within a single package for integrated circuits, which can be coupled to a circuit board of an electronic device and is provided with at least one connection terminal for making the number of steps available to the outside world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Pasolini, Michele Tronconi
  • Patent number: 9964926
    Abstract: A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Yvan Ferri, Dominique Lechot, Cedric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9943724
    Abstract: A physical activity monitoring method and system may include a competition component requiring users to compete based on various metrics. The challenge may be device-specific, activity type-specific, user-type specific and the like. In some examples, the users' performance might only affect the status of the competition if the user synchronizes the information to an activity monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Mestas
  • Patent number: 9869972
    Abstract: A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level. The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Yvan Ferri, Dominique Lechot, Cedric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 9830428
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking fitness data of a cardholder by using a fitness payment card and a fitness tracking computing device is provided. The method includes storing registration data, wherein the registration data includes an account identifier associated with the fitness payment card and the cardholder. The method also includes receiving, by the fitness tracking computing device, a fitness data transfer message that includes the registration data and fitness data of the cardholder, wherein the fitness data is collected by the fitness payment card. The method further includes determining that the fitness payment card is registered in a fitness tracking program based on the registration data. The method also includes electronically generating a fitness report including at least the fitness data of the cardholder and providing the fitness report to the cardholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Mastercard International Incorporated
    Inventor: Dexter E. Bryant, II
  • Patent number: 9802040
    Abstract: The human body stimulation apparatus comprises a left detection unit, a right detection unit, a determination unit, a control unit, a right stimulation unit and a left stimulation unit. The detection units generate a detection signal according to a walking motion of a human body. The determination unit divides the walking motion of one walking cycle into multiple walking stages on the basis of the detection signal. The determination unit determines that the walking motion is stopped on the basis of at least one duration time of the walking stages. The control unit controls the magnitude of the stimulation that the right stimulation unit and the left stimulation unit apply to the human body on the basis of the determination results of the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Ichimura, Izumi Mihara, Keita Inui
  • Patent number: 9797743
    Abstract: A filter processes acceleration magnitude signals from an accelerometer device to output spectral content related to walking and running. A device containing the accelerometer determines steps by qualitatively analyzing the processed acceleration signals to determine whether increased acceleration magnitude results from a step impact from running or walking activity. The device may analyze the acceleration signals to determine crossings of an axis at zero magnitude, which crossings typically correspond to a person's foot impacting the ground, and may analyze the period between the zero crossings. The step count can indicate whether the device, in a height determination mode, is moving in a vehicle; if analysis of accelerometer signals indicates no stepping or running, but another circuit of the device indicates rapid movement, the device assumes it is moving in a vehicle, and resets a height above ground value to zero upon determining resumption of walking or running activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Verizon Telematics Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Barfield
  • Patent number: 9781200
    Abstract: A system for counting shoe and uploading data to a centralized server. The system includes a shoe that counts the number of steps a user takes during a predefined period of time. When the number of steps are greater than a predefined number, e.g., a target, the shoe displays a message congratulating the user. For example, when the target is reach, the display will show a winner message on the shoe. The shoe may be placed on a charging (or docking) station, allowing the shoe to be charged. The charging station may also download the data from the shoe, and transmit the data to a central server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: STEPBUDDIES INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Christian R Haslacher, Anish Patel, Ulrike Haslacher
  • Patent number: 9707462
    Abstract: A lower leg sensing device includes a housing, a leg attachment member and real time data providing member. The housing includes a position angle sensor, an magnetic field sensor, and a foot contact sensor. The leg attachment member is configured to facilitate attachment of the housing to the lower leg of a user. The real-time data providing member provides data, in real-time, pertaining to the angle of a lower leg of a user relative to a line of gravity upon contact with an outside surface by a leg of a user. A method of providing data to a user that is running or walking is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Walter Arthur Reynolds, III, Brent M. Nowak
  • Patent number: 9682281
    Abstract: A physical activity monitoring method and system may include a competition component requiring users to compete based on various metrics. The challenge may be device-specific, activity type-specific, user-type specific and the like. In some examples, the users' performance might only affect the status of the competition if the user synchronizes the information to an activity monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Mestas
  • Patent number: 9672462
    Abstract: A counting system includes a counting apparatus, which includes a plurality of multi-sensor detectors configured to detect physical contact data and vertical range data corresponding to one or more steps across the multi-sensor detectors, and first circuitry configured to determine physical contact vectors and coordinate data from the physical contact data and the vertical range data. The counting system also includes at least one server including second circuitry configured to receive the physical contact vectors and the coordinate data from the counting apparatus, determine footprint patterns and body patterns based on the physical contact vectors and the coordinate data, and estimate a number of beings passing over the counting apparatus based on the footprint patterns and the body patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ehab Mlybari, Esam Yosry, Abdel-Rahman Hedar, Alaa E. Abdel-Hakim, Gamal Elsayed
  • Patent number: 9642415
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring one or more athletic performance characteristic of a user. An example apparatus includes a sensing unit adapted to be attachable to a shoe of a user, the sensing unit including a first sensor adapted to monitor an movement of a foot of the user while the user is in motion, the first sensor comprising a gyroscopic sensor, processing means for determining a first performance characteristic of the user based upon an output from the first sensor, the first performance characteristic comprising a foot strike location of a foot of the user upon striking a ground surface, and transmitting means for transmitting a data package representative of the performance characteristic to a remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: New Balance Athletics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Pease, Klaus Renner, Gordon Row, Kim B. Blair, Christopher J. Wawrousek, Sean B. Murphy, Jean-Francois Fullum, Katherine Petrecca, Trampas Tenbroek
  • Patent number: 9587959
    Abstract: A step-counter device detects and counts user steps. The device includes a transducer configured to generate an electrical transduction signal in response to user stepping. An energy-scavenging system is coupled to the transducer to generate a power supply voltage in response to the electrical transduction signal. A processing unit is powered by the power supply voltage. The processing unit is further configured to sense the electrical transduction signal and determine whether a user step has occurred and in response to that determination increment a step counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Gasparini, Stefano Ramorini, Alberto Cattani
  • Patent number: 9589207
    Abstract: Techniques where a computer or mobile device performs video analysis of a person performing a physical activity are described. The computer or mobile device performs video analysis based on one or more reference skeletons. The reference skeleton may be superimposed over captured video of the person performing the physical activity or compared to a generated player skeleton based on the captured video to determine derivation from the reference skeleton in the physical activity performed by the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mo' Motion Ventures
    Inventor: Maureen Holohan
  • Patent number: 9578927
    Abstract: A system assesses activity and displays a unitless activity value. A detector senses activity of a user. A processor reads sensed activity data from the detector. A display displays the unitless activity value. An enclosure houses the detector and the processor. The processor periodically reads the sensed activity data from the detector and processes the data to generate an activity number, the number being used to generate the unitless activity value based upon a maximum number and a display range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Curtis A. Vock, Perry Youngs
  • Patent number: 9530049
    Abstract: A method for identifying an animal or human, including the steps of collecting and retaining an archive data set of measurements of two or more kinetic stylometrics of a first individual animal or human; collecting and retaining a test data set of measurements of the same two or more kinetic stylometrics of a test individual; and comparing archive and test data sets to determine similarity therefore, wherein similarity within any appropriate confidence interval confirms that the test individual and the first individual are the same. Using similar methods, social or other groups maybe kinetically stylometrically profiled for subsequent individual testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit
    Inventors: Patrick Juola, Michael Ryan
  • Patent number: 9473593
    Abstract: An integrated system and method to permit coaches, trainers and other life enhancement entities and individuals to monitor, manage, support, schedule, prompt and otherwise motivate clients to achieve set goals, establish new goals and continue routines during times of non-personal interaction between the coach, trainer or enhancement entity or person and the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventors: Luke A. Wallace, Alex Minicucci