Portable device comprising an acceleration sensor and method of generating instructions or advice

Abstract

The invention pertains to a portable device comprising a housing, a display, a storage medium, at least one acceleration sensor, means for calculating an activity parameter based on the signal generated by the acceleration sensor, storing the calculated parameter in the storage medium, and showing the same in the display. The said parameter is the Physical Activity Index (PAI) or a derivative thereof.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A portable device comprising:
 a housing;   a display;   a storage medium;   at least one acceleration sensor; and   a processor operable to execute instructions associated with a signal generated by the at least one acceleration sensor, including:
 determining an average of absolute values of the signal or samples of a signal; 
 calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device; 
 storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and 
 showing the calculated activity parameter in the display. 
   
   
   
       13 . The portable device according to  claim 12 , wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor. 
   
   
       14 . The portable device according to  claim 12 , wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons. 
   
   
       15 . The portable device according to  claim 12 , wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time. 
   
   
       16 . The portable device according to  claim 12 , wherein the portable device is operably connectable to a remote computer having computer program code stored therein and configured for executing instructions including:
 electronically obtaining the activity parameter; and   selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.   
   
   
       17 . The portable device according to  claim 16 , wherein the computer program code is configured to execute further instructions, including:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.   
   
   
       18 . A method comprising:
 determining an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal generated by at least one acceleration sensor of a portable device having a storage medium and a display;   calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device;   storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and   showing the calculated activity parameter in the display.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 uploading the activity parameter from the portable device to a remote computer; and   selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.   
   
   
       24 . Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:
 determining an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of at least one acceleration sensor of a portable device having a storage medium and a display;   calculating an activity parameter by multiplying the average of absolute values with a constant, wherein the constant not related to age, weight, or gender of a user of the portable device;   storing the calculated activity parameter in the storage medium; and   showing the calculated activity parameter in the display.   
   
   
       25 . The logic according to  claim 24 , wherein the average is multiplied by a calibration factor dependent upon the acceleration sensor. 
   
   
       26 . The logic according to  claim 24 , wherein the constant is a metabolic factor representing an average oxygen consumption of a randomly selected group of persons. 
   
   
       27 . The logic according to  claim 24 , wherein the average is a running average calculated over a selected period of time. 
   
   
       28 . The logic according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 uploading the activity parameter from the portable device to a remote computer; and   selecting one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.   
   
   
       29 . The logic according to  claim 28 , further comprising:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading from the remote computer the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof.   
   
   
       30 . A method, comprising:
 electronically obtaining an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, wherein the activity parameter is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and   selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal related to physical activity of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.   
   
   
       32 . Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:
 electronically obtaining an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, wherein the activity parameter is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and   selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user.   
   
   
       33 . The logic of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal related to physical activity of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.   
   
   
       34 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a computer configured to execute instructions associated with an activity parameter generated for a user of a portable device having an acceleration sensor, including:
 electronically obtaining the activity parameter, which is calculated by multiplying an average of absolute values of a signal or samples of a signal of the acceleration sensor with at least one constant, wherein the constant is not related to age, weight, or gender of the user; and 
 selecting, based on the activity parameter, one or more advice components related to physical activity from a database for use by the user. 
   
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the computer is configured to execute further instructions, including:
 electronically obtaining personal information of the user for setting a personal goal of the user;   determining which advice components to select to reach the personal goal of the user based on the obtained activity parameter; and   downloading the selected one or more advice components or a processed version thereof to the portable device.