Exercise derived currency for exchange or grading

Abstract

According to various embodiments of the invention, systems and methods are provided to allow a mobile computing device to retrieve exercise related data from a health or fitness monitoring device during an exercise period. The mobile computing device is further configured to use the exercise related data to determine a number of points or an amount of currency earned during the exercise period. These points may then be exchanged for privileges, grades or financial rewards. In some embodiments, this exchange may be conducted or mediated using a system embodied on a second mobile computing device or servers on the internet.

1 . A method, comprising:
 a mobile computing device receiving heart rate data of a user from a heart rate monitor disposed on the user during an exercise period;   the mobile computing device using the heart rate data and a predetermined conversion formula to determine a number of points accumulated during the exercise period; and   the mobile computing device communicating with an external computing device to exchange at least a portion of the accumulated points for a predetermined privilege.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined privilege comprises a grade. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the mobile computing device visually displaying a progress indication during the exercise period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the progress indication comprises at least one of: a points earned per unit time indication; a total points earned indication; a current heart rate indication; a heart rate history indication; a calorie burn rate indication; and a total calorie burned indication. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the mobile computing device receiving a sedentary heart rate value for the user; and   wherein the conversion formula is configured such that points are not assigned if the heart rate data indicates that a heart rate of the user is within a predetermined range of the sedentary heart rate.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the mobile computing device obtaining a maximum heart rate value for the user; and the mobile computing device determining an intensity level during the exercise period; and wherein the number of points accumulated during the exercise period varies according to the intensity level. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the mobile computing device obtaining a maximum heart rate value for the user; and the mobile computing device determining calories burned during the exercise period; and wherein the number of points accumulated during the exercise period varies according to the calories burned. 
     
     
         8 . Computer executable program code embodied on a computer readable medium configured to cause a mobile computing device to perform the functions of:
 receiving heart rate data of a user from a heart rate monitor disposed on the user during an exercise period;   using the heart rate data and a predetermined conversion formula to determine a number of points accumulated during the exercise period; and   communicating with an external computing device to exchange at least a portion of the accumulated points for a predetermined privilege.   
     
     
         9 . The computer executable program code of  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined privilege comprises a grade. 
     
     
         10 . The computer executable program code of  claim 8 , further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of visually display a progress indication during the exercise period. 
     
     
         11 . The computer executable program code of  claim 10 , wherein the progress indication comprises at least one of: a points earned per unit time indication; a total points earned indication; a current heart rate indication; a heart rate history indication; a calorie burn rate indication; and a total calorie burned indication. 
     
     
         12 . The computer executable program code of  claim 8 , further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of receiving a sedentary heart rate value for the user; and wherein the conversion formula is configured such that points are not assigned if the heart rate data indicates that a heart rate of the user is within a predetermined range of the sedentary heart rate. 
     
     
         13 . The computer executable program code of  claim 12 , further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of obtaining a maximum heart rate value for the user; and the mobile computing device determining calories burned during the exercise period; and wherein the number of points accumulated during the exercise period varies according to the intensity level. 
     
     
         14 . The computer executable program code of  claim 12 , further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of obtaining a maximum heart rate value for the user; and the mobile computing device determining calories burned during the exercise period; and wherein the number of points accumulated during the exercise period varies according to the calories burned. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a mobile computing device having a first computer readable medium embodying computer executable program code configured to perform the functions of:
 receiving heart rate data of a user from a heart rate monitor disposed on the user during an exercise period; 
 using the heart rate data and a predetermined conversion formula to determine a number of points accumulated during the exercise period; and 
 communicating with an external computing device to exchange at least a portion of the accumulated points for a predetermined privilege; and 
   the external computing device having a second computer readable medium embodying computer executable program code configured to perform the functions of:
 maintaining an account of the accumulated points; and 
 communicating with the mobile computing device to exchange at least a portion of the accumulated points for a predetermined privilege. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the predetermined privilege comprises a grade. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable program code embodied on the first computer readable medium is further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of visually display a progress indication during the exercise period. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the progress indication comprises at least one of: a points earned per unit time indication; a total points earned indication; a current heart rate indication; a heart rate history indication; a calorie burn rate indication; and a total calorie burned indication. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the computer executable program code embodied on the first computer readable medium is further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of receiving a sedentary heart rate value for the user; and wherein the conversion formula is configured such that points are not assigned if the heart rate data indicates that a heart rate of the user is within a predetermined range of the sedentary heart rate. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the computer executable program code embodied on the first computer readable medium is further configured to cause the mobile computing device to perform the function of obtaining a maximum heart rate value for the user; and the mobile computing device determining calories burned during the exercise period; and wherein the number of points accumulated during the exercise period varies according to the calories burned.