Apparatus for monitoring and encouraging physical exercise

Abstract

An apparatus, such as a hand held smart device, including a cell phone and the like, also includes a functionality module, such as a game, an exercise sensor and a controller. The exercise sensor determines when a user performs certain exercise, such as walking, running, etc. and provides this information to the controller. The controller selectively restricts access to the functionality module until a predetermined exercise regime is performed by the user. Alternatively, or additionally, the user is rewarded points for completing the exercise regime, and which can be used to obtain goods or services from third parties.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise monitoring and reward apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of functionality modules selectively performing predetermined functionalities;   an exercise sensor sensing when a user is performing an exercise;   a rule memory storing a rule related to the operation of at least one of said functionality modules; and   a controller coupled to said exercise sensor and said rule memory, said controller being adapted to affect the operation of said one functionality module in accordance with said rule in said rule memory and an output of said exercise sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to determine a period of exercising time during which the user exercises and to change the operation of said one functionality module after said period reaches at a preset value. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said module is a reward module configured to grant rewards to the user at the end of said period. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a display adapted to present to the user information related to his progress of the exercise regime. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said module include a game and a communication module, said communication module providing cell phone services to the user, wherein said controller is configured to provide selective access to the game module and provide permanent access to the communication module. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to operate in one of a setup mode and an operational mode further comprising an input element receiving information defining said rule during said setup module. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said input element is a keyboard. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said input element is a communication port receiving said information from a remote device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said controller is configured to operate synchronously with the controller of another similar apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said one functionality module is a game and said controller is configured to permit access to said game for predetermined second periods after the user has exercised for a duration equal to a first period. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said exercise sensor receives information sensor from other exercising monitors. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating an exercise monitoring apparatus having a rule memory, a controller, an exercise sensor and a functionality module, said exercising monitoring apparatus being associated with a user, comprising the steps of:
 monitoring the exercise sensor by said controller to determine if the user has performed an exercise regime as defined in the rule memory; and   controlling access to the functionality module by said controller based on said monitoring.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising a setup step during which information for said rule memory is entered into said apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said apparatus includes a keyboard and said information is entered on said keyboard. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said apparatus includes a communication port and said information is received from a remote device through said communication port. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said apparatus includes a communication port further comprising receiving information affecting the operation of the controller through said communication port from an external device.