Portable biometric monitoring devices and methods of operating same

Abstract

The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to portable biometric monitoring device including a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the user's body, at least one band to secure the monitoring device to the user, a physiological sensor, disposed in the housing, to generate data which is representative of a physiological condition of the user data. The physiological sensor may include a light source to generate and output light having at least a first wavelength, and a photodetector to detect scattered light (e.g., from the user). A light pipe is disposed in the housing and optically coupled to the light source directs/transmits light therefrom along a predetermined path to an outer surface of the housing. Processing circuitry calculates a heart rate of the user using data which is representative of the scattered light.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of presenting a user with data from an external device on a biometric monitoring device, the method comprising:
 at the biometric monitoring device, receiving the data from the external device; and   presenting the data to the user via an element configured to present information from the biometric monitoring device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises a communication addressed to the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises information about an incoming phone call on the external device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises an email message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises a text message. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises a calendar notification. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises weather information. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data is provided for a location detected for the user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises cues to train the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data comprises an alert to the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises Internet content. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Internet content comprises social media content. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Internet content comprises information from a periodical. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Internet content comprises coaching advice for the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Internet content comprises weather information. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is a server or a client device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is a smart phone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the external device is a tablet or a computer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric monitoring device comprises one or more biometric sensors. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein in the one more biometric sensors comprises a motion detector. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric monitoring device is configured to be worn by the user. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the biometric monitoring device comprises a band designed to be worn around a wrist or ankle or wherein the biometric monitoring device is configured to be worn in a clip mounted to an article of clothing. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the element configured to present information from the biometric monitoring device is configured to present the information by sound. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the element configured to present information from the biometric monitoring device is configured to present the information by motion in the biometric monitoring device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the element configured to present information from the biometric monitoring device is a display configured to present the information visually. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric monitoring device comprises an application. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the application is configured to fuse with an application on the external device. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting proximity between the biometric monitoring device and external device; and   in response, launching an application on the external device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the external device is a mobile phone and detecting proximity comprises near-field communication. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric monitoring device receives the data from the external device via Bluetooth, ANT, WLAN, power-line networking, or a cell phone network.