Personalized Activity Monitor and Weight Management System

Abstract

A weight management system comprised of a body worn device which interfaces periodically with a computer. The established weight goals of the user are translated by the computer into daily activity targets and downloaded into the device. The device monitors the user's activity, offering progress status toward the daily activity target. Further, the device alerts the user of excessive sedentary periods which depress metabolic indicators. The activity targets, allowed length of sedentary periods and suggested activities to reach goal are specific to the individual based on their biometrics and living environment. The computer provides historical tracking of activity for motivational and coaching purposes.

1 . A device for alerting a user of prolonged sedentary behavior, the device comprising:
 a controller, the controller having at least one input and at least one output, the controller calculating a predetermined time of inactivity from a first algorithm;   at least one accelerometer for monitoring physical activity in at least two axes, the at least one accelerometer having at least one output in communication with the at least one input of the controller, the at least one accelerometer producing first accelerometer signals and second accelerometer signals,
 wherein first accelerometer signals correspond to the user being inactive and second accelerometer signals correspond to the user being active; 
   a timer, the timer having at least one input and at least one output, the at least one input being in communication with the at least one output of the controller; and
 wherein the at least one output of the controller outputs a first controller signal to the timer upon detection of a first accelerometer signal, the first controller signal starting the timer, and 
 wherein the at least one output of the timer outputs a first timer signal if the timer reaches the predetermined time of inactivity, and 
 wherein the controller outputs a user alert signal upon receiving the first timer signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller calculates the total amount of calories burned within a specified time period. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an external web application calculates the total amount of calories burned within a specified time period. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one memory device, the at least one memory device in communication with the controller, wherein the at least one memory device stores physical activity data. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a display, the at least one display in communication with the controller, wherein the user's current caloric consumption rate is represented on the display. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the user alert signal is selected from the group consisting of a tactile vibration, an audible signal, and a visual signal. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein a total amount of calories burned by the user is displayed on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , in combination with a web application, the web application being designed to synchronize with the device. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein the web application calculates and transfers device settings to the device during synchronization. 
     
     
         10 . A method for alerting a user of prolonged sedentary behavior, the method comprising:
 providing a controller, the controller having at least one input and at least one output;   providing a timer, the timer having at least one input and at least one output, the at least one input being in communication with the at least one output of the controller;   calculating a predetermined time according to a first algorithm;   monitoring physical activity using at least one accelerometer, the at least one accelerometer having at least one output in communication with the at least one input of the controller, the at least one accelerometer producing first accelerometer signals and second accelerometer signals,
 wherein first accelerometer signals correspond to the user being inactive and second accelerometer signals correspond to the user being active; 
   outputting a first controller signal to the timer upon detection of a first accelerometer signal;   outputting a second controller signal to the timer upon detection of a second accelerometer signal;   starting the timer upon the timer receiving the first controller signal;   pausing the timer upon the timer receiving the second controller signal;   resetting the timer upon the timer receiving a reset signal from the controller;   alerting the user if the timer reaches the predetermined time.   
     
     
         11 . A method for personalized weight management, the method comprising:
 providing a web application;   providing a device for sensing motion;   inputting responses to questions from the web application;   storing the responses in a database;   matching responses with pre-stored activity recommendations;   calculating personalized activity recommendations;   calculating personalized device parameters; and   calculating personalized calorie burn equations.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 uploading measured data into the web application;   storing the data in a database; and   using the data to calculate personalized activity recommendations, personalized device parameters, and personalized calorie burn equations.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 synchronizing the device with the web application.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein synchronizing the device comprises transferring personalized activity recommendations and personalized device parameters to the device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein synchronizing the device comprises transferring activity units from the device to the web application, the method further comprising
 calculating a total amount of calories burned from the activity units.   
     
     
         16 . A method for predicting a resting metabolic rate of a person having a weight, height, age, and gender, the method comprising:
 using resting diastolic and systolic blood pressure measurements as independent variables in a predictive equation, wherein the predictive equation is
     RMR=K   1   *W *(1 −K   2   *W/H   2 )+ K   3   *H−K   4   *A−K   5   *G+K   6   *D−K   7   *S+K   8    
    wherein RMR is the resting metabolic rate of the person, W is the weight of the person, H is the height of the person, A is the age of the person, G is the gender of the person, D is the diastolic blood pressure of the person, S is the systolic blood pressure of the person, and K 1 , K 2 , K 3 , K 4 , K 5 , K 6 , K 7 , and K 8  are constants.   
     
     
         17 . A method of predicting caloric expenditure of a person due to activity, the person having a weight, height, age, and gender, the method comprising:
 using resting diastolic and systolic blood pressure measurements as independent variables in a predictive equation, wherein the predictive equation is a resting metabolic rate times an activity-dependent multiplier, and further wherein the resting metabolic rate is a function of the weight of the person, the height of the person, the age of the person, the gender of the person, the resting diastolic blood pressure of the person, and the systolic blood pressure of the person.