System for automatic journaling of a user's context

Abstract

Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for deriving a state parameter of an individual having:
 a wearable device comprising:   a. at least a first sensor generating sensor output signals,   b. at least a second sensor generating sensor output signals, a processor programmed to utilize said sensor output signals to:
 (i) identify one or more contexts of said individual, each of said one or more context corresponding to an algorithm; 
 (ii) determine probability that a user is engaged in the one or more identified activities and assign a mathematical weight associated with each of the one or more algorithms based on the probability; 
 (iii) apply the one or more algorithms to the sensor output signals according to the mathematical weight; and 
 (iv) predict said state parameter of said individual utilizing the one or more algorithms and the associated mathematical weights. 
   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more algorithms further comprise a regression algorithm. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said state parameter is the caloric expenditure of said individual. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  as dependent on  claim 3 , wherein said identified activities include a resting and an active state of said individual. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sensors are selected from the group consisting of a body motion sensor, a heat flux sensor and a skin conductance sensor. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said body motion sensor is an accelerometer and said skin conductance sensor is a GSR sensor. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said state parameter is caloric expenditure of said individual for a period of time, said processor generating caloric consumption data for said individual for said period of time, the apparatus further comprising a display which identifies said caloric expenditure data and said caloric consumption data. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising an input/output device, said caloric consumption data being determined from information collected by said input/output device from said individual relating to foods eaten by said individual. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said displayed information includes energy balance data. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said displayed information includes a rate of weight loss or gain of said individual. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said displayed information includes information relating to one or more goals of said individual, said goals relating to one or more of caloric consumption, caloric expenditure, energy balance and rate of weight loss or gain. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said processor is included in a wearable device to be placed in contact with the individual's body. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said sensors are included in said wearable device. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said sensors are located separately from said wearable device. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said processor is included in a computing device located separately from a sensor device including said sensors which is mounted on said individual, each of said computing device and said sensor device having transmitting and receiving circuitry for generating and receiving electronic signals which include said electronic communication link. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a data input/output device, said processor combining said derived state parameter with a second state parameter of said individual to define a relationship between said first and second state parameters, said data output device communicating said relationship to a recipient. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , said processor, combines the outputs of said one or more algorithms in a post processing step to predict said state parameter. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said state parameter is caloric expenditure of said individual for a period of time, said processor further comprising generating caloric consumption data for said individual for said period of time and displaying information based on said caloric expenditure data and said caloric consumption data. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said displayed information includes information relating to one or more goals of said individual, said goals relating to one or more of caloric consumption, caloric expenditure, energy balance and rate of weight loss or gain.