Methods and systems for data collection, analysis, formulation and reporting of user-specific feedback

Abstract

Methods and systems provide user-specific feedback and recommendations to a user based on a user profile, contextual and/or biometric data, which may be collected using a sensing system, such as a wearable sensor device(s). A host system formulates and provides reports to the user relating to the user's sensed activities or conditions, and may also provide recommendations relating to performance and goal achievement, injury prevention, what/if analysis, gait analysis, shoe purchase suggestions, and the like. Data analysis algorithms may be used to identify similar patterns across large collections of user profiles and biometric data and apply data generated across a larger population to formulate recommendations for specific users.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for formulating user-specific feedback, comprising:
 a. providing an electronic user interface for populating user information;   b. providing an electronic user interface for selecting a user-desired objective selected from the group of physical training objectives, physical rehabilitation objectives; and medical condition objectives;   c. providing a host system capable of: receiving the user information, the user-desired physical training objective, and user biometric information sensed by a user-worn or user-carried sensing system; analyzing the user information, user-desired physical training or medical condition improvement objective and user biometric information; and formulating user-specific feedback for guiding a user to achieve the user-desired objective; and   d. providing a user interface for communicating the user-specific feedback to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-worn or user-carried sensing system is selected from the group consisting of: fitness and activity trackers, heart rate devices, pedometers, medical devices, and garment-worn sensing systems. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user-worn or user-carried sensing system comprises at least one force or pressure sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the user-worn or user-carried sensing system additionally comprises at least one of the following sensing components: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an orientation sensing component, a location sensing component, and a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the host system is additionally capable of receiving additional information derived from a source other than the user, and the additional information is analyzed, with the user information, user-desired physical training or medical condition improvement objective and user biometric information to formulate user-specific feedback for guiding the user to achieve the user-desired objective. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the host system provides pre-determined and/or programmable fitness/activity programs for selection by a user that guide a user through a series of activities. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the host system provides a menu of training programs selectable by the user and formulates the user-specific feedback taking into account a selected training program. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the host system provides a menu of virtual trainers or virtual caretakers selectable by the user and formulates the user-specific feedback through a selected virtual trainer or virtual caretaker. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising providing a user interface for selection of at least one aspect of user feedback content, delivery format and delivery frequency. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the host system additionally programs at least one of the user feedback content, delivery format, and delivery frequency on a dynamic basis. 
     
     
         11 . A method for formulating user-specific feedback, comprising:
 a. providing a user interface for populating user information;   b. providing a user interface for selecting at least one user-desired objective selected from the group of physical training objectives, physical rehabilitation objectives; and medical condition objectives;   c. providing a user interface for selecting a virtual coach or virtual caretaker for delivery of feedback to the user;   d. providing a host system capable of: receiving the user information, the at least one user-desired objective, and user biometric information sensed by a user-worn or user-carried sensing system; analyzing the user information, the at least one user-desired objective and user biometric information; and formulating user-specific feedback for guiding a user to achieve the user-desired objective; and   e. providing a user interface for communicating the user-specific feedback to the user through the virtual coach or virtual caretaker.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the virtual coach or virtual caretaker has name, voice and feedback style. 
     
     
         13 . A method for formulating user-specific feedback, comprising:
 a. providing an electronic user interface for creating a user account and populating user information in the user account;   b. providing an electronic user interface for selecting user-desired condition(s) or activity reporting parameters and user condition or activity notification boundaries in the user account;   c. providing a host system capable of: receiving the user information, receiving the user-desired condition or activity reporting parameters and the user condition or activity notification boundaries; receiving user data sensed by a user-worn or user-carried sensing system; analyzing the user information, the user-desired condition or activity reporting parameters and user condition or activity notification boundaries; and formulating user-specific feedback comprising reports for delivery to the user relating to sensed conditions and activities and notifications when sensed conditions or activities are outside notification boundaries; and   d. providing a user feedback interface for communicating the user-specific feedback to the user.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the user information includes user authorization for providing access to the user information and information sensed by a user-worn or user-carried sensing system by an authorized third party. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the third party is a user-selected coach or caretaker. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , additionally comprising providing a third party electronic interface with the user account in the host system and providing access to user information, information sensed by a user-worn or user-carried sensing system, and user-desired condition(s) or activity reporting parameters and boundaries to the authorized third party. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a third party electronic interface additionally allows the authorized third party to contribute to and communicate user-specific feedback to the user through the user feedback interface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , additionally comprising formulating user-specific feedback for providing user-specific recommendations for changing a condition or activity when sensed conditions or activities are outside notification boundaries. 
     
     
         19 . A method for monitoring footwear usage, comprising: providing a user interface for entry of user information relating to footwear worn at specific times and/or during specific activities; collecting data from a user-worn or user-carried sensing device and calculating a cumulative distance travelled while specific footwear is worn; and reporting the cumulative distance travelled while specific footwear is worn to the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , additionally comprising making a recommendation to the user for replacing footwear when the cumulative distance travelled while specific footwear is worn exceeds a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , additionally comprising making a recommendation to the user for replacing footwear with a purchase of specific footwear based on comparison of user information, user activity information and data collected from a larger population that share attributes with the user. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , additionally comprising providing a user interface for purchasing new footwear.