ACTIVITY MONITORS

Abstract

An activity monitor that is worn by a user for monitoring water-based activities. The activity monitor includes at least one motion sensor, a water sensor, a memory, and a processor. The processor is operable to run an algorithm to calculate activity data based on an output from the motion sensor and to save the activity data to the memory. The processor can be triggered to operate to calculate the activity data and to save it to memory by an output from the water sensor to indicate that the monitor is immersed in water.

Claims

1. An activity monitor for water-based activity, the activity monitor adapted to be worn by a user to monitor a water based activity performed by the user, the monitor comprising: at least one motion sensor; a water sensor; a memory; and a processor operable to run an algorithm to calculate activity data based on an output from the at least one motion sensor and to save the activity data to the memory; wherein the processor can be triggered to operate to calculate the activity data and save it to memory by an output from the water sensor to indicate that the monitor is immersed in water.

2. An activity monitor according to claim 1, wherein the processor only operates to calculate the activity data and save it to memory when, in addition to an output from the water sensor indicating that the monitor is immersed in water, an output from the motion sensor or from an additional activity sensor indicates that the user is performing an activity.

3. An activity monitor according to claim 2, wherein the activity monitor is for measuring a swimming activity and said output from the motion sensor or from an additional activity sensor indicates the orientation of the user in the water, the processor only operating to commence calculation of the activity data when said sensor indicates the user's orientation to be substantially horizontal.

4. An activity monitor according to claim 3, wherein the processor stops calculation of the activity data when the output from said sensor indicates that the user is in an upright orientation.

5. An activity monitor according to claim 2, wherein the processor only operates to calculate the activity data and save it to memory when an output from the motion sensor indicates that the user is moving.

6. An activity monitor according to claim 1, wherein the at least one motion sensor is one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a digital compass and a GPS receiver.

7. An activity monitor according to claim 1, wherein the monitor has a sleep mode in which the monitor consumes little or no battery power, a standby mode in which power consumption is higher than the sleep mode but in which the processor is not operating to calculate activity data and an active mode in which the processor is operating to calculate activity data, wherein: a) the monitor cannot switch from standby mode active mode unless the water sensor indicates that the monitor is immersed in water; and b) the monitor cannot switch directly from sleep mode to active mode, even if the water monitor is immersed in water.

8. An activity monitor according to claim 1, wherein the monitor further comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting activity data from the memory to another device.

9. An activity monitor according to claim 8, wherein the wireless transmitter is a wireless transceiver, whereby the activity monitor can also receive data from another device.

10. A swimsuit in combination with an activity monitor mounted on the swimsuit, wherein: the swimsuit comprises a first attachment feature at a predefined location on the suit; and the activity monitor comprises a second attachment feature that cooperates with the first attachment features to mount the activity monitor on the swimsuit at said predefined location.

11. A swimsuit and activity monitor combination according to claim 10, wherein the first and second attachment features are adapted to mount the activity monitor at said pre-defined location on the swimsuit in a specific orientation.

12. A swimsuit and activity monitor combination according to claim 10, wherein said pre-defined location corresponds to a mid-line of a user's torso when they wear the swimsuit.

13. A swimsuit and activity monitor combination according to claim 10, wherein the activity monitor is integrated with the swimsuit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0061] An embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0062] FIG. 1 schematically shows two examples of an activity monitor mounted on a swimsuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] FIG. 2 schematically shows the main components of an activity monitor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] FIGS. 3 to 8 illustrate several possible ways in which an activity monitor can be mounted on a swim suit in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0065] FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d) illustrate a method of using an activity monitor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, to capture activity data during a swimming session wherein FIGS. 9(a) to 9(d) depict a single chart taken from left to right respectively; and

[0066] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate further exemplary ways in which an activity monitor can be mounted on a swim suit in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0067] Embodiments of the invention are described below in the context of monitoring swimming activity. It will be appreciated, however, that the same of similar activity monitors could be used to monitor other water-based activities in a similar way.

[0068] FIG. 1 shows two exemplary swimsuits 10, one female (a) and one male (b), that incorporate swimming activity monitors 12 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In these examples, each suit has a single activity monitor 12 mounted on the suit 10 at a location that approximates to the small of the swimmer's back when the suit is worn. The activity monitor is small (for example no more than about 45 mm long and 30 mm wide) and low profile (for example, no more than about 12 mm deep) so that it can be mounted on the swimsuit in an unobtrusive way that does not interfere with the swimmer's activity and in particular does no appreciably increase drag in the water. In these examples, the monitors are securely held in place in a pocket in the swimsuit, the shape of the housing of the monitor and the shape of the pocket cooperating to hold the monitor in a predefined orientation.

[0069] The activity monitor used to calculate and record activity data during swimming sessions that can subsequently be uploaded to another device (for example a smartphone, Internet connected computer, etc) for later viewing and analysis.

[0070] The activity monitor itself is a self-contained device that, in these examples, can be removed from and replaced in the pocket in the swimsuit. In other examples, the device may be permanently attached to the swimsuit. The monitor preferably includes a water tight housing within which all of the electronic device components are retained. The outside of the housing may be shaped to fit snugly into a pocket in the swimsuit, as in these examples, or may comprise further attachment features to secure the device to the swimsuit (some examples of which are discussed further below).

[0071] Preferably the monitor floats in water so that if it inadvertently becomes detached from the swimsuit it is easier to retrieve. It is also preferred that the monitor housing, as well as providing a waterproof container for the monitor electronics, is made of a material that is resistant to the environments it is likely to be used, including chlorinated swimming pools and open fresh and sea water. The monitor is preferably compliant with International Protection Marking IP67 (protection when immersed in water to a depth of 1 m) and more preferably IP68 (immersed in water to a depth of beyond 1 m). Some embodiments may be operable up to depths of 50 m, 100 m or more.

[0072] FIG. 2 schematically shows the main components of the swimming activity monitor 20. The swim tracking device 22 will include a battery, one or more motion or activity sensors and a water sensor.

[0073] The battery preferably has a capacity that means the batter can power the device for at least 1 year of typical use. Typical use is assumed to be 6 hours use per week including 4 separate data uploads per week. The monitor may be designed to allow batter replacement so that it can be replaced once the batter is exhausted, so long as this is done in a way that can ensure the waterproofness of the device subsequent to battery replacement. Alternatively, the device may be disposable in the sense that once the battery is exhausted the device is disposed of and a new device acquired. It is also possible to use a rechargeable battery that can be recharged with a wired (e.g. mini-usb) of wireless (e.g. induction charging) method.

[0074] The motion/activity sensor may be one or more of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GPS receiver, or other sensor capable of detecting motion or more generally activity of the swimmer.

[0075] Any suitable water sensor may be used. It may, for example, be a capacitive sensor in which the capacitance of a conductive element is measured to determine whether the element is immersed. The element may, for example, be a conductive pad bonded to the case of the activity sensor. Alternatively, the water sensor may be a resistive sensor that uses a pair of conductive contacts with faces exposed to the exterior of the activity monitor housing, the resistance across the two contact being measured to determine whether or not they are immersed. The water sensor detects when the activity monitor is immersed and an output from this sensor is used to restrict operation of the monitor to record activity data to periods of time when the monitor is immersed.

[0076] The computing hardware 24 includes a processor and a memory for storing activity data generated by an algorithm executed by the processor. Preferably at least 4 hours of swimming data can be stored. The firmware 26 comprises operating code and the algorithm 28 stored in persistent memory. The computing hardware also includes a Bluetooth transceiver for sending and receiving data, for example to enable upload of the stored activity data from the memory to another computing device (e.g. a smartphone).

[0077] In use, the processor receives inputs from the motion/activity sensor(s) and the water sensor and executes the algorithm to calculate activity data from these inputs. The activity data includes one or more of speed, laps, distance, time, stroke type, stroke count, stroke efficiency (strokes per lap) and calories.

[0078] The activity monitor preferably has three modes: a sleep mode (in which very little or no batter power is consumed); a standby mode from in which the processor is not operating to calculate activity data; and an active mode in which the processor is operating to calculate activity data. The monitor switches automatically from the standby mode to the automatic mode based on an output from the water sensorwhen the water sensor is immersed the monitor switches from standby mode to active mode. When the water sensor detects that the monitor is no longer immersed, the monitor is switched from active mode back into standby mode. The monitor may then return to sleep mode after a pre-determined period of time has elapsed following switching back to standby mode (e.g. 30 mins) and/or a predetermined period of time after the at wireless data connection is terminated. In another example, the automatic switching from standby mode to active mode may also be dependent on an output from a motion/activity sensor so that the recording of activity data only commences when water-based activity has actually commenced and is not triggered, for example, when the user showers before entering the pool. This may be achieved, for example, by using a sensor that detects when the user's orientation and keeps the monitor in standby mode when the user is upright even if the monitor is immersed in water.

[0079] The attachment 30 of the activity monitor to the suit is achieved by cooperating attachment features on the suit and device. It is important that the attachment holds the device securely to the swimsuit in a fixed position (and preferably also orientation) because if the device moves significantly relative to the swimmer's body during exercise then the output from the motion sensor is unlikely to correctly reflect the motion of the swimmer in the water. Likewise, if the position (and orientation) of the monitor (and in particular the motion sensor within it) cannot be suitably repeated from one swim session to the next, then it becomes difficult or impossible to compare data from different session, which is desirable to monitor progress in performance over time.

[0080] FIGS. 3 to 8 show several examples of possible features for attaching the activity monitor to the swimsuit.

[0081] FIG. 3 shows a slot 32 formed in the back of the swimsuit in to which a clip (not shown) on the activity monitor can be secured. A similar fixture can be achieved with a loop on the back of the swimsuit to which the monitor can be clipped.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a magnetic clip attachment 34.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows an attachment arrangement that includes a protruding button 36 on the back of the swimsuit that engages with an opening 38 in the housing of the monitor.

[0084] FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show alternative attachment arrangements that all use a pocket 40 in the swimsuit into which the activity monitor 42 is received. By appropriate design of the shape of the pocket and the exterior shape of the activity monitor housing it is possible to securely locate the monitor in a specific orientation and position on the swimsuit. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a further example of an arrangements in which the activity monitor is secured in a pocket in a swimsuit. In the case, the pocket is on the inside of the swimsuit, FIG. 10 showing the inside surface of the swimsuit, with the pocket, and FIG. 11 showing a view from the outside of the back of the swimsuit.

[0085] FIGS. 12(a) to (c) show a further arrangement for securing the activity monitor to a swimsuit. In this case, the activity monitor is mounted on the outside of the back of the swimsuit just below the waistband. The suit is formed with retaining tabs (seen in FIG. 12(a)) that are configured to engage and retain a mounting frame (seen in FIG. 12(b)). The activity monitor itself then clips into the mounting frame as seen in FIGS. 12(b) and (c).

[0086] An example of the operation of the swim activity monitor to record a swim session will now be explained with reference FIGS. 9(a) to 9(b).

[0087] The user can start, if they wish, by setting goals using an app on their smartphone that later will receive data from the activity monitor. The app may have a record of data from previous swim sessions that the user can review to help with setting their goals for the upcoming session. The activity monitor is in a sleep mode at this point in time.

[0088] The user then triggers the monitor to switch from sleep mode to standby mode. This may, for example, be by some physical interaction with the monitor such as shaking it or pressing a button on the monitor, or it may be initiated with a command from the app on their smartphone sent to the activity monitor via a Bluetooth (or other wireless) connection.

[0089] Either before or after switching the monitor from sleep to standby mode, the user ensures the monitor is attached to their swimsuit at its predetermined location and in its correct orientation. The user then enters the pool and commences swimming, at which point the monitor automatically switches from standby mode to active mode. In this active mode the processor executes the algorithm to calculate and store to memory activity data based on output(s) from the motion/activity sensor(s).

[0090] When the swimmer completes their swim session and exits the pool, the water sensor detects that the monitor is no longer immersed and the activity monitor automatically switches from active mode back to standby mode. In some examples, if a user stops for a rest in the water, this can be detected (for example from the output of the motion sensor) and the monitor can be returned to standby mode until swimming commences again, even though the monitor is still immersed.

[0091] In standby mode, after the swim session has finished, the user can upload the activity data from the memory of the monitor to the app on their smartphone via the Bluetooth (or other wireless) connection. The user can then review this activity data and, if they wish, compare it with goals they have set and/or data from previous sessions.

[0092] The monitor is then returned to sleep mode, for example after a pre-determined period of time has elapsed without any activity (e.g. data communication, button press, etc) in standby mode (e.g. 30 mins). Additionally or alternatively, the activity monitor may be manually switched into standby mode, for example by pressing a button on the monitor or through an interface on their smartphone (or other computing device connected, e.g. wirelessly, to the activity monitor).

[0093] Various variations and modifications to the specifically described example are possible within the scope of the invention.