Apparatus for monitoring health, wellness and fitness

Abstract

A detecting, monitoring and reporting apparatus includes at least two sensors for facilitating the generation of data indicative of physiological parameters of the individual and / or data indicative of a contextual parameters of the individual. A processor is coupled to the sensors and is adapted to generate at least one of derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of physiological parameters and analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data. A memory retrievably stores the data and one of various ways of transmitting the data is provided.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 923,181 filed on Aug. 6, 2001, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 602,537, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,038, filed on Jun. 23, 2000, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 595,660, filed on Jun. 16, 2000.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a system for monitoring health, wellness and fitness, and in particular, to a system for collecting, using a sensor device, and storing at a remote site data relating to an individual's physiological state, lifestyle, and various contextual parameters, and making such data and analytical information based on such data available to the individual, preferably over an electronic network. In addition, the present invention also relates to an apparatus for monitoring health, wellness and fitness, and in particular, to an apparatus including one or more sensors for c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The suggested routine may include a plurality of categories, wherein the feedback is generated and provided with respect to each of the categories. Examples of the categories include nutrition, activity level, mind centering, sleep, and daily activities. The feedback may be provided in graphical or textual form and may be contained in one or more web pages generated by the central monitoring unit. Alternatively, the feedback may be transmitted to the recipient in a physical form.

[0019] According to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting, monitoring and reporting at least one of human physiological and contextual information is disclosed which includes at least two sensors selected from the group consisting of physiological sensors and contextual sensors. The physiological sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more physiological parameters of an individual, and the contextual sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more contextual parameters of the individual. A processor is coupled to the sensors and is adapted to generate at least one of derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of physiological parameters and analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data. A memory is provided for retrievably storing at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data. Various options are available for transmitting to the individual at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data, including a visual output device, a tactile output device, an audible output device, and a computing device coupled to the apparatus. The apparatus may also include a component to enable the manual entry of information, and a wireless device to enable the apparatus to receive information from and / or output information to at least one of a wireless device worn by the individual, a wireless device implanted in the body of the individual, and a wireless device located near the individual.

[0020] According to a further alternate embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting, monitoring and reporting at least one of human physiological and contextual information is disclosed that includes a sensor device and a computing device coupled to the sensor device. The sensor device includes at least two sensors selected from the group consisting of physiological sensors and contextual sensors. The physiological sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more physiological parameters of an individual, and the contextual sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more contextual parameters of the individual. The sensor device also includes a memory for retrievably storing at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters and the data indicative of contextual parameters. The computing device is adapted to generate at least one of derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of physiological parameters and analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data. Various options are available for transmitting to the individual at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data and the analytical status data, including a visual output device, a tactile output device, an audible output device, and the computing device. The apparatus may also include a component to enable the manual entry of information, and a wireless device to enable the apparatus to receive information from and / or output information to at least one of a wireless device worn by the individual, a wireless device implanted in the body of the individual, and a wireless device located near the individual. As an alternative, the apparatus may include a processor adapted to generate derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of physiological parameters.

[0021] According to a futher alternate embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for monitoring and reporting at least one of human physiological and contextual information and nutritional information is disclosed that includes at least two sensors selected from the group consisting of physiological sensors and contextual sensors. The physiological sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more physiological parameters of an individual and the contextual sensors are adapted to facilitate the generation of data indicative of one or more contextual parameters of said individual. The apparatus also includes means for entering food consumption information into the apparatus. A memory for storing conversion information for converting the food consumption information into nutritional information is also provided. The apparatus further includes a processor adapted to generate at least one of derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of physiological parameters and analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data, the nutritional information and the analytical status data, and means for transmitting to the individual at least one of the data indicative of physiological parameters, the data indicative of contextual parameters, the derived data, and the analytical status data.

Problems solved by technology

Research has shown that a large number of the top health problems in society are either caused in whole or in part by an unhealthy lifestyle.

More and more, our society requires people to lead fast-paced, achievement-oriented lifestyles that often result in poor eating habits, high stress levels, lack of exercise, poor sleep habits and the inability to find the time to center the mind and relax.

These barriers include the fact that the individual is often left to himself or herself to find motivation, to implement a plan for achieving a healthier lifestyle, to monitor progress, and to brainstorm solutions when problems arise; the fact that existing programs are directed to only certain aspects of a healthier lifestyle, and rarely come as a complete package; and the fact that recommendations are often not targeted to the unique characteristics of the individual or his life circumstances.

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