Activity Meter Calculating Activity Age Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activity meters do not provide a clear index for users to compare their physical activity levels with others or set targets to achieve a desired activity age, and they lack an index to help users attain a target activity pattern.
Innovation Solution
An activity meter that includes an activity amount acquisition unit, an index acquisition unit, and an index output unit, which calculates and displays an 'activity age' based on the user's activity level, allowing users to set and strive for a target activity age by using body information and METs (Medical Evangelism Training & Strategies) to determine the intensity of physical activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If activity meters output calories burned as the activity index, then the activity amount is quantified, but it remains unclear whether the amount is high or low or to what age group it is equivalent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary concept called 'activity age' that mediates between the raw activity data (calories burned) and the user's understanding. This activity age serves as a bridge, comparing the user's activity level to standard values for different age groups, thereby providing intuitive interpretation without requiring complex direct analysis of calorie amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the activity index from absolute values (calories burned) to relative values (activity age equivalence). By changing the parameter representation from raw energy expenditure to age-equivalent comparison, the system makes the activity level more interpretable while maintaining calculation feasibility through standardized reference data.
2Measurement precision
If activity meters calculate detailed activity metrics, then measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation and user understanding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from complex physical quantities (calories, energy expenditure) to an intuitive demographic parameter (age equivalence). This transformation maintains the precision of activity measurement while dramatically improving ease of understanding and operation, as users can intuitively grasp what their activity level means in terms of age-group comparisons.
3Quantity of substance
If activity meters provide comprehensive activity data, then the quantity of information is increased, but the loss of meaningful context occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms comprehensive but contextless activity data into meaningful context by introducing age-equivalent parameters. By changing how the data is parameterized and presented, the system retains all the quantitative information while adding interpretive context that helps users understand their activity level relative to population standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A pedometer includes an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount of a user, an index acquisition unit that acquires an index relating to the activity amount, and an index output unit that outputs the acquired index. The index acquisition unit includes an activity age acquisition unit that acquires an activity age represented by a standard age of a person who does the same amount of activity as the activity amount acquired in a unit period, using body information of the user, and acquires an index enabling the active age to reach a target activity age, based on the acquired activity amount.