Physical Exercise Assisting Device Activity Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pedometers and physical exercise intensity meters fail to effectively manage and distinguish between lifestyle activities and planned physical exercises, making it difficult for users to achieve recommended physical activity levels for preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

Innovation Solution

A physical exercise assisting device with recording, goal-setting, and display features that differentiate between lifestyle activities and physical exercises based on intensity and duration, using an acceleration sensor to calculate and record activity levels, and allowing users to input additional activities, with adjustable goals and performance tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pedometers and physical exercise intensity meters are used, then basic step counting and exercise intensity monitoring are provided, but the device cannot distinguish between lifestyle activities and planned physical exercises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to distinguish between lifestyle activities and physical exercisesVSAvoidcomplexity of activity classification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments physical activities into distinct categories: lifestyle activities and planned physical exercises. This is achieved by dividing the activity monitoring function into separate tracking mechanisms for different activity types, allowing the device to record and differentiate between casual daily movements and structured exercise sessions based on predefined criteria

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device requires users to preliminarily set or input their planned physical exercise targets before engaging in activities. By pre-defining exercise goals, schedules, and types, the system can automatically distinguish between planned exercises and unplanned lifestyle activities during monitoring, eliminating the need for complex real-time classification algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the device tracks all physical activities without distinction, then comprehensive activity monitoring is achieved, but users cannot effectively manage and check performance status of specific exercise goals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of physical activity managementVSAvoidloss of distinction between exercise types and lifestyle activities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by creating separate recording channels for lifestyle activities and planned physical exercises. Each channel tracks specific parameters relevant to its type, allowing users to independently monitor and evaluate performance against exercise-specific goals while maintaining overall activity visibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies local quality by assigning different monitoring characteristics to different activity types. Planned exercises receive detailed tracking with goal comparison and performance evaluation, while lifestyle activities are monitored with simpler metrics, optimizing the information provided for each activity category without unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the device provides detailed tracking of physical exercise parameters, then accurate performance measurement is achieved, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of physical exercise measurementVSAvoidease of using the device

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the device to automatically detect, classify, and record physical activities without requiring manual input for each exercise session. The system uses sensors to autonomously monitor movement patterns, compare them against predefined exercise profiles, and log results, maintaining high measurement precision while minimizing user interaction requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to easily manage and maintain physical activity levels, distinguishing between lifestyle and exercise activities, thereby assisting in achieving health guidelines and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.

Implementation Method 1

using an acceleration sensor to calculate and record activity levels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration sensor detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS8388554B2Physical exercise assisting device

Publication Date: 2013.03.05 OMRON HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

A physical exercise assisting device includes a physical activity amount recorder recording a performed physical activity amount such that a physical exercise amount and a lifestyle activity amount can be recognized for a physical activity that has an intensity greater than or equal to a reference intensity; goal storage unit storing goals for the physical activity amount and the physical exercise amount to be performed in a predetermined unit period; and a display displaying goal achievement of the physical activity amount and the physical exercise amount based on the physical activity amount and the physical exercise amount recorded by the physical activity amount recorder and the goals stored in the goal storage unit.