Fitness-Linked Charging Control for Wearable Goal Motivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fitness devices fail to effectively motivate users to achieve their fitness goals, leading to a lack of engagement and maintenance of physical activity.
Innovation Solution
A charging device that communicates with fitness tracking devices to adjust charging speed based on the user's progress towards their set fitness goals, slowing down charging if goals are not met and potentially carrying over excess progress to future periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If fitness devices track fitness activities, then fitness data is collected, but user motivation to achieve fitness goals is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device provides real-time feedback to the user by monitoring fitness data from the fitness tracker and adjusting charging speed accordingly. When the user meets their fitness goals, they receive immediate positive feedback through faster charging, which reinforces the desired behavior and increases motivation to maintain or improve fitness performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to set their own fitness goals and choose which fitness metrics to track (steps, calories, exercise minutes). The charging device automatically retrieves the relevant data, compares it against user-defined targets, and adjusts charging parameters without requiring manual intervention, creating a self-regulating motivational system.
2Productivity
If charging speed is increased, then device charging time is reduced, but user fitness motivation is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging speed is made dynamic rather than static. The charging device continuously monitors fitness data and adjusts charging speed in real-time based on whether the user is meeting their fitness goals. This dynamic adjustment creates a variable reinforcement schedule that maintains user engagement and motivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the charging parameter (speed/power) based on fitness goal achievement. When users meet their targets, the charging device increases power delivery to reduce charging time as a reward. When targets are not met, charging proceeds at standard speed, creating a direct link between fitness performance and charging efficiency.
3Loss of information
If charging device monitors fitness data continuously, then user motivation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging device retrieves fitness data at periodic intervals rather than continuously monitoring. It checks fitness data at key moments (when charging connects, at regular intervals during charging) and adjusts charging speed based on the most recent data, balancing accurate tracking with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system retrieves and processes fitness data in advance before making charging decisions. By checking fitness goal achievement status at the beginning of charging sessions and using predictive algorithms, the device can prepare appropriate charging parameters without requiring constant real-time data retrieval, reducing overall energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is used to control the duration of time it takes to charge any device, depending on how many units the user has taken out of their fitness goal. This invention connects to a fitness device such as a smart watch and retrieves the amount of units the user has completed. Being conditional on how many units the user has taken, the device will either charge at a normal pace or proportionally slower. For example, if the user's daily goal was 10,000 units and they completed 5,000 units, their device would charge half its normal pace. This invention charges the device more slowly by pausing the charges for periods of time.