US 8,506,396 B1Granted

Online game to promote physical activity

AssigneeHumana Inc.

InventorsSeth Snyder, Jasper Speicher

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Abstract

An online game that promotes physical activity by visually representing the comparative biometric data of a group of people. The biometric data may be collected using a variety of biometric devices. Each individual in the group selects an avatar for use in representing the biometric data. The biometric data is transmitted to a server and displayed collectively on a computer screen. Each individual's avatar is displayed on the screen and animated according the biometric data. In an example embodiment in which avatars are fish that are displayed on a fish tank background and the biometric data is steps counted by a pedometer, avatars associated with individuals having a higher step count are positioned above avatars for individuals having a lower step count. Biometric data may be collected from biometric devices at various time intervals and the display updated to reflect the changes in biometric data.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computerized method for promoting physical activity comprising:

(a) receiving at a server user profile data for a plurality of computer users;
(b) receiving at said server from each of said plurality of computer users a selection of an avatar;
(c) receiving at said server from each of said plurality of computer users biometric data from a biometric device used by said computer user;
(d) defining at said server an activity time period;
(e) defining at said server a target group count;
(f) calculating for each of said plurality of computer users an activity value corresponding to said user's activity level as measured by said biometric data at a plurality of intervals within said activity time period;
(g) defining at said server a plurality of activity groups by:
(1) comparing said computer users' activity values to identify users with correlated activity values;
and
(2) adding computer users with correlated activity values to one of said plurality of activity groups until said target group count for said group is reached;
(h) transmitting from said server for display at a user computer said avatar for each of said plurality of users;
and
(i) transmitting from said server to said user computer animation data for said avatars wherein said avatars are:
(1) visually grouped according to said activity groups;
and
(2) animated in said activity groups according to said correlated activity values for said activity groups.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/756,390Filed 8 Apr 2010 · us provisional application
Priority: 10 Apr 2009
Granted: 13 Aug 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A63F 13/212
Characterised by their sensors, purposes or types: using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
A63F 13/79
Game security or game management aspects: involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
G16H 20/30
ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient…:…
A63F 13/56
Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress: computing the motion of game characters with respect to other game…