# US 8,784,272 B2 · Methods and apparatus for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness

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- Number: US 8,784,272 B2
- Document ID: US8784272B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/095,977
- Filed: 2013-12-03
- Published: 2014-06-12
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 1999-10-29
- Applicants: Brian M. Dugan
- Inventors: Brian M. Dugan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784272B2

## CPC

- G16H 20/60: relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
- A61B 5/0022: {Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet}
- A61B 5/1112: {Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS}
- A61B 5/486: {Biofeedback (using electroencephalography [EEG] A61B5/375)}
- A61B 5/4866: {Evaluating metabolism (using breath test A61B5/083)}
- A61B 5/6824: {Arm or wrist}
- A61B 5/6831: {Straps, bands or harnesses}
- A61B 5/6898: {Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers}
- A61B 5/7475: {User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick}
- A63B 24/0062: {Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance}
- G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
- G06Q 30/0621: {by configuring or customising goods or services}
- G06Q 30/0623: {by investigating goods or services}
- G06Q 30/0631: {Recommending goods or services}
- G06Q 30/0633: {Managing shopping lists, e.g. compiling or processing purchase lists (shipping orders G06Q10/083; order filling G06Q10/087)}
- G09B 5/00: Electrically-operated educational appliances (working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F)
- G09B 5/02: with visual presentation of the material to be studied, e.g. using film strip
- G09B 19/0092: {Nutrition}
- G16H 20/30: relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
- G16H 30/20: for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- G16Z 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
- A61B 2503/12: Healthy persons not otherwise provided for, e.g. subjects of a marketing survey
- A63B 2024/0068: {Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals}
- G06Q 10/08774: {using consumer inventory reporting}
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B)
- G16Z: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and encouraging health and fitness. In accordance with a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to assist in weight loss and exercise. The apparatus comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA) having computer program code adapted to assist in at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. The PDA also includes computer program code adapted to display historical data regarding at least one of calorie counting, meal selection, meal suggestion, weight monitoring, weight loss or gain monitoring, fat consumption monitoring, sugar consumption monitoring and salt consumption monitoring. Numerous other embodiments are provided, as are methods, systems and computer program products.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a personal digital assistant (PDA); and
a display included as part of the PDA;
wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to:
monitor exercise level information of a user;
communicate the exercise level information to a WEB server;
communicate geographic information about the user to the WEB server;
retrieve product information consistent with achieving a diet or exercise goal of the user by communicating with the WEB server;
display the product information;
display at least one previously purchased item; and
allow selection of a displayed previously purchased item.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to communicate food intake information to the WEB server.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to monitor food intake information of the user.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to receive weight information about the user.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to receive weight information communicated from an electronic scale.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to retrieve product information based on the monitored exercise level information.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to monitor exercise level information of a user by monitoring a pulse of the user.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to monitor exercise level information of a user by monitoring calories burned by the user.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the product information comprises food information.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to display a cost of a prepared food.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the WEB server is in communication with a restaurant.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the product information relates to a product line.

### Claim 13

An apparatus comprising:
a personal digital assistant (PDA); and
a display included as part of the PDA;
wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to:
monitor food intake information of a user;
communicate the food intake information to a WEB server;
communicate geographic information about the user to the WEB server;
retrieve product information consistent with achieving a diet or exercise goal of the user by communicating with the WEB server;
display the product information;
display at least one previously purchased item; and
allow selection of a displayed previously purchased item.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to receive weight information about the user.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to receive weight information communicated from an electronic scale.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the retrieved product information is based on the monitored food intake information.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the PDA includes computer program code that directs the PDA to display a cost of a prepared food.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the WEB server is in communication with a restaurant.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the product information relates to a product line.