Apple developing full-fledged digital lifestyle fitness companion
Electronics maker Apple Inc. is developing a digital fitness companion system based around its iPhone and iPod touch players aimed a helping americans, and folks in general, live a healthier and more fit lifestyle.
A series of patent filings discovered by AppleInsider this week provides an overview of four distinct components that will comprise the system, including an iTunes-like software application, hardware-based heart rate and physiological sensors, a rewards tracker, and a component to facilitate synchronous group activities.
Akin to a more advanced version of the company's Nike + iPod sport kit, the companion system would utilize a new software application for Macs and Windows PCs that would serve to "interview" the user via a series of dialogs.
The first segment of the interview process would poll the user on their fitness goals, desired activity level (moderate, advanced), fitness interests (such as jogging, pilates, and swimming), fitness goals (lose weight, firm and tone, and get back into shape), weight goals, desired workout schedule, and so forth.
A second segment of the interview process would then question the user about his or her health history (allergies, asthma, back pain, and diabetes), current medications, and family health history.
"The lifestyle companion system also can interview the user about non-health related topics, e.g., spirituality/religion, identity (e.g., sense of belonging), relationships, career, financial condition, environment, hobbies, interests, other personal information, and goals regarding the same," Apple wrote in one of the filings. "An identity (sense of belonging) interview may address, for example, the organizations to which the user belongs socially and/or professionally. A relationships interview can address, for example, the marital and/or familial status of the user. The relationship interview also can address the quality of the user's relationships with his/her family. A career interview can address, for example, the length of time the user has worked in the present job, the user's current occupational position, and/or the user's level of enjoyment of the user's occupation. A finance interview can address, for example, net wealth, credit situation, spending habits, etc. An environment interview can address, for example, the user's home, office, clothing, transportation, fitness memberships, access to exercise equipment, etc."
Once the interview process is completed, the computer-based application would create a profile of the user and a workout regimen based around their feedback on goals and fitness interests. For instance, a user interested in weight training would be provided a work out schedule broken down into warmup cardio exercises and a weight training session comprised of sets, reps and weight levels.
The regimen would then be synced to an iPhone or iPod touch, allowing the user to step through their predefined workout and track their progress while at the gym. In one of the four filings, Apple also suggests a number of hardware-based companion products consisting of sensors for real-time feedback, in addition to raising the possibility that future iPhones and iPod touch's would include their own assortment of built-in sensors.
"In one embodiment, the present invention can include a headset having integrated physiological sensors. The present invention also can include a sling having one or more integrated physiological sensors. The sling can secure a portable electronic device to a user's body or clothing," the company said. "The present invention also can include a portable media device having one or more integrated physiological sensors. In one embodiment, an electronic device of the present invention can accept data from multiple sensors, including one or more sensors that track a user's movements. The electronic device can be configured to condition data from physiological sensors using data indicative of the user's movements."
As a motivational tactic, the digital lifestyle system would also include a rewards system and a system for facilitating group activities in which users can pit themselves against their peers in terms of workout performance, similar to the way Nike + iPod users can challenge and compete against each other by uploading their workout summaries to nikeplus.com.
"Once the subordinate user has input data about his activities, the rewards system can determine the appropriate rewards to distribute to the subordinate user account based on the data and the rewards allocation parameters," Apple said. "A rewards system of the present invention also can permit a user to challenge one or more users to a competition. Based on data about the competitors' activities and user-defined allocation parameters, the rewards system can automatically distribute rewards to the user account(s) of victorious competitor(s)."
The four filings, each made on March 27, 2007, are credited to a number of Apple employees, including Glenn Gilley, Sarah Brody, and iPod chief Anthony Fadell.
A series of patent filings discovered by AppleInsider this week provides an overview of four distinct components that will comprise the system, including an iTunes-like software application, hardware-based heart rate and physiological sensors, a rewards tracker, and a component to facilitate synchronous group activities.
Akin to a more advanced version of the company's Nike + iPod sport kit, the companion system would utilize a new software application for Macs and Windows PCs that would serve to "interview" the user via a series of dialogs.
The first segment of the interview process would poll the user on their fitness goals, desired activity level (moderate, advanced), fitness interests (such as jogging, pilates, and swimming), fitness goals (lose weight, firm and tone, and get back into shape), weight goals, desired workout schedule, and so forth.
A second segment of the interview process would then question the user about his or her health history (allergies, asthma, back pain, and diabetes), current medications, and family health history.
"The lifestyle companion system also can interview the user about non-health related topics, e.g., spirituality/religion, identity (e.g., sense of belonging), relationships, career, financial condition, environment, hobbies, interests, other personal information, and goals regarding the same," Apple wrote in one of the filings. "An identity (sense of belonging) interview may address, for example, the organizations to which the user belongs socially and/or professionally. A relationships interview can address, for example, the marital and/or familial status of the user. The relationship interview also can address the quality of the user's relationships with his/her family. A career interview can address, for example, the length of time the user has worked in the present job, the user's current occupational position, and/or the user's level of enjoyment of the user's occupation. A finance interview can address, for example, net wealth, credit situation, spending habits, etc. An environment interview can address, for example, the user's home, office, clothing, transportation, fitness memberships, access to exercise equipment, etc."
Once the interview process is completed, the computer-based application would create a profile of the user and a workout regimen based around their feedback on goals and fitness interests. For instance, a user interested in weight training would be provided a work out schedule broken down into warmup cardio exercises and a weight training session comprised of sets, reps and weight levels.
The regimen would then be synced to an iPhone or iPod touch, allowing the user to step through their predefined workout and track their progress while at the gym. In one of the four filings, Apple also suggests a number of hardware-based companion products consisting of sensors for real-time feedback, in addition to raising the possibility that future iPhones and iPod touch's would include their own assortment of built-in sensors.
"In one embodiment, the present invention can include a headset having integrated physiological sensors. The present invention also can include a sling having one or more integrated physiological sensors. The sling can secure a portable electronic device to a user's body or clothing," the company said. "The present invention also can include a portable media device having one or more integrated physiological sensors. In one embodiment, an electronic device of the present invention can accept data from multiple sensors, including one or more sensors that track a user's movements. The electronic device can be configured to condition data from physiological sensors using data indicative of the user's movements."
As a motivational tactic, the digital lifestyle system would also include a rewards system and a system for facilitating group activities in which users can pit themselves against their peers in terms of workout performance, similar to the way Nike + iPod users can challenge and compete against each other by uploading their workout summaries to nikeplus.com.
"Once the subordinate user has input data about his activities, the rewards system can determine the appropriate rewards to distribute to the subordinate user account based on the data and the rewards allocation parameters," Apple said. "A rewards system of the present invention also can permit a user to challenge one or more users to a competition. Based on data about the competitors' activities and user-defined allocation parameters, the rewards system can automatically distribute rewards to the user account(s) of victorious competitor(s)."
The four filings, each made on March 27, 2007, are credited to a number of Apple employees, including Glenn Gilley, Sarah Brody, and iPod chief Anthony Fadell.
Comments
In a related filing, MS appears to be developing a complimentary product to the Chip Bag, a Chip Bowl. The chip bowl is intended for use during the consumption of chips by groups of people, where groups are gatherings of more than 1 people. The chip bowl will recognize how much is consumed by each individual user, again sending this information back to MS who can sell it to retailers, producers, and spammers alike. Also, according to the filing, the Chip Bowl can recognize a Double Dip and features a LASER which will shoot the double dipper in the eyes, thus blinding them.
Balmer was heard to comment that the MS lard-assed customer's are slurping up these bloated products like honey coated jelly-beans. He seems to think these new products will sell like hot-cakes.
/Adrian
And Balmer has pointed the public to Microsoft's patent filing for a new Chip Bag they are developing. Sources indicate that the bag is designed to look similar to what Doritos was marketing in the '80s. According to the filing the bag features sensors which calculate the user's calorie intake and identifies ways to enhance/increase the intake of the contained chips. The bag also interfaces with Microsoft's Big A$$ Table which can recognize if the bag has been stolen and will automatically facilitate a charge to the user's credit card for the product.
In a related filing, MS appears to be developing a complimentary product to the Chip Bag, a Chip Bowl. The chip bowl is intended for use during the consumption of chips by groups of people, where groups are gatherings of more than 1 people. The chip bowl will recognize how much is consumed by each individual user, again sending this information back to MS who can sell it to retailers, producers, and spammers alike. Also, according to the filing, the Chip Bowl can recognize a Double Dip and features a LASER which will shoot the double dipper in the eyes, thus blinding them.
Balmer was heard to comment that the MS lard-assed customer's are slurping up these bloated products like honey coated jelly-beans. He seems to think these new products will sell like hot-cakes.
Haha!
I really like the fitness/workout application. I agree- it looks like it already exists- I wonder if we will get leaks as Apple are forced to reveal details to partners they are hoping to link up with.
Ok...What would this be called?...ball rolling...
How about: iWorkOut?
sounds sort of like the nintendo wii sports game. where you can compete against friends and track your progress, wii fitness "age", and game-specific stuff like home run records, virtual golf handicap, etc. it's good entertainment. i hear nintendo is coming out with a wii fitness game this year.
tracking how much you run and how many calories you burn might be enough to get some people hooked, now make it a portable apple device full of eye candy and multitouch technology goodness and ipod functionality on top of it... that's a winner right there.
if apple pulls this out right... man this is something. this ipod fit or whatever could have a pedometer, heart rate monitor, calorie counter and maybe a way to track what you eat.
i'm not exactly sure what they mean by the rewards system, but it sounds intriguing.
I bet the "relationship interview" generates such workout guidance as "Run as fast and as far as you can."
I'm sure such misspellings will doom this project.
That's why the Nike + iPod works so well is that it is targeted at people who are already in great shape who just want to record one simple data set time/distance.
I don't think it will catch on. It is too complicated with all of those straps and velco.
Exactly how complicated do you have in mind? I think you're imagining something that doesn't fit reality. I don't think it would be any more complicated than the armbands for the nano.
Besides, everyone already knows that if they get more exercise and eat fewer calories they will be healthier. A cute little application is not going give someone the discipline and will power to stick to a an exercise and dietary program. Fat people are too lazy and fit people don't need it.
There was a segment on Science Friday a few weeks ago that said the opposite, the motivating factor is in keeping the user apprised of how much progress they are making.
I do not want to "loose" weight... I want my belt to be "loose". In order for that to happen I must LOSE weight.
I'm sure such misspellings will doom this project.
I am astonished just thinking of the aggrevation you must feel to be motivated to register as a user to in order to correct spelling!! Welcome anyhow.
I do however disagree with the comment above about fat people not being dussed and fit people already doing it. I have definitely experienced the boredom with jogging/cycling in a gym or on the roads. Having a goal setting/feedback system provides all-important motivation for all.
Maybe a rewards system might incorporate free downloads from iTMS. Just a thought.
I don't think it will catch on. It is too complicated with all of those straps and velco. Besides, everyone already knows that if they get more exercise and eat fewer calories they will be healthier. A cute little application is not going give someone the discipline and will power to stick to a an exercise and dietary program. Fat people are too lazy and fit people don't need it.
That's why the Nike + iPod works so well is that it is targeted at people who are already in great shape who just want to record one simple data set time/distance.
Everyone's opinion is their own and valid, but using "everybody already knows..." in support of your opinion is misguided.
Look no further than research into dieters who view a scale daily versus those who do not. Tracking progress is critical. Social interaction (i.e. telling friends what you are doing and having them ask you about your progress) is critical. Delivering instruction to those who may not know what excercises, weight, reps, order, etc. they need is critical. It's all just slightly more complicated than: eat less, move more, be more fit.
You may not need this product. And heck, maybe the thing falls flat on its face once released. But try to have a perspective that reaches beyond your own personal needs if you're going to take the time to share a negative opinion with us. I respect your viewpoint. But if you want anyone to understand it or agree with it (and I'm assuming you do or you would just read the article and move on), you may want to consider a different approach to sharing it.
Exactly how complicated do you have in mind?
I don't know, a waist band, a ankle device, an arm band, and wire attached to your skin. Did you examine the last diagram?
I don't know, a waist band, a ankle device, an arm band, and wire attached to your skin. Did you examine the last diagram?
I didn't see the last picture until you mentioned it, but I imagine that they are covering all the possibilities, not saying they all need to be there.
And Balmer has pointed the public to Microsoft's patent filing for a new Chip Bag they are developing. Sources indicate that the bag is designed to look similar to what Doritos was marketing in the '80s. According to the filing the bag features sensors which calculate the user's calorie intake and identifies ways to enhance/increase the intake of the contained chips. The bag also interfaces with Microsoft's Big A$$ Table which can recognize if the bag has been stolen and will automatically facilitate a charge to the user's credit card for the product.
In a related filing, MS appears to be developing a complimentary product to the Chip Bag, a Chip Bowl. The chip bowl is intended for use during the consumption of chips by groups of people, where groups are gatherings of more than 1 people. The chip bowl will recognize how much is consumed by each individual user, again sending this information back to MS who can sell it to retailers, producers, and spammers alike. Also, according to the filing, the Chip Bowl can recognize a Double Dip and features a LASER which will shoot the double dipper in the eyes, thus blinding them.
Balmer was heard to comment that the MS lard-assed customer's are slurping up these bloated products like honey coated jelly-beans. He seems to think these new products will sell like hot-cakes.
No No NO!
Tiny RF transmitters will be put on every food container and the information will be processed by MS 'Big Ass Table' (BAT) computer, and your physical data will be collected by the MS "Big Ass Chair" (BAC) computer. The 2 will confer and display a detailed diet plan on the BAT, which will always suspiciously come out to.,..
1) eat a little less
2) Get your BA out of the BAC and push yourself away from the BAT.