US20120171649A1

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Info

Publication number: US20120171649A1
Application number: US13/049,327
Authority: US
Inventors: Jason A. Wander; Staci Porras; Asim Pasha; Israel Eggers
Original assignee: Cerner Innovation Inc
Current assignee: Cerner Innovation Inc
Priority date: 2010-12-29
Filing date: 2011-03-16
Publication date: 2012-07-05

Abstract

Methods, computer storage media, systems and user interfaces for generating physical activity indicators are provided. The user interface includes an activation button that prompts physical activity data associated with a user to be retrieved from a user device on which the physical activity data is stored. Information such as the current amount of physical activity logged by the user for a particular day, including the number of steps taken by a user for the day and/or the amount of minutes of physical activity the user has logged for the day is presented to the user via various aspects of the user interface. Users may compare their physical activity performance to other users of the system. Users may also challenge other users to participate in physical activity contests.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/428,087, filed Dec. 29, 2010.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased over the past three decades, with nearly one in three children in America being overweight or obese. Obese and overweight children and adolescents are more likely to have health problems during their youth and as adults. For example, obese and overweight children and adolescents often have several risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease such as high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Insufficient physical activity has contributed to the prevalence of obesity in children with the majority of children failing to get the recommended sixty minutes of active and vigorous play needed daily for a child to grow up to a healthy weight. For instance, the average American child spends more than 7½ hours a day watching TV and movies, using cell phones and computers for entertainment, and playing video games. Children spending progressively more time interacting with virtual media may consequently fail to get the recommended levels of moderate/vigorous physical activity per day. Thus, it would beneficial to have a virtual medium that is geared towards encouraging children to be more physically active in fun and interactive ways.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Utilizing the methods and systems described herein user interfaces for generating physical activity indicators are provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a user interface embodied on at least one computer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions used by a computing device, the user interface for generating physical activity indicators. In embodiments, the user interface includes an activation button that prompts physical activity data associated with a user to be retrieved from a user device on which the physical activity data is stored. The user interface also includes a point tracking display area that displays a number of points the user has accumulated. The number of points may be affected by both the degree of interaction of the user with the user-interface and by the amount of physical activity of the user. The user interface also includes an activity clock display area that displays a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day and the number of minutes of physical activity needed by the user to achieve a daily physical activity goal. The user interface further includes an activity streak display area that displays an activity streak. An activity streak includes a number of consecutive days the user has achieved the daily physical activity goal.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a user interface embodied on at least one computer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions used by a computing device, the user interface for generating physical activity indicators. In embodiments, the user interface includes an activation button that prompts physical activity data associated with a user to be retrieved from a user device on which the physical activity data is stored. The user interface also includes a scoreboard display area that displays at least two of a number of steps taken by the user in a day, a number of miles walked by the user in a day and a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day. The user interface also includes a point tracking display area that displays a number of points the user has accumulated, the number of points being affected by both the degree of interaction of the user with the user-interface and by the amount of physical activity of the user. The user interface further includes an activity streak display area that displays an activity streak. The activity streak is a number of consecutive days the user has achieved a daily physical activity goal. The user interface even further includes a customizable graphical representation of the user that displays a level of physical activity associated with the user. The level of physical activity associated with the user is based at least in part on the number of points the user has accumulated. The user interface also includes a challenge invitation display area that displays a request to the user participate in a physical activity contest, where the request is made from at least one of another user of a group of users or a system administrator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a method for generating a physical activity indicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing physical activity indicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing a physical activity indicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, of an exemplary user interface for viewing a field view display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing a bleacher view display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing physical activity indicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing a challenge invitation display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is an illustrative screen display of an exemplary user interface for viewing a challenge creation display, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for, among other things providing user interfaces for generating physical activity indicators. Physical activity indicators are graphical representations that convey information related to the degree of physical activity of a user or a set of users. An activity monitoring device worn daily by a user captures physical activity data associated with the wearer of the device. The user interface includes an activation button that prompts physical activity data associated with a user to be retrieved from the activity monitoring device on which the physical activity data is stored. As used herein, physical activity data includes the number of steps taken by a user and/or the amount of time the user is moderately or vigorously physically active each day. Physical activity data may also include the distance travelled by a user in a day. The user interface of the present invention among other things, allows a user to view information related to their physical activity data and compare themselves to other users. A user accumulates points by achieving goals related to physical activity, for instance, a user may achieve points for meeting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate/vigorous physical activity per day. The user interface includes a point tracking display area that displays the number of points the user has accumulated. The number of points may be affected by both the degree of interaction of the user with the user-interface and by the amount of physical activity of the user. Users can monitor how close they are to achieving a particular physical activity goal. The user interface includes an activity clock display area that displays a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day and the number of minutes of physical activity needed by the user to achieve a daily physical activity goal. Users can also monitor the number of consecutive days they achieved a daily physical activity goal. For instance, an activity streak display area of the user interface may display the number of consecutive days the user achieved the daily physical activity goal of staying active for more than 60 minutes a day.

Having briefly described embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary operating environment suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention is described below.

Referring to the drawings in general, and initially toFIG. 1 in particular, an exemplary computing system environment with which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented is illustrated and designated generally asreference numeral100. It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the illustratedcomputing system environment100 is merely an example of one suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should thecomputing system environment100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any single component or combination of components illustrated therein.

The present invention may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the present invention include, by way of example only, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above-mentioned systems or devices, and the like.

The present invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The present invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in association with local and/or remote computer storage media including, by way of example only, memory storage devices.

With continued reference toFIG. 1, the exemplarycomputing system environment100 includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acontrol server102. Components of thecontrol server102 may include, without limitation, a processing unit, internal system memory, and a suitable system bus for coupling various system components, includingdatabase cluster104, with thecontrol server102. The system bus may be any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus, using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronic Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also known as Mezzanine bus.

Thecontrol server102 typically includes therein, or has access to, a variety of computer-readable media, for instance,database cluster104. Computer-readable media can be any available media that may be accessed bycontrol server102, and includes volatile and nonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include, without limitation, volatile and nonvolatile media, as well as removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. In this regard, computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by thecontrol server102. Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. As used herein, the term “modulated data signal” refers to a signal that has one or more of its attributes set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above also may be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The computer storage media discussed above and illustrated inFIG. 1, includingdatabase cluster104, provide storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecontrol server102.

Thecontrol server102 may operate in acomputer network106 using logical connections to one or moreremote computers108.Remote computers108 may be located at a variety of locations, for example, but not limited to, hospitals and other inpatient settings, and clinicians' offices. Clinicians may include, but are not limited to, a treating physician or physicians, emergency medical technicians, physicians' assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, nurses' aides, pharmacists, dieticians, physical therapists, researchers, students, and the like. Theremote computers108 are capable of integration on thenetwork106 and may also be physically located in non-traditional medical care environments, for example, schools and home environments. Theremote computers108 may be personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, peer devices, other common network nodes, or the like, and may include some or all of the elements described above in relation to thecontrol server102. The devices can be personal digital assistants or other like devices.

Exemplary computer networks

106 may include, without limitation, local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. When utilized in a WAN networking environment, thecontrol server102 may include a modem or other means for establishing communications over the WAN, such as the Internet. In a networked environment, program modules or portions thereof may be stored in association with thecontrol server102, thedatabase cluster104, or any of theremote computers108. For example, and not by way of limitation, various application programs may reside on the memory associated with any one or more of theremote computers108. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers (e.g.,control server102 and remote computers108) may be utilized.

In operation, a user may enter commands and information into thecontrol server102 or convey the commands and information to thecontrol server102 via one or more of theremote computers108 through input devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device (commonly referred to as a mouse), a trackball, or a touch pad. Other input devices may include, without limitation, microphones, satellite dishes, scanners, or the like. Commands and information may also be sent directly from a remote healthcare device to thecontrol server102. In addition to a monitor, thecontrol server102 and/orremote computers108 may include other peripheral output devices, such as speakers and a printer.

Although many other internal components of thecontrol server102 and theremote computers108 are not shown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such components and their interconnection are well known. Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction of thecontrol server102 and theremote computers108 are not further disclosed herein.

Although methods and systems of embodiments of the present invention are described as being implemented in a WINDOWS operating system, operating in conjunction with an Internet-based system, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the described methods and systems can be implemented in any system supporting the receipt and processing of physical activity data. As contemplated by the language above, the methods and systems of embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented on a stand-alone desktop, personal computer, or any other computing device used in a healthcare environment or any of a number of other locations.

As previously mentioned, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for, among other things providing user interfaces for generating physical activity indicators. The user interfaces of the present invention are described in the context of appealing to a younger audience and encouraging a child to be physically active. For simplicity, the particular user will often be referred to herein as a young user, child or children between the ages of eight and fifteen and/or players. However, it will be understood that the particular user may be any age, and that the present invention may equally appeal to older, and/or computer savvy users such as college students, professional athletes and adults.

As used herein, the phrase “physical activity indicator” refers to one or more graphical representations that convey information related to the degree of physical activity of a user or a set of users. In one embodiment, a physical activity indicator may include, among other things, an activity clock display element that shows the user how many minutes of activity they have logged for the current day. In some cases, an activity streak display area is provided. An activity streak includes the number of consecutive days a user achieved a daily physical activity goal. A physical activity goal consists of a predetermined milestone of moderate or vigorous physical activity a user should attain to reach in a day. For instance, a daily physical activity goal may include meeting the CDC recommendation of60 minutes of physical activity per day.

With reference toFIG. 2, an exemplary system suitable for use in implementing embodiments of the present invention is shown and designated generally as reference numeral200. System200 includes aserver210, anactivity monitoring device212, aclient device214, anetwork216 and adatabase218.Server210 includes and may operate a set of

modules

220,222 and224.Activity monitoring device212 may be worn daily by a user and may capture physical activity data associated with the wearer of theactivity monitoring device212.Activity monitoring device212 may include, without limitation, a motion sensor, a pedometer and/or an accelerometer.Activity monitoring device212 may keep track of the number of steps taken by a user and how long the user is physically active each day.

A user may useclient device214 to upload physical activity data captured onactivity monitoring device212 toserver210 by way ofnetwork216. Thenetwork216 may include, without limitation, one or more local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. Accordingly, thenetwork216 is not further described herein. Theclient device214 may be associated with any type of computing device, such ascontrol server102 described with reference toFIG. 1, for example.Server210 may communicate withclient device214 by way ofnetwork216 to provide an interactive user experience in which a user can monitor their physical activity.Server210 may also retrieve data vianetwork216 fromdatabase218.

Database

218 may include data received from one or moreactivity monitoring devices212, data transferred from a patient's electronic medical record (EMR), and data related to a group of users. In embodiments, thedatabase218 is configured to be searchable for one or more users, physical activity data, and/or associated values stored in association therewith. It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the information stored in thedatabase218 may be configurable and may include any information relevant to a set of physical activity data, and/or a user associated therewith. The content and volume of such information are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the present invention in any way. Further, though illustrated as a single, independent component,database218 may, in fact, be a plurality of databases, for instance, a database cluster, portions of which may reside on a computing device associated with theserver210, theclient device214, another external computing device (not shown) and/or any combination thereof.

Server

210 includes and may operate a set of

modules

220,222 and224. The set of

modules

220,222 and224 may communicate withclient device214 overnetwork216 to present via a user interface various forms of information to the user.Server210 may include aprofile module220 having various components that are configured for managing the user information associated with the wearer of a particularactivity monitoring device212. For instance,profile module220 may allow a user to register a particularactivity monitoring device212 and create a non-identifying screen name with password. The user may also viaprofile module220 enter profile information including but not limited to age, gender, height and weight.Profile module220 may also allow a user the opportunity to select an avatar or other graphical representation that will visually represent them throughout the application of the present invention.

Activity module

222 includes various components and is configured to provide the user with information about their own physical activity data or the physical activity data associated with other users. For example,activity module222 may provide information such as the current amount of physical activity logged by the user for a particular day in particular the number of steps taken by a user for the day and/or the amount of minutes of physical activity the user has logged for the day. The activity module22 may also allow a user to compare their physical activity data with that of other users of system200. For instance, a user may compare their physical activity data with every user in a group of users of the same physical activity level as the user. In other examples, theactivity module222 may allow a user to compare their uploaded physical activity data with the physical activity data of Professional Athletes stored indatabase218.

Challenge module

224 includes various components and is configured to provide users with information about physical activity contests or challenges. In particular,challenge module224 may allow a user to create a new challenge and/or view their progress within existing challenges. By way of example,challenge module224 may allow a user to dare a selected group of other users to participate in a Steps Taken physical activity contest in which participants must log a certain number of steps within a set number of days. Alternatively, a user may be invited viachallenge module224 to participate in an Activity Time contest in which the user is required to log a certain number of hours of physical activity within a set time frame.Challenge module224 may also provide a user with information regarding their progress within existing physical activity contest. For instance,challenge module224 may provide a user with their ranking in a particular challenge.

It will be understood and appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other components not shown may also be included with the system200. Further, additional components not shown may also be included within any of thedatabase218, theserver210, and theclient device214. Additionally, any components illustrated inFIG. 2 in association with thedatabase218, theserver210,profile module220,activity module222,challenge module224 and theclient device214 may additionally or alternatively be associated with any of the other illustrated modules, theclient device214, theactivity monitoring device212, and/or another external computing device, e.g., a server (not shown). Any and all such variations are contemplated to be within the scope of embodiments hereof.

Turning now toFIG. 3, a flow diagram showing a method for generating physical activity indicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated and designated generally as reference numeral300. Method300 may be implemented on the above-described exemplary computing system environment (FIG. 1) and, by way of example only, may be utilized by a user or program administrator to generate physical activity indicators for motivating a person to be physically active.

Initially, as indicated at step310 a control sever (not shown) is operated in a network. Atstep320, the control server is utilized to operate a set of modules. As described in relation toFIG. 2, the set of modules may include a profile module, an activity module and a challenge module. Atstep330, the control server communicates with a client device of the user. The client device enables the user to retrieve and/or input information by using the set of customized system services interacting with the set of modules of thecontrol server102. The client device also enables physical activity data related to the user to be retrieved from an activity monitoring device (not shown) that keeps track of the number of steps taken by a user and how long the user is physically active each day. Atstep340, physical activity data associated with a user is uploaded to control server via the client device. Atstep350 the retrieved physical activity data is stored on the control server. The control server then utilizes the client device to provide an interactive user interface between the user and the set of modules of the control server, atstep360.

FIGS. 4-10 illustrate exemplary displays of graphical user interfaces for generating physical activity indicators, according to embodiments of the present invention. The graphical user interfaces may be any electronic display wherein users have access to view and interact with generated physical activity indicators. The graphical user interfaces described herein may be displayed onclient device214 ofFIG. 2. A user can interact with the graphical user interfaces using well known input components such as, for example, a mouse, joystick, stylus, touch screen, keyboard, or the like.

By way of illustration only, the exemplary displays ofFIGS. 4-10 show views of screens displayed to a user in generating physical activity indicators, according to embodiments of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 4, upon logging into the application of the present invention, a user may accessuser interface400. In accessinguser interface400, the user may view, among other items, ascreen name banner401, alevel banner402, apoint display area404, anactivation button406 and anactivity clock408.Screen name banner401 may be displayed at the top of the application at all times.Screen name banner401 may include the screen name of the user that is logged in.Level banner402 may display a current level in the application of the logged in user. The displayed level of a user may be updated as the user collects points through the system. Apoint display area404 may be configured to display how many points the user that is logged in has accumulated. Points may be collected throughout the application for various reasons. For instance, a user may accumulate points for achieving a physical activity goal such as reaching sixty minutes of physical activity in a day and/or beating a personal best for a number of steps taken in day. A user's points may also increase based on their degree of interaction with the user interface. For example, points may be awarded when users upload their physical activity data, when they participate in physical activity contests, and when they provide feedback commentary to a system administrator. The amount of points a user earns for a particular task may be predetermined and regulated by the system administrator.

A user may selectactivation button406 to prompt the physical activity data associated with the user to be retrieved from an activity monitoring device ofFIG. 2.Activation button406 may need to be clicked in order for activity data to be pulled from the device and loaded into the system. Anactivity clock408 may be displayed in conjunction withactivation button406.Activity clock408 may be configured to display a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day and the number of minutes of physical activity needed by the user to achieve a daily physical activity goal. That is, upon selectingactivation button406, as activity data is uploaded, theactivity clock408 of theuser interface400 may reveal how close the user is to meeting their daily physical activity goal of “60 Minutes of Activity” for that day. In one example, while physical activity data is being pulled from the activity monitoring device, theactivity clock408 may spin repeatedly and then land on the number that represents the user's current activity time. Each upload of physical activity data could move theactivity clock408 hand closer to the physical activity goal of 60 minutes. Once that goal is reached, theactivity clock408 may indicate to the user they have met the goal. Theactivity clock408 may reset to zero at the beginning of each new day. The activity clock display area may also comprise adigital time display410 configured to display a total time the user was active in a day. For instance, if a user logged two hours and twelve minutes of physical activity in one day,digital time display410 would show “02:12”.

User interface

400 may also include an activitystreak display area412 configured to display anactivity streak414, apoint multiplier416, and a streak range418.Activity streak414 includes the number of consecutive days the user has achieved the daily physical activity goal. The activity streak may encourage users to be active every day. As a user reaches a physical activity goal each day, theactivity streak414 of the user increases along with the ability of the user to gain increased points. For instance, for every day that the user attains a sixty minute of physical activity goal, theactivity streak414 may update by displaying another bar on the meter. Activitystreak display area412 may be configured to reset to zero when the user fails to meet the daily physical activity goal.Point multiplier416 displays a number that multiples the number of points the user has accumulated for achieving the daily physical activity goal. Thepoint multiplier416 may increase based on theactivity streak414 of the user. For example, if a user reaches the daily physical activity goal four days in a row, the points the user receives for reaching the sixty minute goal on day four will be multiplied by one and a half. As the user's activity streak grows to more days in a row, thepoint multiplier416 multiplier will also increase. For instance, if the user maintains their activity streak for25 days or more, the points earned for reaching the daily physical activity goal will be multiplied by8 for that day. Streak range418 of activitystreak display area412 includes a visual indicator of the date when the activity streak began and the current date. That is, streak range418 allows a user to view the day and month when they created a “streak” of consecutive days of staying active for more than 60 minutes a day.

Upon selectingexpansion arrow420,user interface500 ofFIG. 5 for viewing physical activity indicators associated with a user are presented. In particular, ascoreboard display area502, and a selectscore display area504 are presented to a user.Scoreboard display area502 may display at least one of the numbers of steps (506) taken by the user in a current day, a number of miles (508) walked by the user in a current day and/or a number of minutes (510) of physical activity by the user in a current day. While viewing the scoreboard, a user may also select to view their physical activity data for the week or view their high scores. The user's selected physical activity data is displayed in the selectscore display area504. For instance, if a user elects to view their total physical activity data, selectscore display area504 may present the total number ofsteps512 taken by the user, the total number ofmiles514 walked by the user, and the total amount of time ofphysical activity516 logged by the user.

With reference toFIG. 6, upon logging into the application of the present invention, a user may accessuser interface600. In accessinguser interface600, the user may view, among other items,user card602, and

player cards

604 and606.User card602 includes a graphical representation of the user that is logged in to the system.User card602 may display a current level in the application of the logged in user. The displayed level of the user may be updated as the user collects points through the system. For instance, as the level of physical activity the user increases the displayed level of the user may change.User card602 may be customized by the user. For instance, a user can select different mascots, colors, and texts for theiruser card602.User card602 of the logged in user may display in theuser interface600 larger than the

other player cards

604 and606.

Player cards

604 and606 may be graphical representations other users of the system other than the logged in user.

Player cards

604 and606 may show the chosen mascots of the other users, their screen names and their current level in the system based on their accumulated amount of points.

If a user has won a physical activity contest or challenge, the player card associated with the user may show anaward count608. Theaward count608 of a user may be viewable by all other users of the system. Each player card includinguser card602 may comprise astatistics button610 that appears at the top left of the card when a user lays a mouse indicator on the card without clicking. Upon selecting thestatistics button610 of aplayer card606, a user may view the current physical activity data of the other user of the system represented byplayer card606. The physical activity data accessed upon clickingstatistics button610 may include the latest steps, distance and active time that has been loaded for that player.

User interface

600 may also include afield view display612 configured to show how the logged in user, withuser card602, compares to other users within the system, the other users being represented by

player cards

604 and606. Infield view display612 the cards representing users are ranked based on physical activity indicators of the user associated with each of the cards. For instance,

cards

602,604 and606 may be arranged in order of the least to most total steps taken. The rank of a user or their placement in a particular physical activity contest may be shown byfield rank indicator613. That is,field rank indicator613 may be a number that represents a user's current placement in a challenge or in theview616 the user selected to show infield view display612.

While infield view display612, logged in users may indicate which other users they would like to see or compare themselves with. Users may click onview selector button614 to compare themselves to a set of users comprising Everyone, Friends, and/or Professionals. In theEveryone view616, thefield view display612 may show all users of the system ranked in the order of physical activity. In the Professional view (not shown) thefield view display612 may list every player card representing a professional athlete in the system. If the user elects to view only his “friends,” thefield view display612 may only display theplayer cards604 chosen by the user as the player cards they would like to view easily and most often. A user may elect to place aparticular player card606 in the friend category by clicking the “PICK ME”button618 of theplayer card606.

Player cards

604 and606 may comprise either a “PICK ME”button618 or a “FRIEND”button620. Once the user selects the “PICK ME”button618 of aplayer card606, that card will display if the Friend view is chosen atview selector button614. The618 button name will then change to FRIEND. As with theEveryone view616, the friend view (not shown) offield view display612 may also display player cards in order of most steps taken.

User interface

600 may also comprise anaverage marker622 and ableacher view button624.Average marker622 may display the number of steps an average user has taken since the beginning of a particular physical activity contest.Average marker622 may be displayed while in theeveryone view616 offield view display612. A user may utilizeaverage marker622 to measure how their total activity is compared to that of other users in the system. The user may select to indicate a desire to view all other player cards representing other users of the system. Upon selection, such as clicking, of bleacher view button624 ableacher view display700 ofFIG. 7 may be presented to the user.Bleacher view display700 may be configured to display graphical representations of all users of the system. For instance, in bleacher view display700 a user may see more player cards, such as

cards

702,704 and706 on the screen. The

player cards

702,704 and706 in thebleacher view display700 may be used in the same way as the player cards in thefield view display612 ofFIG. 6. However

player cards

702,704 and706 in thebleacher view display700 may be displayed smaller in order to fit more in view. That is,bleacher view display700 may allow a user to see more cards on the screen, and may help the user looking for a specific Player Card locate the card more quickly than in a field view display. Thefield view button708 may be used to toggle betweenbleacher view display700 andfield view display612 ofFIG. 6.

With reference toFIG. 8, upon logging into the application of the present invention, a user may accessuser interface800. In accessinguser interface800, the user may view, among other items,user card802, and

player cards

804 and806.User card802 includes a graphical representation of the user that is logged in to the system.

Player cards

804 and806 may be graphical representations other users of the system other than the logged in user.User card802 may comprise achallenge count indicator808.Challenge count indicator808 may be configured to display a number corresponding to the current amount of invitations to participate in a new physical activity contest or challenge. Upon selecting, such as clicking, challenge count indicator808 anew challenge display900 ofFIG. 9 may be presented to the user. Within the new challenge display900 a user may view

challenge cards

902 and904.

Challenge cards

902 and904 may provide information about the physical activity contest the user has been invited to participate in. For instance,

challenge cards

902 and904 may indicate who created thechallenge906, the physical activity goal participants of the challenge are all trying to reach908, how long the challenge may last910, and how many points the challenge is worth912.Challenge card902 may also indicate what other users of the system are slated to or currently participating in thephysical activity contest914. If a user wishes to decline an invitation to a new challenge, the user would click thedecline button916. For instance, selectingdecline button916 will remove thechallenge card904 from thenew challenge display900 and the user will no longer have access to that challenge.

If a user wishes to accept an invitation to a new challenge, the user may accept by clicking and dragging the desiredchallenge card902 from thenew challenge display900 into theopen space918 below thefield view display920 in the challengemanagement display area922. Once accepted a user has committed himself to completing this challenge, there is not a way for the user to decline once they have accepted. In the challengemanagement display area922, a user can view

various challenge cards

924,926 and928, of physical activity contest the user is participating in. Each user of the system may participate in a maximum of five physical activity contests or challenges. The

challenge cards

924,926 and928 may display the screen name of the player who created it930, the points awarded for completing it932, and the users current rank or placement in thatchallenge934.

The challengemanagement display area922 is an area of the user interface that allows users to manage their challenges. By clicking on one of those

challenge cards

924,926 and928, thefield view display612 ofFIG. 6 will refresh to display all participants in that challenge and their current rank or placement. If a user would like to create a new challenge, the user would do so by dragging a player card of a guest invited to participate in the challenge into anopen space918 within the challengemanagement display area922. This will expand the createchallenge display1002 ofFIG. 10. Within the create challenge display1002 a user may select various criteria for the physical activity contest. For instance, thechallenge type1004 may be selected. The challenge type may include for example an activity time contest in which the user is required to log a predefined period of physical activity or a “steps taken” contest in which the user is required to take a predefined number of steps. As the user selects achallenge type1004, the system may automatically default the length of thechallenge1006 and thepoints1008 that may be won for participating in the challenge. Upon saving the challenge details, the createdchallenge1010 will begin immediately. In one example, participants will have48 hours to acceptchallenge1008 and the challenge creator will have48 hours to add new participants to thechallenge1010.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated and within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A user interface embodied on at least one computer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions used by a computing device, the user interface for generating physical activity indicators, the user interface comprising:

an activation button configured to prompt physical activity data associated with a user to be retrieved from a user device on which the physical activity data is stored;

a point tracking display area configured to display a number of points the user has accumulated, the number of points being affected by both the degree of interaction of the user with the user-interface and by the amount of physical activity of the user;

an activity clock display area configured to display a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day and the number of minutes of physical activity needed by the user to achieve a daily physical activity goal; and

an activity streak display area configured to display an activity streak, wherein an activity streak is a number of consecutive days the user has achieved the daily physical activity goal.

2. The user interface ofclaim 1, further comprising a point multiplier display area configured to display a number that multiples the number of points the user has accumulated for achieving the daily physical activity goal, wherein the point multiplier increases based on the activity streak of the user.

3. The user interface ofclaim 2, wherein the daily physical activity goal comprises sixty minutes of physical activity associated with the user.

4. The user interface ofclaim 3, wherein the activity streak display area is configured to reset to zero when the user fails to meet the daily physical activity goal.

5. The user interface ofclaim 4, wherein the activity streak display area further comprises a visual indicator of a date when the activity streak began.

6. The user interface ofclaim 1, wherein the activity clock display area further comprises a digital time display area configured to display a total time the user was active in a day.

7. The user interface ofclaim 1, further comprising a scoreboard display area configured to display at least one of a number of steps taken by the user in a day, a number of miles walked by the user in a day and a number of minutes of physical activity by the user in a day.

8. A user interface embodied on at least one computer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions used by a computing device, the user interface for generating physical activity indicators for a plurality of users, the user interface comprising:

a first graphical representation of at least one user of the plurality of users, wherein the first graphical representation displays a level of physical activity associated with the at least one user, and wherein the first graphical representation may be customized by the at least one user associated with the first graphical representation;

a second graphical representation of another user of the plurality of users wherein the second graphical representation displays the level of physical activity associated with another user of the plurality of users;

a field view display area configured to display the first and second graphical representations such that the graphical representations are ranked based on physical activity indicators of the user associated with each of the first and second graphical representations; and

a statistics display area associated with each of the first and second graphical representations, the statistics display area configured to show physical activity indicators of the at least one user and the at least another user of the plurality of users.

9. The user interface ofclaim 8 further comprising, a challenge invitation display area configured to display a request to participate in a physical activity contest, wherein the request is made from at least one user of the plurality of users to at least another user of the plurality of users.

10. The user interface ofclaim 9 wherein the request to participate in a physical activity contest is accepted by the user selecting an icon representing the request in the challenge invitation display area and dragging the icon into the field view display area of the user-interface.

11. The user interface ofclaim 9, wherein the physical activity contest includes at least one of an activity time contest in which the user is required to log a predefined period of physical activity or a steps taken contest in which the user is required to take a predefined number of steps.

12. The user interface ofclaim 11, wherein each user of the plurality of users may participate in a maximum of five physical activity contests.

13. The user interface ofclaim 8 further comprising, a third graphical representation configured to display an average of a total number of steps taken by all users in the plurality of users.

14. The user interface ofclaim 8 further comprising, a bleacher view display area configured to display graphical representations of all users in the plurality of users.

15. The user interface ofclaim 14 further comprising a view icon configured to allow the user to toggle between the field view display area and the bleacher view display area.

16. The user interface ofclaim 8 further comprising, an expert display area configured to display physical activity data statistics associated with one or more professional athletes.

17. The user interface ofclaim 16, wherein the expert display area is configured to display the physical activity data statistics associated with one or more professional athletes alongside the first graphical representation of at least one user of the plurality of users, wherein the first graphical representation displays a level of physical activity associated with the at least one user.

18. A user interface embodied on at least one computer storage medium storing computer-useable instructions used by a computing device, the user interface for generating physical activity indicators, the user interface comprising:

a scoreboard display area configured to display at least two of a number of steps taken by the user in a day, a number of miles walked by the user in a day and a number of minutes of physical activity the user has achieved for a current day;

an activity streak display area configured to display an activity streak, wherein an activity streak is a number of consecutive days the user has achieved a daily physical activity goal;

a customizable graphical representation of the user configured to display a level of physical activity associated with the user, wherein the level of physical activity associated with the user is based at least in part on the number of points the user has accumulated; and

a challenge invitation display area configured to display a request to the user participate in a physical activity contest, wherein the request is made from at least one of another user of a group of users or a system administrator.

19. The user interface ofclaim 18, further comprising a plurality of graphical representations of other users, each of the plurality of graphical representations including physical activity data statistics associated with one of the other users.

20. The user interface ofclaim 19 further comprising a field view display area configured to display the plurality of graphical representations such that the graphical representations are ranked based on physical activity indicators of the user associated with each of the graphical representations.