WO2008060043A1

WO2008060043A1 - System and method for motivating physical exercise using an instant message

Info

Publication number: WO2008060043A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mi Sook Sohn; Jeun Woo Lee
Original assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Current assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute ETRI
Priority date: 2006-11-15
Filing date: 2007-10-25
Publication date: 2008-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-15

Abstract

A physical exercise motivating system and method using an instant message are provided. In the physical exercise motivating system and method, physical exercise information and health information are shared between persons to stimulate a competitive spirit so as to motivate physical exercise, so that the persons, that is, users are interested in the physical exercise and heath in daily life. The physical exercise information or physiological information received from sensor devices provided to the users is managed, and the information is transmitted to the users in an instant message format. Accordingly, the user can check the physical exercise information of the user or the other users in real time, so that the user can be interested in health.

Description

Description SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOTIVATING PHYSICAL

EXERCISE USING AN INSTANT MESSAGE Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method of motivating physical exercise using an instant messaging service, and more particularly, to a method of motivating physical exercise using an instant messaging service capable of sharing physical exercise information between persons in real time and stimulating a competitive spirit to motivate physical exercise. This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/ IITA[2005-S-069-02, Development of Wearable System Using Physiological Signal Processing]

[2]

Background Art

[3] Regular physical exercise is very important factors for controlling health care, for example, preventing disease, controlling weight, controlling stress. Recently, persons having a sedentary lifestyle, for example, persons who sit studying or working for most of the day have increased, and a life pattern pursuing convenience prevails. Therefore, many persons do not practice necessary physical exercise. Accordingly, due to increasing importance of the physical exercise, technologies for supplementing the physical exercise have been gradually developed.

[4]

[5] As a representative technology, there is a pedometer which has been used for counting the number of steps in walking, that is, a basic physical exercise since its first commercialization in Japan in the 1960s. Recently, due to development of IT technologies and sensor technologies, various apparatuses for more accurately measure the physical exercise have been proposed and provided.

[6]

[7] For example, BodyMedia has provided BodyBugg Armband that continuously records physiology signals and physical exercise by using an accelerometer, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor, and a thermometer. In addition, Polar introduced various physical exercise measuring products implemented in a portable or wearable form such a breast band, a wristwatch, and a garment. However, the commercialized products have a simple function of measuring physical exercise or displaying a result of measurement.

[8]

[9] In order to promote and maintain health, it is important to continuously induce the persons to practice long-term physical exercise. Namely, it is important to provide a motive to the user so as to induce a user's spontaneous activity and continuously practice physical exercise. [10] However, as points of view are different among persons, the motives are also different among persons. Since the motives are different among the persons, personal characters need to be considered so as to provide suitable motives to the persons.

[H]

[12] In general, the motives can be effectively induced from or provided to the persons in a completive, cooperative, and rewarding system using a social network. As seen in a successful example such as "Cyworld" (a web community site) and "MySpace" (a popular social networking website), the motives can be induced from the persons by using social networking, that is, interaction between the persons. However, in the field of physical exercise, the social network has not been employed to induce the motive of practicing regular physical exercise.

[13]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[14] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, there is a need for a physical exercise motivating method and system using an instant message capable of sharing physical exercise information and health information between persons to stimulate a competitive spirit so as to motivate physical exercise.

[15]

Technical Solution

[16] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instant messaging server in a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message, comprising: an information receiving unit receiving physical exercise information or physiological information of users collected from at least one sensor device; a database storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information of the users; and an instant messaging controller updating the database by using the information received from the information receiving unit, searching for health information including the physical exercise information or physiological information of a logging-in user using a user terminal in the database, and transmitting the health information to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[17]

[18] In the above aspect of the present invention, the physical exercise information or physiological information may be at least one of physical exercise practicing information, smoking amount information, glucose amount information, body fat in- formation, and blood pressure information.

[19] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an instant messaging server in a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message, comprising: an information receiving unit receiving physical exercise information or physiological information corresponding to users collected from sensor devices provided to the users; a database storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information of the users corresponding to the users; a group management unit allocating levels to the users included in a predetermined group by using the information stored in the database corresponding to the users; and an instant messaging controller updating the database and the group management unit by using the information received from the information receiving unit and transmitting health information including the physical exercise information or physiological information of a logging-in user using a user terminal, health information of the other users included in the group, and the level allocated by the group management unit to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[20]

[21] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message, comprising: receiving physical exercise information or physiological information collected from a sensor device; storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information in a database; and monitoring log-in of a user terminal; and transmitting the physical exercise information or physiological information of the user stored in the database to the user terminal of the logging-in user using the user terminal in an instant message format.

[22]

[23] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message, comprising: receiving physical exercise information or physiological information of users measured from sensor devices provided to the users; storing and updating the received physical exercise information or physiological information in a database corresponding to the users; analyzing and comparing the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users stored in the database to calculate user level of the users included in a predetermined group; monitoring log-in of a user terminal; and transmitting the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users and user level information of the user included in the group to the user terminal of the logging-in user using in an instant message format.

[24]

[25] In the above aspect of the present invention, the physical exercise motivating method may further comprises transmitting physical exercise information or physiological information of the other users included in the group to the user terminal in an instant message format. [26]

Advantageous Effects

[27] According to a physical exercise motivating system and method of the present invention, physical exercise information and physiological information are shared between persons, so that a competitive spirit to motivate physical exercise can be stimulated and the persons, that is, users can be interested in the physical exercise and heath in daily life.

[28]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[29] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a whole configuration of a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message according to the present invention.

[30] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message according to the present invention.

[31] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[32] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[33]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[34] Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be easily implemented by the ordinarily skilled in the art. If detailed description of well- known functions or constructions is determined not to clarifying the present invention, the detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[35] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a whole configuration of a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message according to the present invention.

[36] The physical exercise motivating system (hereinafter, referred to as a motivating system) using the instant message includes a sensor device 100, a user terminal 200, an instant messaging server 400, and a network or a mobile communication network 300 for connecting the components in a wire or wireless manner.

[37] The motivating system has a client-server structure in which a user access the instant messaging server 400 through the network or mobile communication network by using the sensor device 100 and the user terminal 200.

[38] [39] In addition, in the present invention, a messenger program for using the instant message is provided. In a general messenger program, a server is in a standby state where the user can access the server. When the user accesses the server, the server generates a new socket to start transmitting messages between the server and a client.

[40] However, in the motivating system according to the present invention, among the sensor device 100 and the user terminal 200 constituting the client, the sensor device 100 is always in a state of accessing the instant messaging server 400. The sensor device 100 transmits physical exercise information or physiological information measured in real time or in a predetermined period to the instant messaging server 400. The instant messaging server 400 stores recent physical exercise information or physiological information. When the user logs in the instant messaging server 400 by using the user terminal 200, the instant messaging server 400 transmits the information on the log-in user or other users through the instant message to the user terminal 200.

[41]

[42] The sensor device 100 acquires the physical exercise information or physiological information of the user by using sensors and continuously transmits the acquired information to the instant messaging server 400 in real time or in the predetermined period. In the specification of the present invention, the physical exercise information or the physiological information denotes information on health of the user measured by using various sensors.

[43]

[44] For example, the health information includes physical exercise information measured with sensors such as an accelerometer, a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor, and an electromyography (EMG) sensor as well as physical exercise information such as the number of steps counted with a pedometer, the number of push-ups practiced by an athlete. In addition, in case of a smoker, the health information may include smoking times counted by the user (smoker) pushing a specific button of a sensor device every time of smoking or automatically counted by using an olfactory sensor such as an electronic nose device attached to a portable apparatus.

[45] The physiological information such as a glucose level, blood pressure, a body fat amount, a heart beat rate, and the like is acquired by using the sensor device. The sensor device for measuring the physiological information is well known to the ordinarily skilled in the art, and thus, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[46]

[47] In the present invention, the sensor device 100 is provided with a communication means so as to continuously transmit the physiological information to the instant messaging server 400 in real time or in a predetermined period.

[48] The sensor device 100 may be attached on a portion of a body of the user or carried by the user, so that the user can measure the physiological information in a predetermined period and transmit the physiological information to the instant messaging server 400.

[49] The user terminal 200 receives the health information from the instant messaging server 400 and outputs the health information in an instant message format. Therefore, the user can check the current physical exercise information and physiological information by using the user terminal 200. In addition, the user can receives the physical exercise information and physiological information of the other users included in a group for sharing information to motivate physical exercise from the instant messaging server 400.

[50]

[51] The user terminal 200 includes the messenger program. When the user logs in the instant messaging server 400, the instant messaging server 400 transmits the physical exercise information and physiological information of the user to the user terminal 200.

[52] The physical exercise information includes a result of current physical exercise practice, a weekly history of physical exercise practice, or a monthly history of physical exercise practice. The history of physical exercise practice may be output in a graph or list so as to be easily checked.

[53]

[54] In addition, a level (or rank) of the user in the group for sharing physical exercise information to motivate physical exercise may be included in the graph or list, so that the physical exercise motivation of the user can be stimulated. Namely, the user checking the result of the current physical exercise and the level may be interested in the physical exercise information of the other users, so that the user check the physical exercise information of the other users.

[55]

[56] As a method of the user logging in the instant messaging server 400 by using the user terminal 200, there is a first method of the user directly accessing the instant messaging server 400 by using the user terminal 200 and a second method of the user operating the user terminal 200 to drive the messenger program and the user terminal 200 automatically logging in the instant messaging server 400 through the messenger program. The second method has an advantage in that the user using the user terminal 200 can always check the physical exercise information and physiological information.

[57] The user terminal 200 may be a personal data assistant (PDA) or a computer capable of performing communication through the network or the mobile communication. In addition, the user terminal 200 may be integrally provided with the sensor device 100. Namely, the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the user can be transmitted to the instant messaging server 400 through the user terminal 200 provided with the sensor device 100, and the health information is received through the user terminal 200 to be output to the user.

[58]

[59] The instant messaging server 400 manages personal information and user health information. In addition, the instant messaging server 400 manages the group sharing health information to motivate physical exercise. Namely, the instant messaging server 400 compares the user health information of the users to score the health information and allocate the level to the users. The details thereof are described with reference to FIG. 2.

[60] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a configuration of a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message according to the present invention.

[61]

[62] In the motivating system, the instant messaging server 400, a plurality of the sensor devices 110 to 150, and a plurality of the user terminals 210 to 250 are connected to each other through a communication network or a mobile communication network. Each user has a sensor device and a user terminal. For example, a user A has a sensor device A and a user terminal A. Here, the sensor device A denotes a set of sensors required to acquire physical exercise information or physiological information. The user A having the sensor device A I lO attached on a portion of the body of the user or the user terminal transmits the physical exercise information or the physiological information to the instant messaging server 400 in real time or in a predetermined period. In addition, the user A receives the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the user or the other users through the user terminal A 210, so that the user can check the level of the user in the group.

[63]

[64] In the same manner, the users B and C transmit the physical exercise information or the physiological information measured by the sensor devices B 120 and C 130 to the instant messaging server 400 and check the information through the user terminals B and C, respectively.

[65] The instant messaging server 400 receives the physical exercise information and the physiological information of the users from the sensor devices and manages the information according to the users and the groups. The instant messaging server 400 transmits the information to the user terminals carried by the users.

[66] The instant messaging server 400 includes an information collecting unit 410 for receiving the physical exercise information of the users from the sensor devices 110 to 150, a database 440 for storing the collected information, a group management unit 430 for managing the information according to the groups, and an instant messaging controller 420 for storing and managing the collected information and transmitting the information to the user terminals in a instant message format.

[67]

[68] Firstly, the information collecting unit 410 receives the physical exercise information or the physiological information transmitted from the sensor devices provided to the users in real time or in a predetermined period. Each of the sensor devices transmits the measured physical exercise information or the physiological information of the user through the communication means provided to each of the sensor devices. Alternatively, in a case where each of the sensor devices is integrally provided to each of the user terminals, the sensor device may transmit the physical exercise information or the like to the information collecting unit 410 through the communication means of the user terminal.

[69]

[70] The database 440 stores the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the users. For example, in a case where the user A is a smoker, the database 440 stores a smoking amount of the user continuously together with a glucose level, a blood pressure, and a hear beat rate. In addition, the database 440 stores the physical exercise information and the physiological information of the other users, for example, the users B and C.

[71] The group management unit 430 manages the groups. The group management unit

430 checks a level of the user in the group by using the database 440 storing the informing of the users and performs management of the information of the users, for example, continuously searching for a user closest to the target level that the user sets. The group is set in advance by the users. The users can subscribe a default group that is set in advance by the instant messaging server 400. Alternatively, the users may organize a new group. Alternatively, one user may designate the other users who the current user desires to share the information and organize the group for sharing the information in response to an approval of the other users.

[72]

[73] For example, a user who wants to stop smoking together with the others organizes a group, and the motive for stop smoking can be provided to the user by comparing smoking amounts between the users. In addition, a user who is on a diet together with the others organizes a group, and the motive for going on a diet can be provided to the user by comparing current weights or decreases in weight for a predetermined time interval between the user.

[74] The instant messaging controller 420 stores the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users received from the information collecting unit 410 in the database 440, monitors log-in of the user, and transmits the physical exercise information or physiological information of the logging-in user, the physical exercise information or physiological information of the other users included in the group, the user level in the group to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[75]

[76] The instant message format denotes an information transmitting format in which information is transmitted in real time to a logging-in user terminal. For example, when a user terminal logs in, a specific icon is displayed on a portion of a screen, and if a user clicks the icon, current or previous physical exercise information or physiological information of the user and rank or level information of the users in the group are provided. If the information stored in the instant messaging server 400 is changed, the instant messaging server 400 transmits the changed information to the user terminal in real time. As an alternative example, when a user of a group logs in, a pop-up, "Rank 2 in Good Fitness Group is logging-in. 5,000 Steps" is displayed in a short time. Next, when the user clicks the specific icon, the user can check the physical exercise information or the like of a target user or other users of the group as well as the physical exercise information and the like of he user.

[77]

[78] The user terminal can be provided with various types of the information by using various information providing methods. For example, when a user selects a "Good Fitness Group", a total number of members, names and the number of steps of group ranks 1, 2, and 3, and a history of changed-rank information may be checked.

[79] IN addition, if a user wants to check a history of physical exercise information or physical exercise of the user or the other users, a weekly record, or a monthly record, and details of physical exercise information and physiological information may be checked.

[80] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[81] Firstly, a sensor device of a user measures and collects physical exercise information and physiological information of the user (S310).

[82] The physical exercise information or the physiological information collected by the sensor device is transmitted to an instant messaging server through communication means of the sensor device (S320).

[83] The instant messaging server stores the received physical exercise information or physiological information in a database, and previously stored information is updated by newly received information (S330).

[84] The instant messaging server monitors log-in of user terminals (S340).

[85] As a result of the monitoring, when there is a user who logs in the instant messaging server, the instant messaging server transmits the physical exercise information or the physiological information stored in the database to the logging-in user terminal in an instant message format (S350).

[86]

[87] For example, assuming that the user carries a pedometer and a tonometer together with a PDA, the pedometer continuously counts the number of steps of the user, and the tonometer measures a blood pressure of the user. The number of steps as physical exercise information and the blood pressure information as the physiological information are transmitted to the instant messaging server.

[88] The number of steps and the blood pressure information are stored in the database of the instant messaging server according to the users. The information stored in the database are time-varying information of the users. For example, the number of steps and the blood pressure information of the user are continuously measured for one week and stored in units of a time.

[89] The user can operate the PDA to log in (or access) the instant messaging server. Alternatively, at the same time of operating the PDA, the user can log in the instant messaging server by using the messenger program.

[90] In the state that the user logs in the instant messaging server, the instant messaging server transmits the current number of step and the current blood pressure information to the PDA of the user. The instant messaging server continuously transmits the number of steps and the blood pressure information of the user in the instant message format in real time, and at the same time of log-in, the PDA continuously outputs the updated information in a pop-up manner. In addition, when the user desires to check a relationship between the number of steps and the blood pressure corresponding to one week, the user may push a "History" button to check the trend of the relationship between the number of steps and the blood pressure for one week. As a result of the operation, the user may check that the increasing number of steps leads to a normal level of the blood pressure, so that the user can be motivated to continue to practice physical exercise.

[91]

[92] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a physical exercise motivating method using an instant message according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[93] In the physical exercise motivating method according to the present invention, physical exercise information or physiological information measured by a sensor device provided to each user is received (S410). Namely, all the users accessing an instant messaging server are provided with the sensor devices for measuring the physical exercise information or the physiological information. The sensor devices measure the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the users in real time of in a predetermined period. The sensor devices of all the users transmit the measured information to the instant messaging server through a communication means. The instant messaging server receives the physical exercise information or the physiological information of all the users.

[94] The physical exercise information or the physiological information received from the users is stored and updated in a database as information corresponding to the users (S420).

[95]

[96] When there are groups organized by the users, the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the users stored in the database is stored and managed as the physical exercise information or the like corresponding to the groups. The physical exercise information or the like of the users are compared and analyzed in units of a group, and the users are allocated with ranks or levels (S430).

[97] The instant messaging server receives the physical exercise information or the physiological information from the users and checks the log-in of the users (S440).

[98]

[99] As a result of the log-in check, if there is a logging-in user, the instant messaging server transmits the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the logging-in user and the rank or level of the user in the group to the user terminal in an instant message format (S450).

[100] In addition, the instant messaging server transmits the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the other users to the user terminal (S460).

[101] For example, assuming that ten users are subscribed in a "Diet Group", users are provided with a body-fat measuring apparatus for measuring a body fat amount as an example of physiological information and a pedometer and a speed measuring apparatus for measuring the number of steps and a motion as example of physical exercise information.

[102] The physical exercise information such as the number of steps and the motion and the physiological information such as the body fat amount measured by the pedometer, the speed measuring apparatus, and the body-fat measuring apparatus are transmitted to the instant messaging server in real time or in a predetermined period.

[103]

[104] The instant messaging server stores the number of steps, the motion information, and the body fat information in the database corresponding to the users. The instant messaging server calculates number-of-steps ranks, motion ranks, and diet ranks by using the number of steps, the motion information, and the body fat information of the ten users of the diet group and analyzes a relationship between the number of steps and the motion.

[105] The instant messaging server can check the log-in of the user at the same time of receiving and analyzing the information.

[106] In a case where there are five logging-in users, the instant messaging server pops up the diet rank of the user on the user terminal at the same time of logging-in of the user. In addition, if needed, the users can check the desired information by using the user terminals. As a result of the operations, the instant messaging server can continuously transmits the physical exercise information and the physiological information of the logging-in user to the user terminal and, at the same time, updates the previously stored information with the information transmitted from the sensor device in real time which transmitting the updated information to the user terminal.

[107]

[108] The user can check the result of diet of the other users in the diet group by using the user terminal and analyzes a relationship between the number of steps and walking time to the effect of diet.

[109] While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] An instant messaging server in a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message, comprising: an information receiving unit receiving physical exercise information or physiological information of users; a database storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information of the users; and an instant messaging controller updating the database by using the information received from the information receiving unit, searching for health information including the physical exercise information or physiological information of a logging-in user using a user terminal in the database, and transmitting the health information to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[2] The instant messaging server of claim 1, wherein the information received by the information receiving unit is information collected by a sensor device provided to the user.

[3] The instant messaging server of claim 1, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information is at least one of physical exercise practicing information, smoking amount information, blood sugar amount information, body weight information, body fat information, and blood pressure information.

[4] The instant messaging server of claim 1, wherein the health information transmitted to the instant messaging server includes current physical exercise information or physiological information of the logging-in user and previous physical exercise information or physiological information for a predetermined time interval.

[5] The instant messaging server of claim 4, wherein the instant messaging controller transmits the health information continuously updated during the logging-in of the user terminal to the user terminal in the instant message format.

[6] An instant messaging server in a physical exercise motivating system using an instant message, comprising: an information receiving unit receiving physical exercise information or physiological information corresponding to users; a database storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information of the users corresponding to the users; a group management unit allocating levels to the users included in a predetermined group by using the information stored in the database corresponding to the users; and an instant messaging controller updating the database and the group management unit by using the information received from the information receiving unit and transmitting health information including the physical exercise information or physiological information of a logging-in user using a user terminal, health information of the other users included in the group, and the level allocated by the group management unit to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[7] The instant messaging server of claim 6, wherein the information receiving unit receives the physical exercise information or the physiological information of the users measured by sensor devices provided to the users from the user terminals.

[8] The instant messaging server of claim 6, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information is at least one of physical exercise practicing information, smoking amount information, blood sugar amount information, body weight information, body fat information, and blood pressure information.

[9] The instant messaging server of claim 6, wherein the group management unit compares the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users included in the group to allocate the user levels to the users.

[10] A physical exercise motivating method comprising: receiving physical exercise information or physiological information collected from a user; storing the received physical exercise information or physiological information in a database; and transmitting the physical exercise information or physiological information of the user stored in the database to the user terminal of the logging-in user using the user terminal in an instant message format.

[11] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 10, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information of the user is collected by a sensor device provided to the user

[12] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 11, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information is at least one of physical exercise practicing information, smoking amount information, blood sugar amount information, body weight information, body fat information, and blood pressure information.

[13] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting physical exercise information or physiological information of the user measured at predetermined previous time to the user terminal.

[14] A physical exercise motivating method comprising: receiving physical exercise information or physiological information of users; storing and updating the received physical exercise information or physiological information in a database corresponding to the users; analyzing and comparing the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users stored in the database to calculate user level of the users included in a predetermined group; and transmitting the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users and user level information of the user included in the group to the user terminal of the logging-in user using in an instant message format.

[15] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 14, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information of the users is received from sensor devices provided to the users.

[16] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting physical exercise information or physiological information of the other users included in the group to the user terminal in an instant message format.

[17] The physical exercise motivating method of claim 16, wherein the physical exercise information or physiological information is at least one of physical exercise practicing information, smoking amount information, blood sugar amount information, body weight information, body fat information, and blood pressure information.